New England Fall Road Trip

[Max Rockatansky]

This one is contingent on family deciding whether or not to come out to California in early October.  They've delayed their plans twice already and the situation that caused is still at hand, so I'm thinking I'll have the month available.  Basically there are two goals for this trip; visit Acadia National Park which would be my 45th National Park and visit the towns I lived in when I was in middle school like Danbury and Brookfield in Connecticut.  I also tried to add as many nostalgic family destinations that were frequented at the time...I'm thinking Mount Washington could be dicey but more likely to be clear in early October rather than late.  Basically I haven't been to New England since 2001 so I would to see if anyone could add some of the following:

-  Historic Locations: towns, military fortifications, ect
-  Anything scenic to do outside that I might have missed.
-  Any solid older US Route alignments or something that might be interesting...scenic alternates are very much welcome.
-  I'll be traveling alone or with just my wife so speed shouldn't be much of an issue....I would like some suggestions especially on New Hampshire and Vermont.

Day 1 Friday 10/14/16
Start:  Bakersfield, CA
End:   Manchester, NH
Route:  MA 1A, I-93 and I-293.
Distance:  56 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour
Site Time:  0 hours
Sites
-  None
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Boston+Logan+International+Airport,+1+Harborside+Dr,+Boston,+MA+02128/75+W+Hancock+St,+Manchester,+NH+03102/@42.9243959,-71.4653509,12z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e37014d5da4937:0xc9394c31f2d5144!2m2!1d-71.0095602!2d42.3656132!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e24ecc14961857:0x36229e1524ce0fdd!2m2!1d-71.4728819!2d42.976388?hl=en


Day 2 Friday 10/15/16
Start:  Manchester, NH
End:   Bangor, ME
Route: 
Distance:  328 Miles
Drive Time:  6 hours
Site Time:  6 hours
Sites
-  Desert of Maine
-  Acadia National Park
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Econo+Lodge,+West+Hancock+Street,+Manchester,+NH/Desert+of+Maine,+Freeport,+ME/Acadia+National+Park+Pond,+Bar+Harbor,+ME/750+Hogan+Rd,+Bangor,+ME+04401,+USA/@44.8032991,-68.7497414,12z/data=!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e24ecc6bdfd1e3:0x56df1b765bdea469!2m2!1d-71.4725646!2d42.9764653!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cb27dedd1b24d41:0x2d55ea4f6a687efe!2m2!1d-70.1572726!2d43.8589679!1m5!1m1!1s0x4caebfbebe3482a1:0xfeb2b70c758b6ece!2m2!1d-68.2502444!2d44.3781849!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cafb48facc4c1f1:0x1671f9dcc629c15f!2m2!1d-68.7444834!2d44.8393791!3e0?hl=en


Day 3 Sunday 10/16/16
Start:  Bangor, ME
End:   Brattleboro, VT
Route:  I-95, US 202, ME 133, ME 219, ME 26, US 2, NH 16, US 2, NH 115, US 302, I-93, I-91
Distance:  366 miles
Drive Time:  8 hours
Site Time:   3 hours
Sites
-  Mount Washington, NH
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/750+Hogan+Rd,+Bangor,+ME+04401,+USA/Mount+Washington,+Sargent's+Purchase,+NH/1380+Putney+Rd,+Brattleboro,+VT+05301/@42.899146,-72.6303007,11z/data=!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cafb48facc4c1f1:0x1671f9dcc629c15f!2m2!1d-68.7444834!2d44.8393791!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cb38e798f42c3d9:0xc3b88e4dac01db12!2m2!1d-71.3032723!2d44.2705854!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e11acf7423e4a5:0x39cf694eed3655f!2m2!1d-72.5527599!2d42.8918759!3e0?hl=en


