Autumn in New England

Mid-September in New England signals the beginning of autumn. The cool crisp air, the spectacular mountain vistas that display the brilliant red, yellow and orange leaves as they slowly travel down the mountainsides and oh, the quaint towns . . . this trip has it all. Join us as we explore the beautiful sights and scenery of northern New England. It’s going to be a trip to remember!

Wednesday, September 18th – This morning we begin our autumn adventure by traveling from Virginia to Pennsylvania and overnighting in Carbondale PA. The scenery and the company will make this an enjoyable day. (D)

Thursday, September 19th – Rise and shine for today we will be traveling to the Green Mountain State of Vermont. En route we just have to stop and enjoy a “creemee”: Vermont’s twist on a soft serve ice cream. Folks describe it as a super creamy, silky, and craveable dessert that you will not want to share with anyone. Then, it’s off to the famous Vermont Country Store. How can you visit Vermont without stopping there?!? The little red store is exactly as it is pictured in their catalog: the old creaky wooden floors and beams darkened by age. You’ll find woolen clothing, penny candy, old gaslight fixtures, nostalgic toys, and all kinds of gadgets for country living. It’s a fun, feel-food place to visit or just sit a spell. Then, we’ll continue up the road to Killington, Vermont for a one-night stay. (B, D & a creemee!)

Friday, September 20th – After a tasty breakfast, we will have a local Vermont guide join us on our motorcoach for local touring. We’ll start with a breath of the Vermont crisp air and a view of their beautiful surroundings. During our tour of central Vermont, we’ll visit the New England Maple Museum where we’ll take a trip through 200 years of maple sugaring history and enjoy some samples. Next, we’ll head to Plymouth Notch, the birthplace and boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge. We will visit the historical museum, community church, cheese factory, schoolhouse, general store, and the cemetery where Coolidge is buried. Then, it’s off to Woodstock, a quaint village with a covered bridge where you’ll enjoy a bagged lunch and time to shop and meander through this picturesque spot. Afterwards, we will travel to Quechee Gorge which is referred to as Vermont’s Grand Canyon and a magnificent place to witness the state’s fall foliage display. After an exciting day exploring Vermont, we’ll travel to the Granite State and spend two nights at our hotel in Gilford, New Hampshire. (B, L, D)

Saturday, September 21st – After breakfast at our lodge, we are off for a full day of touring in New Hampshire. A local guide will join us as we travel to Franconia Notch Visitor’s Center to view historical displays, see an interpretive DVD, and take a partial tour of the Gorge before traveling through the park and viewing the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site.

We’ll ride through Crawford Notch with photo stops at Elephant Head rock formation and Silver Cascade before going to North Conway for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll tour the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway with stops at the Albany Covered Bridge, Rocky Gorge, and Sugar Hill overlook. We’ll end the day with a ride on the Cannon Mountain tram where we’ll enjoy spectacular views from the top. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy dinner before returning to our hotel for the night. (B, D)

Sunday, September 22nd – After another hearty breakfast at the lodge, we’ll travel south through the beautiful lakes region of New Hampshire to the southern seacoast of Maine, the Pine State. A local guide will join us for a tour of Kennebunkport, including a drive past the Bush compound at Walkers Point. You’ll have a bit of free time to enjoy the eateries and quaint shops along the waterfront in Kennebunkport. Then, it’s off to Portland, Maine’s largest city-by-the-sea. Our local guide in Portland will take us by Longfellow’s boyhood home, sea captains’ houses, and elegant Victorian mansions as we drive through the historic neighborhoods overlooking the islands of Casco Bay in Portland Harbor. Our tour includes a stop at Portland Head Light. This historic landmark is the most photographed lighthouse in America. After dinner, we will check into our hotel for a two-night stay in Portland, Maine. (B, D)

Monday, September 23rd – A local guide will join us for a full day of touring, beginning with Boothbay Harbor, the boating capital of Maine. We’ll enjoy a scenic, narrated Boothbay Harbor cruise, passing by beautiful vacation homes, lighthouses, and small islands. You should also be able to see the seals sitting on the ledges. After a wonderful cruise, you’ll have time to explore Boothbay Harbor’s picturesque waterfront. You’ll quickly notice that this resort town has retained the atmosphere of an old New England village, complete with fishing craft lying alongside the wharves that follow the quaint, winding village streets lined with shops and art galleries. It’s New England just as you pictured it. Then, we’ll travel a short distance up the road and don our souvenir lobster hats for a traditional Maine Lobster luncheon (alternate selection available). Next, we will travel to Bath where we will tour the Maine Maritime Museum. Located on the Kennebec River, the museum depicts Maine’s shipbuilding industry from the 1600’s to the present day. After a full day of touring, we will return to the hotel and enjoy a nice dinner in town. (B, L, D)

Tuesday, September 24th – This morning, we will travel through Massachusetts, the Bay State, as we make our way back home. We’ll stop for lunch at the historic Salem Cross Inn for a fireplace feast! You’ll be able to relax by the fieldstone fireplace as your prime rib roasts “to a turn” on the slowly rotating “Roasting Jack” over crackling wild cherry logs. This is the only known 1700’s antique roasting jack that is still in use today. The flavor of the fireplace roasted prime rib is unsurpassed! It’s followed by a brimming bowl of freshly whipped cream which is the perfect complement to the best apple pie in New England.

Then, we’ll continue on our way to East Hampton, Connecticut where we’ll stop at Pumpkintown USA. It is home to over 70 “pumpkin-head” people and pets scattered throughout this unique village that is made up of a saloon, jail, church, barbershop and more. It’s a fun and unique stop at the perfect time for Fall has arrived. A quick 20-minute ride and we’ll be in Middletown, Connecticut where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, September 25th – After a wonderful breakfast we’ll continue on our way south, listening to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. And it just so happens that we’ll be passing by Sleepy Hollow, New York this morning so we will make a stop. A photo opportunity at the Headless Horseman Statue and again a few feet from the bridge where the Horseman would have hurled his pumpkin at Ichabod in the story will be fun as it’s a story we grew up with as children. Then, we’ll take a fascinating tour of the cemetery, filled with history and stories about the real-life characters who found their way into the story. Lunch and a bit of time in this quaint town to explore or grab a cup of coffee and then we’re off to Lahaska, Pennsylvania to spend the night at Peddler Village, another great place. A delicious dinner awaits! (B, D)

Thursday, September 26th – A leisurely breakfast and then we’re on our way back to Virginia. Of course, we can’t just drive all day, so we’ll make a stop in Lititz, Pennsylvania where we’ll visit the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Started in 1861, it is the first commercial pretzel bakery in America. We’ll tour the original 19th century pretzel bakery, learn the history of pretzel making, and then try our hand at pretzel twisting. A fun and informative stop, a quick bite for lunch and then we’re back on the road to the best place of all: home. We’ll carry with us many fond memories of the interesting places, beautiful scenery, and wonderful people we met on our Autumn in New England adventures. (B)

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