Four Romantic Getaways in New England

New England is famous for its historic inns, luxurious resorts, and intimate bed and breakfasts. But now add in the varied and startling scenery of sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and the lakes and mountains, and you’ve the ultimate in choices for romantic getaways.

But where would I choose to visit and stay? Here are four destinations for romantic getaways in New England that would always make my list.

ACADIA REGION IN MAINE:

Travel further north than the shopping outlets and the Boothbay Harbor region and you enter another Maine of dramatic coastline, beautiful villages and islands, and Acadia National Park. Here you can cycle on carriage roads with breathtaking views, walk through silent forests or hike to mountain summits, or drive on scenic roads.

Visit the park but then slip away to Deer Isle on Penobscot Bay and take in the historic villages of Castine and Stonington, or travel north to the Schoodic Peninsular and tour along coastal Route 1 where fishing villages dot the inlets and secluded harbors all the way to the Canadian border. Places to stay that specialize in romantic getaways can be found in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth both just outside Acadia National Park’s boundary.

BERKSHIRE HILLS IN MASSACHUSETTS:

The rolling Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts have long been popular with the rich and famous but more recently discovered by those seeking an alternative to the crowded beaches and hiking trails of more popular New England destinations. Nestled in valleys between mountain ranges, and along rivers and streams, are villages where during the day you can discover the outdoors, and at night experience Shakespeare or a musical in any of the towns dotting the region. This is also a recommended spot for fall foliage romantic getaways.

The Berkshires is also home to many of New England’s most exclusive resorts and historic inns centered in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge.

CAPE COD IN MASSACHUSETTS:

Drive a few extra miles from the tourist haven of Hyannis and you’ll enter what the locals call the quiet or lower cape. This is the Cape Cod National Seashore region with miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches and stunningly beautiful cliffs, dunes, and ocean. You can take a walk through a salt marsh or visit historic sites and see for yourself the forces of nature erode and redistribute land in this geological wonder.

Or you can just share a walk along a sandy lane to a kettle pond and forget about the commitments to keep at home. Recommended towns to stay include Chatham, Orleans and Eastham, all of which have inns and resorts that specialize in lodging and amenities for romantic getaways.

WHITE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:

One of the first areas of New England to be developed for tourism the White Mountains in New Hampshire once boasted a large choice of grand resorts. Today just a few of the resorts remain but the spectacular views and wide-open spaces are still a magnet for those seeking to discover places off-the-beaten path, and explore the peace and quiet of the northern woods. Spectacular scenic drives and mountain villages dot the valleys and invite a stop to admire a covered bridge or take a walk to a waterfall and a picnic lunch together.

The fall foliage in this area is considered some of the best viewing in New England and makes an ideal time for a romantic getaway to one of the inns in Jackson or Bartlett Village or any number of hideaways nestled in Mount Washington Valley.

These are just a small sample of ideas for romantic getaways in New England and I hope they inspire you to start planning your next trip together today.

For more destination ideas and lodging for Romantic Getaways in New England and to get a free trip planer package to download visit Cliff Calderwood’s New England Vacations Guide web site at http://www.New-England-Vacations-Guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Calderwood

Vermont Getaways at Country Inns and B&B’s are Worth a Look

A Vermont Getaway at a Country Inn or Bed and Breakfast is authentic New England at its best. These places are usually small with heaps of character.

Most Inns in Vermont serve dinner as well while B&B just serve breakfast. The charm about these places is their atmosphere created by the owners or hosts as they like to be called. You’ll know them on a first name basis as they greet you at check-in and cook your breakfast.

Rooms tend to be individually decorated and furnished and a gathering place with a roaring fire is usually close by. While most have full compliment of amenities these days there are a few proud of the fact they have no phones or television.

From a price point of view people don’t stay in Inns and B&B’s anymore because they’re low cost. The days of a cheap bed for the night have long gone. Operating expenses for an Inn can be high and there are fewer rooms to recover expenses and make a profit. That said you can get a nice clean room including breakfast for $100-$150 per night. You can pay a little less depending on the season, and if it’s during the week – weekend rates and high season will be more expensive.

I’ve listed a few Vermont destinations here along with a sampling of Vermont’s Country Inns and B&B’s in those areas.