Day 4 Monday 10/17/16
Start:  Brattleboro, VT
End:   Danbury, CT
Route:  I-91, CT 20, CT 219, CT 318, US 44, CT 8, CT 4, US 7, Ridge Road, CT 67, CT 133, CT 25 and US 7/US 202
Distance:  180 miles
Drive Time:  3 hours
Site Time:   7 hours
Sites
-  Kent Falls State Park
-  Lovers Leap Bridge
-  Bridgewater, CT
-  Brookfield, CT
-  Danbury, CT
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/1380+Putney+Rd,+Brattleboro,+VT+05301/Kent+Falls+State+Park,+Kent+Cornwall+Road,+Kent,+CT/Lovers+Leap+Bridge,+New+Milford,+CT/Bridgewater,+CT/Brookfield,+CT/78+Federal+Rd,+Danbury,+CT+06810,+USA/@42.1501166,-74.1032745,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m43!4m42!1m10!1m1!1s0x89e11acf7423e4a5:0x39cf694eed3655f!2m2!1d-72.5527599!2d42.8918759!3m4!1m2!1d-72.9185415!2d41.942086!3s0x89e70894790b41ed:0x544039ab16e6bb39!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e788fa49f064c1:0x658a0896cf68bf9a!2m2!1d-73.4169951!2d41.7756698!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e7f6f00e52eeb5:0xb25705c96824174a!2m2!1d-73.4070665!2d41.5441095!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e7f0c5380f977d:0xf8a1c6f940221e64!2m2!1d-73.3662305!2d41.5350949!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e7f9916aab7abd:0xe87da79ad1e0a8bb!2m2!1d-73.4095652!2d41.4825947!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e7ff2acd089193:0x929523b9b23f3e8e!2m2!1d-73.420097!2d41.419282!3e0?hl=en


Day 5 Tuesday 10/18/16
Start:  Danbury, CT
End:  Plymouth, MA
Route:  I-84, I-691, CT 66, CT, 9, I-95, I-195, MA 25, US 6 and MA 3
Distance:  341
Drive Time:  6 hours
Site Time:   6 hours
Sites
-  Mystic Aquarium
-  Cape Cod
-  Plymouth, MA
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/78+Federal+Rd,+Danbury,+CT+06810,+USA/Mystic+Aquarium,+Stonington,+CT/Provincetown,+MA/Plymouth,+MA/155+Samoset+St,+Plymouth,+MA+02360,+USA/@41.7849436,-70.6412951,10z/data=!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e7ff2acd089193:0x929523b9b23f3e8e!2m2!1d-73.420097!2d41.419282!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e5e1d8a1c40373:0x237829a05eab423c!2m2!1d-71.953253!2d41.3733431!1m5!1m1!1s0x89fca780cf83c821:0xd8d2863ae0f05eda!2m2!1d-70.1786425!2d42.0584412!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4b9efe1b22d71:0xe99070cab6ea2e23!2m2!1d-70.6672621!2d41.9584457!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4bb0c38fd128f:0x976bb92d80f0b1c1!2m2!1d-70.6884945!2d41.9518208!3e0?hl=en

Day 6 Wednesday 10/19/16
Start:  Plymouth, MA
End:  Framingham, MA
Route:  US 44, , I-90, I-84, US 20 and I-90
Distance:  175 miules
Drive Time:  3 hours
Site Time:   6 hours
Sites
-  Old Sturbridge Village
-  Downtown Boston/Boston Common.
Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/155+Samoset+St,+Plymouth,+MA+02360,+USA/Old+Sturbridge+Village,+Old+Sturbridge+Village+Road,+Sturbridge,+MA/Boston+Common,+Tremont+Street,+Boston,+MA/1186+Worcester+Rd,+Framingham,+MA+01702/@42.0700255,-72.1734691,11z/data=!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4bb0c38fd128f:0x976bb92d80f0b1c1!2m2!1d-70.6884945!2d41.9518208!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6a3aa4c7a9059:0x1298be983eff4750!2m2!1d-72.0987031!2d42.1089111!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e3709dbc6e232b:0x3f8683fc7ba94f04!2m2!1d-71.0655822!2d42.3551128!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e389a395a22add:0xac75a93e5bba09ed!2m2!1d-71.4486333!2d42.2982222!3e0?hl=en

Day 7  Thursday 10/20/16
-  Stay in Framingham and explore more of Boston area

Day 8  Friday 10/21/16
-  Fly home.

