Hi

I'm getting married in July 2004 and as a honeymoon we were thinking of taking a few weeks out and exploring New England - Boston etc...
Just wondering if anyone has done this as a honeymoon or from people who have been there if they think it would be a nice setting for a honeymoon.

Thanks

Martin

One drawback is it can be very very hot and humid. Not comfortable at all to be walking around Boston. I can see maybe renting a house on Cape Cod or MV where at least you have water and cool breezes. If you would consider postponing it, touring NE in late September is beautiful.

Agree with Loki but you could concentrate on shoreline areas or places with pool. An elegant hotel with pool in Lenox, Mass is the Blantyre www.blantyre.com The Tanglewood music festival (mostly classical) is also in Lenox at that time of year (www.bso.org)
There's summer theater in Williamstown, Mass. (http://www.WTFestival.org)
Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard & the Cape are great (but crowded).

We spent our July honeymoon at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It was heaven!

Where in New England? The Maine Coast, the Cape? , the mountains of Vermont & New Hampshire. There are some very beautiful villages in the mountains, and the weather in July is perfect. Consider places like the Mt. Washington Hotel (NH), the Trapp Family Lodge (VT),the Balsams (NH), the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm (Vt) - all very beautiful, upscale hotels in scenic settings.

Thanks for the replies - I'm checking into some of the places at the moment...
Unable to change wedding from July and we kind of have our heart set on the USA (we're from Scotland). If the weather in the Boston area isn't perfect at that time of year - can anyone suggest a better area of the US to go to? (I know it's a big place and it's quite a generalisation) - We're looking for somewhere quite quiet and romantic to get a look at the American way of life.

Would Canada be a better prospect?

Thanks

Martin

We had a wonderful April honeymoon on the coast of Maine. April is off-season so there were no crowds and we never made any B&B reservations ahead of time. Now, it was a bit on the cool side but still a great time and so beautiful. We traveled up the coast from Ogunquit to Bar Harbor and stayed in a different B&B each night with the exception of one. We did stay in one for 2 nights. A great time! If you are getting married in July, I recommend staying away from Freeport because of how busy it gets.

I disagree with Loki and would hate to have you not come to New England because it might be hot and humid. July is hot and humid in most of the US; many many people escape to New England to get away from it. If it is hot and humid in New England or Boston, it doesn't last very long. It's the fact that it is high season (for that very reason) that might be a concern. But it is a lovely time of year to be in New England, and every part of it is not hot, humid, or jammed with tourists.

I totally disagree with the warning to stay away from New England in July - I live in central New Hampshire, and mid summer is wonderful, either in the mountains, or on the coast. Typically, the days will get into the mid 80's, and evenings the low 60's. Of course there can be hot spells, but anything over 90 is unusual in northern New England. Boston, being a city, can be hot in the summer, but less so than most US cities. As for crowds, there are some towns on the Maine and Mass coast that do get very busy in July, but you can still find secluded towns and beaches if you drive a little. There are hundreds of small, quiet villages scattered about New England, and many many rural inns and farmhouse b&b's if that's what you are looking for.You will have a great time in New England.

LOL, I wouldn't say that a visit to Canada would afford you a "look at the American way of life" but it is cooler there in the summer
From all that I have heard from friends who live in Florida and in Maine, the temps in July are awful with high humidity in all parts of Florida. In Maine, you will be able to see the beauty of the NorthEast US, enjoy sunny comfortable summer days and cooler comfortable nights. There is so much to do, this is what I would recommend
Congratulations on your marriage~Scarlett

Martin:
New England is a great place for a July honeymoom! I'm not sure if you are looking for a backpacking/camping type of thing, or something fancier and more romantic. If the latter, I have some thoughts.
If you start in Boston, I'd recommend a hotel near the Fanueil Hall area, such as the Marriott Longwharf. It's a great spot for exploring the Freedom Trail, the Northend (like a "little Italy"), and near lots of restaurants and evening action. The most romantic restaurant would be the Bay Tower Room. The theatre district is a short cab ride away.
Then, I think, you should head north. Either stay around Rockport and Gloucester on Cape Ann of Massachusetts, or further up in Maine at either Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, or Portland. For a honeymoon, I would choose one of these four in Kennebunkport: The Colony Hotel or Nonantum Resort for large hotels, or for a more intimate setting, either the Captain Lord Mansion or Captain Jefferds Inn. If you want to be away from it all, the Black Point Inn at Prouts Neck in Scarborough is just lovely.
Then I would travel inland to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. If within your budget, the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods is in a breathtaking setting, and is full of weddings and honeymooners! There is also a small inn on-site that is less expensive.
You mention "a few weeks," so if time allowed, you could finish your visit by visiting either Queechee and Woodstock, Vermont OR travelling down to Newport, RI.
Have fun with your plans, and congratulations on your engagement!

Hi guys

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm starting to think that New England wouldn't be so bad at all.
I know I've been pretty vague so thanks for the advice.
I think what we're looking for is somewhere with nice little places to stay in and travel through but with a big city near enough to spend a couple of days there too (since it's our first trip over there, we'd like to experience a big city).
We're not going camping or anything like that so it'll be nice romantic b&b's or hotels.
Any more suggestions - keep em coming!