Manchester:

Manchester in southern Vermont attracts lovers of the Green Mountain National Forest, antique collectors along its famous Route 7/7a stretch, and is central to some fine examples of Vermont covered bridges. The Inn at Ormsby Hill is an editor’s pick of Yankee Magazine and the Battenkill Inn gets great reviews on Tripadvisor from guests. Both of these are Bed & Breakfast establishments.

Woodstock:

Woodstock is in the central region of the state and an attraction for its beautiful village and green, covered bridge and the Billings Farm and Museum grounds and park. It’s also a wonderful scenic walking region. There are many Inns to choose from in the region including the Maple Leaf Inn at Barnard just north of Woodstock and a Victorian-style bed and breakfast farmhouse; the Kedron Valley Inn in South Woodstock, one of Vermont’s oldest country inns, and the Applebutter Inn in the quiet hamlet of Taftsville and a bed and breakfast favorite with Tripadvisor reviewers.

Stowe:

Despite its winter resort persona more people visit Stowe in the summer than during ski season, but the crowds are less in spring and it makes it one of my favorite getaway places. Stowe is not inexpensive but at the moment you can find plenty of deals as innkeepers look to fill beds. The Honeywood Inn is close to hiking and ski trails on Mountain View Road and offers both an Inn and Lodge accommodation, and if a romantic getaway is in your plans then check out the Stone Hill Inn a tad more expensive option than most but it offers quiet and seclusion with a touch of elegance in everything.

Vermont is often skipped over for getaways but its vast network of Country Inns and Bed and Breakfast places make it an ideal choice for visitors, and I always tell my clients if they’re seeking a quiet and romantic stay then Vermont offers scenic locations and wonderful lodging.

Jed

Winter is Perfect for a Boston Getaway For These Reasons

A Boston Getaway in winter is a perfect time to enjoy the city attractions without the crowds and to get great deals. Here’s what to do and where to stay.

Boston is one of the regions mega tourist attractions in the summer and fall months with lots to see and do. But what many people don’t realize is that most of these attractions are open year round, and in winter you’re not fighting elbow to elbow to get fed, grab a room, or see a museum or show.

Now, its true Boston gets snow and cold enough to freeze Frog Pond on Boston Common so you can skate. But brisk walks along the Freedom Trail and Beacon Hill are still manageable. But it’s the inside attractions that captures the visitors and here’s just a sampling.

Sports and Shows in Boston:

It’s still a few weeks away from spring training in Florida for the Red Sox but the Bruins and Celtics are dishing out their own kind of magic on a regular basis at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has always been a magnet for great entertainment and with plenty of Jazz stops in the city such as Les Zygomates where you can dine and listen to jazz, or the House of Blues for rock or the multi-sensory Blue Man Group show, after dark is a time to look forward to the best.

Museums and Libraries:

Special events and shows don’t close for the winter and if you’re quick you can still catch the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science – one of my favorite family pastimes. Other popular places without the crowds in winter include Museum of Fine Arts and of course the Boston Public Library – so much more than just a place for books.

Other learning experiences to choose include Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, John E. Kennedy Library and over the Charles in Cambridge, Harvard has a bunch of outstanding institutions with the Fogg, Sackler, and Busch-Reisinger Museums all open for special winter hours.

The New England Aquarium:

As long as you can time your Boston Getaway to be outside February and April school vacation weeks you should be able to get to see this most popular of attractions. It’s a great place to see – especially the giant tank with sharks and their meals swimming next to each other. There’s something new to see every time I visit and be sure to take in one of the IMAX films with a combined ticket.

Here’s a huge list of free things to do in Boston that’ll keep you entertained for a very long weekend. Some of them are seasonal but you’ll find more than enough to keep you occupied.

Where to Eat in Boston:

Like most major cities in America the choice of good restaurants is staggering. I’ll list a few that I’ve personally experienced and like but part of the fun is experimenting, and you can always ask the hotel desk – I’ve found the local hotel employees make the best references for a restaurant.

Now, let me see – do you like seafood?

If you do then there’s Boston’s own Legal Sea foods, McCormick and Schmick’s, and Atlantic Fish Company, and of course if chowder if your sin then check out Boston Chowder Company. All of these can be found in Boston’s Back Bay area.

For Italian head to Boston’s North End where part of the fun is walking around and choosing one to try based on ambiance and popularity. Good value for money can be had at G’Vanni’s and Villa Francesca – expect a wait at either or arrive early. If Mike’s Pastry is still open on Hanover Street after you’ve eaten then take in one of their world famous cannoli.

