FIrst Time This Far East...Please Help Me Plan!
Jun 24th, 2006, 01:14 PM
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FIrst Time This Far East...Please Help Me Plan!
I would SO appreciate any suggestions that would help me plan about 7 days in early Aug. beginning at JFK and ending in Port Jefferson (somewhere on Long Island) meeting my daughter's fiancee's family. Are we biting too much off to try and see parts of Conn., Mass. N.H. and Vt. before circling around down to Long Island? I would rather come back a dozen times than to try and do a marathon! We love to get off the beaten path so are there any "hidden treasures" you would share? We are happy doing just about anything...we love the water, poking through antique/junk shops, local sites and museums and fine dining doesn't have to be included (we've never met a beer and burger we didn't like)! Thanks in advance!
Jun 24th, 2006, 04:02 PM
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Five states in 7 days is way too much. Assume that you have already seen NYC - and this time you're looking for other areas. (If not - I would just do NYC with possibly one day trip up the Hudson and then head to Port Jeff.)
Don;t know what you mean by hidden treasures. What are your interests? It's not clear from your list except you like water and don;tcare what you eat. Do you like history? museums? colonial towns? nature - and looking at or taking part in (hiking or boating?) Is the water you want the sound, the ocean or lakes?
You might want to start up the Hudson then head across CT and take the ferry to Port Jeff.
Don;t know what you mean by hidden treasures. What are your interests? It's not clear from your list except you like water and don;tcare what you eat. Do you like history? museums? colonial towns? nature - and looking at or taking part in (hiking or boating?) Is the water you want the sound, the ocean or lakes?
You might want to start up the Hudson then head across CT and take the ferry to Port Jeff.
Jun 24th, 2006, 04:03 PM
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Oh - and if you want the ocean I would head for LI sooner and spend a couple of days (weekdays) in the Hamptons (wineries, beaches, colonial towns, museums, whale watching and fishing and all the nightlife you wan)t - before heading to Port Jeff
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:16 PM
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nytraveler,
Actually, haven't seen NYC but we're thinking that could be a whole trip in itself. And no, it isn't that we don't care what we eat, we would just rather drop less $$$ on food and do other things. BY "hidden treasures" I mean towns, sights, restaurants, museums, etc. that shouldn't be missed. Hey, it's hard to ask the right questions because we don't know the area
Sounds like the Hamptons offers a lot.
see the world,
As for Port Jefferson, we need to be there by Aug 12 and were thinking of staying just a couple of nights (really just for the dinner with the future in-laws).If we show too soon they'll feel they have to entertain us so we're vacationing on the front end. So what are your thoughts on how to spend our week?
Actually, haven't seen NYC but we're thinking that could be a whole trip in itself. And no, it isn't that we don't care what we eat, we would just rather drop less $$$ on food and do other things. BY "hidden treasures" I mean towns, sights, restaurants, museums, etc. that shouldn't be missed. Hey, it's hard to ask the right questions because we don't know the area
Sounds like the Hamptons offers a lot.see the world,
As for Port Jefferson, we need to be there by Aug 12 and were thinking of staying just a couple of nights (really just for the dinner with the future in-laws).If we show too soon they'll feel they have to entertain us so we're vacationing on the front end. So what are your thoughts on how to spend our week?
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:35 PM
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nytraveler makes a great suggestion.
I would head up the Hudson River Valley (I recommend Storm King Art Center www.stka.org - a fabulous, huge sculpture park and FDR's summer home in Hyde Park) and then take either the Mass Pike or I-84 through Western Mass or to Hartford, respectively.
Both the Mass Pike and I-84 put you on I-91 where depending on time you can go north to Brattleboro VT or south to the Connecticut shoreline and I-95.
Mystic Seaport (off I-95) is a fabulous living museum about Colonial times and the whaling era. And, Guilford and Madison CT are both off the beaten path, totally quaint New England towns, if you have time.
To head back to New York, you can go up to Point Judith in Rhode Island or you can go to New London CT and catch a ferry across LI Sound.
Get a good map and you will see the route I am talking about. Sorry to be so confusing!
I would head up the Hudson River Valley (I recommend Storm King Art Center www.stka.org - a fabulous, huge sculpture park and FDR's summer home in Hyde Park) and then take either the Mass Pike or I-84 through Western Mass or to Hartford, respectively.
Both the Mass Pike and I-84 put you on I-91 where depending on time you can go north to Brattleboro VT or south to the Connecticut shoreline and I-95.
Mystic Seaport (off I-95) is a fabulous living museum about Colonial times and the whaling era. And, Guilford and Madison CT are both off the beaten path, totally quaint New England towns, if you have time.
To head back to New York, you can go up to Point Judith in Rhode Island or you can go to New London CT and catch a ferry across LI Sound.
