Road tripping- Canada? Cape Cod?

[snowwite]

She was actually older than normal.
If your husband has a US green cars that’s what they want to see. They won’t care about his passport. When I fly into Canada I use my Canadian green card in the passport scanners.

He’s an American now. This was years ago. Personally when we come home I feel like just say welcome home.

 

[snowwite]

The Cape, NB, and PEI are some of my favorite places. I actually love the Cape in the off season... I guess the week before Memorial Day would probably be more shoulder season?

There are some great suggestions for NB in this thread already. If you do go to Saint Andrews, spend a little bit of time in nearby St. Stephen. It has been a while since I've been there, but they do have a chocolate museum.

A few years ago, we did a trip to PEI for a family reunion and then explored a little bit on the way back. We were already up in northern Aroostook Co., so we used the Houlton crossing, stopped in... maybe Shediac for a bit, then drove on to PEI, spent four days there, and then made a few stops on the way back. We timed our stop in Moncton for the tidal bore, but I think the favorite stop was Cap-Jourimain. It's just off the NB side of the bridge (and has a spectacular view of the bridge from the beach and a tower.) There are walking trails outside, and a really nice visitor's center/museum. This was truly a hidden gem find for us- we had no idea we would enjoy it so much. Of course, PEI as a whole was my favorite, though. Because of the multi-day reunion, we did not get to explore the whole island, but based ourselves in Charlottetown in an Airbnb close enough to walk to so much, and then from there did a day trip driving up to the Anne of Green Gables Museum, then Rustico, Souris, and Basin Head Provincial Park. It's also worth visiting Skmaqn- Port-la-Joye- Fort Amherst in Rocky Point- across from Charlottetown. There's a very small visitor's center, but gorgeous views outside and it's an important historical site.

Of course, I was there in August, so I can't speak for May as far as anything that may be open seasonally. We didn't do anything that would be seasonal except for enjoying the beach at Basin Head (supposedly a singing sands beach... it was far too noisy due to the crowds to hear the sand squeak!)

Cape Cod is impacted seasonally, but quite a bit is usually opening up before the end of May/right around the end of May. My favorite time to go is the fall (cranberry season!) but the spring is lovely. There is plenty to do that doesn't involve the beach (though springtime walks on the beach are great.) My family does a lot of cycling on the Cape (Rail Trail and Canal), but I would assume that's out for you right now. But there are interesting sites throughout the Cape- Sandwich Glass Museum, Cape Cod Canal (easy flat- for the most part- walking, or sit and watch the boats go by), explore the shops in Chatham and watch the seals at the pier, go wine tasting at Truro Vineyards or beer tasting at Cape Cod Beer... I'm not a fan of staying in Hyannis, but I will say doing the Cape Cod Chips factory once and the JFK Museum once are interesting. The National Seashore beaches are incredible to see no matter the time of year (I love the view at Marconi n the off season, when there's no one on the beach.) I think the National Seashore is free before Memorial Day. The Brewster tidal flats are fun to explore, though that can be a bit of walking.

I live in a southern ME beach town, and things are rapidly opening up here so I would guess that quite a bit down the Cape is opening up, as well. I honestly don't know which one I'd pick if I had a choice between the Maritimes or the Cape for a few days... I love them both!

I am still trying to talk hubby into the chocolate tour. lol

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

I vote Vermont! Stay in Waterbury/Stowe and then take a day trip to Burlington. Or stay in Burlington and day trip to the smaller towns.

I’m sorry you had to cancel your Disney trip, and I hope your survey goes well.

 

[White Cat]

Just reserved a house in Acadia for fall. This is a yearly thing for us. Hiking and seeing the leaves change.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We got treated like criminals when we came home from Quebec one time.
I said we drove to the hotel. It had graffiti on it so I did not feel like we were in a safe area and we could not find another one with vacancy so we left.
This too young to shave chip on his shoulder border guard goes that’s a fantastic story. I laughed and my husband says no he’s saying you are lying. I was stunned. He asked whose car and I said mine. He asked for our driving license and passport. My husband had just got a green card at the time so it was still stamped inside his passport as well. But he never requested the card. We had to go inside while they searched the vehicle.
inside an older officer said so you don’t have a greencard? Hubby took it out and said yes but he did not ask me for it. They gave us suggestions for a place to stay then talked hockey.
Was your gal young? I swear the new ones are scared and go overboard with scrutiny.

