New England Trip

[Sarah S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBTX Just to follow up below is a round 2 proposal. It is still probably too jam packed but theoretically doable. Would probably better to do Boston and then either go or go south but not both. Edit: a probably more relaxed schedule would be to do Boston and Salem, then either choose - North up the coast OR - South Cape Cod area and Newport Mansions But not both

I live in Boston. I would pick the relaxed schedule - probably the south one. I know you must be used to driving distances but a : traffic is horrible in Boston and on the routes in and out and b: I suspect as Bill Bryson said of the UK ( and I found true) the same distance is further here 😀. There will be plenty to do - you won’t be bored and probably will be better friends with less time sitting in traffic jams.

[marko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBTX Edit: a probably more relaxed schedule would be to do Boston and Salem, then either choose - North up the coast OR - South Cape Cod area and Newport Mansions But not both

Probably a good idea. Have more time to enjoy the places vs rush through them.
Please note that weekend traffic to and from Cape is horrendous. There’s only two bridges and six mile backups are very common.

[Teacher Terry]

We didn’t drive to the Newport mansions but took a bus tour. They also gave us a few hours of free time in the little town. It took most of the day. When we walked around the historic part of Boston we ran into lots of interesting things to do. For instance the Paul Revere house had people in costumes acting out that time in history.

[Livefree]

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Originally Posted by pb4uski The Hilltop was in Saugus off of Rte 1 South not Braintree.

Actually, there were 2 Hilltop Steak Houses, the one in Saugus and Braintree...both are gone now.

[pb4uski]

Ah... learn something new every day... I never heard of the one in Braintree but ate at the Saugus location many times over the years.

Now I know why... the Braintree location opened in 1990 and we moved away from Boston in 1986.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBTX ... Saturday Sept 30 - Newport Mansions - Block Island - maybe? ...

+1 on Newport Mansions

There were a few that offered a guided tour. We just picked one. It was the Marble House owned by the Vanderbilt.

It was good to learn how the rich people lived in the old days. I would not trade my home with its modern comfort for these mansions. Also would not trade my car for how they traveled by boat or by horse carriage to go to/from their summer home.

[marko]

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Originally Posted by NW-Bound +1 on Newport Mansions I would not trade my home with its modern comfort for these mansions. Also would not trade my car for how they traveled by boat or by horse carriage to go to/from their summer home.

Mmmmmmm. I have to think about that one! Summers in a Newport mansion, winters in Palm Beach, lots of people to handle the details while you go yachting. A slower pace of life. The Gilded Age before the 16th amendment.

[Ronstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound ... I would not trade my home with its modern comfort for these mansions....

Me either, but that bathroom with the separate faucets for salt water was impressive.

[onabreak]

Here are some ideas, I live right by Salem Ma and while lovely, if your not into witch stuff I wouldn’t devote a whole day.

Depending on flight times I might try this.

Arrive on Tuesday and drive to Newport. Eat dinner in town
Wednesday see mansions, tennis hall of fame walk some of the cliff walk. Stay in Newport
Thursday, head to Boston. (~1.5 hours after rush hour). Some of freedom trail, dinner in North End or at legal seafood in the Seaport

Friday, take the high speed ferry to Provincetown at the end of cape cod. (~1.5 hours each way). Used to be town shuttle you could take out to Race point beach, assume still running. Town is interesting, lots of restaurants and art galleries. Head back to Boston on afternoon or evening ferry. As an alternative, if you are big history buffs, skip beach head to Lexington and Concord

Saturday, more Boston

Sunday head north ending up in Ogunquit (depending on weather beach traffic might be issue). It’s about 1.5 drive time, but you could make a day of it hitting a few of these (Salem, Rockport, Gloucester, Newburyport, Portsmouth)

Monday Oqunquit

Tuesday - back to airport

This way you are heading mostly in one direction

Have a wonderful trip

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry We didn’t drive to the Newport mansions but took a bus tour. They also gave us a few hours of free time in the little town. It took most of the day. When we walked around the historic part of Boston we ran into lots of interesting things to do. For instance the Paul Revere house had people in costumes acting out that time in history.

That's why I like to have plenty of 'free time' built into my schedule.

I have only been in Boston once and all I remember is the streets downtown looked like they were built for two guys - one on his horse and the other walking next to the horse.

[finnski1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by onabreak Here are some ideas, I live right by Salem Ma and while lovely, if your not into witch stuff I wouldn’t devote a whole day. Depending on flight times I might try this. Arrive on Tuesday and drive to Newport. Eat dinner in town Wednesday see mansions, tennis hall of fame walk some of the cliff walk. Stay in Newport Thursday, head to Boston. (~1.5 hours after rush hour). Some of freedom trail, dinner in North End or at legal seafood in the Seaport Friday, take the high speed ferry to Provincetown at the end of cape cod. (~1.5 hours each way). Used to be town shuttle you could take out to Race point beach, assume still running. Town is interesting, lots of restaurants and art galleries. Head back to Boston on afternoon or evening ferry. As an alternative, if you are big history buffs, skip beach head to Lexington and Concord Saturday, more Boston Sunday head north ending up in Ogunquit (depending on weather beach traffic might be issue). It’s about 1.5 drive time, but you could make a day of it hitting a few of these (Salem, Rockport, Gloucester, Newburyport, Portsmouth) Monday Oqunquit Tuesday - back to airport This way you are heading mostly in one direction Have a wonderful trip

Grew up in MA and now live in SNH. I think you make some great and sensible suggestions. I agree on Salem as well. No big deal unless you are a witch aficionado
Walking the Marginal way in Ogunquit is nice and get some sea food somewhere. Maybe fit in Kennebunkport around Walkers point as well.
The ferry to P'town is a good idea also.
Also a big fan of Legal Seafood or an Italian dinner in the North End.

[CardsFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut That's why I like to have plenty of 'free time' built into my schedule. I have only been in Boston once and all I remember is the streets downtown looked like they were built for two guys - one on his horse and the other walking next to the horse.

Well, that is pretty much how the city was laid out. And, if you think you can make 4 right turns and get back where you started you are out of luck.

[meleana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBTX Wife and i and another couple are taking a week trip to New England last week of September. Flying into Boston. Most have never been there. I have only a couple of times briefly. Any suggestions of what to see, what not to, where to stay where to eat etc would be helpful. Generally hope to see an area most haven’t been to, visit Boston, maybe see New England coast, eat lots of lobster, see leaves change etc. A week is not enough but that’s what we have. Thanks in advance.

Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston. Go to Little Italy. The Aquarium. Boston Harbor. So much to see. Not enough time to see New England in a week.



Head to the southern Maine coast. Portland, York, Wells, Ogunguit, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor.



I live in NH and vacationed in Vermont for 22 years. Hit northern NH and Vermont for the foliage which is normally spectacular that week in the north.



I could go on and on.



You need at least month plus to appreciate all New England has to offer.

[BarbH29]

I would check out Lexington and Concord MA if you like history. Old North Bridge, Battle Road, Museums old cemeteries and trolley tours would be great. So many beachy towns, Newburyport, Rockport and others that people have mentioned. You can get great seafood at any of those places but you will find good seafood away from coast as well. Weather can be anywhere from cold and rainy to hot to perfect fall! Enjoy!

[GoBears]

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Originally Posted by Ronstar Op - make sure you get the guided freedom trail walk. Well worth it.

+1.

Also, you might consider reducing the number of days you have the rental car and spend the savings on a centrally located hotel in Boston. Walk or use taxis/ride sharing when in the city. I wouldn’t want to spend time “commuting” given the limited duration of your stay in Boston.

[2tswhite]

Live in Boston area now - Check out FB for Boston groups as there is a lot of info to be found. I've enjoyed the Mansions in Newport (nice walking path too) ,tons of stuff to do in the Seaport area- Faneuil Hall, Freedom Trail, can take the ferry over to PTown on the Cape. Museums are fantastic, strolling along the Charles watching the crew teams, walking the Emerald Necklace. Mount Auburn Cemetery is absolutely beautiful too! I could go on and on...

I hope you enjoy your visit!

[Maidensong]

Used to live in Medford--a Boston suburb. There are tons of things to do and see, but getting around by car is a pain. Even driving up to Salem and Maine you'll find awful traffic. Use the T to get around town whenever you can. It's part of the Beantown experience.

If you like art at all, let me recommend the Isabella Gardner Museum. https://www.gardnermuseum.org/ It's a little jewel, the private collection of an heiress who cherry picked her way through the great masters and spent a few million scooping up Rembrandts, Titians, John Singer Sargeants and a host of other works. A delightful way to spend a day!

And oh, yes to the Little Italy meal you have planned! A gastronomic event not to be missed!

Have fun!

[pletal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBTX Wife and i and another couple are taking a week trip to New England last week of September. Flying into Boston. Most have never been there. I have only a couple of times briefly. Any suggestions of what to see, what not to, where to stay where to eat etc would be helpful. Generally hope to see an area most haven’t been to, visit Boston, maybe see New England coast, eat lots of lobster, see leaves change etc. A week is not enough but that’s what we have. Thanks in advance.

Check out Hampton Beach in NH and Old Orchard Beach in Maine. You can do a lot in a week in New England, everything is rather close, let’s say, compared to Texas. Have fun

[ImThinkin2019]

I grew up in NH and my wife grew up in RI.

We agree on the Kancamagus, Maine coast, Newport Mansions, and the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. There are many other suggestions here that are great.

If you are going to be in Maine I suggest you google "Bert and I records" in You Tube. That is Maine humor. And Maine accent.

You might remember the proper pronunciation of Bah Hahbah.

Also if you like Portuguese food, you can get chourizo and peppers somewhere. Very delicious. And steamahs in Maine.

Have a lot of fun!

[zekeboz]

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Originally Posted by JBTX Ogunquit looks interesting. Thanks.

Ditto to this list. A nice break from busy Boston and you get a better feel for the New England Coast. Plus the ocean water will still be warm.. of course not as warm where you are coming from but it is still retaining summer heat. Even in Sept. there can be some 90 degree days!