We are visiting our son in Boston for a week in August. We want to get away for about two days during the trip to see something else in New England. Would it be best to drive to Maine or to Cape Cod (Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard?)? We would stay overnight for one or two nights. We have never been to Maine and have had one short trip to Cape Cod many years ago.
Help? Thanks!

I think for such a short time Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket don't make sense, since you have to figure in ferry time, etc. Oguinquit, Maine is very close to Boston, and has a beautiful coastline and lots of good food. Parts of the Cape are close, too, but I think depending on day and time, traffic getting back and forth can be worse than traffic headed to Maine.

You might find it nice to go up to the Cape Ann area, north of Boston, visit Rockport, Gloucester, Salem, Marblehead, etc.

Thank you. I would love to visit Maine. Do you have a recommendation of where to stay for one night?

Ogunquit
http://www.ogunquit.org/

From Boston, take the passenger ferry to Provincetown on Cape Cod. You won't need a car there, the beaches are marvelous and some of the best restaurants on Cape Cod are in this quirky, diverse town. I love Provincetown for a few days; it's a colorful gay enclave that's a lot of fun and welcoming to everyone.

Newport, RI?

I live on Nantucket. If you can afford to fly, it makes a nice two-long-days-and-an-overnight. I agree that it is too much for a ferry trip, though the fast ferries make it in only an hour. Most guesthouses will require a two or three night minimum stay in August.

I like emalloy's suggestion of Cape Ann. Marbehead, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Plum Island, Newburyport all have individual points of great interest and none is very far from the others.

Portsmouth, NH, is a small city of great charm as well if you like more urban areas.

Thanks for the advice. I will check them all out!

This is what I would do if I wanted to get out of Boston:
http://www.yankeefishing.com/boston-...f-day-trip.php
If you ever wanted to try deep sea fishing, this is your chance.

Thanks, Tom, but the one time my husband and I went out on a boat we both came home covered in our own and each other's vomit! (Sorry to be so graphic but NO BOATS!!!!) Thanks for the tip, though!!

Any seasickness victims out there-ask you Dr. for a prescription for TransDerm Scop (scopolimine). One patch behind your ear right after your shower and you are good for 3 days of rough seas. Developed for astronauts-another benefit of space research.

I suggest heading up to Ogunquit, Maine as Weadles has mentioned. It is about 67 miles from Boston and a lovely place to spend a couple of days. It is one of our favorite destinations and we only live about 1.5 miles from Ogunquit. There is a lovely walk along the ocean called the "Marginal Way" that will give you some great views of the ocean. You will see birds, ducks, etc. along the walk. There are benches along the way so you can sit and enjoy the views. Here is a website w/ info. The motel would be a lovely place to stay. Oguinquit is a very popular place so you might have difficulty finding something. Make reservations ASAP.

http://www.marginalwayhouse.com/Site/Home.html
http://gonewengland.about.com/od/mai...quit-maine.htm

The Cliff House is also a very lovely place to stay and right on the water. We attended a wedding there and the venue is fabulous.

http://www.anchoragebythesea.com/

Anchorage by the Sea is also another lovely place to stay. It is right on the Marginal Way and you can just walk from the motel right out to the walkway.

There are many great restaurants in the area also. You can drive up to Kennebunkport also and browse all the shops there.

We are just getting to know Kennebunkport as we bought a place there and we really starting to love it. Nice beaches, nice town with shops and restaurants, golf courses,trolley museum. There are nice looking hotels and b&bs. You can meander your way up the coast from Boston (Newburyport, Portsmouth, Ogunquit)and then spend a day or two.

I also really love the Wentworth by the Sea hotel just outside of Portsmouth. In Portsmouth there is an outdoor theater venue as well as a historic district called Strawberry Banks.

The mountains of NH are really beautiful too - the Mt Washington Hotel has spectacular views from its big wide porch filled with white wicker rockers.

You really can't go wrong no matter which direction you head in - north to Maine, south to the Cape or to Newport.

Thanks! Trying to find a place to stay in Ogunquit, but everything seems to be booked or requires a longer stay. Will keep looking.

Have you tried Meadowmere in Ogunquit?

Booked Riverside Motel. Thanks all!

I have seen that hotel when we walked Perkins Cove area. We walked over the footbridge. I think you will enjoy your stay there, it's in a great location. Have fun. Let us know how everything goes.

Is Barnacle Billy's still doing open? For lobster dinner?