Feedback and help on New England Itinerary

Old Sep 11th, 2007, 06:29 PM
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Feedback and help on New England Itinerary

Hi,
I've seen some excellent advice on this forum which has been very helpful...

I am planning a trip at the end of September with some holes, as follows (and I live in NY).

Sun., Sep. 23--this is not a definite but I am thinking of leaving this day and driving through Lennox Mass (and maybe checking out Stockbridge), on my way to Southern Vermont.

I have Reservations on Monday and Tues. nights (9/24 and 9/25) at the Windham Hill Inn (I forget the town, but it's definitely southern Vermont).

I was planning on spending those days (Monday, Tues. and maybe Wed.) exploring the area, staying at Winham Hill as my base for my two nights, then on Wed. and Thurs. nights I have reservations at the Rabbit Hill Inn (in Lower Waterford, VT) which is considered in the Northeast Kingdom, but it is in the Littleton/Johnsbury, NH area (so I guess it's right near the border)...so I do plan on taking up someones suggestion on another post to check out the Littleton Diner (especially their hash!), and I saw it featured on the Food Network (I think) so it looks fun. Anyway, those two nights (wed. and thurs) and surrounding days are part of my explore the area days (so ideally, between the two inns, I will hopefully explore some of the cute towns, but haven't decided particulars yet). I'm going with my boyfriend, and we're both pretty active, so some hiking, maybe biking if time allows is in store...

Then, I have left the Fri. night open, and I don't know if I should explore more of New Hampshire, or spend the night in Boston...maybe check out Rockport, Mass. above Boston on the way...or should I be going to Portland instead, too many options!!...looking for advice on the Friday part....I can also always head to Providence... I have reservations on Sat. and Sun. nights in Newport at the Francis Malbone House. Monday at my lesiure I am driving back to Suburban NY, because I have a work event to attend on Tuesday, but them my vacation resumes after that (I may not plan anything after that point though because my boyfriend who is from Scotland may need to visit some family). My main concern was that originally I was trying to fit too much in, but think I am ok now, but probably don't have time to do a ton on Friday (originally I was going to try and include Marthas Vineyard AND Newport in my trip, but decided I was packing in too much with the ferry, and that it might be better to enjoy and explore Newport.

So, to recap, my reserved inn nights are:

Mon. night and Tues night - Winham Hill Inn in So. VT

Wed-Thur nights - Rabbitt Hill Inn N/E vermont near NH border


Sat/Sun nights in Newport

I have some flexibility on the front end, and Friday and no reservations for those two nights....does this sound like a good trip to people, are there any suggestions for the things I'm not sure about, or any must see spots? Should we be making sure we're checking out some of the covered bridges or any particular towns that would be within driving of where we are staying....

(My boyfriend and I are pretty active, and we're early 40s. I chose New England because I figured coming from Scottland, he'd really appreciate our beautiful autumns in the north east)

Looking forward to peoples comments and suggestions!!

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Old Sep 11th, 2007, 10:09 PM
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Dear Valerie,
Since you are thinking of going to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, I highly recommend going to the Norman Rockwell Museum just out of town. Your boyfriend will enjoy it because the Rockwell paintings are quintessential Americana and you'll enjoy it because everyone sees someone who reminds them of their own family in those wonderful paintings.

As for Friday night, if I were you, I would stay in New Hampshire and enjoy the White Mountains, continuing to Newport on Saturday.

Going to Boston on Friday would be mistake, in my view, because the traffic on Fridays going in and out of Boston can be a nightmare and once you are there for only one night, driving around the city can involve getting lost to the point where you don't see Boston and you're not having fun.

Since you will already be in Lower Waterford (an excellent choice, by the way), I would strongly suggest that you take advantage of your proximity to the White Mountains to enjoy Friday night there.

If your boyfriend is interested in hiking, I would recommend that you at least stop at the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch on Rte 16 in Gorham. It has a huge room-size display of the White Mountains showing the peaks and the trails. It is the center of hiking in the Whites as well as the base for search and rescue operations. It also has a dining hall and accommodations in a rustic lodge (I have stayed there many times!) and it is on the way to the auto road up Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England. Although Mt. Washington is famous for its bad weather, on a clear day the views are spectacular and the methods one can take up the mountain include a van service that starts from the bottom of the auto road on Rte. 16. If you want to stay in the vicinity but not at the rustic lodge, there are quite a few inns in the area, including those in nearby Jackson.

You could then spend Saturday driving to Newport unfettered by Friday traffic in eastern Massachusetts.

