New England in the fall is breathtaking because the landscape is alive with color - blazing reds, stunning oranges, and brilliant yellows. On this foliage tour, we will explore New England’s cities and quaint villages, mountains, rivers and lakes, amid the magic of autumn’s glow.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Boston, MA
Arrive in Boston where our fall foliage tour begins. Boston is best known for baked beans, Fenway Park, Quincy Market, the North End, and the Bar from the hit TV show Cheers. This evening we will meet your tour director at then head out for our welcome dinner review our exciting New England itinerary.
Day 2 - Concord
Today begins in the heart of Boston, New England’s largest city. This morning we will walk in the footsteps of the Revolutionary War on the Freedom Trail. Afterward, we visit Faneuil Hall, a lively marketplace that includes restaurants, pubs, and the world-famous Quincy Market Colonnade where we will have lunch on our own. This afternoon we travel to nearby Concord to visit the Minute Man National Park that commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War. Walk the historic battlefield, see the Old North Bridge where the shot fired around the world was heard, and have a photo op by the famous Minute Man Statute. We will have dinner at the Concord Inn before heading back to Boston.
Day 3 - Boston - Woodstock, VT - Stowe
This morning we depart Boston and head to Vermont, the state whose Green Mountains are ablaze with the colors of autumn. Bordered on one side by the Connecticut River and by Lake Champlain on the other, Vermont has some of America’s most dramatic landscapes. Our first stop is Quechee Gorge, known as “America’s Little Grand Canyon.” Our next stop is at Simon Pearce where we can watch master glassblowers at work. We will have plenty of time to shop for glass and tableware before lunch. This afternoon we stop in Woodstock, a picture-perfect New England village voted the prettiest town in America. Browse through eclectic boutiques and relax amid the village green. Our destination of the day is Stowe, where we will settle in at our hotel and then get together for dinner.
Day 4 - Stowe
Today is all about fresh food and produce that Vermont is famous for. After breakfast we head to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, a working cider mill where we will enjoy a refreshing taste of apple cider while watching the presses in action. Our next stop is at the legendary Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory where we will take a tour to learn how the factory began and evolved before ending up in the tasting room. After the tasting tour we will have time to browse in the gift shop and see the Flavor Graveyard, the resting place for some of the incredible flavors that didn’t make the cut. A trip to Vermont isn’t complete without a stop at Cabot Cheese Farmers’ Store where talented cheese makers create their award-winning cheddars. Our final stop of the day is at the Trapp Family Lodge, of the “Sound of Music” fame, with its magical alpine architecture that will make you feel as though you are in Austria not Vermont. This resort is owned by the von Trapp family, who fled Nazi occupied Austria and eventually settled in Stowe.
Day 5 - Stowe – North Conway, NH
Today we head to the Granite State known for its scenic river valleys and the soaring peaks of the famed White Mountains. Northern New Hampshire is an area of rugged mountains and untamed wilderness. Our drive today takes us through the White Mountain National Forest. Our first stop is at The Rocks, home to 1400 acres managed by the North Country Conservation and Education Center for the New Hampshire Forest Society.
The highlight of our visit here is to take the “Wild Turkey Tour” where we will have the opportunity to touch feathers, see spurs, and listen for the sounds of wild turkeys while learning about this fascinating bird that is indigenous to North America.
Later this afternoon, we depart for North Conway via the famed Kancamagus Highway, an American Scenic Byway, noted for its rich history, aesthetic beauty, and culture. This 34-mile stretch of road links the valleys of the Merrimack and the Saco rivers, vaulting over Kancamagus at 2,855 feet and winding through some of the most gorgeous terrain in the state. After checking into our hotel and freshening up we will meet for dinner.
Day 6 - North Conway
After Breakfast we depart for the Cog Railroad for an exhilarating three-hour ride to the top of Mount Washington, one of the highest mountains in the region. This railroad has the distinction of being the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world! Every twist and turn reveals a new perspective of the Presidential Range. As passengers make their way to the summit, they are told to keep their eyes peeled for moose and bear. At the summit, passengers can explore the Red Barn Museum, go for a hike, visit the gift shops, grab a lunch at the food court, and enjoy mountain views on the wrap-around deck. Returning to North Conway, spend some time exploring this charming town shopping for souvenirs.
Day 7 - North Conway - Lake Winnipesaukee - Portland, Maine
After breakfast we head out to New Hampshire’s idyllic “Lake District” where the largest of them all, Lake Winnipesaukee, sits at the foot of the White Mountains. The highlight of the day is a cruise on the historic M/S Mount Washington that has been cruising the lake since the 1870s. Surrounded by some of the prettiest lake scenery in New England, we will learn about the history of the region and local folklore on this narrated cruise. Our next stop is at the charming lakeside resort of Wolfeboro. There will be free time to explore the Wolfeboro Art Walk, have a picnic at Cate Park, located right on the water, or explore the downtown area of Wolfeboro that is chock full of restaurants and gift shops. Departing Wolfeboro, we head to Portland, Maine, an exciting hub for the arts, entertainment, and fine dining.
Day 8 - Portland
After breakfast, we will meet our local guide for a tour of this vibrant city. Highlights include the historic Old Port with its salty-air and cobblestone streets, Fort Williams Park, and the Portland Head Lighthouse and Museum, the oldest lighthouse in Maine, dating back to 1791. It is reputed to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the sights of this fantastic small city. You might want to walk the Portland Freedom Trail, visit the Portland Art Museum, or spend time exploring the Old Port area with its colorful neighborhoods seeped in maritime history. Tonight, we meet for a traditional New England farewell dinner of lobster and clam chowder. We will have fun to sharing our stories and memories of our autumn trip in New England.
Day 9 - Portland – Kennebunkport – Boston
This morning, after breakfast, we say goodbye to Portland, and head to the charming seaside town of Kennebunkport, once known as a mecca for ship builders. Driving through town, we will catch a glimpse of beautifully preserved sea captain’s houses as well as the summer home the late President George H.W. Bush on Walkers Point. We stop for a walk around the downtown where we can shop and have lunch on our own before heading back to Boston, where this tour began.
