Driving New England - Any suggestions?

I went to university in Massachusetts and it was the most beautiful place. I miss it everyday!

Anyway, I would suggest either vising Amherst, MA which is a little college town in the Berkshires with lots of great restaurants and places to visit. If you like art (I do!) there's the Eric Carl museum and the Smith College art gallery nearby. An amazing pizza place, Antonios and a great little coffee shop, Rao's.

If you're heading up the coast instead, Salem, MA (yes that Salem) is adorable as well.

Have a great trip! I'm jealous!

Hm.... I live in MA and would highly recomend staying as far away as possible from all the tourist traps like 6 flags and water parks - unless you are OK with standing in alot of lines with screaming kids haha!

September is tricky here - it might be 90 and humid, or 65 with a cool breeze...keep that in mind!

King Richards Faire runs in Carver, MA. Its a Renaissance festival. Sounds super treky, dorky, and lame. I, I, I can't even explain how fun it is.... I'm not in to any of that stuff at all....its over priced to get in, but, it's basically a free for all for adult fun...

Another place to visit in MA is provincetown. Again, you just have to go to under stand the fun, and the beauty. They actually have a yaght festival the first week in Septemeber there - but really - there is ALWAYS something going on - you can take a ferry out to light house beach, which basically puts you at the tip of MA on the map. And, you can swim with seals, and sharks, if your lucky :-). Another gorgous Ocean spot, a bit closer, is Newport. Again, its just gorgous, and if you arent into ocean, you can drive arund and look at the Mansions - which is an experience in itself. They have a big yaght show the beginning of Sept as well.

If you can take being overwhelmed by crowds - THE BIG E is in Springfield MA in Sept - just Google it, its super fun i go every year!! (beware all the tempting food though)

If you can catch WATERFIRE in Providence RI some weekend - thats also something youve probbaly never seen before, and its free - google waterfire.

Lets see - NH and VT are just beautiful all around - Id suggest traveling the Kancamangus (I know Im killing the spellingo n that) highway in NH - there are multiple touristy, but fun spots along the way - Find Lost River, and The Floom Gorge are my two favorites. Id recooment the Common Man for eating. If you are in VT there are multiple activities at the ski resorts like horseback riding, and these giant slide things you ride down the mountain - check out Bromley, Attitash, and Killington. if you are staying closer to South Vermont, I suggest Perry Diner in Poultney Vermont, or check out a rodeo in Castleton vermont. Dorset VT has fun outlets, as well as a nice quarry to jump into if you want a free thrill! Back to New Hampshire - theres always Hampton Beach, which is more touristy / food / druink / music.... but the farther you go off the path in these two states, the less traffic / leaf peepers you have to deal with. Keep in ming in NH you can buy a $3 day pass that allows you parking in ALL th eparks and pull offs....the signs arent very clear about this so alot of people just drive on by without stopping....

On to Maine - well - if you get your mountains and leaves in in NH and VT, then I would suggest driving up Maine's coast - as its much more wild than the rest of New Englands coasts!! There is a huge festival in Boothbay Maine early in Sept, but if you head up that way theres shopping, and education fun stuff like visiting NOAA. Pretty mucvh anywhere you pull over on the road is breathtaking there!

I got nothing for CT! Excpet Ive heard they have some awesome pizza shops haha!

When leaving Jersey head up along the Hudson in New York before heading east. It's lovely in the fall. You can stop at Bear Mtn and West Point if that's your thing, it's on the west side of the river.
The Hudson Valley is beautiful.

Yes, the weather can be tricky. Just prepare for both hot and chilly. You will be fine.
Have fun!

Last week of September, I am flying to Jersey to see friends. Afterward, I want to drive from there, ending in Portland, Maine. I have never seen much of this area and want to have a true New England experience. Fall leaves, yes. Quaint seaside towns, yes. Festivals, YES.

If you have a favorite restaurant, inn, store or anything you can tell me about, please do! I want to route it and take my time.

Thanks in advance.

the Rhode Island beaches are a must.....Road side Clam and lobster huts.....the Lobster rolls are the best around...in Maine or RI

Keep up with the rest of traffic, or don't bother getting on the Highway.