Leaf peeping through the northeast

From Providence, drive to Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is home to the huge mansions from the turn of the century that belonged to the likes of the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and other New York society. These homes are along the cliffs overlooking the ocean and many are open for tours. There’s a pretty Oceanside walk called the Cliff Walk. And before we lost the America’s cup race, Newport had been the home to the race for many years. 

After a day in Newport, consider taking a drive into Boston. And if you don’t like city traffic and noise, avoid it like the plague! Boston is in the midst of the “big dig,” putting a new expressway through the center of the city.

If you haven’t been to Boston, once you “park the car,” there’s a lot to do. Walking the three-mile Freedom Trail is a great way to see much of the city. You can’t get lost on the freedom Trail because it’s literally a painted line to follow through the city. Remember the stories of Paul Revere’s ride? This is part of it!

You’ll go through the North End (basically a little Italy) where you can find delicious cannoli and Faneuil Hall for a meal at the famous Durgin Park (famous for having rude waitresses, but it’s just a game) where you must try the lobster, Boston Baked Beans or Indian Bread Pudding. 

Check out Beacon Hill to see the swans on the lake in the Public Garden, old-fashioned streetlights and the Bull & Finch Pub that was the model for the Cheers TV show bar. And a short drive away is Salem, famous for the witch trials in the 1690s, and fun to visit today to learn the “truth” about these witches. Fall is definitely high witch season!

We haven’t really talked about the leaves yet. You’ll see colorful leaves throughout your driving. But now as you head into the heart of New England, you’ll see the brightest colors you can imagine (that is, if your timing is right and that depends on luck). From Boston, head north, I’m sending you to New London and Sunapee, New Hampshire (or if you can fly into Manchester, start here). New London is a picture perfect small New England college town with the gazebo for the band on the town green. Walking down the one main street, you’ll visit places like Colburn’s Not Just Balloon’s store, Bayhnam’s Country Store, and Peter Christian’s Tavern, Stop for some ale. From New London, it’s just down the hill to Lake Sunapee, the second largest lake in the state. There’s a boat to take you out on the lake on the weekends and you’ll swear you’re out on the ocean. It’s the only lake with three lighthouses on it! If you drive past Sunapee and into Newport, you’ll be in an old New England town where the main industries are a wool mill and a gun factory. The locals swear by the Country Kitchen for breakfast, but any place that laughs at you for wanting real maple syrup I have to question. New Hampshire and Vermont are home to the best real maple syrup around. Whether you’re in a tourist shop or a grocery store, you’ll find little gray jugs of authentic maple syrup to bring home for a souvenir.

From the Sunapee region, get on the interstate and head to Vermont. You can’t go wrong with any town in Vermont. There are beautiful rolling hills, cows in the pastures, covered bridges all over, and leaves on the trees are in a hundred colors. One of the easiest towns to drive to from New Hampshire is Woodstock. This is certainly not where the concert Woodstock was held.

This quaint New England town features antique shops, a great general store, art galleries, and a beautiful country inn. You can head into the mountain to walk the Appalachian Trail and hear the leaves crunch under your feet. Or if you’re daring, rent a mountain bike to ride down the ski trails.

And make sure to bring a jacket — there can be a chill to the air in New England in the fall.