New England Trip

[Alphalion75]

Hi All. My wife and I are taking a trip to New England in September. Flying into Albany, NY and starting our trip by taking in the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We have a list of about 15 things to see and do in the New England states. Would welcome any must see ideas. Thanks.

 

[psuro]

Consider heading up Route 100 in Vermont- it's a picturesque drive, and you might get a hint of foliage that far north (depending on when in Sept you travel). I believe there are a number covered bridges on this road.

 

[LionJim]

Norman Rockwell Museum, very nice.

https://www.nrm.org/

Hancock Shaker Village (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[psuro]

New England Whiskey festival

New England Whiskey Festival

Come experience the New England Whiskey Festival at Twin River Casino!

www.newenglandwhiskeyfestival.com

So, I have given you recommendations for drinking and driving...

I should look up some nice jail cells for you.....

 

[CF Lion]

Mass -

1. Boston. Great city. Lots to do.

2. Cape Cod. Hyannis - see the land of the Kennedys. Drive out to quirky Provincetown. Check out the sand dunes on the beach. Craigville Beach is my favorite Cape Cod beach. Get ice cream at 4 Seas Ice Cream in Centerville - rivals the creamery.

3. Nantucket. Take the ferry from Hyannis.

Maine -

1. Portland - cool little foodie city with some good breweries.

2. Spend a day walking around the town of Camden. (nothing like Camden, NJ). Beautiful town with a picturesque harbor. Drive up Mount Battie just outside of town for the view.

3. Acadia

Have fun!

 

[DaytonRickster]

Mass -

1. Boston. Great city. Lots to do.

2. Cape Cod. Hyannis - see the land of the Kennedys. Drive out to quirky Provincetown. Check out the sand dunes on the beach. Craigville Beach is my favorite Cape Cod beach. Get ice cream at 4 Seas Ice Cream in Centerville - rivals the creamery.

3. Nantucket. Take the ferry from Hyannis.

Maine -

1. Portland - cool little foodie city with some good breweries.

2. Spend a day walking around the town of Camden. (nothing like Camden, NJ). Beautiful town with a picturesque harbor. Drive up Mount Battie just outside of town for the view.

3. Acadia

Have fun!

How about Newport, RI or Mystic, CT seaport area?

 

[TiogaLion]

Salem witch museum and witch tours.
Martha's Vineyard If going for a day just take the passenger ferry and walk around Edgartown.
Provincetown If you like Key West you'll also like Provincetown. Bring lots of small bills as the buskers are world class. I love this place.
If you go to Maine I'd recommend Booth Bay Harbor.

Of course you could drive west from Cooperstown and Finger Lakes Vineyards. These are typically very small facilities, but good wine and friendly service. Bring a small cooler with some cheese, meats, and crackers. I pick a lake and work my way up to the far end one day and come down on the opposite side of lake on day two. Day three, pick another lake.

 

[Stephen Light]

How long do you have? That kind of frames the geography you can reasonably see in New England.

I’d, of course, spend time in Boston. What you do there depends on what you like to see. The museums are great, so if you like that, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Gardner Museum are definitely high on the list.

I never leave Boston without a meal or two in the North End. The Italian restaurants there are still good.

Boston is a walkable city. You can walk from Fenway Park, through the Pubic Gardens and the Commons and into the North End if you are in any reasonable shape.The Gardens and the Commons are always nice to see. I am still partial to the corny Swan Boats

The Cape is always a great place to see, BUT even in September you can get a lot of crowded traffic. (Especially on weekends) I would take the Ferry (90 minutes) out from Boston to Provincetown, which is the artistic fringe capital of the Cape.

Speaking of ships, go see the USS Constitution (also walkable), the oldest commissioned ship in the world.

Newport Rhode Island is a great place for the mansions (Vanderbilt, et al) and a harbor that cannot be beat. Beautiful place for just hanging around.

I’m less familiar with New Hampshire and Vermont, so I’ll leave that to others. I’ll think a bit about Maine, as the coast is always nice and the seafood is also great, but a specific spot does not come to mind right away.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Newport is tremendous, including tours of a few of the old mansions. North end of Boston (Italian) has some of the best restaurants in the country ... this place is a must stop...

Regina Pizzeria | The North End, Boston, MA

www.reginapizzeria.com

A word of caution though, lots of construction in/around Boston this summer including the shut down of one of two tunnels from airport to city.

