AnaBelen

We will be traveling between Woodstock and Kennebunkport in the first week of Oct. Can anyone recommend a place to stay one night somewhere roughly between them. We have 2 days/1 night for the drive, so it can be off the beaten path. In terms of budget, I would prefer to stay somewhere under $250. We love to walk and prefer charm to luxury.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

nyer

Woodstock NH or Woodstock VT?
Also, just curious, any reason you don't want to just stay an extra night in your starting or ending point? I hope this is for a weekday, because weekends at that time of the year will require a 2 or 3 night minimum. You might even have a hard time finding a place that will book only one [weekday] night this far in advance, but closer to the date it will probably be easier

AnaBelen

Nyer,
It is Woodstock, VT. I realized after I posted that I should have specified. The one night stay would be on a weekday. We could just add a day at the start or the end if it turns out to be the most practical thing to do.
I do not know much about the area, so I am curious to see if anyone has other options they can recommend.
AnaB

Dreamer2

Concord, Nh is just about in the middle of the two - a small city with a couple interesting restaurants and standard hotels - if you need a driving break.

For something more scenic, you could detour up to Lake Winnipesauki and stay around Meredith or Wolfboro, then cut across the Kancamongus Hiway. Or, go all the way up to Breton Woods and stay at one of the Mt. Washington properties, cutting across to Maine passing through North Conway.

Or, more directly, just go east from VT until you hit Portsmouth, NH, and have a nice overnight there.

Hope this helps get you started!

dfrostnh

First week of October should be gorgeous every where you look. Rt 89 will take you to Concord and then the direct scenic route would be to take Rt 4 to Portsmouth. Mapquest will tell you to take Rt 101 but that is a boring limited access although quicker route. Concord is an ideal walking city with a lovely downtown which borders the Merrimack River. The city tends to get very quiet at night but there are some options including the new independent Red River Theater. The Centennial Inn is probably the most unique hotel but not sure of the price. The Holiday Inn is at one end of Main Street for easy walking the downtown area. The Marriot at Horseshoe Pond is in a new area of office buildings but convenient to the hwy. Other hotels back up to the hwy.
If you choose Concord, don't follow Rt 89 all the way. Get off around New London NH, pretty college town. For a unique drive, take the auto road up Mt Kearsarge from Wilmot. There's a state park at the top. Great views. The trail to the top is steep. Back track to the intersection and head for Warner NH. The hike to the top of Mt Kearsarge is easier from that side. Warner is a tiny town with a couple of shops. Continue on Rt 103 thru towns of Contoocook and Hopkinton. Drive up to Gould Hill Orchard for wonderful heirloom apples and wonderful view.
But Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee would also be a great place to stay. You could easily get to Concord in time for lunch and then head up Rt93N to Meredith. Even though this is an interstate, it's pretty. You might be tempted to continue the drive right to the mountains because they are that close. If you get to Lake W you HAVE to visit Center Sandwich. Not much there but it's one of the prettiest little towns in NH.
You could make this a loop and head back down to Rt 4 and over to Portsmouth since you have two days and then head north to Kennebunkport.
Sorry no recommendations for lodging since this is an area we visit as day trips.
Surely another Fodorite has a great lodging recommendation?

AnaBelen

Thanks for the great recommendations. I especially appreciate the advice on the prettiest driving routes. The more I read, the more I am looking forward to this trip. I am planning the trip as a surprise for my husband. He went to school in Vermont (many years ago!) and has often talked about going back to visit. The only hard part is not spilling the beans for almost a year.
dfrostnh, it must be wonderful to be able to visit the area on day trips.
AnaBelen