Hellobee Boards

I love Burlington, Vermont but it's a long ride. I'm in Southeastern, MA and it took us 4 1/2 hours or so. There is a nice downtown to walk around but it's kind of a one day thing. Not much else to do. If I were you, I'd consider a trip to Maine. We LOVE Portland. Fantastic restaurants and a cute area downtown to poke around in. You can also try Kennebunkport, which is where we spent part of our honeymoon. The Portland area is about 30 minutes from a bunch of areas of interest - Kennebunkport, Freeport, etc. We love it up there!

Burlington, VT will take about 3- 3 1/2 hours without traffic from Boston. Montpelier is about 45 minutes south of Burlington (so, closer to Boston), and I love it there. Its a really cute small town, with lots to do in the area (like apple picking, shopping, visit the state house, hiking, whatever you're in to). Can't offer any hotel advice (although I know there are some nice Inns/B&Bs in the area), but could give you some restaurant recommendations!
Southern Vermont has some really lovely spots too: Woodstock/Quechee area comes to mind. I'm less familiar with that area.

I can give you info on Portland, if you are interested. You should be able to get a hotel room here in the fall for around $200/night, and we're a little less than 2 hrs drive north. We are second only to San Francisco in number of restaurants pet capita, so we got you covered there too!

Ogunquit, ME!!!!! 90 mins from Boston without traffic. Really cute beach town that I hear is PERFECT in Sept/Oct - water is warmest then, rates are low because it's "off-season", no huge crowds like now. We were there for the first time last month and are obsessed with it.

If you want mountains, I'd go to the White Mountain region of New Hampshire!

I live on the North Shore, about 20 minutes from Boston, and all these are such good suggestions. It makes me want to take a road trip! I love Burlington, VT, but I agree that it is a hike from Boston. I also really like Portsmouth, NH, which has sort of the same vibe but is much closer. You are also close to some good hiking areas there. I think @Pipers Mommy is right though that hotel prices will be high in those northern states in the fall because of the leaf peepers.

@Foodnerd81: my husband and I spent a weekend in the equinox resort in vermont. It is by mount equinox, so lots of hiking trails nearby and also close to outlet shopping. I got a massage at the spa and it was the best massage I've ever gotten. The spas is really nice too. We also did a glass blowing class which was neat. We made our own wine carafe...which of course we haven't used yet but once this baby comes, i will use to its full extent! Anyway not sure about the price point and driving distance but maybe worth looking into.

@JoJoGirl: @Foodnerd81: I second Ogunquit, or that whole area of Maine - York, Kennebunkport, Wells, Kittery, etc. Very pretty, and lots to do.