I need advise about visiting New England & New Hampshire to see the foliage?

My parents have always wanted to see the changing of the leaves. It seems the best time to go is the last week of September %26amp; first week of October so I'm about to book.


I would be grafeful for any advise regarding the best places/areas to visit, when to go, where to stay, etc. We're from the UK so we'll hire a car but they are over 80 so not too much walking is possible.


Any recommendations, advice, web sites, etc would be most helpful.


Thanks and regards,


CharlieI need advise about visiting New England %26amp; New Hampshire to see the foliage?
http://www.foliagetrains.com/





http://www.visitnh.gov/plan-and-book-you鈥?/a>





http://www.flymanchester.com/





http://www.mountwashington.org/





http://www.mountwashingtonresort.com/





http://www.mountwashingtonresort.com/act鈥?/a>





http://www.thecog.com/





http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/





http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/鈥?/a>





http://www.northconwayrentals.com/





Hi, Charlie!





Here are a few websites that I hope you find helpful. I included the Manchester, NH airport website thinking that it would be better to fly into Manchester from Newark, NJ perhaps, rather than fly into Logan/Boston. You might wish to consult a travel agent for accurate flight information and convenient connecting flights.





A couple of years ago, my family road on one of the foliage trains. Beautiful! I highly recommend them.





One of the most spectacular areas of NH, is around Mt, Washington. It's the highest peak on the east coast and has an amazing observatory at the top. There is a way for cars to drive up, but the road is very treacherous. Definitely not for the faint of heart. They do have a cog railway that travels up to the top for those who do not wish to drive up the mountain.





Crawford Notch State Park which is in the Mt. Washington area is stunningly beautiful. If you go on Google Maps and look up New Hampshire route 302 Mt Washington, you'll see where Mt. Washington is and where Crawford Notch is. The highway is very mountainous and the scenery spectacular. When you pass through the Notch, there are great granite cliffs on either side of the highway. It's very dramatic. Keep your eyes on the road! It's kind of a strange area, it's a pretty busy highway (mainly tourists) but there's hiking trails all around so there's hikers crossing over the highway (2 or 4 lanes) sometimes.





I also sent you the website for the Mount Washington Resort. Perhaps it's above your price range, but it may be a treat to go in for tea or just look at the lobby. It's a magnificent property. You may wish to contact them directly for tea reservations.





In addition to the many hotels in the area, you can also rent a multi-bedroom condo at a ski resort.








Hope you enjoy and your parents enjoy your trip!


(hope I didn't overwhelm you with all the info!)I need advise about visiting New England %26amp; New Hampshire to see the foliage?
You are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG about timing. The last week of September the foliage height is in central Quebec!!!!!! (although you will see a rare new England tree that has begun to show colours). For New England, the height of colours is from about October 10th - October 18th for Massachusetts and New Hampshire (and Vermont).





The best areas to see the foliage, in my judgement, are:(October 10-14) anywhere in Northern Vermont; just wander the highways and byways, (October 13-18): central and southern Vermont, southwestern


New Hampshire (especially the Monadnock area) and the adjoining part of north central Massachusetts.





Unlike the 2 previous Answerers I do not feel it is quite as spectacular in northern New Hampshire.





I am sure there are loads of websites for Vermont and I know there is one for New Hampshire's Monadnock area,





Not only are there motels but also lots of lovely country inns. But it is advisable to make reservations; people from all over the world come to New England for foliage time, although last year not as much because of the recession.





Have a fun time.
Hi Charlie!





If you truly want to see our foliage and it is the sole reason for the trip, I would hold off on the trip until early-mid October. By the end of Oct. the leaves have all fallen so you should get peak colors around the 2nd week.








Cliff and Maybe I am Amazed gave you excellent information! They both know what they are talking about so there is no need for me to say it all again!!! ;)


I 2nd their thoughts about going to the White Mountains in NH and driving the Kangamangus highway, taking the cog railway as well as numerous scenic train rides. These are perfect for aging parents, do the research online and planning the trip will be very easy.





I have lived in New England for 20 years and still to this day, go there every fall to see the foliage. It is a stunning site, you will enjoy your trip very much if you plan it right!!
I agree that the last week in Sept is too early for the colors. Do book ahead of time as the motels fill up quick.
Hi Charlie,





To see the peak during those dates - and each year peak foliage dates move around the calendar due to many factors - you're most likely looking at Vermont and nothern New Hampshire or even Northern Maine.





Peak is just a point in time and the colors are great two weeks before and two weeks after. So even though your dates may be a little early the further north you go you'll see good colors.





There are plenty of scenic drives and attractions in Vermont and New Hampshire to see the foliage. The ones that spring to mind are:





1. In New Hampshire it's tough to beat the White Mountains region and in particluar the North Conway and Jackson area where you'll be right in the Presidential Range and Mount Washington Valley. In particular there is a scenic train that leaves form North Conway railroad station that provides a gentle ride through the valley for foliage viewing.





Additionally, the Kancamagus Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the whole of New England and especially outstanding in fall.





2. The other area to base yourself out of is Vermont and either Stowe in the northern region or Woodstock in central Vermont. Woodstock is a popular destination as it has a tradional convered bridge and New England village green, and the Billings Farm Museum.





Close by is Mount Killington and they operate the Gondola during the fall season which takes you to the summit and some great views of the surrounding Green Mountains. Also consider taking Route 100 drive from Killington to Waterbury as you'll see waterfalls, drive through rural farm areas in the valley, and have plenty of photo opportunities.





3. Stowe and the surrounding Lake Champlain area is another outstanding leaf peeping location around the times you mentioned. Stowe is famous for its skiiing but is a year-round mountain resort location and is a picturesque New England town in the middle of two mountain ranges.





Some resources for you that will also provide more details about best times to go and where and I used to pull this together for you can be found here:





http://www.squidoo.com/fallfoliage


http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.c鈥?/a>





Good luck on your trip.





BTW: Despite the disagreements below on the dates and best time to go if you can't change your dates then just head north and you'll get color. Just be prepared to drive around to get to see the color and it can be different on one side of a mountain from the other.