To All New England Members

[jqwhaler]

I would really appreciate your advice and links or bits of info you can provide....

My parents, who live here in Michigan will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary next summer with a trip to New England. (My father was born in Concord, Mass. but hasn't returned since moving here to MI when he was very young.) They plan on visiting for ten days to two weeks.

Not being familiar with the region, he has asked me to help him set this up. I have been to Boston once for about 4 days so I too am totally clueless about what to suggest. They will be driving there from MI so they will have a car. I am trying to talk my dad into taking the 13' but I am not sure he wants to trailer a boat around for a couple weeks unless there are some really excellent opportunities for sights and such on waters that wont beat you down in a 13'.

He has also been having some trouble locating reasonable lodging prices as they want to jump around a bit (every couple days or so.) I have suggested the B&B route but upon further research have found this somewhat pricey in the peak season as well. (Trying to stay around $100 a night +/- is this impossible )

Please keep in mind preparations are still in infancy. With good luck on responses we hope to plan this primarily based around the sage advice of area locals, and frequenters with the understanding that Concord, Mass. must be included in the itinerary.

I would say that they would probably like to do some waterfront seafood dining, do some antiquing, check out some historical sites. Maybe do some small water cruising with the 13' or a rental...My dad said something about Lizzie Borden! Yikes. They are really laid back folks and in addition to some limited touristy siteseeing would probably just like to fodder around in "local's haunts" and take in the culture and spend some QT. (quality time)

They are definitely not opposed to crusing around in the car a bit, trip to the cape, vineyard etc. I think they will be stopping in multiple states, so the CT, VT, ME, NH etc. folks are welcome to poke in as well.

Thanks so much for your assistance in helping me set up a memorable trip!

--JQ

 

[Dave K.]

Re: To All New England Members

Hello JQ, well sounds like a nice trip they're planning & for a great reason. being from upstate ny, let me first offer my prime choice of Lake George. that's where i boat pretty much exclusively. i wouldn't recommend a 13' on the weekends, but would be OK during the week. they're are plenty of marinas that rent. unfortunately, being a tourist area, it is a bit pricey for lodging, dining etc.. now, you can't go wrong anywhere along the NH & Maine coast, beautiful scenery & i also recommend Mystic, Conn.. 100% recommend going anywhere on the the cape (outer cape is best) & especially martha's vineyard..spent many a weeks out there & south beach is the place to go. many sights in edgartown & oaks bluff as well. gd luck.

 

[bowman316]

Re: To All New England Members

do you have a bigger boat? you say the 13 like there is something else? If there forecast dosn't call for strong winds, then the water should be calm, but winds over 10-15 mph i would not go out on a 13.
there are not many waterways that are protected from the ocean and big waves up there.

 

[jqwhaler]

Re: To All New England Members

No, I say "the 13" like the ol' beloved 13'. I am a member on another owner's forum and I just copy/pasted the post. It is a way to refresh the members on the other forum about my whaler model so they know what type of conditions would be suitable when providing suggestions.

Thanks for your concern.

--JQ

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: To All New England Members

They can rent a canoe on the Concord River and lazily paddle down to the bridge where the battle of Concord started. There's a Revolutionary war mueseum there and nice park. That's a cheap and fun way to kill an afternoon.

A Boston Duck tour is a riot. The freedom Trail is a nice walk too. There's a million other things to do in Boston though.

They can take the Amtrack Downeaster between Boston and Portland ME. A stop in Exeter NH and a walk around downtown would be pleasant. Phillips Exeter Acadamy has a beautiful campus.

Portsmouth NH is a lovely place to walk and shop and it's a good jumping off spot for a scenic cruise to the Isles of Shoals. Strawberry Banke in downtown Portsmouth is a neat place to see. AS are the Gardens in PRescott park nearby.

Perkins Cove in Maine is postcard perfect Maine coast spot to see. As is Nubble lighthouse, a couple miles south. A drive on the NH seacoast is hard to beat.

The cliff walk in Newport RI is quite a sight. The mansions are unbelieveable.

Lake Winnipesaukee in NH is cool to see. There are numerous tour boats, the MV Mount Washington being the most famous.

Burlington VT is a really cool town. Any VT town is pretty nice, come to think of it. The closer to a ski area, the nicer they usually are...

A trip up and down the Songo River in Maine is pretty cool. The 13 footer would be perfect for that. Naples ME is the logical starting point. Lunch or dinner at Rick's Cafe on the Causeway, on a sunny day or warm evening is always treat.

 

[jqwhaler]

Re: To All New England Members

Wow! Those pictures look fantastic.

 

[pduquette]

Re: To All New England Members

Hi jqwaler ! Welcome aboard !
Sorry I just got in to this post . I'm in S.E. Mass if there is anything i can help with . I'll have to doudle check , but the Borden house dose sleepovers on halloween , maybee Dad would.....naaaa ; never mind Well anyway Fallriver + cape is a short hike - just P.M. Peter

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: To All New England Members

...They plan on visiting for ten days to two weeks... (Trying to stay around $100 a night +/- is this impossible .....Thanks so much for your assistance in helping me set up a memorable trip!

Hi-

I live in northern Vermont, born and raised in New Hampshire. ANY trip east to NE should include Boston, Portsmouth, Mount Washington, the Maine seacoast, and of course Stowe, Morgan, and Craftsbury Vermont. These Vermont towns are all around an hour or less from each other.

What dates are they planning on being here? I can probably help you find affordable accommodations here in Vermont.

