NYC to Boston Itinerary
 

Next June/July California family - Parents plus 18 y/o son and 15 y/o daughter. Here's our tentative plan for a 14 night trip. Any suggestions on places to stay or other ideas? Want a combination of history, scenery, activities teens would like. Want to stay in places with character (not motels or chain hotels) - typically less than $250 or $300/night. Parents have never been to CT or RI.

6/21 - Overnight flight LAX to JFK

6/22 - 4 nights NYC at Hotel Beacon, upper West side - 1 bedroom w/ kitchette. Do the usual NYC tourist stuff.

6/26 - Train from Penn Stn. to New Haven, CT
Pick up rental car near Amtrak depot. One night in Essex, CT or Old Saybrook, CT (other ideas?)

6/27 - 2 nights in Mystic, CT (or Mystic Seaport?) Second day do day trip to Newport, RI)

6/29 1 night Providence, RI (but where?)

6/30 Drive to Cape Cod (Chatham area) to meet our friends from Boston for 3 night stay on the cape. (Still searching places to stay).

7/3 - Drive to Newton, MA (western suburb or Boston), with a stop at Plimouth Plantation enroute.

7/3 & 7/4 Stay with our friends in Newton (drop rental car here). Go to see the Boston Pops/Fireworks at the River Charles on the 4th of July.

7/5 Hotel one night in Boston (but where?)

7/6 Fly home to LAX from Boston Logan.

I would not spend 2 nights in Mystic. In fact, I'd stop in Mystic for a few hours and then go on to Newport for those 2 nights.

I agree: Less time in Mystic, more in Newport. Stay in a B&B in downtown Newport, plenty of things to do and the kids can explore. Otherwise, the schedule looks great.

Are you sure you want to hassle the train out to New Haven? Renting a car in NYC and heading OUT of the city is no big deal and might even be less costly than the Amtrak-plus-rental plan. (Especially since 6/26 is a Sunday -- minimal traffic heading out of the city.) On Friday, June 30, head for the Cape as early as you reasonably can becuase traffic will be amazing latar in the day.

Plimoth Plantation is excellent, don't let anything squeeze it out of your plans. If possible, buy the combo ticket and see the Mayflower, too. My kids were absolutely awestruck by the scale (tiny!) and accommodations (primitive!).

You might consider staying in Boston the night of the 4th, if anyplace is still available, preferably in the Back Bay/downtown area so you can walk there after the concert. It ends around 10:30 and traffic (and public transit) is so mobbed, getting back to Newton will be a project. If you stay downtown, you'll get the most out of the next day. Try the Newbury Guest House or the John Jeffries.

Is either of the kids at a stage where they'll be checking out colleges?

Sorry, I just realized that June 26 is a Monday. But I still think you should consider driving directly out of NYC.

Good comments above and generally reasonable plan - I especially like the idea of 2 nights in Boston on 4th and 5th.

Regarding Boston Pops on 7/4 - but your friends in Newton probably know this. People swarm to limited space immediately in front of Hatch Shell when area opens - usually around 6 AM, some having spent the night in line. Then they park blankets, etc. to save a space and someone must stay to hold space until concert begins over 12 hours later. I did this many times in my younger days (even camping out there one night - but they don't let you do this anymore). It was fun when I was 20, but would not hold the same charm for me 30 years later! The teenagers might like it. If you stay right in Boston you could go back and forth to hotel - but be prepared for very high price and low availability of hotels over the entire first week in July.

I agree with the others, day trip to Mystic, stay in Newport. Newport is incredible, both you and your kids will find plenty that interests you. There's beaches, mansions, boats, shops, restaurants, Tennis Hall of Fame, etc. It's one of my favorite spots anywhere.

You've xome good advice in staying in Newport. In face, I would forget about the Old Saybrook, Essex night, and maybe do one night in Mystic. It is fun but can be done in a day. Newport is so vibrant, and there is so much to do, I think you might enjoy the two nights there. If you have time, Google The Rose Island Lighthouse, in Newport, and sign up for a trip out there (it is right under the Newport Bridge, and though one can stay O.N.in the keeper's cottage, which is as it was when last it was occupied in the 1920's, you will have too many in your group, since it has just two bedrooms).nThere are wonderfgul places to stayin Newport, and I would suggest an Inn in the historic district, or one of the hotels/motels downtown.
As for the Cape. Chathamis a good choice
with enough activities that time of year to please both grandparents and teens. I would suggest several places. The Moses Nickerson House, The Captains Inn, The Wayside Inn, are all delightful, and in the center of town, near to most activities. Sounds like a fun trip.

