jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Actually, they are now states. There was a bit of a kerfuffle in the late 1770s, and the colonies became states.

Use the Interstates to get from Point A to Point B (not actual location names). When you're in the area, drive the regular, back roads to see the towns and scenery. I would use Google to find scenic towns and sights in areas you're visiting. Restaurants, motels, etc., will have stands with brochures advertising local things to see. You could spend six or seven weeks in any one of the states and not see all the interesting sighte.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, indeedy!

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

Bullfrogbill and Idguy (first 2 responders) came up with a lot of great suggestions. In Maine (ME) there are lots of lighthouses along the coast.

Just remember, we drive on then right hand side of the road, and we flip the switch UP to turn it on. My wife and I Honeymooned in the UK in '74. We went on a self guided 2 week driving tour. We loved then UK, and would love to go back. If you enjoy the USA half as much as we enjoyed the UK it will be a vacation you'll never forget. Compared to the UK, gasoline (petrol) is dirt cheap.

Have a great time and post some pictures!

Ken S.

P.S. You'll like this, My VERY British boss at work (before I retired) claimed that we did not win the American Revolution. England did, because "We got rid of you!" Loved her accent.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Plan 3-4 days in Boston - a beautiful historic walking-friendly city. Spend a few days in Portland, Maine, and then head northwest to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Lots of waterfalls, covered bridges, the Mt Washington Cog Railroad, and more!

For Maine:

Maine can be divided into distinct regions - the Western Mountains and the North Woods (with Baxter State Park and Mt. Katadin). But most people want to see Maine's iconic coastline. Where will you be starting? If in Portland, spend a few days - in South Portland is the Portland Head Light, which is one of the most photographed lights in the world for good reason. A trip on the ferry out to Peak's Island is fun. Then head north - take Rt 1 up the "mid-coast" - Pemaquid peninsula with it's iconic lighthouse is special. And plan a visit to the town of Camden. Some people start by flying in to Bangor, which is fine if you are focusing on "downeast" Maine (the region East of Ellsworth). In spite of the crowds, "Acadia" National Park is a must-see destination. I would suggest looking online to see which days the cruise ships come in and avoiding those days - on those days Bar Harbor (pronounced "Bah Hahbah") is overflowing with tourists and tour buses crowd the park. But it is awesome. Just East of there down Rt 1 is the Schoodic Peninsula - also part of Acadia but a beautiful drive around the peninsula without the crowd. If you want to see the REAL downeast Maine, keep heading East. Jonesport is the quintessential lobster-fishing village. Lubec is at the end of the road (Lubec-ers will tell you: "t'aint the end of the eahth, but you can see it from heah") . Just south of Lubec is the West Quoddy Head State Park with its' famous red-and-white striped light house. If you bring your passport you can drive over the bridge to Campobello Island (New Brunswick, Canada) - a beautiful beach and at the far end is the East Quoddy Head Light house.

A few posts: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-239148-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-146468-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-221396-1.html

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

Most States have travel & touring guides.

I would suggest a web search "Things to see in MA, NH, VT, ME" state by state.

traveling chef 37

The suggestion of the above responder, to take a good look at way Down East is prescient and worthwhile. This area provides a microcosm of iconic Maine's National Park, in the form of a smaller, more readily available set of parks and conservation land. The Quaddy Head State park is a smallish version of the larger Acadia, but always and ever under utilized. No competition for parking, trail availability, or over abundant flat-landers in ridiculous outfits. You'll save a ton of money, see more, and enjoy an experience that's fading into oblivion with time. See it while it's still there. With a little bit of effort, good meals, fun times, and lively entertainment are all available. You can rent a whole house or cottage for a week for the cost of a Bar Harbor night.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

In New Hampshire, Mount Washington and North Conway offer a lot of landscape photography, the Kancamungus Highway at dawn or dusk for moose sightings.

spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

So many options in all of those states. But here's a bit of a POV from a Boston guy;

• If you're visiting anything on the shore during the summer season, do it midweek, go inland on the weekends unless you love traffic.
• Maybe I'm just sick of it, but I don't find Cape Cod specifically photogenic.
• Others have given a lot of advise on Maine, and you've probably seen the other post on that subject today, http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-521305-1.html
• Don't discount Rhode Island. Yes it's small, and we all make fun of it, but there are some nice places. Newport is great to visit, but hence the advice on sea shores and weekends.
• I'm a bit biased towards New Hampshire. Not a lot of big tourist areas, but some good hiking without being a mountain climber.
-North Conway is a good place to stay, then you can explore the mountains, rivers and ponds from there. Eastern Maine is also just a bit to the east. The Black Cap trail off of Hurricane mountain road gives a great view as you're 1200' above North Conway with views across the valley. And most of the vertical is gained by driving to the trail head.
-North Woodstock is a bit sleepy in the summer, but once again, you'd be 10 minutes away from some nice photo opportunities. Nice hikes, an arial Tram at Cannon Mountain, and the west side of Mount Washington just to the north.
• Vermont is really nice too. If you enter from NH, route 4 just off I-89 brings you through Quichee Gorge, and then to the picturesque resort area of Woodstock (yah, we like that name for towns in New England) North of US 89, there's Montpelier, Stowe and the farm country if you head north on Rt100, and then Burlington along lake Champlain.

Leitz Loc: Solms

The outcome was the best for both sides!

Leitz Loc: Solms

I thank everyone for the great suggestions, much more than I expected. The last thing I want are cliché postcard type shots, so knowing where tourists go tells me where not to go. With few preconceptions of what's ahead, I'm confident my trip will be most rewarding. Now to study the maps!

TonyBot

Even though Maine is my first choice, especially "down east" (for years, I didn't know there was anything below the Belfast area), the Connecticut and Merrimack river valley towns are rich with history of early American industrialization. Compact cities abound, giving way to rural areas - sometimes built 300 or more years ago - in only a few miles. Huge, rambling brick mill buildings now given over to cutting-edge techno companies, condos, museums, universities and artist colonies.

Just an idea that hasn't been mentioned yet ... Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit!

Leitz Loc: Solms

I just want to say that I hope no one feels snubbed if I don't reply individually. A bit busy now, but I do appreciate every comment, and I will definitely check out many of the recommendations.

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

Savannah, GA is a must!

tinkerbell2 Loc: Charleston, South Carolina

If you are planning on the South, visit Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. I’d also recommend Beaufort, SC. In North Carolina try to visit the Outer Banks.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...Washington DC! Is that "New England?" Well, it's close geographically anyhow...I did that place in '12 and again in '13, 3 day stays for both. I need another month, lol...