New England Fall Road Trips

WELCOME TO
NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE

New England is radiant in autumn, when farm stands overflow with freshly harvested produce and leaves sparkle with brilliant bursts of yellow and red.

These four road trips wend their way through vivid streamers of seasonal foliage. They roam over country roads and circle sparkling lakes, traversing the rolling Berkshire Hills, the forested Green Mountains and the alpine Whites. To see and do the best of New England to really experience the history, artistry and diversity of this formative region you have to get in your car and drive.

So rev up your engine. Mount spectacular summits and ogle eye-popping fall foliage. Chow down on crispy clams and fresh farm produce. Turn the page for more.

Fall foliage A Vermont road, ablaze with autumn color
DAVE AND LES JACOBS/GETTY IMAGES

NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Stop to chug fresh-pressed cider or pluck a patch of berries before the earth goes to sleep under a thick blanket of snow.

ALAN COPSON/GETTY IMAGES

The AT traverses 14 states and more than 2100 miles. Five of those states and 730 of those miles are in New England.

HAVESEEN/GETTY IMAGES

Vermont farms welcome visitors to learn how they produce the fare that lands on your plate. Experience it to the max when the fall harvest spins into full action and all the leaves erupt in red, yellow and copper.

RON THOMAS/GETTY IMAGES

CITY GUIDE

Boston Harbor at night
JEAN-PIERRE LESCOURRET/GETTY IMAGES

Narrow streets and stately architecture recall a history of revolution and transformation. Today, Boston is still forward thinking and barrier breaking. Follow the Freedom Trail to learn about the past; stroll along the Rose Kennedy Greenway to appreciate the present; and visit the galleries, clubs and student haunts to envision the future.

Park your car and explore the city by foot, bicycle or subway. The USAs oldest subway system, the MBTA (www.mbta.com; fare $1.70 to $2), is known on the ground as the T. Bostons fabulous bike-share program, the Hubway (www.thehubway.com; registration $5, per hour $2), has 60 stations where you can borrow a bicycle for an hour or a day.

Street parking is scarce and meter readers are ruthless. Relatively affordable parking lots are located under the Boston Common and in the Seaport District.

Bostons most famous eating area is the North End, packed with salumerie (delis), pasticcerie (pastry shops) and ristoranti. The Seaport District is the place to go for seafood, while Quincy Market is a giant food court that has something for everyone.

Boston is small enough that almost all of its neighborhoods offer easy access to great sights, dining and entertainment. Beacon Hill and Back Bay are particularly charming. Although the West End is desolate, its hotels offer excellent value given their convenience to Downtown Boston.

Boston.com (www.boston.com) The online presence of the Boston Globe.

Universal Hub (www.universalhub.com) Bostonians talking to each other.

Sons of Sam Horn (www.sonsofsamhorn.net) Dedicated to discussion of all things Red Sox.

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/boston) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveler forum and more.

NEED TO KNOW

CELL PHONES

The only foreign phones that work in the USA are GSM multiband models. Network coverage is poor in the White Mountains.

INTERNET ACCESS

Wireless internet access is available at most hotels and cafes, often free. Internet cafes arent common, but hotels and libraries often provide computers for internet access.

FUEL

Gas stations are ubiquitous and many are open 24 hours a day. Small-town stations may only be open from 7am to 8pm or 9pm.

RENTAL CARS

Dollar (www.dollarcar.com)

Rent-A-Wreck (www.rentawreck.com)

Thrifty (www.thrifty.com)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

AAA ( 800-222-4357)

Directory Assistance ( 411)

Emergency ( 911)

When to Go

Climate

Mid-October is peak foliage-viewing time, but leaves are turning from mid-September to November.

High Season (MayAug, Oct)

Accommodation prices increase by 50% to 100%; book well in advance.

Expect temperate weather and blooming trees. July and August are hot and humid, except in mountain areas.

Shoulder Season (Apr, Sep)