California family of 4 (kids will be 16 & 13) want to visit friends in Boston next 4th of July, rent a car and drive to NYC, possibly as far as Philidelphia.

After a few days in Boston, we think we'd like to relax a couple days on Cape Cod, then see Newport,RI and Mystic, CT. Any other advice of places to overnight or things to see? Definitely want to include some American history elements.

Specific questions:

1. Where to pick up the car in/near Boston and

2.where to drop car before/in Manhattan?

3. I'm trying to remember the name of a place enroute that was described as historical home with docents dressed in period costumes...In RI or CT, I think?

Leslie,

You could be referring to Old Sturbridge Village, a working community that represents a New Englad Village in the 1820's (http://www.osv.org/), or Plimouth Plantation (http://www.plimoth.org/), a recreation of the original colonists settlement.

OSV is a little out of the way from what you're describing, but if your kids are into history, it's a facinating place. You can do it as a day trip from Boston, it's about 70-75 miles from downtown. Plimouth plantation is on the route from Boston to the Cape.

I assume you're flying into Logan. Pick the car up there.

If you travel light, I'd suggest leaving your car in Mystic and taking Amtrack into Manhattan. It's a lovely ride down the south coast of Conn., and it brings you right into midtown/Penn Station, where there are ample cabs that can get you where you need to go.

I agree with gc's recommendations, especially about taking the car only into CT and taking the train the rest of the way (and also to Philly if you go there).

Since you don't need the car while you're IN Boston, the airport might not be your best pickup spot. The major rental companies also have offices right in the city; your best bet would be to stay in the Back Bay/Copley area and you'll be near a car rental office when you're ready to leave.

Sturbridge Village and Plimoth Plantation are indeed the "biggies" as far as historical villages and costumed docents are concerned, but you'll find dozens of other interpreted historic places, too. Try the web site for SPNEA (the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities). History buffs also must go out to Lexington and Concord, where the American Revolution began, and drop by Walden Pond in Concord for some peaceful relief; the area's just an hour from Boston.

On the Cape, history buffs can get their fill of interesting palces in Sandwich, from historical glass industries and a working gristmill to some of the oldest houses.

In Newport, the kids might enjoy the interpretive actors at the Astors' place.

We have found in several instances for one-way car rental it is much cheaper to do airport to airport (rather than in-city locations). That can be a pain if you do what I snow suggest - which is rent the car only for the time you are touring Boston to NY - pick it up when you leave Boston and return it when you arrive in NYC - a car is not only not necessary but a pain in either city.

If you are going to be in Boston over July 4th you will need reservations very early - Boston makes a big deal out of July 4th. And if it is over July 4th, stay right in the city (Back Bay, Downtown, Copley) area. It will cost more, but crowds are such that you do not want to deal with too much public transportation to/from city center.

Logan is typically a high-priced airport to rent cars at. You might be able to do better by taking the commuter train from Boston to Providence, get to that airport & rent from there. I've not done it, only suggesting it as an option.

Gail is correct that airport to airport rentals usually better price, but if you can find places near the Metro-North commuter railroad line (between NYC & New Haven CT) where you could drop the car off then take the rail.

For starters, July 4th is on a Sunday in 2004. The Massachusetts visitors office reported record crowds this year, with substantially higher numbers anticipated next year due to the TV coverage. So, you'd want to book lodging forthwith.

In my opinion, the Cape is not a good destination, after the 4th, for "relaxing". The first two weeks of July are the busiest of the year, the place is mobbed, traffic is a nightmare. You may wish to head right to Newport, where there are many mansions worthy of touring, and you really can do only two per day nicely.

There is much to see and do in the Connecticut River Valley.

You may also be thinking of Mystic Seaport which takes you back in history.