My husband and I will be touring New England for the first time, beginning August 26 through September 7, 2000. We will end up in New York for the final week-end of the US Open Tennis tournament-September 8 through September 10; this part of pour trip is already planned.

I need help in planning the New England trip, so all suggestions are appreciated. We enjoy a leisurely pace and love the ocean, boating, walking and want to see some history of the area.

Well, I'll take a stab at an itinerary. Since you love the ocean and boating, I would stick to the coast. And since you say leisurely pace I would stick to about 4 destinations. I'm assuming you are going to have a car, although I'm not sure where you plan to start from. I would start furthest North and work south along the coast. So I would start in Bar Harbor Maine, because Acadia National park is one of the most beautiful spots on the east coast. Maybe spend 3 or 4 days there, then head south. You might stop at Camden for a night, as it is a lovely harbor town, or you might drive all the way to Portsmouth NH (making sure to stop in Freeport for a shopping trip. You'll want to visit LL Bean). In Portsmouth you can indulge in the history, visiting the restored homes of Strawberry Bank, and perhaps taking the boat tour of the Isles of Shoals. From there head to Boston. In Boston you might visit the museums, take a harbor cruise or a whale watch, take a day trip to Provincetown. From there you might go to Cape Cod, or perhaps skip the Cape and head to Newport. You'll be very close to Labor day weekend in this part of the trip. DO NOT plan to go to Cape Cod OR Newport over Labor day. They will both be horrendously crowded. But if you go during the week, just after it would be very, very nice. From there I'd head to New York. I've skipped all kinds of interesting destinations in-land, but it depends on how much moving around you want to do.

If you're interested in history, plan on spending some time in the Boston area. Visit Lexington and Concord, walk the Freedom Trail, visit the Tea Party ship and USS Constitution to name a few. Also visit the North Shore--Salem has some great museums about the witch trials and is home to the House of SEven Gables. Essex, MA has some great seafood places, Woodmans being most famous. There is also a boat ride down the Essex River to the Atlantic. Gloucester, Manchester-By-The-Sea and Rockport are great seaside towns. Hope you have a great time!

There is alot to do in a short time. The mountains in New Hamshire are beautiful, yet the coast of Maine and Cape Cod are breath taking as well. Give your self enough time to see Boston, and Newport Rhode Island is worth the trip. Enjoy!

North to South some beautiful coastal towns include Kennybunkport, Maine, summer home of President Bush; Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Me. There is a coastal walk - a paved path along the cliffs and through the back yards of magnificent old summer homes that runs from Perkins Cove to downtown Ogunquit. Some great restaurants, shopping and a tiny drawbridge over the harbor at Perkins Cove are fun. Stay on the coastal roads, especially south of Portsmouth, N.H. Rt1A & RT 1Bthrough New Castle (a tiny historic village). Rye has a the beautiful Fuller Gardens. In Ma. first stop at Newburyport to visit their downtown; old renovated brick warehouses, now restaurants & shopping. Then see the clipper ship captains houses and their historic district - one of the best anywhere. Continuing south, Rockport is one of the prettiest harbors on the east coast and filled with art galleries. Gloucester, is a real fishing community and has a wonderful Cape Ann Historic Museum with a large collection of FitzHugh Lane(marine)paintings and many beautiful beaches; a small city with much to do; whale watching, art,etc. Essex is an antiques capital and has many seafood restaurants. Salem is one big historic city and has the finest maritime museum in America;ship models for the men and china trade antiques and silver for the ladies. Marblehead has a large historic district and a harbor FULL of sailboats as well as galleries and restaurants.You'll find the coast north of Boston bold and rock bound. South of Boston-flat, sandy, pine trees and grey shingled houses. Some areas of the Cape are really honky tonk (route 28). Have a great time.

My many thanks to Beth, Betsy, Denise and Ginny for their suggestions and assistance with planning.

I am moving along in planning and have so far reserved lodging at the 3 Chimneys Inn in Durham and the Omni Parker House in Boston. I would love to hear form others who have stayed at these facilities about your experiences!

My husband & I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in October, and since the church we were married in was named "Providence," I thought it might be a nice spot to spend a long (4-5 day) weekend. I really want to enjoy the fall foliage and love history; he likes nice restaurants & bars. We don't have to spend the entire time in RI. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Hi,
I live in NH..I have eaten at the 3 Chimney's inn, but have not stayed there. It is a very nice place, however. Good choice!
I would recommend visiting the coast as well...Southern NH and Southern ME are great...3 cheers for Perkins Cove, Ogunquit!
You are coming up at a nice time of year. Enjoy!

Melissa:

If you're planning to end up in New York, then you also want want to include Vermont (state next door) in your travels.

I visited Burlington, VT which is by Lake Champlain last year during June. I found it lovely there --- and technically Lake Champlain is now a 'Great Lake', although I'd describe it more as a "very good" lake. We also spent a fascinating day visiting the "Shelburne Museum"; Shelburne is a town adjacent to Burlington. I heartily recommend a visit here. (www.shelburne.museum.org)

As for New Hampshire, I'd like to suggest a lovely quiet inn that we stayed at in Henniker. It is inland --- it's set in a small New England town & may be a nice place for a night's stay on your travels.
The "Colby Hill Inn" is 17 miles west of Concord, NH. Website: www.colbyhillinn.com and their phone no. = (603)428-3281 and fax = (603) 428-9218.
The inn was built in the early 1800's (I think) --- and in addition to charming guest rooms offers a WONDERFUL dining experience.

I haven't stayed at the Omni Parker House, but I've eaten there, and I used to work across the street from there. (My husband, who works for a publisher, has put up authors there, and they really like it.)

It's a wonderful location for touring Boston, and you'll be in the thick of things. It will be a great time of year to walk the Freedom Trail--which begins just steps from your hotel. I just walked it again this past fall with a visitor and re-remembered why I moved to this area. It's great.

Also consider a culinary tour of the North End of Boston. My book club just did that last spring, and it really gives you a flavor of Boston's "Little Italy." http://www.cucinare.com/

Ride the swan boats in the Public Garden, and walk around Newbury Street and the Back Bay. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum. Maybe you can even get tickets for a Red Sox game at Fenway if you're lucky. When your trip gets nearer, post more questions. There are lots of easy day trips from the city: north shore, south shore, Lexington & Concord. . . .