Travel from VT to NYC, with a stop in Boston

Old Aug 4th, 2015, 05:51 PM
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Travel from VT to NYC, with a stop in Boston

Hello Fodorites
I will be travelling back home (to NY) from St. Johnsbury, VT (visiting family) later this month with my husband and his 2 children (12 and 9). We'd like to stop in Boston on the way home - the trip would look like -
Thursday AM: NY to VT
Thursday - Saturday: VT
Saturday - Sunday: VT - Boston - NYC

I think Boston to NYC is going to be about a 6 hour drive, so I'm hesitating to drive into Boston, spend the entire day and drive back home that night, all in one day although I really did want to get home on the Saturday to avoid dreaded summer Sunday traffic. Idea 1: Get to Boston early Saturday, spend the entire day/evening and then drive and stay over at a hotel just south of Boston enroute home (less expensive and more availability at this point, I'm guessing) that evening and drive home at leisure the next day. Idea 2: Get to Boston a little less early on Saturday, spend the night there, and drive home the next day at mid-day to have more time in Boston.

Any thoughts? If we do Idea 1, do any of you have advice on what town/hotel to stay in? Perhaps somewhere picturesque in and of itself to explore the Sunday morning?
To add to the question, I'm thinking of doing the Duck tour the Saturday morning (if feasible) - do you recommend the Prudential Center pick up, Aquarium or Science museum, given that we would be just arriving?
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 06:07 AM
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I actually think Boston to NYC is more like 4 hours if the traffic gods are with you. Do you like history? How about early Saturday AM in Boston, spend the day/evening, book a room in Sturbridge or Auburn and spend Saturday night, tour Sturbridge Village on Sunday and then you'll be right at the Mass Pike to head home via the pike to 84/91?
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 09:42 PM
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The problem I see with your itinerary is:
You are counting Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Vermont.
That can't be.
Here is what you really have if you stop in Boston.

Thur. Arrive Vermont, noon, 1/2 day max
Friday, Vermont, 1 whole day
Sat, depart Vermont early (no time at all in Vermont), arrive Boston, mid to late morning, close to noon, 1/2 to 3/4 day max
Sun. Depart for home.

Thursday, even if you leave early, you probably won't get to where you are going in Vermont until around noon, so only Thursday afternoon.
Whole day in Vermont on Friday.
If you want any time to actually see anything in Boston, you will need to leave your place in Vermont early on Saturday, so no Vermont time on Sat.
Driving back into NYC on Sunday afternoon to evening is sucky. You could stay over near Boston and depart for NY early Sunday.

If you are going to Vermont just for an event or something, fine, go to Boston. If you want a real visit with someone there, stay through Sat. Go to NY early Sun. Forget Boston.

If you live in or near NYC, it would be nice sometime to just take a train there for a couple of days and have a real visit. Save the misery of parking in Boston.

I love Boston, lived very near for a few years. I would not bother going for a visit unless I could do at least a day.
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 02:25 AM
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Thanks very much both! I like the idea of looking into Sturbridge or Auburn, I've never been to either. Appreciate the input!
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 03:46 PM
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>>I actually think Boston to NYC is more like 4 hours if the traffic gods are with you. > I like the idea of looking into Sturbridge or Auburn, I've never been to either.
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Old Aug 7th, 2015, 08:50 AM
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Yes, and on a Sunday afternoon coming into NYC, the traffic Gods are never with you.
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Old Aug 7th, 2015, 09:52 AM
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there are a lot of nice places along the drive from Vt to NYC that might make better stopovers without going into the teeth of the Boston-NY traffic. You could stop in the Berkshires, or the Hudson Valley, there are lovely outdoor areas, hikes, museums, historic homes, whatever kind of things you would enjoy. For a short trip like this it might make more sense. Plus the drive through the Berks, and down the Taconic to New York is way prettier than the Masspike, or I84.
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Old Aug 7th, 2015, 06:01 PM
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Yes, I agree, Boston is not even exactly on the way back for us, but for a variety of reasons, that is the way I think we'll go. I do love the Hudson Valley and never been to the Berkshires - maybe we'll do that next time. Crossing my fingers that the books on CD I bought help the time pass!
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