First trip to US - many questions
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:12 AM
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Hi DanB!
I remember our communication about your Kandersteg and Alpbach trips very well.
I will stick with the NYC hotel that I reserved. It won't be too bad I guess. I am tired of researching and as far as I know even through priceline I wouldn't get a less expensive one.
I didn't know you live near Burlington, VT. It sounds like a great place. I regret we won't have the time to explore it. Hm, skipping Montpelier? And no Ben&Jerry's?
I hope we'll see a good foliage this year. If not it's a reason to come back
Thanks, Ingo
I remember our communication about your Kandersteg and Alpbach trips very well.
I will stick with the NYC hotel that I reserved. It won't be too bad I guess. I am tired of researching and as far as I know even through priceline I wouldn't get a less expensive one.
I didn't know you live near Burlington, VT. It sounds like a great place. I regret we won't have the time to explore it. Hm, skipping Montpelier? And no Ben&Jerry's?
I hope we'll see a good foliage this year. If not it's a reason to come back
Thanks, Ingo
Jul 27th, 2007, 04:34 AM
#82
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OK - I know you're sticking with your hotel choice in NY. But found this other hotel on another thread on Fodor's.
http://carltonarms.com
Looks funky, different and very reasonable!
http://carltonarms.com
Looks funky, different and very reasonable!
Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:51 AM
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You are going to have a wonderful trip.
I grew up in near Hartford CT, went to college near Boston and now live in New Hampshire near the Vermont border.
Mystic Seaport is probably no more than a 90 minute ride. I love Mystic that time of year. The water, the foliage, the seafood. An easy day trip.
This thread is rather long so I haven't read the whole thing, so I apologize if I repeat.
You'll take Interstate 91 to Vermont.
You could also take the train from Hartford CT to White River Junction VT and get your rental car there (probably in Lebanon, NH)
It's about a 3 hour trip to WRJ, add another 30 minutes or so to Woodstock VT (change to Interstate 89 N)
A great bathroom stop is exit 26 in Greenfield Massachusetts. It's about half way. Or, make it to Brattleboro and stop at the Vermont Country Deli for wonderful sandwiches, cookies and pastries for the rest of your trip. They have all sorts of VT products available.
I don't know your budget, but the Woodstock Inn(in Woodstock) looks beautiful. There is a general store, other restaurants and a quaint town to walk around.
My in-laws did a foliage cruise from NYC to Montreal a few years ago and said the best foliage they saw was in New Hampshire (after we picked them up in Montreal)
Enjoy your trip.
Cheryl
I grew up in near Hartford CT, went to college near Boston and now live in New Hampshire near the Vermont border.
Mystic Seaport is probably no more than a 90 minute ride. I love Mystic that time of year. The water, the foliage, the seafood. An easy day trip.
This thread is rather long so I haven't read the whole thing, so I apologize if I repeat.
You'll take Interstate 91 to Vermont.
You could also take the train from Hartford CT to White River Junction VT and get your rental car there (probably in Lebanon, NH)
It's about a 3 hour trip to WRJ, add another 30 minutes or so to Woodstock VT (change to Interstate 89 N)
A great bathroom stop is exit 26 in Greenfield Massachusetts. It's about half way. Or, make it to Brattleboro and stop at the Vermont Country Deli for wonderful sandwiches, cookies and pastries for the rest of your trip. They have all sorts of VT products available.
I don't know your budget, but the Woodstock Inn(in Woodstock) looks beautiful. There is a general store, other restaurants and a quaint town to walk around.
My in-laws did a foliage cruise from NYC to Montreal a few years ago and said the best foliage they saw was in New Hampshire (after we picked them up in Montreal)
Enjoy your trip.
Cheryl
Aug 4th, 2007, 12:13 PM
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ingo, you are surely looking ahead to a wonderful trip to NE part of U.S. Looks like you are already into details. Of course, that is just one corner of our vast land. We live in Missouri in the middle of the country but we ourselves love New England and often visit two of our three children living in the Boston area and traveling throughout the area.
I wouldn't presume to add info on hotels or restaurants...there are so many. And you've gotten lots of advice from Fodor posters. Linda (adnilt1962),
what a wealth of knowledge about NH and Boston! I printed this out for future reference.
