Austerby
Well-known
Hey. I'm planning a trip around New England in September and looking both for suggestions on photogenic places to visit.
The plan is to fly into Boston, go up the coast for a bit (Kennebunkport?) then inland (Woodstock/ White / Green mountains), then back to the coast (Newport) then Cape Cod. Allowance is about 12 days, including time in Boston.
Following that we'll take the train to NYC for a couple of days before returning to London.
The plan is to fly into Boston, go up the coast for a bit (Kennebunkport?) then inland (Woodstock/ White / Green mountains), then back to the coast (Newport) then Cape Cod. Allowance is about 12 days, including time in Boston.
Following that we'll take the train to NYC for a couple of days before returning to London.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire is darn beautiful, as is much of New Hampshire up in the northeast. Great hiking, both short & long trails - but can be steep. Bonus is getting a great long view after a hours walk.
I think your plan is very good. In the White Mountains using North Conway as your "base of operations" you will be able to hit all points of interest, including Franconia Notch, within a reasonable scenic drive.
For outdoor activities you can get a lot of info from the AMC.
http://www.outdoors.org/
Also the Mount Washington Observatory.
http://www.mountwashington.org/
I can highly recommend a bed & breakfast, The 1785 Inn, if you have not yet settled your lodging.
http://www.the1785inn.com/
For outdoor activities you can get a lot of info from the AMC.
http://www.outdoors.org/
Also the Mount Washington Observatory.
http://www.mountwashington.org/
I can highly recommend a bed & breakfast, The 1785 Inn, if you have not yet settled your lodging.
http://www.the1785inn.com/
Will's Trip to Maine, lots of suggestions and photos.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117308
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116306
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117308
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116306
daveleo
what?
That's a lot of ground to cover in12 days. The distances may not be great, but traffic can slow you way down, around here. Cape Cod can be a traffic nightmare up to October, unless you know the side streets and back roads.
The White Mts are wonderful. Newport is nice, touristy. I love Boston - wonderful city to walk around and take it easy for 3 days.
The other advice posted here is excellent. Just be realistic about how much time you want to spend in your car, maybe in bad traffic.
The White Mts are wonderful. Newport is nice, touristy. I love Boston - wonderful city to walk around and take it easy for 3 days.
The other advice posted here is excellent. Just be realistic about how much time you want to spend in your car, maybe in bad traffic.
02Pilot
Malcontent
If you want to avoid using a car as much as possible because of traffic concerns, you can get up as far north on the coast as Portland, ME by Amtrak train, and the Boston commuter rail network covers a pretty good area as well. Newport will likely still be pretty full of tourists in September, especially if a cruise happens to be in on the day you're there.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
The problem with traveling by public transport in New England is that you can't get very many places easily. I live in NE Vermont, I can get to work about 10 minutes away by car via bus if I want to get there two hours early and wait around for a few more hours afterwards. Or I can walk three miles and get a bus home an hour earlier. Cars are an unfortunate necessity in the US, but once out of most cities traffic isn't that big a problem. Leaving Boston on 93 at rush hour would indeed slow one down, but when traveling for pleasure one can adjust their timetable around mind numbing traffic fairly easily.
Perhaps triming down your trip to something that will allow you to relax and see more of where you are.
Boston, Maine Coast and White Mountains would be a good northern tour.
As would Boston, Cape Cod and Newport to the south.
Due to distance I think the Green Mountains of Vermont will be hard to fit in any such trip.
Boston, Maine Coast and White Mountains would be a good northern tour.
As would Boston, Cape Cod and Newport to the south.
Due to distance I think the Green Mountains of Vermont will be hard to fit in any such trip.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Keep in mind moving east to west in Northern New England is a very slow go, on winding two lane roads at 50mph at best. Picturesque, but slow.
Weather in September is usually pretty darn delightful, tho as you get into the mountains it may get colder than you'd expect at night. Here in St. Johnsbury VT we will absolutely have at least one frost in September. I've lived in this neck of the woods for almost 20 years, it has snowed in September more than once.
There is also the question of town vs country vs "wilderness".
Weather in September is usually pretty darn delightful, tho as you get into the mountains it may get colder than you'd expect at night. Here in St. Johnsbury VT we will absolutely have at least one frost in September. I've lived in this neck of the woods for almost 20 years, it has snowed in September more than once.
