Head north into northern New Hampshire or Maine.

Get a car and drive up I93, keep going up towards Franconia Notch or deviate and head for the 'Lakes'.

Titlon and Conway have shopping outlets (NH has no sales tax) and there is the Conway Scenic Railroad which will provide you with a steam rail trip through the autumal colours.

Alternatively, head up I 95, stopping for lunch in Portsmouth NH, and up into Maine. Head north to the mountains.

Both are beautiful, inexpensive (especially with the current exchange rate) and away from the usual UK tourist spots.

www.conwayscenic.com/
www.santasvillage.com/
www.franconianotchstatepark.com/
www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/
www.visitmaine.com/package/3387/leaf_peeping_at_one_of_maines_gems_-_moosehead_lake/
www.lakesregion.org/Activities/FallHappenings/FoliageLeafPeeping/tabid/95/Default.aspx

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While away an afternoon on pretty Newbury Street for chic Boston shopping - you'll find everything from Chanel and Marc Jacobs to Urban Outfitters. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to break your journey.

www.newbury-st.com/

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While not completely unique to New England - I’ve heard there are some lanes in New York State and Florida - this bowling game is fun for the entire family.

The pins are posts and the balls are about the size of a softball. Anyone – from a 3-year-old to a person in a wheelchair – can be a competitive candlepin bowler, the weight of the ball has no bearing to one’s ability to aim and bowl it. 

The downed wood remains on the alley and can be played to advantage or becomes a hazard.  Because the pins are slender and the balls small, "splits" are a common challenge. Developing a well-placed “hook” is an asset.

It may take some telephoning to find an operating facility, but check out the Fairway Lanes on Rte. 9, Natick, Mass.

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Come now, rent a car, get on the pike and head west. The trees are just changing colours, the apples are ready to pick, not to mention the pumpkins, and if you're in luck you might find an apple cider donut... home made almost. Don't forget to try a corn (maize) maze.

www.tougasfarm.com

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Mountainous trail near Boston, see it especially during October when the leaves are turning. Very pretty.

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The I 90 is the main turnpike road through Mass. At this time of year the leaves are turning, the sky is blue and the rivers and lakes you will drive by on this easy road are glorious. A long straight major road, easier to find than the traditional "leaf peeper" routes up into NH or Maine.

I 90 W out of Boston.

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It's a chain but the seafood is so good it's unmissable.

www.legalseafoods.com/

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To see a stunning view of the Charles River and, on your left, the BU bridge, the Back Bay area, the Hancock Tower, the Prudential Centre and, on your right, the Museum of Science and the Zakin Bridge, there is no better place to be than the Red Line Train between Chalres/MGH and Kendall/MIT stops.

The train goes over the Charles River, and on a bright day the view is simply amazing. All for the cost of a "T" ride.

Plus, while you're on this train, you may as well stay on it to discover the joys of Cambridge, and all its wonderful squares - Central, Harvard, Porter, Davis, Inman, Teele.

The MBTA train. Charles/MGH station.
www.mbta.com for trip planning.

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The traditional American accompaniment to a cup of coffee is a donut (or doughnut) and this chain of shops - beloved by policemen, workmen, me, and millions of others - has excellent coffee and excellent donuts.

www.dunkindonuts.com
or try a telephone directory

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Go to Harvard Yard, the Harvard museums. Have cake and coffee at The High Rise Cafe on Brattle St. Go to the MIT Museum. Watch an independent film at the Kenmore Square Cinema. Go to the Central Sq nightspots - River Gods, Zuzu's, The Middle East.

Boston, apart from the Back Bay, the Common, and the Aquarium, is a bit boring and touristy. If you're from England, the historic sites won't seem very historic.

Central Sq - Harvard Sq on the subway red line

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Take a tour on one of these restored WW2 amphbibious landing craft - a bit cheesy but a great way of seeing the city's best sites, both on land and water. Some of the tour guides seem to be better than others, but ours was a gem of a local!

Tour starts at the science park.

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1797-built wooden sailing ship famous for its defeat of HMS Guerriere in War of 1812 naval battle, and subject of the 1830 Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem that saved it from demolition -
"Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,..."

Charlestown, Boston
www.ussconstitution.navy.mil

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Locale for architecture, crowds, shops, eating in Boston's historic 19th c. Back Bay area. Notable are: Copley sq., Newbury St., Commonwealth Mall, Beacon St.

Copley Square underground station

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One of the area's leading hospitals, should one need medical attention - emergency or otherwise - this hospital is famous for the high calibre of its patient care.

Brookline Ave., Boston
www.bidmc.harvard.edu

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Small neighborhood Italian pastry shop that has the best cannolis in town - freshly stuffed to order.

www.modernpastry.com
Hanover St. in the North End

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Small chain of ice cream shops that offer top-notch ice cream both as to quality and selection.

www.tosci.com
Main shop is in Cambridge on Main St. near Massachusetts Ave. (near MIT) - bus #1 down Mass. Ave. or Red-line to Central Sq. underground stop.

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First rate pizza, available by the slice, at this small new chain.

Charles St. (Beacon Hill), Boston; Coolidge Corner, Brookline; or
www.theuppercrustpizzeria.com

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Art, anthropology, archaeology, natural history, science - Harvard's museums have it all: Greek pottery at the Fogg, Asian art at the Sackler, Native American at the Peabody, Near Eastern at the Semitic, fabulous mineral display at the Natural History.

Harvard University Information Center in Holyoke Building, Harvard Square, Cambridge;
or www.harvard.edu/museums/

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Great place to stay, very central, wonderful value for money (sleeps four for approx the same cost as a moderate hotel room for two in a much less central and attractive area). The water taxi from Logan will drop you off right next to the houseboat. Five minutes walk to Quincy Market area. All the comforts of home too.

www.vrbo.com/65033
Nearest underground station is at the New England Aquarium right next door.

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High class French food near Harvard Square. A great place for a special meal that doesn't have to be expensive. The three-course prix fix neighbourhood menu is one of the best deals in Boston.

5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 497 5511
www.craigiestreetbistrot.com

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