by Eileen Thai

Created on: October 01, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

Fall is a wonderful time to travel. Summer vacations are over, which means less traffic on the road, and airfares and hotel prices are cheaper. With the cooler weather, going to the beach, or hiking up the mountains is much more pleasant and enjoyable. Autumn travel almost always include a trip to New England for the glorious foliage season, so there will be more destinations listed for the northeast. Here are ten cool weather destinations that you might consider visiting:

North Conway, New Hampshire
Take a scenic drive along Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) from Lincoln to Conway. You will be mesmerized by nature's amazing colors. Drive slow and revel in the scenery. There are many festivals going on during this time of year; you may luck out and stumble onto one. At North Conway, outlet stores await. New Hampshire has no sales tax, so get a head start on your Christmas shopping here.

Franconia, New Hampshire
Franconia Notch State Park, in the White Mountain region of New Hampshire, is beautiful in the fall, and has plenty of biking and hiking trails. Highly recommended is a visit to The Flume Gorge Visitor Center, where you start your 2-miles hike to The Flume Gorge. You'll be awed by the towering granite walls, cascading waterfalls, and covered bridges. At nearby Cannon Mountain, an aerial tramway ride to the summit will reward you with the vibrant fall colors of the mountain vista.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire
I am enthralled by all the charming towns along the New England coastline. Portsmouth is one of my favorites. It is rich in culture with art galleries, artisan's boutiques, and great restaurants. Relax at the popular Prescott Park by the waterfront. Enjoy a New England clambake at Warren's Lobster House, and then walk off those calories shopping at the outlets in nearby Kittery, Maine.

Boston, Massachusetts
In the fall, college kids are back and the city is alive and hopping, more than ever. Stop at Harvard Square or the colorful Faneuil Hall Marketplace to watch street artists and musicians perform. To soak up some history, walk the freedom trail to see 16 historic sights, including the Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution. Try some clam chowder at Legal Seafood, a Boston institution for seafood. Afterall, their logo is "If it isn't Fresh, it isn't Legal. If you like Italian food, you need to check out the quaint North end (Il Panino is great place for pizza and calzones, Mike's Pastry for cannoli).

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and

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