Getting Between Stops
Fly into Bangor (BGR), about an hour and a quarter from Bar Harbor. Fly home from JFK, LaGuardia or Newark (EWR). Portland (PWM) is a second option for Maine, about three hours away. A one-way car rental usually costs extra, but it saves a full day of backtracking.
Bar Harbor to Stowe is the longest drive, about five and a half to six and a half hours, mostly on US Route 2, across Maine and New Hampshire. Stowe to the mid-Hudson Valley takes about four hours. Fall foliage weekends slow scenic roads, so drive on weekdays when you can.
In Acadia, buy a park pass online and reserve the Cadillac Summit Road for sunrise. In Stowe and the Hudson Valley, you need a car for everything except a few walkable towns, such as Hudson and Beacon.
Where to Stay
In Bar Harbor, the Bar Harbor Inn and the Harborside Hotel, Spa and Marina have harbor views. Historic inns in former summer cottages sit a few streets back. The Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor overlooks a pretty harbor near two of the island's gardens.
In Stowe, Topnotch Resort is the spa choice, The Lodge at Spruce Peak sits at the base of the ski area and Trapp Family Lodge is the hillside classic with its own brewery.
In the Hudson Valley, Mohonk Mountain House is the famous one, with meals included. Wildflower Farms and Troutbeck are newer farm-estate hotels with excellent food. Hasbrouck House in Stone Ridge is a more relaxed inn.
As an approximate guide, expect $300 to $700 a night in Maine and Vermont during foliage season and well over $1,000 at the top Hudson Valley estates on fall weekends.
When to Go
Late September to mid October is the window for this route. Fall color usually peaks in northern Vermont and on the Maine coast in early to mid October, while the middle Hudson Valley often peaks from mid to late October. Every year is different, so check foliage reports a week or two before you go.
September is lovely too, with warm days, fewer people and early color at higher elevations. Summer works as well, with swimming holes in Vermont and farm dinners in the Hudson Valley, though without the foliage.
From late October, many Acadia inns and restaurants close and the Park Loop Road shuts for winter. Stowe has a quiet stretch in November before ski season. Pack layers, since fall mornings can be near freezing in Maine and Vermont.
Budget and Booking
Foliage season is the busiest time of year in all three places. Book hotels months ahead, especially in Bar Harbor and on Hudson Valley weekends. Many inns require two-night minimums in October.
As an approximate guide, good inns in Maine and Vermont run about $300 to $700 a night in peak fall weeks. Mohonk Mountain House, Wildflower Farms and Troutbeck can run well over $1,000 a night on weekends. Shifting the Hudson Valley stay to weekdays saves money.
Book the Cadillac Summit Road sunrise reservation as soon as your dates are firm, then the gondola and Storm King tickets if they require them. Budget for park passes, orchard visits and a farm dinner. Mention your honeymoon when you book. Small inns often add a bottle of local cider or maple treats.
Staying Comfortable and Safe
Fall weather in the mountains changes quickly. Pack warm layers, rain jackets and good walking shoes for both of you. Mornings on Cadillac Mountain and Mount Mansfield can be cold and windy.
Drive carefully on foliage roads, where other drivers stop suddenly for photos. Watch for moose and deer at dawn and dusk, especially in Maine and northern New England. Smugglers' Notch is narrow with tight curves and is not suitable for large vehicles.
Ticks are active through the fall in all three regions. Use repellent, stay on trails and check each other after hikes. On Acadia's cliff trails and the Shawangunk Ridge, stay back from edges, which can be slippery when wet. Dress codes are relaxed, though the top Hudson Valley dining rooms lean smart casual.
Make It Shorter or Longer
For an 8 to 9-day trip, drop Bar Harbor and fly into Burlington (BTV), about 45 minutes from Stowe. Spend four nights in Stowe and four in the Hudson Valley.
For 14 to 15 days, add two nights in New York City at the end, or add a night in New Hampshire's White Mountains on the drive between Bar Harbor and Stowe to break up the long day.
Couples who want more coast can swap Stowe for three nights in Newport, Rhode Island, about five and a half hours from Bar Harbor. You will lose the Vermont hills but gain the Cliff Walk and harbor sunsets. In early September, another option is adding three nights on Nantucket instead of the Hudson Valley.
