Good morning everyone,

I’m new to the forum and I’m Italian.

On August 1st I’ll be leaving for New York with my wife and our daughters, aged 7 and 8; we’ll return on August 19th, again from New York.

I’ve already booked a car from August 5th to August 19th.

For the first four days we’ll be staying at my sister’s place in Philadelphia, and from there we’ll visit Philadelphia, the surrounding area, and New York.

On August 5th at 10:00 a.m. we’ll pick up the car in Philadelphia, and from that moment on I’ll need your help.

I’m imagining a loop road trip with these main stops:

Lake George, New York

Adirondacks, New York

Montréal, Québec (Canada)

Vermont, USA

Acadia National Park, Maine

Portland, Maine

Boston, Massachusetts

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

return to New York

My wife and I have already taken a wonderful trip together to the national parks of the American West: incredible roads and breathtaking landscapes.

I have the impression that the East Coast is somewhat more similar to Europe and perhaps less spectacular from a natural scenery point of view. I’m saying this only based on my research, since I’ve never been there and therefore don’t yet have a truly informed opinion.

For this reason, I would really appreciate your help in planning an itinerary that is as scenic as possible, keeping in mind that we’re traveling with two young children.

Any advice or suggestions are truly welcome.

Thank you very much,
Emanuele

Welcome to the Fodors forums. We removed the Trip Report flag and added state tags

OK as a wish list. You now need to plan the number of days (2 nights per day) you will stay in each mentioned location. For example: Lake George. Do you plan to spend a day on the lake? or is it only a point of reference? Between Philadelphia and Lake George, do you plan to visit the Hudson valley, which has some interesting sites, some requiring reservations, such as the Rockefeller mansion. There is also the Vanderbilt mansion to see how the super rich imitated European royalty, and more historically oriented Roosevelt estate, and a quirky artistic mansion. And that's only the beginning.

https://flic.kr/p/8KwPM8

https://flic.kr/p/8KwR2c

https://flic.kr/p/8KwT8g

https://flic.kr/p/8KA2Xu

https://flic.kr/p/7w5ETL

and this is the album:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjsqN921

Hello Michael,

Thank you very much for your reply and for the valuable information!

I don’t yet have a precise itinerary, as I plan to stay a few days in some locations where there are more points of interest, and perhaps only one night in other places where there’s less to see. In general, I am very interested in visiting scenic and natural spots—while I love exploring some historic landmarks, I tend to be more fascinated by untouched, wild landscapes. Of course, I’ll definitely make sure to visit impprtant cities like New York City, but otherwise, I want to focus on nature and beautiful surroundings.

I chose the stops in my plan based on my research, as they seemed like the most interesting, and I also liked the idea of seeing a bit of Canada while making a circular loop so that I don’t go back the same way. But I’m totally open to adjusting the route if there are more scenic roads or other spectacular places you’d recommend—especially if they offer a more natural experience.

From what I’ve seen online, many travelers focus on coastal cities, but honestly, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about "only" those destinations.

Thanks again for your help, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Best regards,
Emanuele

Just very quick -- I've only been to about half the places on your initial list but I honestly don't see how you could manage all that in 13 or 14 days (I'm not counting your arrival/4 days in Philly nor departure day). Unless you are mainly looking for a 'road trip' and not getting out and exploring all that much. You list 6 specific places plus one general region and one whole state. That's less than 2 days per place/area.

You can't just wing it. For many places you will have to have reservations for overnight stays. Another thing: add up the total mileage for the circuit that you plan. How much car travel will your 7 & 8 year olds take before becoming cranky?

Do you plan on visiting all the places you list? Or are these just some ideas of places you are interested in? It would be impossible to visit all those places and actually see anything. Except for the Adirondacks, I've been to all the places you mention (I live in Massachusetts) but not on one trip.

When you mention Vermont, are you thinking you would stop over for one night to break up the long drive from Montreal to Acadia NP? Vermont is beautiful; our youngest daughter lives there; however, the more direct route from Montreal to Acadia NP is through Maine, not Vermont. You would need to find a place to spend one night somewhere in Maine.

Because you are traveling with two young daughters, I really think you need to omit some places. Perhaps Montreal, which is the outlier. You also need to check driving distances. For example, from Philadelphia to Lake George, NY is 5.5 hours without stops. From NYC to Boston is about 4 hours. You also need to be in NYC on the 18th to catch your flight the next day. So you have a 13-night trip.

