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9 day family New England Trip October - Advice

9 day family New England Trip October - Advice

Old Sep 12th, 2017, 10:45 PM
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9 day family New England Trip October - Advice

Hi,

We are a family of 6, 2 adults, 2 teens and 2 kids..Flying into Hartford Oct 17th from the UK, first time visiting the US, picking up a hire car and then I have booked 2 nights at Bridgewater just south east of Boston.

The loose plan is to spend a couple of days exploring the area around Newport, Cape Cod and Plymouth before heading up North on the coast. We have booked 5 nights in Bath, Maine and plan to explore the Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Boothbay, Portland and possibly the White Mountains?

Then back down to Bridgewater for another two nights and plan to get the train into Boston for one of the days. Possibly a whale watching trip tacked on here at the ends as well.

is this plan too ambitious? We want to get a flavour of everything and don't mind driving. As a family of 6, we are on a tight budget and I am keen to include activities that are free or are of minimal cost (excluding the whale watching as a treat!). We enjoy the sea, walking, a bit of history, Architecture.

Any recommendations or advice greatly appreciated as I am a bit overwhelmed by the guidebook as there is so much to see.
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Old Sep 13th, 2017, 01:35 AM
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Hopefully you can re-arrange your route if weather turns bad since you want the best weather for Maine and NH outdoor activities. We like Bath but check the mileage to Acadia. It's a long drive. We like to stop at the Chicken Barn in Ellsworth. Antiques on bottom floor. Used books on the second. On the way thru Camden, you can hike or take the auto road up Mt Battie for what I think is the best view in Maine. This is a good picnic spot if the weather is agreeable.

Brunswick which is south of Bath is a college town but you can also head east to the Harpswell area. Most restaurants in this area will probably be closed in October but check Dolphin Marina. There's a guide to the conservation areas around that area that are open to the public for hiking etc. Giant Steps/Stairs is a short but fun hike along the cliff. You can download their guide.

October weather in New England can be dicey. Gorgeous and warm during the day but it's already in 40s F at night. A few years ago it snowed on Halloween. Expect it to be very cold on the water if you take a boat trip.

In Portland there are two beautiful parks where you overlook Casco Bay. One if Fort Williams Park in South Portland. The other is north of Portland, Eastern Promenade. I saw a nice playground at the north end. Can't remember if there was one at Fort Williams.

Boothbay shouldn't be crowded. We liked the drive around East Boothbay.

We haven't been to the Newport Mansions in ages and have tickets for two tours later this month. We're opting for the Servants Tour of one and Beneath the Breakers for the other instead of the tours about all the gilt and riches. You should reserve tickets ahead of time.

Don't miss Portsmouth NH which is on the border of Maine/NH and convenient to I95. Although you might not want to tour the Strawbery Banke Historic Area, the town is very picturesque. We like the boat tours.

You should check local newspapers for any harvest festivals and fairs going on. We are fans of local church/grange public suppers and going to one would be possibly a unique experience and a relatively inexpensive meal for the group. Usually held on a Saturday night and served early (i.e. 4:30 to 6:00PM). Some places hold breakfasts and the all you can eat ones are a great deal. If you get the right one there are homemade donuts and muffins (breakfast) and pie for dessert (supper). We do not go to spaghetti suppers unless it's a local benefit we want to support.

Should you want to include the White Mountains, you can drive west from Portland and be in the Conway area in about an hour. You can explore the area, do some hiking and then take I93 south to Boston. But, you only have 9 days. If the weather is bleak, I would eliminate Acadia.
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Old Sep 13th, 2017, 02:19 AM
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Good advice from dfrostnh.

When you approach the landing in CT, be sure to look out the window at the beautiful color in the trees across the landing area.

If your lodging is set and you get a day or two of bad weather, do check out the many museums, indoor sports facilities, etc. that are available all over the northeast US.
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Old Sep 13th, 2017, 03:44 AM
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Definitely hit Newport to see the mansions, do the Ocean Drive (10 miles around ocean), and see the downtown harbor (have lunch or dinner) to see where the America's Cup was raced.

In Boston walk the freedom trail to cover the highlights of Boston.

I can't comment on highlights of other places. Enjoy your trip
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Old Sep 13th, 2017, 11:50 AM
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In the Bath area (including Brunswick, Freeport, Portland, Damariscotta)

Popham Beach, especially at low tide,
Parker Head Road drive
Morse Mountain,
Reid State Park, again at low tide
Wolf Neck Woods
Dodge Point Preserve
Damariscotta Lighthouse
Portland waterfront and historic district.
Wiscasset, and on the other side of the causeway Fort Edgecomb
Cabot Mill Antiques.
Drive through Orr and Bailey Islands/Harpswell.
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks in Warren (woodworking tools)
Maine Shelter Institute (woodworking tools, books, and everything on post and beam construction)

Places tend to close up for the season after Oct 9th, but you will have most of the places to yourself.
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Old Sep 13th, 2017, 11:52 AM
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...pressed submit too soon.

Maine Maritime Museum.
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Old Sep 14th, 2017, 04:23 AM
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I'd just add to the above.....your kids might like a duck tour in Boston. It's an amphibious boat/bus that tours around Boston and is lots of fun. Fun for adults too. As mentioned, the Freedom Trail will give you lots to appreciate regarding the country's history.

Further north, on the way to NH and Maine, you might like Newburyport, MA. It's an old seafaring town, now gentrified with lots of shops, interesting seafaring captain homes, and a small, but pretty harbor.

Just about 10 minutes from Newburyport, is Plum Island, with a gorgeous beach, and dune trails, in case you want to get out in nature and stretch your legs.

Portsmouth, NH has lots of good restaurants, shopping and Strawbery Banke. You can walk around the Strawbery Banke area to see old historic homes.

