New England short break

Old Sep 8th, 2010, 12:29 AM
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New England short break

Hi everyone!!!
We are an european couple thinking to pass a short break in New England. We only have 3 nigths and 4 days to stay travelling on last week October.
I am really lost with the distance and so many places to visit. We prefer to see some coast and of course the some pics falls season. We love the small town,not turistic, town that you expect when visit another country that you really fell leaving with them.
Our first option
Day 1oston(airport)-Salem-Gloucester-Rockport- Kennebunkport ( Too many?)
Day 2:Kennebunkport-Wolfeboro-North Coway
Day 3:North Coway- Woodstock- sleep in same way to boston(any help?)

I would like to hear some suggestions if I have to change my plan o nice routes to take in our way, thank you.
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Old Sep 8th, 2010, 02:16 AM
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The last weekend in October is well past foliage season. The trees will be bare. I hear that Salem MA is very busy and touristy because of Halloween (Oct 31). It might not be a good time to visit then unless you want to enjoy the festivities like haunted houses.
Kennebunkport might be a good choice for that time of year.
North Conway is a very attractive tourist town. We were just there last weekend. The downtown area is packed with people. Late October might be ok but the trees will definitely be bare but it will probably not be ski season yet.
Wolfeboro is a charming town on Lake Winnipesaukee. Perhaps you mean Woodstock NH and not the more famous Woodstock VT.

The basic problem is time of year. We can get some very dismal, rainy weather during the last week of October. It won't be as crowded except for Salem because of that but you have chosen very touristy towns.

Foliage is done, you might find harvest or Halloween festivals but basically that time of year is between fall and winter. You might see some color if you chose a southern route heading to Rhode Island (lots of coast) and into CT. For a 3 night visit I would opt to stay in Providence or Newport but drive around the small towns like Tiverton.
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Old Sep 8th, 2010, 06:37 AM
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As dfrostnh mentioned, late October can have some unpleasant weather in northern New England. Evening temperatures will often be below freezing, there may even some light snow in the mountains. Also, many rural hotels and attractions will be closed by then. This is a very quiet time of year in these small towns. On the positive side, there will be no crowds (except for Salem!).
As for your itinerary:
Realize that driving can take longer than expected due to mountainous roads.
Salem to Gloucester & Rockport is do-able. Kennebunkport arrival would probably in the evening.
Kennebunkport to Wolfeboro is a longer drive than it looks, but can be done. You might want to skip North Conway since it's another long drive, or choose it instead of Wolfeboro.
Are you referring to Woodstock New Hampshire? If so, yes, this is do-able, heading to Boston for the evening.
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Old Sep 8th, 2010, 06:37 AM
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What time do you arrive in Boston, and what time must you be at Boston airport for your departure? Also what days of the week?

Kennebunkport is quite touristy, though much less busy is late October. Cape Porpoise a few minutes north might be the small town that you are looking for. But you won't get a feel of "living" in a small New England town with just a one-night stay.
The best idea would probably be to settle down for three nights in a place like Wolfeboro, and make day trips from there. The distances are really not that great if you enjoy leisurely drives. You can easily make a trip to the southern coast of Maine from there, driving quiet roads through small towns on the way and taking more-traveled highway on the return. On another day you could visit the White Mountains.
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Old Sep 8th, 2010, 07:05 AM
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You have received very good advice already. I just want to echo the advice to stay away from Salem on this trip, unless you want to be stuck in traffic! The town will be overrun by Halloween enthusiasts.

If you want to see foliage, you really need to head South as others have mentioned. Moreover, some meteorologists are predicting an EARLY foliage season this year due to our hot, dry summer, which tends to make the trees turn color earlier.
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Old Sep 9th, 2010, 01:33 AM
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Thank you by your advices.
So reconsidering the option to change, which one do you think is the best? We are from north Spain but living in Sweden and we think small town fell better country your visiting. Here It is very comon turistic areas plenty people and you have been in a fun park.

South Maine visiting the coast like Kennebunkport-Cape Porpoise and turning to Lake Winnipesaukee.
South Boston to Rodhe Island, Newport, Tiverton.

Thank you again
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Old Sep 12th, 2010, 04:12 AM
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Have you considered Plymouth MA? It is a very cute town, with lots to do, on the water, and has history. It is an hour south of Boston.
You could stay there a night, or two, you could do day trip to Cape Cod and visit Harwich or Brewster, or Falmouth, very cute towns, or, stay over, they are about 45 minutes south of plymouth. I would end your trip for the day, or night staying at Fanuel Hall in Boston on the waterfront at the Marriot Long Wharf, go to the North end, to walk around, they have nice parks restaurants, grassy areas inside the city. It is really nice, and you would be closer to the airport, taking pressure off of getting to the airport, as the traffic can be tricky any day or night in Boston.
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Old Sep 12th, 2010, 04:32 AM
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Another great Cape Cod town near Brewster /Harwich is Chatham.
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Old Sep 12th, 2010, 07:53 AM
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I think Boston and Newport would be a good idea. You might possibly still see some foliage in Rhode Island that time of year.