Eating in downtown Boston is not my favorite area but if hard pressed check out the oldest restaurant in Boston at the Oyster House – the clam chowder is superb, and there is plenty of choice for “to go” food at Quincy Market. A place of refuge if the cold weather suddenly sweeps in but you’re still hungry.

Where to Stay in Boston:

Boston is not the cheapest city for hotels. Rooms can command anywhere from $200 – $400+ per night.

Like most cities you can get better rates at the weekend because the business people have all gone, and many do special weekend getaway packages in the winter. Check out Back Bay hotels in the Copley Plaza location especially the Marriot and Westin Hotels at Copley Place shopping center.

Consider staying in Cambridge or a few towns west of Boston with good transportation into the downtown area. North and south of the city you’ve really got to know the areas or you could end up in a nice priced hotel in a real bad neighborhood.

I’ve helped a number of people over the years get into moderately priced hotels – <$150 per night – just a few miles west of Boston but close to the Green Line subway system and just a few minutes from downtown.

Of course if money is no object then consider some of the harbor front properties such as Boston Harbor Hotel or Marriot Long Wharf, and you can even stay at the old Boston Custom House building now it’s been bought by Marriot.

For a larger selection of properties with reviews and deals try this Boston Hotel Guide.

This has been one of my longest articles to date with a lot of resources and I hope you found it useful. And if I’ve made you mouth water for a trip to Boston during the summer months then let your planning take place at my recommended Boston Vacations Guide here.

Jed

A Spa Resort in New England can make a Great Getaway Destination

This is the time of year when we normally see an up tick in reservations for getaway destinations in New England.

For those that getaway in New England then winter skiing resorts are popular with active singles and of course families. But more people these days are turning towards spa resorts for a healthy and active mid-winter break.

New England has a number of first-class spa and fitness resorts and I’ll run through a popular few today.

Topnotch Resort and Spa – Stowe, Vermont:

Located in scenic village of Stowe next to Vermont’s tallest peak of Mount Mansfield, the Topnotch Resort and Spa offers beautiful surroundings with pampered luxury. The resort is sited on 120 acres and though just a few miles away are some of the best skiing terrain in New England, it’s the Spa center that attracts many to this resort.

30 treatment rooms and private spa lounges with fireplaces, steam, sauna, Jacuzzi and juice bars – massages and Thai treatments can be arranged. The resort also has three swimming pools with hot tubs, and access to cardio and weight rooms.

For details on packages and resort information > more here…

Spa at Canyon Ranch – Lenox, Massachusetts:

Canyon Ranch in Lenox is one of the most exclusive resorts in New England. Located in the scenic Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts the spa is considered the ultimate in pampering. Treatments include massages, Asian therapies, restorative therapies, Ayurvedic body treatments, body scrubs and wraps, and replenishing facials.

The spa complex also includes fitness and recreational activities. These include cardio and weight rooms, yoga studios, indoor cycling, racquetball, squash and basketball courts. There are even indoor tennis courts and a running track, and for those that swim you can enjoy the 75-foot indoor pool.

Nutrition is a big component of any stay at the ranch and you’ll find healthy cuisine full of quality carbs and fiber and fats. And if you have any dietary needs or food allergies, special arrangements can be made.

For more information and details on facilities and packages > more here…

The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa – Whitefield, New Hampshire:

The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa is one of the few majestic properties left from the era of extravagant hotels popular in the White Mountains 100-years ago. Though their heyday has long since past and most have been torn down, a few remain and have adapted to travelers with different requirements.

The Mountain View Resort now encompasses spa facilities and the special treatment you’ll receive harks back to the grand old days of servicing the likes of the Astors and Vanderbilt’s.

Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains in Whitefield and surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in New England the hotel offers a dazzling smorgasbord of activities in addition to its AAA Four Diamond luxury.

The Spa and Wellness Center offers body, facial, and hand & foot treatments, hydrotherapy and massage treatments. The Spa also offers Craniosacral Therapy treatment, which is used to relieve backaches, migraines, tension, and anxiety.

For details on packages and resort information > more here…

This sample list is just the beginning, and there are many more in different price ranges.

Jed.

New England Getaways for the Holidays

New England during the holidays is depicted with snow, sleigh bells, skating, and Currier & Ives scenes. It’s also a great time to take a getaway. Here are a few of my favorite’s places for a holiday getaway destination.

