Advice road trip Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Mar 9, 2013 2:29 PM Last Post By: hammockweaver
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Advice road trip Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire
I started this itinerary in the US-Canada part of the forum, but based on the feedback we received, we decided to focus on US and leave the Canada part for another trip.We came up with an itinerary through the states of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. The reason why we decided to fly into Boston is the price of the flights (we are flying in from Peoria to Chicago to Boston). Flying from Peoria to Portland would be double the price.
This is the itinerary we came up with. We would appreciate your feedback on this, either the itinerary itself, or the places to stay overnight.
08/24/13: Peoria, IL - Boston, MA
Boston, MA - Portland, ME (or Cape Elizabeth, ME) (110 mi/1:58) (Via Portsmouth, NH)
08/25/13: Portland, ME - Bar Harbor, ME (192 mi/4:31) (Shopping in Freeport, via US 1 through Bath. Spend part of day around Boothbay Harbor, Camdon or Blue Hill)
08/26/13: Bar Harbor, ME (Acadia National Park)
08/27/13: Bar Harbor, ME
08/28/13: Bar Harbor, ME - Bethel, ME (85,1 mi/2:05) (Via Portland, ME (Casco Bay Lines Cruise - Mailboat) to Bethel (via Sabbathday Lake & Poland Spring))
08/29/13: Bethel, ME - Lincoln, NH (88,5 mi/2:09) (Via Gorham NH, Pinkham Notch, Glen, Conway, Kancamagus Highway (White Mountains))
08/30/13: Lincoln, NH - Burlington, VT (123 mi/2:18) (Via Franconia Notch (Flume Gorge), Littleton, Rock of Ages granite quarry, Hope Cemetary, Barre, Montpelier)
08/31/13: Burlington, VT - Woodstock, VT (105 mi/2:41) (Via Middlebury (Gap), Hancock, Plymouth)
09/01/13: Woodstock, VT - Manchester, VT (57,7 mi/1:28) (Explore villages southern Vermont: Manchester, Dorset, Grafton, Newfane, Weston)
09/02/13: Manchester, VT - Bennington, VT (50,7 mi/1:18) (Via Arlington to Bennington. Go across MA state line and visit Williamstown. Back to Bennington (VT))
09/03/13: Bennington, VT - Boston, MA (154 mi/3:44) (Via Route 9 (Molly Stark Trail), Marlboro, Brattleboro, Keene (NH), Mount Monadnock to Boston (spend afternoon/night in Boston))
09/04/13: Boston, MA - Peoria, IL
Thank you guys for your patience and all input!
1
Just at a quick glance, your first day out from Boston to Portland needs to be before afternoon commuterhours( Boston suburban and city traffic is a nightmare) Day two from Portland to Bar Harbor with all the stops is unrealistic. I'd add a day in here and
stop overnight in Castine or Blue Hill or better yet Stonington. Shave a day off Bar Harbor-- there are far
more charming towns in Maine than this upscale shopping- mall -of -a town. Acadia National Park is charming-- Bar
Harbor ---not so much. I would shave a day off your final 4 days and stretch out the Bennington ,Vermont to Boston marathon from one into two days. Overnight between the two cities, possibly in Concord.
2
New England is known (in no particular order) for its- great (small mountain) hiking opportunities,
- it's quaint little towns
- it's seafood and coastal lifestyle
- Boston and it's american history
I'm not an expert on the region, but it seems to me you have mixed those items more or less successfully.
5
I think you're missing some highlights near Portland, i.e. small picturesque towns New England is known for like Ogunquit and Kennenbunkport. Also, Old Orchard Beach is worth a stop and maybe Portsmouth, NH6
Another option would be to drive from Boston in one go to Portland, ME instead of Portsmouth, NH. That way, we can spend 2 nights in Portland and use that time to do the cruise (Casco Bay) and maybe visit Kennenbunkport, Ogunquit and Old Orchard Beach. What do you think about this?7
Well, I would take a little longer to drive to Portland stopping in a couple of those towns (whatever you can fit in) and arrive in Portland for late dinner. Then check out Portland Head Light, Old Orchard Beach and do the cruise the next day.8
Oh, near Burlington, you may want to check out the Original Ben & Jerry's.9
I agree that two nights Bar Harbor are sufficient (Acadia NP in one good full day), and therefore a further night between Bennington and Boston is a good thing, or perhaps better, two nights in Burlington. I have been told (without having been there yet - going in early June) that the Shelburne Museum just south of Burlington is very good.Places like Woodstock, Manchester, and Bennington - are very pretty indeed. And the Mt Washington area between Bethel and Lincoln is really wonderful.
10
You really should take time to visit a quaint little restaurant called "spinneys" near Bath Me,Shelburne museum is a good suggestion. I agree with Kenko on all counts, Boston and suburbs traffic can be unreal, my daughter lives there. If outlet shopping is a priority you want to include Kittery outlets, especially Kittery trading post, also Conway NH is know for it's outlets. If you do go to Conway area Mt Washington is a must do, in my opinion. If you haven't bought your airline tickets yet you may want to consider flying into Burlington Vt and avoid the whole Boston thing altogether, unless you are planning on seeing some of Boston. You can get a direct flight from chicago to burlington, (ord to btv) I believe it is US air. good luck and have fun.