What you do/see will depend on personal preferences of course. I see many discussions of the various Boston musume which are good but other cities have excellent ones, especially New York. Going into New Hampshire and Vermont will surely take you into lovely countryside scenes. Some suggest Mystic, CT, and Cape Cod which I would second but definitely headed in the wrong direction. More to the point, I'd add Strawberry Banke in NH snd Nubble Lighthouse, York, ME, maybe beautiful Acadia Nat'l Pk in Maine if you could swing over that way. Love the Maine coast. Wolfboro is a favorite NH town on Lake Winnepesaukee.
Do see Plimouth Plantation and Salem for a touch of history in the Boston area and likely you'll want to walk the Freedom Trail, maybe over to the U.S. Constitution, also get out to the Minuteman Statue. I'm neutral about a walk through Harvard campus being worth the time. In Cambridge you can check into the American Repertorie Theatre-Harvard to see what's playing (our son's partner is manager). In Hartford I think of several historic homes, including Noah Webster's house. Don't see much advice on New York City so far. Might try a separate post since you do have 4 nights there.
Well, ingo, now I know who to contact for advice on Germany! We've been all around but not much in your country. What are your favorite places? And BTW we are older than your parents...hope they enjoy the trip, too!
ozarksbill Springfield, MO
[email protected]
I wouldn't presume to add info on hotels or restaurants...there are so many. And you've gotten lots of advice from Fodor posters. Linda (adnilt1962),
what a wealth of knowledge about NH and Boston! I printed this out for future reference.
What you do/see will depend on personal preferences of course. I see many discussions of the various Boston musume which are good but other cities have excellent ones, especially New York. Going into New Hampshire and Vermont will surely take you into lovely countryside scenes. Some suggest Mystic, CT, and Cape Cod which I would second but definitely headed in the wrong direction. More to the point, I'd add Strawberry Banke in NH snd Nubble Lighthouse, York, ME, maybe beautiful Acadia Nat'l Pk in Maine if you could swing over that way. Love the Maine coast. Wolfboro is a favorite NH town on Lake Winnepesaukee.
Do see Plimouth Plantation and Salem for a touch of history in the Boston area and likely you'll want to walk the Freedom Trail, maybe over to the U.S. Constitution, also get out to the Minuteman Statue. I'm neutral about a walk through Harvard campus being worth the time. In Cambridge you can check into the American Repertorie Theatre-Harvard to see what's playing (our son's partner is manager). In Hartford I think of several historic homes, including Noah Webster's house. Don't see much advice on New York City so far. Might try a separate post since you do have 4 nights there.
Well, ingo, now I know who to contact for advice on Germany! We've been all around but not much in your country. What are your favorite places? And BTW we are older than your parents...hope they enjoy the trip, too!
ozarksbill Springfield, MO
[email protected]
Aug 5th, 2007, 05:29 AM
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Thanks again all for your advice. Kenav, <sigh>, I had a look at this one but it cannot compete with the rates of the hotel where I made the reservation.
Cheryl, no problem if you repeat something. Mystic is definitely in; my friends in CT already told me that they'll take us there.
We'll rent a car in Hartford since we need it for a separate day trip to the Litchfield hills to meet another friend there. Thanks for the recommendation of the Vermont Country Deli in Brattleboro. I'd love to get sandwiches etc. there and have a picnic later in the countryside. We have already made a reservation at the Deer Brook Inn in Woodstock. It is exactly what we were looking for and fits right into the budget, but thanks for the rec. of the Woodstock Inn. That one sounds a little too expensive, though
Ozarksbill, thanks for your advice as well. We'll get a first impression of the Maine coastline on the drive from our friend's cabin at a lake there down to Boston. He has something planned for us and I trust him. I heard mention of having lobster somewhere. Unfortunately we won't have time for Acadia National Park or other places in Maine.
The Freedom Trail (at least parts) are in. Salem would take too much time, unfortunately. I tried to get information on the Harvard walks but no luck so far. I would like to know if it's just walking around campus and gazing at the buildings from outside, listening to explanations and stories that the guide tells. If so I'd rather do a quick walk myself and then hit the museums there.
