Lazy J wrote:
Thank you, but do you have anything helpful to offer that would support driving is the way to go. In other words, are there any must-see stops?
Driving is definitely the way to go. I suggest a circular trip. This can be done in reverse just as well.
Start North and follow the Hudson River, there are many many photo ops. There is an entire Landscape Art movement called the Hudson River School. Check them out and also robertrodriguezjr.com. He's a renowned young lanscape photographer in that fertile area.
At Albany, pick up I-90 East which turns in to the Massachussetts Turnpike which terminates in Boston. Along the way there are countless stops in Western Mass for scenery and foliage. I like Old Sturbridge Village as a restoration site in western Mass. It is beautifully done by the Rockafellers as they also did Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Plenty to see, plenty to photograph. And fewer tourist during foliage time because the kids ae in school--week days are best.
For the return, depending on your time, you can proceed South from Boston to Rhode Island for some great sea scapes, sunrises and beaches. then proceed westerly into Connecticut and on to the Connecticut Turnpike. Stops like Old Mystic Seaport has (or used to) the Cutty Sark a very inpressive China Clipper with raked masts unlike most others photographable sailing ships today. It looks like she's sailing at 20 Knots while tied up at teh dock. Follow east and don't miss the town of Milford with a beautiful "Green" and picturesque church--a perfect subject to frame with the "colors." A side trip to Danbury and other sights are in order. Then past or into NYC for some great Central Park pictures and back home.
Read your guidebook. Remenber, the "colors" migrate from North to south as the temperatures chill overnight. It is unquestionably the best time for the North East.
I seriously wouldn't compromise my trip or photo opportunities to the vagaries of Amtrac. However, if you do insist, take the train to Boston shooting out the window, sit on the right if you're taking the Coast route through Connecticut and you'll be rewarded with some good Long Island Sound shots and some old bridges. Then rent the car and drive back choosing the Mass Turnpike route to The Hudson River and then down. There are more photos waiting for you there that you could ever shoot. For an abbreviated itinerary, fly to Boston, rent a car and take my routes around the circle. You might find that the car rental is less expensive as well.
It is an extremely photogenic area with many charming towns and landmarks. And lot and lots of hardwood trees turning all shades of yellow, orange and red. Enjoy the trip and prepare with a little colonial history reading before you go. The must be some Founding Father and revolutionary footprints undisturbed somewhere in all that territory.