Anonymous wrote:If we fly into Burlington and then drive south to see the Hudson Valley, does anyone have any accommodation suggestions? TIA.

Do you want to spend a night in Burlington or a bit south?

Your second stop could be Manchester VT, as someone else suggested.

We flew to Burlington mid-October a few years ago and it was beautiful.

If we fly into Burlington and then drive south to see the Hudson Valley, does anyone have any accommodation suggestions? TIA.

Acela Train to NYC, then reg train to Mohonk Mtn House in New Paltz.

Look at stayclass.com for Vermont rental listibgxans avoid air b and b

Columbus Day weekend is usually pretty close to peak in the Hudson Valley and Berkshires. It would make sense to fly into Albany and then explore southern VT, western MA, the Hudson Valley, and even northwestern CT. There is a ton of great scenery within an hour radius of Albany.

Anonymous wrote:Vt is still quite pretty when past peak. Flying to Vermont and then driving south would be nice in many respects.

Disagree. You’ll be disappointed if your goal is to see colorful foliage. You really want to be there in late September—maybe the first week in October.

But if you want charming towns, pumpkins, cider and doughnuts, etc. there are tons of options in New England.

Vt is still quite pretty when past peak. Flying to Vermont and then driving south would be nice in many respects.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for these responses and suggestions - definitely food for thought.

We will be going over Columbus Day weekend, so mid-October. Now thinking of flying in to Burlington and staying a night, then renting a car and driving back down the Hudson, possibly veering off to Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, and flying home from Buffalo.

We don’t mind a long drive one way, but not eager to drive it both ways since we’re limited to only 3-4 days.

I like the part where you start in Vermont and drive home through the Hudson Valley. DO NOT tack on the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls to this trip. It will take you at least 3 hours to get to the Finger Lakes, and another 3 to Niagara Falls. NY is enormous!

Vermont peaks early. It's more of late Sept kind of place.

Anonymous wrote:Stowe. Fly to Burlington.

stowe peaks before Columbus Day weekend. Usually.

Stowe. Fly to Burlington.

Friends rave about the Berkshires. Others enjoy Salem in October.

I’ve enjoyed the drive from NJ to VT. Manchester has a lovely old boutique hotel.

Personally, I prefer the coast. I’ve enjoyed Newport, RI in October. Fly into Providence.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for these responses and suggestions - definitely food for thought.

We will be going over Columbus Day weekend, so mid-October. Now thinking of flying in to Burlington and staying a night, then renting a car and driving back down the Hudson, possibly veering off to Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, and flying home from Buffalo.

We don’t mind a long drive one way, but not eager to drive it both ways since we’re limited to only 3-4 days.

If you drove from Burlington south, you would definitely find the color. On Columbus Day weekend, Burlington would be past peak but still have a bit of color and as you drive south you would see the fall colors bloom up and then go to green by the time you hit the DC area. If it is an early year, you would see it further south and if it is a late year, further north.

Last fall, DH’s niece got married in central Vermont the weekend after Columbus Day and while the bright reds and oranges were gone, there were still quite a bit of yellows and muted oranges. We were in Connecticut the week of Columbus Day week end and it was full on gorgeous.

Fly to BTV and fly out of MHT, Portland, or Albany.

If you want to see more of the HV you could ditch your car at Stewart airport and take trains home.