Road trip to New England
Jan 1st, 2002, 08:37 AM
#1
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Road trip to New England
My husband and I will be taking a road trip to New England this summer, and would appreciate some suggestions. I have been doing some research, and so many places sound great to me! We can spend 2-3 weeks for this trip, and would like to keep a reasonable budget (average $100 per night for hotel).
The places that we would definitely like to see are Boston, Newport, and the coast of Maine (esp. Acadia Nat'l Park). Does anyone have any ideas for a possible itinerary? We will be coming from Philadelphia.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Lissa
The places that we would definitely like to see are Boston, Newport, and the coast of Maine (esp. Acadia Nat'l Park). Does anyone have any ideas for a possible itinerary? We will be coming from Philadelphia.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Lissa
Jan 1st, 2002, 09:22 AM
#2
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I forgot to add that we are thinking of adding Nova Scotia (ferry from Bar Harbor) to our itinerary.
Possibly taking the ferry one way, and then driving around NS back to Maine - maybe in one week. Any advice from someone who has done this trip would be helpful. Thanks!
Possibly taking the ferry one way, and then driving around NS back to Maine - maybe in one week. Any advice from someone who has done this trip would be helpful. Thanks!
Jan 1st, 2002, 09:33 AM
#3
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On my website (which has nothing to do with travel, really) I put up some info yesterday on Lincolnville, Maine, including my advice that you time your travels so that you go through this town when you are hungry. Just look for the Lobster Pound Restaurant on the main street, at the north end of the beach.
And don't bother going inside. Just eat on the picnic tables out back.
If you are serious photographers, get up early at Acadia National Park, in order to photograph the sunrise.
BAK
And don't bother going inside. Just eat on the picnic tables out back.
If you are serious photographers, get up early at Acadia National Park, in order to photograph the sunrise.
BAK
Jan 1st, 2002, 09:56 AM
#4
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I've been to Maine a number of times, and always enjoy it. I especially like Acadia, because my favorite vacation day involves some (not TOO stenuous) hiking and a good dinner, esp. lobster!
I have been to Nova Scotia, too, and recommend leaving it for another trip. Cape Breton is the best part of NS, and it's alot fruther than we realized. You'll enjoy either, but not if you spend all your time in the car.
I have been to Nova Scotia, too, and recommend leaving it for another trip. Cape Breton is the best part of NS, and it's alot fruther than we realized. You'll enjoy either, but not if you spend all your time in the car.
Jan 1st, 2002, 11:21 AM
#5
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Go on a whale-watching trip from Plymouth, MA; check out the place where the shot "The Perfect Storm" & hop a ride on an old clipper ship in Gloucester, MA; go for dinner in Marblehead, MA; see the witching museums & cemeteries in Salem, MA; spend a scenic day driving in the White Mountains, NH; go see the Quechee Gorge in Woodstock, VT
Jan 1st, 2002, 02:31 PM
#7
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Sounds like a great trip!
I'd start in Newport, then to Boston, with at least 2 full days in each, and finally heading north with several stops along the way!
In Newport, check the Best Western Atlantic Beach Hotel. Outside of Boston, you may want to check for reasonable hotels in the Danvers/Peabody area, which would also offer convenient access to the Northshore (Cape Ann), and for heading north to NH/Maine. Look into the Peabody Marriot and/or the Quality Inn Kings Grant in Danvers for good deals. For a stop in southern Maine, I highly recommend Ogunquit, with its beautiful cliffwalk and charming Perkins Cove. The Sparhawk is alovely property in a great location, but I'm not sure about the price. For something more reasonable, consider places on Rt. 1, such as the Sea View and Towne Lyne.
Have fun!
I'd start in Newport, then to Boston, with at least 2 full days in each, and finally heading north with several stops along the way!
In Newport, check the Best Western Atlantic Beach Hotel. Outside of Boston, you may want to check for reasonable hotels in the Danvers/Peabody area, which would also offer convenient access to the Northshore (Cape Ann), and for heading north to NH/Maine. Look into the Peabody Marriot and/or the Quality Inn Kings Grant in Danvers for good deals. For a stop in southern Maine, I highly recommend Ogunquit, with its beautiful cliffwalk and charming Perkins Cove. The Sparhawk is alovely property in a great location, but I'm not sure about the price. For something more reasonable, consider places on Rt. 1, such as the Sea View and Towne Lyne.
Have fun!
