Best Time to Visit New England??

[janfmiller]

I'm thinking of taking a trip out to New England this summer.  When is the best time of year to visit.  I'd be coming across Canada to Prince Edward Island and then down the east coast...

Thanks
Jan...

[Bludy L]

As a former resident of Maine for 34 years I feel qualified to take this one on.

Early June is iffy as there tends to be a lot of rain and can be surprisingly cool. Late June to early September is prime time, but that means there are lots of tourists, especially on the coast between Bar Harbor and the New Hampshire border. The down east coast is much quieter relative to tourists. Some of my favorite riding in Maine is in the area shown on the attached map.

I don't know what you want to see, but I'd recommend western Maine, NH and Vermont for good riding and fewer tourists.

If you have specific questions send me a PM and I'd be glad to do my best to provide answers.

[twowheeladdict]

I grew up in MA.  It could be hotter during the day than in Florida, or colder at night than the UP.  All depends which way the wind is blowing. 

I toured there summer '14.  There were frigid days when an Arctic air mass descended, and warm and sunny days. 

Couldn't climb Mt Washington because of the fog.  VT back roads were fun.  The coast of Maine is a must see.  Acadia National Park for sure.





Had to get a Hotel in Augusta because my riding buddy's gear failed to keep him dry.  I on the other hand was wearing Gore-Tex.








You must have a Lobster Roll or two while you are in Maine.

[Tankertruck]

To add my two cents - currently living in MA, and my wife and I enjoy touring basically from early June to end of October.  We tend to target right before memorial day or right after labor day if we are going to a 'touristy' spot (Lake George, Cape Cod, Acadia, etc), just to avoid traffic - but this doesn't bother some people as much as me.  This does mean that you might have to deal with frost/cold AMs in the higher altitudes.  But if you are riding the Adirondacks, or NH/VT back roads, or ME in general, this timeframe doesn't apply nearly as much.  We've found June to be a bit wet, and July/August to be quite traffic-heavy in MA, and often quite hot (coupled with the traffic a big negative for me). 

The issue, of course, is that the weather varies so much that it's hard to pick a month and say 'that's the best' for riding.  I tend to prefer to travel long distances during the shoulder-season of the summer, and keep most of my summer trips local/overnight - based on how I ride, and what makes me comfortable (and my work schedule). This schedule is basically 100% driven by traffic and tourists - both of which can be shockingly heavy during the high months as you  enter MA/RI. 

However, the posts above hit the high spots for sure. I would also add RI as a possible nice ride along the coast if you go that far - although I like ME more.   The western part of MA (and the Adirondacks) are nice as well, but can eat up days of travel if you let them.  Northern CT had surprisingly nice back roads. 

[janfmiller]

Thanks for the advice.  Plan to do this trip leaving Superior Wi either 8/15 or second week of September.  Cold in the am is ok.  Cold rain all day not so much...   We'll see how it works out...

[azgman]

I lived in NE CT for 55 years and traveled extensively throughout NE and NY by MC. I would go right after Labor Day as the weather is mild and the kids and tourists are gone and it is before "leaf peeper" season. NH, VT, Upstate NY are all great. RI, CT, MA have their nice areas, but there are congested areas to avoid too. Check the Yankee Beemer site to see if anything is going on while you are there, or if you need advice or help in any way.

[sungunr]

For all that is holy GMan, I didn't realize you were a snowbird!!

[azgman]

Yep, a snowbird that commuted and then stayed!