New England/North East Advice Needed.....

[disney-akj]

My girls, my sister, my mom and my self are taking a spur of the moment road trip to the New England area. I would appreciate any advice or recommendations you have because I have really no time to plan much because we are leaving Friday the 17th. Very spontaneous for this "Type A" girl, but still very excited. Right now this is our tenative plans.

Saturday- Arrive to Niagara Falls later in the day
Sunday- Niagara Falls, watch fireworks, drive across border and a little bit into New York
Monday- Finish driving through New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire??
Tuesday- Finish driving through New Hampshire, to southern Maine to explore portland and old orchard beach area
Wednesday- Boston (probably doing the bean town trolley to take us around)
Thursday- Cape cod, plymouth, martha's vineyard on through connecticut towards New York
Friday/Saturday- New York (We are staying at a Holiday Inn in North Bergen, NJ- is this bad or any other recommendations that won't break the bank)
Sunday- Washington DC-just so kids can see some of the monuments/white house-no time to explore really
Monday- Trip is over and heading home

What are some things we should not miss?? What is a good route from New York towards Portland Maine to get to see pretty views, even if it isn't the fastest route?? We have only booked our Niagara Falls and New York hotels- any recommendations??

I know we have jammed a lot into a short time, but no extra time to make it a longer trip. Did I mention we leave Friday TIA!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

can't give you any tips on what to go see or routes, been way to long since we lived back there!
Have an awesome time with all the girls! you have a lot of driving to do, but will see so many great places!

 

[lovingthemouse]

After I take a deep breath, may I say that I think you are taking on too much for a short trip! You are visiting some of the most spectacular places in the northeast, with barely any time to enjoy them.
Have you given any thought to focusing on just a few of them? The Boston/Cape area is awesome this time of year, but crowded. I'm not saying don't visit them since it's hard to pass them up - how about avoiding them on a weekend? Niagara Falls is awesome, don't forget your passports if you travel into Canada!
DC is incredible - that alone is worth 4 days since there is so much to see and do.

Having taken many a family trip and fieldtrips with my students to many of these locations, you really need more time to visit fewer places, in my opinion.

Wherever you go, have a wonderful trip - always more special with family!!!

 

[RD-SOX]

Gosh being from NH I have to say go and see The Old Man in the Mountain, well where it used to be. It is still spectacular and the whole Franconia Notch area is wonderful. The Basin, The Flume.
Don't forget the NH State Liquor Store right on the highway.

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

Wow, I am tired just reading your itinerary. I would recommend to either spend the day on Cape Cod or in Plymouth. Plymouth Harbor area is really nice can walk to see Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II is available for tours(not sure of the pricing.) There is a garden area for a picnic lunch or you can try one of the numerous restaurants in the area. Plimouth Plantation is not far and is really interesting place to visit if you would like to learn about the Pilgrims.

I don't live far from Plymouth so if you would like more info please let me know.

Cassey

 

[disney-akj]

Thanks for the advice so far! All of the adults have been to NYC and Washington DC. I have been to Niagara Falls, but no one else and we do all have passports since we love to cruise. We avoided Boston/Cape Cod on the weekend on purpose since that will be new to all of us and we might leave Niagara Falls early to provide more time in Boston/Cape Cod area. Grandma just really wants the girls to see NYC and Washington DC while we are so close. I know we will not even begin to touch the surface on some of these places, but that will be separate trips later on probably when DS and DH are with us and the kids are a little older. This is something mom has always wanted to do and since she is almost 70- I am being the obedient daughter While this sounds like a lot, it is still probably going to be less tiresome than 10 days at Disney when my kids run me into the ground-LOL!

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

I hope you have a great trip. Driving from Plymouth to the Cape is usually an easy ride to the canal, during summer months it can take longer but I would avoid it on Friday at all costs. Depending and where on the Cape you want to see and visit it can take longer. The ferry rides to Martha's Vineyard leaves from Wood's Hole. They have a website where you can check out the rates and times of departure. www.steamshipauthority.com is the website I have only done the trip once but it wasn't bad, maybe 45 minutes? Hope that helps some.


Cassey

 

[joyah]

The trip from Niagra though VT and NH all in one day is WAY to long. there are no east west interstates so you all going to be going though villages. plus you're skipping over VT there is sooo much here to see Quechee gorge, Ben and jerrys plus a ton of other stuff. Simon Pearce Glass blowing, cabot creamery are only a few more that come to mind.
From White River Junction (on the NH border) to old orchard is 3+ hours on a good day. The states look little on the map but it takes a while

 

[disney-akj]

I think we decided to leave Niagara Falls Sunday afternoon and spend most of Sunday making it across New York. We will miss the fireworks on Sunday Night but we will still get to see the Falls being illuminated on Saturday night. That will leave one whole day for Vermont and New Hampshire. Probably still not enough time, but something. Thanks everyone! Keep the ideas coming

 

[joyah]

that is much more do able. It takes abt 1 1/2-2 hours to drive straight across vt. now if you want senic route 4 then north on 5 till route 2 arcross into maine. but you can then do the white mountians.

 

[Lisa]

It takes 8 hours from my house in CT to Niagra Falls, just to give you an idea of timing and distance.

The Cape Cod Canal is nice to see. You can get out near the Coast Guard station and walk out to the jetty. The kids can see the ocean. There is a great seafood counter service restaurant there called Seafood Sams. picnic tables outside and tables inside.

 

[disney-akj]

Thanks everyone! Do you have a recommended road route across new york towards vermont?

Joyah I will remember those recommendations for roads through vermont, into new hampshire, over to maine.

 

[joyah]

Route 4 is abt 1 1/2 hours across from Whitehall ny(?) to white river. Route 5 out of white river to St Johnsbury is abt 1 hour + you could do I91 for this piece to route 2 once you cross into me I can't remember how long it is or the route to the coast. It's beautiful though the white mountians. Kangamangus highway. Watch for moose bear deer and other wildlife. If you don't want to go that far north you can do fairlee/orford and route 25 into plymouth then pick up i 93 down to the coast then 95 north may have to do 101 out of manchester nh.

there was a mapping program online that you could tell it what you want to see and routes.............. kind of like a trip tic from AAA
have fun