My husband and I are going to be dropping off our daughters at camp in the New Haven area on July 19th (we will be staying in Boston with the girls for previous few days). We were thinking of extending our vacation, and travelling somewhere for the next few days. We have already been to the Hampton and Berkshires quite often. I love Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but I'm afraid the travel out there will eat up too much of our time. I was reading the forums, and people seem to like the Rockport, Newburyport area. Or maybe south-eastern Vermont? We like quaint little towns that are fun to walk around (I love the coastal areas, but it's not a requirement). If you have any lovely lodging recommendations, I'd love to hear them! We live in Florida, so we'd love to get a change of scene. Any ideas for couple with no kids for a few days?

Look at Mystic, CT. Will be less of a drive from New Haven. Plenty to do for a couple of days.

I agree, Mystic, CT should be right up your alley. Hartford is also nice and full of history.

If you decide on Mystic, be aware that it is a village and part of it is in the town of Stonington and part is in the town of Groton. When you look for places to stay (there are plenty in the area) look for deals in those towns also. Nearby is New London from which you can get ferries to Fisher's Island, NY (quite private-not much touristy stuff but pretty) or Block Island, RI (more in the way of shops and resturants and nice beaches) or Orient Point on Long Island, NY, (drive out to Montauk or the Hamptons). The Nautalis submarine is nearby and there are nice museums etc in the area.

If you decide on Vermont I'd suggest you check out Woodstock. Sounds like you'd really like it. Beautiful town. Shopping, restaurants, the Billings National Historic Park.

thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions! I will look at Mystic and the Woodstock area as possible places for our vacation.

Plymouth MA is a great little town with lots of charm and history. The waterfront area is beautiful. There's lots of little shops and restaurants, not to mention historic sites like Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II. \

The Governor Bradford Inn is right in the middle of the waterfront area and offers reasonable rates. From there, you can walk to most places. Hope that helps.

Consider a beautiful 3 hr drive north to the White Mountains of NH & Northern VT. A real change from Florida! There is so much to do there, including Franconia Notch State Park (great waterfalls). Charming little towns to shop and antique. Perhaps a romantic B&B or country inn (there are several). You'll also find some very fine dining. We like to stay in Lower Waterford VT and take day trips to White Mountains.