October and usually Columbus Day is considered the time to go leaf peeping. (Not so in 2005 however... too much rain) The farther north you want to travel, the earlier in Oct you should plan on.
Good luck!
Maryanne in WMass

I got my name back! Thank you Maryanne. One of my sisters is retiring and this is what she wants to do to celebrate her 'freedom'!

I attended a wedding in Wolfsboro(sp?), NH a few years ago that was timed to be at the height of the season; second weekend of October. The locals talk of the color running through from north to south. And sure enough it came like a weather front, one big line 'running' through and beyond.

Fall color in New England starts earliest the farther north you go and the farther inland, away from the ocean. It peaks in the suburbs north and west of Boston around true Columbus Day, Oct. 12 and the following week. Vermont and northern NH are maybe a week or two earlier.

It does vary in timing from year to year but you should be safe with the above guidelines. Massachusetts--and other New England states??--track it online. Ask on the New England forum of GW for the website. The trick is that for popular leaf-peeping areas in Vermont and New Hampshire especially, you need to make reservations a long time in advance. People come from all over the world to see it. Hope your trip is wonderful!