New England short break
Sep 21st, 2010, 05:24 PM
#21
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So, if your heart is set on seeing it all.. here you go..
I believe this is a route you will enjoy, see new england, and is doable in your time frame.
I put on google map, the scenic route (avoiding highways) is 7.5 hours, vs. highway 5 hours. It will be much more scenic, and bring you thru towns you would like to see, or be near.
Since you are getting in later Saturday, you will be tired, and in unfamiliar land, so, i recommend you go to
Marblehead, or Rockport, usaully difficult to get to, but from Logan, it is pretty easy (get a GPS and preload it with addresses) ( about 20 miles, 45 minute drive - traffic should not be too bad.)
Saturday night, stay marblehead area, you will see the MA coast, villages, boats, seafood, harbor,
Sunday, see the general area of marblehead, rockport, gloucester, newburyport , the NE Coast.
http://www.rockportusa.com/ (note, rockport use to be a dry town = no alcohol served, not sure of current status on this)
http://www.visitmarblehead.com/index.asp
Sunday early evening, either travel north up to Portsmith NH area, or, stay over in marblehead again and get up monday leave about 9AM, and go north.... for a day of mountains.
Heading to Kennebunk and kennebunkport... (2 hour drive direct) (morning trafic very bad 6AM to 9AM) stay noon to 3 ish.
Or, stop in Portsmith area, to reduce driving time and more to see.
Then head inland in the afternoon, for another 2 hour drive to Meredith NH, stay in Meredith or Wolfboro Monday Night.
Get up early Tuesday, and see the mountains, go for a hike, see a town, have breakfast on the lake.
http://www.meredithareachamber.com/
Head back to Boston by noon, (3 hours) -
Wow, has longwharf gone up in price!
Try Harborside, same location at $250, try to have the car rental people pick up the car at hotel, save a days rental fee. and then take cab to logan on Wed, leave hotel by 11:30 to head to logan, you should be at logan by noon. If you get up early Wednesday, you will have 4 - 5 hours to see the area. ... sleep on the plane.
http://www.harborsideinnboston.com/
have dinner, or at least walk around tuesday night, fanuel hall/quincy market (same thing) the north end, and the waterfront. the aquarium is there and a great deal of historic views, things to do, freedom trail, statutes, try and get a trolley tour.
It will be dark by 5:30 PM so the day is short.
If i were to alter the agenda, i would try and get rid of the car, and spend more time in boston, it is a great city with lots to see and pretty easy to get around.
Good luck have fun.
--------------------------------
Directions to Boston, MA
265 mi – about 7 hours 33 mins -- see if link below will do the route.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...5,3.273926&z=8
I believe this is a route you will enjoy, see new england, and is doable in your time frame.
I put on google map, the scenic route (avoiding highways) is 7.5 hours, vs. highway 5 hours. It will be much more scenic, and bring you thru towns you would like to see, or be near.
Since you are getting in later Saturday, you will be tired, and in unfamiliar land, so, i recommend you go to
Marblehead, or Rockport, usaully difficult to get to, but from Logan, it is pretty easy (get a GPS and preload it with addresses) ( about 20 miles, 45 minute drive - traffic should not be too bad.)
Saturday night, stay marblehead area, you will see the MA coast, villages, boats, seafood, harbor,
Sunday, see the general area of marblehead, rockport, gloucester, newburyport , the NE Coast.
http://www.rockportusa.com/ (note, rockport use to be a dry town = no alcohol served, not sure of current status on this)
http://www.visitmarblehead.com/index.asp
Sunday early evening, either travel north up to Portsmith NH area, or, stay over in marblehead again and get up monday leave about 9AM, and go north.... for a day of mountains.
Heading to Kennebunk and kennebunkport... (2 hour drive direct) (morning trafic very bad 6AM to 9AM) stay noon to 3 ish.
Or, stop in Portsmith area, to reduce driving time and more to see.