There is also the question of town vs country vs "wilderness".
xia_ke
Established
There is a lot to see and do in New England. Are you interested more in the mountains, the coast, historic cities, or... ? One thing to keep in mind, September is VERY busy on the coast. I work at a hotel on the Atlantic and we are almost sold out for all of September! You need to book reservations ASAP for any of the more popular locations on the coast. Also, don't be surprised if you are unable to book just one night on the water, we actually require at least a three night stay. Don't count on being able to just drive and find a room at the end of the day. As someone else mentioned, I wouldn't be going to a new place every day as you will be rushed and will miss a lot. Where are you flying out of, New York or Boston? Here are some of my favorite places:
Southern Maine - Ogunquit and Kennebunkport
Midcoast Maine - Rockland (Just returned from there myself)
Central/Western Maine - Rangeley/Lakes Region
Northern New Hampshire - White Mountains, Kancamagus Highway/Franconia Notch
Southern Vermont - Green Mountains/Manchester area
Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME are both fun and historic cities with lots to see if you don't want to the hustle of Boston and other larger cities.
Southern Maine - Ogunquit and Kennebunkport
Midcoast Maine - Rockland (Just returned from there myself)
Central/Western Maine - Rangeley/Lakes Region
Northern New Hampshire - White Mountains, Kancamagus Highway/Franconia Notch
Southern Vermont - Green Mountains/Manchester area
Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME are both fun and historic cities with lots to see if you don't want to the hustle of Boston and other larger cities.
rumbliegeos
Well-known
The Sabbathday Lake and Canterbury Shaker Villages in Maine and New Hampshire are very photogenic, but you may well be barred from taking photographs of building interiors. The exterior views are beautiful in themselves.
If you like historic architecture, the city of Bath, Maine is a good destination.
The Lake Ossipee region in New Hampshire also offers nice combinations of scenery and great historic New England architecture and village views.
If you like historic architecture, the city of Bath, Maine is a good destination.
The Lake Ossipee region in New Hampshire also offers nice combinations of scenery and great historic New England architecture and village views.
Uglee
Established
I was in the Boston area last year in late September. The weather was beautiful. If I may suggest, you may want to give your self more time in each location. Avoid the most touristy areas like the Cape on weekends. If you do go to the Cape, do it mid week and visit Provencetown. It is too crowded to enjoy on the weekends. The port towns up the coast like Marblehead, Rockport and Glouchester are so beautiful and low keyed, you may not want to leave. And, don't miss the fall colors, you will seriously regret it if you did.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
This is a great suggestion. I actually can suggest a really nice bed and breakfast in the mountain town of Jackson, a short way north of North Conway and a beautiful spot. The folks who run it are a very nice couple from Hertfordshire. info@carternotchinn.com I'll be there myself for a couple of nights in August.
You are planning to see the coast of Maine, and I agree that's a great idea. Ideally you should head farther north than Kennebunkport, like to the Rockland/Camden area or beyond, but that's getting to be a long distance, and you can't do everything.
Cape Cod and/or "The Islands" (Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket) are well worth it. And I must put in a plug for my city, Hartford, Connecticut -- a nice old town with one of the most interesting historic homes in the world, Mark Twain's house. I live very near there and would be happy to meet up with you should you come through Hartford.
You are planning to see the coast of Maine, and I agree that's a great idea. Ideally you should head farther north than Kennebunkport, like to the Rockland/Camden area or beyond, but that's getting to be a long distance, and you can't do everything.
Cape Cod and/or "The Islands" (Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket) are well worth it. And I must put in a plug for my city, Hartford, Connecticut -- a nice old town with one of the most interesting historic homes in the world, Mark Twain's house. I live very near there and would be happy to meet up with you should you come through Hartford.
Austerby
Well-known
Great suggestions and really insightful - many thanks.
I'm a great lover of the coast rather than inland so I'm taking on board the suggestions about trimming the itinerary.
I should make a visit to Mark Twain's house: as a child as my grandfather used to go fishing with him in Bermuda, and as a long-time Dylan fan I'd also quite like to go to Woodstock and find Big Pink.
Back to the plans - more suggestions/thoughts most welcome.
I'm a great lover of the coast rather than inland so I'm taking on board the suggestions about trimming the itinerary.
I should make a visit to Mark Twain's house: as a child as my grandfather used to go fishing with him in Bermuda, and as a long-time Dylan fan I'd also quite like to go to Woodstock and find Big Pink.
Back to the plans - more suggestions/thoughts most welcome.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
You may not know it, but literally next door to the Twain House is the former home of Harriet Beecher Stowe of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" fame (you know, "the little lady who started the Civil War" as Lincoln is supposed to have addressed her). Also well worth seeing.
