We've booked a trip to New England to catch the tail end of fall in New England.

I've already booked all our stays and have a few things planned but wanted to see if people had any additional must do recommendations or specific restaurants in the places we're visiting.

We're getting into Boston late on a Wednesday and heading straight to Portsmouth NH. Not enough time to do anything there that night but we're staying downtown on the waterfront. Planning on just a short morning there.

Then we'll head to Portland, ME and spend the day there. We'll be in Old Port. There will be plenty of seafood places but am open for recommendations. I'm allergic to shellfish but wife will want to go to town. Also curious if there's anything worthwhile seeing there outside of Old Port?

Then we'll go to Woodstock/Lincoln area for four days. Main goal there is to drive the Kanc, hike, ride a gondola over the foliage before ski season, eat overpriced food, and other random tourist crap.

That's really where I'm open to suggestions any things in Central/North NH/VT. Anything an hour or so away from the Lincoln area is fair game.

Last day we'll come back early to Boston and spend the day there.

c-jags said:

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We've booked a trip to New England to catch the tail end of fall in New England.

I've already booked all our stays and have a few things planned but wanted to see if people had any additional must do recommendations or specific restaurants in the places we're visiting.

We're getting into Boston late on a Wednesday and heading straight to Portsmouth NH. Not enough time to do anything there that night but we're staying downtown on the waterfront. Planning on just a short morning there.

Then we'll head to Portland, ME and spend the day there. We'll be in Old Port. There will be plenty of seafood places but am open for recommendations. I'm allergic to shellfish but wife will want to go to town. Also curious if there's anything worthwhile seeing there outside of Old Port?

Then we'll go to Woodstock/Lincoln area for four days. Main goal there is to drive the Kanc, hike, ride a gondola over the foliage before ski season, eat overpriced food, and other random tourist crap.

That's really where I'm open to suggestions any things in Central/North NH/VT. Anything an hour or so away from the Lincoln area is fair game.

Last day we'll come back early to Boston and spend the day there.

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Wife and I spent 10 days up in that area late August.

How late are you getting into Portsmouth? It's something like maybe 1hr from Boston if I remember my drive times. Keep in mind that area is much more compact than Texas so from Google Maps it might look a far ways but honestly blink and you've already gone through 2 states. I don't have anything more to add on that.

Portland ME was garbage. Only good things about it were being a central launching spot for day trips to the surrounding areas and parks. It's overrun with vagrants and many businesses have closed. Only thing we found interesting and fun there was the ferry out to and back from the islands around. The terminal isn't very clear on how it work but basically the boats go in routes and make stops, so if you get the ferry to the furthest island, it will make quick stops at all the islands between as well. No need to do the "tourist" cruses. Nothing food wise stood out and only 1 brewery was (in our opinion) any good. We did find the breakfast sandwiches from Tally's Kitchen to be good.

Keep in mind November isn't really the end of fall there but the start of winter so it will be cold.

Have fun.

Scruffy said:

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Wife and I spent 10 days up in that area late August. It's something like maybe 1hr from Boston if I remember my drive times. Keep in mind that area is much more compact than Texas so from Google Maps it might look a far ways but honestly blink and you've already gone through 2 states. I don't have anything more to add on that.

How late are you getting into Portsmouth?

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Midnight unfortunately. we land in Boston at 11 PM. We'll spend the day there before going to Portland

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Portland ME was garbage. Only good things about it were being a central launching spot for day trips to the surrounding areas and parks. It's overrun with vagrants and many businesses have closed. Only thing we found interesting and fun there was the ferry out to and back from the islands around. The terminal isn't very clear on how it work but basically the boats go in routes and make stops, so if you get the ferry to the furthest island, it will make quick stops at all the islands between as well. No need to do the "tourist" cruses. Nothing food wise stood out and only 1 brewery was (in our opinion) any good. We did find the breakfast sandwiches from Tally's Kitchen to be good.

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Disappointed to hear. the wharf area and Old Port looked like a good small town coastal feel. It's not set in stone, but it's knocking another state off the list. and the wife will love some sea food.

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Keep in mind November isn't really the end of fall there but the start of winter so it will be cold.

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very aware. she's a teacher and i have a very heavy travel season from August till Mid November. Wish we could have made late october, but we're hoping there's still some foliage to be seen. We'll be there November 15 so hopefully before it gets too bad.

Just a couple of points from me...

The Maine Diner in Wells, ME is pretty good. Would be good for a brunch on your drive from NH to Portland.

https://mainediner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/110209-_-DINER-Take-Out-Menu-PROOF-2.pdf

You'll be up there after time change. It starts to get dark around 4:30 and is pretty dark around 5:30. In the smaller towns, things close early.

