Considering a trip up that way this fall. What to see? What to avoid? Best time to avoid crowds and winter weather. Prime fall colors not mandatory....

Thinking about driving up thru the Smokey’s and Blue Ridge mountains on the way up. Across upstate NY then across northern Vermont and New Hampshire to northern Maine.

Then returning along the coast to DC.

Any thoughts, opinions, and advice is appreciated. No plans to cross into Canada. Did that a couple years ago and it wasn’t a good experience....no desire to repeat it.

Lobsta

Not seeing but eating. Main lobster fresh off the boat. Thank me later.

Kennebunkport is a nice area. And you can drive by and see George W Sr's compound.
Freeport has LL Bean and other shops

I’ve done that. Flew up to Portsmouth for work several years ago but didn’t have a chance to go exploring.

Timing is after school starts back and before winter...best time for avoiding crowds...?????

Upstate New York is Beautiful. Cooperstown, Albany, Oneonta, are all nice.


we visited a town on the shores of lake Ontario named Oswego, it was like a postcard town out of a hallmark movie or something. Clean as could be, just a picture perfect town.


Went thru Syracuse, down to Hartford CT. Visited the Mansion of Mark Twain and saw the desk he wrote "Tom Sawyer" and "Huck Finn". Went to Boston and caught a redsox game at Fenway. Visited Providence RI, and had a delicious Lobster Dinner


I thoroughly enjoyed New England

I drove that route on my 24 hour straight run from Nashville. It is a beautiful two lane road, but you go slow and watch for game. A black bear made me stop and wait on him to pass.

My advice buddy, take the freeway all the way. You will get plenty of two lane scenery in New England. One trip I recommend is the loop from Merrimack straight north to where the old man in the mountain lived, then turn right on the Kangamangus (sp?) Trail. It is breathtaking. The other side is Conway. Stop there to look at the fly shops and the streams. Then head straight south down the other side of the state. Look for the Brown Pig near the Maine border and stop for a sammich.

When we lived there in the late ‘80s, that place saved us. The closest thing to BBQ in three states.

Avoid Boston and the harbor. They hate Texans in particular there. The western parts of Mass are much friendlier. NH and Mainers are great folks, hang with them. Connecticut is just New Yorkers, avoid. The cape might be worth a visit, but extremely, extremely liberal. Flooded with gays too. Great scenery though. Keep your attitude in check and you will have a great time and really good seafood.

You will find places tucked away into remote forested areas that range from spectacular seafood all the way down to a local dive that looks horrible but will serve you all the lobster you want for 8 bucks at that time. Eat lobster at least three times a day. Save your beef craving for when you get back home.

Chat with locals about the hidden gems in the forest.

Take a run up the Maine coast to visit LL Bean. Just a nice place to stop for awhile. The scenery up and back is great.

Have fun guys!

My brother has made that drive several times, having a son in Boston. He and the mob would drive into the areas mentioned. But...he loves to drive, whereas I’m less of a fan of long distance driving. So when the wife and I wanted to see that area, we took a cruise. Had a great time. Caught the ship in Boston, and the cruise went up the coast to old ports and cities.

The Lake Champlain area is definitely worth doing, pay attention to your route in planning, going east west can be difficult. Going up I81 to I84 then I87 is a good way to go avoid I95.

Thanks 603....we’re road warriors so driving is not a problem at all....

Thanks Cast....I avoid all major cities every chance I get....cities are just not our thing...

When does winter hit? Don’t mind the cooler temps but don’t care for snow....I spent seven years with lake effect snow from Lake Erie.

As we were moving back to Texas I was asked if I was going to miss the show...my reply was, “The next time I see snow I want it arse deep, blowing sideways, and on TV!”

Awesome, thanks!

If you are going through the Blue Ridge....spend at least some time on The Blue Ridge Parkway.....for me the prettiest part is north from Asheville through Blowing Rock/Boone...speed limit is generally 35 but boy, is it pretty. Especially in the fall.

Take one of the bus tours. They know the routes that have the best color, and you get to see it without looking out for all of the other crazy tourists.

When does winter arrive? It practically never leaves. We lived in Merrimack for three years. May 31 is my birthday. Every year we still had snow piled along the roads on my birthday. We usually had White Halloween too. The autumn foliage is without equal. I hope y’all get to see it.

I think that the last two weeks of Oct would be best to avoid both crowds and snow. It will be past peak foliage and before the snow starts in most years. That far north all bets are off but the first snow usually holds off until November.

The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are on the list...

I'm thinking September...the earlier the better.

Perfect....that helps a lot...mucho thanks everyone...

Keep it coming....

Do not run outta gas up there. Something will eat you. No gas, no nothing on both roads. Very few turn off to towns below too. I had two full 20 gallon saddle tanks when I started the trail. I was very glad I had that much fuel when I figured out where I was. Wilderness for sure.

You are right about that....it's what makes the Parkway so cool.....and the Linn Cove Viaduct is spectacular, and an engineering marvel.

I’ve driven both several times... a few of those on a motorcycle....amazing beauty...

We have flown into Hartford and driven to Foxwoods casino a few times. Mystic , Ct is a cool little town on the coast. Be sure to stop there if you are in the area. I've caught a bunch of big striped bass in that area.



good luck

Mo

when heading south along the coast of Maine, swing thru Ogunquit and down to Perkins cove, very quaint little fishing/lobstering village and the street side cafe's have fresh lobster from the docks next door. Lot of little shops to walk thru to stretch your legs.

depending on time of year, Gunstock Mountain Ski area NH has haunted hay fields (not really fields, like haunted house, forest, etc.) after dark and one of the longest zip lines in the USA down the main ski chair lifts.

Fall is also prime time for apple picking. Walking through an orchard and eating a dozen different varieties of apples straight off the tree is a surprisingly good time. Place we went in New Hampshire I think charged 15 bucks for a bag of apples you pick yourself.