Need New England Vacation Advice

[Dogmama]

Thanks everybody & keep the suggestions coming if you have some! I'm copying all of them to take with me.

[AudreyJackson]

Another tip is to travel light. I always travel light to maintain my flexibility during the trip.

[Chile Pepper]

Timely thread! My family and I will be spending a few days in Boston this summer, then driving up to Deer Isle, Maine (near Bar Harbor). I'd like to take a couple of days to do the drive so that we can stop and see some of the sights. Strawberry Banke looks fun. Any other suggestions as we work our way north? Any favorite towns for spending the night? And what's on your must-see list in Boston? My sons are 10 and 13.

[Crankin]

What are your sons really interested in? There's several years' worth of things to do!
Walk the Freedom Trail; you'll see many of the important historical sites. If you don't so this, at least walk through the Public Gardens and Common. The North End/Paul Revere's House (Italian section of town). The Waterfront, Aquarium. The Museum of Science, Fenway Park. Cambridge/Harvard Square. Museum of Fine Arts.
There are several good walking tours and bike tours you can do in the city. Sometimes it's nice to focus in on one or two and have a guide.
Strawberry Banke and Portsmouth itself are awesome. I would also stop in Portland, Maine on the way up. Similar, but bigger than Portsmouth and quite a foodie town. On the way to Bar Harbor, I would stay somewhere in mid-coast Maine. I love Camden.

[Reesha]

I second the science museum and aquarium for Boston... I have many incredible memories at both of those places.

My first and last Maine true love is inland... Sebago Lake! I also like to paddle the rivers.

If you can find a Windjammer day cruise, that would be well worth it. Here's one!
http://www.camdenmainevacation.com/c...trips-sail.php

[Chile Pepper]

Fantastic! Thanks! So many interesting ideas. The Freedom Trail looks great--is that a full day if we take our time? the Waterfront/aquarium should be a hit, and I think my DH is already checking the schedule at Fenway Park.

Reesha, what rivers do you paddle? We're ex-kayakers turned rafters (since the kids). Any suggestions for a class 3 day trip?

[breeze]

Chile Pepper, if you like to kayak, there are a ton of sea kayaking opportunities around the midcoast Maine area (Rockland/Belfast/Camden). I like the Sebago Lake area, too (especially for camping), but I adore Camden. If you need a B&B rec there, I like the Camden Maine Stay. If you decide to venture further north to Bar Harbor, make sure that you get up to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain (and take a blanket-- its cold up there!) and have popovers later at Jordan Pond.

Don't forget to hit the LLBean (flagship and outlet) in Freeport! Sometimes you can pick up some great discounted gear at the outlet, and the flagship is open 24 hours. They also have 20-30 mi group road rides from the main store on Saturday mornings.

[Reesha]

The Magalloway will have more reliable rapids than the androscoggin or saco... those two rivers are gentler for the most part and better for canoeing or kayaking. Nice for kids learning to kayak or canoe

[Kubla]

Dogmama, I never stop appreciating the ever changing natural beauty here, in all seasons. New Englanders are constant complainers about the weather. 23 years of AZ and Florida made me think differently and to want to return to the place I spent my first 15 years.
PM me, and maybe we can meet.

I'm with you, Crankin. I have lived here my entire life and plan to stay until the show is over. I love the changing seasons and the various activities associated with them. (Heck, sometimes you can get the flavor of 2-4 seasons in one day.)

[missjean]

(Heck, sometimes you can get the flavor of 2-4 seasons in one day.)

So true!

[Crankin]

I don't think the Freedom Trail is a whole day; maybe half or 3/4.
Hey, you could come out here where I live and see the many historical sights from the Revolutionary War. You can take the train...


http://www.concordchamberofcommerce....sitor-info.htm

[Dogmama]

I'm with you, Crankin. I have lived here my entire life and plan to stay until the show is over. I love the changing seasons and the various activities associated with them. (Heck, sometimes you can get the flavor of 2-4 seasons in one day.)

Gawd, I hate the desert in the summer. We've already had 107 degrees. Leaves fall off the trees around Christmas - those that are deciduous. Cactus just wrinkles up. I'd leave in a heartbeat but DH has his business here.