Whoops- forgot to say that we've stayed In Providence at the Inn on Benefit St. If you google Providence, you will find a good list of places. Try to be there the night of Waterfire- which all will enjoy. There is a nes boutique Hotel on Westminster St. nesar the Trinity Rep which has gotten good reviews, but whose name escapes me. Wonderful restaurants, and a trolley one can hop off and on, so you are able to get to Federal Hill, as well as close to the East Side, both areas fun to walk around, with great restaurants in Federal Hill.

I agree w/ suggestions of staying 2 nights Newport, great for teens and adults. Mystic is a side stop, a half a day and lunch maybe - then head to Newport. Look more at Newport on line, Adirondack sailing tour of harbor, mansions, Cliff Walk from Eastons beach all along water and back side of mansions, Breton Point and out to Castle Hill, (your parents would love brunch or lunch out there), Tennis Hall of Fame on Bellevue ave is a great take, even if you aren't tennis buffs; and walk Bellevue Ave, all the wharfs (Bannister, Bowens) downtown cute shops and restaurants. Also while I am not worried about you getting out of our July 4 fireworks late w/ two teens, and maybe your friends have plan to T it back to Newton, they are old enough to be up late and love the crowds, but are your parents? It is a zoo, a fun zoo, but a zoo. And for good spot, yes you need to get there early and spend a good part of the day. I think maybe you would rather be in Boston that night depending on the personalities and who may or may not love the crowds, etc and saving a place, but your friends from Newton know you better and can help with this. I'd rather see you be in Boston, where you can walk the Public Garden, Boston Common, Freedom Trail, Boylston/Newbury/Faneuil Hall/waterfront/north end/ etc and not out in suburban Newton doing traveling to get into Boston. Too much to see in town.

Best hotel in Providence is the Westin, in terms of location and amenities. For cheaper, take the Marriott Courtyard right next door.

When I read the OP, it sounded to me like a group of four: Two adults and their two teenage kids. But a recent poster inferred that the OP ws bringing THEIR parents ("your parents would love brunch or lunch out there") and an earlier post referred to a B&B that "you will have too many in your group, since it has just two bedrooms", which left me wondering whether a teen brother and sister couldn't share a room.

So, Leslie: Are you a party of 4, or 6?

I thought when she said parents in the post she was referring to one of the adults parents - anonymous maybe you are right and she was referring to herself, but then at end she says parents have never been to CT or RI, and I guess I thought she would have said spouse and I.....so that is why I thought it was parents, ie: like grandparents......so I thought the older part of group would like castle hill brunch and the teens would like the view too. and i was trying to picture grandparents dealing with the july 4 hoopla. ......but it is probably just the four of them now that I look at it.

I hope it's only 4 'cause 6 in a 1 bedroom at the Beacon will be a bit cosy. ;)

I would skip the Essex nite and skip the nite in Providence and choose 4 nights in Newport. From there you can do a day trip to Mystic ( 45 minute drive) and from Newport, you could visit Providence by ferry or by car(45 minute drive). At that time of year, I would only choose to go to Providence if you were going to Waterfire, unless there is something special that you wanted to see in the city.
In Newport, you would probably be best to choose a place to stay near the center of most activity which is Thames Street. This way you or your kids could have freedom to walk around or shop without the hassle of the car. Some higher end choices would be the Marriott right on America's Cup Avenue or the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina.

Try skipping Providence and opt for the ferry out to Block Island. Haven't made it their yet but all I know that went enjoyed it at least for a day trip as it is expensive otherwise.

Wow. These are great responses. Thanks to all! Sorry my original post was written in 3rd person. It's just me, my husband and our two teens. (My parents are in their 80's and will babysit our dog while we're gone.) My husband is originally a New Yorker and he and I have been to NYC, Boston and Cape Cod, but don't know CT or Rhode Island. I just want to acheive the objective of showing NYC, BOS, and Cape Cod to the kids plus visit our friends AND see some of New England I have never experienced which is why I focused on the two in-between states. Have also NOT seen any other parts of MA or NH, VT or Maine, but that will have to wait for another trip.

Sounds like there's more in Newport than I realized, so we'll definitely shift that plan to spend two nights there. I only thought to train out to either New Haven or Mystic to save time (over driving) and I heard the view from the train was nice. Train fare for all 4 of us is only $122. Plus I was a little nervous about departing Manhattan in a car (I guess it couldn't be worse than driving out of Rome which we have done!) Plus the idea of taking a train out of Penn Station sounded so exciting to me - we're from So. California and live on the freeways, yuch!