[CobaltYoshi27]

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

[froggie]

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

He can get there later that day, if necessary.  That time of year, the last factory tour leaves at 6pm.  Even during the winter, they do tours after 4pm.

BTW, adding Ben & Jerry's as suggested would add about an hour-fifteen to your drive time.

A few other comments:

- Depending on what time you land at Logan, plan on up to 2 hours to reach Manchester.

- As a general rule, southern New England will likely be around peak when you're out here, but northern New England will likely be past peak.  Our peak is usually around the 1st week of October, sometimes sooner.

- Because of peak fall colors, don't plan on making good time on two-lane roadways, especially on Days 2-4.

- Given our experience last October, plan on Acadia Nat'l Park in general on being busy.  Probably doubly so since you'll be there on a weekend.  Bar Harbor was packed, and that was on a mid-weekday...

- If you like cheese, the Cabot Creamery also does factory tours...they're located about 20 miles from the I-91/I-93 interchange, along VT 215 in Cabot.

- You'll be fairly close to the Quechee Gorge...it's barely 6 miles off I-91 and may be worth a stop, both for the scenery and for the ca. 1913 steel arch bridge that US 4 takes over the Gorge.  Barely a mile further up is a historic covered bridge in Quechee proper that was rebuilt after Tropical Storm Irene flooded out the approaches 5 years ago.

- If you want to be closer to the Connecticut River than I-91, US 5 is generally closer to the river (sometimes right along the river) between St. Johnsbury and Brattleboro.

[Max Rockatansky]

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

He can get there later that day, if necessary.  That time of year, the last factory tour leaves at 6pm.  Even during the winter, they do tours after 4pm.

BTW, adding Ben & Jerry's as suggested would add about an hour-fifteen to your drive time.

A few other comments:

- Depending on what time you land at Logan, plan on up to 2 hours to reach Manchester.

- As a general rule, southern New England will likely be around peak when you're out here, but northern New England will likely be past peak.  Our peak is usually around the 1st week of October, sometimes sooner.

- Because of peak fall colors, don't plan on making good time on two-lane roadways, especially on Days 2-4.

- Given our experience last October, plan on Acadia Nat'l Park in general on being busy.  Probably doubly so since you'll be there on a weekend.  Bar Harbor was packed, and that was on a mid-weekday...

- If you like cheese, the Cabot Creamery also does factory tours...they're located about 20 miles from the I-91/I-93 interchange, along VT 215 in Cabot.

- You'll be fairly close to the Quechee Gorge...it's barely 6 miles off I-91 and may be worth a stop, both for the scenery and for the ca. 1913 steel arch bridge that US 4 takes over the Gorge.  Barely a mile further up is a historic covered bridge in Quechee proper that was rebuilt after Tropical Storm Irene flooded out the approaches 5 years ago.

- If you want to be closer to the Connecticut River than I-91, US 5 is generally closer to the river (sometimes right along the river) between St. Johnsbury and Brattleboro.

Ben and Jerry's might be a little far but I'll have to see if the wife wants to give it a shot, that's more her thing rather than mine.  The dates are pretty much tentative so I might switch it up to get to Acadia some time on a weekday since this isn't my typical maximizing of leave usage that I usually try to do.  I'm also considering staying near Logan but I got an Uncle in the ballpark of Manchester, unfortunately he doesn't have a place to stay for the night...either way it's a travel day.  I had a disaster of a day traveling to Washington when I was living in Orlando years ago and made the drive to the hotel a living hell which I've tried to avoid repeating ever since.  On top of the October 1st cut-off I'm really looking to avoid the second race of the year at New Hampshire International....those usually wreak havoc on hotel availability. 