Theatre sounds good - we're still looking for what to do in the evenings. I'll also check on the Noah Webster house. Have not heard of it so far.
Yes, I'll start a separate thread with what to do in NYC, although I think I already have enough on the schedule. We won't see everything and I am almost sure it'll be a very busy time.
About Germany ... well, if you have been to Germany before - if only a short time - you probably already know some of the best places. I personally am a mountain person and thus love the Alps and other mountains most. As for the cities - I think Hamburg and Munich are the most attractive of the big cities. I don't care much for Berlin, but others (esp. Americans) love it. Then there are maybe one hundred or more mid-size cities/towns like Bamberg, Regensburg, Freiburg, Münster ... etc. which are very beautiful and worth at least two days of exploring. And then the small towns ... you have an endless choice. Starting with touristy Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl, Meersburg, Berchtesgaden, Wertheim, Gengenbach ... I could go on and on.
My focus (also on Fodors) is on the former East, though, since I live there. Dresden, Saxony, is my city. Meissen, Görlitz, Bautzen are great towns, Leipzig another very interesting city. The National Park Saxon Switzerland is my favourite outdoor region and the Erzgebirg mountains are magical at Christmas time.
That's just a very short summary. But if you need help for trip planning better post on the Europe board or contact me via email.
Ingo
[email protected]
Cheryl, no problem if you repeat something. Mystic is definitely in; my friends in CT already told me that they'll take us there.
We'll rent a car in Hartford since we need it for a separate day trip to the Litchfield hills to meet another friend there. Thanks for the recommendation of the Vermont Country Deli in Brattleboro. I'd love to get sandwiches etc. there and have a picnic later in the countryside. We have already made a reservation at the Deer Brook Inn in Woodstock. It is exactly what we were looking for and fits right into the budget, but thanks for the rec. of the Woodstock Inn. That one sounds a little too expensive, though
Ozarksbill, thanks for your advice as well. We'll get a first impression of the Maine coastline on the drive from our friend's cabin at a lake there down to Boston. He has something planned for us and I trust him. I heard mention of having lobster somewhere. Unfortunately we won't have time for Acadia National Park or other places in Maine.
The Freedom Trail (at least parts) are in. Salem would take too much time, unfortunately. I tried to get information on the Harvard walks but no luck so far. I would like to know if it's just walking around campus and gazing at the buildings from outside, listening to explanations and stories that the guide tells. If so I'd rather do a quick walk myself and then hit the museums there.
Theatre sounds good - we're still looking for what to do in the evenings. I'll also check on the Noah Webster house. Have not heard of it so far.
Yes, I'll start a separate thread with what to do in NYC, although I think I already have enough on the schedule. We won't see everything and I am almost sure it'll be a very busy time.
About Germany ... well, if you have been to Germany before - if only a short time - you probably already know some of the best places. I personally am a mountain person and thus love the Alps and other mountains most. As for the cities - I think Hamburg and Munich are the most attractive of the big cities. I don't care much for Berlin, but others (esp. Americans) love it. Then there are maybe one hundred or more mid-size cities/towns like Bamberg, Regensburg, Freiburg, Münster ... etc. which are very beautiful and worth at least two days of exploring. And then the small towns ... you have an endless choice. Starting with touristy Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl, Meersburg, Berchtesgaden, Wertheim, Gengenbach ... I could go on and on.
My focus (also on Fodors) is on the former East, though, since I live there. Dresden, Saxony, is my city. Meissen, Görlitz, Bautzen are great towns, Leipzig another very interesting city. The National Park Saxon Switzerland is my favourite outdoor region and the Erzgebirg mountains are magical at Christmas time.
That's just a very short summary. But if you need help for trip planning better post on the Europe board or contact me via email.
Ingo
[email protected]
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:41 AM
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Here's a self guided walking your of the Harvard area:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...004020034.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...004020034.html
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:54 AM
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Hi Ingo! I have continued to follow this post with interest - amazing how long it's been going on now!
