We plan to visit the US for the first time in May 2014. We will be coming from W.Australia via Dubai. We plan to spend 6/7 days in Boston, pick up a car in Boston and tour for about 20 days in the New England area. We will check our car in in Washington, spend 3/4 days there then train to NY where we will spend a week or so. We are flexible in our plans and would value advice on our general strategy and suggestions for our 20 or so days with the car. We enjoy the countryside and have no problem driving distances.

Your overall plan looks good and so do the amount of time you are planning in Boston, DC and NYC. But I get only 15 days left for the countryside, not 20 - 7Boston + 3DC + 7 NYC = 17, you said a total of 32. Those five extra days could make a difference.

I would go north from Boston along the coast of Maine - York, Ogunquit, Kennepunkport, Portland, Boothbay Harbor area, Camden and continue up to Acadia National Park - allow 5-6 days. Then cut over to NH the white mountains and then into Vermont and go south through the center of Vermont. I would give at least 2-3 days to each of those states. Then down through Massachusetts - either Rt 7 in the western most part through the Berkshires, or slightly further east through the Connecticut River Valley (known as the Pioneer Valley - if you choose this route let me know, I live here and can give you more suggestions). Then I'd cut over into NY state and go through the Hudson River Valley.

The above is about 12 days. But now you need to get down to Washington -you could go along the Jersey shore or cut west through Pennsylvania. If you just want the fastest way you can get from the NY area to the DC area in a day (but go around NY, not through it).

So if you choose the fast way to DC then you have three more days to play with - either just add them to the northern NE states - or - at the beginning of the trip right after you pick up the car in Boston loop down through RI (Newport) and/or Cape Cod. You can even do a day trip to Martha's Vineyard.

When you have a more detailed trip planned out I can give suggestions as to what to do in specific areas. May is a perfect time to visit New England (and NY!)

Are there specific things/places besides Boston in New England you want to see other than simply scenery?

IMO 6/7 days IN Boston may be a little more than enough and yes I am sure a bunch of people will say it isn't enough time BUT I think it might be helpful to know what you want to see and do there.

It's kinda like if I said to you, I want to spend 6/7 days in Sydney and that's all I said.

Please help us help you further.

May is generally a pleasant month in New England with a few caveats: This time of year can still be on the cool side on the seacoast, definitely not beach weather. The seacoast will be quite uncrowded however. In the mountains, mid May is the start of black fly season. These little critters can make a walk thru the woods torture. However, windy days will keep them at bay. That being said, with 20 days you can see and do a lot in this beautiful part of the world. Cape Cod and the islands deserve at least a few days. There are beaches of every description, and most of the east side of the Cape is national seashore so it's undeveloped. From there you can head up the coast. New Hampshire's coast is short but sweet, and you could spend months exploring Maine's rugged twisting coastline with it's lighthouses, fishing villages and beachy resort towns. The southern end of Maine is more 'beachy' with lots of motels, mini-golf, etc. As you drive into the mountains of New Hampshire, realize that going east-west can be very slow due to the winding mountain roads. A town like Jackson might make a good base for a few nights in the White Mountains. The Whites are quite spectacular, and a mecca for hikers. As you head west, the land becomes more bucolic as you approach Vermont. Hanover NH is a scenic little college town with several good places to eat, museums, theater, etc. 90% of Vermont is rural, with lots of farms, mountians and small villages. Woodstock Vt is the picture perfect somewhat touristy Vermont town in the heart of the state. This area is a good base to explore all of Vermont. Of course Connecticut and Rhode Island also have a lot to offer even thought they are more urbanized. With 20 days, you might even consider heading up into Quebec for a few nights. You truly feel like you are in a different country with it's strong French influence.
yankeemagazine.com is a good resource for trip planning in New England.

It would help if you clarify what you want to do and see. In May it's usually too cold for the beach (end of the month is beginning of beach season around NYC and south - but this is the north Atlantic and the water is cold). Further north it will just be too cold to go into the water.

So are you looking for beach, countryside, cities, museums, major sights - or activities - hiking, biking etc.

Also who and how many are "we" - so perhaps we can advise options.

Thank you all for your terrific response. Your feed back is just the thing we need. We will put your comments together and start to plan our trip in more detail. We are not beach people although we certainly enjoy the "beach scenery". We have hundreds of miles of beaches on the west side of Australia but no mountains. Thanks again and stand by for more questions.
Rosa550

May is my favorite month because the spring shrubs and new foliage are so pretty. Apple trees in the NH area bloom around May 15. You should see a lot of crab apples in bloom. Rye NH on the seacoast has a very wealthy area where you will see stately homes, blooming shrubs etc. You'll be ahead of the summer vacation tourists so restaurants shouldn't be too crowded. We like Petey's in Rye for fried seafood and lobster rolls.

The Flume in NH's White Mountains is popular walk thru a gorge. It's a little strenuous but you can take rest breaks. Everyone will recommend the Kancamagus Hwy that runs e/w but I prefer a more southerly route from Rt 16 south of Conway NH thru Tamworth and Center Sandwich and back to I93. You can do the loop in half a day if you don't spend much time shopping in N Conway/Conway. Look at science center in Holderness/Squam Lakes. Funny, DH just mentioned the book he is reading about Sandwich NH. Farms tended to be on hillsides instead of valleys because they had a longer growing season. I still wonder why this area was settled so early in US History because it is not on a river. You may want to schedule a boat ride on the SS Mt Washington or one out of Portsmouth NH or Portland ME.

If you have any special interests, it would be the time to take a more in depth look at things. Fine handcrafts? League of NH Crafts (there are shops in several cities/towns). Quilting? I believe Mother's Day weekend is the Sheep and Wool Festival in NH. Check Yankee Magazine's website for events that are being held during your visit. They might not be publicized until early next year. Of course, my dh would vote for an antique tractor/steam engine event or classic car museum. You can get maps in different states for wine and cheese trails. I think there is also one for ice cream. Hippo Press is a free newspaper that publicizes events mostly in the southern NH area esp Nashua, Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth. Bookstores have author lectures you might like to give you a chance to sit with and discuss a favorite book with locals.

I agree with cutting back time in Boston by a day or two.

It is interesting that Aussies often have extended vacation plans...traveling from so far away. Looks like you already have a general overview of travel ideas...yes merry month of May a good time for sure. An awful lot depends on interests...seashore vs mountains, historical vs scenery, etc.
And what about drama, music, festivals?