Lastly, if you're a baseball fan try and grab game at Fenway. If you do, get there early and experience the happenings outside of Fenway. Really Cool. But remember, that stadium opened the day the Titanic sunk, so while historic, it is kind of a dump

 

[LionJim]

How long do you have? That kind of frames the geography you can reasonably see in New England.

I’d, of course, spend time in Boston. What you do there depends on what you like to see. The museums are great, so if you like that, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Gardner Museum are definitely high on the list.

I never leave Boston without a meal or two in the North End. The Italian restaurants there are still good.

Boston is a walkable city. You can walk from Fenway Park, through the Pubic Gardens and the Commons and into the North End if you are in any reasonable shape.The Gardens and the Commons are always nice to see. I am still partial to the corny Swan Boats

The Cape is always a great place to see, BUT even in September you can get a lot of crowded traffic. (Especially on weekends) I would take the Ferry (90 minutes) out from Boston to Provincetown, which is the artistic fringe capital of the Cape.

Speaking of ships, go see the USS Constitution (also walkable), the oldest commissioned ship in the world.

Newport Rhode Island is a great place for the mansions (Vanderbilt, et al) and a harbor that cannot be beat. Beautiful place for just hanging around.

I’m less familiar with New Hampshire and Vermont, so I’ll leave that to others. I’ll think a bit about Maine, as the coast is always nice and the seafood is also great, but a specific spot does not come to mind right away.

Boston Museum of Fine Arts is first rate.

 

[CF Lion]

How about Newport, RI or Mystic, CT seaport area?

Newport for mansions, sailing and music festivals (if you were going in the summer).
Mystic is nice, kind of touristy. Seaport museum, aquarium, and the historic downtown seaport.

Also, Plimoth Plantation is worth visiting to see a re-enactment of Pilgrim life. Not a real village, but a replication of the Pilgrim settlement in Plymouth.

 

[Lanz]

"Crisp, color-splashed, autumn in New England is the best place on the planet".

I second all of the above. If/when you get more specific with your itinerary, check back and I'll be sure to give more targeted recommendations.

Hi All. My wife and I are taking a trip to New England in September. Flying into Albany, NY and starting our trip by taking in the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We have a list of about 15 things to see and do in the New England states. Would welcome any must see ideas. Thanks.

 

[jp3272]

I really enjoyed driving the Kancamagus Highway through New Hampshire.

 

[SW-Lion]

Everything Maine! Beer, dogs, outdoors, food. If you can make it to Portland, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park that would be a good get!

 

[1995PSUGrad]

Baseball Hall of Fame/Cooperstown is a great way to spend a day. I grew up in that area but only went once or twice as a kid. Took my family there a couple of years ago and had a great time. I am a Yankee fan and the Hall is a half of a Yankee museum, so if you love or hate the Yankees that might affect your perception a bit. Cooperstown is a great little town, especially if you are into baseball memorabilia. I went west toward Buffalo on my trip so I can't really help with anything else.

 

[Stephen Light]

Newport is tremendous, including tours of a few of the old mansions. North end of Boston (Italian) has some of the best restaurants in the country ... this place is a must stop...

Regina Pizzeria | The North End, Boston, MA

www.reginapizzeria.com

A word of caution though, lots of construction in/around Boston this summer including the shut down of one of two tunnels from airport to city.

Lastly, if you're a baseball fan try and grab game at Fenway. If you do, get there early and experience the happenings outside of Fenway. Really Cool. But remember, that stadium opened the day the Titanic sunk, so while historic, it is kind of a dump

Compared to the Fenway of my youth, it is an UPGRADED Dump! Lol

 

[Nitt1300]

I grew up in Maine, so I'm prejudiced, but if you want to get a sense of the real New England spend some time in the White Mountains in NH and on the Maine seacoast. Great freshwater lakes include Winnipesauke in NH, Sebago and Rangely in Maine.

 

[Nitt1300]

I'll be in the White Mountains this coming weekend, will try to get an idea about the flood damage in Vermont

 

[Midnighter]

Mass -

1. Boston. Great city. Lots to do.

2. Cape Cod. Hyannis - see the land of the Kennedys. Drive out to quirky Provincetown. Check out the sand dunes on the beach. Craigville Beach is my favorite Cape Cod beach. Get ice cream at 4 Seas Ice Cream in Centerville - rivals the creamery.

