Holiday 2009

I am trying to find a holiday for the later end of 2009. I don't know when I am going to be called up for my TT..I am hoping it is going to be before May.

Have always wanted to New England in the Fall. Want to do a fly/drive. My ideal would be to be in Salem on Halloween.

Any suggestions of places to see?

Oooh, I have lots of advice! When I lived in Rhode Island, we had family over from the UK nearly every autumn and I was the designated tour planner/director/driver/etc.

Salem is nice. I'm not really into all the witch stuff, but it's definitely worth seeing on Halloween if you're going to be there anyway. If you're going specifically to see the fall foliage, however, Halloween will be too late. Peak time is about the middle of October.

Salem also has the House of the Seven Gables, which I love.

If you can possibly head out to western Massachusetts, there's a lot of great countryside to see there. If not, there's plenty to see in the Boston area, too! But I am partial to the country.

We always headed west to the Berkshires and stayed in Stockbridge at the Red Lion Inn. It's the quintessential New England town! Stockbridge has the Norman Rockwell Museum, which used to be in a gorgeous old building right in the centre of town, but I believe it's moved out now to bigger facilities - that probably means there's more to see, but the old place was so nice.

Stockbridge is also near Lenox, where The Mount, Edith Wharton's home is. That's one of my very favourite spots in New England!

There's also Hancock Village, a Shaker village, about 45 minutes away. That's a really fascinating place!

I have lots more ideas if you want them! 

I've never been able to get up to Salem on Halloween, but I have friends who have and it's supposed to be insane! Salem is interesting and I second the House of the Seven Gables. I have always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and have toured Salem a couple of times. I like the Salem Witch Museum and the Salem Trolley Tour to learn about the history and get an idea of where I want to go.

How early/late in the fall are you willing to go? Cape Cod can be great in September and early October since it's after tourist season, but many things stay open through Columbus Day weekend. That isn't the best area for foliage, though.

New Hampshire and Vermont are really pretty. The highest peak in NE is in NH and is called Mount Washington. I'm not sure how late in the year they let people up to the summit, but it's a gorgeous view and there are beautiful lakes around. It would be too late in the year to really do lake stuff but, in my opinion, the most beautiful lake in the world is Lake Winnipesaukee. I grew up going there every summer. The water is crystal clear and you can see about 8-10' to the bottom!

In western MA, there is a fair in the fall called The Big E if you like that sort of thing. There is some New England history there and you can walk the Avenue of the States and learn about each state in New England. There are also stands so you can sample some things each state is famous for. It also lets you walk through every New England state in 10 minutes!

The best for the foliage would probably be early to mid October if I remember correctly, I always seem to miss it. We have some fabulous apple orchards for picking in the fall if you like that!

ETA: Links

Hmm will have to decide do I want to see fall foliage or do I want to be there for Halloween?

big decision

Hubby is saying fall foliage...we can always go back

Would like to see some history. Historic Williamsburg?

Will have to plan this out well. You guys can help map this out?

 

Hmm will have to decide do I want to see fall foliage or do I want to be there for Halloween?

big decision

Hubby is saying fall foliage...we can always go back

Would like to see some history. Historic Williamsburg?

Will have to plan this out well. You guys can help map this out?

 

scratch that..........realised where Williamsburg is......bugger!

scratch that..........realised where Williamsburg is......bugger!

If you want history, there's always Plimoth Plantation!

Boston is full of History as well.  The Freedom trail, Charlestown, Cambridge.  Loads.  When I'm not so tipsy and it's not so late (For me) I'll find more info.

I'll be happy to help you map it out! There is definitely no shortage of history in this area, just let us know what you're interested in learning and seeing. It would be a great time of year to walk The Freedom Trail since it won't be too hot. It's a short drive to Lexington and Concord for more American Revolution history if you're interested.

Yeah baby this is what I'm talking about

Keep the ideas flowing this sounds great!

Is 14 nights to long? DH is thinking it is cause all the self drive packages you can buy shows shorted lengths. I told him we can make it as short or as long as we want.

14 days would be fine. 

If you go in late October I wouldn't bet on Mount Washington, the autoroad and the Cog close when it gets too dangerous.  They can't really predict according to the Cog website the last run date is Nov. 2, but that can change.  I used to work up there and we often told people to get there earlier. 

Mystic Seaport Ct. is close by, as is Newport always worth a stop to see the mansions. 

If your husband is into mechicanical stuff you can go see the world's first nuclear powered vessel in CT too, for free.

If you like to gamble, or just shop, or just stare in wonder at a giant metal spike in the middle of the forest you can go see Mohegan Sun.  They have some great restuarants and shopping there and cheap gas on the reservation.

My favorite musuem in New England is Shelburne in Vermont.  A somewhat crazy, and very rich lady, went around the US buying up old buildings that were going to be demolished, as well as Americana.  So you have a light house, a whole paddlewheeler that they floated in and a house filled with duck decoys. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelburne_Museum

My husband and I did this a few years ago.  You could go up to Maine and Acadia National Park, but again late October might be a little late for anything.  All the tourist stuff is open until the end of October.

I agree with Boston, so much to do and see. 

as is Newport always worth a stop to see the mansions. 

If you're making a RI detour, definitely go to Newport! And I can give you plenty of other tips too if you want them! 

Is is wrong to say how horribly jealous I am?!?

I've always wanted to go to Salem on Halloween!  No advice, as I've never been to New England, but it sounds like a great trip!

Have fun planning!

WOW 
SO many ideas!!

I think I need to get a map and chart this out!
Sounds like Boston is defo a 2 day stop before heading out. I think we want to stay in B&B's or quant inns along the way. Also thinking we will have to plan each step out and book and this is going to be a popular time of year too!

David is saying middle October for fall foliage. He isn't a Halloween person as much as I am. He said you will get the pumpkins everywhere along the way and the house decorated what more do you want?!?! Philostine!

The Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence, does a huge jack-o-latern celebration every year.  It is fab!

I would reccommend more time in Boston and a day or so in Providence it is nice to wander around.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence, does a huge jack-o-latern celebration every year.  It is fab!

I would reccommend more time in Boston and a day or so in Providence it is nice to wander around.

I can vouch for the jack-o-lanterns! I used to work at the zoo! If you're in Providence and you can time it to see WaterFire, please do!

And if you want any Providence restaurant recommendations, I'm happy to help out! No offense to our allegedly more cosmopolitan neighbour to the north, but Providence has the best restaurants I've ever eaten in. (And I do a lot of eating!)