Vacation Ideas Driving from Providence
 

We are looking for some vacation ideas within driving distance from Providence. We live in Providence and are looking to save a little $$ this year. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What are your interests? Anyplace along the Maine coast would be great. I have been thinking of staying in northern VT and making a day trip to Montreal from there. You could also drive to Portland ME and take the ferry to Nova Scotia. If you rented a lakeside cottage in NH you could also explore the mountains from there. Visit Yankee Magazine's website for some ideas www.newengland.com.

We were thinking of NH/Maine, but we've done that several times, haven't been to Montreal in ages. Any idea about the driving time?<BR><BR>We enjoy sightseeing although by staying closer to home a little rest and relaxation seems to be in order this year.

Friends in the Concord NH area have said it's 5 hours to Montreal. I think it's 1 1/2-2 hours from Concord NH to Providence. Doable in a very long drive but why rush? Consider an overnight in either Montpelier or Burlington, both have some great restaurants. On the return trip, take it slow down the length of VT, stopping as the mood hits. One of the most peaceful evenings we enjoy is a picnic supper at an outdoor concert. There are some small, local concerts in New England. The concerts may be mid-week and are free. My husband's idea of fun is taking the ferry across Lake Champlain to going to Ausable Chasm. Also look for farmers markets. If you want to find quiet spots, get the atlas/gazeteer for the state you want to visit. All the old roads, waterfalls and streams are listed. Some are very close to the road but you have to know where to look. Bring a book, bag chair, picnic and forget the rest of the world.

How about Stowe, Vermont. Lovely area.