Help with New England Itinerary
Aug 16th, 2015, 09:15 PM
#1
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Help with New England Itinerary
We will be in New England for 2 weeks in September (Sept 15-29), in Boston days 1-4 and departing Portland, Maine on day 14. We plan to rent a car when we leave Boston. We have never been to the region and would appreciate suggestions on where to go when we leave Boston and what to see and do. We would like to see unique, pretty towns with charm and nice lodging and food options.. The coast appeals more than the mountains but the priority is charm, beauty, uniquneeds of the region, all at a leisurely pace. Renting bikes, walks and easy hikes are activities we would work in if the itinerary allows. I know this sounds vague but at this point, the itinerary is wide open and we would appreciate all suggestions. If you have favorite towns, lodging, sights, food, etc, we'd love to hear about them. Thanks so much!
Aug 16th, 2015, 09:20 PM
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Since you mentioned biking- I really enjoyed the Cape Cod Rail Trails.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/cape-cod-rail-trail.aspx
http://www.traillink.com/trail/cape-cod-rail-trail.aspx
Aug 17th, 2015, 03:04 AM
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From Boston, you can head north on I93 to NH. If you get off at exit 23 for Meredith NH you'll find beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee just south of the mountains. Stay in Meredith but drive around. Center Sandwich is one of the prettiest small towns in NH. Wolfboro which is further east on the northern shore of Lake W is very pretty. From there you can head to Portland which friends have claimed is only about an hour away.
Then you can find some places along the Maine coast. I would go as far north as Camden. We have stayed in Lincolnville just north of Camden. Budget lodgings at Bay Leaf Cottages. More modern lodgings at Glenmoor by the Sea. We prefer mid-coast Maine so usually stay on I95 until we get to Brunswick. Brunswick is a college town with some great restaurants according to reports on chowhound. We tend to do the lobster places and more casual dining. East of Brunswick is the charming Harpswell area which can take forever to explore because there is 200 miles of ocean front due to all the fingers of land. Friends like to stay at the Quahog Inn. I can't recommend the last place dh booked. Some of the picnic table on the dock lobster shacks are only open on weekends in September so plan accordingly.
Then you can find some places along the Maine coast. I would go as far north as Camden. We have stayed in Lincolnville just north of Camden. Budget lodgings at Bay Leaf Cottages. More modern lodgings at Glenmoor by the Sea. We prefer mid-coast Maine so usually stay on I95 until we get to Brunswick. Brunswick is a college town with some great restaurants according to reports on chowhound. We tend to do the lobster places and more casual dining. East of Brunswick is the charming Harpswell area which can take forever to explore because there is 200 miles of ocean front due to all the fingers of land. Friends like to stay at the Quahog Inn. I can't recommend the last place dh booked. Some of the picnic table on the dock lobster shacks are only open on weekends in September so plan accordingly.
Aug 17th, 2015, 06:08 AM
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Since you have 2 weeks to work with, I think you should consider spending a few days in Acadia National Park. Mountains and water, hiking of any level you like, biking on miles of (car-less!) carriage roads, Good lodging and restaurant choices. Crowded during the summer, but should be peaceful and perfect the second half of September.
Aug 22nd, 2015, 12:34 PM
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"charm, beauty, uniqueness, the coast"
Going south to north along the coast of maine, you could consider Cape Neddick, Cape Porpoise (Cape Porpoise Motel) , Ocean Park (The Billowhouse) , Cape Elizabeth, The Harpswells, Southport, Tenant's Harbor, Owl's Head, Ferry boat ride (with bicycles) to Isleboro, Searsport & Sears island accessible via causeway but then must park & hike or bike) , Stonington (Boyces Motel) , The Moosehed Lakes Region (
Going south to north along the coast of maine, you could consider Cape Neddick, Cape Porpoise (Cape Porpoise Motel) , Ocean Park (The Billowhouse) , Cape Elizabeth, The Harpswells, Southport, Tenant's Harbor, Owl's Head, Ferry boat ride (with bicycles) to Isleboro, Searsport & Sears island accessible via causeway but then must park & hike or bike) , Stonington (Boyces Motel) , The Moosehed Lakes Region (
Aug 28th, 2015, 10:04 AM
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If you like swimming in the water then Cape cod, PTown and the Islands. If you like just looking then going North will provide you with more quaint scenery and towns. The water is too cold to swim. Vermont is full of incredibly quaint little towns too but if you prefer the coast that;s different.
Dec 27th, 2015, 06:35 PM
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I bet you'd become a mountain lover if you journeyed to North Conway, NH! We are surrounded by the Presidential Range and there are views in ALL directions!
There's so much to do for every taste! Great restaurants for foodies, hikes for beginners to expert, outlet shopping, quaint old town with unique shops and the locals are wonderful!
There's so much to do for every taste! Great restaurants for foodies, hikes for beginners to expert, outlet shopping, quaint old town with unique shops and the locals are wonderful!
Dec 27th, 2015, 06:44 PM
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I bet you'd become a mountain lover if you journeyed to North Conway, NH! We are surrounded by the Presidential Range and there are views in ALL directions!
There's so much to do for every taste! Great restaurants for foodies, hikes for beginners to expert, outlet shopping, quaint old town with unique shops and the locals are wonderful!
There's so much to do for every taste! Great restaurants for foodies, hikes for beginners to expert, outlet shopping, quaint old town with unique shops and the locals are wonderful!
