reb77

My little brother is visiting me from India. He is here till dec end and wants to experience and see as much New england as he can. I usually spend my winters hiding in my house and cursing the cold . I am thinking of doing duck tours in boston, NYC, newport RI, atlantic city and i don't have a clue beyond that. please suggest some nice scenic stuff (we are not into winter sports) to do in conn, maine, NH etc.
is niagra falls is good idea in this weather?
god I hate winters!

escargot

happy to make some recommendations with a bit more info: are you driving? train/ bus/ plane? where would your trip/ trips originate from?

is this one long trip or several weekend and long weekend or week long trips....

What do the two of you like if not the outdoors:
museums, history, monuments, - would you do short hikes to see something or literally want to drive from one thing to another - and approx budget for lodging/meals ?

dfrostnh

I don't think it gets really cold until January but for someone not used to 30 degree weather, even that is going to feel cold. First, I would skip Atlantic City because it's not in New England ... if you want to gamble there are casinos in CT like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Foxwoods also has a terrific native American museum that presents an educational view of early New England. I've enjoyed duck tours but choose a warm day. Sometimes we can get a warm day even in December. For NH, a drive around Portsmouth is nice (favorite trip is Rt 1B thru Newcastle) and the city is very walkable. Check Strawbery Banke to see what events are planned. You should include a festival of trees which are popular in many locales. You can also check a list of events in the Boston Globe or on Yankee Magazine's website. Having a purpose it part of the fun. Maybe visit Sturbridge Village or Plimoth Plantation on a warm weather day. Portland ME also has a nice shopping area/restaurants in the Old Port area. You might also consider a visit to a beach, maybe drive up to Nubble Lighthouse in York ME. It can be very chilly/windy on the beach but it's interesting to see who else is out. Saw some kit flying recently and had some great seafood in Seabrook NH at one of the casual seafood places that stay open all year. It might be fun to drive an area known for Christmas lights and decorations. The newspapers usually do a story. Then aim for a great restaurant. Vermont County Store is great fun. What is your brother interested in? Maybe he would like to visit a classic car museum. We enjoyed the Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor ME. A drive thru NH's White Mountains is nice, as long as the roads aren't icy. Pick a destination. Maybe a pancake lunch at Polly's Pancake Parlor (check to see if they're open in winter) and a ride on the Cannon Mtn tram for aerial views. Meredith NH on Lake Winnipesaukee is lovely any time of the year. Hope he enjoys his visit.

BTilke

Please, please, write up a trip report! We have two siblings, one of whom hates winter, the other who's never experienced it, off to tour one of the coldest areas of the country (without participating in any winter sports). Could be the makings of a Fodorite classic.

tovarich

Bar Harbor ,Maine with the Acadia nat.Park and whale watching.Jackson NH in the centre of the White mountains.Shelburne Vermont with the famous outdoor museum.Shaker village Ma....There's so much to see. We were there in Sept./Oct so I dont know the situation in Dec.Have fun.Paul

GBelle

Just remember, if you're driving in NE winter, it can also mean snow and ice. For someone who is not used to winter, driving in the snow is very different and needs extra caution.

highflyer

Duck tours don't run year round...
I'd recommend you start with a quick shopping trip to buy some great microfleece clothing, warm socks, hats and gloves!
Do you like to walk or hike? I'd take him to Niagra, NYC, Boston and spend a few days in the Berkshires in Western Mass.

zootsi

New England in beautiful in winter, but very cold, and tricky driving. If you are going to New York, you might want to also consider Washington DC, which has so much to see, and is warmer than New England or Niagra Falls. I'd skip Newport and Atlantic City in the winter.

china_cat

we went to Niagara Falls in November once. The falls are not as dramatic, as they do actually reduce the waterflow after 11/1 or so, and none of the special rides/boats/helicopters run. It is still pretty spectacular, but really not as good as seeing it earlier in the year.

Great suggestion by DFrost to do Foxwoods/Mohegan sun instead of Atlantic city. Its closer, and the Native American musuem is pretty cool. If you want to stay overnight, make reservations early. The hotels at Foxwoods actually get booked up on weekends well in advance.

Driving the Kankamangus Highway through the White Mountain national forest is very scenic no matter what time of year. I've done it in the snow, and its particularly pretty. You might stay in North Conway/Jackson. You might be able to do a sleigh ride (or maybe a hayride if there is no snow). And you can always shop at the outlets. there will be plenty of scenery.

the Berkshires is another good suggestion, as there is some indoor stuff to do as well, like the Rockwell musuem, or the Clark. the scenery is nice, though not as dramatic as Vermont or New Hampshire.

cabovacation

Where is your home base here, for starters?

reb77

wow!! first of all thanks you everybody for all your valuable suggestions.
i am based in boston right now, moved here a couple months ago so don't know a whole lot.
i can do weekend trips etc
i am open to driving or public transport. kinda scared of driving in snow
i don't think my brother is too much into museums. he specifically mentioned rides but i know six flags is closed in winters
i have a pretty decent budget for meals/stay etc.