Over the bridge and you're in Maine. You can't go wrong by stopping in Ogunquit for a walk along the Marginal Way, a pathway along the rocky coast with spectacular ocean views. Takes about an hour round trip.

In Bath, there is a wonderful Maritime Museum.

In Boothbay you can visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, well worth the visit. It's fabulous.

Acadia is of course, wonderful. Plenty of hiking, boating, walking along the coast, horse back riding, all outdoor activities.

October is still high season in Maine. Thousands of tourists still come up for the foliage, and there are lots of autumn festivals to add to the festivities. Especially in the more popular spots where you will be heading. Be prepared and enjoy.
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Old Sep 14th, 2017, 11:31 AM
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Re: Whale Watching in October
You may not have too many whales to see in October since that is nearing the end of the whale watching season. It will be very cold on the water too.

The suggestions to stay close to Boston or try a Duck Tour (if you want to hit the water) are good. Boston Aquarium and the Museum of Science may be of interest to your teens & kids.

Or try the Freedom Trail through Boston – walking, history, & architecture. The Freedom Trail brochure describes the sites http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/pdfs/...ure%202017.pdf
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Old Sep 15th, 2017, 01:42 AM
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Color reporting has begun on Boston television.

Late September -- NY-Vermont border, northern Vermont.

Early October -- northern New Hampshire through White Mountains, upland portions of inland Maine, central Vermont.

Not until late October -- coastal Maine

Local conditions may vary by altitude, exposure, etc.

You have gotten a lot of good advice that this may help you to refine.
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Old Sep 16th, 2017, 03:50 AM
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Thanks folks - absolutely fantastic recommendations!!! I have got my hands on a laminated map and have highlighted lots of the places mentioned above!! Really looking forward to our first trip to the US and to seeing the fall colour...will report back on the highlights of the trip when we return.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 06:38 PM
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Bridgewater is an odd place to stay - really nothing around their of interest but it is convenient to the highway. Is there anywhere in your budget north of Boston? Or maybe in the Mystic, CT area? Also, Bridgewater is safe...some towns right around it are not. You'll be fine heading to Newport or north into Boston though if you choose to stay with the lodging you've booked.
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Old Sep 28th, 2017, 11:57 PM
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Hi Capecod73,
We are staying in Bridgewater as it it a central spot to explore from for a few days and it is within budget for our party of six. I am prepared for the fact that it is not a tourist area, but we are just using it as a base.
Could you elaborate on the areas near Bridgewater that are not so safe...I don't want us inadvertently getting lost in a not so safe neighbourhood.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 07:16 AM
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The town immediately near Bridgewater you want to avoid for safety issues is Brockton (bordering on the north), though parts of it are okay, too. Still, I definitely wouldn't go there if I were a tourist -- just nothing of interest there and if you stray into a bad area, it'll be really bad.

Not familiar with Taunton, but the other towns immediately around should be fine.

Ironically, nearby New Bedford has lots of "bad area of town" but also several worthy attractions (the Whaling Museum is especially good). It's okay as long as you stick to the areas with tourist sites and leave by dark. Fall River, meanwhile, has little to recommend and is also not good, though like New Bedford, it's not immediately adjacent to Bridgewater.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 10:17 AM
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That really useful information Bachslunch...in a quandary now deciding what to do!! Trying to research more hotels tonight.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 09:24 PM
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In Hartford is the Mark Twain Home and Museum plus Harriet Beecher Stowe home next door . Was an enjoyable and interesting stop om my trip there 2 years ago.
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Old Sep 30th, 2017, 12:27 AM
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niamhg, I wouldn't worry about bad elements of Brockton being an issue where you're staying in Bridgewater. If the hotel and the immediate surroundings are fine, there shouldn't a problem.

It would be a problem if you drove and strayed into a bad area perhaps, but you're probably using main roads and highways to get elsewhere. Can't imagine you'll have any difficulties.
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Old Sep 30th, 2017, 02:28 AM
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Last weekend we drove through Fall River on our way to Warren RI. After doing research, I had chosen Sagres restaurant in Fall River for lunch. The area was modest, parking on the street was kind of hard to find. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant for lunch and the menu was dinner entrees but the restaurant specializes in Portuguese cuisine. After I told my friends where we were going for lunch, one of them said she had a friend whose husband grew up in Fall River and Sagres was his family's favorite. We all loved what we ordered and I would recommend the restaurant to anyone who wanted to try something different (my dish was based on salt cod). Inside, the restaurant was lovely and our waitress was delightful. I don't think I would want to go there on a busy night simply because there's no place to park and streets are narrow but I wouldn't write Fall River off completely.
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Old Sep 30th, 2017, 10:42 AM
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Bach covered it well - stay out of Brockton. Go to New Bedford in the daytime and to the whaling museum.

Bridgewater itself is fine and convenient to the highway. I live on cape cod and don't spend a lot of time in that area but recently met friends at a restaurant named "Boston Tavern" that is near Bridgewater and was good food at reasonable prices if you need a recommendation.

Also happy to give thoughts on the Cape Cod part of your visit if you need them. Hope you all have great weather and a safe trip!
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Old Oct 2nd, 2017, 09:12 AM
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Ok, based on all the great advice, my plan is now to stay the first two nights in Mystic. Then stay on the coast somewhere north of Boston for one night..was thinking Salem? Then on to bath for 5 nights and finally one last night in Boston City itself.
Where do you think is a good halfway point between Mystic and bath for 1 night?
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Old Oct 2nd, 2017, 09:24 AM
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Salem is probably not a great place to find lodging during October -- that month and especially Halloween are crazy crowded. But with a car, you'll probably find some good options in nearby towns.

Avoid the North Shore area communities of Lynn, Chelsea, and Revere, however, which are not especially nice cities.
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