I am taking a whirlwind trip through New England the first week of October

[EYESORE 9001]

I’m flying to Boston and renting a car for the week. Hotel stays, in order, are Portland, ME, Mount Washington, NH, Brattleboro, VT, and Mystic, CT…then back to Boston. If anyone has suggestions for sights or activities along that route, I’m very interested in hearing from you.
Thanks

[mentalsolstice]

1. Bar Harbor ME and Woodstock, VT. nt

[moose65]

11. It's a long haul to Bar Harbor

It's beautiful, but it may be a little out of the way for this itinerary.

I second Woodstock, Vermont though! Beautiful place.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Yes to Woodstock, VT.

Stop at the Simon Pearce outlet/factory for lunch between White River Junction (just over the NH border) and Woodstock. Very charming spot on the river overlooking a waterfall and beautiful handcrafted items (kind of spendy).

https://www.simonpearce.com/our-restaurant

[markie]

2. too many to list...

but one would be the nice scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112 in New Hampshire), Franconia Notch is nice as well (I-93)

have to do a zoom in a few minutes and will come back to suggest a few more

[we can do it]

5. I'm hiking Franconia Ridge next Thursday!

[eShirl]

3. Portland, Maine has lots of parks and trails

https://www.portlandmaine.gov/1898/Parks-Trails-and-Playgrounds

Western Promenade is handy to Maine Medical Center, btw, which is hard to miss!

[PortTack]

4. Acadia Ntl Park

[wyn borkins]

6. Cove Point Lighthouse

I would love to visit the Cove Point Lighthouse located on the west side of Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland. This is the lighthouse elleng posts so lovingly about with her images of ospreys nesting and resting...

[Tomconroy]

7. If you are in Mystic be sure to check out the village of

Last edited Tue Sep 7, 2021, 01:49 PM - Edit history (2)

Stonington right next door. Drive the narrow street all the way to the parking lot at the tip and enjoy the view. You'll see to the east across the water the town of Watch Hill RI and the Watch Hill lighthouse. That town is worth checking out too. The century old merry-go-round may still be running. I'd recommend the Olympia Tea Room for lunch. Town resident Taylor Swift has been known to eat there (She owns the big white mansion at the top of the hill). Try the fresh squeezed lemonade and an Avondale Swan for dessert.
Most people who visit Mystic do the Seaport Museum but unless you have a real interest and you only have a day I would visit those two towns. Both are extremely scenic. Oddly, they are both hard to find. You'll need the gps.
In Mystic itself I like the S &P Oyster Co. with views right on the river.
My wife and I did Portland a few years back. No sites really stand out. Nice little art museum. Maybe a harbor cruise if they are still running. Of course if shopping is your thing LL Bean and a million other shops are nearby in Freeport. Avoid Columbus Day Weekend though. Traffic jam won't begin to describe it.
You might be a little early for leaf changing. But you might catch some up north.

[mitch96]

9. I'm heading up to Portland next week...

I don't know if you like beer and there a nice bunch of micro breweries that give tours..
Maine brewing Co "peepers" is my fav.. Lots of good food to try..
You said Mt Washington.. We are going up the cog railroad to the top..
m

[EYESORE 9001]

10. Yes, I'm going on the cog railroad too

Already got tickets.

[markie]

14. aww too bad

your trip is so short... otherwise you could hike it.... nice hike up the Mountain

[EYESORE 9001]

15. I wish I had more time too

I’ll still walk at least a couple of miles each day.

[mitch96]

31. I got this from my buddy up in P'land....

https://lifelivedcuriously.com/3-day-portland-maine-itinerary/
m

[moose65]

12. Nubble Lighthouse!

On your way to Portland, go over to York Beach and visit Nubble Light - one of my favorite NE lighthouses! [link:http://nubblelight.org/|

Of course, there's also Portland Head Light, too.

Where are you staying near Mount Washington? North Conway? There's the Conway Scenic Railroad there. I'd also recommend either driving the Kancamagus Highway over to Franconia Notch, or driving up through Crawford Notch.

[Totally Tunsie]

13. You won't be far from The Flume at the base of Mt. Liberty

in Franconia Notch State Park (Route 93, Lincoln/Franconia, NH). The walk is about two miles and takes about 1.5 hours, and is gorgeous, especially at that time of year. It does involve significant stairs though, in case that's an issue.

See pics here:
https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/flume-gorge

Make a Reservation
Book your trip to Flume Gorge: Visitors should make a reservation before arriving at the park. Tickets can either be printed at home or displayed on a mobile device for scanning. Visitors who do not have a reservation when the Flume is sold out will be turned away. Please plan ahead as the Flume Gorge frequently sells out, especially on weekends.

FLUME GORGE RESERVATIONS
Reservations are limited per hour, per day and reservations in advance are required.
Guests are required to wear face coverings whenever indoors and whenever 6 ft. social distance from others is unable to be maintained.
Reservations are non-refundable. We do not issue refunds based on the weather. Please come prepared for rain or shine.
There is a $1 non-refundable online transaction fee. For more information visit our day-use reservation page.
Schedule and Fees
Online reservations are required to visit the Flume Gorge, please purchase admission passes in advance.
*Dates and times are weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For up to date hours, please call the park directly.