Boston Getaways:

The city really comes to life for the holidays with special performances, great food, and of course – first night!

The Boston Ballet “Nutcracker” is a perennial favorite and there are always surprises even though you know the story and the music. And talking of music just up the road at Symphony Hall you can find Keith Lockhart bashing out Holiday Pops with all your favorite carols and Christmas songs and music. For more information about these and other traditions check out the Guide to Boston Christmas season here.

The city has trees all over the downtown area but visit the Boston Common to see the special tree with lights and if nature has been kind maybe even real white stuff. While Boston doesn’t factor as the first place in America to see a white Christmas it does get cold enough this early in winter to have a blanket of snow. And this year we may be lucky.

For the most fun Boston Getaway stay though the New Year for First Night celebrations. There are always plenty of special events planned and the $15 button gets you into museums, art exhibits and the events- great value! Check out web site at www.firstnight.org.

Stowe – Vermont:

Stowe, Vermont is a resort town, and nestled in the northern Green Mountains it has a fair dosing of snow from mid-November through April. So there’s a good chance if you want a traditional New England White Christmas then there’s no more likely place to experience it than Stowe. After all it was Vermont that the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby was located.

Stowe is picture perfect for winter and if you enjoy skiing then the mountain resort is one of the best in New England. Arrive a few days early and do the last of your shopping in the quaint village and specialty shops.

Holiday event and lodging planning can begin at Stowe’s main tourist web site at www.gostowe.com.

Jackson – New Hampshire:

Deep in the heart of the White Mountains and Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire lays the village of Jackson. For most of winter it has world-class cross country skiing and attracts visitors looking for the best sleigh rides in New England.

When the snow has fallen and the village is all white and majestic and Mount Washington is locked solid in snow and ice there’s fewer scenes in New England that capture the spirit of a New England Christmas.

Just down the road is North Conway where you can spend the last of your holiday money at the famed discount clothing stores or come early and pick up wonderful gifts for him and her. You’re also very likely to find a few Inns serving egg nog and a warm welcoming fire burning a few Christmas logs for you and your friends.

For Visitors to New England:

For International visitors there are a few things to consider when visiting New England for the holidays.

Thanksgiving is the traditional family holiday in America and not Christmas. What this means is don’t expect to find many restaurants open serving a traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day. Many families have their celebrations on Christmas Eve and it’s as likely to be pasta spread than Turkey. Turkey dinners are on offer at some of the resort lodges and you’ll just need to hunt and plan for them.

Many Inns and lodging are not open at Christmas so make sure when you book you have a place to sleep Christmas Eve and Day.

The day after Christmas Day – Boxing Day in England and Canada – is a work day in America, so the holiday atmosphere will be gone after just the one day. Yep! All that just for one day? You’ve got it!

But what a day.

Have a great holiday season and I’ll be back in a few weeks with some tips on planning for unusual winter getaways.

Jed

The Historic Litchfield Hills of Connecticut

Today’s New England Getaways sharing is from the nutmeg state and the area known as the Litchfield Hills, a spot in the northwest corner of Connecticut nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires and Taconic Mountains.

My day job has kept me busy during the fall season so posts have been scarce. Now as we approach the end of the busy season and enter the “stick season” as Vermonters call the period between late fall and the first snows arriving, I ‘m hoping to get back in my stride of sharing.

I help a lot of people plan vacations and getaways and understand the draw of Cape Cod and the Maine coastline and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, but I come across a number of places in New England that just seem to be overlooked and are just pure gems.

The Litchfield Hills is one such destination.

An area covering about a quarter of the state it borders New York to the west and Massachusetts to the north, this region has the Appalachian Trail running through its high ground and the scenic Housatonic River for recreation and breathtaking views. It’s best known for its villages, scenic drives and the Town of Litchfield itself.

Better writers than I have already captured the beauty of the region and so I’ll just stick to pointing out some must sees for you and where to get more information.

The town of Litchfield is central to the region and is a good first stop for visitors. Check out the homes you can visit such as the Tapping Reeve House Law School and tour Litchfield’s Historic District on North and South Streets.

Just outside the town is Mount Tom State Park for recreational activities, and the natural history center at the White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center. This is gem of a place to visit with walks and a large freshwater lake to spot plenty of wildlife.