 

[jqwhaler]

Re: To All New England Members

I would have to ask them to get specific dates, let me make a call or two and I'll post again. I am assuming they are looking for mid-late July.

--JQ

 

[bugman1964]

Re: To All New England Members

All of the New England states have something to offer the traveler,

CT- Casinos, Gillete Castle, Train rides along the CT River in Essex, fishing, boating on LI sound, Mystic aquirium and seaport tour.
Mass- Concord/Lexington historical sites, Boston aquirium/USS Constitution old iron sides, the north end, game at Fenway to see the beloved sox, Danvers (salem) witch tours, Old Sturbridge Village.
ME- Acadia National Park (coastal), Moosehead Lake, Sabago Lake, White Mountains ME/NH boarder, Rangely Lake region, lake fishing/boating.
NH- White Mountains/Presidential Range.
RI- Ocean Beaches
VT- I apoligize to my VT brethern for not knowing what they have to offer. I never spent much time there.

Each state has a board of tourism, check them out. Congradulations to your parents.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: To All New England Members

Southern Rhode Island has some great vacation spots, with salt water ponds that are perfect for a 13' boat.

http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: To All New England Members

...NH- White Mountains/Presidential Range.
VT- I apoligize to my VT brethern for not knowing what they have to offer. I never spent much time there...

Vermont has a lot to offer as far as fishing, hiking, and just being on the water. Morgan Vermont has great peacefulness on Lake Seymour, and deep Lake Willoughby is only a short ways from there. Stowe is a tourist trap, but nice to visit with the Auto Road up Mount Mansfield. If you have time for the drive, Manchester Vermont is a nice visit, but if time is short I would limit my visit to Vermont to the Northeast Kingdom area.

 

[Soundbounder]

Re: To All New England Members

Vermont has a lot to offer as far as fishing, hiking, and just being on the water. Morgan Vermont has great peacefulness on Lake Seymour, and deep Lake Willoughby is only a short ways from there. Stowe is a tourist trap, but nice to visit with the Auto Road up Mount Mansfield. If you have time for the drive, Manchester Vermont is a nice visit, but if time is short I would limit my visit to Vermont to the Northeast Kingdom area.

Manchester IMO has become a bit too touristy as well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: To All New England Members

I live not too far from Killington and north of Manchester. Manchester is a tourist trap for shoppers..... nuff said. Woodstock VT is really nice and close to Quechee which is also nice.

Probably one of the most unique things to visit "inland" in NE is Mt Washington in NH. Many of the "tourist" spot are traps.

 

[Soundbounder]

Re: To All New England Members

I live not too far from Killington and north of Manchester. Manchester is a tourist trap for shoppers..... nuff said. Woodstock VT is really nice and close to Quechee which is also nice.

Probably one of the most unique things to visit "inland" in NE is Mt Washington in NH. Many of the "tourist" spot are traps.

I have always liked Woodstock and Quechee Gorge.

 

[magillacuddy]

Re: To All New England Members

being from upstate ny, let me first offer my prime choice of Lake George. that's where i boat pretty much exclusively.

I'll second that. Take a look at the site in my sig (http://www.boatupstate.com/) for some more local knowledge/message board of the upstate area. Saratoga Lake is a nice, smaller lake without a lot of the touristy stuff, and might be more suitable for that sized boat.

But, that is about a 3 hour drive from Boston. We also go to the Cape every year, but I wouldn't tool around those waters in a boat that size (but I've never boated in the ocean, so I take the cautious route).

 

[rothfm]

Re: To All New England Members

Been in NE all my life, currently live near Boston. I'm a boater and fisherman. A nice day is to take the Boston Harbor Ferry out to the islands. You pay one price and can visit multiple Islands of different types all day, taking the next ferry as needed. Lots on info online. Its really beautiful out there.

I avoid Cape Cod in the nice weather..very busy. However an alternative less crowded spot it Newport, and the East Newport area. Check out Sachauet State Park along the Sakonnett River (far east side of Newport). Beautiful and very nice beaches.

Block Island Rhode Island is a very nice trip. This is offshore RI via Ferry from Pt Judith. Its low key, and you can rent bikes or mopeds for touring.

Also Jamestown RI is very quaint. They have kept this Island in the middle of Narragannsett Bay as it was 100 years ago. Very pretty with a nice "downtown" area with several hotels and awsome views. BeaverTail State park is at the open ocean end is my alltime favor spot on the earth!

"South County" Rhode Island will offer reasonable B+B's as well as reasonable Hotels..At least more reasonable than Cape Cod MA, and the Boston area.

Thinking about it makes me want to plan a local trip here to all my favorite spots myself!!

 

[South_Bound]

Re: To All New England Members

I grew up on Lake Winnepasaukee(Not that I can spell it) it is a great area, and heading out on the Mount Washington is a great idea. They used to have a great dinner cruise, just make sure they dont go during bike week!!!

That whole area is a tourist mecca, if looking for a more inexpensive route tell them to try the Holderness area for lodging, it is on Squam Lake, the lake from the movie on Golden Pond, and is close to everything but out of the way enough to be reasonable, Say 10 miles to the Mount Washington cruise in Weirs Beach.

 

[mthieme]

Re: To All New England Members

I'm afraid I've only been up in the neck of the woods less than a handful of times. However, one area I like to stop in on the way is Mystic Harbor in Mystic, RI. Any boater would thoroughly enjoy this place. My wife the city girl (read:non-boater) even liked it. There is an opportunity for some boating in the protected harbor as well.
I travel along I-95, so places to stay are plentiful.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: To All New England Members

Unless they moved some state lines, you'll find Mystic in CT, not RI...