New England - Trip Advice
01-20-2013, 07:56 PM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: The Ohio Wilderness
Posts: 136
Cape Cod is beautiful and you can easily take the ferry from Boston over to Provincetown at the very tip of Cape Cod. You could make Provincetown your base and then rent a car and travel about. Have you discovered Tripadvisor yet? Go to the site and type in New England and get tons of info. You can also go to the forums and post questions and get expert information and suggestions.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...th_Dakota.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...th_Dakota.html
01-21-2013, 03:20 AM
#13
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ashburnham Mass
Posts: 284
Go to Fabric Place Basement in Natick Ma, probably about 20 miles outside of Boston, up route 9. But not a scenic area unless you like a highway with both sides showing store after store. Keepsake quilting in Center Harbor NH is worth the trip, and in a very scenic part of NH. The national Seashore down the Cape Cod Ma is beautiful and the fall, and much less crowded in October and you will still see some foliage. Congratulations on your wedding.
01-21-2013, 05:19 AM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Marblehead, MA
Posts: 183
Come to the North Shore of Boston. I live in Marblehead which is beautiful that time of year - right on the ocean and the foliage is gorgeous. Lots of B&B's and two small but wonderful quilt shops nearby. Only 40 minutes north of Boston. The Topsfield Fair is usually the first two week in October with lots of activities and displays (including quilts). You're welcome to come to our local guild meeting the 1st Tuesday of the month in Beverly, Mass. Let me know if you're interested. I'm sure you'll enjoy New England that time of year. And congratulations on your wedding.
01-21-2013, 06:03 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 15
Did a similar trip last year, about the same time of year, with my husband. Started in Boston and spent two week in and around New England. Went to lots of the places suggested here. Keepsake quilting was wonderful, but there are lots of other little fabric shops around in lots of other little towns. Can't remember all the names. Food is wonderful, especially the Clam chowder. People are fantastic. We had no plans and just travelled as the mood took us and we got to see lots of wonderful scenery and beautiful leaves. I certainly know why people get excited about the leaves over there. Hope you have a ball on your holiday and all the best in your married life.
01-21-2013, 11:34 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 865
New England has a lot to see! It's not a huge area, so you can easily cover all of it on one honeymoon. The Kancamaugus Highway, Route 12, I think, which goes runs East and West in New Hampshire, is not to be missed. You can see for miles and miles at some of the stops. It is beautiful. Stay overnight in Conway or North Conway, and do get a look at Lake Conway. If you rent a campsite, you can also rent a canoe or rowboat at Cove Campground in Conway, and that lake is pure magic. There is a loon nesting area in a cove which I beg you not to disturb, but do look from the main lake; it looks prehistoric. The water is so clear you can see clear to the bottom. I have been out on that lake many times and it is amazing. There are many things to do and see in that area.
I agree with going north to south, and actually, there are few highways east to west in some areas. Montpelier, Vermont, is the last hippie stronghold. Vermont in general is gorgeous! You do have to keep a close watch for large animals in the road in all of Northern New England. In New Hampshire, start at Lincoln and go down the Kancamaugus Highway To Conway. After Conway, go to the Lakes region where - ta da! - Keepsake quilting in Center Harbor is not to be missed. People literally come from all over the world to go to Keepsake. You can go to Maine from there (west to east) and I think that is Highway 25, which is a stop and go, slow road but better than going back almost to Boston and back up. Ask me how I know!!!
Maine is great! Be sure to stop in Camden. You will want to see Ogunquit and the Marginal way, a walk on the cliffs around the ocean. Go up the coast on the route next to the ocean; I think that is Route 1. Arcadia National Park in Northern Maine is about 4 hours from there, but well worth it. Plan to stay in that area a couple days. (Or if you wanted to go there first, there is a northern east-west route to New Hampshire and Vermont.) There are places called Marden's in Maine which are surplus stores, and which carry an amazing selection of quality quilting fabric at very low prices. Any local can direct you to the nearest one. You dollar will go a long way there (unlike Keepsake, which is worth it anyhow.) Traffic will be heavy and slow.
