It's tractor season in new england!

[IslandTractor]

I wondered that too.

Part of the reason for the timing is our job schedules. We also wanted to wait until "off-season" to save money on airfare, lodging, and rental car--which we did. I am hopeful that not all of the foliage will be gone along the coast by then. .

You might want to remain flexible and consider driving west rather than north. I think most of the foliage will be gone in Maine by the second half of October but Western Mass and Connecticut will still be lovely. Timber's idea of a drive out Route 2 would be a good one. The typical "leaf peeping" is done in Vermont and NH but MA and CT are also very lovely and the foliage season is a week or two later.

 

[trekfelt]

The leaves are just beginning to turn in Western Massachusetts on the east slopes of the Berkshires. They should be fine in 2 weeks. From Marblehead take 495 to Rte 2 then follow 2 west to Greenfield. Shelburne Falls, 10 miles west of Greenfield is a great town

 

[IslandTractor]

If you drive out Route 2, don't forget to stop and pick some apples once you get out past Rt. 495. It is part of the NE experience and you'll be amazed at how good fresh apples are if you don't get them at home.

 

[lawn_king]

You could do a boston harbor cruse, see the islands, again, cape cod is beautiful. Coming to massachusetts and not having a looksee at the cape would be a shame.

 

[proudestmonkey]

If you drive out Route 2, don't forget to stop and pick some apples once you get out past Rt. 495. It is part of the NE experience and you'll be amazed at how good fresh apples are if you don't get them at home.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Man, there must be alot of Kubota dealers up in New England.

Unfortunately, our trip is pretty much sketched out by the lodging reservations we've already made. We are staying at bed and breakfasts for most of the trip renting a seaside cottage for several nights as well. Cancelling reservations for these kinds of lodgings isn't too easy.

So we will be going to Bar Harbor, Marblehead and Boston. We won't be able to make it Western Mass or Vermont.

As to apples, funny you should mention that. We just moved out to the country last year (been city folk before that). Now you know why we bought the Kubota. Anyhow, just this last weekend, we discovered a really nice Apple orchard that lets you pick many different kinds of apples yourself. We opted on this outing to get the last of the rasberries while we could. Next weekend, we'll be going back for apples.

 

[b33b]

Sounds like a nice trip, I am headed for my small place in midcoast Maine on the 10th. The Maine coast south of Portland is slowly becoming a suburb of Boston. Portland is a nice place to visit escpecially going on one of the Stete ferry trips to the harbor islands.

Most of the scenic coast is off the main roads so allow time to drive down the various pennisula until you run out of road. Inland Maine is also very nice but may not be as exciting for someone familier with MN farms.

Bar Harbor is the big town but be sure to drive to Southwest Harbor and some of the other small waterfront towns.

Having grown up outside of Boston, the Cape isn't as interesting to me due to traffic and just not as pretty as the Maine coast and islands, but that is personal and you may find otherwise.

Goggle Maine Foliage and you can find a state site with foliage levels in each area. The coast is usually last because the water keeps it warmer than inland.

Cal