Jan 1st, 2002, 02:52 PM
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Time of year makes a big difference. IF you can go labor day into sept, you can drive destination to destination without reservation and take your pick at of season (up to 50% off) prices. No crowds and everything is still open and the best weather of the year. My wife and I did this driving all the way up into Main on old scenic route #1, stay off the interstate and on the shore if you want scenery and that lobster shanty for fresh cooked lobster lunch or diner.
Jan 1st, 2002, 02:57 PM
#9
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Time of year makes a big difference. IF you can go labor day into sept, you can drive destination to destination without reservation and take your pick at of season (up to 50% off) prices. No crowds and everything is still open and the best weather of the year. My wife and I did this driving all the way up into Maine on old scenic route #1, stay off the interstate and on the shore if you want scenery and that lobster shanty for fresh cooked lobster lunch or diner.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 04:04 AM
#10
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If you choose early August you can buy fresh blueberries along Rt 1. The best boat trip we ever took was a tour of lighthouses with the Maritime Museum in Bath ME. Check their website for the different trips they offer. Excellent narration plus the opportunity to have a picnic lunch on a little island (bring your own picnic). You will have to drive down to the coast to find some of the best lobster places such as the road to Pemaquid Point outside of Damariscotta. Bring along those bag chairs and binoculars and spend time just sitting in some spots with good views. Watch windjammers coming along the coast from Mt Battie overlooking Camden harbor. Instead of restaurant lunches, get some picnic fixings and that will help your budget. Check out the events calendar in any area you plan to visit so you can take in some activities. There are summer theaters in several places, small country fairs, and in late June you would be able to go on garden tours in places like Newcastle NH. Yankee Magazine publishes travel guide magazines for New England. Or check out their website: www.newengland.com.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 05:31 AM
#11
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Sounds like a great trip. The Bar Harbor to Bar Harbor part will take a week. Make sure to see the Bay of Fundy Tides. Drive up to the Cabot Trail and over to Prince Edward Island.
For the rest: Phila to Boston is 6 hrs. So you can easily make Newport the first day. (Or stop in Mystic Seaport, Conn--this would be great if you have kids). 2-3 days in Newport to see the mansions, walk the Cliff Walk, poke around the harbor.
At least 4-5 days in Boston--much on these boards about what to do there.
Salem would make a nice stop.
On the coast of Maine, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Portland. Slightly inland Camden ME is nice.
Unfortunately there are no good routes from the coast of Maine to Vermont to make a "loop" coming down Route 100 thru central Vermont (very scenic).
Good luck.
For the rest: Phila to Boston is 6 hrs. So you can easily make Newport the first day. (Or stop in Mystic Seaport, Conn--this would be great if you have kids). 2-3 days in Newport to see the mansions, walk the Cliff Walk, poke around the harbor.
At least 4-5 days in Boston--much on these boards about what to do there.
Salem would make a nice stop.
On the coast of Maine, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Portland. Slightly inland Camden ME is nice.
Unfortunately there are no good routes from the coast of Maine to Vermont to make a "loop" coming down Route 100 thru central Vermont (very scenic).
Good luck.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 09:55 AM
#13
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Wow! Thank you all for the wonderful responses! I have some more research to do! As I read all of the responses, I was thinking that there are so many things to see in NE, maybe we'll skip Canada (save it for another time). I am always too ambitious when planning trips because I want to see EVERYTHING!
Keep the suggestions coming...
Keep the suggestions coming...
Jan 2nd, 2002, 11:39 AM
#14
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We just did that trip this past summer
(2 weeks total):
Stratton/Manchester/Bromley/Queechee Gorge/White River Junction, Vermont;
White Mountains/Franconia Notch, New Hampshire;
Bar Harbor/Acadia NP, Maine;
Salem/Lexington/Concord, Massachusetts;
New York City/Cruise to Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, Canada.
(2 weeks total):
Stratton/Manchester/Bromley/Queechee Gorge/White River Junction, Vermont;
White Mountains/Franconia Notch, New Hampshire;
Bar Harbor/Acadia NP, Maine;
Salem/Lexington/Concord, Massachusetts;
New York City/Cruise to Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, Canada.
Jan 20th, 2002, 08:03 AM
#15
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Thanks for the replies. We are still trying to decide what to do. So far we were thinking of driving to Newport (arriving early) and spending one night there. Then to Boston (made reservations at Omni Parker - more than I wanted to spend!). Then up to Maine - I have a cousin in Kittery, and we can stay there for a few days and explore surrounding areas. The rest I am not sure of...I would like to see Camden and Acadia National Park. Is there a good way to get from there to the White Mountains in NH? Does anyone know the drive time? We might also go to Lake Winnipesaukee. From there we'd like to go to Keene, NH and then Sturbridge, Mass. (visit relatives)before returning home.