One of the weird things for this one is that I usually have a cut-off of 500 miles out west for the day with sight-seeing...  But it seemed prudent given my memories of how awful traffic was from NYC to Boston not to underestimate it.  US 5 seems to be more of my speed from everything that I remember and from your suggestions.  I already updated the map with Quechee Gorge since it looks cool and what I'm generally looking for.

I'm partially considering maybe heading to Tom's River, NJ to see my cousins for the day but I'm having hard time getting motivated for trying to get through NYC.  Still might be a no-go if family up and decides to stick to the commitment for California this year.  I'm supposed to have answer after my June trip roughly...plenty of time to add, delete or shift things over still.  I'm also planning on letting the wife drive some of this trip since it's a lot less rough terrain than what we're both used to, it would be nice to take in some of the scenery from the passenger seat for a change. 

[CobaltYoshi27]

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

If you have time on Day 3, I'd recommend driving out to Waterbury, VT and visiting the original Ben and Jerry's. Just make sure to get there before 4:00 if you do.

He can get there later that day, if necessary.  That time of year, the last factory tour leaves at 6pm.  Even during the winter, they do tours after 4pm.

BTW, adding Ben & Jerry's as suggested would add about an hour-fifteen to your drive time.

A few other comments:

- Depending on what time you land at Logan, plan on up to 2 hours to reach Manchester.

- As a general rule, southern New England will likely be around peak when you're out here, but northern New England will likely be past peak.  Our peak is usually around the 1st week of October, sometimes sooner.

- Because of peak fall colors, don't plan on making good time on two-lane roadways, especially on Days 2-4.

- Given our experience last October, plan on Acadia Nat'l Park in general on being busy.  Probably doubly so since you'll be there on a weekend.  Bar Harbor was packed, and that was on a mid-weekday...

- If you like cheese, the Cabot Creamery also does factory tours...they're located about 20 miles from the I-91/I-93 interchange, along VT 215 in Cabot.

- You'll be fairly close to the Quechee Gorge...it's barely 6 miles off I-91 and may be worth a stop, both for the scenery and for the ca. 1913 steel arch bridge that US 4 takes over the Gorge.  Barely a mile further up is a historic covered bridge in Quechee proper that was rebuilt after Tropical Storm Irene flooded out the approaches 5 years ago.

- If you want to be closer to the Connecticut River than I-91, US 5 is generally closer to the river (sometimes right along the river) between St. Johnsbury and Brattleboro.

Ben and Jerry's might be a little far but I'll have to see if the wife wants to give it a shot, that's more her thing rather than mine.  The dates are pretty much tentative so I might switch it up to get to Acadia some time on a weekday since this isn't my typical maximizing of leave usage that I usually try to do.  I'm also considering staying near Logan but I got an Uncle in the ballpark of Manchester, unfortunately he doesn't have a place to stay for the night...either way it's a travel day.  I had a disaster of a day traveling to Washington when I was living in Orlando years ago and made the drive to the hotel a living hell which I've tried to avoid repeating ever since.  On top of the October 1st cut-off I'm really looking to avoid the second race of the year at New Hampshire International....those usually wreak havoc on hotel availability. 

One of the weird things for this one is that I usually have a cut-off of 500 miles out west for the day with sight-seeing...  But it seemed prudent given my memories of how awful traffic was from NYC to Boston not to underestimate it.  US 5 seems to be more of my speed from everything that I remember and from your suggestions.  I already updated the map with Quechee Gorge since it looks cool and what I'm generally looking for.

I'm partially considering maybe heading to Tom's River, NJ to see my cousins for the day but I'm having hard time getting motivated for trying to get through NYC.  Still might be a no-go if family up and decides to stick to the commitment for California this year.  I'm supposed to have answer after my June trip roughly...plenty of time to add, delete or shift things over still.  I'm also planning on letting the wife drive some of this trip since it's a lot less rough terrain than what we're both used to, it would be nice to take in some of the scenery from the passenger seat for a change. 

Getting around NYC is not hard at all. I-287 usually does not have much traffic. Going through NYC is a different story altogether.