Newport has beautiful scenery and gorgeous mansions you can tour. I'd recommend a tour of the Breakers and a nice walk on the Cliff Walk, which goes around the ocean.
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Old Sep 12th, 2010, 12:34 PM
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Plymouth and Newport are fun, however they are not small towns but busy small cities. If you want beautiful rural small towns, stay with Kennebunkport and Wolfeboro. For beautiful towns near Boston, Lexington and Concord are very nice. There are some very nice small towns on Cape Cod, like Chatham and Wellfleet, but again they will be very quiet in late October.
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Old Sep 12th, 2010, 02:31 PM
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I have to disagree about Plymouth, it is a town, and I never find it busy. I live just 15 minutes away, and go there a few times a year to visit and actually have spent a night on occasion as a great get away. It is lovely, with history and character and warmth.

http://www.visit-plymouth.com/

http://www.plymouth-ma.gov/Public_Documents/index

http://www.bytheseabedandbreakfast.com/

http://seabreezeinnbandb.com/
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Old Sep 13th, 2010, 06:09 AM
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Your posting does show plans for covering a bit of mileage but does give a taste of New England. But how far north do you want to venture? And on winding roads? Though Wolfboro as with many towns is lovely though definitely touristy it is a goodly distance. Of course Plymouth is interesting with its early settlers village. And on out to Cape Cod mightg be nice. Salem is indeed questionable due to Halloween witches hype...you'd think it was a national holiday in U.S! But why not take in some of historic Boston? So much to see, including lovely nearby villages like Concord where the Rebels confronted the Redcoats leading to War of Independence.

Added note: have enjoyed visiting places such as Stockholm, Uppsala, Salamanca, Segovia, etc.

Bill in Boston
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Old Sep 13th, 2010, 07:15 AM
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You don't have to go quite so far from Boston to get small towns. As Ozarksbill suggests, you might enjoy visiting Lexington/Concord, not just for the history but for the look of the towns. Also the Grist Mill, Mary-Martha Chapel, and Wayside Inn in Sudbury http://www.wayside.org/ .

Some people are a bit let down by Plymouth - but Rockport (a bit touristy but nice enough) and Gloucester (a working community, with very interesting "finds" around town, e.g., old book stores) are worth the trip, as is Marblehead. Yes, avoid Salem - but you'll need good maps and directions to avoid it and still do the North Shore.
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Old Sep 13th, 2010, 11:36 AM
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Rockport will be quiet in late October, but it's a very cute little seaside town. Some of the shops may be closed by then, but I prefer it when it's less busy. Halibut State Park has some beautiful scenery if your weather is decent.

Gloucester is a working fishing town, so nothing much gets closed in the off season. (There may be a few seasonal restaurants.) It's a really nice town to drive around in if you have a car and a good map--many of the prettiest spots are away from the downtown area.

I'd also say to skip Salem that week. Rockport and Gloucester should be plenty for one day, but if you like antique shops, Essex is also nearby.
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Old Sep 13th, 2010, 12:14 PM
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You might try just south of Boston. Not as far as the Cape and very pretty. There are the coastal towns of Cohasset and Scituate. Both have beautiful harbors and lots of history. Also, the town of Duxbury is lovely. No need to drive all the way to the Cape for the coast and color.
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Old Sep 13th, 2010, 11:50 PM
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The more I read the more doubts.

So I will arrive late to the airport ,so sleep in Plymouth o near places (Cohasset-Scituate-Duxbury) will be a good option to attack the next day Cape Cod.

First day driving around the nice tows you recommended Harwich-Brewster-Falmouth-Chatham-Newport-Triverton and back to sleep to Plymouth. Maybe, so many I will choose.

Second day: Gloucester-Rockport-York Harbor-Kennebunkport or Cape Porpoise. Sleep one of them.

Third day: I dont know to approach Lake Winnipesaukee , will be a good value to see something different from the coast? and back by Concord-Manchester to visit some little towns (Lexington/Concord). Sleep close to airport and someone suggest Long wharf in Boston.

I want to thank you everyone to make a planning travel. So when you think visit Sweden or Spain not doubt to ask.

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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 02:32 AM
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Just want to make sure you understand Concord/Manchester are in NH about an hour north of Boston. Concord/Lexington are in MA closer to Boston. Long Wharf is in a nice location in Boston. I haven't stayed there recently but as I recall it is within walking distance of the Quincy Market shopping area.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 09:20 AM
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what is your flying time and date itinerary? coming in and leaving? it will make a difference with traffic and travel a weekday or weekend? are you getting a car at the airport?

The Marriot Longwharf is next to Fanuel Hall, in the heart of Boston. Below is an info link.

http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/plac...p?nid=3&sid=17
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 05:35 AM
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If you are going to visit the Cape, the most scenic drive is route 6a, which passes thru Barnstable and Dennis. Try to avoid route 28, which is very commercialized. There are lots of small beaches you can drive to from route 6a. Also try and see one of the National seashore beaches, which are quite spectacular - Nauset Light, Marconi, etc. Stop at the very scenic and interesting Salt Marsh visitor's center in Eastham. Visiting Newport and Tiverton is too much driving, I would definitely skip these.
If you are visiting the Gloucester area from Plymouth, you are going to have to drive thru Boston. The new highway under the city makes it easy if it is not rush hour. Do not try and drive thru Boston between 7:00 and 9:30 am, or 4:30-6:30 pm!
Spending a day in New Hampshire's lakes and mountains will be a very nice change from the seacoast. The best way is to take route 4 from Portsmouth, and follow the Spaulding Turnpike, which will bring you up into some very pretty country. Then take Route 93 back into Boston. The Longwharf is a very nice hotel in a great location. However it is not right near the airport. If you have an early flight, you might want to stay closer to the airport.
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Old Sep 18th, 2010, 06:47 AM
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My flight will leave at 2:00 p.m so if I could sleep close to the airport and see something of Boston. Some suggestions? Long Wharf is quite expensive.

funclc:I get the car on the airport on Saturday evening and stay until Wednesday
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