We are planning a two week vacation in New England area in July, 1988 for husband's 50th birthday. We don't know a lot about the area and would appreciate any help on what to see and do. Should we fly into New York or Boston? We will be driving (on the wrong side of the road!) Would trying to navigate anywhere around NY be too daunting? Looking for quaint towns and interesting sights. Would like to try B&B's to meet some of the local folk instead of only having contact with hotel staff. We have reached the age where it's no longer fun to travel "cheap and cheerful" (boy we must really be getting old!). Any ideas for wonderful restaurants and quality B&B's. Thank you and G'day from Oz.

I am not much of a traveller yet at the ripe old age of 28 but I did live in Boston for 2 years while I was in Graduate School. I fell in love with that town. There is so much to do and so many interesting places to visit. After spending time in both cities, I prefer Boston. I feel safer and I like the quaintness of the smaller city. There are many B&B's on Beacon Hill and in the Back Bay. Have a great time. Lots of good lobster this time of the year!

There's lots of good information, including info on inns and B&Bs, right now in the special forum here devoted to foliage time in New England; also check out Yankee Magazine's website (www.newengland.com. To "do New England," you could fly into Boston or Manchester, NH (a great, "undiscovered" airport); I would drive up the coast of Maine, beginning in Portsmouth, NH, going as far as time allows; there's always the White and Green Mountains in NH and VT, respectively.

My husband and I loved Newport, Rhode Island. We spent a weekend at a B&B (there are many)and toured the "summer cottages" of the Vanderbilts, Astors and others that are run by the historical society. Newport is definitely worth a couple of days.

A few years back when we lived in Boston, my wife and I hosted a Sydney couple whom we had met while vacationing on Heron Island. That was their first trip to the U.S. In no particular order, what they found most fascinating was: 1) the White and Green mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, which they said were like nothing in Australia; 2) small towns with village greens, such as Woodstock and Bennington, Vermont; and Littleton, Laconia, and Claremont, New Hampshire; 3) Well-explained American history sites such as Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts; 4) Boston and Harvard Square in Cambridge; and 5) the Maine coast, especially Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert Island, and Acadia National Park. I profess ignorance about bed and breakfast establishments, but I don't think I've ever seen "comfort" and "B&B" used in the same sentence. America's auto-oriented culture has given rise to the inexpensive, comfortable motel where you're assured of a firm mattress, a clean and private bathroom, and soundproofing. I personally guarantee that you'll meet plenty of people at every stop you make and, of course, Australians are sufficiently exotic that you'll likely draw a crowd (just kidding about the last part). Come and enjoy: it's a beautiful part of the country. As to driving in New York (or Boston), a word of advice: don't. These are cities to walk in, not drive. There are on-street parking spaces, but you can be towed for parking in them because it isn't an even day of the week or St. Swivens Day or after 7:30 p.m. but before 9:15 p.m. on a month with an "r" in its name. Alternately, garages cost roughly $16 to park two hours. You want to see New York and Boston but you don't need that grief. As to airports, assuming you're clearing customs in LA, I would suggest flights into either Boston, Newark, or Hartford, each of which has non-stop service from LA and is much easier to get into or out of than Kennedy in New York.

You could fly into either NY or Boston but you are more likely to get a direct flight into NY. Either city is very frustrating for a driver on any side of the road. Why not use public transportation in the big city, then rent a car when you are ready to get out of town? Boston is smaller, quieter and cleaner than NY, but NY has a wider variety of things to do. Some interesting New England places-- try Mystic Conn. for a reconstructed 19th century whaling town with ships to explore and a great aquarium. Essex Conn is the starting point for a little ride on a paddle wheel steamer on the Connecticut River; you can take an antique train for the return trip. There is also an antique theater there that still has musicals. How about a whale watch cruise from Boston or Cape Cod? If you are travelling between Boston and NY, my favorite restaurant is Madeline in Windsor Locks, Conn. It is off Interstate 91 near Hartford Conn. It is expensive, but French and fabulous with a great wine list! Have a great trip!

