New England 18 nites, my itinerary needs help please.
 

60yr old couple who love history, nature, museums, tours, scenic routes.

We need to add 2 more nights, any recommendations to improve or suggestions would help.

Boston 4 nights( flying in and out )
Cape Cod 3 nights
Newport RI 1 night
Mystic CT 1 night
Salem MA 2 nights
Portland MA 1 night
Bar Harbor 3 nights
then back to Boston 1 night before flying out.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!

Favorite childhood vacation memories came from Lake Winnepausakee NH(I know I spelled it incorrectly). Wolfeboro NH is the town we stayed in. The Wolfeboro Inn is right on the lake.

I'd add a night to Newport, and add one to Portland. From Portland take a nice scenic drive to Cape Elizabeth, or to Kennebunkport, or to the Sebago Lakes region.

www.lobstershacktwolights.com

We loved Newport and would stay there more than one night. Be sure to walk on the Cliff walk. You could make a day trip to Mystic from Newport(we were not very impressed with Mystic). We stayed at the La Farge Perry Bed and Breakfast in Newport and loved it.

I would drop Mystic...not really worth it IMO. And add that night to Newport.

Maybe stop in Portsmouth NH on your way to Portland and visit Strawberry Bank.

While in Salem Mass you can visit Gloucester and/or Marblehead.

Will add that day to Newport, want to see a couple mansions, and drive the Ocean Drive, and see Trinity Church there, it probably could use 2 days.

I think you're right, we'll turn the trip to Mystic Seaport, and aquarium a day trip. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

In Portland wanted to see the art museum and the Desert of Maine in Freeport. What other attractions would you suggest to turn Portland into 2 days, please.

Lake Winnepesaukah looks gorgeous, but I think we might get bored, as we have the Lake of the Ozarks nearby and it is too similar. Thank you though.

Never heard of Gloucester, just researched it and found The Beaport The Sleeper and Hammond Castle.
Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't add a day to Salem MA.

Funny, we love Mystic, or at least Mystic Seaport, but then my wife is a sailor (I am active ballast) and we live on an island and own 1 1/2 classic boats and Nantucket was famous for whaling and the last surviving whale ship, the Charles W Morgan is at Mystic along with Alan Villiers famous school ship, the Joseph Conrad etc etc etc.

On the other hand, I think the Newport houses are pretty ho hum if you have toured stately homes in the UK or Europe. But the setting and topography of Newport is spectacular, the downtown historic district is fascinating, and the hustle and bustle at various points around the harbor is engaging. Cliff Walk, yes. Cliff House, meh.

When in Portsmouth, NH, take a brief trip out to New Castle and Odiorne Point, a charming village and a scenic viewpoint adjacent to but very different from the larger city.

Dear Ackislander, what port would you suggest for whale watching from Bar Harbor to Newport? We are coming the middle of Sept through the first week of October. Thank you.

Portland has so much to offer. I do question your interest in the Desert of Maine -- it's kind of lame and expensive. Freeport does have the flagship store of LL Bean with various designer outlets in town. Better to spend your time getting to know the beautiful coast, especially visiting Fort William/Portland Head Light and nearby Two Lights SP (while eating a lobster roll on a picnic table overlooking the ocean), wandering the brick sidewalks through Portland visiting shops and art galleries, and, if the timing is right, coming for the First Friday Art Walk. Portland is known for its wide variety of fabulous restaurants. Its great fun getting out on a cruise on Casco Bay; an alternative is taking a ferry out to one of the islands, such as Peaks Is., where you can take a hike or rent a bike (to wear off some of the food from the fabulous restaurants ….) You could also take a drive north & west to take in some of the foliage that will be beautiful at that time of year.
Enjoy Maine!

On your way to or from Newport, you could stop at Battle Ship Cove in Fall River, MA.

With your dates, you may be in New England for some fairs/festivals. http://www.discovernewengland.org/new-england-events/

I agree with elysian...skip the Desert of Maine.

The Maine coast is beautiful, enjoy the drive and take your time.

In Bar Harbor there is a fun lumberjack show...something different to do.

Love the Lumberjack show idea. We aren't into biking, and we never go shopping on a vacation, though I know a lot of people like that. We are looking forward to Two Lights SP, the Park looks like it has rock formations that are a must see and I've never had Lobster Roll so thank you for the suggestion. The only Lobster we have eaten are claws at New Years, and bisque. Thank you for the Portland Head Light idea, the history of it sounds exactly like what we would really enjoy. I trust Fodorites, so the Desert of Maine is out. Again...I can't thank you enough for your help!!!!

Can't help with whale watches, sorry.

Key piece of information that you never mentioned and that no one asked: What time of the year are you going on this trip? That answer would certainly influence any planned itinerary. I infer that you're taking this trip in the summer. If that is correct, then the recommendations are fine, and I would add one area to your trip, namely, the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.

(Howard: it's September/October)

Both Newport and Mystic are fine IMHO, but I don't see any reason to move hotels and spend one night in each -- they are not very far apart.

And to your question, yes I think Gloucester and Cape Anne are more interesting than Salem, so consider adding some time there. Again I would just pick one place to stay in the area and not move night-to-night. Portsmouth NH is also fun and interesting.

There is good whale watching out of Boston, or Gloucester, or Provincetown (Cape Cod) if you go out that far. September should be ok.

My itinerary is now;
Boston 4 nights
Cape Cod 3 nights
Newport RI 2 nights
Salem MA 3 nights (or Gloucester)
Portland ME 1 night
Bar Harbor ME 4 nights
Near logan airport 1 night

This will let us see the fall colors in Maine in October.
When I look for B&B's near Salem, I will look into the Gloucester area too, to see which is best. Does this seem
to be divided well. We have traveled a lot, but never to the Northeastern states.

Have reservations for Charlesmark in Boston since it is on
the Old Town trolley route, and its the only one under 300
and with good reviews.
Looking at Ulikanan Inn in Bar Harbor. Wow Main vacancy is going fast for October. Glad I started early.

Thank you for the help with the whale tours. We can't wait!!

Brick alley had the best crab cakes in Newport. I love that whole area. Mystic is nice for a visit but not enough for a night.

Boston is so pricey for hotels. Have to look at Charlesmark.

For the Gloucester/Salem area look in Rockport for B+Bs too. It's a short drive up 127 from one to the other.

Thanks emalloy, I see photo ops galore in Rockport, and the Paper House is a must, (love the unique). B&B's seem to be right on the water...as soon as I nail down Maine (which is selling out), I can't wait to start looking over the accomadations in this area. THANKS For your help.

Flpab, will add Brick Alley to our itinerary, Thanks.

Just contacted Beach Tree B & B in Rockport for reservations.
THANK YOU emalloy!!!