kr3m

Hello!

Arriving in Boston 23/6, with 4 nights booked in the city. Due to arrive in New York on the 6/7 to stay 6 nights and then back to Sweden.

I'd like some ideas about what we can do between 27/6-6/7 in New England? And specifically at 4/7?

Young couple in the 20s, students with pretty limited funds. My thought was to rent a car and just drive in north of Boston. Ideal would be a nice and relaxed place, with good food (seafood!) and decent priced hotels/BBs (50-100usd inc tax).

Thought about Cape Cod but it seems a bit bourgeoisie for two poor students. Portland (Maine) and Burlington (Vermont) seems to be nice cities. Maybe Rhode Island, on the way to New York? Or New Haven? (I saw it in the newest Indiana Jones-movie, and it looked really nice)

I assume renting a car is the best option. We are both under 25, so any ideas of a good agency who doesn't charge 25$ a day in underage fee.

Thankful for any help!

PresRDC

I wouldn't really reccomend New Haven. There are nice parts, to be sure, but also many not so nice parts.

I think Burlington, VT, may work for you. It is a college town, so it has a young person's vibe and is a fun place with good bars and restaurants and a great location on Lake Champlain. Assuming you can find accomidations in your price range, it is a good base for exploring the local area (a car would just about be a "must"). If you like ice cream, you would not be not far from the Ben & Jerry's factory, which is fun for a few hours.

cordelli

For July 4th you should stay in Boston for the fireworks and concert.

They have not updated their website yet, but information will be here

http://www.july4th.org/

If you want beaches, there are quite a few along the Rhode Island coast, and while I'm not sure of the prices, you could also do a few days on one of the Islands, Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

lo2e

This may sound like a cheap plug since I live in Maine, but a trip to Portland, including a ferry ride to Peaks Island, would be a nice trip. You can rent bicycles to bike around Peaks, and there are also lots of good restaurants, bars, etc. in Portland, particularly in the section called "The Old Port". For seafood, you have myriad options, and just about all of them are terrific.

Another option that won't sound like a cheap plug is at least a day trip to North Conway, New Hampshire. Tax free shopping, shopping, shopping, as well as hiking/biking trails and beautiful scenery in the area.

I agree with cordelli about doing July 4th in Boston and catching the concert and fireworks. And by the way, I wouldn't rent a car until AFTER you leave Boston... getting around Boston is very easy with their public transport (locals call it "The T"). Just wanted to make sure you were aware.

violist

This may sound like a cheap plug, but why not come to this Do?

Jimmie76

Avoid the Islands; Nantucket (ACK) and Martha's Vineyard (MVY) as these are very expensive once there and also to get there. Other than that I'll third the Boston on the 4th suggestion I've seen video of previous years and it looks very good.

Analise

New Haven? No.

As for Portland vs Burlington. Let's start with this. Do you prefer the rocky coast of Maine with lobsters, lobster bisque, lighthouses all within reach of a fun little city like Portland or do you prefer the mountains and a beautiful lake all within reach of a fun little city like Burlington?

Keep in mind, you can have both mountains/mountain lakes and rocky coast if you base in Portland. Lakes and mountain day trips are possible and we do them often. Yes, I do love Maine.

As for money, you can enjoy both areas on the cheap.

magiciansampras

I'd be in Boston for the 4th and then go to the coast of Maine. Portland would work just fine.

kr3m

Thanks for all of your help!

Because I'd like a big and spectacular 4th of July, I guess Boston is the right city.

Because we have pretty much time "on the road" between Boston and New York, we will visit both Burlington and Portland. Hotel prices in the cities seems pretty high, but I guess there are other options.

What do you recommend; Booking online or trying B&B or motels?

The Salem violist concert seems nice! Maybe we will swing by :-)

Analise

Take a look at Google maps (or any map for that matter) so you can see how long the drive is between Portland and Burlington. You might want to choose one or the other and really enjoy the area. Just a thought.

mhnadel

A couple of places worth seeing between Boston and NY include New Bedford (excellent whaling museum and interesting walking tours led by National Park rangers in the historic district), Providence, and Mystic Seaport. At least I assume the latter is worthwhile as I have to admit it is one of the places I have passed through dozens of time but never actually been to.

Aside from the concert, Salem is worth a day trip. In addition to the uber-touristy witch stuff, there's the excellent Peabody-Essex Museum, for example.

KenCT

[QUOTE=Analise;13964231]New Haven? No.

We have our problems, as do most urban areas, but for a young couple on a budget, New Haven can be a great destination for a short visit.

For a few days you can do without a car and explore the Yale Art Gallery, British Art Museum, and numerous others. There are usually free concerts on the Green most Saturdays. We have excellent restaurants, and interesting shops.

With a car, you can go further afield, exploring coastal towns like Milford, Branford and Guilford, the factory outlets in Clinton and Westbrook, and of course the casinos.

Then, of course, there's the best pizza on the planet.

FLgrr

Since you are traveling between NYC and Boston, you will pass through CT. There is an amusement park, if that is your thing - Lake Compounce in Bristol CT http://www.lakecompounce.com/ , the US's oldest continuously operated amusement park. The carousel horses are made of wood. The wildcat is the design, though reconstructed, since it was first built.

Also there is a Six Flags (major chain) in MA, north of Hartford http://www.sixflags.com/newengland/index.aspx. While in the Springfield MA area, there is the Basketball Hall of Fame.

If you stick to the coastline of CT, Mystic Seaport can be interesting as well as the ability to go aboard the a submarine in Groton http://www.ussnautilus.org/.

Holiday weekend traffic through all of these areas will be heavy. Might be best to get to Boston and camp out for the fireworks. Ask your hotel about picnicking materials and spend the day on the Esplanade.

davedeboston

If you want to actually see the Pops show, the whole show is done on July 3rd as well with only 10% of the crowd. Just no fireworks on that day. Then you can catch the whole thing on the 4th from on Mass Ave. on the bridge where you'll get an awesome view of the fireworks. The music is all piped in on speakers too so you can hear it all going on. And of course the 1812 overture with the cannons you can hear for miles anyway.

Also, don't get a car in Boston. We drive like jerks, parking is expensive if you can't get a street spot, and there's no need except for day trips outside the city, etc.. The T goes all around the city and the metro area, but for the city itself, just walk around, great walking city. I've been to Stockholm actually, it was wicked funny cause the subway signs were also a giant "T" just like at home for me in Boston. Hmm, if you're looking to stay in Boston on the cheap, there's a bunch of hostels and pensions out in Allston. Hostelling International is on Hemenway St right off Boylston and Mass Ave and 150m from the Hynes green line stop. The two pensions in Allston are like 300m from off the Harvard Ave. stop on the B branch of the green line. Feel free to respond with any other questions.

Enjoy your time in Boston.

bluflame55

bah, thank me later:
nyc-> berkshires-> boston-> maine