3. Nantucket. Take the ferry from Hyannis.

Maine -

1. Portland - cool little foodie city with some good breweries.

2. Spend a day walking around the town of Camden. (nothing like Camden, NJ). Beautiful town with a picturesque harbor. Drive up Mount Battie just outside of town for the view.

3. Acadia

Have fun!

I haven't been to Boston, so no comment, though know lots of folks who love it up there. Have done Nantucket a couple times though it's becoming an annual birthday tradition for my daughter - they absolutely love The Nantucket Hotel. We love it too - excellent location and awesome kids club. Lots of great restaurants in town and plenty to do and see. Already booked our vacation there next year. If you end up going, let me know - I have a couple of restaurant recommendations. Hyannis is uh, just not very nice. At least the part by the ferries (which is how we go to Nantucket). Just very dirty and saw lots of homeless.

Portland, Maine is awesome. I wrote on the old board about a trip we took there a few years ago and it's still a big family favorite. Definitely a great foodie town and even the McDonald's have lobster rolls (can't recommend since I didn't have them, but the lobster roll truck - Bite Into Maine - at Cape Elizabeth has them and they're wonderful). Also, blueberry everything is a great way to go through life (especially loved the locally brewed blueberry coffee from Holy Donut). More recommendations here too if you need them.

We did Vermont recently and stayed in Stowe - lovely town, even during the summer. Ate at a really awesome traditional fondue place one night and easy access to lots of breweries, cideries, Ben & Jerry's, etc. The only downside was that in the summer, restaurants weren't open as much so reservations highly recommended.

Part of the Vermont trip included a few days in Burlington, which has at least three colleges, but is right on the banks of Lake Champlain. Plenty of outdoorsy things to get into and a pretty cool dining/nightlife scene.

We often talk about buying a second/vacation home and we always look to New England. Maine or Vermont would be my top two.

Have fun and let us know how it goes!

 

[TiogaLion]

I grew up in Maine, so I'm prejudiced, but if you want to get a sense of the real New England spend some time in the White Mountains in NH and on the Maine seacoast. Great freshwater lakes include Winnipesauke in NH, Sebago and Rangely in Maine.

 

[SleepyLion]

Try to get on the base at West Point. There is a hotel, Thayer, there that is (maybe it's changed since I was there in 2018) open to the public to stay. If you're lucky there will be a football game that is a nice atmosphere.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

Provincetown is very interesting.

 

[manatree]

If you like beer, swing by Ommegang Brewery when you are in Cooperstown.

In addition to the Rockwell Museum, the Stockbridge area, in Western Mass., also has Daniel Chester French's home & studio Chesterwood, the Mission House built in 1742, as well as Naumkeag, the Mount and other summer estate homes that have been preserved. I'm partial to Naumkeag as my LArch class got to sleep in the servant quarters above the carriage house during a class trip. The house was designed by Stanford White and most of the current landscaping was designed by Fletcher Steele.

If you do Salem, you have to visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. It's understated, but powerful. The Peabody Essex Museum is worth a visit as well.

 

[psuro]

Go shake Liam Andrew's hand and thank him for selecting Penn State.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

I haven't been to Boston, so no comment, though know lots of folks who love it up there. Have done Nantucket a couple times though it's becoming an annual birthday tradition for my daughter - they absolutely love The Nantucket Hotel. We love it too - excellent location and awesome kids club. Lots of great restaurants in town and plenty to do and see. Already booked our vacation there next year. If you end up going, let me know - I have a couple of restaurant recommendations. Hyannis is uh, just not very nice. At least the part by the ferries (which is how we go to Nantucket). Just very dirty and saw lots of homeless.

Portland, Maine is awesome. I wrote on the old board about a trip we took there a few years ago and it's still a big family favorite. Definitely a great foodie town and even the McDonald's have lobster rolls (can't recommend since I didn't have them, but the lobster roll truck - Bite Into Maine - at Cape Elizabeth has them and they're wonderful). Also, blueberry everything is a great way to go through life (especially loved the locally brewed blueberry coffee from Holy Donut). More recommendations here too if you need them.