Then head inland in the afternoon, for another 2 hour drive to Meredith NH, stay in Meredith or Wolfboro Monday Night.
Get up early Tuesday, and see the mountains, go for a hike, see a town, have breakfast on the lake.
http://www.meredithareachamber.com/
Head back to Boston by noon, (3 hours) -
Wow, has longwharf gone up in price!
Try Harborside, same location at $250, try to have the car rental people pick up the car at hotel, save a days rental fee. and then take cab to logan on Wed, leave hotel by 11:30 to head to logan, you should be at logan by noon. If you get up early Wednesday, you will have 4 - 5 hours to see the area. ... sleep on the plane.
http://www.harborsideinnboston.com/
have dinner, or at least walk around tuesday night, fanuel hall/quincy market (same thing) the north end, and the waterfront. the aquarium is there and a great deal of historic views, things to do, freedom trail, statutes, try and get a trolley tour.
It will be dark by 5:30 PM so the day is short.
If i were to alter the agenda, i would try and get rid of the car, and spend more time in boston, it is a great city with lots to see and pretty easy to get around.
Good luck have fun.
--------------------------------
Directions to Boston, MA
265 mi – about 7 hours 33 mins -- see if link below will do the route.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...5,3.273926&z=8
Sep 21st, 2010, 10:29 PM
#22
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I grew up in Southeastern Massachusetts which is very close to the Rhode Island coast line. Now I live in the colonial area northwest of Boston. My husband is from Europe. So I understand what you are trying to do and I understand how you want to go and see real American life instead of commercialism.
BUT you only have 4 days. The ideas you describe will leave you tired. You need to get a quick visit that gives you a flavor of the area.
I suggest you not avoid Boston and the closest towns to it. It is a small city and walkable... and considered very European (compared to other American cities). At the time you are coming, all the students will be here (which gives the city a vibrant, youthful life) and everything will be open ...and so things you might visit begin to have scheduling. I'm thinking you might like to visit nearby Cambridge....lots of shops, Harvard yard (and a wonderful museum). There is also the Back Bay area where many people visit Newbury Street. Of course we have museums: Science Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, a new contemporary art museum, an Aquarium. And then there is a the Freedom Trail (a path through the city that has tour guides or you can do it alone). (I imagine they might have tour guides who speak Spanish or have printed guides in Spanish...lot of people speak Spanish here).
My point here is that with 4 days and the foliage gone, I would spend time in the Boston area instead of going northward. If you want to experience colonial life and the history of the revolutionary war, definitely go to Concord. If you could stay at the Colonial Inn in the center of Concord, you would be able to get the feel for a town that has preserved it's history very well. The Colonial Inn can be a bit expensive but there are many cheaper places to eat nearby. Visit Walden Pond (read Henry David Thoreau's book about it, "On Walden Pond"). You could first visit the MinuteMan Museum on Route 2A in Lexington (the town next to Concord). Visit the North Bridge area oin Concord or even paddle up the Concord River to the North Bridge (google "Concord Boathouse"). Spending one night and one - two days would give you a good feel for what we call "deep Yankee". Yankee is a term to describe a spirit that New Englanders have. It's difficult to explain but it's not something you ask anyone (such as "are you a Yankee?".... no, no, don't do that). It's not bad but you really have to know when to use it. So please understand this area is what we call Yankee territory... it will take too long to explain here. In guide books it is called "colonial" referring back. Also, driving to Concord is 40 minutes from Boston Harbor and very direct. (You don't really need to stay in Concord... but it is nice).
If you don't want to stay in Boston and want seashore, I agree with some of the other commentators. New Hampshire and Maine will be past their foliage season. The sea is colder and things become more desolate. If I must go this time of year, I would go to Arcadia National Park ... gorgeous area that President Obama recently visited... but it is a 5-6 hour drive from Boston. So next trip.
