We're headed to Connecticut via Niagara Falls. Then to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Down to Boston for the 4th of July. Then on to visit relatives in Wash DC before heading back to the Midwest.

My DD, my elderly parents (80) and I are driving. I was excited to see Niagara Falls on the way (just a little out of the way). Dad is excited to spend the 4th in Boston (he's hoping we can listen to the Pops on the waterfront and watch the fireworks).

So far we have Ben & Jerry's on the list of "must see". And I discovered we could stop by the big quilt shop in New Hampshire. And I'd like to find a good stop for lobster in Maine.

Mom and Dad are pretty good for travel. Mom's legs give out sometimes but she is perfectly happy to sit on a bench or the car to people watch or read a book if she doesn't feel up to the event of the day.

Any other suggestions?

Plymouth,Ma. is so. of Boston. Really neat place. Then there is Marthas Vinyard and Nantucket Isl. All great places.

I'm in CT, glad to give some tips - PM me if you want, let me know where you're staying and perhaps I can recommend local places of interest.

If you are driving thru PA in the way to DC,stop thru Lancaster, Intercourse, and Bird in Hand, they all have fantastic quiltshops and great food served family style as this is the heart of Amish Country. REmember, the Amish close everything on Sunday.

in Vermont you must see the Shelburne Museum just south of Burlington - a fantastic collection of quilts.

And don't forget Keepsake Quilting in the lakes region of NH. Great shop.

That's the shop I'm hoping to stop at. I'll only be allowed one or two quilting type stops as my fellow passengers might balk after that!

Amish country sounds good. I'll check the map for our route to see about this!

Plymouth sounds good

Travel the coast...many really neat houses and towns along the coast of MA, NH, and Maine. Vermont has many craft stores and Burlington Vermont down town is like a little boston. Lake Champlian is a must in Vermont..lots of old time towns in like Barnet Vermont and your cell phones may not work in some areas. Beautiful mountian. Now in NH...the White Mountains is the place to be/see...http://www.visitwhitemountains.com/ win

Boston...oh I could go on and on...I love Boston we go all the time!!! When you go for lunch or dinner go to the North End of Boston to Eat! If they like Art the Boston Art Musuem is AWSOME...there also is a Wonderful Quilt Musuem in Lowell MA