Finally, on the coast in Mystic, Connecticut (southeast corner of the state) is Mystic Seaport, a terrific nautical museum that features the world's last existing whaling vessel, currently being completely rebuilt but still open for visits.
Finally, on the coast in Mystic, Connecticut (southeast corner of the state) is Mystic Seaport, a terrific nautical museum that features the world's last existing whaling vessel, currently being completely rebuilt but still open for visits.
anjoca76
Well-known
Woodstock is pretty far from New England--though I suppose that depends on one's definition of close!
I live in Boston, but I don't think I have much to add. You have already gotten plenty of good tips. My only recommendation would be to pick a general area and see as much as there is to see, otherwise you will spend all of your time driving, and most things worth seeing are not from seat of a moving car.
I just spent some time up in Vermont--NE Kingdom and west to Burlington. Lots to see and do there. The southern coast of Maine is where I go for weekends or daytrips from Boston and I love it there: York Beach, Ogunquit, Kennebunport, etc. Then of course there's Boston, and to the south the Cape and islands. If you stick to the coast, you can't really go wrong. But don't try to do it all or else you won't see much of anything!
I live in Boston, but I don't think I have much to add. You have already gotten plenty of good tips. My only recommendation would be to pick a general area and see as much as there is to see, otherwise you will spend all of your time driving, and most things worth seeing are not from seat of a moving car.
I just spent some time up in Vermont--NE Kingdom and west to Burlington. Lots to see and do there. The southern coast of Maine is where I go for weekends or daytrips from Boston and I love it there: York Beach, Ogunquit, Kennebunport, etc. Then of course there's Boston, and to the south the Cape and islands. If you stick to the coast, you can't really go wrong. But don't try to do it all or else you won't see much of anything!
xia_ke
Established
My wife and I just spent Sunday and Monday nights up in Rockland, ME. It is one of our favorite places for short getaways. Lots of beautiful scenery, from beaches to rocky coastline to lighthouses. Plus, excellent dining and a great art museum. I would HIGHLY recommend the Berry Manor Inn for a place to stay and make sure to visit the Farnsworth Museum for coastal themed artwork, including a large selection from Andrew Wyeth.
Austerby
Well-known
Well, the planned trip didn't happen last year, but we have now booked a return flight to Boston for mid-June, so I came back to look up the recommendations again.
We're now thinking about the first week south from Boston - Cape Cod etc. then the second week north of Boston - coastal and inland.
So just a few choice places to pick, recognising we can't see everything in the time we have.
We're now thinking about the first week south from Boston - Cape Cod etc. then the second week north of Boston - coastal and inland.
So just a few choice places to pick, recognising we can't see everything in the time we have.
semordnilap
Well-known
You could take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown and skip driving on cape cod entirely. It's beautiful and a nice summary of the cape and islands.
After that, rent a car and drive down to Newport, then go to watch hill, RI too... Its one of my favorite beaches, very scenic.
From there you could drive north and spend a few days in North Conway and then go over to Portland, Maine. From there it's just a couple of hours back to boston on your way out, or you can dally along the Maine coast if you want.
After that, rent a car and drive down to Newport, then go to watch hill, RI too... Its one of my favorite beaches, very scenic.
From there you could drive north and spend a few days in North Conway and then go over to Portland, Maine. From there it's just a couple of hours back to boston on your way out, or you can dally along the Maine coast if you want.
Takkun
Ian M.
+1 for Provincetown by boat. There's also a summer train that's been put in place since I left, but I think it only takes you halfway around the cape.
Provincetown is a great place for street shooting and gallery-hopping. And there's the beach.
One thing I loved about living in Boston is there is just about anywhere worth taking photos. Gritty streets in my own neighborhood, picturesque row houses in the Back Bay, and a bit of Europe in the North End. I've always lived without a car so I was pretty limited to where the rails took me, and the North Shore (Beverley, Rockport, Gloucester) is always pretty. It's cheesy, but Motif #1 is at least interesting to see.
Provincetown is a great place for street shooting and gallery-hopping. And there's the beach.
One thing I loved about living in Boston is there is just about anywhere worth taking photos. Gritty streets in my own neighborhood, picturesque row houses in the Back Bay, and a bit of Europe in the North End. I've always lived without a car so I was pretty limited to where the rails took me, and the North Shore (Beverley, Rockport, Gloucester) is always pretty. It's cheesy, but Motif #1 is at least interesting to see.