The other trip I'd recommend (our Europeean relatives love it when we bring them there) is Nantucket. Americans have a classic book that most high school or college kids read (Moby Dick) that cites this area as well as New Bedford. Both areas have a history of whaling and the story is about whaling. But you must take a boat to get to Nantucket. It's a 1.5 hour drive to Hyannis to the boat. Then, you could take a fast boat to the island (I think it is a 1 hour trip) or the slower ferry (2.5-3 hours...you can take your car... but you don't need it... most people rent bicycles) September and October are good months to be on Nantucket... the tourists are gone and the Gulf Stream is still warm. (When you are north of Boston, the water is always cold... it makes a difference).
I would go to Nantucket before going to Newport. Driving to Newport is longer and it is boring. It will take you 2 - 2.5 hours to get into Newport. And when you get there, it is nice. But I don't think you will be impressed because it is a town that has a history of rich people building what we call mansions (chateaus) as their summer residences. Yes they are very nice. But they took, many times, architects and marble from Europe to build them. That is more impressive for people here than for someone coming from Europe. You have many castles, etc that have true history. In Newport, I find the mansions boring but maybe that is just me. I'd rather go somewhere where I can see the history preserved... not someone's passing fancy as a summer cottage (Yes, you can go see Jacky Onassis' residence..... I did and couldn't stand looking at the bed they slept in.... who cares?) So that is why I mention Nantucket. You will definitely enjoy the weather and landscape.... it is so typically New England. And if there are any colorful leaves left, it will be there. I always enjoy the boat ride.
My second coastal choice would be Chatham, MA. Not a lot of history but very pretty, very typical. I think it is about a 2 hour drive. You could walk varied beaches there (Atlantic side and a gentler side on the sound... and there are salt water marshes). The Chatham Squire serves a casual meal but great seafood. Chatham Bars Inn is gorgeous but very expensive (both rooms and dining).
But if you must go to Newport and you like nature, be sure to take in Beavertail Point. It is a rocky out cropping into the Atlantic Ocean that is just very pretty... it's on the next island over in the town of Jamestown (Newport is on another island called Aquidneck Island).
Whatever you do, I would avoid traveling too much. Here are some web sites:
http://www.nps.gov/mima/
http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/
http://www.concordmass.com/
http://www.massvacation.com/rtc/nantucket.php
http://www.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/
BUT you only have 4 days. The ideas you describe will leave you tired. You need to get a quick visit that gives you a flavor of the area.
I suggest you not avoid Boston and the closest towns to it. It is a small city and walkable... and considered very European (compared to other American cities). At the time you are coming, all the students will be here (which gives the city a vibrant, youthful life) and everything will be open ...and so things you might visit begin to have scheduling. I'm thinking you might like to visit nearby Cambridge....lots of shops, Harvard yard (and a wonderful museum). There is also the Back Bay area where many people visit Newbury Street. Of course we have museums: Science Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, a new contemporary art museum, an Aquarium. And then there is a the Freedom Trail (a path through the city that has tour guides or you can do it alone). (I imagine they might have tour guides who speak Spanish or have printed guides in Spanish...lot of people speak Spanish here).
My point here is that with 4 days and the foliage gone, I would spend time in the Boston area instead of going northward. If you want to experience colonial life and the history of the revolutionary war, definitely go to Concord. If you could stay at the Colonial Inn in the center of Concord, you would be able to get the feel for a town that has preserved it's history very well. The Colonial Inn can be a bit expensive but there are many cheaper places to eat nearby. Visit Walden Pond (read Henry David Thoreau's book about it, "On Walden Pond"). You could first visit the MinuteMan Museum on Route 2A in Lexington (the town next to Concord). Visit the North Bridge area oin Concord or even paddle up the Concord River to the North Bridge (google "Concord Boathouse"). Spending one night and one - two days would give you a good feel for what we call "deep Yankee". Yankee is a term to describe a spirit that New Englanders have. It's difficult to explain but it's not something you ask anyone (such as "are you a Yankee?".... no, no, don't do that). It's not bad but you really have to know when to use it. So please understand this area is what we call Yankee territory... it will take too long to explain here. In guide books it is called "colonial" referring back. Also, driving to Concord is 40 minutes from Boston Harbor and very direct. (You don't really need to stay in Concord... but it is nice).
