Economy family trip northeast US Aug. 2016
 

I'm in charge of finding a trip for my three siblings and our spouses sometime during the last two weeks in August for maybe 4 nights. Say 3-5 nights. We live in NJ and PA and want it to be driveable, maybe NY state or New England. It also has to be affordable, as in no hotels that cost hundreds of dollars a night. We're all seniors so don't want something terribly active, but would like a mix of scenery or attractions to look at, maybe a little village to wander around in, and somewhere we can hang out together to chat or whatever.

Would consider escorted bus tours or just some place where we can go and use as a base.

I've considered Lake George. Looks like some lovely resorts where we could just hang out by the water if we wanted. But what I've seen so far looks expensive. I don't want something where we're just sitting in a hotel out by a highway.

I could only pick 5 tags so did Maine, Mass, New Hampshire, NY and Connecticut but of course would also consider Vermont, Rhode Island, PA.

Any ideas?
Thanks so much!
Hannah

Any golfers or fishermen? The Catskills was my first thought.
http://www.visitthecatskills.com/lodging
If you want something near the ocean, check out Mystic CT.

I think you ned to be clearer about your budget. You say you don;t want places that are "hundreds of $per night". Does that mean $199 night is OK or are you looking for a super budget property?

As for Lake George if you are looking at a time with racing at Saratoga the rates will be higher then since they get spill over guests. You really need to go in June or early July to get lower rates there.

No golfers or fishermen. One guy who likes to kayak and hike but who is now recovering from hip replacement. He's the most fit, and hopefully by August will be back to normal.

Because of various family member's schedules we have to stick to a time period somewhere in the end of August. NYtraveler, I'll check the Saratoga racing schedule. Thanks! I think the family would prefer to keep the budget under $150/night but I'm not sure that's realistic. No more than $200, though.

How about renting a house somewhere like Rock Hall, MD? Nice small town on the water with some shops and restaurants. Here's a 4-bedroom that looks great:
https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-re...86046#calendar

I am stumped - but did some looking at rates in southern Maine. I had thought Portland area would be nice, but I cold not find any lodging that met your price requirements. I also looked around at some hotels like Residence Inns that have 2bedroom/2 bath suites, thinking you could fit 4 couples nicely in 2 suites. Price still too high.

Problem with house rental is that these are almost always rented with 1-week minimum (Sat-Sat). Next idea is to look at some of the New England ski areas that have condo-style accommodations for rent in the summer. Lots of scenery, some activities nearby and often near cute little villages. (I'll do some looking at specific ones when I get a chance - but a place to start).

The Marriott Residence Inn in Concord NH shows a 2 bedroom suite for $274, cheaper on weekends. If two couples share that would be about $150 each depending on hotel tax.

The downtown area is walkable and the north end of Main Street was completely renovated for wider sidewalks and more outdoor tables. Kayaking is nearby and so is a variety of hiking options. Portsmouth NH/seacoast is an hour away for an easy day trip. The mountains are an hour north for an easy day trip. Early apples are available at local orchards - Gould Hill has heirloom apples plus view. For a leisurely visit to the olden days, check Musterfield Farm in North Sutton dates for Old Time Farming Days. you can buy lunch there but you could also bring a picnic lunch. If it's a rainy day, check out the schedule at the independent Red River Theater. Different towns have free evening concerts on weeknights. Again, consider a picnic supper. I also recommend a boat trip out of Portsmouth, my favorite being inland rivers but you could also take a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee.

For history lovers, Canterbury Shaker Village is about 30 minutes away. There are cruise nights at different restaurants. Warner has a couple of small museums. You could check out breweries, wineries and/or locally made ice cream shops. There is summer theater in New London, Meredith, Tamworth, and other places. Manchester has more and better restaurants but that's only a short drive away.

We don't go to sports games but Concord has local teams and Manchester has baseball - Fisher Cats.

I think a ski area condo might be a good option but it depends on what activities you want to do. I would also check out prices of other residence inn type hotels.

ps the fabulous annual League of NH Crafts Fair in Sunapee NH is early August. You can easily spend the day. There are daily demonstrations. And if you and the other women would like to make some jewelry, there's a shop on Main Street in Concord that does classes and would probably do a private class for 4 at your convenience. (Bead It)

I'm going to suggest Burlington, Vermont.

The downtown is a pedestrian district with lots of restaurants.

It is on Lake Champlain, with gorgeous views. You can take the ferry across if you want a voyage.

On the other side are mountains. A loop through Smuggler's Notch to Stowe and Montpelier make a nice day trip.

South of Burlington is Shelburne Farms, a large indoor-outdoor museum of American life.

North, you can do a day trip to Montreal and back.

Downtown lodging may be beyond your price except on weekends, but there are lots of hotels on the southern approaches and, less desirably, out near the airport.

Interstates in Vermont are among America's easier and more pleasant interstates, though speeds tend to be enforced.

Sorry - the Saratoga racing runs from latish July through the beginning of Sept - and Lake George rates tend to be especially high then.

If you are willing to stay in a Day's Inn or Econolodge type place, you could get your price point in the Mystic CT area.

You could do a day at the Seaport, drive/walk around Stonington Burough with a visit to the Lighthouse Museum, take a windjammer sail on Long Island sound, take the ferry from New London to Block Island, visit the submarine memorial museum, go to the casinos, do a day trip to Newport, RI and or Watch Hill, RI, hike in Bluff Point SP or Barn Island, rent a kayak and paddle around the area, etc. Plenty of places to eat at a variety of price points.

bookmarking

What about the Finger Lakes? It is a pretty area and wine tasting is fun. Ithaca and Corning are nice to explore and the Corning Glass Museum is wonderful.

The reason Lake George is more expensive in the summer has nothing to do with Saratoga racing season. It's because it's summer and LG is a beautiful place.

If you can travel Sunday to Wednesday you will find rates cheaper than Thu/Fri/Sat nights just about anywhere, even here in Saratoga.

Thank you! These are all great suggestions.
Yes, J62, we can travel Sunday through Wed. or Thurs.
I can see I've got my work cut out for me. I've been going through the Lake George Chamber of Commerce official site's lodging listings one at a time, but I'll expand my search to these other spots people have mentioned.

For something really unique, take a look at French Canada. The Canadian dollar is very low right now, so even with their high taxes, you can find some good deals. Look at a small lakeside resort town like Magog, which has a nice beach, boat rides, restaurants, shopping, wineries, gorgeous scenery, etc. It's almost like being in France! Magog is less than an hour from the Vermont border.

That's a really interesting idea, Zootsi! And who wouldn't want to go to a place called Magog? <g> Thanks!