New England Where to go in a whirlwind tour?

rcman · 24 August 2005 at 9:48AM

We are travelling to my favourite city the world - New York - next month, but decided to hire a car and venture up to Boston for a night or two. After that, we have 4 nights unplanned, with a car, and dont know what we can do with our time. We thought of staying in some cheapish Motels and touring around (cape cod? vermont?) to discover a small slice of classic New England (leaves, wood cladding, village greens, etc).

I would really appreciate any suggestions on a reasonable itinery, with a view to getting back to Boston for a return flight?

se999 · 24 August 2005 at 9:56AM

Saw a suggested loop in an airline mag, not sure if it was 4 or 5 days though, it suggested doing a loop up the coast ending at Niagara, and back on an inland route. But this is probably more driving than you want to do.

We were thinking it probably needed more time to enjoy the scenery.

Anyway, something to think about maybe.

blindman · 24 August 2005 at 10:07AM

Did that itinerary in July but the opposite way round.

It's expensive to hire a care in New york and parking a car in Boston is VERY EXPENSIVE.

Also driving in Boston is a NIGHTMARE :eek:

If your travel plans aren't booked yet can I suggest:

New York to Boston China Bus Cost $15.00 single. There are also Greyhound buses that do this trip for about the same price.

Have a couple of days in Boston on foot.

Hire a car to 'do' Boston Suburbs and surrounds.

Return car to Boston, catch china bus back.

We went to a variety of places including
North Of Boston Marblehead, Rockport, Salem.

Concord, Lexington,

Cape Cod
New Port Mansions

Plymouth
and the coast of Maine, Portland, Boothbay Harbor.

The place is huge so you need to plan carefully or you'll spend a lot of time in the car.
Highways and Byways

New England tips

We used priceline to get some good hotel bargains.

princess · 25 August 2005 at 12:05AM

Driving in Boston is the worst experience in the world! The parking issue tho you can resolve, by driving up to a hotel carpark, blocking the entrance and bursting into tears. It will be guarded by agressive security but after a while they wont know what to do with you and will curse and let you in. Well it worked for me!! $10 would probably get you in as well, buy hey this is a money saving site:) Cape Cod will be great in September as most of the US visitors seem to leave at the end of August so although the weather is still good it is fairly quiet.

jnd · 25 August 2005 at 8:03AM

I never thought Boston was that bad to drive in. I thought Paris was worse. I love Vermont and the drive up route 100 is as scenic as you'll get in Fall. Check out http://www.vermontvacation.com/

blindman · 25 August 2005 at 9:21AM

OK, maybe I over exaggerated a little re the driving, but it's such an easy city to get round using the 'T' and parking on street is difficult if not impossible it's not worth having a car.

They're also still doing the 'Big Dig' so loads of roadworks. Hotel parking varies but can be from $15-25 per night.

jaymac_2 · 25 August 2005 at 9:15PM

I've got a friend doing a Boston/Fall/leaves tour next month. She's going with Travelsphere and I know it sounds odd but I'd look at their web site for their itinery and see what you think looks interesting!

rcman · 28 August 2005 at 11:11PM

Thanks for your reply. Is it possible to have your friends web address?

rcman · 28 August 2005 at 11:14PM

Thanks to all who replied. Like the look of Portsmouth and also Vermont, but not sure how practical it would all be in the time we have. Cape Cod, I suppose, is a must.

Ive already booked the car hire and now I'm starting to sweat! The more Ive heard and read SINCE booking (dumb, dumb, dumb) the worse an idea it seems to be.

blindman · 29 August 2005 at 8:35AM

Go into a TA and pinch their brochures on the USA. Several have New England itineraries and maps of routes.

Jaymac was suggesting you look at the Travelshpere web-site.

Driving to Cape Cod.
Try to do this journey mid week as there is only one route (more or less) down here and there are then TWo bridges everyone has to cross.
Once on cape cod there is only one main route that runs the entire island and most of it is two way traffic with NO Overtaking.
The island is about 70 miles end to end

Can get pretty jammed up from Friday noon until Monday noon.

Where are you staying in Boston?

rcman · 30 August 2005 at 11:23AM

Thanks, Blindman. We're Staying at the MIdtown Hotel, which, I'm pleased to say, offers a free overnight parking place with the room.

I understand there's a ferry across to Provincetown. Maybe that would be a better way to go than drive the length of cape Cod. I must admit, Ive heard that The cape is a bit crowded and over-rated, but it's one of those things i feel we must do while Im there!

New England Where to go in a whirlwind tour?

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