ShaeC

If you had only four days for a driving trip from Boston in summer, would you head north to Maine or south to Cape Cod? We're having trouble choosing mostly because we know we'll do the Maine thing on another trip, but we're not crazy about the predicted crowds for the Cape. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

More info: we are not from Boston, but will be in the area on business for several days. We'll have plenty of time to see Boston while we are there, but would like extend our stay for a while by investigating the coast. We are more interested in views and mild hiking than historical sites (not that we're opposed to these). We love to view whales though, so suggestions along those lines would be helpful too.

Any ideas?

gomiki

Are your four days mid-week or over a weekend and what part of the summer? July is not as crowded as August and mid-week is better. Views and hiking are great on the Outer Cape (National Seashore area). Whale watching out of Provincetown is excellent. It somewhat depends on the summer. Last summer was great. You can take the ferry from Boston to P-town but would have to rent a car for the rest of it.

Can you provide more details? If you know you will do Maine later why not try the Cape??

dfrostnh

We live in New England and our preference is for Maine. It's close enough for day trips but we also like to spend a week fully exploring an area. The Maine coast is long. We prefer the mid-coast area, the location for popular Camden and Boothbay Harbor. With only 4 days, you might not want to even try to get to Bar Harbor because of the drive. I would suggest southern Maine. Visit the Marginal Way, take a boat ride. For your next visit go further north to the mid-coast area and/or Bar Harbor area. On our last trip we were in Wiscasset (just north of Brunswick) and made a day trip only as far as Ellsworth. That drive was long enough. MDI is further north and the Blue Hill Peninsula also provides plenty of exploring possibilities. In southern Maine you also have some good sandy beach walking areas. I liked the short hiking/walking trail at the new Maine Coastal Gardens near Boothbay. During a week's trip you would have time to visit Monhegan Island which offers magnificent scenery and trails but requires a long boat ride depending on your departure port. We actually haven't gone on any boat rides out of Portland (except for the ferry to Nova Scotia) but can recommend the cruises out of Portsmouth NH. With a limit of 4 days, I would include a stop in Portsmouth on my way to Maine (it's just over the bridge). A morning boat ride is done by lunch time and then you can continue to wherever you choose in southern Maine.

Ackislander

I think driving to Brunswick, with a day/night each in Portmouth, NH, and Portland ME.

Take the coastal route from Portsmouth to Portland rather than the turnpike.

From Brunswick, you can go to Freeport if you are a shopper or you can explore the picturesque seacoast (South Harpswell, Cundy's Harbor, Bailey's Island, etc), and Brunswick itself is a very pleasant college town.

Lots of lodging and dining choices in all these places.

yellowbyrd

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong by going to the outer cape in the summer. The key is to find the right place to stay, away from the tourists. The outer cape has the National Seashore which starts in
Eastham so you do not get the kinds of commercial development and crowds of drivers that you typically get in the upper and mid-cape areas. For a real treat consider staying in the National Seashore Park on Fort Hill. You will be close to everything but removed to a protected area with walking trails, ocean views and the sounds of birds and ocean surf. the Fort HIll Bed and Breakfast in Eastham is the only place on the ocean side that is actually in the park. Other places to stay are either on the highway (Rt. 6) or in a busy neighborhood.
I think the crowds on the cape are exaggerated...but we never travel there at peak times and we spend all of our time on the lower and outer cape visiting the smaller villages of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Chatham and Provincetown. And the ocean and bay beaches are just fabulous IMO. If you have never been to Cape Cod you really need to experience the National Seashore beaches...but be careful because the sea and salt air of the Cape have a way of making any ohter coastal area feel second-rate!

ShaeC

Thanks for your replies folks. The more I research, the more difficult the decision becomes!

Gomiki - we will set out on Saturday or Sunday and return on Wednesday or Thursday. Other than that, I can't share any more details because I have none

Thanks again.

escargot

Setting out on a Sunday towards the Cape you will likely hit tons of traffic - as long as you know that - it is a huge day for day trips to the beaches from south of Boston all the way to the Cape - and for family visits, etc.
Saturday can also be bad, but Sunday is usually worse.
If you have any choice, I would leave on Saturday or else early early Sunday morning.

Heading back mid week you will be fine regarding traffic.

If you know you are doing Maine on another trip, then I would take that out of the equation and either do New Hampshire - which has plenty of both coastal and mountain views and mild hiking -
you could drive the coast up and / or head into the White Mountains area

or the Cape areas suggested are gorgeous for hiking and views

whale watchign you can do out of Boston or the Cape, Id on't know about further up the coast.

ShaeC

Thanks! We have decided on the Cape. We're still working on where to stay. My husband despises B&B's, so I'm trying to decide what's the best option without breaking the bank. There are so many mixed reviews out there. I also know I need to book now as many places are booking up already. My search continues...

escargot

you may want to check out thetrustees.org
for some ideas that might appeal to you on your way to or from the Cape - as far as beautiful walks, hikes and views -

good luck with the lodging - if you put some of the areas you are thinking of, or even Cape Cod lodging in general in the search this forum bar, you might find some great recommendations on other threads

ShaeC

Thanks for posting again tonight escargot. One challenge I face is that my husband is entirely opposed to B&Bs... I know, I know. I've been trying to convert him for years, but he simply is having none of it.

Has anyone ever stayed at this place?
http://www.thecoveorleans.com/about.html

yellowbyrd

The Cove is a motel converted to condo, each owned by a separate owner. I think what you get is variable. If you can not convert you hubby to B+B you might change his mind if you take a look at the cottage at the Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast in Eastham, just across toe Cove from the Cove but in the National Seashore Park. You won't find any more privacy than this fabulous stand alone cottage with ocean views. Ask the innkeepers if thy will deliver breakfast to your door and your hubby won't ever have to see another living person!

ShaeC

Thanks yellowbyrd. I've seen your suggestion for the Fort Hill in many posts, it's just more than we prefer to spend. Were likely to stay in the 150-180/night range. We really plan to spend very little time there, so comfortabled and clean are really the only requirements. We'd love to have a view and some of the comforts of nicer hotels, but considering the amount of time we tend to spend in a hotel, we'd rather spend the additional dollars elsewhere.