applelvr

My husband and I (early 30s) are trying to plan a trip between June 28-July 6th to New England. Neither of us have ever been and thought that Boston would be a good place to start for a few days (3-4?) staying at Jurys.

I've read through a lots of posts to get some ideas but am still looking for some help- We're flexible on days spent in each location- From Boston perhaps taking a day trip to Cape Cod and then driving to and staying in Newport for the remainder of the trip at the Francis Malbone House.

My husband loves history so we definitely want to do the Freedom Trail and other sites while in Boston but he's not one for museums as much. I'd really like to see as much of the coast as possible. We were planning to take the Adirondack II for a sunset cruise once in Newport as well as do the Cliffwalk, Ocean Drive and visit one of the mansions. Other suggestions?

I know its going to be very crowded this time of year but we don't have a choice, so driving time between places I'm unsure of with traffic. What are best options for the 4th of July?! basic itineraries if anyone has done this type of trip would be SO helpful! Thanks for any guidance you can give me!

MiamiBeachMomma

About 4 years ago my we took our family to Boston for the 4th of July. It was soooo much fun!!! They do a reenactments from 1776 in full period costume, also the Pops play an amazing concert on the Charles and then the fireworks follow!!! it was great energy. We had terrific trip. We spent about 5 days in Boston before driving up to the White Mtns in NH. Good Luck.

bachslunch

Traffic can be tough on the weekend in summer along the coast in Massachusetts. But there are several possibilities to see the coastline in Massachusetts, depending on where you'd like to go, that wouldn't even require a car:

1. Rockport, Gloucester, and Manchester-by-the-Sea are easily reachable via commuter rail from North Station and all make nice day trips near the water. The first two are charming towns with plenty of shops and eateries to explore, while the last has a very nice beach. Salem is also along this route and worth a visit. Newburyport is another option that takes a slightly different jag off this train route.

2. there is a rather expensive, but efficient shuttle boat that runs round trip from Boston's Waterfront area to Provincetown, which is arguably the most interesting town on Cape Cod, making this very do-able as a day trip.

Newport, RI is an excellent place to spend a day or two. The Cliffwalk is lovely -- but note that the southern third of it is rocky, unpaved, and uneven, though likely OK for carefully walking younger folks with good ankles and shoes; the northern two thirds of it (starting from The Chanler) is paved and fine for all level of ankles and shoes.

For Boston:

By all means, do the Freedom Trail if you're a history lover -- it's a must, and stop in at the attractions en route. Other possibilities to consider:

1. walk through some of the parks downtown, including Boston Common, The Public Garden, and The Espanade.

2. stroll down Newbury Street (for ritzy shopping and window peering), Charles Street (in Beacon Hill, lots of antique stores), or Commonwealth Avenue (the center strip park-like mall and the architecture of the townhouses on either side).

3. Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library (for architecture and wall artwork) are excellent and right across the street from each other.

4. if historic house tours are of interest, you can consider seeing the Otis House, Gibson House, or Nichols House, all fairly close to the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

5. the Christian Science Church complex encompasses an attractive square area with a reflecting pool, and you can also see inside the church and the Mapparium.

6. there's a fine aquarium in Boston, located on the Waterfront.

7. if you really want to see a museum but don't want to subject your husband to hours of tedium, the Gardner Museum is a good choice. It's not large, contains some very good art works, and has a wonderful Italian style courtyard garden. The Museum of Fine Arts is excellent, but probably not the best choice in your situation.

8. take a Duck Tour.

9. do a tour of Fenway Park.

LarryBee

Yes everywhere will be crowded near the 4th of July, but of your destinations Newport will be insanely crowded. And not just "tourist" crowded, but crowded with 20-somethings out to party. So unless that is what you are into, I would actually do your proposed itinerary in reverse: Newport, the Cape, then finish out in Boston.

sumi

First of all, are you flying in/out of Boston? Yes, wherever you go, it will be crowded but I think Boston/Cape/Newport is definitely doable in the 10 days you have.

Personally, I would start in Newport, spend a few days on the Cape and head to Boston for the 4th of July.

The only day trip to the Cape you can do will be the high speed ferry to Provincetown from Long Wharf in Boston. It's fine if you're looking to do some (crowded) shopping or an organized tour but you'll miss out on the fun of being there at night. Otherwise, I think the traffic on the Cape makes it unreasonable for a day trip.

You can drive to the Cape from Newport via the bridges and 195 and if you travel, let's say on Monday, the traffic shouldn't be too bad. And if you leave on Wednesday for Boston, you'll be travelling opposite the bulk of the traffic of people coming in for the weekend.

Another option (which I would personally do) is to drive to Point Judith (Narragansett) from Newport, park your car, hop on a ferry and head over to Martha's Vineyard or Block Island for a few days. Both islands are lovely and quintessentially "New England" (at least I think so!)

From Point Judith/Narragansett, it's a straight shot up 95 to Boston and you'll avoid that horrible summer Cape traffic altogether.

Jury's in Boston is in a great location. It may feel a little "quiet" right around the hotel but you're only a few blocks from a lot of great areas. And as much as I love Newport, I think 2, maybe 3 days tops would be sufficient.

emcash

If you want to stay at the Francis Malbone house during the fourth of july, they will likely reqiure that you stay 3 nights and i would suggest booking early. That said,I've been to all 3 places during fourth of july and none were ever as crazy crowded as I feared. yes, newport and the cape will be crowded, but as long as you have your dinner reservations set and your hotel booked, it is not an oppressive time to travel there. The one time i was in Boston for the 4th it was QUIET. seemed like everyone was at the cape or newport! Given a choice, I would do newport first and boston last as well, but if you can't, i wouldn't worry about it.

the jurys is very nice- we stayed there for a wedding last year. Great location and very new- rooms are not huge, but we enjoyed it.

yellowbyrd

The whales in Cape Cod Bay are just phenomenal this year. If you go to Cape Cod, I suggest you stay on the outer Cape, from Eastham to Provincetown, where the National Seashore has protected much of the land and all of the ocean-side coast from the kind of excess development that has taken over other parts of the cape.

We like to stay in Eastham at the Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast because it is the only lodging that is actually in the park....very quiet and private, with ocean views, nature walks, and yet it is just minutes from all the activities that make the Cape such a vibrant place. Eastham is midway between Provincetown (30 minute drive) and Chatham (20 minute drive). They are quite small and popular so they may not have vacancy. As others have mentioned, you should try to make your reservations asap.

smlri

I too agree that you should start your vacation in newport. I live in newport. We are about 1 1/2 hours from the Cape and also the same to Boston (probably the same amount of time from the Cape to Boston too). You already know some of our most notable things to do, and we have walking tours, bus tours that include entrance to a mansion or two, Sachuest point-a free great walk along the coast through nature preserve. Our beaches are gorgeous and there is one around Ocean Drive that is open to the public-Gooseberry Beach-where you can lie in the sun and gaze at the mansions. The Francis Malbone house is lovely and highly rated, but it is on Thames street, which on a summer weekend night can resemble a frat party. As you are young, you may want that, but there are other great B+B's too. Check out www.newportinns.com. also GoNewport for more things to do. Enjoy

lvk

From Newport, you can also check out the Coastal Wine trail:

http://coastalwinetrail.com/