If you don't want to stay in Boston and want seashore, I agree with some of the other commentators. New Hampshire and Maine will be past their foliage season. The sea is colder and things become more desolate. If I must go this time of year, I would go to Arcadia National Park ... gorgeous area that President Obama recently visited... but it is a 5-6 hour drive from Boston. So next trip.
The other trip I'd recommend (our Europeean relatives love it when we bring them there) is Nantucket. Americans have a classic book that most high school or college kids read (Moby Dick) that cites this area as well as New Bedford. Both areas have a history of whaling and the story is about whaling. But you must take a boat to get to Nantucket. It's a 1.5 hour drive to Hyannis to the boat. Then, you could take a fast boat to the island (I think it is a 1 hour trip) or the slower ferry (2.5-3 hours...you can take your car... but you don't need it... most people rent bicycles) September and October are good months to be on Nantucket... the tourists are gone and the Gulf Stream is still warm. (When you are north of Boston, the water is always cold... it makes a difference).
I would go to Nantucket before going to Newport. Driving to Newport is longer and it is boring. It will take you 2 - 2.5 hours to get into Newport. And when you get there, it is nice. But I don't think you will be impressed because it is a town that has a history of rich people building what we call mansions (chateaus) as their summer residences. Yes they are very nice. But they took, many times, architects and marble from Europe to build them. That is more impressive for people here than for someone coming from Europe. You have many castles, etc that have true history. In Newport, I find the mansions boring but maybe that is just me. I'd rather go somewhere where I can see the history preserved... not someone's passing fancy as a summer cottage (Yes, you can go see Jacky Onassis' residence..... I did and couldn't stand looking at the bed they slept in.... who cares?) So that is why I mention Nantucket. You will definitely enjoy the weather and landscape.... it is so typically New England. And if there are any colorful leaves left, it will be there. I always enjoy the boat ride.
My second coastal choice would be Chatham, MA. Not a lot of history but very pretty, very typical. I think it is about a 2 hour drive. You could walk varied beaches there (Atlantic side and a gentler side on the sound... and there are salt water marshes). The Chatham Squire serves a casual meal but great seafood. Chatham Bars Inn is gorgeous but very expensive (both rooms and dining).
But if you must go to Newport and you like nature, be sure to take in Beavertail Point. It is a rocky out cropping into the Atlantic Ocean that is just very pretty... it's on the next island over in the town of Jamestown (Newport is on another island called Aquidneck Island).
Whatever you do, I would avoid traveling too much. Here are some web sites:
http://www.nps.gov/mima/
http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/
http://www.concordmass.com/
http://www.massvacation.com/rtc/nantucket.php
http://www.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/
Sep 24th, 2010, 10:19 AM
#24
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I agree with cej, if you rethink the agenda, and stay more centralized staying in Boston, you will take in a great deal and get a good feel for the area.
No need for a rental car for the time as the MBTA gets you around. You can rent a ZIP car for a day to do a road trip.
No need for a rental car for the time as the MBTA gets you around. You can rent a ZIP car for a day to do a road trip.
Sep 27th, 2010, 06:40 AM
#26
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Thank you everyone. It ´s really nice to find people could spend some time explaining/helping someone you don´t know nothing about.
I will check some places near to Boston to sleep (only the last nigth Boston) because it is expensive and in that case I will drive around easily: Cambridge,Lexington ,Concord, Cape Cod (Nantucket impressive me), Glouscester area.
Lake Winnipesaukee, I leave it on standby to think about it.
I will check some places near to Boston to sleep (only the last nigth Boston) because it is expensive and in that case I will drive around easily: Cambridge,Lexington ,Concord, Cape Cod (Nantucket impressive me), Glouscester area.
Lake Winnipesaukee, I leave it on standby to think about it.
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bernadettelynn
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