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We will arrive in Boston by air on July 25,rent a car for four days to tour the New England States. We will have to be back at Boston Airport early to deposit car and get our Flight. Question is : For these 3-4 days ,What is the best route and the best use of our time and Where to Stay. We would like to see the Maine Coast , Some of NH and some of B oston area. HELP
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That's really not much time.
Drive up to Kennebunkport ME (about 1.45 hrs from Boston) and stay 2 nights. You can explore both Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. On your way back, spend the day in Portsmouth NH and then end in Boston for a night or two. You really don't have time to do anything more.
wyatt92 is right.You really don't have time to see much of New England in that short amount of time.
An idea for a base on the Maine coast - Black Pointe Inn (we were there in June and loved it)in Scarbourough, a lovely old inn with easy access to Portsmouth NH and Strawberry Banke, as well as Portland, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, etc. Then end up in Boston, as previously suggested.
Thanks for the suggestions. We have been able to locate a motel for the southern end of the trip, however we have not been successfull to locate a place in the Kennebunkport area. Maybe we need to change our plans for the first two days on the North side. Any suggestions,l Howard
If it isn't too late, you absolutely do not have time to see Maine, unless you really enjoy driving. You'll have no time to really experience the area.
I grew up in Mass and would love to suggest an itinerary, others should chime in.
You really only should concentrate on Northern Mass.
Salem, MA - learn about witch trials, see the amazing dock and old homes, see the crazy modern witches, visit Peabody Essex Museum
I have more, but wanted to post before you booked.
I have not booked yet. Look forward to additional suggestions. Howard
Stay overnight in a B&B in Rockport Mass, my favorite place ever. You'll want to see Bear Skin Neck which is in Cape Anne which is in Rockport. Confused yet? Here's a photo essay that will show you it's charm
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977655512
Here's map of that area:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=rockport+ma&ll=42.631433,-70.683289&spn=0.135818,0.221786&hl%20=en
Another great link
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/65980/why_you_should_visit_rockport_massachusetts.html
It really is so beautiful.
I also reccomend Wolf Hollow. A pack of wolves living in Ipswitch, which is only 20-30 min drive from Rockport and Gloucester. Call ahead because this is a family run outfit. http://www.wolfhollowipswich.org/hours.htm
Portsmouth NH is about an hour north of Boston. Go over the bridge and you're in Maine. That's 3 states in less than 2 hours. The Rockport MA, Ipswich, Salem MA suggestions are good. You just have to decide. Keep in mind that southern ME is very built up but has some wonderful sandy beaches. If you want the craggy shores, more rural Maine you have to head further north. You could visit Camden ME for two nights but it's several hours drive from Boston. There's plenty to see and do without so much driving. I like the idea of staying in southern Maine but doing a day trip to Camden. If you can arrive by noon, visit the Rockport area in the afternoon, stop in Portsmouth NH for dinner and walk around the Prescott Park area, get to hotel in Maine for 2 nights. Explore southern ME one day. Take the next to drive further north. Zoom back to Boston for your 3rd night?
Try the Franciscan Monastary in Kennebunkport-- they have several different styles of rooms and may still have openings for your time frame. I agree with the itineray suggestions. From the southern coast of Maine you can see beutiful coastline along 1A (always get off of #1 and drive #1A if you can). We followed some of the Fodor's book suggestions for light houses, ice cream and eatery's and were not disappointed. If you did not see my post about Nunan's I will repeat it here (at the risk of boring people!) It was the best meal of my life, and the owners and staff are quite nice. If you arrive after 6pm you will have a wait but you can chat with all the other tourists waiting to get to a table. The special the night we went was 2 lobsters (1 and 1/4# each) for $24. Now I'm craving it again!!!!