Kent Falls State Park is located in the northeastern section of the town of Kent. The stream that feeds the falls begins in Warren and flows west to the big fall of 70 feet from where it descends in a series of lesser falls and cascades to the valley, where it enters the Housatonic River some 200 feet below the brink of the big fall only a quarter mile away. This is a picturesque park and there’s a picnic area and walking trails.

If you’re a covered bridge enthusiast then one of the few in New England still allowing vehicle traffic through it is at the village of West Cornwall. It’s one of the most photographed covered bridges in New England and one of the few in Connecticut. The village is pleasant and tranquil to stroll around.

With all this rural tranquility you may have the impression the area isn’t for family activities but Bristol is home to Lake Compounce Theme Park – the oldest amusement park in America. By Disney standards this is not huge but it still operates the fastest and longest wooden roller coaster on the east coast. The town of Bristol is also home to the Carousel Museum of New England – right in keeping with the amusement park theme of Bristol.

Finally, Connecticut is the unofficial antiquing capital of New England, and in particular, Woodbury is a popular haunt for collectors and bargain hunters. The town has over 45 shops and dealers and this is not only a town to pick up a memorable souvenir but view some classic New England church architecture lovingly preserved.

Next time you’re thinking of a getaway in New England and looking for a place away from stress-filled weeks then take a few days respite in the Litchfield Hills, and rediscover a part of New England most don’t know exists in their own backyard.

Jed

Camden Maine – Perfect Small Town America for a New England Getaway

Are you looking for the ideal small town America for your New England getaway? If so it would be difficult to find a place more fitting than Camden, Maine.

Camden is one of those places in Maine with a picturesque harbor, some colorful history, and distinctive shops and galleries along the waterfront. And if you’re after lobster – who isn’t when they visit Maine – then you won’t be disappointed.

The best views of the town are at the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park which overlooks the harbor and the surrounding Penobscot Bay region. It’s a short hike to the top of the hill from the town or you can drive when the road is open – usually mid-May to mid-October.

Other trekking destinations in the area include Beech Hill Preserve which offers hiking, picnicking and birding activities, Fernald’s Neck Preserve that offers trails through forests along the shores of Megunticook Lake, and Bald Mountain preserve which is a more strenuous climb to views of Penobscott Bay and Camden Hills. These destinations are managed by the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and you can pick up a brochure and trail maps from their web site.

For those that remember the classic small town depiction in the movie Peyton Place from 1957 then Camden Maine was the inspiration and where a lot of the location filming took place. But Camden was not only inspiration for Hollywood; it was also the inspiration for Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent who went to school in Camden, and it’s said the breathtaking views from Mount Battie led to her first volume of poetry.

Camden has not been without it’s drama as the town almost burned to the ground in a catastrophic fire in 1892. Much of the rebuilt town was down in red brick – one side of Main Street is almost entirely of brick. The town was also eyed by the British – though never occupied – during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

While Camden may be your nightly resting haven for the time you spend in the area your stay should include visits to nearby Rockport and Lincolnville where you’ll find the same charm and relaxed feelings you’ll experience in Camden.

Of Maine’s more than 60 Lighthouses seven are within striking distance of Camden, including Curtis Island Light in Camden Harbor and Indian Island Light off Rockport. They make a fine day tour and the others include: Rockland Breakwater Light at Rockland Harbor, Grindle Point Light on Isleboro – a short ferry rife from Lincolnville Beach, Owls Head Light just south of Rockland, Marshall Point Light at Point Clyde, and Pemaquid Point Light at Damariscotta.

Other activities popular in the Camden area are Windjammer cruises which are offered for a one day trip or a 5-day vacation, Mountain biking especially on Ragged Mountain, and antique hunting which folks seem to love scouring the shops for resell bargains or that special memento.

For those seeking evening cultural entertainment the area is well represented throughout the year with Camden and Rockport each having their own opera houses and the Schoolhouse Museum in Lincolnville providing exhibits covering thousands of years of history in the region. Summer seasonal arts include productions at the Camden Civic Theatre and Bay Chamber Concerts can be enjoyed at Rockport.

Food is important in mid-coast Maine and Camden offer fine dining along the Main Street and waterfront area. Naturally seafood is prominent and offered at places like: the Atlantic Seafood Bistro, Bayview Lobster, Camden Harbour Inn and Cappy’s Chowder House. If deli sandwiches or pizza is more to your liking then try the Camden Deli or Zaddick’s Pizza & Mex.