With the exception of Boston, you should be fine driving. In Boston, I would take public transportation or a cab. Drivers are crazy! In fact, it's a good idea to ask about driving customs in all of New England, but especially Massachusetts. The way the driver's manual says it is to be done is often not how it is done. Check both ways before proceeding on a green light, check your rear view mirror before stopping for a red light, do not expect to get the right of way when it is legally yours, watch out for cars turning in front of you when you have the right of way at stoplights, and anything goes on rotaries. (I've driven in New England for 30 years with no accidents following this advice.) I have seen cabs back down Boston sidewalks at 30 mph! Boston has museums, an aquarium, the Harbor, historical walks, and many other attractions. Harvard is in nearby Cambridge and MIT is not far away. Do be sure to get a New England boiled dinner, and always, that great seafood all up and down the coast.
Rockport near Boston is wonderful and I highly recommend Glouster, a fishing town which is a favorite of mine. Have dinner at the Glouster House, and check with the whale watching boats to see who is still going out in October; Cape Ann is a good company for whale watching.
Another nice drive in Massachusetts for leaf peeping is the Mohawk Trail, I think Highway 2, a couple hours south of Boston. Besides that, there is a Shaker Village (google it), but not a lot I would recommend in Western Mass. Cape Cod has a lot of wonderful places. You might want to go from Mass to Rhode Island, then to the south of Connecticut (Yale in New Haven) and back to Hartford/Windsor Locks to fly out of Bradley International Airport.
If you keep an open mind and are willing to take side trips and be adventurous, you'll have an unforgettable time.
Congratulations on your wedding!
I agree with going north to south, and actually, there are few highways east to west in some areas. Montpelier, Vermont, is the last hippie stronghold. Vermont in general is gorgeous! You do have to keep a close watch for large animals in the road in all of Northern New England. In New Hampshire, start at Lincoln and go down the Kancamaugus Highway To Conway. After Conway, go to the Lakes region where - ta da! - Keepsake quilting in Center Harbor is not to be missed. People literally come from all over the world to go to Keepsake. You can go to Maine from there (west to east) and I think that is Highway 25, which is a stop and go, slow road but better than going back almost to Boston and back up. Ask me how I know!!!
Maine is great! Be sure to stop in Camden. You will want to see Ogunquit and the Marginal way, a walk on the cliffs around the ocean. Go up the coast on the route next to the ocean; I think that is Route 1. Arcadia National Park in Northern Maine is about 4 hours from there, but well worth it. Plan to stay in that area a couple days. (Or if you wanted to go there first, there is a northern east-west route to New Hampshire and Vermont.) There are places called Marden's in Maine which are surplus stores, and which carry an amazing selection of quality quilting fabric at very low prices. Any local can direct you to the nearest one. You dollar will go a long way there (unlike Keepsake, which is worth it anyhow.) Traffic will be heavy and slow.
With the exception of Boston, you should be fine driving. In Boston, I would take public transportation or a cab. Drivers are crazy! In fact, it's a good idea to ask about driving customs in all of New England, but especially Massachusetts. The way the driver's manual says it is to be done is often not how it is done. Check both ways before proceeding on a green light, check your rear view mirror before stopping for a red light, do not expect to get the right of way when it is legally yours, watch out for cars turning in front of you when you have the right of way at stoplights, and anything goes on rotaries. (I've driven in New England for 30 years with no accidents following this advice.) I have seen cabs back down Boston sidewalks at 30 mph! Boston has museums, an aquarium, the Harbor, historical walks, and many other attractions. Harvard is in nearby Cambridge and MIT is not far away. Do be sure to get a New England boiled dinner, and always, that great seafood all up and down the coast.
Rockport near Boston is wonderful and I highly recommend Glouster, a fishing town which is a favorite of mine. Have dinner at the Glouster House, and check with the whale watching boats to see who is still going out in October; Cape Ann is a good company for whale watching.
Another nice drive in Massachusetts for leaf peeping is the Mohawk Trail, I think Highway 2, a couple hours south of Boston. Besides that, there is a Shaker Village (google it), but not a lot I would recommend in Western Mass. Cape Cod has a lot of wonderful places. You might want to go from Mass to Rhode Island, then to the south of Connecticut (Yale in New Haven) and back to Hartford/Windsor Locks to fly out of Bradley International Airport.
If you keep an open mind and are willing to take side trips and be adventurous, you'll have an unforgettable time.
Congratulations on your wedding!
Last edited by cricket_iscute; 01-21-2013 at 11:41 AM.
