Hi! My daughter & I will be driving from NC to NH area the first weekend/full week in October. We'll be going thru the PA mountains, wanting to avoid traveling thru the big cities.
I've been to Maine; (Acadia NP and Bar Harbor) and absolutely loved the area! My daughter and I will be looking for affordable, clean safe places to stay since we'll be taking day trips out. I would prefer to pick out two locations and work the day trips out from those points. What are some recommendations for a B&B should we want to stop for a couple of days for some R & R from all the traveling!
The White Mountains are definitely on the agenda. What other must sees would you recommend? Without driving up to Bar Harbor, what coastal city is recommended. Not too much into the tourist stuff. My goal is to see lots of mountains, lakes, shoreline, eat the best of the local food, listen to some live music at a local bar, and hopefully make it to Boston to get a feel for the city's history.
Thanks so much!
LLane
New England road trip with 22 year old daughter
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Pennsylvania mountains? What is your route exactly from NC to NH? It's hard to recommend places to stay along the way without knowing that.
I'm interested in feedback on the New England area...we'll figure out our stops along the way. Thanks!
www.bayside-inn.com
www.bpmotel.com
www.kingbirchmotorlodge.com
www.fontenayterracemotel.com
www.newburyguesthouse.com
www.longwoood-inn.com
How about Castle in the Clouds and Lake Winnipesaukee? I've never been, but hope to visit in September. There are supposed to be some good hiking trails on the property too.
http://www.castleintheclouds.org/Hiking.htm
Please be aware that you are traveling during prime foliage season. Some places will require a minimum stay of 3 days. Due to your timing, I would travel fastest route north and see NH's White Mountains first. Check foliage reports since color may peak before your arrival.
DS used to be able to drive Jacksonville NC to Concord NH in about 14 hours ... needless to say he was driving over the speed limit a lot. You probably need 2 days/overnight to get to NH taking the fastest route.
Put Portland ME on your itinerary for great food and music. It's considered one of America's foodiest cities. Old Port area is great for wandering. You can take a food tour which is fun. Also the mailboat cruise of Casco Bay is a good way to relax. Not a lot of narration but a good ride with stops at various islands. Haven't taken a sunset cruise but that would be nice (maybe cold depending on weather). Portland is only about 1 hour drive from NH's Conway area (White Mountains east side).
If you go as far as Camden, you can get the terrific view overlooking Camden Harbor from Mt Battie (take auto road). Beaches south of Portland are usually sandy. Most beaches north are rocky. We like the mid-coast area and usually camp in Wiscasset. This is a good central location for day trips. Brunswick is a college town so be aware you might be running into parents weekend. Keep in mind rustic lobster shacks are only open weekends until Columbus Day although there are plenty of places to get lobster any day of the week.
You can head south to Boston. Maybe stop in Portsmouth NH for history (Strawbery Banke Historic Area), more good food and music.
Hey there, We are heading North via 13 from Va Beach this weekend to Deerfield Mass and were looking for info. on where to stay on the way too B&B quaint towns. Good Luck with your trip.
LLane, Portland and Portsmouth are both good cities on the coast to visit and as dfrostnh said you can see a variety of coastline if you get off the interstate. Try to arrange your trip so that you are not going north on Friday pm or Saturday am or going south on Sunday if you don't want to be stuck in traffic.
New in New England (from Missouri) past two years. We've explored Maine and the coast several times but not much into VT & NH. But check www.nhtourguide.com. Being older we are more into history than hiking, museums instead of local bars, scenery rather than tourist stuff (like Bar Harbor). But maybe a stop at L. L. Bean?
With daughter and son in the area at various times we have enjoyed trips to the Ogonquit Museum of Modern Art and American Folk Festival, Bangor, and Acadia Nat'l Park, and really like Old Strawberry Banke historic settlement.
Maybe this will help with plans:
www.fodors.com/community/united-states/maine-minitrip.cfm
Bill in Boston
Great tops...thanks!