We did Vermont recently and stayed in Stowe - lovely town, even during the summer. Ate at a really awesome traditional fondue place one night and easy access to lots of breweries, cideries, Ben & Jerry's, etc. The only downside was that in the summer, restaurants weren't open as much so reservations highly recommended.

Part of the Vermont trip included a few days in Burlington, which has at least three colleges, but is right on the banks of Lake Champlain. Plenty of outdoorsy things to get into and a pretty cool dining/nightlife scene.

We often talk about buying a second/vacation home and we always look to New England. Maine or Vermont would be my top two.

Have fun and let us know how it goes!

How have you, of all people on this board, never been to Boston? You need to fix that. May and September are two best months

 

[Stephen Light]

Go shake Liam Andrew's hand and thank him for selecting Penn State.

You can almost walk to Brookline and back from Fenway But it’s a 4-5 mile round trip hike in the late summer sun.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Full disclosure, I am a native Pennsylvanian living in Rhode Island. My favorite NE state is VT…it just checks all of the boxes for what I always pictured the region to look like prior to moving here (think Newhart).

JMO - Mystic isn’t worth the trip into CT. In fact, not much in CT is worth the trip to CT.

In RI, definitely go to Newport…lovely coastal town. While there, hit up The Black Pearl on Bowen’s Wharf for some world famous Chowder! Do the cliff walk behind the classic mansions. Very walkable town, and nice place to spend a day.

The White Mountains (NH) are beautiful but very touristy…if you’re ever going to get stuck in traffic in a mountain town, North Conway will definitely be the place.

On your way over from Cooperstown, stop in Burlington - very cool college town (home of UVM) right on Lake Champlain. Also, the Green Mountains in VT are just as lovely as the White Mountains with fewer tourists. Also, check out the Von Trapp Lodge (descendants of the Sound of Music family) and brewery.

Everything everyone has said about Portland (ME) is spot-on…from seafood to breweries, it’s a really great town. Bar Harbor is also great, but it’s a hike up the coast.

 

[MacNit]

Hi All. My wife and I are taking a trip to New England in September. Flying into Albany, NY and starting our trip by taking in the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We have a list of about 15 things to see and do in the New England states. Would welcome any must see ideas. Thanks.

Lake Placid. Great little town. And you can see where the Miracle on Ice occurred.

 

[Nitt1300]

Full disclosure, I am a native Pennsylvanian living in Rhode Island. My favorite NE state is VT…it just checks all of the boxes for what I always pictured the region to look like prior to moving here (think Newhart).

JMO - Mystic isn’t worth the trip into CT. In fact, not much in CT is worth the trip to CT.

In RI, definitely go to Newport…lovely coastal town. While there, hit up The Black Pearl on Bowen’s Wharf for some world famous Chowder! Do the cliff walk behind the classic mansions. Very walkable town, and nice place to spend a day.

The White Mountains (NH) are beautiful but very touristy…if you’re ever going to get stuck in traffic in a mountain town, North Conway will definitely be the place.

On your way over from Cooperstown, stop in Burlington - very cool college town (home of UVM) right on Lake Champlain. Also, the Green Mountains in VT are just as lovely as the White Mountains with fewer tourists. Also, check out the Von Trapp Lodge (descendants of the Sound of Music family) and brewery.

Everything everyone has said about Portland (ME) is spot-on…from seafood to breweries, it’s a really great town. Bar Harbor is also great, but it’s a hike up the coast.

+1- North Conway is to be avoided, but the rest of the White Mountains are not to be missed.

 

[Alphalion75]

Full disclosure, I am a native Pennsylvanian living in Rhode Island. My favorite NE state is VT…it just checks all of the boxes for what I always pictured the region to look like prior to moving here (think Newhart).

JMO - Mystic isn’t worth the trip into CT. In fact, not much in CT is worth the trip to CT.

In RI, definitely go to Newport…lovely coastal town. While there, hit up The Black Pearl on Bowen’s Wharf for some world famous Chowder! Do the cliff walk behind the classic mansions. Very walkable town, and nice place to spend a day.

The White Mountains (NH) are beautiful but very touristy…if you’re ever going to get stuck in traffic in a mountain town, North Conway will definitely be the place.

On your way over from Cooperstown, stop in Burlington - very cool college town (home of UVM) right on Lake Champlain. Also, the Green Mountains in VT are just as lovely as the White Mountains with fewer tourists. Also, check out the Von Trapp Lodge (descendants of the Sound of Music family) and brewery.