When it comes to finding a place to rest your head for your Camden getaway then the town offers up superb and budget minded lodging. If you’re looking for a coveted AAA Four Diamonds Award then the Camden Harbor Inn has achieved that distinction for both the inn and restaurant. The town has plenty of Bed & Breakfast lodging available such as Swan House Bed & Breakfast, Inn at Camden Place and Elms B&B at Blackberry Common.

If your New England getaway plans coincide with the fall then be aware autumn and foliage comes a little later to coastal Maine than the interior. But in these parts the crisp air makes the mountains and the town sparkle one more time before “closing down” for the winter.

Happy New England getaways,

Jed

When Does Fall Foliage Come to New England?

Everybody with a travel blog is writing about New England fall foliage at the moment. In a year when travel to any destination in the world has plummeted compared with a normal year, then a New England getaway or vacation that marries a leaf-peeping trip to the area is a good deal at the moment.

So if this excites you then good. Book your flight, pack your bags and come on down – or up – the leaves are fine. But when should you come?

Good question. No sense in spending hundreds of dollars to see peak foliage only to find the trees are all still green – or just sticks with nothing on them. This is where it gets tricky but some simple guidelines can help.

First, don’t get all hung up on seeing peak – it’s really just an illusion and doesn’t exist to the extent you can stick a label on a tree to announce – “look, this tree is at peak!” The reality is that the colors on a tree can be magnificent for usually a 3 week period – unless a “wind express” comes through and robs the tree of its show in a few hours. And I’ve seen this happen.

Tradition holds that Columbus Day is the best time to go fall foliage hunting in New England. Columbus Day is the second Monday in October. This means it can be as early as October 8th or as late as 14th. This year it is the 12th. For good foliage viewing this date is reasonable for most of New England except the northern extremes such as most of Maine, the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and northern New Hampshire.

But it is just a guideline. Fall can start and end two weeks early or late compared to Columbus Day. This is because there are many factors that go into determining foliage time. We do know the leaves begin to turn when the days get shorter and the nights cooler – that’s the primary trigger.

Obviously, the days get shorter on a predictable calendar basis, so you’d figure the colors would follow suit right? Unfortunately not, as the color is linked more to those other factors such as how wet is September – some will argue August – how warm or cold are the nights early in the season, etc. Everybody seems to have their own secret sauce explanation. These factors also dictate the brilliance of the colors.

There’s a group of scientists that recently think they know why North America has more colorful autumns than Europe. It’s got to do with… ah forget it, I don’t know what they’re smoking. Here is a link to the article at MSN

All this is not much help if you’re planning your fall foliage visit a year in advance to make sure you get the lodging you want in the areas you wish to visit. You have to pick a date and hope that Mother Nature is going to bless you. Don’t worry, all is not lost.

Just make sure whenever you visit you have a car.

Having a car and being prepared to drive around to catch the color moments is a must and will save you disappointment. Finding the foliage is a lot like being a tornado chaser without the extreme danger of that activity – although driving fast along the Kancamagus Highway in fall at a weekend gets pretty close.

So fall foliage comes to New England beginning in mid-late September in the extreme northern sections and moves southward over the next month through to southern coastal New England by late October early November.

With the aid of a car and some serious driving you can get to see great foliage in New England just about anytime in October – just factor in some hours for driving and “hunting down” of the native deciduous trees.

My final disclaimer is – this is a rough guide and your mileage may vary.

Let me leave today with a new video that showcases the New England fall foliage season. If you’ve never experienced an autumn in the region and want to see what you’ll see then this is a good attempt at capturing the scenes for you.

I wish I knew the location of the picture from the Berkshires was – it’s stunning.

Jed

Fall New England Getaway Series – Acadia National Park

Fall in New England is approaching fast and everyone is hoping for a repeat of the colorful foliage show we experienced in 2008. Over the next few weeks I thought I would share my favorite New England fall getaways. I’ll start this week with Acadia National Park in Maine.

Acadia is the only National Park in New England. It’s one of the most popular destination points in the summer and offers hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, photography, bird-watching, scenic drives, and many other activities. It can be crowded in the summer but after Labor Day and during the autumn – especially weekdays – getting around the park is much easier.

Usually the coastal areas of New England do not have the most spectacular of fall color, and what they have tends to be late in the season. But Acadia is different. Mount Desert Island is the largest section of the park and has varied terrain and plenty of color. The hiking and bike paths through the forest and woods provide outstanding opportunities for seeing the fall foliage.