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.

''The dollar will go further in Canada.

 

[kanne323]

My sister and her kids, and brother and his kids, all live in York. My mom and younger siblings lived there for decades, and DH and I are headed down for the first week of August. KILLS me to pay for a cottage; selling my mom's place might be the worst decision we ever made.

I grew up just north of Boston, and lived in Salem for a few years! You are right, there are wonderful places in Boston and on the North Shore!

I lived in the Boston area for 26 years, but have never been to the Cape! I think we might head that way. First day will be mostly driving, second day we'll go to the Plantation (not what they call it anymore, but I've always wanted to go there) and stay in Plymouth that night, too. Then? Start driving around, see where the road takes us, find some local wineries/breweries, grab hotels as we need them. I wouldn't DARE do that in the summer, but I think we'll be ok next weekend. I'm still tempted by NB, though. We have lived in the Bangor area for 20 years and haven't ventured into NB yet. DH ran the Cabot Trail Relay about 10 years ago, but that wasn't a sightseeing tour, hahaha! I have to make a plan soon, though; we are talking about leaving on Thursday!

Ahhh, living in York must be lovely! I'm in OOB. I haven't lived here for a summer yet (moved to ME in September), so I don't know exactly what I'm in for, but I've heard enough to be fully on board with visiting touristy areas in the off-season! I really do think the Cape is beautiful this time of year, and enough is open. If you're planning on wineries and breweries, definitely consider Truro Vineyards- it IS far, but worth it, and they often have food trucks.

Maybe you'll get to NB someday soon! I keep telling myself I'll head up to St. Stephen/Saint Andrews for a weekend since I'm so close (a little less than 4 hours, which is way closer than I used to be.) Haven't gotten there yet since moving up here, but I'm just happy to be close enough that it's a reality.

Whichever you choose will be fun. I was born in Boston and lived in and around it my entire life. But except for going to Edaville railroad and the King Richards Faire we really never went to the cape.

I grew up in southern New England and lived in Boston for several years... spent many summers down the Cape (had family with a house in Chatham), but I've never been to Plymouth! It's kind of absurd now that I think about that, looking back. Not even for a school trip, despite multiple school trips to Boston and to Sturbridge Village (other direction.)

 

[snowwite]

Ahhh, living in York must be lovely! I'm in OOB. I haven't lived here for a summer yet (moved to ME in September), so I don't know exactly what I'm in for, but I've heard enough to be fully on board with visiting touristy areas in the off-season! I really do think the Cape is beautiful this time of year, and enough is open. If you're planning on wineries and breweries, definitely consider Truro Vineyards- it IS far, but worth it, and they often have food trucks.

Maybe you'll get to NB someday soon! I keep telling myself I'll head up to St. Stephen/Saint Andrews for a weekend since I'm so close (a little less than 4 hours, which is way closer than I used to be.) Haven't gotten there yet since moving up here, but I'm just happy to be close enough that it's a reality.



I grew up in southern New England and lived in Boston for several years... spent many summers down the Cape (had family with a house in Chatham), but I've never been to Plymouth! It's kind of absurd now that I think about that, looking back. Not even for a school trip, despite multiple school trips to Boston and to Sturbridge Village (other direction.)

When I was dating my husband I played tourist as much as tour guide. He’s from Scotland so he likes exploring the area. It’s been fun discovering our own area.

 

[leebee]

I am already looking forward to a slice of strawberry pie!

@snowwite , DD called and Dysarts most likely won't be making strawberry pie this year The local strawberry grower from whom the got their berries retired/sold the business, and they don't have a contract with anyone else yet. Much sadness at my house over this!

