Combining a visit to Brown with a fall foliage trip

We would like to spend about three days visiting Brown and RISD, but would like to see some fall foliage first, before coming to Providence. Any suggestions for where we could start our trip and drive down? We were thinking of starting in the Berkshires of Mass.We are from California and completely unfamiliar with the area. Any better routes to drive?

Thanks

Combining a visit to Brown with a fall foliage trip

Not sure where in CA you are from, but if Southwest is near you, you could fly into Albany, drive through the Berkshires and Western Mass through CT. then RT 6 into Providence, and then fly Southwest out of Providence.

Combining a visit to Brown with a fall foliage trip

This sounds great. We fly Southwest frequently. How many days should we allow to make the trip to Providence? Any suggestions for where to stay along the way?

Many people like the Berkshires during foliage season.

A quieter, off the beaten path, diversion from the Mass Pike, and on your way to Providence from Western MA would be Route 169, in the Woodstock area of Connecticut, named a Scenic Drives of America.

Hopefully somebody else can help you with where to stay, but you can reach Providence in a day from Western Mass. but I guess it all depends on how long you want to linger around the Berkshires.

I thought that you only had 3 days total, but if you have more, you could also fly into Manchester, NH and explore the NH area for foliage, and then head down to Providence.

One of the good things about Southwest is that you can buy 2 ';one way'; tickets from different airports for basically the same price of a round trip ticket.

I don%26#39;t see here when you%26#39;re planning on coming which is very important if you want to see foliage. Foliage peaks in the Berkshires in late Sept-early Oct then heads south and by mid-Oct it%26#39;s basically gone or fading fast everywhere and long gone from the Berkshires (the coldest areas peak first) . It partly depends on weather and how many maple trees are in the area you want to be in. The closer you are to Cape Cod for example, the fewer the maple trees (which are the most colorful).

We are visiting Brown with our son on Oct 1, then going to Lewiston Maine (Bates College) on Oct 2, then by Mon Oct 6 we need to be at Amherst, Mass (Hampshire college).

1) Are there good bed and breakfasts near Brown or Bates (Jeffrey has overnights there so we are on our own).

2) Any suggestions for the weekend between Lewiston, Maine and Amherst, Mass? We want to maximize our fall foliage viewing. What route would you recommend?

Annie Brownell House is a nice B%26amp;B nearby Brown.

If you have a day to spend leafpeeping in R.I., I suggest cruising around the Blackstone River Valley National Corridor. http://www.nps.gov/blac/ It will not be at peak but there should be some good color to enjoy.

For Amherst, staying in the Pioneer Valley would be a great location. The Berkshires would be choice #1, but the good places to stay have no doubt been booked already and the leafpeeping traffic is brutal. Look into the cute Pioneer Valley town of Deerfield for accomodations.

Can%26#39;t help you out with the Maine portion of your trip. Go to the Maine forum for suggestions.

Here%26#39;s a good website to help you out with your foliage excursions. http://www.yankeefoliage.com/index.php

I did a long term consulting gig at the hospital right next to Bates College in Lewiston a couple of years ago and stayed at the Ware Street Inn which is right on the campus basically. Big old house, big breakfast, felt like I was staying with a relative, very very nice place. Your son might not like it as its pretty conservative but I%26#39;d stay there again as an adult for sure! While in Lewiston, definately look for B%26amp;Bs as there is very little up there for decent hotels and motels, just a few rundown chains.