Getting to launch points for a New England tour

THE BEST WAY

Boston or New York is the usual launch point for touring New England.

From LAX to Boston, JetBlue, American, Virgin America and United offer nonstop service, Delta offers direct service (stop, no change of plane) and United, AirTran, Delta, US Airways, Continental, Southwest and American offer connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $228.

From LAX to New York, American, United, Delta, Virgin America and JetBlue offer nonstop service, and United, Delta and US Airways offer connecting service. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $358.

Sharon, Conn., is a 2 1/2-hour drive north of New York City by way of the Taconic Parkway. Hancock, N.H., is about an hour and a half northwest of Boston. Cohasset, Mass., is about 30 minutes south of Boston in light traffic.

WHERE TO STAY

Wake Robin Inn, 106 Sharon Road (Route 41), Lakeville, Conn.; (860) 435-2000, https://www.wakerobininn.com. A spacious old Colonial Revival mansion near Lake Wononskopomuc, up the road from Sharon. Doubles from $159,

Interlaken Resort & Conference Center , 74 Interlaken Road, Lakeville; (800) 222-2909, https://www.interlakeninn.com, just down the road from Hotchkiss School. Doubles from $169.

The Hancock Inn, 33 Main St., Hancock, N.H.; (603) 525-3318, https://www.hancockinn.com. Has a tavern, restaurant and beautiful Colonial American guestrooms, has been in continuous operation since 1789. Doubles from $105, including breakfast.

Cohasset Harbor Resort, 124 Elm St., Cohasset, Mass.; (781) 383-6650, https://www.cohassetharborresort.com. A motel on the waterfront. Doubles start around $135, including breakfast buffet.

The Red Lion Inn, 71 S. Main St., Cohasset; (781) 383-1704, https://www.redlioninn1704.com, has history dating back 300 years , an excellent restaurant and stylish rooms. Doubles start around $200.

WHERE TO EAT

When Pigs Fly, 29 W. Main St., Sharon; (860) 492-0000. A Southern barbecue joint just off the green with huge pulled pork dinners for $16.95.

Irving Farm, 44 Main St., Millerton, N.Y.; (518) 789-6540. A popular spot about 10 miles west of Sharon for lunch, breakfast and picnic fare.

Woodland, 192 Sharon Road, Lakeville, Conn, (860) 435-0578, A lively New England bistro on Route 41. Entrees $15-$25.

Sunflowers, 21 Main St., Jaffrey, N.H. (603) 593-3303, is a Monadnock-area favorite serving gourmet country fare. Dinner entrees $10-$20.

Olde Salt House, 40 Border St., Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-2203, https://www.cohassetharborresort.com, has terrific South Shore seafood, including fried clams and chowder. Dinner entrees $10-$20.

TO LEARN MORE

Yankee Magazine (www.YankeeFoliage.com) and the Weather Channel (www.weather.com/outlook/driving/fallfoliage/regionindex/northeast) have live New England fall foliage maps.

The Litchfield Hills Travel Council, https://www.litchfieldhills.com, for Sharon.

Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, https://www.greater-peterborough-chamber.com, for visitors to the Monadnock area, including Hancock. Cohasset Chamber of Commerce, https://www.cohassetchamber.org.