9-Nights Fall Colours of New England

Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, New England's second-largest city, is an old city, established in 1636 by Roger Williams; but Providence is also young in spirit, with a youthfulness replenished by a steady flow of immigrants.

The hub of culture, governance and commerce in Rhode Island, Providence is also very accessible to other travel destinations in New England, making it both a convenient gateway city as well as an attractive place to live for young professionals, empty-nesters, and Boston and New York refugees.

Six universities call Providence home, including the prestigious Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design; both are located on the East Side, one of more than a dozen walking neighborhoods in the city. On Smith Hill, you'll find the Rhode Island State House, which has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. Perched atop Providence's gleaming white Capitol is a bronze statue of The Independent Man—a 10-ft/3-m reminder of Williams and the small band of nonconformists who followed him and founded Providence. In the shadows of the State House building, you'll see massive, centuries-old four- and five-story homes.

Providence is also known for dirty politics, potent organized crime and other assorted controversies. One of Providence's most flamboyant characters is Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the former and longest-serving mayor, who held office for 20 years. Cianci served five years in a federal prison for a 2002 racketeering conviction. (He also bottled his own pasta sauce.) Another mayor, David Cicilline, is the son of a reputed Mafia lawyer and was also the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.

Since the 1970s, downtown Providence has been the focus of a large and successful urban renewal project. At its heart are the upscale Providence Place Mall and WaterPlace Park, a 4-acre/2-hectare public area with riverwalks, an amphitheater and a tidal basin created at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers. The renaissance has placed the city on any number of best-cities lists, and whether you're interested in early U.S. history, the arts, authentic Italian food or just hanging out on popular Thayer Street, with its trendy bookstores, eateries and shops, Providence is well worth a visit.

North Conway

North Conway is nestled along the White Mountain National Forest and the tallest peak on the East Coast, Mt. Washington. Outdoors activities are never-ending, such as skiing, hiking, camping and canoeing. After a day in the rugged outdoors, enjoy shopping and dining at the many local shops and eateries.

Killington

You'll know this is a special destination as you approach, and the seven mountains of Killington rise up to greet you. Whether blanketed in winter white, sporting the deep emerald the Green Mountains are named for, or dazzling in fiery fall color, these mountains know no season. The Killington Region is an all-season vacation destination. With some of the highest and most varied mountain terrain in New England, Killington is the choice for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

Hyannis

Regular fishing and scenic excursions leave from Hyannis, Massachusetts, which serves as a port for ferries from Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands. (You also can catch ferries to the two islands from other towns.) The Old Jail built in the early 1700s is supposedly Cape Cod's most haunted building. Given the region's historical prominence, that's saying a lot. Don't miss the early American graffiti on the jailhouse walls.

Also in Hyannis, stop at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum to browse its collection of photographs from JFK's days on Cape Cod. A video (narrated by Walter Cronkite) focuses on the Camelot era of Kennedy's presidency. You can try to see the famous Kennedy compound from the street (the best view may be from the beach), but the homes are not open to the public, and the Kennedy family carefully guards what it can of its privacy.

Boston

The history and bricklaid beauty of Boston is easy to enjoy. Follow the Freedom Trail past Old North Church, Paul Revere Park, Fanieul Hall, the Commons, Old Ironsides and more landmarks of America's birth. Across the Charles River is Cambridge and Harvard. Venture to Marblehead and Salem to the south, or Lexington and Concord to the north. Back in town, have clam chowder at the warf or great Italian food in North End.