Hi ...

I planning a trip to New England/Canada in August of this year for 3 weeks.

For each major city (Boston,Toronto,Montreal,Quebec) I am only allowing 2 nights, 1 day. Is this enough, or should I give 2 days to each city ??

I am also planning on staying in the Cape Cod area for 5/6 nights ... so we can catch a bit of sun & do some whale watching. Is there anywhere else near Cape Cod, we should be staying ... needs good beaches ....

I'm trying to do this on the cheap, so any cheap accommodations would be apperciated.

Do people think that I should concentrate on New England with a side trip to Niagara .. or should I make the effort & go to Canada ??

Wow ... I'm not asking for much !!!

Thanks everyone ...

Mark

Two nights and one day is not enough for any of those fine cities. One could easily spend a week in any of them. Suggest that you split your 3 weeks between two cities and the Cape.

Niagara is not a "side trip" from New England. I think you might be underestimating some of the travel times and distances involved here.

Take Toronto and Niagra out, and it is doable in 3 weeks. Spend a week in Canada (Montreal/Quebec), a week driving along the New England Coast, and a week on the Cape.
When driving to/from Canada/New Eng, you have two choices. One: Rt. 91 thru Vermont and over to Rt 93 to go through the White Mts. Then Kancamangus east and cut thru Maine to coast. OR more nooks and cannies and exploring by heading to Rt. 95 in Maine towards Bangor, then Bar Harbor, and Rts 1 and 1A.
Only Boston will be short-changed for time, but you can take in the highlights in a couple days with proper planning. I'll suggest a walking tour of the historic district (Freedom Trail) and Duck Tour of downtown.

Hi ..

Thanks for the info ... most likely will not go to Montreal/Quebec ... just concentrate on New England ... side trip to Niagara & Toronto ... cann't really give myself more time than a 1/2 days in each place ... coming from the UK, so have only limited time/money ... so the question, what should I see in New England ...

Thanks

Mark

I would suggest you visit the Northampton/Amherst area of western MA. in your travels between Boston and Niagra. Lots going on, lots to see!

I live in the Boston area, and recently drove to Niagra. It was an eight hour drive! And not too thrilling once there, imho. I would've liked to have seen Toronto, but was not willing to continue on after that haul. I've driven to Quebec, and don't remember it being such a drag. But then again - didn't have 3 boys in the car on that excursion!

Some suggestions from a local, depending on your final route:
Vermont: Woodstock & Quechee, including the Simon Pearce glass blowing and artisan factory.
New Hampshire: (north) Lincoln area, including Lost River (caves, easy hiking, and gorge); (central) Warner for Indian Museum; (coast) Portsmouth for Stawberry Bank colonial village
Maine: Camden/Rockport for beautiful scenery; Ogunquit for shopping and Marginal Way Cliff Walk; Lobsters/ Clambake at Fosters Downeast in York.
Massachusetts: Salem for the Witch Museum and House of 7 Gables; Plymouth for the first North American settlement and replica of the Mayflower.

If airfare isn't taken care of yet, firming that up will help determine where you can go. Go with the cheapest whether it be Boston, Newark, New York Toronto, Montreal. I don't which is best from the UK, but keep in mind that sometimes it could be cheaper or the same price to book through to a smaller airport (say Hartford, Albany, Portland or Manchester). These airports would be easier starting/ending points than the large gateway cities.

Can you wait until September? You will save about 40% on accommodations by waiting until September, especially on Cape Cod

Mark,
I think you are short changing yourself if you choose Toronto/ Niagara over Montreal/Quebec City. For one thing, the distance between Mtl. and Vermont/Boston is shorter than Vermont and Toronto plus Ottawa (the capital of Canada) is only 2 hours drive from Montreal so you could add that wonderful city to your itinerary, and of course remember your money will go farther in Canada plus you will get some gst/vat back. I AM biased as you might suspect.

Sorry, "wow," despite what Bostonians would like you to believe, Plymouth was not the first North American settlement -- that honor belongs to St. Augustine, FL, founded in 1565. The first permanent settlement in Virginia, in 1607, also predates the pilgrims.

The Salem witch museum is just a tourist trap -- I still can't fathom how Salem has become a must-see for tourists coming to Boston.

Hi ...

Thanks for the info ... as to going later ... well we have a wedding to go to ... 7th Sept 2002 ... also I'm getting free flights with BA, so have to go when they say ...

I know it is a long drive from Boston, but I could take my time. You cann't come all the way from UK to Boston without seeing Niagara ... can you ???

If I came out at the beginning of September, what will the weather be like in Cape Cod ...

Thanks

Mark

Mark, plenty of people come on long visits to Boston"without seeing Niagara". Plenty of people live in Boston all their lives without feeling any need to see it. If you have some particular fascination with Niagara, fine, but please understand that it's not usually considered a "must."

Mark realize that it's quite a long drive to the Toronto and Niagara areas from New England. Montreal, however is a short one hour from the Vermont border. Montreal is perhaps the most 'fun' city in North America, with lot of great restaurants, clubs, etc. You may also want to spend a few days at a Vermont b&b farm - very relaxing and beautiful.I also agree that you will want more than one night in Boston, Montreal, and Quebec City.

To xxx:
You are absolutely correct! I did learn that about St. Aug a few years ago in my daughter's history book! And yes, Virginia colony sure did predate the Pilgrims. Sorry about that New Eng bias.
As for Salem - skip the Witch House (boring) and the "hauted houses," but the Nathanial Hawthorne house is wonderful, as is the outstanding Peabody Essex Museum. And I just like the presentation at the Witch Museum. I especially think his boys would enjoy it, which is why I suggested it along with Warner's Native American Museum. Don't through the baby out with the bath water!
Mark: Niagra is not a "must see" to most New Englanders. It's sort of something we do if we're traveling through that area to something else! The falls are nice enough, but there's not a whole lot else there unless you like the Wax Museum of pop culture and Planet Hollywood for lunch. We like Quebec since it's more "European," maybe not a big draw for you!

Ooops. This Mark is travelling without kids. My mistake! Take OUT that Witch Museum! (Or not.)

True, there are a few worthwhile attractions/museums in Salem. But so are there in surrounding areas like Lexington, Quincy, etc. I'm just surprised at the proportion of US and overseas visitors who add Salem as their lone side trip from Boston.

That's a interesting question...how many people, who live in the Northeast, have been to Niagara (either side)? I haven't. I wouldn't consider it a must do, should I? I, also, found Salem not worth my time. Do love Boston, tho. My suggestion: Boston-Vermont-Montreal-Ottawa(only need a day)-Quecec City-Cape, in whatever order. Nice trip.

Yes, AM, that IS an interesting question. I live in the Boston area, as do all of my extended family, and I'm the only one who has been to Niagara -- on my way home from someplace else, 30 years ago. I can't recall any friends or neighbors ever mentioning visiting it. The only references seem to be joking, as a cheap honeymoon destination of yore.

I know I'm nitpicking here but I can't believe that everyone who has posted here has referred to Niagara Falls as Niagara. There is no such place as "Niagara" on either the Canadian side or the American side, it's Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.