Have a wonderful trip!
Jane
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 02:06 AM
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Sept 23 is early for color but you should have fun. We're seeing some color starting here in the Concord NH area but nothing fantastic yet. The Great Vermont Corn Maze is in Danville VT not far from Littleton. This is great fun for active people and not as easy as it looks (see their website). Nice view from the top.
I love the boat trips out of Portsmouth NH so I would recommend the inland rivers trip and spending Friday night in Portsmouth. Park in the parking garage and you can walk to the boat dock then go some place fun for lunch. You can also cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH but it's a little sedate. Great views if color has started.
I like driving trips best if we have some places to find. You might consider visiting a VT cheese farm or winery. Some of the plant nurseries are on back roads. Last weekend I went to a garlic farm in NH then to an orchard. I'm assuming you will do some White Mountain driving while you're near Littleton. Definitely do a hike someplace. The previous poster's suggestion sounds great. The Littleton area and places above the mountains gets very rural without the great scenery of the mountains. You could do some White Mountain exploring Friday during the day, get to Portsmouth in time for a great dinner. Take a boat trip Sat morning and be in Newport by mid-afternoon. You could also see if sea kayaking is still possible while you're in Portsmouth. BTW stop for fresh apples and other farmstand delights while you are driving around. If you're from the city you might not be familiar with the varieties that are available. Ginger Golds are available right now, an accidental variety found in an orchard that had been severely damaged by Hurricane Camille. Also if you go to Portsmouth you could do a slight detour to Flag Hill Winery and Distillery (General John Stark Vodka). Great story about keeping the farm in the family.
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 03:59 AM
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Yikes dogman - something has gone really crazy here - one moment reading about New England, the next a trip report of your trip to Africa. Plus, a letter I am not sure was intended for posting anyway.

Great trip report, but if you intended it for Africa, it got lost.
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 04:44 AM
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I'd definitely do the Flume walk at Franconia Notch park on the
sunniest possible day.It's easy and beautiful.I always go to Polly's Pancake
Parlor in Sugar Hill,NH and then do the Flume.
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 05:19 AM
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Dear Jane and DFrostNH

Thanks so much for the suggestions, yes, I will go with my first instict which is to avoid Boston (my boyfriend has been there anyway, he's also been up Mt. Washington, so maybe we'll check out Portsmouth as Dfrost suggests...although I haven't been up Mt. Washington, so we'll see. The main thing is I think you're giving me good advice about using my extra time in NH (I had thought maybe about Providence but I can possibly check that out on my drive to Newport, or skip alltogether since I checked and they're only doing the Water Fires on Saturday nights that time of year which would've been the main thing I wanted to see). I am excited by seeing the White Mountains. thanks for all the good advice...the rustic lodge actually sounds fun since for the most part we're staying at fancy inns the rest of the trip!

Thanks again,

Valerie

(not sure where or why the Africa posts/replies came from!!)
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 05:23 AM
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All wonderful suggestions (omitted the Africa post from consideration, of course!) -

but I have one question - the boyfriend from Scotland - is he returning to Scotland? The reason I ask is if this is his only trip from NY to Newport in New England, perhaps it is worth a day/night stop in Boston if it means he will never see what is an important and historic city on the east coast -

I realize it is tough to balance everything, one could spend weeks in NY, NH/VT/western MA areas and/or basing out of Newport or any location probably- but at some point if your goal is to give him a taste of everything - some mountains, some small towns, etc, t hen I would not hesitate to head to Boston on Friday - just arrive into the city before heavy traffic, or stay just outside the city but with public transportation nearby into the city proper --

To me, Boston traffic isn't worse than NY traffic or any city, or any city at rush hour - one wouldn't choose to drive into any of them at 5pm !

If you've had enough taste of the country, you could leave the Littleton, NH area in the morning- I think it's about a 2 hr drive to Boston??? - and you could make a stop or two on your way down or not and get settled in Boston and have , say from 2pm that day till closing to enjoy at least the Common, Public Garden, parts of the Freedom Trail, Boston Public Library building/murals, take a short Duck tour if it appeals to yuo, or see the view form atop the Pru Skywalk or drinks above - and there is much of Boston you can see for free -

Of course, Boston could be a trip for another time, which is why I ask if the boyfriend is visiting from Scotland or not and whether or not this is an opportunity for him to get a taste of Boston -
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 06:48 AM
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Going into Boston from the north isn't that bad at all on a Friday, I do it often for concerts.

That said, I'd come down from the north earlier in the day. Rockport isn't "on the way" per se because you'd have to come down 95 or 93 to a point, then backtrack back "up" 128 to Rockport. However, I think Rockport is a nice place to spend a day, so you wouldn't go wrong to fit that in. Boston would be more difficult to spend a day because there's so much to do and see.

