We've been discussing a trip somewhere on the northeast coast, either during the fall color change or in the summer. Not sure if we should do a road trip, or stay put in a VRBO for a few days.

A few places under consideration:
-Hamptons (Are the Hamptons overhyped)
-New Port, RI plus Martha's Vineyard
-Portland, ME

Anybody have any experience with these places or a good trip itinerary to recommend?

We did Portland and the Maine coast this past summer. We stayed at a VRBO in Boothbay harbor and then drove up and did Acadia NP and Bar Harbor one day and hit up Portland the day that we left.

If you are willing to pay for the Hamptons, then I would use that money for fall foilage tour of New England as leaves change color. There are ton of beaches like the Hamptons that arent as expensive

Spent quite a bit of time in Rhode Island. Newport is fantastic (in the summer). Highly recommended. I'd do Rhode Island or Maine.

I've been up and down the coast and I think Maine is the absolute best, personally. My advice is to make up your mind soon and book, because the window for color is relatively small and places book up very early. You'll definitely pay a premium during color season.

We loved Conway New Hampshire & the surrounding area.
Franconia Notch

Kancamgus Highway.... just wonderful

Did both of those spots. Fantastic too

Wife and I did this on 2017

Fly to Boston and rent car (flights to Boston are pretty cheap)
Portland, ME for 2 nights
Bartlett, NH for 3 nights
Stowe, VT for 2 nights
Drove back to Boston and home

Prime leaf viewing is 2nd week of October.

Some of our favorite spots in New England (I was born in Connecticut, my wife was born in Boston).

Boston
Driving up Rte 7 from Litchfield County (Connecticut) to Vermont
Western Massachusetts (Berkshire Mountains)
Nantucket (the whaling museum)
Cape Cod
Newport
Boston to Portland, ME on Amtrak, then hanging out in Portland
Portsmouth, NH
Maine, Maine, Maine (Coastal Maine is incredible. Didn't realize there are 3000 islands off the Maine coast)
Stowe

My thoughts...you'll never see it all, but anywhere you go will be a wonderful experience.