I'm up for the hassle of July 4th in Boston but must admit I didn't want to have to camp out all day just to get a view of the fireworks. (I've had a life long goal of being in Boston for the 4th since we see it on TV every year). I like the idea of just staying in the city that night and letting our friends T it back to Newton. I think we can slide the whole plan up one day and fly home on the afternoon of July 5th. We want to spend at least one night in Newton just to be sociable since we've never seen their house.

I know almost nothing about Providence. But it seems a long drive from Newport, RI to Chatham, MA so I was looking for a nice stop over. Also, I threw out the idea of Essex or Old Saybrook because I was trying to see where were worth visiting that are quaint places, other than Mystic and Newport.

(My 18 y/o will start out at a local community college in Fall '06 - he won't be going to Harvard but would like to see it.)

All the suggestions sound really good, but I would add that if you like quaint and funky and 'being where the action is', not to miss a couple of things. If you are early risers and like to pack in a full day, you can travel from NYC to Mystic (don't miss a pizza at Mystic Pizza, the site for the movie with Julia Roberts - it really does exist!) and then spend a night in Providence if it a night of 'Waterfire'. You can check the schedule online. You can go on to Newport that night or the next morning and spend a day or two there.
Don't worry about the crowds on July 4. It is a mob scene but it's part of the charm. Without fireworks you can see the same concert on July 3, or view the fireworks from another location on the 4th. Unless you arrive very early in the day, it is almost impossible to get on the Esplanade on the 4th. Also, I live in Newton, and the trip to Boston is not impossible. We have ventured by car to Boston on the 4th and I'm sure your friends will know their way around as well. When in Chatham, I would suggest staying close to downtown and try to take in a game of the Cape Cod baseball league. There is also a charming theater there (reserve ahead) or on the right night of the week a band concert on the town green. Also catch the early morning arrival of the fishing boat catch at the pier or a hike to Monomoy Island for bird watching. In Boston, with everything to see, I think it is worth the trip to Charlestown (10 minutes) to see Old Ironsides and climb Bunker Hill Monument. There are all sorts of July 4 activities (reenachment of Paul Revere's ride etc.) so make use of the internet. Enjoy.

"I only thought to train out to either New Haven or Mystic to save time (over driving) "

Well, there's my chuckle for the day!

Sorry, Leslie; let me summarize, since you're not familiar wtih train travel: Not only is your flexibility constrained by the train schedule but the train is subject to at least as many potential delays and problems as highway travel (especially the many Boston-bound Amtrak trains that originate south of NYC and just stop there), plus the train travels at about the same speed as the cars on the highway. Take the train for the experience if you want, but don't do it to save time.

Boston 7/4 concert and fireworks - you do not need to camp out all day to get place to see fireworks, but you do need to camp out all day if you want to hear music and see fireworks together (which is the whole idea). there are big speakers farther back on Esplanade (the narrow park along Charles River where concert is held) but trees and sitance prevent actually seeing concert - and trees can obscure some of fireworks as well. For spaces there you do not need to be there all day - and there are other places where you can get view of fireworks but not hear music as well.

You might want to check into hotels soon to get best location, rate, etc. Be careful where you stay in Boston - get a map, ask here - since Boston hotels are so expensive, lots of hotels call themselves Boston/something - and they are not actually near anything in Boston or are in suburbs (like Newton where your friends are) that are close in mileage but long in commuting time. If this is a long-time dream, I would spend the extra money to stay right near everything.

I second what Anonymous said about train: don't do it for scenery/ there are delays/ and whatever scenery you would see (only a few spots with water or memorable views and they're gone in a second) you will see views like that in your car travels and have more flexibility. I often take amtrak accela to nyc depending on reason for nyc visit, and b/c I don't want any stops along the way, and that is fine, but not a breathtaking but If you just want to "be on a train" that is another decision. I drive in and out of NYC all the time, and I have driven your freeways when visiting family in LA and if you can drive those the ride out of NYC in an auto will be a breeze.
Wherever you are staying, perhaps you can drive out via the FDR, along the water, to the Deegan, you'll pass the stadium etc and get on your way to CT/Mystic/Prov/Newport. You have time to look into driving route, train, etc and decide. But it isn't in my opinion a train ride that will leave you with great memories of views/etc. esp from Penn to NH.