spartangirl

Mid-July we are taking our 3 children (3,4.5, and 8) on a two week, possibly more road trip. While some people think we are crazy, our kids travel well. They've been on road trips up to 10 hours a day since they were 6 months old and used to sleeping away from home. The goal is to get to Nova Scotia to visit relatives and take my daughter to PEI to the Anne of Green Gables area. We don't want to just slam through the NE and not see such a beautiful part of the country as I have never been and it's been over a decade since my husband has as well.

The general plan of attack is as follows:
Day 1: Detroit to Pittsburgh (spend night), children's museum in morning, lunch, then into NYC.
Days 2 : Manhattan(spend night), staying with relatives. Spend day in NYC, possible 2nd overnight.
Days 3-5:Massachusetts to Maine. Would like to stop in Salem, somewhere in NH, then spend 2 nights in Maine. All currently negotiable and reworkable.
Day 6: Ferry to Nova Scotia. From what I can tell Portsmouth to NS ferry may be closed. Possible drive into NB for ferry ride to NS
Days 6-11: PEI and Nova Scotia. In NS will be staying in Kemptville and/or Tattamogouche to visit relatives. Will be fitting in small day trips in from relatives. Trying to figure out if we hit PEI before or after NS. 3 or 4 nights in NS and then 2 in PEI.
Day 12: Drive through Quebec to get to Montreal. Looking for a nice halfway stop to stretch our legs and have lunch. Maybe a 2 hour break mid-day.
Day 14: Home.

I'm looking for advice on places to see along the way especially Days 3-5. Good spots for a walk, simple trail hike, hands on museums, or fun town with a waterfront. Good meal (fairly kid friendly) spots to coincide. We want a leisurely trip with some great highlights, fun food, and some beach time. Trying to fit too much in would be miserable. Also we would like NYC to be our only big city adventure. We probably wouldn't even be stopping there if it wasn't for visiting some really great cousins. While Boston is great, it will be that much greater to see when the youngest is 8, instead of our oldest being 8!

When we aren't staying with relatives we are looking to stay at Marriotts and use some of our bank of points. Wentworth Marriot looked like it was on the beach and a good spot to hold up for 2 nights in Maine. Other recommendations welcome along the Maine Coast. Recommendations of any places to stay or musts to see on PEI are welcome as well. I will be venturing to that forum next!

Thanks!
Megan

NorthwestMale

Hmmmmmmmmmph... well, if you are inspired to spend two nights in Maine... I'm guessing you can/will take the slow-ish path into Canada at Calais... particularly since you told of perhaps going into Canada to get the ferry to NS.

ONCE you are that far, I just think you might as well DRIVE around, rather than opt for the ferry.

People of all ages would marvel at Hopewell Cape, NB... and as that isn't far from the bridge to PEI, it really makes sense for you to be in that area.

There is something to be said for hitting the must-sees on the way IN, so as to make sure you get them covered, and that they don't fall victim to being pressed for time later. (I'll include Hopewell Cape and PEI both in that category)

Hopefully your NS connections can cover NS other than that.

PEI is mostly countryside with gentle, rolling hills at times, and it goes semi-quick... so you should have plenty of time to cover your interests there.

When you firm-up the exact dates of your trip, go to this website and print out the TIDE TABLES for various spots (maybe 3 or 4 places incl. Hopewell Cape) in the Bay of Fundy, for the whole window of time during which you COULD be nearby. The tides there are awesome, and the kids would love to walk waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out in the sand at low tide. (having the data HANDY is imperative - and these aren't the tides in your bathtub!!!)

http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30

You'll want to schedule Hopewell Cape very near to LOW tide.

Upon return... the Sackville-Moncton-Fredericton path toward Riviere-du-Loup makes sense. I hope to goodness that Quebec City can duck under the label of "big city" for your purposes. IT is definitely a spot to stop on the path back toward home.

Quebec City to MTL = about 155 miles, and if of the mind to do so, the slower path on rt. #138 on the north shore of the St. Lawrence is rather pleasant, and at any time you can speed it up by switching over to Hwy #40 toward Montreal.

gail

Is there still a ferry? In past years the old Bluenose ferry from Bar Harbor and then the later CAT from either Portland or Bar Harbor have ceased operation - had not heard that another ferry option currently exists.

Why Salem, MA? If you are driving Mass to Maine with kids, do some combination of a Boston day, Mass North Shore beach (Cape Ann area). NH has the shortest seacoast imaginable and while Portsmouth, NH is wonderful, not sure it is best choice for small kids.

Figure out the ferry thing and if there is no ferry, rework Days 3-6.

clarkgriswold

July is high season for coastal Maine, have you checked that Wentworth by the Sea even has availability? It's getting rather late to book Maine for this summer. The only other Marriots I know of are near Portland/South Portland airport. That location isn't too bad for day trips down to the beach, maybe Cape Elizabeth for Crescent Beach and Two Lights State Park. Old Orchard Beach is nearby but really for older kids. South Portland is also a good base to get to Sebago Lakes region if you'd like a day at the lake.

spartangirl

So, there is NOT a ferry from Maine. Looks like the CAT closed after the 2009 season. We will need to drive to NB if a ferry is what we choose to take. Thanks for the Hopewell Cape tip. I'm thinking we do that one way and a ferry the way back. We are reworking the beginning of our trip as the NYC relatives had to move their summer road trip and we'll been gone the same time. We are still making our first over night in Pittsburgh. After this, instead of dropping down into NYC we've decided to drive up through NY, Vermont, NH and area. I have yet to really investigate a new route, tonight's plan. Any scenic byways, fun treks to take through this area is welcomed!

Salem is a place of interest for me as a previous history teacher. I've always wanted to go. Although, hoping this is one of many trips, not a HAVE to just a WANT to. Probably better when the kids are older. We are thinking about dropping back down into the states for the trek back to Montreal. While Quebec City is awesome. We are saving this for another trip.

In NS in Kempville right near The Bay of Fundy. Clam digging is definitely on our list as well as staying on the shore in Tatamagouche.

kidtravel1361

Our daughter just graduated from UNH, and our preschoolers enjoyed Portsmouth, NH. The Beach Plum in North Hampton has a great Lobster Roll (and I've had quite a few in Maine) and ice cream, as well as beach proximity, though we were there Off-Peak. It's along a winding shore road with lots of beautiful houses and several beaches if you want a break from Route 1 - there is a park/science center/playground/rocky beach access that was a great romp, though the name of it escapes me. There isn't a lot of NH before you're in the next state!