If it was my vacation, and it's not, I would concentrate on several places in Massachusetts and perhaps upstate NY. Or perhaps Massachusetts and Maine.

For example, I think your children would enjoy Cape Cod so that they can swim and enjoy beach time. And take hikes and bike rides. Eat lobster, clams, oysters, etc. if you like seafood. The Cape Cod National Seashore is beautiful. It's been preserved so there aren't any massive developments. That part of the Cape is much nicer than the Upper Cape. We took our grandchildren on a whale watch out of Provincetown last summer, and they loved it. We saw lots of whales. Suggested towns to stay in on the Cape: Chatham, Brewster, Wellfleet, Provincetown.

Then, depending on summer traffic, it's a 2-hour drive to Boston, which is a wonderful walkable city with lots of history. It's very different from NYC so you will have diversity in your travels. There is a wonderful Children's musuem, Aquarium, Science Museum, and several art museums. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Gardens. Explore Beacon Hill. Take a stroll down Commonwealth Avenue. If you follow this itinerary, try to plan your driving days from the Cape to Boston on weekdays. Weekend traffic can be horrible.

Boston to Portland, Maine is about a 2-hour drive. I haven't been to Portland in awhile, but it's a very nice city on the coast. You can see some nice coastal scenery, visit lighthouses, eat lobster rolls. The Maine Coast is very pretty and rugged. Stop in York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, etc.

Then from Portland to Acadia NP it's about a 3-hour drive. Acadia is beautiful, too. You can take boat rides, swim, and go hiking.

My itinerary does focus on the coast. I don't know if you have a preference for the coast or mountains. The mountains in the American West are much higher and dramatic than the mountains in New England. The Rocky Mountains are about 14,000 feet high. The Appalachians highest point is 6,000 feet.

Obviously, seeing everything on your list is not feasible in your allowed time. Do some research on these goals, list the things you want to see and do there for each, estimate time for each, add in travel time and meals, etc., and then cut out the places that will not work for you, perhaps by having the same things as another goal location. For instance, you list thew Adirondacks. a large mountainous area, and Vermont, an entire state with mountains. Mountains are nice during August, the hottest time of year. Cape Cod and Portland Maine have some similarities in concept also. You don't mention New York City in you list, where you could easily spend an entire week. Philadelphia and Boston also make a partial match. The driving distances on your possible itinerary is also a hurdle.

Also, taking a rental car outside the country may present problems, as could needing visas to two countries, when rules could change at the drop of a hat. Since our inconstant president is having a tiff with Canada, you may find adding Montreal difficult.

I would suggest carving off a lot of this list after your research. Also consider an open jaw air itinerary, avoiding an unnecessary leg on a loop. You have plenty of time to plan. Do a first approximation of an itinerary, then return for more help.

I think that a loop makes sense because of the potential high cost of a drop off in another state.

Hi Emanuele

I have travelled a fair amount in the stretch between Montreal and NYC as I live in Montréal and my parental home is in Washington DC and in fact just did so yesterday. The scenery is not like the North American west but still has much beauty even if the mountains and trees are not as tall and one won’t find the desertscapes.

I don’t own a car and currently don’t have a license so am more limited in my exploration capability than you will be—using only stops associated with either the trains or buses passing through. There is an Amtrak train called the Adirondack between NYC and Montreal that abuts the Hudson River and Lake Champlain and caused me to appreciate the beauty of the steep cliffs adjacent the shores of these bodies of water, the architecture and the islands. With 2 weeks, I think a loop from NY to Montreal and back is feasible with maybe going due North one way via I87 and upstate NY and maybe going south via Vermont and western Massachusetts (I89 and I91). While I think this would be a worthwhile itinerary, it might make the Maine or eastern Massachusetts ideas you had more of a detour than you would wish to do.

If you consider this route, some special spots for me have been the Walkway over the Hudson (Poughkeepsie), the NY State Capitol tour and NY State Museum (Albany), the Stockade District (Schenectady), Saratoga Springs’ Main Street and Congress Park, swimming in lake Champlain on Plattsburgh Beach, the views of Lake Champlain and the Church Street Marketplace from Burlington, Vermont. A car though will allow you get to special and scenic spots that I can’t get to.