[Max Rockatansky]

Yeah my Dad used to work in White Plains and we would take that to US 206 to get south of even head way out west to I-81.  It's more a function of me not really wanting to slog through New Jersey just to double back the other way.  I was just out there in 2014 and took the scenic route by US 40 and US 9 the last time.  I would greatly prefer to stay in the boonies and I'm hoping to convince some of them to come to Danbury since they lived there for awhile also.

Speaking of White Plains, I noticed that the new terminal building finally got built...looks like 1995?  Had a hell of a time sitting on the floors of the old building waiting to board the plane to Elgin AFB back when that was a thing...thank god for the Game Boy to mitigate the claustrophobia. 

[dgolub]

Yes, there's a lot to see in that direction.  In Boston, walking the Freedom Trail is a great way to see many of the historical sites.  Outside the city, there's Lexington and Concord, where the first two battles of the American Revolution took place.  There's also Salem, where you can see a re-enactment of the Salem witch trials and where you'll find so many witchcraft-related stores that it feels like Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.

If you're passing through the I-84 corridor, you won't want to miss the Thomaston Dam, which can be reached by going up CT 8 a few exits to CT 222 north and then following the signs.  You can drive or walk out on top of the dam for amazing views of the valley below, especially with fall foliage.  Thomaston also has a train museum, if that's up your alley.

[Max Rockatansky]

Yes, there's a lot to see in that direction.  In Boston, walking the Freedom Trail is a great way to see many of the historical sites.  Outside the city, there's Lexington and Concord, where the first two battles of the American Revolution took place.  There's also Salem, where you can see a re-enactment of the Salem witch trials and where you'll find so many witchcraft-related stores that it feels like Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.

If you're passing through the I-84 corridor, you won't want to miss the Thomaston Dam, which can be reached by going up CT 8 a few exits to CT 222 north and then following the signs.  You can drive or walk out on top of the dam for amazing views of the valley below, especially with fall foliage.  Thomaston also has a train museum, if that's up your alley.

Trains would be up my alley indeed, anything transportation is.  I'm actually planning filling those days in Boston with a lot of your suggestion, I just got to get a master list going with location addresses.  I have a couple friends that I haven't seen in awhile that apparently live in the city of Boston nowadays which might necessitate hanging out a little longer into the evening than I may like.

[shadyjay]

So if trains are up your alley, then I'd definitely visit the Essex Steam Train.  It's right on your route from Danbury-Plymouth.  2 1/2 hour steam train excursion with optional riverboat ride.  I think they're closed Tue-Wed during the fall, but the rest of the week they're open.  Definitely worth it.  I worked there from 1993-2002. 

And if you're hitting up the Mystic Aquarium, might as well hit up Mystic Seaport.  Or, extend your trip by another day and overnight somewhere around Mystic - plenty of places to stay.  Foxwoods Casino is about 15-20 minutes right up the road from Mystic, if that's your thing.  But leave yourself plenty of time for all this.  There's lots to see and do. 

[Max Rockatansky]

So if trains are up your alley, then I'd definitely visit the Essex Steam Train.  It's right on your route from Danbury-Plymouth.  2 1/2 hour steam train excursion with optional riverboat ride.  I think they're closed Tue-Wed during the fall, but the rest of the week they're open.  Definitely worth it.  I worked there from 1993-2002. 

And if you're hitting up the Mystic Aquarium, might as well hit up Mystic Seaport.  Or, extend your trip by another day and overnight somewhere around Mystic - plenty of places to stay.  Foxwoods Casino is about 15-20 minutes right up the road from Mystic, if that's your thing.  But leave yourself plenty of time for all this.  There's lots to see and do.

That's the one I was trying to remember from a middle school field trip!  Yes I'm going to make sure the seaport is also on the trip list...might have to stop by New London also for old times sake if I'm up to it.

[jp the roadgeek]

On day 4, a quick (less than 20 minute detour): Instead of taking CT 4 directly to US 7, take CT 128 and go over the Cornwall Covered Bridge.  You'll hit US 7 directly on its west side.  Head south and you'll be back on your way and won't miss any other attractions.