Thanks

Martin

Please do come over. I think New England would be a lovely place for a honeymoon. We have so many romantic inns and places to take a walk in the woods or on a beach. Newport RI is great as is Block Island. Coast of Maine is lovely. White Mountains in New Hampshire. Stowe Vermont. Its all good. Nantucket. Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods in Connecticut if yo want to see glitzy casinos. Its hard to know where to stop.


How about checking out a minor league baseball game while you are here. Portland Maine has the Seadogs. The tickets are cheap, readily available and the actual baseball game is somewhat secondary to all the silly amusements that go on betweens innings (ie the "lobster lob" and " race Salty around the bases", fireworks when the home team hits a home run, sing-a-longs. A lot of it is geared toward kids but it is very fun - very American.

Check out newengland.com for further info. Also check out phantomgourment.com for info regarding restaurants primarily in the Boston area but also covers the entire region.

Congratulations on your marriage and best wishes to you and your fiance.

Martin,
Congradulations on the upcoming wedding! You mentioned July....will it be early July? I'm just thinking how "American" it would be to spend the 4th of July in an American minor league ballpark watching baseball. Not much more American than that!!
If you could tell us exactly how much time you have, that would narrow down the choices.

OK, it sounds like New England is the choice. I think you will enjoy this beautiful part of the US.

For recommendations on charming B&B's, buy one of the Karen Brown guides. She has suggested itineraries and a range of choices of inns and B&B.

New England, Charming Inns & Itineraries, by Karen Brown

You can buy the book and find a wealth of other information on her website: karenbrown.com

I have not used her New England guide, but have used her guides in Europe and found them very useful and accurate. She is very popular on this site.

I am sure you will gets lots of recommendations from people, but my choices would be:

Boston – at end or beginning
Cape Cod – beaches and real US flavour esp. in summer
New Hampshire or Vermont – hills and quaint towns
Maine – if time permits, beautiful coast, inland for hiking etc.

For accommodations in Boston I am sure Karen Brown has some suggestions for smaller hotels and B&Bs. Since this is your honeymoon, you might consider a luxury in-city hotel like the following:

The Ritz-Carlton Boston – Back Bay area
15 Arlington Street
Boston
Telephone: (617) 536-5700
Facsimile: (617) 536-1335
website: ritzcarlton.com

The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common – in financial/business district
10 Avery Street
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: (617) 574-7100
Facsimile: (617) 574-7200
website: ritzcarlton.com

These two hotels are across a public park from each other.

The Westin Copley Place (great river views from the high floors)
10 Huntington Avenue Boston
Phone (617) 262-9600 Fax (617) 424-7483
website: starwood.com

15 Beacon l
15 Beacon Street
Boston
Tel: (1-617) 670-1500 Fax: (1-617) 670-2525
website: lhw.com/fifbeacon

I don't know this hotel, but they are a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, which is usually an indication of excellent quality.

Hi

Thanks for the comments.
The wedding isn't till July 10,so we'll miss Independence Day unfortunately.
We'll be over for approx 3 weeks if that helps anyone suggest timescale for how long to stay in each place.
What is travelling times like between the places suggested?
Minor League Baseball is a possibility as I'm a sports fan - will major league be on at that time?
Also believe the basketball hall of fame (or something like that) is in the area?

Thanks again

Martin

Three weeks in NE will give you a wonderful opportunity to explore all that the area has to offer. In addition to the previous suggestions, I would offer three more....
1. Take the opportunity to visit New York City. It's approximately 200 miles (3.5 hrs by train) from Boston. Give it 2 days and you can take in Broadway, sightseeing, etc.
2. Over here, we call it soccer, and as a sports fan, you may want to catch the doubleheader on July 27 at Gillette stadium an Foxboro, NE Revolution vs DC United and Barcelona vs. Juventis:
http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/game_info/2002_game_schedule.asp
3. You have not visited New England in summer if you haven't visited the shrine to baseball, Fenway Park. The sox are home from 17-27 July, playing Toront, Detroit, Tampa bay and the New York Yankees. I would assume that the Tampa Bay tickets would be easiest to get...if you want to see the Yankees, you'll have to scalp tickets at a very high price.
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/schedule/bos_schedule_calendar.jsp?m=7&y=2003
Have a great trip!

Hi

Would love to do the New York bit as I've done musicals myself - didn't think we'd have time, but if it's only 3 1/2 hrs by train, I guess we could!

Thanks for the sports info - definitely need to get the Red Sox tickets. Will also check out the soccer one - would be good to see the MLS teams and Barca v Juve at the same time - if only the basketball season was in full flow....
Will there be any basketball then? Pre-season? College?

Thanks

Martin

Hi again

I've just spotted a flaw in the sports schedule. My honeymoon is July 2004!! Not this Summer!!
Anyone know when next season's schedules will be decided?

Thanks

Martin

Ooops!
I guess I should read more carefully.
Sports schedules won't be published until winter...probably January.
BUT, you've got three weeks, the Sox always have a homestand in mid July, and if you can't schedule a game, you can still take a Fenway park tour.
Likewise for the NE Revolution.
Regarding basketball, I doubt if there will be anything in July. Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield, MA, about 90-100 miles due west of Boston. If you are a basketball fan, it's probably a good bet.