I just wanted to second going to theater in the Boston area, especially the A.R.T. in Cambridge (as its known locally) - many well-known actors and other theater people have gone through there, including Stanley Tucci, Stockard Channing, and Julie Taymor. Check out www.amrep.org for their current season (and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Repertory_Theatre for a little history!). Another good theater is the Huntington, which is associated with Boston University and located near Symphony Hall in Boston (www.huntingtontheatre.org).
Of course, there are always a number of bigger shows that originate elsewhere and go through Boston if you are interested in those and don't get a chance to see them in NYC. I think Boston.com is a good site to find current goings-on.
Two other Boston suggestions I have are the Mapparium and the ICA.
- The Mapparium is part of the Mary Baker Eddy library at the Christian Science center, also on Huntington Ave between Symphony and Prudential Center. It's a huge stained-glass globe that you can walk inside, with very interesting acoustics. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapparium, or http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/...apparium.jhtml) I think you have to make reservations for a timed entrance, since they limit the number of people inside at any one time. We made our reservations once we got there; the Quotes cafe there was a relaxing place to wait with a yummy treat!
- The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) has just reopened in a brand new location. As New England's only major contemporary art venue, it's worth checking out! (www.icaboston.org)
I just wanted to second going to theater in the Boston area, especially the A.R.T. in Cambridge (as its known locally) - many well-known actors and other theater people have gone through there, including Stanley Tucci, Stockard Channing, and Julie Taymor. Check out www.amrep.org for their current season (and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Repertory_Theatre for a little history!). Another good theater is the Huntington, which is associated with Boston University and located near Symphony Hall in Boston (www.huntingtontheatre.org).
Of course, there are always a number of bigger shows that originate elsewhere and go through Boston if you are interested in those and don't get a chance to see them in NYC. I think Boston.com is a good site to find current goings-on.
Two other Boston suggestions I have are the Mapparium and the ICA.
- The Mapparium is part of the Mary Baker Eddy library at the Christian Science center, also on Huntington Ave between Symphony and Prudential Center. It's a huge stained-glass globe that you can walk inside, with very interesting acoustics. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapparium, or http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/...apparium.jhtml) I think you have to make reservations for a timed entrance, since they limit the number of people inside at any one time. We made our reservations once we got there; the Quotes cafe there was a relaxing place to wait with a yummy treat!
- The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) has just reopened in a brand new location. As New England's only major contemporary art venue, it's worth checking out! (www.icaboston.org)
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:59 AM
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If you visit Havard, there is an extraordinary collection of glass flowers by a father and son from Dresden, Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka.
They recreated glass replcias of flowers since paper mache and wax did not withstand time.
These flowers are an incedible testament to craftsmanship. You cannot dsicern these replcias are glass.
There are the Ware collection.
They recreated glass replcias of flowers since paper mache and wax did not withstand time.
These flowers are an incedible testament to craftsmanship. You cannot dsicern these replcias are glass.
There are the Ware collection.
Aug 6th, 2007, 03:24 AM
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I think the Frommer's self guided tour of Harvard mentioned in bardo1's email probably has all the information you need.
However a map is really helpful in navigating the campus and identifying the different buildings. You can get maps and brochures with a self-guided tour at the Events & Information Center in Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave. (tel. 617/495-1573). this is where the guided tours leave
However a map is really helpful in navigating the campus and identifying the different buildings. You can get maps and brochures with a self-guided tour at the Events & Information Center in Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave. (tel. 617/495-1573). this is where the guided tours leave
Aug 21st, 2007, 09:22 PM
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Dear Ingo,
You mentioned hiking in New Hampshire. The center for hiking in the White Mountains is the Appalachian Mountain Club at Pinkham Notch on Route 16 in New Hampshire. (Route 16 is the road that takes you to the Mt. Washington Auto Road.) Inside the main building is a 3-D map of the White Mountains showing the peaks and the trails. It is huge and it provides a bird's eye perspective of the mountains. This is where all the search and rescue operations in the White Mountains are coordinated. This is a great place to confer with guides about day hikes. As this is also a lodge, meals are available in the dining hall. In regard to going up Mt. Washington, I would strongly advise you to buy tickets for the van that goes up from the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road because if you drive up, it is very hard on the brakes and it is very difficult for the driver to enjoy the views which are spectacular on a clear day. Do NOT take the cog railway!