Just to wrap up the thread, we ended up going to Cape Cod. We drove down and stayed in Plymouth the first night. The next day we did Plimouth/Patuxet Museum (used to be Plimouth Plantation), walked by Plymouth Rock (kind of by mistake) and went on the Mayflower II. That was COOL! We also went to Plymouth Bay Winery for fruit wines and then to Second Wind Brewing in Plymouth. Funny story, the guy pumping beer at 2nd Wind had been an engineering major and UMaine and came through the o-chem lab sequence while I was teaching there! I didn't have him in my sections, but I manage the entire course so technically, he was one of my students! Drove to Hyannis that night, had great seafood along the way. We stayed at the Hyannis Inn, right on Main St. Let's see... we were there 3 nights. We rode the Cape Cod Train which is about a 2 hour trip along the canal, learned lots of interesting stuff, drove around quite a bit, ate good food. We went all the way out to Provincetown and back. Man, are those dunes fascinating! We stopped at the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center, walked around, went to Nauset Light and beach, went to Cape Cod lighthouse, and drove all the way out to the very tip of the Cape, then back to Hyannis. On our last day we went to the Kennedy Museum and drove out to Hyannisport to see the Kennedy Compound. Not too much to see, lots of houses built up, but we can say we were there. We wanted to do more stuff but it was pouring one day, which took the edge off our enthusiasm. We had some good food, good beer and wine, saw some cool things, and had a nice time relaxing together.

The end of the story... So we could have gone to Disney after all. I went for my surgery on 5/31 and it was postponed, as I had a cold!!! I am better now, see my PCP on Monday and the surgical team on Tuesday for final clearances, and if all goes well I'll have surgery on 6/21. Sigh. Should have been half-way through the more significant part fo the recovery by then. Oh well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Glad you had a good time @leebee! I was going to suggest the Heritage Plantation in Sandwich is a nice place to visit, too. Love Plymouth! One could make a nice trip out of Plymouth for a couple of nights, too. Lots to see and do, and most within walking distance.

 

[snowwite]

@snowwite , DD called and Dysarts most likely won't be making strawberry pie this year The local strawberry grower from whom the got their berries retired/sold the business, and they don't have a contract with anyone else yet. Much sadness at my house over this!

Just to wrap up the thread, we ended up going to Cape Cod. We drove down and stayed in Plymouth the first night. The next day we did Plimouth/Patuxet Museum (used to be Plimouth Plantation), walked by Plymouth Rock (kind of by mistake) and went on the Mayflower II. That was COOL! We also went to Plymouth Bay Winery for fruit wines and then to Second Wind Brewing in Plymouth. Funny story, the guy pumping beer at 2nd Wind had been an engineering major and UMaine and came through the o-chem lab sequence while I was teaching there! I didn't have him in my sections, but I manage the entire course so technically, he was one of my students! Drove to Hyannis that night, had great seafood along the way. We stayed at the Hyannis Inn, right on Main St. Let's see... we were there 3 nights. We rode the Cape Cod Train which is about a 2 hour trip along the canal, learned lots of interesting stuff, drove around quite a bit, ate good food. We went all the way out to Provincetown and back. Man, are those dunes fascinating! We stopped at the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center, walked around, went to Nauset Light and beach, went to Cape Cod lighthouse, and drove all the way out to the very tip of the Cape, then back to Hyannis. On our last day we went to the Kennedy Museum and drove out to Hyannisport to see the Kennedy Compound. Not too much to see, lots of houses built up, but we can say we were there. We wanted to do more stuff but it was pouring one day, which took the edge off our enthusiasm. We had some good food, good beer and wine, saw some cool things, and had a nice time relaxing together.

The end of the story... So we could have gone to Disney after all. I went for my surgery on 5/31 and it was postponed, as I had a cold!!! I am better now, see my PCP on Monday and the surgical team on Tuesday for final clearances, and if all goes well I'll have surgery on 6/21. Sigh. Should have been half-way through the more significant part fo the recovery by then. Oh well.

Glad you had a nice time. Hope your surgery goes well.

 

[HeatherC]

Glad you had a nice trip Leebee! Sorry your surgery wound up getting postponed, but am wishing you a speedy recovery when you finally are able to have it taken care of!