We actually "escaped" up there during Thanksgiving week to avoid family drama a few years ago and it was hard to find things to do with younger kids in the evenings. There were a couple of times we had to travel a couple of towns over to find an open restaurant.

No kids for us on this trip. They're teenagers anyways so they would hate it.

I was actually planning on getting food to cook at the cabin the a couple nights we're rural, so I appreciate that bit of advice.

It's been a couple of years since I was there, but I didn't get the same impression of Portland, ME. The food and beer in that town are phenomenal. Eventide is one of those restaurants that I would travel just to be able to eat at. Their fish sandwich is one of the best things I've ever eaten. We may have seen some homeless people but no more than any other city. It's by no means SFO.

If you like IPAs I'd recommend making a stop for a beer and pizza at Maine Beer Co in your way north.

Caution: If you're driving take into account that you are in the mountains and drive time is extended. Somthing that is 100 miles away is not 90 minutes like it is here in the flatlands.

malenurse said:

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Caution: If you're driving take into account that you are in the mountains and drive time is extended. Somthing that is 100 miles away is not 90 minutes like it is here in the flatlands.

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We've mapped most things out. We don't plan on driving more than an hour per day other than one time. . The drive from Portland to Woodstock will be hearty at 2.5 hours but we'll break that up.

If you are getting to Boston on Nov 1, you might still get a little foliage on the coast, but I don't think you'll see anything in the interior. I live well south of there about 100 miles from the coast at 730 feet and I usually clean up all the leaves the first or second weekend of November after they are all on the ground.

Been to Portland twice, wife and I enjoyed it both times. We liked Portland Lobster Company for lobster and beer, but I think it's a very small indoor seating area (we were there in September both times and sat in the extensive outdoor area).

Not sure if you have time, but Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor would be a nice part of the day trip from Portland; it's a bit over an hour drive. You get a better dose of coastal Maine there than Portland (rocky shore, lobstering town, etc).

I live in the Boston area and I have actually never heard anyone describe Portland, ME as garbage so I def wouldn't go into with that mindset. It's actually an incredible coastal city with a lot to offer in terms of dining and craft beers!

Like one poster mentioned, EvenTide is a MUST. Get on the waitlist and just walk around while you wait. My Dad/Mom flew up to visit and we drove to Portland, ME - got on the waitlist and then proceeded to crush champange and 5 dozen oysters. SOOO incredible! I still think about those oysters alot.

Also if your wife is going with you, def surprise her and take her to Seabags and let her pick out a beach bag. Incredibly unique and made from sails so super durable!

Enjoy your trip. The Northeast is the best!!

I Play With Guns said:

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I live in the Boston area and I have actually never heard anyone describe Portland, ME as garbage so I def wouldn't go into with that mindset. It's actually an incredible coastal city with a lot to offer in terms of dining and craft beers!

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Glad to hear that. Everything i've read says the exact opposite of that post.

I have Eventide on the list as well as DeMillo's. i'm sadly allergic to shellfish, but want to let my wife live her dreams. she usually waits till i'm out of town to cook most sea food.

will put seabags on there. i'm sure that will bankrupt me based on what i'm seeing.

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i'm sadly allergic to shellfish, but want to let my wife live her dreams. she usually waits till i'm out of town to cook most sea food.

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You just described my wife and I but we are the opposite.

We'll be up in Boston / NH next week and she's got her brand new epi pens ready.

If I have shrimp at lunch, I have to wash my face a couple of times before I kiss her when I get home.

lunchbox said:

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i'm sadly allergic to shellfish, but want to let my wife live her dreams. she usually waits till i'm out of town to cook most sea food.

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You just described my wife and I but we are the opposite.

We'll be up in Boston / NH next week and she's got her brand new epi pens ready.

If I have shrimp at lunch, I have to wash my face a couple of times before I kiss her when I get home.

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i usually avoid it in Central Texas, but a few times down on SPI or the coast I've had reactions to stuff cooked close together.

one time involved tossing a $70 fillet in the bathroom as my throat closed up.

might be a good investment.

Portland, ME whips ass. I went up there last fall and totally understand the attraction. Others have covered the food so I'll ask- do yall like beer? If so:

Bissel Brothers
Maine Beer Co (a little drive north to Freeport, but worth it)
Lone Pine Brewery
Austin Street Brewing

Novare Res Bier Cafe is a great little beer hall with selections from all over.

i will be drinking plenty of beer while there.

wife will enjoy seafood and i will get my calories through beer to be safe.


appreciate all the coastal recommendations



heading westward, we're staying around Lincoln/Woodstock for 3 days.

Currently we'll drive the Kanc, see covered bridges and get off to see some waterfalls and gorges on our way out there.

