Planning a New England post Christmas road trip. Need advice

[tcufrog]

My DH and I are planning to take my kids and my sister on a week-long post-Christmas day road trip. I'm concerned though that his plan is too ambitious. Here's the route he wants to take: Fly into NYC, drive to Boston, drive to VT to ski for a day or 2, and drive to Montreal for our final. We'll fly home from there. We want to stop along the way to see interesting sights but don't know where yet.

What do y'all recommend? I'm fine with shortening the distance. We like nature, history, cultural sights, and local cuisine. Basically, we like to do and eat a variety of things that we can't do or eat at home.

 

[HeatherC]

Montreal, while beautiful is quite a haul from Boston. I would actually recommend flying into Boston for a few days then maybe going to Portsmouth, NH for a night and then North Conway to ski in the White Mountains. Much less driving and beautiful sites.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My DH and I are planning to take my kids and my sister on a week-long post-Christmas day road trip. I'm concerned though that his plan is too ambitious. Here's the route he wants to take: Fly into NYC, drive to Boston, drive to VT to ski for a day or 2, and drive to Montreal for our final. We'll fly home from there. We want to stop along the way to see interesting sights but don't know where yet.

What do y'all recommend? I'm fine with shortening the distance. We like nature, history, cultural sights, and local cuisine. Basically, we like to do and eat a variety of things that we can't do or eat at home.

Those are all really long drives, especially with heavy traffic in some places. Personally I’d rather stick with one or two places, there will be plenty to do.

 

[QueenIsabella]

My DD28 lives in Boston, and spent the weekend in Montreal. She said it was a LONG drive and she wouldn't do it again (we discussed taking the train or splitting up the trip).

Not only is there heavy traffic in some spots, but the weather can be dicey in winter. Driving I-95 NYC-Boston, the most common route, is obnoxious on the best of days (did it last month, stop and go traffic for hours). Vermont is fine if you're on a highway, but dicey if you're not--aside from I-91 and the like, you're talking country roads, twisty and hilly--not the best under snowy conditions.

As planned, you'll be spending a LOT of time in the car. Maybe skip Boston, and just do NYC-VT-Montreal? That's still pretty ambitious.

 

[Jen414]

Are you visiting NYC or just flying into it? If you're visiting, there's so much to do that I'd skip Boston. If you're not visiting, I'd fly direct to Boston. Best case, you're looking at 3 1/2 hours from Laguardia and that's with ZERO traffic (ie traveling in super off hours like 8:00 pm - 5:00 am) and no weather. I'd honestly count on 5+ hours to be safe. What sort of things are you thinking of in Boston? Historical sites? Don't miss the Freedom Trail including the State House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market (for the food) the Bunker Hill Monument, and the USS Constitution as well as the USS Constitution Museum. More sports focused? If the Bruins or Celtics are playing, try and catch a game. Museums? Art--Isabelle Stuart Garner Museum. Science-The Boston Science Museum and the New England Aquarium. Young kids-The Children's Museum. Into the Salem Witch Trials--ride up the north shore to Salem for all things witches. Italian food--The North End. Cute (and expensive little stores)--Newbury Street. I'm from the area and while Boston can be pretty RIGHT after it snows, but truthfully, I'd recommend doing Boston in one of the other seasons. Happy to answer any other questions about Boston. I'd cut Montreal out. You're just spending so much time in the car. Maybe look at some of the NH mountains. It would be a little closer that VT.

 

[lanejudy]

I'd suggest you consider how many days you are planning for this trip, and how many days it will take to do what you want at each destination (NYC, Boston, VT, Montreal). Then look at the amount of time you might spend in the car getting from 1 location to another. Driving from NYC to Boston will take 5-6 hours depending on traffic, route and day of the week. Driving from Boston to Montreal is going to be similarly the better part of a day; stopping in VT would make that more like 2 half-days but then further impacts your time in VT (most ski lessons are in the morning).

Another note: one-way rentals can be hard to come by without a significant extra fee. Since your plan is to rent in NYC (?) and ultimately end up in Montreal for the rental return, make sure that will be allowed by the rental agency. Also be sure to check with your car insurance and request a Canadian proof of insurance card. Bring your passports.