Colors of Autumn 2003, New England Bed & Breakfast Getaways

Fabulous Fall Escapes

Sometimes you need a weekend away, a little break. Fall in New England is the perfect time — and place — for that weekend. This part of the country is filled with delightful places to which we might escape for a day or two. Visiting one of the many bed and breakfast inns in the area offers a respite from the routine. These quaint destinations will give you the chance to re-energize by spending some quality time in the unique beauty of New England.

A Cambridge House Inn
Conveniently situated close to Boston and Harvard Square, this Victorian-style home has a private bath in every room, and most rooms also have gas fireplaces. Its elegant décor recollects a past era, but it’s packed with modern-day conveniences like cable television, air conditioning and phones (with dataports) in each room. Guests can enjoy a hearty New England breakfast buffet each morning fresh flowers in their rooms, and complimentary newspapers every day.
2218 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140-1836
800-232-9989
www.acambridgehouse.com

Tolland Inn
This seven-room inn is located right on the village green of Tolland, Connecticut. Each room has its own bath, and several of the rooms are actually suites; one has a sitting room complete with gas fireplace and hot tub, another a private entrance. Among the common rooms is a two-story sun room, where guests can warm up in front of the fireplace while enjoying the view of the property. There’s plenty to see and do nearby, from antiquing to apple picking, and even casinos if you’re interested in a change of pace.
63 Tolland Green
P.O. Box 717
Tolland, CT 06084-0717
877-465-0800
www.tollandinn.com

Old Mystic Inn
Built in 1784, the Old Mystic Inn is nestled in a serene location just north of the village of Mystic, Connecticut. Each of its eight guest rooms has a queen-sized bed and its own bath; two rooms boast whirlpool baths and three have working fireplaces. Guests can enjoy a relaxing day in the Keeping Room, where they may indulge in a tasty treat from the bottomless "cookie box," or spend some time lounging in a hammock among the maple trees. Owned by a graduate of the Culinary Institute, The Old Mystic Inn prides itself on its unique, delicious full breakfasts. Just minutes away, visitors will find the famed Mystic Seaport, Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium, as well as shopping, crafts, galleries and charter sailing trips.
52 Main Street
P.O. Box 733
Old Mystic, CT 06372-0733
860-572-9422
www.oldmysticinn.com

Allen House
Located on three beautifully landscaped acres in the heart of Amherst, Massachusetts, the Allen House is a true Victorian gem. With its proximity to numerous historical and cultural sites (the Emily Dickinson Homestead is just across the street; Yankee Candle Company, Old Sturbridge Village and Historic Deerfield are all nearby) in addition to its lovely setting, this inn makes an excellent getaway. Each guest room has a private bath; a full five-course breakfast is served every morning.
599 Main Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-5000
www.allenhouse.com

For more information on New England area bed and breakfast inns, visit Bed and Breakfast Inns Online at www.bbonline.com, BNB Finder at www.bnbfinder.com, or About.com’s New England for Visitors site at http://gonewengland.about.com/msubbb.htm.

Bed and Breakfast F.A.Q.
For those used to vacationing at hotels or resorts, bed and breakfast inns can mean quite a departure from the expected. B&B’s are usually smaller and more intimate than hotels, and they require a slightlydifferent game plan.

Here are a few basics:

Find out about preferred arrival and departure times ahead of time. Check-in and check-out might be more flexible than at a hotel, but it isn’t recommended that you arrive terribly late in the evening.
While most B&Bs offer private, in-room bathrooms (known as "ensuite" rooms), some do not. Make sure to request a room with a private bath if you don’t want to share with someone down the hall!
If you plan on bringing children, find out if your chosen inn is child-friendly. Many B&Bs are furnished with valuable antiques, and some don’t allow children at all.
Find out about the cancellation policy well in advance — many B&Bs will NOT let you cancel reservations on the day of your arrival. And during peak tourist seasons (such as the fall foliage season), inns might have minimum stay requirements.
Many inns are housed in historic buildings that may not have central air conditioning. If you will be visiting during warm weather, you might want to find out if the rooms have air conditioners, or if the home is centrally cooled.
As their name suggests, bed and breakfast inns may offer breakfast as part of the package. But what constitutes "breakfast" can vary from place to place. You can expect anything from a full meal complete with eggs, bacon, toast and fruit, to a simple, serve-yourself continental breakfast. Breakfast is usually offered during a certain time frame — you might want to find out when, especially if you like to sleep in!
Get detailed directions. Many inns are located somewhat off the beaten path, and unlike hotels, there won’t be signs on the highway guiding you to the door.

Fantastic Fall Foliage
During the months of September and October, New England is alight with the searing colors of its spectacular fall foliage. If you’re looking for a relaxing and enjoyable activity for your weekend retreat, consider taking a day to see these magnificent displays. They’re quite a tourist draw, as thousands venture to the area every year for what’s known as "leaf-peeping." While the peak time varies a little from year to year, the time around Columbus Day weekend (this year, that’s October 11-13) is generally when the colors are most vibrant in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Because of its popularity, fall foliage season is quite busy in New England, and many B&Bs fill up ahead of time — make sure to have reservations at your inn of choice well in advance. There are several things to keep in mind if you’re planning a leaf-peeping trip. You’ll notice differences in leaves and color based on the landscape — trees near water will look different from those in the mountains, for example. While all of the changing leaves of fall are vibrant and gorgeous, you’re most likely to see the best range of colors if you plan your tour to include a varied route. And remember that you’re dealing with Mother Nature, who can be very unpredictable.

Places to view the fall foliage are in great abundance in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and there are many resources to guide you in the right direction.On the Web, try www.visitnewengland.com, www.gonewenglandabout.com or www.yankeemagazine.com. Massachusetts and Connecticut also offer toll-free phone numbers where you can check foliage reports; dial 800-CT-BOUND for Connecticut or 800-227-MASS for Massachusetts.