Fees Schedule
Ages 13 and over: $18
Ages 6-12: $16
Ages 5 & Under : FREE Open Daily 9am - 5pm
(Closes October 24, 2021)

Also, nearby is The Basin - a smaller version of geographical water carvings of The Flume. There is no charge for visiting The Basin. Located at the base of Cannon Mountain in Franconia Nat'l park.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-basin-lincoln-new-hampshire

The entire Franconia Notch area is gorgeous!

[dclarston13]

16. Newburyport is nice stop for lunch or dinner

Plum Island is also nice if you like undeveloped beaches.
Traffic will be pretty bad on the weekend, during the week Rt 1A up the coast is nice.

[EYESORE 9001]

17. I'm taking the coastal highways whenever possible

I do like undeveloped coastline.

[dclarston13]

26. Plum Island is a little bit off

the beaten path, but worth it if you like beach days.

[trof]

19. Lot of ground to cover in a week.

You could spend the whole week in and around Boston and Cambridge.

[smirkymonkey]

20. On your way up to Portland, ME, stop in Portsmouth, NH and some of the towns in Maine

on the coast between there and Portland - York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport.

I think someone mentioned the Nubble Lighthouse in York, in Ogunquit there is a lovely walk along Marginal Way, which is a cliff walk overlooking the ocean from the town to Perkins Cove (some great places to have a bite to eat out there as well). Kennebunk and Kennebunkport has some beautiful old sea captain's homes and is just a charming little town to wander around, grap lunch or dinner or have a drink somewhere.

The Maine coast is really beautiful. Have you been before?

Also, instead of CT, I would go down to Cape Cod and/or Newport, RI. The Cape is lovely off season and not as crowded. You can drive all the way to P-town on the outer cape which is a lot of fun and the surrounding area is just beautiful. I live here in Boston and now I want to go on a road trip!

Also, Boston's North Shore can be interesting/nice as well. Marblehead/Salem, Gloucester, Newburyport, Ipswich, Rockport, etc.

[Phentex]

21. Nothing to add but please report back...

I'd love to live vicariously through you!

[EYESORE 9001]

22. Oh, I will

I’m more excited than ever, seeing all the great suggestions I’ve gotten so far.

[markie]

23. ...

Saint-Gaudens, National Historical Park, Cornish, NH small park but very pleasant, nice art

https://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm


in Woodstock... Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park... nice short trails

https://www.nps.gov/mabi/index.htm


VINS... Vermont Institute of Natural Science on Route 4, in Quechee, on the way to Woodstock... nice Canopy Walk

https://vinsweb.org/

quick snack at King Arthur Cafe right off the Highway (I-91) Norwich, VT https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/visit

Montshire Museum https://www.montshire.org/ mostly for kids, but fun


don't know if the Pumpkin Festival will take place this year but... Keene NH does it up right if they do it https://www.pumpkinfestival.org/

this is in my neck of the woods... a bit off your path... https://www.vermontcornmaze.com/


maybe back to list more later... would help to know what you are interested in...

[First Speaker]

24. A few suggestions regarding Brattleboro...

...try and take Route 5 along the Connecticut River, if you get a chance. It's heaven. If you haven't reserved a room yet, try the Latchis Hotel in downtown Brattleboro. Perfect location, and river views from many of the rooms. For dinner, try the Whetstone Brewery just across the street. It has an outdoor patio right over the CT river that's one of the nicest places to eat I've ever seen. If you like mystery novels, there's a small mystery bookstore right up Main Street--or at least, there was when I visited there a few years ago. Brattleboro, in general, is a wonderful town to walk in--a classic New England small town. Have a great time!...

[sarge43]

25. Franconia Notch, NH

Right on the way to Mt Wash via I-93. A gem of a state park.

BTW, take warm clothing to visit Mt Washington. Even in summer the wind chill can be near freezing at the summit. Take the clog rail way, you'll see more.

[Fla Dem]

27. Take a ride through theGreen Mountains. Foliage should be beautiful.

Many years ago while traveling on business in Vermont, we drove through the Green Mts. The foliage absolutely took my breath away. I was awestruck. It was almost like a religious experience. Every curve we went around opened up a new vista bursting with vibrant colors. It was and still is one of the more memorable events I’ve had while traveling.

Foliage starts in mid September through the end of October, so you should be there at it’s height.

Video
https://images.app.goo.gl/bbuUbZoQ5Tbxdcbq5

[lpbk2713]

28. Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire

We vacationed there in the summer time when I was a youngster.

But that was many moons ago. I hope it hasn't been spoiled by now.

[sarge43]

30. No, it's still worth a visit

Recommend the mail boat ride.

[elleng]

29. GREAT! Would love to do that loop, have been to most;

also want to visit Rhode Island.

HAVE FUN!