As much as I have travelled in this area, I keep finding new things to appreciate and feel in some ways I am just scratching the surface. Even though I have been in Albany many times, I only just this past weekend went to the NY State Museum there, which was excellent and free. An early 20th century carousel there was fantastic (we adults loved—I think most kids would like too!) and the World Trade Center exhibit was deeply moving.

Have fun deciding. That is half the fun!

Daniel

Hello everyone,

thank you all very much for your thoughtful replies. Your comments helped me step back and look at the trip more realistically.

Based on this, I’ve reviewed and simplified the route to reduce unnecessary mileage. Now about 1,090 miles total), but keep in the list Montreal.

Here is the revised plan:

Start from Philadelphia at 10.00 am→ Lake George, NY
First long drive, mostly unavoidable, but it’s at the very start of the road trip.

Lake George → Keene Valley (Adirondacks High Peaks)
Lakes, waterfalls, short hikes, and a more “wild” feeling that we’re really looking for.

Keene Valley → Montréal
A change of pace and culture, very walkable, and a nice break from rural scenery.

Montréal → Stowe, VT
Smugglers’ Notch Road, waterfalls, farms, and classic Vermont landscapes.

Stowe → White Mountains (Lincoln / Conway, NH)
Kancamagus Highway, mountain scenery, and easy nature stops.

White Mountains → Portland, ME

Portland → Boston

Boston → New York City
Flight out at 9:00 pm.

Now that I’ve prepared a more realistic itinerary, I’d love to hear what you think are the main points of interest along these stops, and if you have any further suggestions or advice—I’m more than happy to listen.

Thanks,
Emanuele

I think your children will love Clark's Bears Trading Post in Lincoln, NH. We took 2 of our grandchildren there this past summer, and they loved it. There is a bear show, a water slide, water blaster boats, Merlin's Mansion, and a fun train ride where the infamous Wolfman chases you through the woods. Even the adults had a blast!

In Boston, in addition to the museums that I mentioned, you can walk the Freedom Trail to learn about Colonial History, and it's a good way to see the city.

Clark's Bears, Lincoln, NH: Home of Clark's Trained Bears and the White Mountain Central RR

Take a long sheet of paper. Write down all the things you will be doing on each day, with the time needed. Include eating, rest room stops, and looking at things along the way. Include the things you plan to do at each stop and how long it will take, including getting from one stop to the next, eating, etc. Include the time it may take to find your lodging an check in. Really, do this. Total up the times. Then think. You may want to include time for unplanned things, too. And no one travels at 60 mph on your proposed route.

You will spend at least half your time in your car and checking in and out of lodging. You won't have time to do multiple things at any location. I am not trying to be a wet blanket. Practical logistics will overwhelm your plan.

The one thing you need to be aware of is that August is the high season in Maine especially for Acadia as well as on Cape Cod. You will need to firm up those plans with places to stay early on and some places may have a minimum number of nights. Lake George itself is a beautiful lake but Lake George Village is touristy. We prefer a little bit north, staying in Bolton Landing and especially love the Sagamore Resort right on the Lake, maybe a bit pricey in August. Montreal is a great city and August is the ideal time to visit.

We used to rent a condo every summer when our kids were growing up in Waterville Valley, south of Lincoln and always took our kids to Clark's. Lincoln itself has lots of places to stay and you can take the aerial tram up Loon Mountain, plus it is the start/end for the Kancamangus Highway.

In Maine, we have stopped several times in Ogunquit, south of Portland as well as Boothbay Harbor, north of Portland. Have visited Portland as day trips many times including boat rides from Old Harbor, as well as boat rides from Boothbay Harbor. Camden is a lovely stop north of Portland as well and you can drive up Mt Battie State Park for the panoramic view of Penobscot Bay.

Two super highlights my family enjoyed:

The Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. You walk between the mansions of Newport and the ocean. The land is public domain.. Combines great architecture, beautiful vistas and good foot action. There is a small section with detours until repairs can be made. Several entry/exit points so the walk is as short or long as you like.

https://exploreri.org/trailmaps/Clif...are%20enforced.

