roosterlady

We live in Texas and our family of four (daughters 13&14) traveling for the first time to the New England area for 10 days July 2007. We've pretty much narrowed it down to New Hampshire White Mountain area, Boston/Cape Cod area and the Maine coast. We are timeshare owners and will be exchanging two resorts for Boston and Lincoln, New Hampshire. How far up the coast should we go to Maine to experience the coast? I hear Bar Harbor is beautiful but how many driving hours are we talking about from our resort in Boston or NH? I'm considering flying into Boston but I'm flexible. I'm looking for a recommendation on which is the best order to see these states in and the min. amt of days in each area. Is Cape Code and MV an absolute must see.

I want to hike, girls want to shop and do road trips and husband just wants to eat lobster so pretty much he'll go with the flow.

zootsi

Are you only staying in these two places? Lincoln NH is a small, resorty town in the White Mtns, at the edge of the Kancamagus highway, which is pretty much wilderness, and a hikers dream. At the other end of the Kanc, is North Conway, a shoppers dream. However, Lincoln is not the best base to explore the Maine coast. Even though it doesn't look too far on a map, the roads are very mountains, and the driving is slow - about 6 hours to Bar Harbor.
Your other location is in Boston? If it's not in downtown Boston, you may have a bit of a commuter hassle getting into the heart of the city. From Boston to the beginning of the Cape is about 75 minutes with no traffic. Yes, the Cape will be busy in July, and the traffic could be bad - but if you enjoy beaches, lighthouses, sand dunes, etc - the Cape is unforgettable. There are wonderful bike trails, and beaches of every description. MV is very unique and beautiful, but whith a short time frame, the Cape itself can be more than enough. The Maine Coast starts about an hour from Boston (the short New Hampshire coast is also pretty nice). Nearly all of the Maine coast is great, even the busy beach towns like Ogunquit. Bar Harbor is spectacular, but a good 5 1/2 hours from Boston. You can experience plenty of beautiful Maine coast without going that far - Boothbay, Camden, Portland, etc.
The ideal would be 3 nights in Lincoln, 3 in Boston, and the rest of the time along the Maine coast and/or the Cape.

roosterlady

We'll have timeshares in Boston and NH. Lincoln will be our base for exploring other little towns in the area. Our timeshare rentals will overlap and stay vacant for a few days but it's still cheaper to pay the exchange fee then pay over $200/night. I figure we'll have to stay in a motel/inn in Maine or on Cape Cod for a night or two. Thanks for letting me know the distance in driving to Bar Harbor. I think we'll probably go as far as Portland and still say we've been there.

hemb

From Boston you can travel Portsmouth, NH for a wonderful New England coastal city. Great shopping and history. Take a boat out to the Isles of Shoals. Go over the bridge to Kittery, ME for outlets and find Chauncey Creek for a perfect Maine lobster. Drive up the coast to York Beach and Ogonquit. Perfect day trip from Boston without all the Cape traffic.

dfrostnh

Keep in mind you don't have to go all the way to the Maine coast for lobster. Many grocery stores in NH sell lobster and will cook it for you while you shop. Best prices are usually at the Demoulas/Market Basket chain. You'll also find lobster rolls on the menu at various restaurants. You might consider taking your daughters to Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee or Funspot. In Center Harbor on the north shore of Lake W, we like the lobster rolls and onion rings at a tiny drive-in place called the Red Hill Dairy. Also, not far south of Lincoln is the Tanger Outlet Mall at Exit 20 off Rt 93.
Portland is a great city but for two nights in Maine I would suggest either the York Beach area for the nice beach or further north for the rocky coast and great lobster "shacks". I'm partial to Portsmouth NH and second the suggestion to take a boat ride. You can also get some lobster for lunch and spend the afternoon shopping in Kittery. Our favorite lobster place is Waterman's Beach near Rockland ME. You could add a short hike out to Owl's Head Light for a magnificent view although not quite a good as the top of Mt Battie overlooking Camden Harbor. Keep in mind the lobster shack places are sometimes so small that lobster is all they serve. Chauncy Creek is big enough to have a varied menu and is a good suggestion. North of Portland is considered the mid-coast area, more rocky coast and less development. If you decide on the Boothbay area, there's a new Maine Coastal Gardens that offers a nice hike thru the woods. The trails were open last summer but not the education center. I think Boothbay tends to have more traffic and is more expensive but it would satisfy all 4 of you.

mahlquist

I heartily agree with HemB about the Maine coast. You don't have to drive all the way up to Booth Bay or Bar Harbor--York and Ogunquit are gorgeous, and as for shopping, Kittery is terrific. You don't want to spend valuable vacation time driving! And Portsmouth is a lovely town where you will get a feel for 'old' New England.

hemb

When you are in Boston, spend an afternoon walking Newbury Street with your girls. They will love the shopping. There are high end boutiques and now there is the famous Filene's Basement and H&M right next to it. Keep on walking all the way to the end of Newbury Street and you will find Urban Outfitters. My 15 year old loves this store. Pricey but fun - geared to the highschool and college crowd.

My daughter also suggests doing a Duck Tour! Great way to see the city in one of those amphibuous vehicles. It takes you out on the Charles River, beautiful views and they might let your girls drive the "boat".

If you are into history, walk the Freedom Trail, visit the Isabella Stuart Gardener Museum. Fabulous home with exquisite art and great history.

Visit Harvard Square and see Harvard Yard, more great shopping. The original Urban Outfitters is there.

When in Lincoln, NH my daughter loves the Kangamangus Highway. Lots of great swimming holes along the rivers there. Investigate when you get there.

Cape lovers would hate me for saying this, but you can skip the Cape and stay North of Boston and have a great trip. No need to deal with all that traffic. Beaches north of Boston to see or investigate: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA (45 minutes north of Boston), Rye Beach, NH, York Beach, ME, Wells Beach, ME.

Have fun!