Fall in New England beckons seductively with the allure of fall colors, but it delivers so much more than just stunning landscapes. The journey is best savored slowly like a fine wine, the pace dictated by the meandering country roads that hint at “nowhere,” but that gently deposit the traveler on a secret golden pond. A Fantasy Autumn in New England RV tour, exclusively for Good Sam members, harvests the colors, cuisines, and cultures of New England, September 20-October 17. It’s a leisurely, 28-day, mobile massage of the senses. The distances are small, but the differences between them are great. All roads seem to lead to a simpler way of life. Places where towns are small, hearts are big, and food is not fast.
Mother Nature welcomes all to her free fall fashion show in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. Drive through rolling hills, quaint towns, and cool, serene landscapes, right into a bucolic still life painting. This is sensory central—bursting with vivid and brilliant colors, crisp fall scents, sounds of unseen creatures rustling in the leaves, and the homemade tastes of locally made specialty foods.
Kennebunkport, Maine is a good starting place. A scenic lobster cruise and feast with a lighthouse tour twist are must-dos on any itinerary here. It’s an easy drive through the scenic Mount Washington Valley to North Conway, New Hampshire. The hardworking steam locomotives of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway take visitors to the summit for breathtaking autumnal views of the surrounding areas. Cruise the gentle waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire.
Roll into Vermont for a long look down Quechee Gorge, “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,” all 165 feet of it. Artisan bakers demand a stop at the well-known King Arthur Flour and Bake Shop to learn the secrets of this specialty flour. Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the country, but several boutique food items are made here and touring their facilities is great and filling fun. This is the home of “Cherry Garcia,” and other whimsical ice cream flavors at Ben & Jerry’s small and friendly plant, perched in the center of a beautiful meadow, actually cow heaven. Happy visitors love their generous free samples! Additional tours and tastings at nearby maple syrup, cider, and coffee factories are also available. A must-do in this region is lunch at the “The Sound of Music” Von Trapp Family luxury resort lodge, still owned and operated by the von Trapp family.
Drive down out of the White Mountains of Vermont and into the great out-of-doors theme of the Adirondacks in northern New York. The sprawling Adirondack Museum in Lake George tells the grand saga of the Adirondacks and its people. The outdoor adventure continues with a stop at Sagamore Great Camp, and a peaceful lunch cruise amidst the rustling pines along Racquette Lake.
A scant two-hour drive away brings you to Cooperstown, New York and all things baseball. (Caution: RVer on first base comes to a screeching stop in front of the Baseball Hall of Fame!) Literati like to tour the James Fenimore Cooper house and learn out this popular writer of the early 19th century, author of “The Last of the Mohicans.” The fabulous Finger Lakes region of New York is the Napa Valley of wineries in the northeast. Pause for some serious wine tasting after lunch at Bully Hill Winery in Bath. Now, who doesn’t love New York?! Don’t leave the state without stopping at the Glen Curtiss Museum to explore the legacy of the reticent aviation pioneer and founder of the U.S. aircraft industry.
All of the activities mentioned here, and more, are included on Fantasy’s Autumn in New England RV tour, for Good Sam members only. In addition to this itinerary, Fantasy’s professional staff also suggests a variety of optional en-route stops in each area to maximize your RV experience.
Spend the final few days of fall fun in the cascading beauty of Niagara Falls, the quintessential American honeymoon and family destination. Preferred viewing is on the Ontario, Canada side. Required activities here are the traditional Maid of the Mist boat tour, the thrilling Spanish Aero Car ride over the Gorge, and the misty “Journey Behind the Falls” tour that takes guests below and behind the falls for a unique perspective.
All roads traveled on a Fantasy RV tour through New England lead you through the heart and history of America’s great northeastern corridor. And Good Sam members save $200 off the 2 People/Rig price on this exclusive adventure.
“Autumn . . . the year’s last loveliest smile.”—William Cullen Bryant