Mystic Seaport, Connecticut. This is a beautiful skansen with lots of things to do and see. Boating possible. Could take a full day. Or more.

https://mysticseaport.org/find-your-sea-story/

Also, I want to mention WaterFire in Providence, which is an event that involves nighttime illuminations along the river. It is a cultural phenomenon. Dates have not been established yet for 2026, but here is the 2025 Calendar to give you an idea.

https://waterfire.org/schedule/2025-...vent-schedule/

There are plenty of interesting places to stop along the way between Philadelphia and Lake George, so you can easily break up this drive with something to see.

We had fun rafting on the Hudson River in the Adioronadacks: https://www.hudsonraftingco.com

Lake George → Keene Valley (Adirondacks High Peaks)
Lakes, waterfalls, short hikes, and a more “wild” feeling that we’re really looking for.

I am very familiar with that region and can help you narrow down your choices.
Can you tell us more about what a typical day would look like for you?

Lake George, while beautiful, is a mixed bag to me. The town of Lake George, at the southern end is very commercial / touristy. Strips of candy shops, ice cream, sidewalks, gift shops & restaurants, and lots of tourists. There are several paddle wheel steam boats that depart from there and can take you out on the lake for a scenic tour. The boat ride is beautiful, but to me, walking along the lake shore with all the touristy stuff is NOT what I enjoy. I much prefer kayaking or open water swimming on a mountain lake, or short/moderate hikes more in the open, away from cars and pavement, and I'm afraid just visiting the end of LG will disappoint you. Maybe not. With your limited time you don't have the luxury of staying in one place at a small lake side inn for several days and relaxing....

Let us know more details of what experiences you like, and we can help you out, or at least give you more information.

edit:
I see now that you have 2 figlie, so stopping in the village of Lake George may be ok for them. After a long drive from Philadelphia a swimming pool at the hotel, some ice cream may be just right. Maybe a late afternoon, or next morning boat ride, and you'd have a nice stop over for a night.

Keene Valley itself is just a road you drive through on the way to Lake Placid. It's a 2 lane road (one each direction), with trail heads and small parking areas along the way. It's where day hikers start off on longer high peaks hikes. I'm not aware of any shorter age appropriate hikes along that road, but there are plenty in and around Lake Placid. I use alltrails (website & app) for hike planning. Cell service in the area can be limited, so be sure to download offline maps (like google maps), and if you use a hiking app like alltrails, download the trail maps ahead of time as well.

One option at Lake Placid is to drive or take a cable car to the top of Whiteface Mountain, right near Lake Placid. Views from the top are stunning. I forget if there are any short hikes up there. Another option is to rent bikes and take a ride on the new bike trail, an old railroad that's now a 4 season multi use trail. The 1st leg is about 15km from Lake Placid west to Saranac Lake - that's likely too far round trip for the kids...

A third option is some short hikes around Mt Van Hovenberg, the site of the Olympic ski jumps.
There are also many other lakeside hikes in the area - I can look some up for you.

As you get closer to your trip be sure to update this post and I can help you find some short hikes or on-water activities that are age appropriate.

Also let us know if you have hotels in mind where you plan to stay.... or what you are looking for and we can help you out,

We've been to Lake Placid several times when my kids were younger and usually at the end of June. Years ago I was thinking of a stop in Lake Placid to break up a long drive to Quebec City from the South Shore of Long Island but during the summer and on summer weekends the hotels do have required minimum night stays. It is also about a two hour drive off the highway on winding roads and one time we did this in early evening in very dense fog so certainly not a scenic ride and a bit scary actually. Lake Placid and the surrounding area are indeed beautiful and all the Olympic related history is interesting. Watching the ski jumpers practicing on foam is interesting especially seeing how huge the jump towers and ramps are.

Hi everyone,

Please bear with me—I’m still changing the trip to make it truly epic, focused on nature rather than cities, which are of relatively minor interest to us.

I want to reshape the trip to hit the three main “wow” places I found on internet:

Algonquin Park, Ontario – wilderness, lakes, wildlife

Laurentides, Quebec – mountains, forests, breathtaking landscapes

White Mountains/Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire – rivers, forests, incredible scenic drive

We are coming all the way from the other side of the world, so the goal is not to rack up miles, but to reach unforgettable destinations that we will remember forever.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to break up the long driving days to make it manageable for our two young daughters, while keeping the trip epic and centered on nature.

Thank you

Does this mean flying in and out of NYC, visiting Philadelphia, and the other US destinations are gone? I assume you will now fly into and out of Canada.