Trying to race in each state -- What are the must see places in New England?

[rutgers1]

My family is trying to run a race in every state in the nation. While we visit each state, we are hoping to "experience" something somewhat unique to that state, or at least get a good feel for the geography or culture.

We are going to try to hit every New England state this summer -- and we are hoping to do it in approximately 12 days. There will be a bit of down time between races, and we want to do some quintessential New England things. Here is what we have already experienced in the region:
1) We have been to Boston....though we could definitely tour it some more.
2) We have been to Cape Cod.

What else are we missing? Are there any "essential" New England experiences that we shouldn't miss? I know it is hard to get the full experience when only visiting a few places, but if it is at all possible to help my kids get a feel for the region, I'd like to give it a shot.

The trip will most likely be taken in July.

Thank you!

 

[2chinooks]

I love Acadia National Park in Maine, but if you can't make it that far up the state then you can visit any of the cities up the coast. Kennebunkport is great and is the summer home of George W Bush.

In New Hamshire, you must visit the White Mountains. Take the Cog Railway up Mount Washington.

The whole state of Vermont is beautiful. I have mostly visited during ski season, so I don't have any specific recommendations.

 

[jmasgat]

Some other thoughts--not all conventional

Massachusetts:
--Witch trial sites (and not the kitchy kind) in Salem, along with the Peabody Essex Museum (beautiful).
--Minuteman National Historic Park--Revolutionary War sites
--Fried clams or lobster (my choice for clams is Farnhams in Essex or Clam Box in Ipswich)
--The Berkshires in Western MA. Tanglewood music festival in Lenox. Clark Museum, MOCA or Norman Rockwell Museum

Vermont:
--Ben & Jerry's

Maine:
--I second Acadia
--Camden (or any other coastal city that is home to tall ships). Take a day cruise, hike in Camden state park.
--Freeport-if you need to do a little shopping and visit LLBean (Also the home of Joan Benoit Samuelson)

New Hampshire:
--I second the White Mountains and any trip up MT Washington (and just think--next year you can enter the lottery to race up MT Washington!)

Maura

 

[LuzzBightyear]

If you are looking for a race, some of my Vermont running friends have spoken highly Mad River marathon/half-marathon in July. You run through farmlands which Vermont is known for with a nice view of the Green Mountains.

 

[rutgers1]

Some other thoughts--not all conventional

Massachusetts:
--Witch trial sites (and not the kitchy kind) in Salem, along with the Peabody Essex Museum (beautiful).
--Minuteman National Historic Park--Revolutionary War sites
--Fried clams or lobster (my choice for clams is Farnhams in Essex or Clam Box in Ipswich)
--The Berkshires in Western MA. Tanglewood music festival in Lenox. Clark Museum, MOCA or Norman Rockwell Museum

Vermont:
--Ben & Jerry's

Maine:
--I second Acadia
--Camden (or any other coastal city that is home to tall ships). Take a day cruise, hike in Camden state park.
--Freeport-if you need to do a little shopping and visit LLBean (Also the home of Joan Benoit Samuelson)

New Hampshire:
--I second the White Mountains and any trip up MT Washington (and just think--next year you can enter the lottery to race up MT Washington!)

Maura

Thanks for the reply!

Lotter? Race? Tell me more!

 

[FFigawi]

Maine:
--I second Acadia
--Camden (or any other coastal city that is home to tall ships). Take a day cruise, hike in Camden state park.
--Freeport-if you need to do a little shopping and visit LLBean (Also the home of Joan Benoit Samuelson)

Actually, Joan is from Cape Elizabeth, my hometown too. There's a nice statue of her in front of the town's library. Aside from seeing the statue, there's a great little seafood restaurant in Cape called the Lobster Shack that's worth a stop at. It's right on the rocks at Two Lights and has some of the best lobster rolls around.

 

[rutgers1]

I feel like I am going to be missing out big time since I don't like seafood!

 

[jmasgat]

JohnSo you're a Maine-iac, huh. Nice! I thought Joanie lived in Freeport. No matter....she's a rock star!

rutgers1 http://www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com/

I love their tag line....."Only one hill" !

Maura

 

[FFigawi]

JohnSo you're a Maine-iac, huh. Nice! I thought Joanie lived in Freeport. No matter....she's a rock star!

Yes, I grew up in Cape Elizabeth. Joanie probably does live in Freeport now, but we still claim her as our own because that's where she grew up.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Newport, RI is an interesting place to visit. The mansions are fun to tour and the sea wall walk is very pleasant on a breezy summer day. There are probably races in that town too.
Good luck racing in all the states!

 

[henrylarry6]

Will you have a car during your stay? If so, aside from the many Boston attractions, I think a great thing to do is take Route 1 from Boston all the way up the coast. You'll see some beautiful coastal towns, plenty of places to eat, and if you make it all the way to Kittery, ME there's huge outlets and some of the best seafood on the East Coast! If you need more info about Massachusetts, I recommend checking out MassVacation's site.