Looking for some advice on what to do next week in New England. We're planning to drive up from New Jersey, we want to go to Boston and spend 3 or 4 days there but we still have 7 days to spend. Not too bothered about skiing but fancy some relaxing in the mountains, sightseeing and shopping. Neither of us has been to New England before we're happy to drive around and cover some ground. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Take a look at the finger lake region. Some great stuff there.

In the mountains in the dead of winter, most activity is centered around downhill skiing, x-c skiing, and snowshoeing. Rural New England is not exactly a shopper's mecca. Here are a few ideas:
Concord NH, just before the mountains, is a nice small city with a pleasant downtown, and a few good places to eat.
Canterbury Shaker village just north of Concord is a fascinating and beautiful place. Just make sure they are open in winter.
There are occasionally dog sled races in Laconia NH. Check the web.
Tilton NH has a fairly good sized outlet mall.
Hanover NH - very nice college town, nice art museum, theater, and good places to eat.
Woodstock Vermont - Everyones favorite tourist town. Very pleasant to stroll around, nice places to shop & eat. Sleigh rides offered at the Woodstock Inn and also at Billings Farm Museum.
If you want to try x-c skiing, the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm has a nice skiing center with rentals and nicely groomed trails.
Manchester Vermont - Scenic little town with many outlet stores.

Are you traveling soon? Obviously it's still winter, then on to "mud season".

Since you're starting in Boston you could drive a loop over thru Massachusetts, up into New Hampshire, over into southern Vermont...

Tax free outlet shopping is in Tilton (Exit 20 off Rt. 93) or North Conway, NH. If you're up that far, you might want to stay at the Mt. Washington Hotel for a couple nights. You could take a sleigh ride, or the chair lift up Bretton Woods.

From Boston, you might want to drive up the coast with stops in Newburyport, MA, Portsmouth, NH, and Kennebunkport, ME. Then you could cut west to North Conway, NH.

Woodstock, VT is also very scenic. And could help you finish your "loop" here before heading south again on Rt. 91 into Hartford.

Thanks so much for all the replies. Will sit down tomorrow with a map and sort myself out. Looking forward to the trip so much, working too hard need some r and r. Thanks again.

Running you can drive a short distance N. of Boston to Maine in a pretty short time I think. You would love Kennebunkport. Check out The White Barn Inn there and Pres. Bush's home. The food at WBI is outstanding. Good luck.

I offer another vote to consider North Conway, NH. There is great sightseeing there with the White Mountains surrounding you and it has some of the best shopping in the state (many, many outlets). Even if you decided to try some skiing (downhill or x-country) you will find it there. Plus, there are multiple restaurants that offer good food at good prices. Based on your description of what you are seeking, I think you will greatly enjoy a stop in North Conway. One of those great places that offer beautiful scenery, fantastic shopping, relaxation, and tasty food in one nice package.

Jackson N.H. Beautiful,in the centre of the White mountains and close to shopping .Paul

From Boston I would head north to Portsmouth NH. Remember waterproof footwear because the streets may be slushy (more snow tomorrow). Portsmouth is a good place to walk around and has some great restaurants. You could spend the next day in Kittery Maine (just across the bridge) for outlet shopping. I would head back to NH and then west to Concord. It's a pleasant drive but the prettiest section is right near Portsmouth where the highway crosses Great Bay. There's a small park where you can park, sit and watch the water if you want. I think the sled dog races in Laconia were just held ... too bad that would have fun to watch. However, check what is going on at various museums such as the Remick Museum in Tamworth (just north of Lake Winnipesaukee almost in the mountains). Should you decide to stay in Meredith, you could have a view of the lake and there's plenty of ice fishing activity right now. We have driven around the Center Sandwich/Tamworth area in February. There's some beautiful views. Also check Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock VT for events. If weather is decent this Sunday we're heading to a very small farm museum in Sutton NH to watch ice cutting demonstration. Don't miss visiting a League of NH Craftsmen store. There's one in Concord, Meredith, etc. Between Portsmouth and Concord, it's not too far out of the way to do some wine shopping at Flag Hill Winery in Lee. Check to see if they have tastings. It's a former dairy farm and would be a nice ride. The NH Sunday News (Union Leader) has events listed in the Sunday and Thursday editions. The outlet mall in Tilton NH would be off Rt 93. It's a Tanger outlet.

Don't know if you've arrived yet...
Just thought you might want to consider making a base in Portsmouth, NH for a couple days. You can stop in Newburyport on your way up, and do a day trip to Kennebunkport the next day. But when you leave Portsmouth you can take Rt. 4 right west to the North Conway/Jackson area. Thought of you this past week when I was making a similar trek.
Hope you have a wonderful week. Enjoy!