Popular destinations for fall viewing include: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road, Eagle Lake, Bubble Pond and Jordan Pond. If you have bikes then take the Jordan Pond and Sargent Mountain carriage road loop for a 3-hour ride through amazing scenery and color.

If scrambling up mountains or pushing peddles around the carriage roads isn’t your favorite form of seeing the views than take your car around the 27-mile Park Loop Road. The road travels along the eastern and southern coast of the park before turning north into the interior for views in the mountains and lakes.  There are many pulls off and short paths into the words to fill your camera’s memory with foliage pictures.

Popular fall getaway lodging is available in Bar Harbor and nearby town of Ellsworth. Bar Harbor tends to be the preferred accommodation center as it has plenty of restaurants and shops right on the edge of the park and offers scenic views into Frenchman Bay across to the Schoodic Peninsular.

Bar Harbor dates back to late 1800’s as a resort town but it suffered a major fire in 1947 when many of the mansions and resort building were destroyed. Today it mingles shops and cafes with distinct lodging such as the Atlantean Inn and Manor House Inn, and resorts such as Bar Harbor Inn & Spa and the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel. Don’t forget to take in a traditional blueberry pie while visiting, which is as traditional as the other Maine food of choice… lobster.

If you still haven’t decided on your getaway vacation then check out here what Acadia National Park in the fall has to offer and make that trip to the Downeast Maine coastline you’ve always dreamed about since seeing those calendar shots of the famous rocky coastline.

Back next post with more of my New England fall getaway destinations.

Jed

Claim your Getaway Spot on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard

The Largest Island off Massachusetts and the second largest off New England coast is Martha’s Vineyard also called just the Vineyard.

Seems every summer Martha’s Vineyard is in the news somehow with a celebrity choosing it as their next destination or even residence. This year President Obama and family are rumored to be eyeing the island for their summer vacation. If this is true they’ll follow in the footsteps of the Clintons who spent many presidential summer vacations on the island.

And I have to say – I admire their taste. Although my tastes don’t quite go to a rental for four with additional lodging capacity close-by for another 132 people – just kidding, but seriously Oak Bluffs will at least see some extra activity if they arrive.

Martha’s Vineyard is one of New England’s most popular vacation and getaway spots. A few miles off the coast of Cape Cod and a short ferry ride from Woods Hole near Falmouth or slightly longer ride from Hyannis, the Vineyard has lovely towns, gorgeous beaches, and scenic cliffs.

Vineyard Haven is where most people disembark from the ferry after the 45-minute crossing from Falmouth. Ferries from Hyannis land at Oak Bluffs. You can take your car but to be honest it’s not worth it, especially if you’re going for just a weekend. Booking months in advance during the tourist season is a must. And you can rent a bike or moped in Vineyard Haven – or if you’ve got baggage – a Taxi.

Vineyard haven is the commercial center of the Island but just a few miles along the coast is Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs has a different feel about it with its Victorian gingerbread houses and the magnificent Flying Horse Carousel reputed to be the oldest continuously operating carousel in the country. Still further along is Edgartown an elegant town built on the riches of the whaling industry.

Edgartown is also the place take the famous “on-time” ferry across to Chappaquiddick Island and peddle the 21/2 miles to the 14-acre Mytoi Japanese gardens or venture out to East Beach uncrowded and expansive.

But most people remember their getaway trip to Martha’s Vineyard for rides between destinations and towns, and especially on the quieter western side of the island. Here you’ll find the famous colored cliffs of Aquinnah with its scenic lighthouse and up the coast a little the scenic fishing village of Menemsha where scenes for the film Jaws were shot.

I urge you to rent a bike and follow the roads around the towns outside the busy eastern side. Here you’ll find the escape you seek, and there are plenty of beaches along the way where you can stop and hang your towel out to claim your spot of the island for an hour or two. You may have to peddle a little harder on some of the hills on the western side but it’ll be worth the effort for where you end up and what you see.

If you love to walk and see nature and some spectacular sights along one path then leave your bike secured at the parking lot at the Cedar Tree Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in West Tisbury. There are many other wildlife refuge places along the roads so look out for them and don’t forgot to return with enough time to sample one of the seafood restaurants in Edgartown or Oak Bluffs.

Jed