Bar Harbor to Martha's Vineyard in 4 days
Feb 15th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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Bar Harbor to Martha's Vineyard in 4 days
My wife and I are planning a driving tour from Bar Harbor Maine to Martha's Vineyard. We will leave Bar Harbor on August 3rd and fly back to Austin, TX on Aug 7th from our final destination. We would like to travel through the White Mountains then back to the coast to follow it down to Martha's Vineyard. This will be our first trip to this area of the country. Is it doable? What would be a suggested scenic route? We prefer not traveling on interstate highways. With a short time frame, what would be suggested attractions to see and places to overnight? Also, where is the nearest airport to depart?
Feb 15th, 2015, 07:58 AM
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The closest airport with major carriers would be Portland, ME for Bar Harbor, the closest to the White Mountains would be Portland or Manchester, NH., the closest to the Vineyard would be Boston.
The White Mountains are about 3-4 hours drive from Bar Harbor, google a place like North Conway, NH. That is the easy part.
The Maine and Massachusetts coasts are not like the west coast. There is no scenic route down the coast. Maine and Massachusetts have irregular coasts several miles from any hwy on small, roads that aren't that scenic until you get quite close to the shore and would take days to explore. Neither has a "coast hwy" and Martha's Vineyard is an island. There is ferry service from Woods Hole/Falmouth MA (on Cape Cod) or you can take a small plane from several large and small airports including Boston. Plan on the better part of a day to get there and back.
I would explore costs for the three airports and plan to fly to the Vineyard (hope for no fog or bad storms) or better yet explore Cape Ann, (Rockport, Gloucester, etc.) in northern MA.
The White Mountains are about 3-4 hours drive from Bar Harbor, google a place like North Conway, NH. That is the easy part.
The Maine and Massachusetts coasts are not like the west coast. There is no scenic route down the coast. Maine and Massachusetts have irregular coasts several miles from any hwy on small, roads that aren't that scenic until you get quite close to the shore and would take days to explore. Neither has a "coast hwy" and Martha's Vineyard is an island. There is ferry service from Woods Hole/Falmouth MA (on Cape Cod) or you can take a small plane from several large and small airports including Boston. Plan on the better part of a day to get there and back.
I would explore costs for the three airports and plan to fly to the Vineyard (hope for no fog or bad storms) or better yet explore Cape Ann, (Rockport, Gloucester, etc.) in northern MA.
Feb 15th, 2015, 10:37 AM
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How much of the time do you plan on spending on Martha's Vinyard? That's the tricky part, I'd probably work that out and work backwards. Were you going for an overnight? Most places on the Vineyard have minimum stay requirements in the summer, although you are going midweek so that may be relaxed. Were you going to try to take your car across? Do you want to leave it somewhere, take the ferry for a daytrip?
One possibility that might fit is to drive to New Bedford, leave the car, and take the ferry over. In this case, you might do well to fly home from Providence.
All that said, I don't think you have enough time to fit in Martha's Vineyard, because its so time consuming to get to. I think I would concentrate on Maine, the mountains and maybe get your coastal fix on the north side of Boston...southern Maine, Portsmouth NH, Rockport or Gloucester MA.
I think you could drive from Bar Harbor to Bethel ME which is 3 1/2 hours, according to google maps. From there you could drive through the White Mts to Conway, then the Kancamangus across to Lincoln NH. Stayin Conway or Lincoln. (total from Bar Harbor to Lincoln is 5 1/2 hours with no stops)
One possibility that might fit is to drive to New Bedford, leave the car, and take the ferry over. In this case, you might do well to fly home from Providence.
All that said, I don't think you have enough time to fit in Martha's Vineyard, because its so time consuming to get to. I think I would concentrate on Maine, the mountains and maybe get your coastal fix on the north side of Boston...southern Maine, Portsmouth NH, Rockport or Gloucester MA.
I think you could drive from Bar Harbor to Bethel ME which is 3 1/2 hours, according to google maps. From there you could drive through the White Mts to Conway, then the Kancamangus across to Lincoln NH. Stayin Conway or Lincoln. (total from Bar Harbor to Lincoln is 5 1/2 hours with no stops)
Feb 15th, 2015, 12:23 PM
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Thanks to everyone for your replies. I am now thinking of driving from Bar Harbor to Boston, home basing there and venturing out for day trips. Can anyone recommend a particular place to spend a day or so between Bar Harbor and Boston?
Feb 16th, 2015, 03:19 AM
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The route from Bar Harbor to Bethel to Conway to Lincoln is extremely scenic. It just isn't coastal scenery.
You can also traverse the Notches -- Bethel to Bartlett through Pinkham Notch, north through Crawford Notch, then down Franconia Notch to Lincoln and east on the Kancamagus Highway to Route 16 leading to the coast at Portsmouth. This would be best as a two day trip, spending the next two days in Portsmouth and Cape Ann -- Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead, Salem -- to Boston to fly home.
North Conway is an outlet hell but this route gives you maximum scenery and minimum commercial congestion.
You can also traverse the Notches -- Bethel to Bartlett through Pinkham Notch, north through Crawford Notch, then down Franconia Notch to Lincoln and east on the Kancamagus Highway to Route 16 leading to the coast at Portsmouth. This would be best as a two day trip, spending the next two days in Portsmouth and Cape Ann -- Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead, Salem -- to Boston to fly home.
North Conway is an outlet hell but this route gives you maximum scenery and minimum commercial congestion.
Feb 16th, 2015, 08:22 AM
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The Kancamagus Hwy is very popular with just about no commercialism until you get to Route 16
but
I opt for the more southern route thru Holderness, Center Sandwich and Tamworth, then connecting with Rt 16. We've done the loop from I93/Rt 3 area of Campton, east on the Kanc over to North Conway with just a few visits to shops and then return via the southern route just described in a morning (had lunch at tiny Red Hill Dairy - lobster roll and onion rings). Squam Lakes Science Center is a fascinating display of NH wildlife in natural settings and would make a nice walk around (expect to spend at least half a day, maybe longer if you want to attend wildlife demonstrations) or walk The Flume. You could stay in Meredith and take a late day cruise on the SS. Mt Washington. That would give you one overnight on the big lake with wonderful views and two different routes through the mountains. Thru Center Sandwich you would see more houses which I think makes the scenery more interesting.
If you wanted to make a quick drive instead of spending the night in Meredith, I would second the idea to stay in Portsmouth area. Might also depend on day of week. Portsmouth has a lot of music and theater events and great restaurants.
but
I opt for the more southern route thru Holderness, Center Sandwich and Tamworth, then connecting with Rt 16. We've done the loop from I93/Rt 3 area of Campton, east on the Kanc over to North Conway with just a few visits to shops and then return via the southern route just described in a morning (had lunch at tiny Red Hill Dairy - lobster roll and onion rings). Squam Lakes Science Center is a fascinating display of NH wildlife in natural settings and would make a nice walk around (expect to spend at least half a day, maybe longer if you want to attend wildlife demonstrations) or walk The Flume. You could stay in Meredith and take a late day cruise on the SS. Mt Washington. That would give you one overnight on the big lake with wonderful views and two different routes through the mountains. Thru Center Sandwich you would see more houses which I think makes the scenery more interesting.
If you wanted to make a quick drive instead of spending the night in Meredith, I would second the idea to stay in Portsmouth area. Might also depend on day of week. Portsmouth has a lot of music and theater events and great restaurants.
