I want to take a tour of New England this spring/summer

[Cirque du So-What]

I'd appreciate input regarding points of interest throughout New England, as I plan on making a sweeping arc across upper Vermont, New Hampshire and into Maine, then returning along the coast. I am open to all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[Hoppy]

1. Maybe also edit to post what interests you have. But anyways, here are my suggestions.

Vermont Country Store. Allow about 2 hours. It is a local treasure.

N.H. Kankamagus Highway. About two hours of beauty. There is also a BBQ place in Conway.

While you are there, take the steam railway up Mt. Washington. Bring a layer of warm clothes. You may need reservations for the steam railway.

Maine. Evening Harbor cruise in Portland. Take in the Portland night life. Next morning, head east to Bar Harbor.

If you are into history and have the time., see the F.D.R. summer resort at Campobello.

On the return, you might want to see L.L Bean at Freeport.

In any case, take in a lobster supper.


Massachusetts. Cape Cod., Provincetown and Chatham. There are also other picturesque towns.
You can take a day trip to Nantucket from Hyannisport.

R.I. Nothing like Newport.

Ct. Mystic Seaport and New London.
Guilford, Ct, The Place. Get there by 6 p.m. Google it.

You can take a day trip to Block Island from R.I. or Ct.




Ct.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Thanks for the suggestions

I'd already decided on Mt. Washington. As for CT, I lived in Groton for a couple of years, although I was absent from home a good deal of the time courtesy of the sub service.

[cbayer]

2. Maine is one of my favorite states.

Acadia Park would be at the top of my list.

There are some great biking trips in New England, if that interests you.

I'm a foodie, so my trip would include some of the best regional foods.

Two sites I use for road trips are roadfood.com and roadsideamerica.com.

The first will help you find great eats and the second will take you to some of the more bizarre sites in the area.

I use the Magellan GPS and put "avoid freeways" on. That will take you from point to point on back roads, my favorite way to travel.

Lastly, I always try to go "no chains" - that is no chain restaurants or motels or stores. Hard to avoid chain gas stations, but everything else is easy.

Have a great trip!!

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I too avoid the chains

with the sole exception of Chipotle. Thanks for the websites; I'll check them out.

[Hoppy]

5. Eateries...

Maine: Bob's (Clams, seafood or whatever). I don't recall the exact name but it is on Rt. 1 adjacent to Kittery Trading Post. The trading post is also worth about 1/2 hour.

Wiscasset. Rt. 1, The lobster shack with lobster rolls on the southbound lane.

Mass. Gloucester, Get ye the fried Cod cheeks.

[cbayer]

7. Big yum! Another I like in Maine is

Five Islands Lobster Company, Georgetown.

It's a little out of the way, but I like Bath and Georgetown is beautiful.

[Hoppy]

6. Eateries...

Maine: Bob's (Clams, seafood or whatever). I don't recall the exact name but it is on Rt. 1 adjacent to Kittery Trading Post. The trading post is also worth about 1/2 hour.

There is a lobster pound on Rt 1 between Portland and Wells that has lobsters of different sizes. You choose the size and the price.

Wiscasset. Rt. 1, The lobster shack with lobster rolls on the southbound lane.

Mass. Gloucester, Get ye the fried Cod cheeks.

[mainer]

8. Are you a foodie?

Must go to Primo in Rockland, Maine. Book ahead; reservations tough to get). Chef Melissa Kelly has twice won the James Beard award.

Portland is great restaurant town. I love Miyake and Hugo's.