intuitive

I am flying into Providence, RI August 4 for 10 days, departing on the 15th. The late afternoons/evenings of the 11th, 12th and 13th are booked. I plan on renting a car and would like to see as much of New England as I can since I have never been there (even though I have been to many other countries!) I enjoy history, art and the outdoors. Not into "theme parky" stuff or malls. Any suggestions?

EastEileen

Are you interested in the coast?
RI -- Newport
MA -- Rockport, Ipswich, Gloucester
NH -- Rye and area
ME -- York right up the coast into Ogunquit, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
Much, much more information will come your way about these areas, if you're interested, or do a search where you'll find tons of information.
You're visiting a gorgeous area. Right now our flowering trees are in bloom (may be past in RI -- I'm not sure), the tulips are gorgeous and the grass is green. Glad for you that you're not coming this weekend, which is bringing us a nor'easter.

clarkgriswold

Busy time of year so many areas will require advance reservations. If I had seven days I think I'd drive up 95 to Camden/Rockland Maine area for a couple of nights (www.beloins.com) good hiking nearby (Camden maybe 4 hours from Providence?).....Then I'd head up to Acadia National Park for 2 nights(www.parkentrance.com), then up to Mooshead Lake area for 2 nights, then head south, final night maybe near Sebago Lake Maine or Alton Bay New Hampshire with a hike up Mount Major(www.kingbirchmotorlodge..com or www.bpmotel.com). I enjoy the lake areas more than the coast but you could easily spend 7 days just on the coast.

dfrostnh

Stop on your way north in Portsmouth NH for a visit to Strawbery Banke historic area and take a short cruise of the harbor or inland rivers. I also like the Camden area and suggest a stop in Rockland to visit the Farnsworth Museum which features many Maine artists including all three Wyeths. If you head over the Bangor, the Cole Transportation Museum is very interesting if you like old cars, trucks etc. You'll find more about the logging history of Maine. You should at least make a day trip thru NH's White Mountains. There are many opportunities for hiking. Keep in mind that between the coast and rivers, you will have a chance to rent a sea kayak or canoe. Check the schedule for the annual fair for the NH League of Arts and Crafts. You might be here for their big annual fair at Mt Sunapee in NH. Take a chair lift ride to the top. Enjoy demonstrations and top off the day with a dinner cruise on Lake Sunapee. Shaker Village in Canterbury NH (just north of Concord) is very interesting. Downtown Concord has a couple of art galleries, NH History Museum and interesting architecture. It's only about 2 hours to Providence RI. I haven't been to the Currier Museum in Manchester (just south of Concord)in a long time (too long) but the other evening a friend was raving about the Zimmerman House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright which is open for tours.
Yankee Magazine's website will also give you some ideas and routes to travel. www.newengland.com

ccrosner

You've been given good advice although no one suggests going to Boston! If you've never been and you like history and art, it's a must for a couple of days. Freedom Trail, MFA, Harvard, etc. would fit your history/art bill. You don't say where you are booked for those few nights which would make a difference in your itinerary. Love Maine and NH. Wish you could also see Cape Cod (the outer portion for outdoor activities).

HowardR

Don't leave out the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, including a visit to Tanglewood for a concert.

EmilyC

Mystic has an outdoor art festival every year during the second weekend of August...it's usually very nice. You could combine this with a stay in that area or in Newport or Southern RI

Dreamer2

You have 3 days booked, and two travel days, plus the day before you leave I'm guessing you'll want to be around Providence. Right? As someone above says, it would be better to answer your questions if we knew where you'll already be for those 3 days. At any rate, it seems you have only 6 days out of 12 totally free and ready to explore as much of New England as you can.

Some highlights to choose from:

1. Be sure to visit Newport, RI: Cliff Walk, mansions, etc are a must since you'll be so close. Maybe schedule for the 14th.

2. Definitely go to Boston if you've never been. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Freedom Trail would fit your interests perfectly.

3. The Norman Rockwell Museum and Tanglewood concerts out in the Berkshires seem like something you'd like.

4. The Cape Ann area of Mass would be a good fit. The Spirit of 76 is in the Marblehead Town Hall, the Hammond Castle Museum is in Gloucester, and Salem has the Peabody Essex Museum and Hawthorne's House of 7 Gables.

5. Portsmouth, NH features the Strawberry Banke Historical site.

6. Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower are south of Boston on the way to Cape Cod.

7. The St. Gaudens historical site on the VT/NH border is lovely.

Perhaps you could do a 6 day driving loop from 8/5 to 8/10. Something like leaving Providence and driving to western Mass and the Berkshires for an overnight, then up Rt. 89 to St. Gaudens in Cornish, NH and the Warner, NH Indian Museum, ending in Portsmouth, NH, and finally down to the Salem, MA area for a couple days. You could spend a day in Boston before returning to Providence.

You've received many great suggestions on this thread! Good Luck choosing. Have a wonderful trip!

tracys2cents

If your ticket is with SW airlines you might be able to change it and book your return our of Manchester NH airport so that you don't have to backtrack. Check the one-way car rental difference though

Jayneann

One highlight in Massachusetts are the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. You could drive to New Bedford (45 minutes from airport) and take the ferry to MV for the day, or drive to Falmouth or Hyannis and take the ferry to either MV or Nantucket. The Vineyard is very whimsical with Gingerbread houses and small shops everywhere. Nantucket is gorgeous in the summer, a real New England feeling with blue hydrandeas and pink beach roses adorning the weather beaten natural shingled cottages. If you love art and outdoors, these are must see places!!!! Good luck!

mahs

Actually...I wouldn't miss Cape Cod ... A drive along Route 6A would provide you with lots of galleries .. antiques .. potters .. and some absolutely beautiful beaches .. Mayflower in Dennis .. and or if you travel just a bit further you can take in the National Seashore .. Along Route 6A there are some wonderful restaurants .. some upscale .. some very good food and not so fancy .. It is a lovely area .. very quaint .. I never ever get tired of driving on 6A .. and even in the summer .. the traffic along 6A is pleasant ... If you decide on seeing the Cape .. post again for more specific recommendations .. The islands are lovely too .. but if it were me .. I would take in Route 6A .. before heading over ...