7 Unusual, Unique Places to Stay & View Fall Foliage

Just because the summer is nearly over, no reason to be feeling glum. Fall brings cool, crisp weather, vibrant colours and a reason in which to explore the landscape. The US is most famous for these transforming magical vistas, particularly the north-eastern states, collectively known as 'New England'. The best time to view these magical panoramas is from the middle of September until mid/end of October.

• The Porches Inn, Massachusetts (MA), USA
• Liberty Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts (MA), USA
• On The Loose Yurts, Vermont (VT), USA
• Waybury Inn, Vermont (VT), USA
• Inn On Covered Bridge Green, New Hampshire (NH), USA
• Frost Mountain Yurts, Maine (ME), USA
• Winvian, Connecticut (CT), US

MASSACHUSETTS

The Porches Inn, North Adams
Style: Artisticly unique

Consists of 47 rooms of retro-edgy, industrial granny chic ambiance make a spirited lodging statement in New England and beyond. Leisure travelers surrender to total comfort and attitude-free service while itinerant techies avail themselves of WiFi connections and bandwidth galore. Imaginative renovation includes long verandas and bold inside/outside spaces. The interiors mix striking, colorful style with homage to the generations of mill workers’ families who lived here. Special touches include breakfast delivered in retro worker's lunchboxes.

Inside Info: From $240 per night for Queen bed; or $430 per night for two bed, two bath suite.

If driving from Boston, take the Scenic route (Mowhawk Trail - Route 2) on a classic auto road. Take some time for a few stops along the way for a picnic or a quick hike to a view. One of the best views of the Hoosac River Valley is at the Wigwam, just above the famous Hairpin Turn overlooking North Adams - where there is one of the most fun gift shops around, complete with westernwear, Elvis Tchotchkes (why not?) and souvenirs galore! This is the place for all you "kids" who eat up travel nostalgia - don't forget to allow extra time for browsing and save room for homemade fudge. Liberty Hotel, Boston
Style: Luxury prison/jail

Always an architectural gem, what was once the iconic Charles Street Jail is now the stunning, vibrant Liberty Boston Hotel. Since opening in September 2007, the Boston luxury hotel quickly became the “must-visit” downtown Boston destination for visitors and local residents alike. Four venues, CLINK, Alibi, Scampo, and the Liberty Bar anchor the Boston luxury hotel’s 298 luxurious rooms and easy access to the city from its prime downtown location at the foot of historic Beacon Hill make The Liberty Hotel the perfect spot for experiencing all that Boston offers.

Inside Info: From $250 per night.

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VERMONT

On The Loose Yurts, Burlington
Style: Rustic yurts

Located just 35 minutes from Burlington, Vermont, On The Loose's base camp stands at the edge of the forest on our 150-acre hilltop farm. Beautiful views across open meadows and the gurgle of Birch Glen Brook make it a peaceful location free from distractions. Paths on the farm connect with the trails of the Green Mountain National Forest: the Catamount, Long Trail and VAST systems.

Inside Info: From $135 per night (exclusive use, up to 10 people). $50 deposit, per night (cheque or credit card accepted).

Cost includes: 24' diameter Yurt, insulated wood floor, woodstove, propane stove and lantern, kitchen supplies, bunk beds that sleep up to 10, composting toilet, table and chairs, access to water at the farm. Waybury Inn, East Middlebury
Style: TV Location

Welcome to Middlebury Vermont’s most famous inn, The Waybury Inn. The Waybury Inn has offered comfortable lodging and unpretentious fine dining since 1810. 14 unique guest suites present the most modern amenities to today's guests, yet are filled with elegant and charming details from Vermont's past. Amenities include deep claw foot tubs, Jacuzzi suite, free wireless internet, dedicated guest PC with printer, full service bar, elegant cooked to order breakfast that includes eggs benedict. While some of you may recognize the Waybury Inn as the home of the Bob Newhart show, others know the Waybury for its elegant dining rooms and historic Pub.

Inside Info: From $125 per night, including breakfast. Room 9 has a secret..inquire at front desk for more information.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Inn On Covered Bridge Green, Arlington
Style: Unique, former artist's home

The Inn On Covered Bridge Green is the former home of America's most beloved illustrator/artist, Norman Rockwell. For over two centuries, the Village of Arlington has been home to other such historic Vermont figures as 18th Century Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys and 20th Century writers, Dorothy Canfield Fisher and poet, Robert Frost

.

Inside Info: From $175 for guest room. $280 per night, including breakfast to stay in the Norman Rockwell studio.

MAINE

Frost Mountain Yurts, Brownfield
Style: Rustic yurts

Open year round, these eco-friendly and pet-friendly yurts cater to families, couples and small groups who are looking for accessible outdoor fun. Frost Mountain Yurts invites you to an enjoyable excursion into the back woods of western Maine on their private 60 acres and surrounded by woodland. Located just south of the village of Fryeburg and minutes away from all the Mount Washington Valley amenities. All three yurts are nestled in their own private setting.

Inside Info: From $85 per night, 1-2 peopl. $15 per night, additional person.

Yurts include 3 bunk bed sets w/mattresses, 2 pull out futon/couches, kitchen table & 4 chairs, wood stove & split wood, newspaper & matches, 2 burner Rocky Mtn gas cook stove & plenty of fuel, gas lantern, fuel and candles, dishes, cups, silverware, knives, can opener, cutting board, pots & pans, colander, measuring cups, bowls, ladle, spatula, big fork & whisk, cheese grater & cork screw, dish rack & dish soap, wash bucket & sponge, pot holder & paper towels, snow shovel, broom & dustpan trash bags, cards & games, 5 gallon jug of water for dishes, Outside fire pit, benches and firewood, First aid kit, fire extinguisher, & smoke/CO detector Outside adjacent porta-potty w/T.P. Gas grill (operational year round) Full Fondue Set-ups including heavy duty pot, stand, Sterno & forks, Large rectangle pancake skillets, plastic wine glasses, mini espresso maker, 5 gallon solar showers & privacy screen (seasonal use), hammock, tiki torches.

CONNECTICUT

Winvian, Litchfield Hills
Style: Luxury, 'quirky' treehouse, helicopter & additional accommodation

A private estate 113-acre estate, surrounded by the fabulous scenery of the Litchfield Hills, these eighteen unique cottages comprise a Beaver Lodge, Helicopter Cottage, The Greenhouse Cottage, Stone Cottage and a Treehouse suspended 10 metres off the ground. Unique...definitely.

Inside Info: From $750 per cottage, per night. Includes double occupancy and full breakfast.

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