Everything everyone has said about Portland (ME) is spot-on…from seafood to breweries, it’s a really great town. Bar Harbor is also great, but it’s a hike up the coast.

Can you recommend more sights in Vermont?

 

[Monty2007]

Full disclosure, I am a native Pennsylvanian living in Rhode Island. My favorite NE state is VT…it just checks all of the boxes for what I always pictured the region to look like prior to moving here (think Newhart).

JMO - Mystic isn’t worth the trip into CT. In fact, not much in CT is worth the trip to CT.

In RI, definitely go to Newport…lovely coastal town. While there, hit up The Black Pearl on Bowen’s Wharf for some world famous Chowder! Do the cliff walk behind the classic mansions. Very walkable town, and nice place to spend a day.

The White Mountains (NH) are beautiful but very touristy…if you’re ever going to get stuck in traffic in a mountain town, North Conway will definitely be the place.

On your way over from Cooperstown, stop in Burlington - very cool college town (home of UVM) right on Lake Champlain. Also, the Green Mountains in VT are just as lovely as the White Mountains with fewer tourists. Also, check out the Von Trapp Lodge (descendants of the Sound of Music family) and brewery.

Everything everyone has said about Portland (ME) is spot-on…from seafood to breweries, it’s a really great town. Bar Harbor is also great, but it’s a hike up the coast.

Mystic can be hit or miss depending on your interests.
But further down 95 in Groton, we did like the Submarine Museum where the USS Nautilus is located. I'd recommend that if in the area.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Can you recommend more sights in Vermont?

visit a little town called Quechee, although they were recently whacked by flooding...

Quechee | Vermont State Parks

Welcome Image

vtstateparks.com

 

[Thorndike2021]

One of the most perfect things I've ever seen was a sailboat regatta from Castle Rock Park in Marblehead, MA. A beautiful, sunny day with hundreds of colorful sails in the harbor. Stunning.

Not that, but you get the idea here:

(249) The Rocky Shores of Marblehead, Drone Footage 4k Ultra HD - YouTube

 

[Nitt1300]

New England 511| 511 Traffic | Commuter Information

 

[TiogaLion]

Several people have mentioned Mystic. If you go there be sure to have a slice of pizza, it's pretty good.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Can you recommend more sights in Vermont?

As previously mentioned, Stowe is a great resort town, even in the summer.

Quechee Gorge is really cool for hiking.

Sugarbush Farm is an off-the-beaten-path stop to stretch your legs - great cheese and maple syrup near Woodstock (also a quintessential sleepy NE town).

Montpelier is cool if only because it’s the smallest state capital you’ll ever see.

 

[Midnighter]

We have friends who live in Dutchess County New York and it's a wonderful place to visit en route to points north. Rhinebeck, Millbrook, and Red Hook are all worth your time. Rhinebeck is probably the biggest - lots of great shops, restaurants, breweries, etc. Quntessential 'small town' USA....

 

[DELion]

Can you recommend more sights in Vermont?

If you like hiking, climb Camel's Hump. It is the only major peak in Vermont that hasn't been developed for skiing. Spectacular 360 deg views from the open summit on sunny days.

 

[Michaelion]

If you like hiking, climb Camel's Hump. It is the only major peak in Vermont that hasn't been developed for skiing. Spectacular 360 deg views from the open summit on sunny days.

If you like beer,
The Alchemist
Lawson’s Liquids
Frost Beer Works
Fiddlehead Brewing
Hill Farmstead…and many more.
I think VT is a craft beer Mecca similar to CA.
Overall, just a lovely state with fresh air, farm to table food, and beautiful land.
Maine is great too. People have mentioned Portland and I would add the harbor towns of Camden and Dublin if you decide to drive to Bar Harbor.

 

[BostonNit]

If you make it to Boston and are a history buff, the Freedom Trail is the thing to do. Just follow the red bricks imbedded in the sidewalks and it'll take you past about a dozen historic landmarks. Old Ironsides, the North Church, the State House, etc.

The Duck Boats are also a great way to learn some history and see the city from the roads and from the water.

If you're a microbrew fan and are coming in on the Mass Pike, ya gotta jump off the Pike in Charlton, just before Worcester, and check out Treehouse Brewery.