I had friends from Ireland over a few times for the fall and winter and they loved it. Have fun!
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 01:43 PM
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Hi,
he is going back to Scotland....but he has been to Boston before, but years ago, he's probably done more traveling in the state than I have! But he's never been to Vermont, or Newport (or Martha's Vineyard), but it seemed too hard to fit it all in! I suppose I can kind of wing the NH vs. Boston part of the trip and see if we're sick of the countryside! Originally, I wanted to drive up the Maine coast (remember it fondly from years ago...also remember spending a day in Rockport, MA and remember liking it although I never hear much about it) but realized I wouldn't have the time, and it's very far. I figured I couldn't go wrong by seeing Vermont (hopefully some folliage) and Newport (I have only been there for an evening so I wanted to explore the mansions, and there will be a bit of nightlife which he will probably like as he lives in a city). In anycase, hopefully whether it be Boston, or New Hampshire, I should be able to find a room on short notice for one night....I hope!! Thanks for the suggestions!
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 02:25 PM
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Then you can go straight to Newport and spend the time there - if he has been, forget the Boston hotel prices, parking the car fee, etc - there is never enough time for Newport in my book - and I love the Frances Malbone House - you will be delighted there.

If you take the ocean drive/ten mile drive in Newport, you will see plenty of rocky new england coastline - I know it isn't Rockport, - or Maine - but you will be able to see flatter walking beaches (eastons) and Brenton State Park -

there is a good site with explicit directions for that drive, with stops all along you can choose to do or not, and also info on the cliffwalk and harbor walks - it's worth printing out and bringing with you

www.oceandrivenewport.com

enjoy !
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 03:42 PM
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thank you escargot...so in recap, is it unreasonable for me to consider going to Portsmouth for one night (from NE vermont) then heading to Newport (yes, I'm very excited about the Francis Malbone house, saw only good postings about it on Trip Advisor)...or would it be fun to see the riverwalk in Providence on my way to Newport.... or is your advice stay near the White Mountains, then go right down south in one shot to Newport?

thanks!
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 04:01 PM
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If you're debating between the 2, I'd pick Portsmouth over Providence for Friday night.

Portsmouth has a very cute downtown on the water with lots of shops and good restaurants. It's about 2-2.5 hrs from Newport. I wouldn't bother to stay in Providence, it's only about 30 min from Newport and I'd rather spend my time in Newport.

I think you'll be able to wing it (i.e. Portsmouth vs. White Mtns vs. extra night in Newport) for Friday night and be able to find hotel rooms.
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 05:34 PM
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Excellent, thanks, sounds totally driveable...(that way I could get an authentic "Lobstah" Roll) I'm winging it!
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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 07:15 PM
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I agree with Wyatt - Providence, while nice, does not have the same feeling as Portsmouth - if I had to pick one, I'd pick Portsmouth - or Portland - and then head straight to Newport on Saturday morning so you can have most of the day there Saturday and then again on Sunday -

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Old Sep 12th, 2007, 11:39 PM
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Valerie - if you do travel to Boston or other parts of New England, no one here says lobstah or chowdah or Pahk your Cah.
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Old Sep 13th, 2007, 02:13 AM
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Speak for yourself Gail. We got to bean suppahs and love to take a Sunday drive for a good lobstah roll. If you ever have the chance to hear NH Humorist and writer Rebecca Rule, she'll explain it to you. In second grade our son argued with his teacher about how many syllables are in the word "here". He was sure heah had two syllables. If you got to the monthy fundraising breakfast at the Odd Fellows Hall when they first open up, there's a pretty good chance you can hear some true Yankee speak if you sit at the table where they're discussing the price of lumber. Of course, this accent is different from Massachusetts and different from Maine and Vermont.
Valerie, hope you have a great trip!
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Old Sep 13th, 2007, 05:58 AM
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thanks everyone,
I'll be sure to post a follow up report!
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Old Sep 13th, 2007, 07:26 AM
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If I read correctly you will be in Newport on 29-30th. A few things to do: Newport cliff walk, mansions, Tennis Hall of Fame, International Polo Series,Taste of Rhode Island www.newportfestivals.com . If you want to go to Providence it is only about 40 minutes from Newport, you may also be able to take the water ferry. Saturday the 29th they are having Waterfire along the rivers in Providence http://www.waterfire.org/. If you make it to Providence make it to Federal Hill for a nice dinner and then walk over to the water fires. Weather will be a little crisp so make sure you bring appropriate clothing. If you need any further help about Rhode Island feel free to drop me a question. Enjoy your stay in New England, a great time of year. Less crowds.
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Old Sep 13th, 2007, 07:07 PM
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I can only imagine that Gail was being tongue-in-cheek, as she lives on the east coast -
it might be sometimes overdone, or overused (esp when they TRY and imitate it in the movies) but you will absolutely hear lobstah and all the other ahs....

as dfrost said, I love to eat "suppah" around 7pm !! LOL - when my daughter was in college here in New England, her roomates from the west coast used to always say "oh, get your mom to say drawer when she is in your room !" they used to like to
laff at my bahstun accent.....oh well, that's the way it is out heah
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Old Sep 14th, 2007, 04:29 AM
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Hi Jim, thanks for the Newport info, was definitely planning on the tennis hall of fame, didn't know about the polo, thanks...I did look up the waterfires and knew they were sat. but was going to skip but I didn't realize it's only about 40 minutes...by water taxi would be great, thanks for the info!
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