East Coast Trip
Jul 7th, 2011, 04:15 PM
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East Coast Trip
My husband and I are thinking about a trip to the Northeast Coast fhe week of labor Day. We will fly into Providence RI and go north. We have been told we should see this coast line. We have traveled the Southeast Coast from VA- Key West and the gulf coast of FL. We are not looiking to sunbathe - Can do that much closer to home. Looking for sights . Empty nesters hoping to see wonderful sights - love water tours. Nice lodging . Good local food Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Jul 7th, 2011, 04:24 PM
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I hope you are talking about the week after Labor Day - that's the ideal time. Labor Day weekend itself will be crowded everywhere - not that you can't come then, just you'll need reservations and things will be slower going.
Highlights would include Newport RI, the north shore of Mass (aka Cape Ann, including Gloucester and Rockport), and most of the Maine Coast - especially York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Portland. North of Portland is even 'better' (more 'classic' rocky coast scenery) but it would depend on how much time you have. And what your priorities are. Camden, Rockport,Boothbay, and of course Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park) are north of Portland but it would depend on how much driving you want to do.
Are you flying into Providence because you found good air fares or because you want to visit RI? Where are you flying out of? How much time do you have? You mentioned 'coast' so I assume you are not interested in Boston for this trip - correct? Answer these questions and we can give you more advice.
Highlights would include Newport RI, the north shore of Mass (aka Cape Ann, including Gloucester and Rockport), and most of the Maine Coast - especially York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Portland. North of Portland is even 'better' (more 'classic' rocky coast scenery) but it would depend on how much time you have. And what your priorities are. Camden, Rockport,Boothbay, and of course Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park) are north of Portland but it would depend on how much driving you want to do.
Are you flying into Providence because you found good air fares or because you want to visit RI? Where are you flying out of? How much time do you have? You mentioned 'coast' so I assume you are not interested in Boston for this trip - correct? Answer these questions and we can give you more advice.
Jul 8th, 2011, 02:30 AM
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We are flying in to Providence because it seemed a good starting point. We will fly out of the same airport - We will be arriving Saturday before Labor day and leaving next Saturday or Sunday. Not interested in Boston on this trip. More intersted in Coast.
Jul 8th, 2011, 03:44 AM
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If you want the 'rugged' rocky Maine Coast experience then I would go straight to Bar Harbor. It's almost six hours from Providence, and that's via the highway, not the scenic route. Spend the 3 day weekend there(get reservations ASAP). Then slowly work your way south, spending one night each in Camden, Portland, Gloucester/Rockport, and the last two nights (one full day) in Newport. Lots of scenic roads, lighthouses, etc between all those destinations.
Jul 8th, 2011, 04:17 AM
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I assume your tickets are purchased. If not, and if you are flying Southwest, consider arriving at Providence and departing Manchester. No backtracking.
Saturday and Sunday, you can go almost anywhere along the coast and probably only have trouble eating in a nice restaurant without a reservation. Labor Day is traditionally the end of summer in NE, though Columbus Day is increasingly assuming that role. In the meantime, just about everyone thinks it is his right to eat seafood one last time.
Cape Cod and points along I-95 and I-93 toward Boston on Labor Day itself are likely to be hellish, with long delays (3+ hours not uncommon on the Cape and long delays at the New Hampshire and Maine tolls). On the other hand, if you are going outbound onto the Cape or north of Boston, you will be fine. It is just traffic flow toward Boston and its suburbs that are difficult.
The weather that week is often the best of the season, and the beaches will not be crowded, though the water is as warm as it gets.
Good suggestions above. but in addition to Newport in Rhode Island, the very rural towns of Tiverton and Sakonnet across the river and Westport and Westport Point in the adjacent parts of Massachusets are very rewarding.
Saturday and Sunday, you can go almost anywhere along the coast and probably only have trouble eating in a nice restaurant without a reservation. Labor Day is traditionally the end of summer in NE, though Columbus Day is increasingly assuming that role. In the meantime, just about everyone thinks it is his right to eat seafood one last time.
Cape Cod and points along I-95 and I-93 toward Boston on Labor Day itself are likely to be hellish, with long delays (3+ hours not uncommon on the Cape and long delays at the New Hampshire and Maine tolls). On the other hand, if you are going outbound onto the Cape or north of Boston, you will be fine. It is just traffic flow toward Boston and its suburbs that are difficult.
The weather that week is often the best of the season, and the beaches will not be crowded, though the water is as warm as it gets.
Good suggestions above. but in addition to Newport in Rhode Island, the very rural towns of Tiverton and Sakonnet across the river and Westport and Westport Point in the adjacent parts of Massachusets are very rewarding.
