<p>^^Just out of curiosity, I checked with hotels on hotwire.com and hotels.com, you still can find rooms in Mad Glen VT area and White Mountain NH area for about $90-120 range for dates around 10/10. I don’t think they are HI.</p>
<p>In the VT resort areas I named, Mad River Valley and Stowe (though other areas similar to this would be the same), there are no hotel chains. Unless you want to stay in one of VT’s “cities,” you are looking primarily at either country inns or condos. It is also peak foliage season at that time. But I do think in both these resort areas, you can stay at a country inn or condominium (with openings still existing), in the ballpark of anywhere between $130-$199, which in my view, is not a lot in peak season in a resort area for a vacation. There are a few places that cost less than that, in fact, that are a bit more motel-like.</p>
<p>Hi all, thank you again for your helpful advice! I have the book, “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” and it mentions the following for VT and NH:</p>
<p>In Vermont:
Manchester Village - “An Archetypal New England Town for Sportsmen & Shoppers”
Northeast Kingdom - “Fall Foliage Nirvana & the Quintessential Vermont Inn”
Shelbourne Farms - “An Invitation to a Vanderbilt Estate”
Stowe Mountain - “Where the Hills Are Alive”
Killington & Woodstock - “The King of the East Coast Mountains, and Royal Inns”</p>
<p>In NH:
The Balsams - “North Country Isolation for a Grande Dame”
The Lakes Region - “Golden Ponds and Yankee Towns”
Mount Washington - “The Appalachian Trail and the White Mountains”</p>
<p>Do you have any comments on the above?</p>
<p>We’re thinking of doing some easy to moderate hiking as well, but maybe we don’t have time to do all we want. (Isn’t that always the case with vacations?) Ok, I should buckle down and look at all this info in more detail… Again, many thanks!</p>
<p>Hi, Austinhills! I grew up in Westlake Hills and moved to Maine in 1986. I have never tired of seeing fall foliage! Before DH and I had kids, my mom and I would take a B&B tour through Vermont every year. I agree with soozie - in such a limited amount of time, stick to Vermont. If you get to come back again, check out New Hampshire and Maine. Camden, Maine in the fall is absolutely breathtaking (it has a gorgeous harbor that you can see from a nearby mountain).</p>
<p>If you bike, be careful! The roads can be narrow and winding, and you have to watch out for speeding cars.</p>
<p>We found that it takes longer than you’d think to travel in New England. You have to drive slowly through each village. Don’t base your travel times on Texas highway speeds!</p>
<p>Have a wonderful time!</p>
<p>Restaurant suggestions within an hour of the Mad River Valley</p>
<p>[Hen</a> of the Wood - Waterbury, Vermont](<a href=“http://www.henofthewood.com/]Hen”>http://www.henofthewood.com/)</p>
<p>[The</a> Pitcher Inn - located in Mad River Valley’s Warren, Vermont.<a href=“This%20would%20be%20a%20very%20pretty%20place%20to%20stay,%20though%20I%20imagine%20it’s%20expensive.%20Warren%20Falls%20%5Burl=http://www.northeastwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=404&p=0]Warren%20Falls%20-%20Waterfalls%20of%20the%20Northeastern%20United%20States[/url]%20and%20the%20covered%20bridge%20[url=http://www.virtualvermont.com/coveredbridges/warren.html]Warren%20Covered%20Bridge,%20Warren,%20Vermont[/url]%20are%20both%20near%20by.”>/url</a></p>
<p>We’ve also had fun eating at one of the New England Culinary Institute restaurants in Montpelier: [url=<a href=“http://www.neci.edu/about/restaurants-classrooms]Our”>http://www.neci.edu/about/restaurants-classrooms]Our</a> Restaurants Our Classrooms | New England Culinary Institute](<a href=“http://www.pitcherinn.com/]The”>http://www.pitcherinn.com/)</p>
<p>And for more take out fare the are great tacos and cubanos with fresh smoked meat at [The</a> Mad Taco - Waitsfield, VT: Home](<a href=“http://themadtaco.com/]The”>http://themadtaco.com/)</p>
<p>My parents own a condo at Sugarbush which gets rented out all year round when family isn’t using it. Don’t know what we charge though! In any event, if you want to stay in one place and do some of your own cooking that’s a very viable way to go. This is the link to Sugarbush, but I imagine that the other ski places in VT and NH have similar offerings: <a href=“http://www.sugarbush.com/vermont-resort-dining-lodging/resort-condominiums[/url]”>http://www.sugarbush.com/vermont-resort-dining-lodging/resort-condominiums</a></p>
<p>Second the recommendation for the NECI–this culinary school runs the Essex Inn, which is just outside of Burlington, VT (in Essex, VT). It’s a great place to stay and the food is quite good. Two places nearby–the Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms. We went to see both the weekend we visited.</p>
<p>The Balsams in NH is very nice. It’s old and elegant–European plan so all of your meals and activities (we’ve gone in the winter for skiing) are included in the rate. There’s a great golf course and beautiful grounds. I think jackets (for men) are still required at dinner. It’s right near Dixville Notch in the White Mountains and there are many hiking trails nearby. </p>
<p>A great all-day hike (that’s tough, but not a killer) it to hike up to Mount Washington (highest peak in the northeastern US). There’s an observatory and a display area there as well as a cafeteria. There are a couple of routes up the mountain (Tuckerman’s Ravine trail–most popular and Jewell Trail–probably the easiest route.) Go to the Applachian Mountain Club site–they have organized hikes and there’s tons of information about hiking and recreation activities in the White Mountains. I’ve done both trails and it’s a great hike for the fall. If you want to go to the top of Mt. Washington and don’t want to hike, you can take the Mt. Washington Cog Railway.</p>
<p>When I lived in MA in the 70s, one of my favorite destinations in NH was the Kangamangus (sp? because I always get it wrong) highway in NH. Used to be a beautiful drive, especially in early Oct when the leaves turned. There used to be alpine sildes at one end that we would race each other.</p>
