Planning a New England trip and need some advice...
Jun 5, 2018 19:12:05 #
Colleagues, my wife and I are planning a drive from North Carolina up the New England coast - maybe a week or two, and as far as the Canadian border (or over) and need your advice. Other than the New York and Boston areas, we have no experience with this part of the country. We’d like to concentrate on smaller towns rather than large cities and stay relatively close to the coast. Can some of you natives please share some thoughts on picturesque places / itineraries as we explore this part of our country Of course photo opportunities are a priority. Thanks in advance for the help.
Jun 5, 2018 19:27:23 #
You know it's more than 800 miles from Raleigh to Portland, right? You're gonna need more than a week 
You won't experience the real New England until you get past Portland (no slam against southern New England, of course 
). My recommendation is to take the interstate to Freeport, Maine, then get on Route 1 and follow it east. Deer Isle and Stonington are pretty authentic:
https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/downeast-and-acadia/stonington
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You won't experience the real New England until you get past Portland (no slam against southern New England, of course ). My recommendation is to take the interstate to Freeport, Maine, then get on Route 1 and follow it east. Deer Isle and Stonington are pretty authentic:https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/downeast-and-acadia/stonington
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Jun 5, 2018 19:30:52 #
Driving truck my initial response would be dont go north of richmond va. Take 85 towards richmond till you hit 460 and take that towards norfolk Then either go thru the big tunnel bridge and hang towards the east to go thru delaware. Garden state parkway in jersey would probably be the most scenic till you het closer to the city. After new york city maybe try us 1 the rest of the way up to catch most of the little towns and scenery. Havent been over there in a long time so testing my memory. If i had my atlas could map you better.
Jun 5, 2018 19:35:29 #
If you think you might visit Canada, be sure to take your passports. Easternmost point in U.S. leads you to:
https://www.visitcampobello.com/
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https://www.visitcampobello.com/
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Jun 5, 2018 19:36:39 #
Jun 5, 2018 19:38:22 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
If you think you might visit Canada, be sure to have your passport. Easternmost point in U.S. leads you to:
https://www.visitcampobello.com/
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https://www.visitcampobello.com/
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Thanks for all the advice Linda - wouldn’t leave home without it (passport) 😎.
Jun 5, 2018 19:46:10 #
cessnalvr wrote:
Driving truck my initial response would be dont go... (show quote)
Thanks. I know the east well from Florida to Boston and New Hampshire, but never been driving further north on the coast (always flew to Canada).
Jun 5, 2018 19:48:50 #
Here's a recent similar thread:http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-533198-1.html
When we go to Acadia, we always take US-1 from Freeport. Last year we went to Lubec via US-1 to 189.
Love all those little towns. Many lighthouses off of US-1 along the way also.
When we go to Acadia, we always take US-1 from Freeport. Last year we went to Lubec via US-1 to 189.
Love all those little towns. Many lighthouses off of US-1 along the way also.
Jun 5, 2018 20:12:27 #
TriX wrote:
Colleagues, my wife and I are planning a drive fro... (show quote)
My suggestions:
Mystic Seaport, CT - Historic Seaport - worth seeing.
Newport RI - Mansions, Ocean Drive and downtown Wharf Area, also take one of the sailing cruises from the Wharf around Narragansett Bay
Cape Cod, MA (Drive Route 6A Sandwich to Brewster; Chatham; National Seashore from Eastham to Provincetown. Stay for evening/night in P'town. Good restaurants. Some great photo / artist galleries and stores on Commercial St
Nantucket, MA (Take ferry, leave car on mainland, walk the Town and take local bus to Siasconset Old Historic District.
Salem, MA; (if time permits)
Rockport MA - Harbor and Bearskin Neck. (Iconic red boathouse on Harbor) and artist area
Portsmouth NH - Downtown / Harbor area. (Good food and bars)
York ME - Knubble Light
Kennebunkport, ME - just a short walk and maybe lunch
Mount Desert Island / Bar Harbor, ME - destination in itself - spend a day or a week.
Enjoy and post pics when you get back.
Jun 5, 2018 20:25:11 #
Longshadow wrote:
Here's a recent similar thread:http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-533198-1.html
When we go to Acadia, we always take US-1 from Freeport. Last year we went to Lubec via US-1 to 189.
Love all those little towns. Many lighthouses off of US-1 along the way also.
When we go to Acadia, we always take US-1 from Freeport. Last year we went to Lubec via US-1 to 189.
Love all those little towns. Many lighthouses off of US-1 along the way also.
Great advice in this one. I agree on sticking to the Interstate as far as Freeport.
Andy
Jun 5, 2018 20:35:28 #
Well as someone who lives in the north shore of MA., I would say Look at Salem, Marblehead, and some of the traditional coastal towns on your way up! We have plenty of beautiful scenery up here!
Jun 6, 2018 05:47:43 #
TriX wrote:
Colleagues, my wife and I are planning a drive fro... (show quote)
Get in touch with AAA. They offer good suggestions.
Jun 6, 2018 05:51:25 #
Just some thoughts, having lived in Connecticut for the last 30 some years. Until you get pretty far up, the coastal areas, with some natural beauty, have been completely overbuilt and industrialized. I found Newport to be interesting. If you do stop there the cliff walk behind the mansions is worthwhile. I toured Breakers for something to do. Once up in Maine, the estuarys are intact and nature has been allowed to survive. If it were me, I would battle my way north, and just watch it all go by. Focus on spending your time further north. I have only spent extended time in a couple of places up that way. Memories I cherish. Thats a heck of a drive.
Jun 6, 2018 06:05:35 #
Try to time your drive with a lot of consideration for rush hour traffic through New York city and lower Connecticut. It can be mind numbing.
Jun 6, 2018 06:16:14 #
I agree with Linda. I grew up in Maine and the coastal scenery on RT. 1 north of Freeport is your best bet given your limited amount of time. Pop into the Boothbay Harbor area. Any of the small towns on the coast offer great photo ops. Once you get near Bar Harbor Rt. 1 is no longer coastal so it's just pretty farmland. You can enter Canada near Houlton and head to Canada's coast. If you have time, do a loop around the coast of Nova Scotia (the bay of Fundy has the greatest tidal change in North America) and Prince Edward Island is beautiful.
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