How does my itinerary sound to you? Need your candid advice on a few Mass. spots. Please help
May 18th, 2005, 04:55 AM
#21
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Dreamer2's suggested itineraries are great, one or the other. IMO, skip Salem, other places have more history like Plimoth Plantation and Concord and Lexington, all easy daytrips from Boston and esp. skip the islands this trip. The ferry takes lots of time, getting there, parking, boarding and then you have no car when you get to the island and have to rent a bike/scooter or take a tour. Save this for another trip when you have more time.
May 18th, 2005, 10:43 AM
#22
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How can I ever thank you all for making my choice for me.
Frist we are going to wait on the islands this time. We are going to fly into manchester and then stay ??? maybe Portsmuth, we were sthinking of staying the night in Manchester and checking it out. Is there anything there that is a must to see. Then head out to Maine and Kenebunkport (spelled right) and work our way down.
I will make sure I am back in Boston by 2 or stay till after 8 so not to get stuck in traffic. Good advice very good advice.
Could I just stay in Portsmuth and drive up to Maine and back?
Keep the ideas, museums coming. You all are a wealth of info.
Kisses and hugs!!
Momof5
Frist we are going to wait on the islands this time. We are going to fly into manchester and then stay ??? maybe Portsmuth, we were sthinking of staying the night in Manchester and checking it out. Is there anything there that is a must to see. Then head out to Maine and Kenebunkport (spelled right) and work our way down.
I will make sure I am back in Boston by 2 or stay till after 8 so not to get stuck in traffic. Good advice very good advice.
Could I just stay in Portsmuth and drive up to Maine and back?
Keep the ideas, museums coming. You all are a wealth of info.
Kisses and hugs!!
Momof5
May 18th, 2005, 12:38 PM
#23
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Don't stay in Manchester, there's nothing to see there. Drive to Portsmouth (about 45min-hour from Manchester) and stay either at the Wentworth-by-the-sea in New Castle (beautiful place!)or another hotel in Portsmouth. You will love Portsmouth, great downtown with lots of cute shops and great restaurants.
From Portsmouth you are about a half hour drive from other cute towns in Maine such as Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. It will also only take you about 45min-hour to get to the North Shore (Gloucester, Salem, Rockport, etc.). Then on to Boston.
From Portsmouth you are about a half hour drive from other cute towns in Maine such as Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. It will also only take you about 45min-hour to get to the North Shore (Gloucester, Salem, Rockport, etc.). Then on to Boston.
May 18th, 2005, 03:44 PM
#24
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I agree with Wyatt's advice, but would add about 15-20 minutes to all his/her drive times! 
Not much for tourists in Manchester - although there are a few very good restaurants and concert arena! (Also a AA Minor champion baseball team.)
Yes, you can stay in Portsmouth, and make a day trip up to Maine on Thursday. I'd drive to Ogunquit first (Take Rt. 95 North to the York exit, and then continue north on Rt. 1) and get out to see Perkins Cove before it gets too crowded. Then I'd plan on spending the rest of the day in Kennebunkport. There is a historic home to tour, tons of nice shops, carriage ride or trolley tours, drive by the Bush estate and out to Cape Porpoise, etc. (The latter will have you looking for Jessica Fletcher! Or are you too young to remember "Murder, She Wrote"? )
On Friday, head out to the Northshore. You may want to drive along Rt. 1A in Rye, NH on your way out. It is a gorgeous stretch of about only 2-3 miles along the ocean. Or if you like history, visit the Strawberry Banke museum before leaving. Once on the Northshore, I'd start in Rockport, then to Gloucester for the Hammond Castle Museum mid-afternoon, ending in either Marblehead or Salem. There are great seafood restaurants in Essex, too. If you go to Salem, I'd recommend the Peabody Essex Museum, the Witch House (not museum), and the Hawthorne House of Seven Gables.
Let us know if/when you are ready for any restaurant recommendations!
Not much for tourists in Manchester - although there are a few very good restaurants and concert arena! (Also a AA Minor champion baseball team.)
Yes, you can stay in Portsmouth, and make a day trip up to Maine on Thursday. I'd drive to Ogunquit first (Take Rt. 95 North to the York exit, and then continue north on Rt. 1) and get out to see Perkins Cove before it gets too crowded. Then I'd plan on spending the rest of the day in Kennebunkport. There is a historic home to tour, tons of nice shops, carriage ride or trolley tours, drive by the Bush estate and out to Cape Porpoise, etc. (The latter will have you looking for Jessica Fletcher! Or are you too young to remember "Murder, She Wrote"? )
On Friday, head out to the Northshore. You may want to drive along Rt. 1A in Rye, NH on your way out. It is a gorgeous stretch of about only 2-3 miles along the ocean. Or if you like history, visit the Strawberry Banke museum before leaving. Once on the Northshore, I'd start in Rockport, then to Gloucester for the Hammond Castle Museum mid-afternoon, ending in either Marblehead or Salem. There are great seafood restaurants in Essex, too. If you go to Salem, I'd recommend the Peabody Essex Museum, the Witch House (not museum), and the Hawthorne House of Seven Gables.
Let us know if/when you are ready for any restaurant recommendations!
May 18th, 2005, 05:51 PM
#25
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Dreamer2 you are so awesome! I wish I had some great advice for you on a future trip of yours.
I will make sure to visit the Salem Witch House not museum. We just wanted to get the facts on that place anyways. I am glad you like my itinerary and the Wentworth by the sea.
Yes.....yes.... i think I am now ready for restaurant advice...anyone?
Thanks for all the detailed advice on highways, good places to go etc.
Thanks again!
I will make sure to visit the Salem Witch House not museum. We just wanted to get the facts on that place anyways. I am glad you like my itinerary and the Wentworth by the sea.
Yes.....yes.... i think I am now ready for restaurant advice...anyone?
Thanks for all the detailed advice on highways, good places to go etc.
Thanks again!
May 18th, 2005, 09:07 PM
#26
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Stop at every roadside stand you see that advertises "Homemade Ice Cream". New England is Ice Cream Central...and something about the weather makes you crave it. Start your diet NOW so you'll be ready!
May 19th, 2005, 03:07 AM
#27
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Oh gosh! I'm so embarassed because I goofed!!! Just reverse the Witch places I named... Go to Witch Museum for dramatic retelling, don't go to Witch House, unless you want to see yet another historic home with weak connection to trials. SO SORRY!
Got to rush off to work. Glad to make the correction!
Got to rush off to work. Glad to make the correction!
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