We are a Dutch familie with 2 daughters of 14 and 17 years old who are going to make a trip to the USA next summer. I would like to have soms advice what to see or do. There is so much that its difficult to make a choice.
We will first visit New York for three days. AFter then we rent a car and go to Washington en Lancaster, from there to the Niagra falls. After that I need soms help. We want to go from the falls to Maine (Bar Harbor, Arcadia NP ??) and then go down through New England back to New York. We would like to see some nice parks, go biking, hiking, the girls want to go surfing. And at the end have a vew days rest somewhere on the beach.
Can anybody give us advice whats the best trip to make, which parks, nice hotels (not to expensive) nice beach and other things to do.
Thanks a lot and forgive me my englisch.

Bye Elma

Any tips for New York are ofcourse also welcome. First time in NY and only three days.

Hi Elma,

How many days will you be in the US? Some of the distances in your plan are very far. For instance, from Washington DC to Niagara Falls is 400 miles (650 kilometers) and from Niagara Falls to Bar Harbor is 750 miles (1200 km).

...and to add to Anonymous's comment, it's neither direct nor always interstate between those places. In hours, each trip is quite long, esp. the one from Niagara Falls to Bar Harbor. To do what you want to do, I can't imagine spending less than 3 weeks and perhaps more. How long are you planning to be here?

Also: Is there a reason you're starting with NYC other than it's where you are planning to fly into? I ask for two reasons: 1. because you'll be dealing with the most intense and overwhelming place while you're still getting used to time difference, and 2. it sets you up for rather a long loop around to see all you want to.

Another question is how high on your list seeing the Falls comes. It's really not on the way to or from anywhere (unless you were flying into Toronto instead of NYC) - as impressive as it is.

Happy to give you more advice specifically about New England, but first want to tweak your thoughts about distances and priorities.

There are, for example, some lovely places on the coast of Maine that aren't as distant from Boston as Mt. Desert Island (Bar Harbor). From about Portland north, the coast gets craggier and rockier, with lighthouses and lovely towns.

And you might find that instead of scrambling through Vt. and NH (on sometimes winding or hilly roads) to get to Maine, you'd rather stop somewhere within those states for what's there. Of course, it's quicker to stay on the Interstate from Albany to Boston, making a stop in the Berkshires along the way.

THanks for the reactions. After NY we still have 3 weeks. And we start in NY because we have a ticket to NY. Already booked so we can't change that. Otherwise I defenitly would fly back from Boston. But thats to late.
I was already thinking about the N-falls. Its far out of the way and three weeks isn't that much als it looks like. But for us, and the girls, amazing to see i think. My first plan was traveling to de falls and then through Canada. But Canada we do (hopefully) some other year. Know it wil be America. When you look on the ducth forums most people go to the West and there is not much information about North East.

If your girls want to surf, the Rhode Island shore has some nice beaches where that is often possible. You could drive down I 95 from Boston on your way back to NY. In Connecticut, just over the Rhode Island line is Mystic Seaport, a museum which focuses on the whaling industry in the 1800s. It has ships and buildings for most of the trades of the time. There is also a nice aquarium there and also plenty of lodging and places to eat in town. This would be about 2 to 3 hours from New York depending on traffic. There are ferries from New London and Bridgeport on the Conn. coast to Long Island if you want a different view back to the airport, although it will not save any time.

On your way to Maine, a few days in NH's White Mountains would be nice. There are dozens of hiking trails of varying lengths. Consider taking a tram ride to the top of a mountain such as Cannon Mountain or drive up Mt Washington. Last summer in VT we enjoyed wading in a river where locals had a favorite swimming spot. Wish we had known ahead to bring water shoes because the bottom was very rocky. We ate our lunch on ledges overlooking a deep spot and a small waterfall. Older kids were jumping off the ledges into the water. It was near Bristol VT on the road called the Lincoln Gap.
The beaches north of Portland ME tend to be very rocky. You will find more sandy beaches in southern Maine. York is a very popular family area with two large stretches of beach. There are many rental places from cottages to hotels either across from the beach or within walking distance.
Although surfing is possible in ME and NH, it is not very popular. Maybe someone knows an area where boards can be rented. Another idea would be to spend a day at a water park such as Water Country on Rt 1 near Portsmouth NH.

As others have said, you are covering a lot of ground for 3 weeks. Niagara Falls is a LONG way from New England, as is Washington to Lancaster! There is sooo much to do in New England, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. New Hampshire's White Mountains are the best area for hiking. There are hundreds of well marked trails of all levels. Buy a copy of Delorme's map of White Mountain hiking trails - it is easy to find this map in New Hampshire. Good towns to stay in would be Jackson, Littleton or Bethlehem. Vermont is very, very scenic and relaxing - great for bicycling. Good towns to stay in include Woodstock, Stowe, Chester, Waitsfield. As for Maine, the entire seacoast is very pleasant - the stretch from York to Kennebunkport has the nicest sand beaches. After that the beaches are mostly rocky. Bar Harbor is very beautiful, but is a long ride from southern Maine. Realize that the water temperature in Maine is very cool, even in summer. For truly wonderful beaches, Cape Cod Massachusetts is hard to beat. There are ocean beaches for surfing, quiet bay beaches, and warm water beaches along the southern side. Some of the nicer towns include Chatham, Wellfleet and Dennis.
I feel that New York, Washington, and New England is plenty for 3 weeks.

The OP has three weeks after NYC. I think it can be done, if you don't mind a some long drives. Driving times below do not include stops for meals, rests, etc. Driving times less than 2 hours aren't listed.

Week 1: Washington DC (3 nights), Lancaster and area (2 nights), drive 5 hours to the Finger Lake region (2 nights).

Week 2: Drive 2 hours to Niagara Falls (2 nights). Then drive 5 hours from Niagara to Saratoga Springs (1 night, explore the area for a day), then 3 hours to Burlington VT (3 nights to explore the area).

Week 3: You have 8 nights remaining. Drive 3 hours from Burlington to Portsmouth, ME. (very scenic drive). Begin your Coastal Maine, Coastal NH, Coastal Massachusetts tour, finishing up near or on Cape Anne (6 nights total.

There are beaches in New Hampshire with surfing rentals. For example try Cinnamon Rainbows in Hampton. Be aware that the water is cold cold cold this far north -- daughters will likely want to wear wet-suits.

Driving back, spend one night in Connecticut (half-way back from Maine to New York, maybe 4-5 hours drive both sides), and one night near the airport.