The response by Neal Sanders provided excellent guidance. I would include a visit to Cape Cod, about an hour's drive from Boston. On Cape Cod use the scenic Route 6A to the National Seashore and on the way turn off into historic Sandwich and visit the lavishly landscaped Heritage Plantation. Sandwich also has a good choice of very comfortable B and Bs. Check out www.capecodonline.com

Thanks to all those who have responded. Your information has been most helpful.

You certainly have gotten some great suggestions and I agree, Boston is not to be missed. As far as places to stay (and I always avoid hotel/motel overnights), there is a great agency that will let you book a nightly. Their info:
The Bed & Breakfast Agency of Boston
1-617-720-3540
47 Commercial Wharf
Boston, MA 02110

I have had friends from out-of-state use this and they have been extremely pleased, with both rates and accomodations! I do suggest requesting Back Bay or Beacon Hill areas. Lots to do and both are accessible via trolley or taxi! Have fun!

Since you're going to New England, don't miss Acadia National Park. I did a fall tour there a few years ago, and drove up Highway 1 from Boston. I had nightmares for years afterwards about the Boston traffic, and I have survived San Francisco and LA traffic. Boston is not meant for cars. Saying that, I enjoyed the outskirts of Boston, specifically Walden Pond, of Thoreau fame. I also enjoyed Lexington and Concord of American Revolutionary War history, though you may be less interested than a native in those. I also enjoyed upstate New York, along the Hudson river.////If you have the time, drive up into Canada along the Atlantic coast. The Bay of Fundy is quite interesting, with tides which vary something like 60 feet between high and low tides. That was quite interesting. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island were also quite beautiful.////You know the best time to visit is in the fall, with the beautiful foliage, don't you? The temperatures are more moderate, too.
Hav fun on your trip!

As a lifetime resident of a town 15 miles north of Boston, I can tell you that you alredy have very good suggestions. Please do go to Boston-and leave the car untill after you are ready to explore outside the city. DO NOT IGNORE the suburbs of Boston! Cape Cod to the south is crowded during July, but if you can handle that it is worth a day or two. West of Boston are the towns of Lexington and Concord, Ma,credited with being the Birthplace of the U.S. war for Independance with Britain. I live Northeast of Boston where you will find Salem-home of the imfamous withcraft trials, Marblehead-with an interesting Old-Town shopping area next to the water, Gloucester& Rockport, old fishing villages, nad several othr interesting towns just inland from the coast. I have one specific point in this whole list of ideas. I live in Beverly, MA-next to Salem, and on Sunday at 3pm here, there is a magic show that is wonderful! "Le Grand David" plays at the Cabot Cinema 11 months out of the year including July. Bevely i not in your tourist guide (probably) so I thought you may be interested. If you decide to explore the suburbs around the North of Boston, let me know-I'd be honored to help!

One more thing-DO go on the Whale Watch trips out of Coastal,MA. I know of trips out of the folowing cities & townsfrom north to south) Newburyport, Gloucester (closer to th feeding areas of the whales-likely best choice), Salem, Boston, Provincetown &Hyannis. Undoubtably,there are more options, but do go on one!

I'm native of New Hampshire...definitely go to Portsmouth, its a very quaint seaside town. The best advice is to try NOT to drive anywhere around New York City if possible. Driving on Highway 95, which is the road east from NYC to Connecticut, is a nightmare you should try to avoid. Perhaps you could fly into New York, see the city sights, but then take an Amtrak train from NYC to Boston so as to avoid driving...its only 4 hours or less on the train...then rent a car once you are in Boston so that you could explore around New England. Then perhaps you can fly home out of Boston.Have fun!

Kerry, you'll really enjoy Portsmouth!

OK, is it me or is the date a little messed up?

Author: Kerry ([email protected])
Date: 09/23/1997, 07:01 pm

1997???? I think it is out dated!!!