New England - Trip Advice
 

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!

Go to New Hampshire and go into the famous Keepsake Quilting store. You will think you died and went to Heaven as soon as you walk in their door...that is how it felt to me on my first visit.

You have plenty of time to do lots of research on the States in New England.Vermont is beautiful too. In Bennington they put the original Dear Jane quilt on display every Fall.

Be sure you have hotel reservations in advance. It is prime foliage season and especially on weekends there may be no rooms available for walk-ins.
Acadia National Park is a wonderful place to see, also drive up or down Route 100 in Vermont. Ditto on Keepsake Quilting. Mt. Washington Cog Railway in NH is unique. Shelburne Museum in VT has a large quilt collection among many other things, including an old Lake Champlain steam boat that came over land to its final home at the museum. Kancamaugus Highway in NH is a famous drive in foliage season but may be crowded.

Cape Cod in MA is beautiful. Boston is a nice city for walking.

In our US libraries there are usually good selections of photograhic books of scenic tours of world places including New England. Perhaps your library has a selection like this for you to browse through. You can order pamphlets from each state that will tell you about their tourist spots, geographical highlights, etc. including coupons for places to stay and eat and have other information. Your best bet is from research on the area. You sound as if you probably know the location and history of the lighthouses now. I don't know how long you are staying but thank goodness New England is small because you are wanting to tour the coast and the inland areas. You will need good planning.
Best wishes to you on your marriage.

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!

How much driving are you willing to do? Arcadia is a good distance from Boston. Are you planning to stay in a hotel in Boston? Very pricey$$$$. Outside the city may be better for travelling. Are you history buffs? Quincy has the birth places of John Adams and John Quincy Adams and the family mansion to see. Plymouth has the Mayflower and "Plymouth Rock" and a great reenactment of Plimoth Plantation(dressed characters and all). A great place to eat on the water in Plymouth is East Bay Grille--not cheap but excellent--I've enjoyed the cod twice! PM me when you are closer to your trip and maybe we could meet for a lunch!

Keep in mind that the fall foliage peaks moving from north to south, and by early to mid-october the trees may be mostly bare in the northernmost areas, so plan to follow the color as it moves south. I am in northern Berkshire county in Western Massachusetts, and the best foliage is usually the first week of October. There is a local celebration and fall foliage parade in North Adams, Mass. which will be on Sunday, October 6, 2013. While there you could visit Mass MoCA, the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art, the Francine and Sterling Clark Art Institute, and many other local attractions. There is a nice bike trail, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail ( https://www.google.com/search?q=ashu...w=1366&bih=577 ), 11.2 miles, from Adams, Mass to Pittsfield, Mass which is a beautiful, relaxed ride through pretty countryside, and I'm sure there are bike rentals locally. There are many nice B&B's in the area including the Harbour House Inn in Cheshire, Mass which includes a view of my house on the mountainside opposite it! And from my house I can see Mount Greylock, which is the highest of the Appalachian Mountains in Massachusetts, and on a clear day you can see New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire from the summit, which is an easy car ride accessible from two nearby towns, with a nice lodge
( http://bascomlodge.net/ ) and restaurant at the peak, a great place to photograph the fall colors. Each year on Columbus Day hundreds of locals hike the mountain on the Greylock Ramble. Transportation to the trail head is provided in Adams, Mass. So, you can see there is plenty to do around here whether you prefer cultural events or physical activity. I can't say enough about how beautiful it is around here, and hope you put it on your itinerary.

There isn't a corner of NE that isn't beautiful. It's full of B&Bs, quaint inns and gorgeous little towns. I love Cape Cod, but there are beautiful little towns all the way along the coast. If you head inland, there are mountains in western Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. You should decide if you want to stay near the water or head inland - that will help you make decisions about where to stay. You can't go wrong no matter what you decide!

We love Rockport...I agree..go to the state park there its beautiful. a bit of a walk put worth it and no people...ocen, rocks and boats. Keepsakes is ok...but only if you plan on going to that area...it is by the lake right up across the road. The white mountains in NH are awesome!!! Loon mountain is worth the trip and take the ride to the top of the mountian. Main is pretty by the coast. Boston in the City...is Outstanding...go to the Northend...the buildings are beautiful..I do recommend the duck tour.

Please come to Vermont - we have lots of scenery to treat the eye. And if you do, come to A Quilter's Garden in Montpelier, Vermont, the smallest state capital in the country. I agree with all of those who recommend Acadia Park in Maine, but I am guessing you see lots of ocean at home - why not come see out Mountains? I can't guarantee peak foliage - but October is the best chance for the beautiful leaves.

Kennebunkport Maine is awesome...

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Rockport,Ma.....be still my heart! I agree with everyone so far...Let me add, drive up the coast of Maine Route 1...many seaside villages and eat lobster and steamed clams outside on a wharf or rocks.....there is nothing like it!

Honeymoon Trip
 

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 !!!

Vermont is super any time of year, but fall is really pretty. The Shelburne Museum near Burlington is a must-see for any quilter or lover of history. There are plenty of quaint towns well worth seeing but they off the main highways. Make sure to make room reservations because that is "peak season" in New England. It's smart to locate a few places as a base to take day trips from rather than change lodging daily. I love the beaches in Rhode Island as well as in Maine.

Boston is a wonderful city. Take one of the tours for a day, then drive up to Route 1 and do the Maine Coast to Acadia National Park. See the sunRise atop Mt. Cadillac. It is an experience you will never forget. If you have a smartphone, get the Quilt Shops app to locate local shops. Call them first to make sure they are open. Enjoy the lobstah!

If y ou go to Maine, you need to check out Marden's. They have very good to excellent fabric for $2.99-$4.99. It is so reasonable that I just got back from there and shipped 6 boxes home. The best one to go to is in Sandord Maine, near the New Hampshire border. I have shopped there for over ten years when I go there and have never been sad that I did. They have a total of ten stores in Maine that have fabric. The other one that I went to this time was in Scarborough. It was wonderful also.

For everyone's information. I have been told by lots of people that the original owners of Keepsake Quilting have sold it to Fons and Porter.

Good luck with your marriage and honeymoon.

Nancy Parrish

The tricks to driving in MA:
1. don't make eye contact
2. don't use your directionals- it's like giving away your position to the enemy

:)

I'm in NH, and we don't have a LOT of highways, so if you do need to 'get there quicker,' you can, and not lose too much scenery.
Definitely take a ride on the Kanc...FYI it's 34 miles across with no gas stations, so don't go on an empty tank.
Most of our "attractions" are natural; grab a picnic lunch and stop if you have time.
Sorry, but the Old Man is now "off" the Mountain.
If you're into hiking, Baxter State Park in Maine offers a decent hike up Mt. Katahdin, or if you're in NH, Mt Washington is a nice drive or hike. In October, make SURE you dress for WINTER if you're going up Mt. Washington.
Wolfeboro, NH is a wonderfully quaint town with shops and little holes-in-the-wall restaurants- in the Lakes Region of NH (as is Keepsake).
If you'll be coming in early October, the Fryeburg fair is a great fair (so I hear, but I've never made it there yet). Here's a link to New England Fairs: http://www.newenglandexplorer.com/statefairsne.htm
And if you're into yard sales, the Ultimate Yard Sale will be held on October 13 at the Cumberland Fairgrounds in Maine.

Wow! These are all such fabulous ideas!
I'm going to print out some maps, and then mark on all your suggestions, and then see if I can join the dots! I'll keep you posted on where we plan to go! :-)

This has been great for me too, I hope to be able to do this in a couple of years, but for a longer period of time. Thank you all.