In the area, we'll hike White Mountain and Mt Moosilauke, do a gondola ride, go to Fadden's General Store, maybe do a train ride.

Any hidden gems in that area?

It's one of the more popular tourist areas up here and is a straight shot for people coming from Boston, so there aren't really that many hidden gems.

If you don't mind a short drive, Littleton is the up and coming spot a little further north. Breweries and shops in a walkable downtown right on a river. If you come from North Conway on 302, you could do a quick hike up Mt Willard for an awesome view of Crawford notch, then stop in Bethlehem. REK-Lis brewing gets really good reviews, but I'm not a drinker so can't say definitively. That route also takes you by Bretton Woods, if you're a history person.

My favorite stretch of road is actually not the Kanc but 16 through Pinkham notch. Stop in Jackson for covered bridges and quaint New England small town.

For food:
- black mountain burger company in Lincoln is awesome. That was my first meal back from deployment
-yamas Greek food in Plymouth is one of my favorites. I try to convince my wife to go at least once a week.

Generally, I start watching for snow around Halloween. Might not get any until late December some years though. Be prepared for any weather.

thanks for all replies. i've added everything to the possible itinerary. i'm a nerd and put everything we had on the radar and recommendations from here to a google doc. normally my wife does all the planning but i wanted to be the one to put most of this together and she was actually surprised i took to the initiative.

we're hoping for a little foliage, but accepting we're going to be late this year. having kids in school and my wife as a teacher limits our ability to go earlier, but hopefully we'll enjoy it to try again later.

i want to go to the Littleton area. I have the cog train ride as an option and i'm hoping we can make it up there for it. we'll just have a friday night (with sunset around 5) and a Saturday and Sunday available.

as of now, we couldn't possibly do everything i have added to the list, so should be a good trip. i'll update with pics in a month.

lunchbox said:

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Just a couple of points from me...

The Maine Diner in Wells, ME is pretty good. Would be good for a brunch on your drive from NH to Portland.

You'll be up there after time change. It starts to get dark around 4:30 and is pretty dark around 5:30. In the smaller towns, things close early.

We actually "escaped" up there during Thanksgiving week to avoid family drama a few years ago and it was hard to find things to do with younger kids in the evenings. There were a couple of times we had to travel a couple of towns over to find an open restaurant.

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midtrip update:

Maine Diner was dope. Both my wife and I really enjoyed our meals there. We also drove to head light house but took the back road through a few towns and that was a very surreal experience to drive through Mayberry after Mayberry for an hour. Kennebunk might be the most wholesome looking town I've ever seen. Every single building is ordinated to look Colonial from the Circle K to the Ford Dealership.



Portsmouth was a cool little town. Whitest, hipsterest, and cleanest downtown I've ever been in. Kind of unreal. We did an app guided tour and really enjoyed it. Would recommend a day there if you're ever in the area.

Eventide was good. My wife said it was the second best Lobster roll she ever had behind one at Smorgasbord in Brooklyn.

Sorry for misspellings. I partook of a few of Maine's finest breweries tonight.

ETA: we did get a little Folliage in the side quest to Head Light House in Maine. Gorgeous drive.

Really the most beautiful that we saw was a jaunt over to New Castle Island off of Portsmouth. That was an amazing place.

Wrapping up and headed out tomorrow after a day in Boston.

Lincoln/Woodstock weren't perfect (from a Hallmark NE town feel) but both were very welcoming nice towns. Had some good meals and beer, but we ended up cooking at the cabin mostly the last 3 days.

Flume Gorge was an amazing hike and I'd recommend it for anybody. So much to take in. I did a few trail runs myself and hikes with my wife in Franconia State Park and White Mountain National Forrest that were pretty great. Got to run in falling snow this morning which is always cool.

In NH we missed the foliage by about a week and a half but Portsmouth and Portland were both pretty great for that so we got some in.

Portland itself… was fine. It was a mildly cleaner Austin. Not amazing. Not terrible. I have no desire to go back there. The Portland Museum of Art was nice for the size of town that it is but extremely preachy. Old Port was a fun walk.

Cape Elizabeth, ME was some of the most amazing driving I've ever experienced. Just a beautiful part of the state and country. Honestly a bit detached from the rest of the world.

Driving the Kancamagus is also something that we'll take away as a highlight as well. Would recommend if you ever get the chance. Honestly the entire drive from Portland to Warren, NH was great. But as somebody said "100 miles doesn't equal 100 minutes". You never really get to go over 50 unless you're on I95 or I93. We were 8 miles from Woodstock but it took us 25 minutes to get from town or back every time.

Great trip glad we did it and next time I think we'll do upstate NY and then Vermont but try to do it in late October.