Northeast Road Trip - Suggestions Appreciated!

[deanblitzer]

Hi All!

My wife and I will are planning a road trip through the Northeast for Labor Day week for about 10 days and I thought I would reach out for some tips! We are planning on stopping at the following cities:

Burlington, VT
Montpelier, VT
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Portland, ME
Boston, MA
Martha's Vineyard, MA

We will probably spend a few days in each. Just got the latest issue of Outside magazine and they highlighted a few of the cities. As we were already planning the road trip before getting the issue it was perfect!

I was hoping to get a few ideas from you all for some great bed and breakfasts, restaurants, hiking trails, etc during out trip. We would like to stay at mom-n-pop places for the road trip and are looking to relax and enjoy the ride.

This will be our first road trip in the 4runner but I had done an 8 city, 8 day baseball road trip with my brother in law a few years ago so am looking forward to it! That trip was in my old FJ and I had a great time!

Thanks again for any info you guys can share!!!!

 

[phillyd2]

Double check if then would still be in season but if so, whale watching from Barnstable.

 

[Land_Shark]

Check out mt. Washington - between Montpelier and Portland. Not directly between, but pretty much. I've never been, but I heard it's fun

 

[3wbdriver]

A little off route but if you get time go see Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara. Take the jet boat ride up to the the Falls if you can (a little pricy but really fun and well worth it). The fort dates back to Revolutionary War times and is remarkably intact. They even have full time reenactors there to give it a genuine feel. The Falls are like the Grand Canyon. TV and pictures just don't do them justice like standing there does.

Not really the recommendations you're looking for. Just a suggestion. And Vermont would be a lot prettier a month later with the changing of the leaves.

 

[N/A]

Mt Washington and area around North Conway, Acadia National Park, White Water Raft the Kenebec Gorge, Cabelas in Portland...

 

[dahorst]

If you are going to Burlington, Montreal isn't far.

 

[GabrielM]

If you are going to Burlington, Montreal isn't far.

I was going to say that
If you ever see a gray 4Runner during your trip, say Hi as I'm heading to Acadia NP in Maine and may come back up through Vermont, during the same time as you...

 

[cbielat]

You may consider hanging on Block Island for a day.

 

[simonpsu]

We were just in Portland, ME last weekend visiting friends in Bowdoinham, ME. The Portland Head Light is fantastic, also Shipyard Brewing is close by, as well as LL Bean in Freeport, with The Maine Brewing Co. right down the street. Also visited the Nubble Lighthouse in Wells, ME on the way back home.

 

[Jamobi]

If you get a chance check out Race Point Beach in Cape Cod. You can get a permit and drive your 4runner right on the beach up there. My wife and I do it often. Provincetown is a a stones throw away if you have an open mind and into seafood, otherwise you can just pack a cooler full food and drink, bring along a small grill and enjoy a day at the beach sitting next to your vehicle.

 

[m(a)ce]

sounds like a blast!
in between Burlington & Montpelier is Waterbury. if you're into great beer there are a couple legit restaurants/bars to enjoy some Hill Farmstead, Lawsons & Alchemist beers plus lots of locally sourced eats.
have fun!

 

[cfranck1]

sounds like a blast!
in between Burlington & Montpelier is Waterbury. if you're into great beer there are a couple legit restaurants/bars to enjoy some Hill Farmstead, Lawsons & Alchemist beers plus lots of locally sourced eats.
have fun!

Was just going to mention Waterbury! You probably won't find better then "Hill Farmstead" and or "Heady Topper" from Alchemist.
Some great restaurants too Prohibition Pig, Hen of the Wood, just to name a few.

You can always stay at the von Trapp family (Sound of Music was inspired by the family) lodge in Stowe! Always some great little places (mom/pop) to stay in Stowe!

Have fun! Hopefully I can do something like this myself soon!!

 

[deanblitzer]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!! It is much appreciated. I'll be sure to take pictures and share with you all when we get back. Can't wait to hit up some of the breweries mentioned!!

 

[THatfield]

I can't recommend Mt. Washington and the Kancamagus Highway (NH Rt. 112) enough. The Valley (North Conway, Ossipee, etc.) is a beautiful region with plenty of scenic views, hiking, camping etc.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

You may consider hanging on Block Island for a day.

i second this, and since the ferry is in new london (one of them at least), take the 15 minute ride over and see mystic, cool town with a ton of neat shops and what not, aquariam and the old seaport too

 

[1traildriver]

+1 for Cape Cod and the beach permit, there might even be camping on the beach somewhere if I remember correctly.

See this link below for permit prices, rules and a list of necessary equipment (shovel, jack, wood jack base, tow strap etc.)

Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Beach Driving - Cape Cod National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

 

[Hyde802]

A drive through smugglers notch is good. Take the gondola from Stow Resort to the top of Mansfield or drive up the auto road and its a short hike to the top of VTs highest mountain. Could be "on the way" to B town after stopping at ben and jerrys in Waterbury.

I live 10 min out side of Mont P.

 

[wallytoo]

i'd skip lake winni. it's a lake. sure, it's clean and clear, but you've seen one new england lake, you've seen 'em all, and you'll see plenty while driving through northern/central new england.

better to visit mt. washington and drive up the auto road to the summit. plenty of b&b's to stay at in that region, too. also, as noted above, drive the kancamagus. visit a couple of the grand hotels in the northern part of nh, like the mountain view grand hotel, or the mount washington hotel. or stay at the woodstock inn, which has a nice restaurant and their own brewpub.

at portland, visit a few of the lighthouses. i'm partial to two-lights state park, but there are many. maine's pretty big, so i'd forget about going to acadia if you're planning on visiting as many places as you list. it'll take a good portion of a day to drive from portland up to acadia/baxter/mt desert island, and then you'd have a long drive down to boston/cape/martha's vineyard.

i'd also drive smuggler's notch in vermont. nice narrow twisty road at the pass. stowe itself is touristy, but there's a bunch of b&b's, pubs, etc. (stayed there 17 years ago for our honeymoon). not sure about the attraction to montpelier. pretty town, but nothing exotic. maybe visit barre and see the granite quarries.

 

[deanblitzer]

Just wanted to share one pic from our roadtrip so far! This was on the way through New Hampshire before we hit the White Mountains. Beautiful country up here. Wish we had more time to stay!