Hi, I am soon to be given the responsibilitie of planning vacations for a group of disabled adults based in New Jersey.

I have a few ideas for Maine/Vermont, such as Ben&Jerry tour Teddy Bear shop but I would like to find a few more exciting activities to keep the group entertained. If you have been to the area and know of anywhere you think might be suitable please let me know!

I am British so I don't have a great grasp of the local geography! (is it even possible to get to Burlington Maine from Hackettstown, New Jersey in One days travel?)

Any suggestions for this or for future trips will be gratefully received!

Joey, the first thing you need to do is get a map. Burlington is in Vermont, which doesn't even border the state of Maine.

You can get lots of help with time, distances, etc. at the web site mapquest.com. For just estimates, you can enter city and state, without a more specific (street) address.

Since you mentioned accessibility, I assume you're dealing with a group in wheelchairs? Any other types of disabilities? How many people, and what age range? Do you have travel dates chosen or estimated?

A law signed about 11 years ago required accessibility of public places for the disabled; that's not to say that all places have complied, but if you search the web (Amazon has some books re accessible travel), I think you'll find a lot of information, some even by state.

You didn't mention New Hampshire which sits between Maine and Vermont, and also has much to offer.Yes, you can get to Burlington Vt. from NJ in one day, but it will take about 6-7 hours. Of course a lot depends on how far you are willing to drive, and how much time you have. Here are a few ideas:
In Vermont -
Mt Ascutney auto road. This is a very scenic road that will allow you to drive a vehicle close to the summit of Mt. Ascutney, There is a large parking lot at the top, and many picnic tables. There are spectacular views of both states from the paved parking area.
Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock : This is an operating dairy farm with an extensive, well thought out museum that I believe is handicapped accessable. There are usually interactive.
demonstrations of weaving, ice cream making, etc.
A Lake Champlain ferry ride near Burlington is a fun experience.
In New Hampshire :
Mt Washington Cog Railway - An old steam powered train that chugs all the way to the summit of Mt. Washington. On a clear day this can be a breathtaking ride (it can also be quite chilly at the summit). I'm not sure if this is handicapped accessable. There is also an auto road up to the summit.
Clarks Trading Post - In the heart of the White Mountains, this is a classic New Hampshire tourist attraction, complete with a trained bear show.

Just realize that Burlington Vt. is a VERY long drive to the Maine seacoast as you need to pass thru mountainous New Hampshire.

It is a 4 hour drive from Newark New Jersey to central Massachusetts, so probably an 8 hour drive from Newark to Burlington VT, and a 6-7 hour drive from Newark to Boston. Hackensack would be further.

Now, pick a theme (here are two easy iteneraries, check them on a map):

1. Villages and scenery: Berkshire Mountains (Stockbridge, North Adams), Burlington, White River Junction, the Lake Winnipesacki area. This is about pretty towns, small museums and scenic overlooks, although you can take boat trips from Burlington and Winnepesaki (however it's spelled).

2. Coastal Southern New England: Foxwoods, Mystic Seaport, Newport, Plymouth, Boston, maybe Cape Anne (or Salem) or Cape Cod. This has a casino, historical villages and mansions, a city, ocean views, some beaches.

Then tell us more about the group and their abilities, and you'll get some better suggestions. What do you mean by ``exciting'', for example? Amusement parks? Whale watching?