Get a good map and you will see the route I am talking about. Sorry to be so confusing!
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:40 PM
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nytraveler has a good suggestion. The Hudson River has a number of towns of interest, both historically and for cute, antiquing stuff. (The only place that's coming to mind at this late hour is Hyde Park, but there's more!) Then swing down into Connecticut and hit any number of places along the coast. You can then take the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson. (Bridgeport is an old industrial city that sadly hasn't been much revitalized, but the ferry ride across saves you from driving in NYC in both directions.)
Also, if you like historical sites, I recently discovered the Teddy Roosevelt house at Sagamore Hill on Long Island. Really interesting, and a beautiful tranquil spot... According to the website it's about 28 miles from JFK.(www.nps.gov/sahi/home.htm)
I hope this helps!
Also, if you like historical sites, I recently discovered the Teddy Roosevelt house at Sagamore Hill on Long Island. Really interesting, and a beautiful tranquil spot... According to the website it's about 28 miles from JFK.(www.nps.gov/sahi/home.htm)
I hope this helps!
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:41 PM
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Make that http://www.stormking.org/
And I meant the ferries leave from Point Judith and New London. Didn't mean to imply you go to NY through RI!!!
And I meant the ferries leave from Point Judith and New London. Didn't mean to imply you go to NY through RI!!!
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:48 PM
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I'd skip CT. That's just me -- Mystic was not my thing.
Why not visit Boston for 2/3 evenings and then head to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A great fishing village - I highly recommend staying at the Wentworth (may already be booked for the summer). Then head back (but I am directionally challenged, so pay attention to the directions of others, lol).
Why not visit Boston for 2/3 evenings and then head to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A great fishing village - I highly recommend staying at the Wentworth (may already be booked for the summer). Then head back (but I am directionally challenged, so pay attention to the directions of others, lol).
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:54 PM
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Me again!
Another point of clarification - to take a ferry from Point Judith to Montauk, LI you must go through Block Island (which is fabulous if you have time) or as someone said you can go direct to Port Jeff from Bridgeport.
Here's a link:
http://www.longisland.com/ferries.php
Another point of clarification - to take a ferry from Point Judith to Montauk, LI you must go through Block Island (which is fabulous if you have time) or as someone said you can go direct to Port Jeff from Bridgeport.
Here's a link:
http://www.longisland.com/ferries.php
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:56 PM
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Not to bring a sour note to this but keep in mind that most hotels, motels, etc are booked by now for August on Long Island as well as up the Hudson.
I seem to remember Port Jefferson being charming with some nice seafood restaurant right on the water.
Considering summer traffic, I don't know if a trip from Long Island to the Hyde Pk/Rhinebeck area.
But then (nytraveler, am I right?)-you can take the Mass Pike and go to the Berkshires and Tanglewood, Lenox and Stockbridge maybe.
I am a mess when it comes to travel time/distance.
I seem to remember Port Jefferson being charming with some nice seafood restaurant right on the water.
Considering summer traffic, I don't know if a trip from Long Island to the Hyde Pk/Rhinebeck area.
But then (nytraveler, am I right?)-you can take the Mass Pike and go to the Berkshires and Tanglewood, Lenox and Stockbridge maybe.
I am a mess when it comes to travel time/distance.
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:59 PM
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STW - just curious, what makes Mystic a "pass-it-by" fishing village but the fishing village of Portmouth NH (which is much further and more industrial) worth the drive?
I agree Boston is nice but I was suggesting more of a leisurely, "closer-in drive since they already "passed" on NYC.
I agree Boston is nice but I was suggesting more of a leisurely, "closer-in drive since they already "passed" on NYC.
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:59 PM
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Great suggestions, amaclise. Storm King is a great modern art sculpture park, fun to walk around.
If you like the water and cute little coastal towns, the CT coast has a lot to offer. Mystic is a good suggestion - there's a yummy little clam shack on the east bank of the river, and the maritime stuff is interesting, too.
I personally would suggest leaving out Boston for another trip, for the same reasons you want to come back to visit NYC. (If you do feel up to it, it's about a four-hour drive from NYC to Boston via the shorter inland route on I-84. You could hit the CT coastal towns on your way back to Long Island.)
If you opt to take the ferry from Point Judith, you could skip over to Block Island beforehand. It's a classic NE coastal community, with lots of summer activities for its many visitors. The ferry also leaves from Point Judith, and could easily be a day or partial-day trip. The ferry from Point Judith to Long Island will put you at the eastern end, so you could probably check out Montauk and the Hamptons as you head back west...
If you like the water and cute little coastal towns, the CT coast has a lot to offer. Mystic is a good suggestion - there's a yummy little clam shack on the east bank of the river, and the maritime stuff is interesting, too.
