Planning a "possible" trip starting from Connecticut > New Hampshire (Mt. Washington Region) > Maine (Arcadia National Park) > Massachusetts (Cape Cod) > Rhode Island (Newport) > Back to Connecticut.

Looking for some suggestions for "must see" places and restaurants (Mexican, Thai, vegetarian/vegan, bars, etc) to break up the drive from Mt. Washington Region to Arcadia National Park. May not drive the full 5 hours in one day.

Budget: $0 - $2,000 total trip (prefer to spend as little as possible, but willing to hear all options)

Companions: Undecided at the moment (could be a friend or partner)

Thanks.

Do a search on each New England state for recommended routes and things to see. I'm afraid between Mt Washington and Acadia, you aren't going to find very many great places to eat although I liked the truck stop in Bangor (Dysart's). You might find some restaurant recommendations on chowhound.com.

But for someone who doesn't want to drive more than 5 hours a day, you might be trying to cover too much territory. We usually spend a week in one region of Maine but it's also nice to split between two places like the time we did northern VT and central. Half a week in each and spending the day at a great place when we changed (Shelburne Museum).

Just a tip in case you are doing online searches.. It is Acadia National park (no R)

I forgot to mention that this will be a week long trip. I will be meeting a group of friends in Cape Cod which will consume most of my week though (3-4 days). Staying in one region is more of a traditional vacation in my opinion. Who knows... just getting a taste of some of the areas I haven't seen before may result in me planning another trip to that particular region of a state.

I don't mind driving 5 hours or more. I'm just keeping an open mind for the other person that I may invite. They may not like to be in a car for lengthy periods. Thanks for replying though.

Not sure why I added an "r" to Acadia. Someone mentioned that on another forum I copied and pasted this post into as well.

OK, you aren't familiar with Maine's geography. You can stay in one place but still do a lot of driving and sightseeing. Last summer we stayed in Bath (like their 4th of July parade and Heritage Festival, interesting food truck near motel). From Bath it's an easy drive to Brunswick, a college town, then east to the Harpswells area. Great lobster dinner at a picnic table overlooking the water at Cundy's Harbor. Picked up a map of conservation areas open to the public. We had already discovered a private beach on an earlier trip so we did a hike thru the woods to the ocean in one spot. Walked the Giant Steps in another area. Took a rest/snack break at another little beach with a view of a working waterfront.

It's also an easy drive to Rockland where you can catch a ferry, visit a farmers market, visit a winery for a tasting and did the short, easy hike to Owls Head Light. Explored downtown Rockland. We both like used bookstores.

Heading north visited another couple of wineries and discovered Morse's Deli in the middle of nowhere. I had read that they make terrific sauerkraut. Tried lots of food samples. Bought some interesting food items including some different bacons.

I think we also visited Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on that trip. It's one of the places where you can get out a bag chair, a book and binoculars for a break from driving. Beautiful view and you can also climb around on the rocks.

With only 3 days to tour New England, a trip up thru NH and then over to Acadia is a little too much driving and switching hotels every night. Guessing you might be based in CT, you could do a great trip up I91 to VT. Go on a Sat and check out the Brattleboro Farmers Market. There's some interesting ethnic food vendors where you can buy lunch. Then head east, possibly stopping to look around Keene. Nice downtown and college town. Head to Concord NH. Before you get to Concord, stop at Gould Hill Orchard if it's apple season. They have a huge variety of heirloom apples and a nice view of distant mountains. See their website for list of apple varieties. Check out the Concord Food Coop and Celery Stick Cafe on South Main Street. There's also a vegan restaurant, Cafe Indigo, which I have not visited but had some of their famous carrot cake, not like any carrot cake you've ever had. Siam Orchid Thai restaurant on N Main St. Two Mexican restaurants.

Then head north to Mt Washington but you can stop for a kayak trip on the Merrimack River or go mountain biking in Northfield. If you get a free copy of the Hippo Press, they have a great listing of what's going on in the Manchester/Concord - Nashua - Portsmouth areas.

Thanks for the recommendations dfrostnh. Yes I am based in CT.

I've been to VT many times since I have relatives in the state. I'm also fairly familiar with NH since my parents both went to Keene State College and I spent 2 semesters at a southern NH college. Northern NH is the area I am least familiar with.

The option to just pick a state, stay for a while and roam (like you did) is definitely an option I will consider. Just not sure I want to go that route. Thanks again for the advice and suggestions.