Wanting to do a quick 3 day trip to see the fall foliage. I assume fly into Boston then drive up but does anyone have advice as to where to go or stay/eat?

Cape Cod is pretty cool if you have never been. Either stay there or take a trip out there one day. All sorts of good food options. Have to get a lobster roll

Drive north on 93, it will take you everywhere you need to go to see foliage. I'd head to Lincoln, NH and exit there to follow the Kancamagus Highway to Conway and stay somewhere in that area. You really can't go wrong staying anywhere from Campton to St. Johnsbury though. Littleton would also be a great choice if you're into cutesy mountain towns; it's very charming/walkable and right in the heart of everything there is to do in the White Mountains.

For meals, we really like the Schilling Beer Co. restaurants (they have two) right on the river in Littleton. Can also recommend Merland's in Woodstock. And May Kelly's and Delaney's, both in Conway. We also like the restaurant that is at the top of the gondola at Bretton Woods ski resort, I cannot remember the name of it. The view is spectacular, just make sure you book your gondola ticket in advance.

I will say that NH is not a foodie destination, so best to manage your expectations. Everywhere I listed has good quality food, but nothing that I would rate in the best meals I've ever had. We stay for a two month stretch and might eat out 6-7 times except for our trips to Boston and Newport. It's just usually better to cook for ourselves.

If you want to see foliage not just from the road, highly recommend using the AllTrails app to find hiking trails that are at your skill level - there are so many incredible views and overlooks that are not accessible by car.

I agree with Aglaohfour about Littleton. Really cool town.
Also, I would check out Portland as a possible flight destination.

aglaohfour said:

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Also, if it's doable for you without multiple layovers, highly recommend flying into Manchester. The last two times I dropped off visitors at Logan this summer, it took me over an hour just to get out of the airport due to a tunnel closure. I'm not sure when the tunnel is set to reopen, but I would avoid it at all costs if you can.

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Absolutely this. You'll beat most of the leaf peeper traffic coming north from MA, and from MHT you can easily go west, north or east to get to the good leaves, depending on what reports are saying when you show up. From MHT you can pick up a rental car and be north of Concord faster than it would take just to get to the dang rental car center at Logan.

You can connect to MHT from several of the big east coast hubs (ORD, PHL, CLT, DCA). I travel a decent amount for work and only drive down to Boston for flights west of DFW because of the hassle.

Sometime flights are actually cheaper to/from MHT, the downside being the connection and a smaller number of flights to pick from (typically 2-3 in the morning and 2-3 in the evening, depending on hub and airline. American, SW, united all fly here.

Years ago I did that. I was driving North from Boston on Columbus Day and the southbound traffic of leaf peepers returning from the weekend was insane.
However a few businesses seem to shut down after that weekend.
Went up to Acadia NP, and just took some highway nearer the coast than the main highway, very scenic.

If you do have to fly into Logan, I would take the train to Dover, NH or Portland Maine and start your trip in that area. You have the white mountains and theKancamagus Highway that are an easy drive. Amtrak runs up and down new england to brunswick.



I would look at flying into Portland or Manchester as well. The food was OK in New England, I second getting a lobster roll.

Are you planning to spend all 3 days looking at leaves or just one?



I took this photo on the Kanc last time I was in New England.

Nice enjoy your trip love New England

Thanks everyone. I had no idea about Manchester and looks to be the route I'll go. Was wanting to go to a maple syrup operation, anyone have any favorites?

Late winter/spring is sugar season, so you'll have a hard time finding any place actually cooking during the fall. There are, however, a number of sugar shacks that run pancake houses and sell their own syrup on site. It'll be right at the end of the season before these shops close down for the winter (a lot close NOV-FEB) so make sure to check before making a drive.

Our local spot where we like to take visitors is Heritage Farm in Sanbornton. Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill is another really popular option that will be closer to the White Mountains (it's right behind Franconia Notch state park). I know at Heritage Farm, they're typically happy to take some time to show you their equipment set up between customers.