annethered

We are travelling to Boston from the UK in late August for 9 nights and will probably be staying some miles out of the city in Burlington - near the mall (have 21 and 17 year old daughters with us so some shopping is essential) - in some long-stay type suites. We intend to get the train into Boston on a couple of days and are familiar with what to visit there (what's the parking like at Woburn station btw?) but want to make a few outings on the other days.

I am needing you ace Fodorites to suggest some intineraries for us please.

We want to make some day trips but also are happy to stay overnight if neccessary. Basically we'd like to get a feel for the area and see some beautiful scenery. We are happy to visit the history and culture but would like to avoid overtly touristy 'manufactured' type attractions. We are happy to go in any direction - and were thinking maybe south to Cape Cod (we thought to pass through the namesake for our town - Yarmouth) or up the coast of Maine. But at the moment we are at the 'how long is a piece of string stage?' and would like to narrow it down with some actual suggested routes/plans

I await the benefit of all your wealth of experience!

Anonymous

For shopping and scenery, head 3 hours north to North Conway, New Hampshire, and stay at the Inn at the Farm by the River, a picturesque property that has been in the same family for generations. From there, it's about 2 hours to Yarmouth, Maine, on the coast just north of Portland, and then 2 hours back to Burlington.

http://www.farmbytheriver.com/

http://northconwayvillage.net/

The MBTA web site indicates that the Woburn station is large and doesn't fill up. Check the schedule; you might prefer to travel into the city on the weekend.

milemarker0

Cape Cod, Newport, RI, the Berkshires would all be nice day/overnight getaways.

capxxx

North Conway is nice. Cape Cod is nice, but you should avoid weekend traffic -- the further out you go the more scenic it is. Here are some more possible day trips:

Rockport and Gloucester (Cape Anne) are artsy seaside towns with an active fishing industry. Visit the beaches, stroll through the shoppes, eat good seafood. Whale-watching tours.

Salem MA has interesting historical things from their seafaring history, and also lots of ``manufactured tourist attractions'' relating to the witch trials.

Plymouth is home of Plimoth Plantation, a recreation of the village the first pilgrims lived in. This, and Sturbridge Village (central Mass) and Mystic Seaport (Connecticut) and Strawberry Banke (Portsmouth NH) are more museum-like than fakey tourist attractions, so you might find them interesting.

Portsmouth NH has a nice cobblestone downtown area, and Strawberry Bank,

Portland Maine has a nice cobblestone downtown area, lobster and chowder right off the dock, and boat excursions to islands in the harbor.

Newport Rhode Island is the home of several of US's most impressive mansions, all lined up in the same neighbood and open for tours. There is a coastal walk along the top of a bluff with spectactular views. Lots of sailboats, lighthouses.

shaz60

If you take the train north out of Woburn (Anderson), you can come to Lowell. Friday and Saturday nights there are outdoor concerts at Boarding House Park, you can tour the mills that are the basis of the American Industrial Revolution, you can take a canal tour, visit the Quilt or the Textile Museum, catch a minor league baseball game at Lelacheur Park, etc. And it's only about 20 - 30 minutes away by car or rail.

yk

I went to Lowell (mentioned by shaz60) last week. It is quite fascinating, learning the history of textile in the US. It is a National Historical Park.

In addition to the several places listed above, you can also consider Concord/Lexington. Not only there are sites related to the Revolutionary war, there are also several places related to American Literature (Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louise May Alcott, Thoreau etc).

annethered

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and advice.

Just one more thing though - what about a whale watching trip? Worth it?

dfrostnh

I haven't been on a whale watching trip but it's fun to get out on the water. Check out the boat trips you can take from Portsmouth NH if you decide to go there (it's a great suggestion and you can go shopping in the outlet malls in Kittery ME just across the bridge).
NH's White Mountains are also a great suggestion. On the way you could stop at Canterbury Shaker Village just north of Concord, take a boat ride on Lake Winnipesaukee, overnight in the mountains and take some short hikes, visit the Flume, etc.

capxxx

Whale watching is fun if you don't get seasick easily; or you can go deep sea fishing. It can be much cooler out on the water so take a sweater. Cape Anne or Boston would also (in addition to Portsmouth) be good departure spots.

Cranachin

Just be aware that whale watch websites and brochures showcase the most spectacular pictures. I have been twice (once from Cape Ann and once from Maine) and didn't see a whale leap from the water or poke its head up next to the boat either trip.

That said, both were enjoyable trips with a number of different species, even though the one from Maine was on a smaller boat and there were 6 foot swells. You could actually see the swells on the horizon - it wasn't flat!

JoyceL

If you will be driving, the closest interesting areas to visit are Salem and the towns on Cape Ann (Rockport and Gloucester). Just get on Rt. 128 and head east for a few miles. I suggest giving a full day to Salem, and then another day or two to Cape Ann.

emalloy

The states all have sites to help with planning. Agree with JoyceL that the Cape Ann area would be fine to visit. For areas in Connecticut look at www.ctvisit.com for information on what might be happening when you will be in the area.

annethered

Ooh.. thank you all SO much for all your suggestions. We are off towards the end of the month but I have a family-free day today so I am going sit down with the maps and books and make a few plans!!