Any ideas or drive times would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Any ideas or drive times would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jan 20th, 2002, 12:30 PM
#16
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As you will be staying in Kittery, you will be right across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, NH., which has some interesting attractions. I highly recommend taking a cruise from Portsmouth out to the Isles of Shoals, an archipelago of small islands several miles off the NH/Maine coast. The Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. (see <www.islesofshoals.com>) offers several cruises, including a stopover one where you can get off for a couple of hours on Star Island and explore the island. I would definitely do that one if you can, the island is a gorgeous, magical place, and you really can't get the full experience of it if you don't go ashore.
Strawberry Banke is in Portsmouth, also, and is very interesting. It's an entire historical neighborhood that has been turned into a museum, with different houses and shops restored to reflect different eras in the neighborhood's history, from colonial days all the way up to the 1950's. Quite well done, and has some lovely gardens, too.
If you go to Cape Ann, on Boston's North Shore, a visit to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester is fun. Take the scenic drive along the shore from Gloucester to Rockport, and spend some time poking around Rockport, which is very picturesque. On the North side of Cape Ann is Halibut Point State Park, a lovely place to take a walk among old granite quarries, and it has some spectacular views from the cliffs overlooking the ocean. In the town of Essex you can take sea kayaking expeditions with a guide at ERBA (Essex River Basin Adventures), they have several tours of differing lengths, and that's a lot of fun; we've gone out with them several times. If you'd like to spend a little time at a nice beach, Crane Beach in Ipswich, north of Cape Ann, is one of the most beautiful beaches in New England, and if you like to walk you can walk the beach for several miles.
If you go to Camden, Maine (lovely place!), be sure to hike (or drive, if you'd rather) to the top of Mount Batty for an amazing view of the coast and Penobscot Bay.
Strawberry Banke is in Portsmouth, also, and is very interesting. It's an entire historical neighborhood that has been turned into a museum, with different houses and shops restored to reflect different eras in the neighborhood's history, from colonial days all the way up to the 1950's. Quite well done, and has some lovely gardens, too.
If you go to Cape Ann, on Boston's North Shore, a visit to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester is fun. Take the scenic drive along the shore from Gloucester to Rockport, and spend some time poking around Rockport, which is very picturesque. On the North side of Cape Ann is Halibut Point State Park, a lovely place to take a walk among old granite quarries, and it has some spectacular views from the cliffs overlooking the ocean. In the town of Essex you can take sea kayaking expeditions with a guide at ERBA (Essex River Basin Adventures), they have several tours of differing lengths, and that's a lot of fun; we've gone out with them several times. If you'd like to spend a little time at a nice beach, Crane Beach in Ipswich, north of Cape Ann, is one of the most beautiful beaches in New England, and if you like to walk you can walk the beach for several miles.
If you go to Camden, Maine (lovely place!), be sure to hike (or drive, if you'd rather) to the top of Mount Batty for an amazing view of the coast and Penobscot Bay.
Jan 21st, 2002, 01:53 PM
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North Shore of Boston (also known as "Cape Ann") is a must. Quaint fishing village of Gloucester, and Rockport is an art community. Bearskin Neck (at the end of Rockport)has lots of little shops and restaurants. You've got to take a whale watch!!!!! If you can take the one that has a naturalist on board, it is a great education - they are so knowledgeable and we like them better than the usual tour guide. Take a jacket and sunscreen, you will need both. If you are in Mass. around the 4th of July, the fireworks display over Gloucester Harbor is fantastic (boats all decked out in the harbor, too) and the firemen's parade in Rockport is alot of fun. Marblehead, Mass. has the Hammond Museum (castle with pipe organ); Salem has the witch museum and House of Seven Gables. Sturbridge Village (south of Boston) is an active "colonial" village. The ride from Cape Ann up along the coast to Maine is beautiful. We, too, hope to get to Bar Arbor, Arcadia Nat'l Park this summer! We haven't been there in many, many years...In Glouster, Mass. we usually stay at the Bass Rocks (Best Western) hotel, but that usually runs about $170/night in the summer. But there are many bed n' breakfasts, even some in Rockport. If you contact chamber of commerce, they will send you a booklet. New Hampshire is a beautiful state; Lake Winnepesauke (not sure of spelling) is sweet. I like the Conway area - very pretty. The Bershire Mtns (western Mass.) are very nice too. Lots of antique shops. FYI: ski resorts are usually very inexpensive in the summer time! We stayed at one in Vermont many summers ago and had the whole place to ourselves and it was very reasonably priced too. Good luck and have fun.