At the top, a good day hike on a clear day would be to go from the summit down to Lakes of the Clouds hut, have your lunch there that you brought with you and then hike back up to the summit and take the van back down. You should first confer with the AMC at Pinkham Notch regarding day hike routes because Mt. Washington is famous for bad weather and they have the latest weather info there. I hope you are lucky and have great weather and beautiful foliage!
You mentioned hiking in New Hampshire. The center for hiking in the White Mountains is the Appalachian Mountain Club at Pinkham Notch on Route 16 in New Hampshire. (Route 16 is the road that takes you to the Mt. Washington Auto Road.) Inside the main building is a 3-D map of the White Mountains showing the peaks and the trails. It is huge and it provides a bird's eye perspective of the mountains. This is where all the search and rescue operations in the White Mountains are coordinated. This is a great place to confer with guides about day hikes. As this is also a lodge, meals are available in the dining hall. In regard to going up Mt. Washington, I would strongly advise you to buy tickets for the van that goes up from the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road because if you drive up, it is very hard on the brakes and it is very difficult for the driver to enjoy the views which are spectacular on a clear day. Do NOT take the cog railway!
At the top, a good day hike on a clear day would be to go from the summit down to Lakes of the Clouds hut, have your lunch there that you brought with you and then hike back up to the summit and take the van back down. You should first confer with the AMC at Pinkham Notch regarding day hike routes because Mt. Washington is famous for bad weather and they have the latest weather info there. I hope you are lucky and have great weather and beautiful foliage!
Aug 24th, 2007, 07:13 AM
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Hi all,
I didn't think this thread would get more replies, so I haven't checked for a while. Wow! Very helpful info again, thanks a lot. We will do the self-guided tour of Harvard (between lunch and dinner of the GTG on Sat, 13 Oct ). I printed out the info from the Frommers.com website - thanks for the link.
ggreen - we'll try to include the ICA in our museums day. I'm definitely interested, my parents not so much. We'll see. Thanks for the info on theatre etc. - but I guess we'll be worn out in the evenings after all the sightseeing and beside that we're still considering to attend a concert of the Boston Symphonic one night and that is the only night that's still open. So we'll see what works out. Thanks, however, for the info.
Jane, that's excellent advice for the hiking, big thanks. Honestly, I'd rather drive up to Mt. Washington by myself (I enjoy to drive pass roads in the Swiss and Austrian Alps a lot) but will do a research on the Van tours. We decided to NOT take the cog railway. The hike to the Lakes of the Clouds hut sounds very good, we'll probably do that.
Please consider this thread closed. I plan to post some questions about specific activities/places soon and look forward to your excellent advice as always.
Ingo
PS: Just wanted to mention that I got tickets (excellent seats) for us for the Met - ROMEO AND JULIETTE with Anna Netrebko is it. Yipppeee!
I didn't think this thread would get more replies, so I haven't checked for a while. Wow! Very helpful info again, thanks a lot. We will do the self-guided tour of Harvard (between lunch and dinner of the GTG on Sat, 13 Oct
). I printed out the info from the Frommers.com website - thanks for the link.ggreen - we'll try to include the ICA in our museums day. I'm definitely interested, my parents not so much. We'll see. Thanks for the info on theatre etc. - but I guess we'll be worn out in the evenings after all the sightseeing and beside that we're still considering to attend a concert of the Boston Symphonic one night and that is the only night that's still open. So we'll see what works out. Thanks, however, for the info.
Jane, that's excellent advice for the hiking, big thanks. Honestly, I'd rather drive up to Mt. Washington by myself (I enjoy to drive pass roads in the Swiss and Austrian Alps a lot) but will do a research on the Van tours. We decided to NOT take the cog railway. The hike to the Lakes of the Clouds hut sounds very good, we'll probably do that.
Please consider this thread closed. I plan to post some questions about specific activities/places soon and look forward to your excellent advice as always.
Ingo
PS: Just wanted to mention that I got tickets (excellent seats) for us for the Met - ROMEO AND JULIETTE with Anna Netrebko is it. Yipppeee!
Aug 24th, 2007, 12:08 PM
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