side trip from Boston??
 

My husband and I will be in Boston and then Andover for a weekend for his upcoming reunion. We'd like to then take a few days and head to someplace but I don't know much about the obvious choices- Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Nantucket, etc. We'll leave Andover on Sunday miday and head out and will need to be back in Boston Tuesday night so we'd like to make the most of our time- any suggestions?? Where would you go and why? Thanks!!

Cape Cod is a short drive away but I was not impressed. I stayed at Chatham Bars Inn. I liked MV and Nantucket much better.

http://www.wauwinet.com/

I liked The Wauwinet on Nantucket a lot. The restaurants were great on the island. But I would probably drive north if I were in your situation to Kennebunkport and stay at White Barn Inn. The ferry ride to Nantucket is an hour or so and boring to me.

http://www.whitebarninn.com/

The food is outstanding at WBI and Kennebunkport is a nice town. Go to Ogunquit for dinner at Arrows and tour the neat town.

http://www.arrowsrestaurant.com/

Have a nice trip.

when is the reunion? That would make a difference, for me, as to what I would suggest - April or May vs. summer ? Some "summer destinations" would be less appealing to me in early May when many things are still closed -

thnaks for those ideas Ike. Escargot the reunion in the beginning of June.

Here's a place if you just want to relax, do some nice hikes and easy mountainview/lakeview drives. About a 90 min drive.
www.bayside-inn.com

Newport RI would be a good choice. There's plenty to do if the weather isn't nice. Mansions, Tennis Hall of Fame, Thames St.

Probably about 2.5 hours from Andover and a little less than 2 hours from Boston.

You can't go wrong with MV or Nantucket but you may feel a little rushed with your timetable.

Personally, I wouldn't do MV or Nantucket in that time frame, it wouldn't be long enough for me - if you can't leave Andover until Sunday mid-day, you wouldn't get settled on either island until dinner time, which basically gives you Monday b/c Tuesday you are heading back to Boston - and it involves driving, parking, ferry-ing, and then public transport on either island unless you are going to rent a car there or ferry yours over if you can get a rezzie and that too is costly.

I like all the suggestions, but I am partial to Newport, RI as Wyatt suggested if you have not spent time there- my favorite lodgings are either t Castle Hill or the Francis Malbone House- it is an easy destination driving, fabulous restaurants, places to hear music/ do a winery tour/ take a sail around the harbor on the Adirondack II/ visit a mansion or two/ walk the Cliff Walk if weather permits -
drive the 10 mile drive - look at it on
oceandrivenewport.com
do some research to your interests and don't overlook the Newport Art Museum, the Touro Synagogue, - if you aren't familiar with Newport check out
newportmansions.org
gonewport.com

dont know which june weekend, but I think the first weekend is the great Chowder Cook Off at the Newport Yachting Center which his always fun -
look on their event page for events/concerts

Of course, I could also argue for Portland, Maine, or Kennebunkport, or the Berkshires, or a zillion tiny villages in NH, Maine or VT - ....... but I think it depends on what you want -
museums, quaint new england village with little stores and scenery?, nightlife, beaches, etc......?

Newport, RI would probably hit the spot... and definitely tour at least one of the mansions there.

Andover to Wood Hole ferry is at least 2 hours, so it would be a minimum of 4 hours travel time to get to the islands. Travel to Newport RI is also a minimum of 2 hours.

Maybe Maines southern coast which is an hour away would be a nice choice. You could explore York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and have much more time to take it all in.

I love both Islands and outer cape and visit Newport to walk the cliff walk a couple of times of year.

I'd stick with the suggestion of Newport or consider Southern Maine. You'll get more bang for your time.

If you are already in Andover (north of Boston) and only have about two days, I'd head north. I assume you would only want to drive 2-3 hours? You could go to Woodstock, VT for covered-bridge charm, Bretton Woods or Jackson, NH for the White Mountains and tax-free outlet shopping in North Conway, or Kennebunkport, ME for rocky coves. For me, I'd choose the latter as I like seacoasts best, and June is a great month to visit. If you like fine dining, make a reservation for the White Barn Inn, but there are lots of places to choose from.
If you don't go North, Newport, RI is a great option.
Enjoy!

I think it's a bit ambitious to try to hit one of the islands for just a day or so...

I'd either head down to Newport, RI or up to Portsmouth, NH or southern Maine. You can get to York Beach and Ogunquit in about an hour or so.

I second Dreamer2's suggestions for Vermont as well.

Consider Portsmouth and the Wentworth by the Sea (a Marriott)as a base for exploring NH and Southern Maine. Portsmouth is beautiful and close to York, Ogunquit, etc. Only about 45 minutes from Andover.

Given your short amount of time I would also vote for Portsmouth. Great restaurants, nearby sand beaches. We haven't stayed at the Wentworth but it is gorgeous and I love the area. You could do a morning harbor or inland rivers cruise, have lunch in Portsmouth and then spend the afternoon in the Kennebunk ME area. Portsmouth has a wonderful downtown area or you can enjoy historic Strawbery Banke. I wouldn't waste time driving anyplace further.

I'm a west coast tourist but twice enjoyed going up to Cape Ann and touring the small towns up there.
http://www.seenewengland.com/cape_ann.html

I want to try some of what the locals spelled out now. :)

all of your responses are very appreciated, thank you!!! based on your recs I think we are heading to Newport RI! can't wait to check out those mansions!!!

If anyone absolutely has favorite places to stay and/or eat feel free to post about them here! (escargot I'm already checking into yours!)

An excellent decision. Stop by Castle Hill for a cocktail, cup of tea, lunch or dinner. It is a spectacular location, sitting on adirondack chairs watching the comings and goings of the harbor.

Oh and you must visit the 40 steps. My grandmother worked for a doctor in her youth. All the irish imigrants would meet at the steps to catch up on the news of the immigrants. It is a beautiful walk, and with proper weather and footwear, a must from start to finish. Most only do a short bit of it.

For a day trip, I bring friends to Rockpport, Newburyport, Salem, Ogonquit.
Arrows is very expensive, romantic, and sophisticated. With children, I'd bring them to Arrows'less expensive place MC-atPerkinsCove. The windows overlook the pounding Atlantic.

We are staying at Castle Inn!!

Does anyone have any recs on 1/2 day yacht or sail cruise?

You'll have a great time in Newport, esp. at Castle Inn!

Here's some info on day sails.

http://www.sail-newport.com/daysail.asp