Questions on NYC to Maine Trip

"ML" wrote in message
...
My friend and I are planning to spend 2 weeks around the 4th of July
weekend in the northeast, starting with a few days in NYC and then driving
through CT, RI, NH, VT, and ME. We definitely want to spend some time in
Acadia National Park and we're considering Cape Cod and/or Martha's
Vineyard, but otherwise we don't have any definite plans on where else to
go. We will skip Boston since we've both been there before, and we'd like
to see areas that are new to us. I would appreciate some advice on the
following:

- We could cover all the rest of the states by staying on I-95, so we'd
have to detour to go to VT, but we want to say we've been there. :-)
What
would you consider to be highlights to visit in VT in summer?

- My friend wants to leave things flexible and not book hotels ahead of
time, except in places where we definitely know we want to visit like NYC
and near Acadia, and probably someplace over 4th of July weekend itself.
Is this a good idea during the summer? Will we have trouble finding
moderately priced accommodations (say $50-$80/night) without reserving in
advance? I don't know how popular the area is for summer tourists.

- Any suggestions for "must see" along this route?

Thanks for your help!

Mary


Hi Mary,

I have done this sort of trip a few times from the northern perspective. I
am in Nova Scotia, Canada. Here are a few suggestions.

I would drive up into Maine through Kittery and Kennebunkport to Portland.
At Portland I would head west on the 302 through the Sebago Lakes area over
to New Hampshire. Head for North Conway, a good stopping point. Then you are
in the White Mountains..beautiful area. Head west again crossing the scenic
Kancamagus Highway over to Lincoln. In Lincoln take the 93 north and you
will have great sights of the mountains. Many tourist things to do
here...cable cars etc. A very beautiful area. From there you decide where
you want to go in Vermont. You can just cross the river to say you have been
there *G*. Otherwise you can change your route a bit and cut up through CT
that way..and across to the White Mountains. At Bethlehem in NH (near
Littleton) I would get back on the 302 and head for the 16....up to the Mt
Washington Auto Road...that whole area is well worth seeing and the Auto
Road is a lot of fun. North of Mt. Washington get on the 2 and head over to
Bangor, Maine (don't spend much time in Bangor - head to the coast) on your
way to Acadia. Have your time in Acadia..and head down the 95 enjoying such
places as Camden, Booth Bay and Freeport. Make sure you stop in the L.L.Bean
store in Freeport..it is just cool to see things like the trout pond in the
store. Then get yourself a Ben and Jerry's just outside the door.

Maine and the White Mountains book up quickly in the summer months. I would
be prone to book places ahead of time..especially start now for Acadia
National Park. I didn't give Vermont much of a say...places that are nice
there Mad River and Mad River Glen..the Green Mountain Nat'l Forest etc. You
can adjust your route coming from NY to fit that in.

Do find time to fit in Mystic Seaport in CT.

Ok..a mixed up suggestion but get out the maps and start looking!!....and
booking!

toodles

HeatherM