Planning Your Trip
Peak and off-peak travel times are closely linked to the changing seasons. Overall, fall is New England's busiest tourism season as “leaf peepers” descend upon the region from near and far. Hotel reservations can be extraordinarily hard to come by if you have not made plans well in advance.
FAST FACT
Why do leaves change colors? The one-word answer is photoperiodism. That's a fancy term that refers to the length of day and night. Trees need sunlight to produce chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green hue. As autumn nights get longer, less chlorophyll is produced, and leaves' “natural” tints come shining through. Rain, wind, and temperature influence the intensity and duration of fall colors.
You'll struggle with crowds, too, if you visit the area's seaside destinations during summer weekends and particularly the Fourth of July holiday week. Finding a ski chalet in Vermont can be tricky during school vacation weeks in December and February. Your best bet is to plan as far ahead as possible, to make sure you understand individual lodging properties' cancellation policies, and to be prepared for lines at attractions and restaurants if your trip coincides with peak season. Keep in mind that you can uncover special off-peak deals by visiting ski resort areas in the spring and summer, Cape Cod and other ocean-side spots in the fall through early spring, or just about any destination during the first few weeks of September before the annual foliage-viewing rush.
Time Zone
All six New England states are on U.S. Eastern Time (GMT minus five hours). Daylight-saving time is observed. Clocks are set forward one hour at 2 A.M. on the second Sunday morning in March, and Eastern Standard Time resumes at 2 A.M. on the first Sunday morning in November.
Public Holidays
These public holidays are observed in New England: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day/Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Patriots' Day (third Monday in April — Massachusetts and Maine only), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), Christmas Day (December 25).
Business Hours
Typical public and private office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 or 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Banking hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., but many banks, particularly those with branch offices inside retail establishments such as grocery stores, offer extended hours on selected evenings and on Saturday mornings. Many gas stations and grocery/convenience stores are open day and night. Post offices are usually open from 8:00 or 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and until noon or later on Saturday. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 or 10 A.M. until 6 P.M. or later and on Sunday from 11 A.M. or noon until 5 or 6 P.M.
Finding Accommodations
Accommodations are abundant nearly everywhere you go in New England, except perhaps in the far northern wilderness reaches of Maine and New Hampshire. Your most difficult decision will be choosing a type of lodging from the array available — chain hotels, historic inns, spacious resorts, rental cottages, lakeside campsites, family-run motels, bed-and-breakfast inns (some even welcome children). This guide will point you to some family-friendly places to stay and to resources for researching lodging options. Contact regional and state tourism organizations for more leads on accommodations to suit your needs, and be sure to ask friends who have visited New England for their recommendations.
Advance reservations are always a good idea, and during fall foliage season, they are absolutely critical. After all, you don't want to spend valuable vacation minutes searching aimlessly for a place to catch some shuteye.
What to Pack
Two factors will influence the contents of your suitcase when you're packing for your trip to New England: the time of year and your planned activities. In general, you'll want to take lightweight clothing for visits between late June and early September, but be sure to pack jackets or sweaters, especially if you're visiting coastal areas, where breezes can have a decidedly cooling effect. Bathing suits, towels, and sunscreen are critical for ocean or lakefront getaways. Carry an insect repellent containing DEET for protection against Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, if you're planning to spend time outdoors in wooded, brushy, or overgrown grassy areas.
In the spring and fall, temperatures can be quite cold at night even when daytime temperatures are comfortably moderate. Bring along warmer jackets or raincoats, and pack items that can be worn in layers.
Between November and March, be prepared with heavy winter coats, scarves, waterproof boots, and gloves or mittens. If you are planning a ski vacation, take your own gear or rent equipment at the slopes.
Many hotels provide hair dryers and toiletry items such as shampoo, soap, and body lotion, but it is always wise to inquire in advance. Smaller inns are less likely to offer these amenities. You may need to furnish your own linens at rental accommodations, so be sure to ask ahead.
An umbrella is always a good idea no matter what the season. Be sure to pack prescription medications, maps and brochures with information on the sights you plan to visit, airline and other tickets, passports, favorite stuffed animals, and games and activities to keep children amused while traveling. Don't forget your camera so that you'll have lasting images of your New England discoveries.