I personally would suggest leaving out Boston for another trip, for the same reasons you want to come back to visit NYC. (If you do feel up to it, it's about a four-hour drive from NYC to Boston via the shorter inland route on I-84. You could hit the CT coastal towns on your way back to Long Island.)
If you opt to take the ferry from Point Judith, you could skip over to Block Island beforehand. It's a classic NE coastal community, with lots of summer activities for its many visitors. The ferry also leaves from Point Judith, and could easily be a day or partial-day trip. The ferry from Point Judith to Long Island will put you at the eastern end, so you could probably check out Montauk and the Hamptons as you head back west...
Jun 24th, 2006, 07:08 PM
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Gaillynn - dont' plan your trip around where there's no traffic. The route nyt, ggreen and I suggested (if you choose to consider it) is traveled by visitors and locals alike all the time, and everyone gets where they're going.
Checking around for places to stay is a good idea but you need a nice itinerary before you can do that!
Checking around for places to stay is a good idea but you need a nice itinerary before you can do that!
Jun 24th, 2006, 07:08 PM
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Scarlett's right about traffic, and booked hotels... The Berkshires (Tanglewood, etc.) are lovely, too, but get just as booked up as everywhere else.
As far as traffic goes, hopefully you won't be on the same schedule as everyone else! By all means, AVOID car travel on July 31/August 1, when people begin and end their vacation rentals. Weekends in the summer are especially bad, too (Fri eve eastbound and Sun eve westbound). I-95 along the CT coast and the LIE through Long Island become parking lots... But with 7 days ending on a Saturday in Long Island, you should be okay! Are you departing JFK on that Sunday?
As far as traffic goes, hopefully you won't be on the same schedule as everyone else! By all means, AVOID car travel on July 31/August 1, when people begin and end their vacation rentals. Weekends in the summer are especially bad, too (Fri eve eastbound and Sun eve westbound). I-95 along the CT coast and the LIE through Long Island become parking lots... But with 7 days ending on a Saturday in Long Island, you should be okay! Are you departing JFK on that Sunday?
Jun 24th, 2006, 07:16 PM
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amaclise, you're right - it would be terrible to plan a vacation around traffic patterns!
Gaillynn, at your leisurely pace and given your dates, you shouldn't have any real problem with traffic. The one concern I would have is if you fly out of JFK on Sunday evening, since you'll have to be in the westbound traffic with everyone else. The family you are visiting will have a good idea of how much time you need to leave, so I wouldn't worry too much about it!
Gaillynn, at your leisurely pace and given your dates, you shouldn't have any real problem with traffic. The one concern I would have is if you fly out of JFK on Sunday evening, since you'll have to be in the westbound traffic with everyone else. The family you are visiting will have a good idea of how much time you need to leave, so I wouldn't worry too much about it!
Jun 25th, 2006, 05:00 AM
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Gaillynn,
There is so much to do in this part of the country that it is indeed hard to choose.
You have been given lots of good suggestions. I would offer that staying in a smaller geographical area may be just as interesting and a lot more relaxing that trying to get to lots of different states.
Conn. has so much to offer that you could easily spend your time there before heading off to Port Jeff. I would take the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jeff and not try to drive there. There is a terrific restaurant just as you get off the ferry [I can't remember the name]. It is nothing fancy, outdoor dining and I had THE best lobster ever there! And no one has mentioned how quaint a town Port Jeff is...you might want to plan a day there.
I happened across this article and thought you might find it informative. You can skip the actual story line about the Spa and read it for a feel of the area. http://tinyurl.com/oj86o
And there is more info here that might prove useful. http://tinyurl.com/rvg6y
The Hudson Valley [ NY] also has lots of spectacular sites too, and it is a fairly simple matter of getting to Bridgeport to catch the ferry.
I lived in this area for most of my life before moving to the southwest, you will love it!
Hope this helps....
Debi
There is so much to do in this part of the country that it is indeed hard to choose.
You have been given lots of good suggestions. I would offer that staying in a smaller geographical area may be just as interesting and a lot more relaxing that trying to get to lots of different states.
Conn. has so much to offer that you could easily spend your time there before heading off to Port Jeff. I would take the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jeff and not try to drive there. There is a terrific restaurant just as you get off the ferry [I can't remember the name]. It is nothing fancy, outdoor dining and I had THE best lobster ever there! And no one has mentioned how quaint a town Port Jeff is...you might want to plan a day there.
I happened across this article and thought you might find it informative. You can skip the actual story line about the Spa and read it for a feel of the area. http://tinyurl.com/oj86o
And there is more info here that might prove useful. http://tinyurl.com/rvg6y
The Hudson Valley [ NY] also has lots of spectacular sites too, and it is a fairly simple matter of getting to Bridgeport to catch the ferry.
I lived in this area for most of my life before moving to the southwest, you will love it!
Hope this helps....
Debi
