Hi, I'm planning a trip with my husband and son in August to visit some of the most interesting places in New England and if possible the main Canada cities. I could probably save time travelling partly by car and partly by air. Since we are from Europe what we'd like is to have a general idea of New england (what we cannot absolutely miss!), maybe have the chance to see the whales, and visit a little of Canada maybe going back from Quebec to Toronto so that we can see the Niagara Falls. We arrive in NY and we'll fly back home from there. What could you suggest to do by car? I might buy a Visit Usa pass to save some time on the distances. I forgot to tell we have nearly three weeks. And, last question, how much time should I spend to visit Boston?
Thanks for your help.

Adding Toronto and Niagara Falls onto your itinerary would significantly add to the travel time, since they are several hours west of everything else you're doing.

I would suggest at least 2-3 nights in Boston so that you have at leasts 2 full days. What is best about New England really depends on your interests and the age of your son. If you like living history museums, places like Plimoth Plantation, Sturbridge Village, etc. should be included. Do you want to spend any time on beaches? We like to attend agricultural events at farm museums but maybe you would prefer something like the League of NH Craftsmen's Fair in Sunapee NH held every August where you could see everything from handmade jewelry to beautiful handcrafted furniture. Yankee Magazine has a guide to visiting New England that includes an events schedule that might be helpful. You might prefer to visit art museums like the Farnsworth in Rockland Maine that specializes in Maine artists. In addition to a whale watch you might want to take a boat tour such as one out of Portsmouth NH or the one in Bath ME that takes you by the iron works where ships are being built. Check to see if a rental car can be taken to Canada. Montreal and Quebec City aren't very far from New England and are very different types of cities. If you want to see some natural beauty in New England, visit Acadia in Maine, NH's White Mountains etc.

A "basic" loop from New York City to Bar Harbor, Maine; to Quebec City; to Niagara Falls; and back to NYC is about 1,800 miles or about 35 hours of driving.

If you divide it into three weeks, you're talking about under 2 hours a day, average. Of course, some days you may be driving 7-8, some you stay in cities. But overall, I don't think it's overly aggressive.

I agree that it's a manageable total amount of driving. But much of it is accounted for by the Toronto/Niagara Falls sidetrip: Montreal/Toronto/NYC is 840 miles, or 14 hours, per Mapquest. Driving basically southward from Montreal to NYC would take the poster through New England states (which is what they say they want to see) and save 500 miles. From reading these boards, I've noticed that many European visitors underestimate driving distances and unaccountably want to visit Niagara Falls despite it being 8 hours' drive time from NYC. Just a mater of making informed choices, that's what we're all here for.

As far as flying between these locations, IMHO it's not worth the expense and hassle of finding and waiting around airports, turning in one rental car and getting another, etc., with the possible exception of an overnight in Toronto/Niagara Falls.

Okay, let me elaborate. You don't want or need a car in New York City or Boston.

After your visit to NYC, take the train to Boston. After your visit there, pick up car and head north through New Hampshire and Maine to Quebec City, down Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls.

You can then return the car in Buffalo, fly Jetblue back to JFK and connect to your flight home.

Thanks to all. I have one question for rkkwan: do you think I can rent a car in Boston and take it to Canada and then back to Buffalo? How far is it to drive from Boston to Bangor and Bar Harbor? Where is it worth stopping on the way? And how far is it from Bangor to Quebec city? Should I stop somewhere on the way? Thanks again
Milli

Mili I like RKKwan's reply. I would take his advice. You don't need a car in NYC or Boston. From Boston to Bar Harbor is not a very hard trip. Stop in Ogunquit for a nice visit. There's a great restaurant there called Arrows's.

http://www.ogunquit.org/

http://www.arrowsrestaurant.com/

Also stop in Kennebunkport. President Bush's father has a home there. The White Barn Inn is very nice and restaurants are excellent.

http://www.whitebarninn.com/

In Portland visit L. L. Bean, the outdoors/hunting/fishing store that stays open 24/7. It's very interesting. Bar Harbor has some nice places to eat and stay. I have no idea about the trip from BH to Montreal/Quebec but QC is one of my favorites places to visit. The old town area is absolutely wonderful and the food everywhere I ate was the best. I am from Mississippi and I think Canada is my favorite spot to visit. I would recommend the Toronto/Niagra falls trip also. A nice place in the country near there is called Inn at Langdon Hall about 50 miles from Toronto. I know Toronto has a very nice Four Seasons close to the ball park where the Blue Jays play. A nice place in PA if your route took you there is called Glendorn and it's about 100 miles to Buffalo. You might could turn your car in there and fly home.

In QC we enjoyed a stay at Hotel Dominion 1912 in Lower Town but I loved the Chateau Frontenac too. Be sure to have dinner at Le Saint Amour. I liked Laurie Raphael also. Have a nice trip.

http://www.saint-amour.com/

http://www.laurieraphael.com/accueil_flash.html