A_Traveller

Let me start out by saying it's been more than 25 years since we spent any time in New England and even back then it was only for a few "Bed & Breakfast weekend visits" so our knowlege of the area is very limited.

My spouse and I (both in our mid-60's, now retired and living in the southwest) are planning to visit some friends for a few (3 to 5) days this summer in Keene, NH. While we are sure our frinds will keep us busy in and around Keene during the visit we thought we'd like to stopover in a few places while "en route" to/from their house.

We are going to be in the Mahwah, NJ/Chester, NY area visiting family and attending our granddaughter's ballet recital over the Memorial Day weekend and want to be back in that same NY/NJ area by the weekend of June 12 for our granddaughter's birthday.

We are just beginning our research for this trip (we'll be driving while in the northest) and are looking for suggestions of interesting destinations and points of interest we can visit during the nearly 2 1/2 weeks of free time we have between our "command appearances"). We'd like to spend a few days in Boston but other than that we are very flexible. We enjoy walking around shops in quaint villages, taking senic drives, visiting historic sites, stopping for short hikes in nature parks, having leisurely lunches, browing through museums and having romantic dinners. We like to vary our routine so we are not doing and seeing the same type of things day after day.

I realize this request is quite general in nature but right now we are looking for suggestions from those of you who are more knowledgeable of the area. We hope to incorporate those suggestions into an itinerary that works for us. At this point we are not looking for hotels, inns or other places to stay (we are very adept at finding those on our own) but rather we are seeking information on interesting destinations and "must see" places. One last point we are great "foodies" so if anyone has recommendations for destinations that are noted for their culinary expertise please feel free to include those. We have been known to go out of our way for a gourmet meal.

Thanks in adavance for your help.

dfnh

This would be a great time to visit the mid-coast area of Maine. You might be a bit early for the lupine blooms but check. Some areas hold lupine festivals (also in Franconia/Sugar Hill area of NH's White Mountains). Eat plenty of lobster. Lobster shacks should be open. You could visit the Farnsworth Museum which features Maine artists in Rockland, then head to Waterman's Beach for lobster (it's a basic shack with outdoor dining). Then do the short easy hike to Owls Head Light for scenery and exercise. At that time of year you should also be on the lookout for strawberry rhubarb pie. Also get a list of farmers markets on the Maine Dept of Agriculture website. Brunswick's is excellent. Nice small pies (for two), breads, and we were got fresh strawberries during 4th of July visit, also interesting plants if you want some specialty herbs to take back home. Check out Maine Coastal Gardens for another lovely place to walk. See if you can take a lighthouse cruise but keep in mind it will be very chilly on the water. When we vacation in Maine it's usually a week of checking out the best places for lobster rolls and when we get tired of lobster we have fried clams. DH also likes to keep up with the whoopie pie selection. Steve's are available here in NH but are made in Maine. His favorite is chocolate with peanut butter filling.
Portsmouth NH offers more seacoast fun and Strawbery Banke historic area. Great restaurants. You might want to check local references on Chowhound. If you like wine, visit Flag Hill Winery and Distrillery in Lee NH (also make General John Stark vodka). Take a harbor or inland rivers cruise. Also interesting shops in downtown Portsmouth.
Also consider Concord NH as a base for a few days. Explore Canterbury Shaker Village and have lunch there. Check out what's playing at the new Red River Theater and/or Capital Center for the Arts. Downtown is small but has some interesting shops including the League of NH Crafts. Museum of NH History is right off Main St. Also head out to Warner NH to the west to visit the Kearsarge Indian Museum. There's at least two places that make their own ice cream. Visit Bread and Chocolate for wonderful breads and pastries. Manchester is about 15 minutes away with more and better restaurants though. Chowhounds report a great taco truck with fantastic Mexican food but I have yet to find it.
While in Boston take Michelle Topor's culinary tour of the Italian North End. Try to visit on a Friday or Saturday, but Friday is less crowded so you can also visit the pushcarts in Haymarket Square.
You could plan your trip to visit farms that make cheese, add a few wineries, etc. While in Keene you might want to visit Burdick's chocolates in Walpole. I've only been once and only because it was near the John Deere dealer.
I'll let MA, RI, VT and CT people post the praises for their states.

tchoiniere

Would recommend a few days in Lenox / Stockbridge. Go to the Norman Rockwell Museum and walk around Main st. North Adams has Mass Moca.

A_Traveller

Thanks, those are some terrific ideas - exactly the kind of things we had in mind. I will try working as many as we can into our itineray.

sobster

Lambertville, NJ/New Hope, PA
Cooperstown, NY
Woodstock, NY
Newport, RI
Spring Lake, NJ
Kent, CT
Princeton, NJ

Ackislander

Harvard and MIT have early June graduations, lots later than most colleges. They can fill Boston hotels -- or at least raise their prices. Decide early when you want to be there (you can check their websites and look up commencement dates) and reserve your rooms early.

Keene is a very nice area. Near there is a magical little former mill town called Harrisville, now reinvented as a summer place with some interesting crafts activity. I almost hate to mention it here because it is so attractive.

The area around Monadnock and Jaffrey is nice as well.