Help with brief new england/montreal trip
 

We're going on a trip in July to New England.
For 11 days, we're trying to hit NYC, Boston, Montreal and then fly back out of NYC.
If we spend 2-3 nights in each city, that allows some extra nights for more day trips or things to see in New England. I've never been, so I don't know where to go. Any nice places in New Hampshire (or anything that would be on our way?)

Thanks!

I would add more nights to each city that you already have picked and that won't be enough!
Have a great time~

I know there isn't a lot of time, but that's all we can afford.

I'd highly recommend going to biddingfortravel and learning how to use Priceline for hotel rooms. Rates are at their highest in those places during October. You'd want to shop like the dickens and book a backup you can cancel if you're successful with Priceline - right away.

I definitely agree that those three cities are a lot to cover in 11 days. Especially when you subtract three days driving.

If it were me, I'd pick two.

Hi eliz08,
I think you might have misunderstood me. I think for an 11 day trip, NYC, Boston and Montreal are enough. You will wish you had more time in those cities, rather than breaking it up with visiting additional cities.
Are you driving?
We lived in NYC and drove to Montreal once or twice each year.
If you drove to Boston then on to Montreal, you would be able to have more choices of places outside of the cities to spend a day or two.
While in NYC, take a day trip North on the Taconic Parkway, picnic along the Hudson.
When in Montreal, you can spend a day on Mont Royal walking, lolling around and enjoying the view and the atmosphere. Take a day in MOntreal and ride a rented bike along the Lachine Canal.
Have a great time~

Thanks for the ideas.
I was thinking about renting bikes for the Lachine Canal- now I just have to convince my family that they'll like that.

This is a lovely trip but the very wonderful city parts are already going to be brief when you factor in the driving, so begin with the understanding that you're picking the (for you) highlights. By the time you subtract out travel days (depending on flight times, possibly both end dates, and certainly most of the three driving days) you will have about 2 days in each city. You could sleep in between one night, but I think you'd lose more than you'd gain that way.

On the other hand, you should definitely make the most of the travel days themselves, possibly sacrificing half-days at the ends in the city for some touring along the way. I don't know where you're from, who "we" is, or what you like, so these recommendations are sort-of scattered.

Between NY and Boston the things that come to mind are Mystic Seaport, New Haven/Yale (only if you're a college buff, which I am), Old Sturbridge Village. These presume the inland route (except Mystic), which is more efficient (4-5h without traffic), but you could also consider the coastal route (will cost you at least an extra hour, maybe two) which would take you by many nice Rhode Island beaches or even a detour through Newport (where you'd want to stop!), though that will add yet more driving time. Also, be aware of rush hours and beach traffic jams.

Boston to Montreal takes you through some beautiful country, but I'm afraid I can't recommend a particular stop except Dartmouth (college buff thing again) in Hanover, NH. I'm sure I'm selling some beautiful places short....

Montreal back to NY puts me in mind of Hyde Park (FDR's estate), which I think adds 1h or less to the drive, depending on your route. Also, there's lovely dining at the Culinary Institute of America, a cooking school in Hyde Park, but you will want reservations for their nicer restaurant(s) (assuming they're serving at the time of day and year that you'll be passing through). It's a toss-up for me between this and a picnic along the river (definitely makes more sense to do that along your drive than as a day trip!!). Oh, and maybe the Cloisters when you're closer to the city (NYC, that is).

Whatever you chose, have a wonderful trip!!!

Just an FYI if you are coming to Boston in July, the Dem. Nat'l Convention is going on in Boston from July 26-29 and many roads are closed and the traffic expected to be a nightmare. I would not plan on being in that area during those particular days or the few days before and after.

No, we won't be in boston for the dem. nat'l convention (thankfully).
Thanks for everyone's output. We're a family with two kids 18 (me) and 15. My Parents have been to Boston and NYC before, but we've never been to Montreal.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

Your trip sounds a wee bit over ambitious, but perhaps you all have more energy than I do! If you want to do rural New England (besides Boston), I wouldn't go as far as New Hampshire. Perhaps check out western Massachusetts - the Berkshire Mountain's. It's beautiful and there many cultural activities.

Hi,

If you are still looking for suggestions for a day trip right outside these areas, there are a couple that I would recommend outside Boston (I'll put why I liked them - because they may not interest you in the end).

I visited Concord, MA a few years ago (perhaps an hour outside Boston maximum). If you like authors you will find this place delightful - you can visit the homes of many former authors - Emerson, Hawthorne, the person who wrote Little Women (name eludes me sorry). There is a guided tour through many of the homes and the stories they tell you will help make the authors lives spring to life. If you like nature this is also a pleasant area - you can visit Walden pond, and there is another area in the town where you can canoe.

Another area I liked was Salem (outside Boston). It is on the coast - and I also enjoyed the 'House of the seven gables' - another house where Hawhtorne lived with some interesting surprises.

Have fun - Boston and NY are my favorite cities in the US.