oyahuasca

Hello Everyone!

My husband and I are planning to have a week vacation in the beginning of September this year. We were looking for something that is not very expensive and not too crowded. We love the outdoors: hiking, camping; as well as discovering the local arts. Preferably something along the east coast, but west coast suggestions are also welcome. I might want to bring my dog with me, so pet friendly ideas it would be great.

Here is an example of some vacations that I really enjoyed, that weren't expensive at all:
Camping on Assateague Island
Road trip and camping along the coast of Florida, all the way down to Key West.
Camping under the stars in Grand Canyon, AZ

Any ideas would be great.

Thanks!!!

Doh

Shenandoah NP would probably be nice that time of year.

dfrostnh

For future reference, the League of NH Crafts has a huge 9 day show at Mt Sunapee in August every year. In November they have an open studio weekend which is an opportunity to visit artists' studios in various locations through out the state. There are several retail locations you can visit any time. Some are fairly convenient to NH's White Mountains for great hiking opportunities. That early in Sept shouldn't be crowded since it's too early for foliage season. You might also visit wineries or farms that make their own cheese. September is a fabulous time to visit orchards. Some pride themselves on a very good variety of antique varieties. An example is Gould Hill Orchard in Hopkinton NH. There is a free weekly newspaper, The Hippo Press, that does a great job with calendar events for the arts in the Concord/Manchester/Nashua area.

RLFox184

Here's a "hidden gem" idea: Monadnock Region of Southwest New Hampshire. It has camping, excellent hiking, local arts, and is far less crowded than other more touristy areas.

You could camp at Mount Monadnock State Park (there are plenty of B&Bs in the area as well) and climb Mt Monadnock (the most popular hiking mountain in the North America) with over 40 miles of trails to the bald summit, 360 degree views, and even see the Boston skyline on a clear day.

You could also climb or drive the auto-road up to the top of Miller State Park which is one of the best places in NH to view the hawk migration. The Audobon Society sets up a viewing station in September and October to count the migration...they provide binoculars and will help you spot these magnificent birds of prey as they fly by.

For something truly unique, Greenfield is home to Yankee Siege, the Punkin' Chunkin' world record holder and recreation of a medieval trebuchet (catapult). I am not 100% sure what their plans are for this year as they have retired from competition after launching a 10 lb. pumpkin more than 2000 feet last fall in competition. I believe they plan to launch them for fun this fall and chunk some larger pumpkins for the fun of it. www.yankeesiege.com

For local art, there is the 7th Annual Hillsborough Open Studio Arts Tour and you can take in a play in the fully updated 1700s barn (now theater) and award winning theater productions of Peterborough Players www.peterboroughplayers.org

Towns worth driving through or exploring include Keene (a very nice college town with a broad boulevard for a Main Street with independent shops), Harrisville (the entire town seems to be on the historic register), and Peterborough (recently named one of the "top ten coolest small towns in the U.S." by Budget Travel magazine, named a "best of New England" by Boston Magazine, and the inspiration for Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".

There is of course a very nice covered bridges tour and a stone bridge tour (unique in that they are driy bridges...no mortar built in the 1800s and they carry car traffic).

There is so much to do...too much to list them all. The best part is that you won't find yourself waiting in lines or bumper to bumper traffic. The Monadnock Region is the "undiscovered corner of New Hampshire"

oyahuasca

I actually live near Shenandoah and I hike there pretty often. Thanks Doh, it is a great place, but I wanted to have the "getaway" feeling. NH sounds amazing! Especially the pumpkin catapult! ) I will definitely consider it. Thanks

rizzo0904

rlfox - i live in nashua...you've convinced me to plan a long weekend trip out there in the spring...thanks!