nstevey

How much luggage do you have? I'd second the North White Plains location as it is on the way to Boston and is just a literally a 3 minute walk from the station. Most other rental locations, it's a cab and/or a fair bit of walking.

The first time I drove on the "wrong" side, I drove in Manchester during rush hour with a stick and it was hell. It is not easy to adjust and I am pretty coordinated, so I understand the OP's reluctance to drive in the city. Our roads are not as narrow or contorted as most other places, but the onus of the wrong side plays much with your head.

KayF

Thanks for all the info. I think we will stay in Middletown as we'd like to save money where we can, and usually stay in budget or moderate type accommodations. It looks like a short drive to Newport anyway.

Do you think we would need to book weeks or months ahead to get a room in Middletown or Provincetown in mid Sept? It would be nice to wing it but I hate driving around for hours trying to find something we can afford. If there will be lots of motel chains with vacancies we will probably not prebook.

Also a question about the North White Plains location for hire car collection. What company are you talking about? Hertz or Avis?

Thanks, Kay
- almost forgot to answer your question about luggage. We will probably have one large rolling suitcase and one small rolling suitcase. We are fit and enjoy walking.

lincasanova

It would be worth your while to study up on bidding for hotels for this extended vacation. You can see winning bids at www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com.

You then bid through their links to priceline.com, a hotel auction site.

I paid $60 at the Hyatt in Boston.. and $119 in NYC at Intercontinental both are 4 star hotels. Also cheaply near New Haven ( $45).

So it is worth it to go for it if you like to keep on a budget. It certainly makes a difference.

Newport and other destinations available for bidding also.

sf7307

lincasanova, this is OT a bit, but what hotel did you get near New Haven, what star level was it, and what "area" did you bid on? My son is moving to New Haven next month, so we'll be "in the market" a fair bit over the next 3 years. Thanks for any info!

lincasanova

Actually, as I recall now looking at a map, our hotel was in Stamford.. the Hyatt. We stopped in New Haven and drove on. So this is most likely not what you are looking for. Check out those two websites though and you will see which hotels are coming up and at what price. Good luck.

sf7307

OK, thanks.

Suzette85

Hi Again -
I'm not sure if I read it right - but if you are planning to stay in Stamford or New Haven - you may want to rethink it - there is really nothing to see or do there.
As for hotel reservations - I'd say absolutely for Newport. The season goes through early October there. You can always hold a room then cancel it.
One final option is to take the ferry from Boston to P-Town.

http://www.baystatecruisecompany.com/
It is a long ride, but you will get the time on the water and avoid driving to and from P-Town.

KayF

Hi, no we were not planning on staying in Stamford or New Haven. We were originally thinking of getting the train from NYC to Stamford, then picking up a hire car there but are re-thinking that plan now.

We thought catching the ferry from P-town (Provincetown - right?) to Boston was a good idea too but we will have a hire car and I couldn't find any ferries on that route that take cars. Also couldn't find any car rental places like Hertz or Avis at P-town. So it doesn't look like that would work.

If we dropped the car somewhere on Cape Cod, in a larger city, how would we get back to P-town for the ferry ride to Boston? It might be easier just to drive all the way up to Boston.

Kay

Gwendolynn

Both Hertz and Avis have offices on East 90th St. between York and 1st. 90th runs East to York.. you make a left.... and up at 96th Street there's an entrance to the FDR (a little complicated) and then you're on your way.