Samuel C wrote:
> We might be going to New England and would be able to rent a car (from
> NYC) for 9 days. Anyone have any suggestions for the routes, trip,
> things not to miss etc? NYC isn't included in the trip, though, if
> interesting, we could go for a day to Boston. And it'll be in fall
> foliage season...
Assuming there is good reason for you to fly into NYC rather than
Boston here is a biased itinerary from a former native New Englander:
NYC to Mystic CT - where you can tour an old authentice seafaring city.
I'm told this is a must do, though have not explored the city
thoroughly myself.
Mystic to Newport RI - visit a mansion or two - you will never have a
house tour like the Breakers.
Newport RI to Boston - it's worth more than a day in my opinion, but if
you want to stay away from the cities - that's ok - if you go to Boston
do not miss: the USS Constitution, eat in the North End, visit Fanuel
Hall and Haymarket Square, go to the New England Aquarium and the
Museum of Science. Then head out to Lexington and Concord to see where
the first shots of the Revolution were fired. If you are interested in
the industrial revolution and our mill history, Lowell has become a
National Historic Place, though we locals certainly never thought of it
that way, at least when living in the area.
>From Massachusetts head North into the White Mountains of NH, and if in
the fall be sure to drive the Kancamangus Highway for the best foliage
in the US. Go all the way to Franconia Notch, drive up to the top of
Mount Washington form some extreme weather. Make sure you pick up
fresh Macintosh apples and apple butter while you are in NH. If you
drink, pick up your "liquor" at a NH state run liquor store where it is
less expensive than elsewhere. The state has no sales tax either on
things like clothing and personal items. We love to stop and shop
there when we are in New England everysummer because we pay 7.75% on
clothes - it's worth bringing that extra suitcase for school shopping.
If you feel you must, you can drive west into Vermont - where you'll
cross the CT River - personally I'd go to Montpelier the capitol and up
to Lake Champlain if I went that way. As a NH native though, we only
went to VT to ski or go to the Lake (stop by Ben & Jerry's for a
factory tour if you go that way).
I'd skip the western trip to VT and head North and East instead to
Maine as far as Acadia National Park. Make your way up the coast of
Maine from sandy beaches and outlet shopping, to the classic mid coast
of Historic Bath and Georgetown or Boothbay, then on to Camden Hills,
Rockland, and up to Bar Harbor and Acadia. Stop for Lobster at any
fisherman's coop: especially check out Chauncy's in Kittery and Five
Islands Wharf in Georgetown.
The foliage peaks from North to South, so try to hit NH at early-mid
October if you can. Lodging is best reserved in advance for weekends,
but weekdays are pretty open. Lodging varies considerabley, so splurge
when you find a great one. I like Norumbega Inn in Camden, and B&B in
Boothbay, and the gorgeous Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf.
Personally, don't be afraid to drive from NYC to Boston, it's not hard.
If you were to drive hard non stop it takes about 4.5 hours, but you
won't be doing that. The cities themselves are where you don't want to
drive unless you are familiar, but pay attention and you'll be fine
coming or going. Just park the car once in either city at your hotel
lot, or at the "T" which is the public transit in Boston. Research it
before you go.
When a New Englander gives you driving instructions, PAY ATTENTION to
all those landmarks they give you ("3rd left after the fire station"),
because the roads follow the old paths, not a city planner's pencil.
The landmarks are more reliable than ordinal directions...or street
signs. Getting lost in New England is half the fun: you might find a
new covered bridge, a great picnic spot, or a hidden antique shop.
Enjoy and have fun.
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