We will be traveling to New England this mid-September and will be staying for 4 nights, 5 days. I'm looking for suggestions to make the most of our trip. We enjoy: hiking, biking etc, great food (seafood especially), little B&Bs. Looking for suggestions in any of these areas.

It sure would help to know what part of New England are you travelling to: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island?? That's a lot of territory for a "must do" list.

Well, I was looking for suggestions, but if I have to narrow it down, I'd like to fly into Boston and start there. Does that help?

I loved Maine when we were there a few years ago. Stayed near Bath. I'm from the west coast and all the old houses were so wonderful to me. We just don't have them out here. I enjoyed Camden but people will say it is touristy - it is but it is still fun. Some people say the people in Maine are rude - didn't find them so. They do tend to keep to themselves but can be really friendly if you give them a chance. We rented a house so I can't recommend any B&Bs.

Was highly disappointed in Boston. I have been to London, NYC, DC and I (and crew) had a terrible time figuring out the transit system and the attendants weren't the least bit helpful. Tried to do the walking trail that is recommended but it was difficult to figure out where I was, things were labeled very clearly plus that very expensive road/tunnel project was going on. The historic buildings are buried under ugly skyscrapers, the history of the town was nearly squashed by the modern. I did enjoy the old ship... can't remember the name. I do plan to go back sometime because so many people like it and I want to give it a second chance, it was just so disappointing. So don't expect a historic area - you won't find it!

I can't wait to get back to Maine (and even Boston). Enjoy!

Sara, please do come back in three or four years -- that horrible big construction project (the "Big Dig") is one of the largeest engineering projects ever, anywhere (or something like that) but when it's done the city will be renewed and gorgeous. (We're burying a huge system of overpasses.) The construction site does get entangled with the Freedom Trail. Give us a chance to clean things up, then come and see!

I really fail to see how you could travel in London and then be confused by Boston's subway system -- it's color-coded like London's but only a fraction of the size. And finally I think our treatment and preservation of historic buildings has been done much better than NY. Please don't expect any of us to live in a museum!

De Anna,
I think that the White Mountains of NH would fit the bill - GREAT hiking, waterfalls, excellent restaurants and B&Bs. and you should miss the height of tourist season!

De Anna - just like to mention if Boston is not where you end up staying that there are other airports in New England that are easier to get in an out of: TF Green in Providence RI, Manchester NH and Portland Maine and another one in Conn. If Boston is not your prime target you might find traveling from one of these more convienent.

Based on your interests I would recommend Acadia and Bar Harbor in Maine or the White Mountains of NH.

I'm going to plug the White Mountains over Acadia because you only have 5 days. It takes 5-6 hours to drive from Boston to Acadia and I would want more time there because it's spectacular. However, the White Mountains are wonderful and you'll find excellent hiking and biking. Consider Lincoln/Woodstock, Bethlehem, Conway (better food, but busier)

I will be back but I am waiting until the Big Dig is finished, it just made things too confusing. I hope it is the miracle that it is supposed to be when finished.

I certainly didn't expect a "museum" like Williamsburg but I did expect an historic district. I was very surprised to see a cute little old church next to a 70 story skyscraper. It just came as a surprise and a disappointment. Now I know it I won't expect an area with just old buildings.

Sara, I think you must have overlooked the Beacon Hill district, which has no skyscrapers and very strict historic preservation policies, ritht down to what color folks can paint their shutters!

I'll put in a plug for Rhode Island. It's very convenient to fly into TF Green Airport. Not at all like trying to get into and out of Logan in Boston. I really believe Logan Airport is the WORST airport in the whole country. TRULY. Avoid it at all cost.

From Green Airport, you can rent a car (try priceline.com) and head to Newport. There you can enjoy hiking on the CliffWalk that runs past the famous mansions of Newport. There are many good restaurants and B + Bs in the area. You'll be there during the off season, so I'd imagine you'd get some great deals.

Mid-September is New England's most beautiful time of year, but you will be competing with early leaf-peepers for lodging. If you fly into Manchester, NH you could loop from Warner's Indian Museum, Lincoln's Lost River, Kancamangus "Highway" over to North Conway for shopping, and then continue to Portland, Maine and Maine's coast. Be sure to visit Ogunquit to walk the Cliff Walk out to Perkins Cove and have a lobster at the Oar Weed or Barnacle Billy's. I think you'll have a great trip!

Everyone should experience Cape Cod In September at least once in their lifetime!

The weather is beautiful and the crowds have thinned out. It has everything you're looking for, especially if you like peaceful and quiet.

Camden Rockport Maine would be another favorite at this time of year, as well as Boothbay Harbor

Thank you everyone for your kind replies. I'm going to check into the White Mounts of NH.