<p>We once went to this lovely hotel, which apparently was where the Bretton Woods gold standard agreement was signed. I’m not totally sure it was the same actual building or if it even exists now, but it was impressive,.</p>
<p>AustinHills,
Just looking at the VT portion of your list…
I do think Woodstock and Killington area are lovely (as I said, I once lived in Woodstock). But for right now, you’d likely want to confine that to Woodstock and nearby Quechee as the road from there going west to Killington is wrecked and I’m not sure when it reopens. </p>
<p>The four day trip I had suggested to you (Mad River Valley, Stowe, Burlington) encompasses two places on that list…namely Stowe and Shelburne Farms Museum (that is right outside of Burlington). </p>
<p>The thing about Manchester, which has all the outlets too, is I think during peak foliage, it will be bumper to bumper and not so much the case where I suggested. </p>
<p>The Northeast Kingdom is not only a farther drive, but while very pretty, it is the most isolated part of the state and I think there is more to do in the towns, villages, and resort areas I suggested unless you want to be in the most remote areas.</p>
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<p>Mt Washington Hotel. Was there several years ago. They still maintain the room where the agreement was signed and there are lots of pictures of the event. The hotel wasn’t in the best of shape when we were there and I preferred visiting the hotel to staying at the hotel.</p>
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<p>If you want to combine some hiking with a college visit, the Appalachian Trail literally passes through the middle of the Dartmouth campus.</p>
<p>For excellent dining I can recommend Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, VT.</p>
<p>Simon Pearce restaurant is temporarily closed because of the flood. Too bad. We had one of the best meals I’ve had in years just 3 days before the flood.</p>
<p>By Oct 10, the leaves might be past peak in northern NH & VT. I know that’s often a great weekend in NJ, so if you’re looking for colorful leaves I would stay south. NH is my favorite, so I would recommend it. </p>
<p>If you are looking for spectacular scenery, I love the White Mountains. Mt Washington weather is already too crazy (no brainer to have snow in October!) to suggest a hike to the summit in October, but there are many great hikes in the area. Check out the Appalachian Mountain Club website at [Appalachian</a> Mountain Club – Outdoor Recreation, Education, Conservation in the Northeast](<a href=“http://www.outdoors.org%5DAppalachian”>http://www.outdoors.org)</p>
<p>I have not heard this “officially” but I am wondering if the hurricane/tropical storm/flood will impact the color season. We had a lot of wind damage here in Connecticut and have a lot of shredded leaves on the ground – and many of the trees were looking thin and brownish as I was driving around today. </p>
<p>And – right by the shore (which is not VT/NH), it’s very brown due to the salt spray on the greenery. The salt spray apparently killed the leaves of many trees.</p>
<p>Regarding Vermont – I would go to Stowe and see some of the surrounding area. I know it’s fairly far north, but it’s one of the nicest areas and tourist-friendly areas. I enjoy all parts of Vermont, but if I had to choose 1 town … Stowe.</p>
<p>Hmm, I haven’t noticed any brown trees close to the shore in Maine.</p>
<p>The trees here in VT look fine and I imagine the foliage season will be as spectacular as always. The true damage here was flooding in certain villages, but not tree damage.</p>
<p>I just want to add that businesses and individuals have lost a lot and will likely never be fully repaid for the costs. It is really important that this tourist season coming up is as good as ever so that they do not lose more (those in more tourist prone areas that depend on tourists). Come to Vermont!! Support the state. Foliage season is gorgeous.</p>
<p>Not sure how far up you want to go, but The Basin Harbor Club is a lovely resort just south of Burlington Vt, right on Lake Champlain. It has it’s own hiking trails, and borders a state park with some lovely trails. They usually have some good deals in the fall…especially mid-week.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to go too far up, the Mount Manadnock area of New Hampshire is lovely, and will give you a good “taste” of New England without having to drive too far from Providence. The hike up the mountain is relatively easy. Stayed in a B & B in that area years ago. No specific recommendations, but most B & B’s have websites now with pictures of their rooms, descriptions of the breakfasts etc…along with guest comments on some of the generic travel websites.</p>
<p>Have a great trip! Let us know what you finally decided and what you liked (and didn’t like)</p>
<p>coureur, Just looked up Simon Pearce and it is temporarily closed due to the massive flooding last week in Quechee. Their website says they’re working on it, but for now the mill is closed.</p>
<p>For a unique shopping experience, you have to visit The Vermont country store: <a href=“The Best of Vermont from The Vermont Country Store to your door!”>The Best of Vermont from The Vermont Country Store to your door!; “like” them on facebook for updates on road conditions in their area and current pictures.</p>
<p>Did anyone post this map showing current road conditions due to the flood? <a href=“http://www.aot.state.vt.us/[/url]”>http://www.aot.state.vt.us/</a> I’m going up in late October for parents weekend and it looks like my route will be good.</p>
<p>About RISD and Providence: Waterfire.org
There’s a partial lighting on Thurs, Oct 13, starting at 6pm. Worth it.
Plus, remember to bring warm enough clothes, at least for the evenings.</p>
<p>kathiep … thanks for the link on road closings. In a month I’m sure more will be open, so it’s good to have for my own purposes of travel, and I live in VT. </p>
<p>After all this discussion about traveling to Inns and restaurants, I realize that I need to plan a fall foliage road trip. I hope I run into some of you while out and about VT.</p>