01-21-2013, 05:22 PM
#17
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Limerick,Maine
Posts: 5
Cape Cod has great beaches the further you go towards Provincetown. There are lots of shops, lots of scenic spots, and quite often.. Lots of traffic!
If you are heading north of Boston and are looking for lighthouses, you might consider Portland, Maine. There is a narated harbor tour that takes you to see 7 lighthouses (weather permitting)..Portland discovery Land and Sea Tours. They also run trolley tours of the historic city sights and take you to the famous Portland Head Lighthouse where you can walk around it! There are over 100 restuarants of all sorts in Portland. It's a very nice city. The fall foliage comes later at the coast than it does inland..so you might want to check inland first on your trip!
Congrats and enjoy New England!
If you are heading north of Boston and are looking for lighthouses, you might consider Portland, Maine. There is a narated harbor tour that takes you to see 7 lighthouses (weather permitting)..Portland discovery Land and Sea Tours. They also run trolley tours of the historic city sights and take you to the famous Portland Head Lighthouse where you can walk around it! There are over 100 restuarants of all sorts in Portland. It's a very nice city. The fall foliage comes later at the coast than it does inland..so you might want to check inland first on your trip!
Congrats and enjoy New England!
01-21-2013, 06:17 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 1,987
We took a similar trip two years ago. We were most interested in the lighthouse. http://www.visitmaine.com/attraction...rs/lighthouse/ My favorite is the "Nubble", Cape Neddick, but at Pemaquid you can go climb up inside. we flew into Boston, spent first night at a hotel near the airport. Rented a car and went north along the coast. We had reservations at a little motel in Rockland, Maine. One day's trip from there will get you to Acadia and Bar Harbor. One day we went to Augusta. The last three days we stayed at Nantasket Beach Resort near Boston. Not really close to Boston, but it was right on the beach and not very expensive. We took a day and rode a bus tour of Boston. We didn't see much color in the trees as they were having a heat wave.
01-22-2013, 06:21 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: md.
Posts: 1,879
Originally Posted by Central Ohio Quilter
Our favorite small town in NE is Rockport Mass. Very picturesque. Pictures of it are often found on jigsaw puzzles and promotional ads, etc. The best part is the fabulous clam chowder that you can eat right on the docks, where the fishing boats come in. It is the most delicious NE clam chowder!
Cape Cod, Acadia National Park, and the city of Boston are also beautiful areas to see. Just driving through the NE countryside anywhere is fantastic!
Cape Cod, Acadia National Park, and the city of Boston are also beautiful areas to see. Just driving through the NE countryside anywhere is fantastic!
01-22-2013, 06:44 AM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Posts: 171
Honeymoon Trip
Originally Posted by SazuBMidlands
Hi all,
My fiance and I are hoping to get married late Sept this year, and are wanting to go to New England for our honeymoon, to see the Fall and the lighthouses. From the UK we'd fly in to Boston, but otherwise we're not really sure to go. It will probably be the first couple of weeks in october. Can anyone suggest any quaint towns, B&Bs, quilt shops, walking spots, country fairs or anything else that we should try to get to on our trip over?
Any advice greatly recieved! Thanks!
My fiance and I are hoping to get married late Sept this year, and are wanting to go to New England for our honeymoon, to see the Fall and the lighthouses. From the UK we'd fly in to Boston, but otherwise we're not really sure to go. It will probably be the first couple of weeks in october. Can anyone suggest any quaint towns, B&Bs, quilt shops, walking spots, country fairs or anything else that we should try to get to on our trip over?
Any advice greatly recieved! Thanks!
I highly recommend New Hampshire (about 1.5 hours from Boston) as it has a lot of everything - gorgeous beaches in the South (Hampton Beach), awesome lake areas in the Centre (Laconia Area) and breath taking mountains in the North (Conway). Fons and Porter's Keepsake Quilting is in the lake area (Center Harbour) and is a must visit for quilters. Tons of Outlet Shopping in the North (Conway area), as well as hiking, gondola (ski) lifts to view the mountains, kayaking, scenic driving routes, flea markets and fairs, great food and trains, trains, trains for the history/ train buff. One can drive from the Southern area to the Northern area of New Hampshire in about an hour, provided you don't find interesting spots that you need to investigate and that is almost impossible ! I hope this helps -HAPPY HONEYMOON !!!
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