Thinking of going to New England in July as an anniversary trip - first trip away from the kid for the two of us. Neither of us has been to any of the three states in the sibject header, but Maine in particular is appealing. I've been told its like Wisconsin on steroids.

 

Anyone been up there who has ideas of what to do, what to see, where to stay, etc.?

 

I've been to Maine once and Vermont many times.

 

In Maine, we went to Bar Harbor, which is the island where Acadia National Park is located. As far as national parks go, it's nothing great, but does have its allure. However, the town is nice with great food. If you are looking for real Maine wilderness (read: moose), then you will have to go to northern Maine. But if you are looking for the best lobster you've ever eaten, then Bar Harbor is the place to be. Just don't expect to see whales on the whale tours. We saw one, but that was very lucky.

I'll have to look up the B&B we stayed at. I can't think if it right now, but it was good. The best deals will likely be at B&B's.

 

As for Vermont, our favorite town is Stowe, which is northern Vermont, about an hour from Burlington. The scenery is great, and the food is great as well. In the summer, you can hike the mountains. The Whip at the Green Mountain Inn is our favorite restaurant there, although there are other more expensive places that may or may not be better.

Woodstock is also a nice little town I've only driven through so I can't really comment on that.

 

By the way, Wisconsin on steroids does not describe New England. New England is WAY nicer in every way.

Edited April 16, 200917 yr by G&T

I've been to Maine once and Vermont many times.

 

In Maine, we went to Bar Harbor, which is the island where Acadia National Park is located. As far as national parks go, it's nothing great, but does have its allure. However, the town is nice with great food. If you are looking for real Maine wilderness (read: moose), then you will have to go to northern Maine. But if you are looking for the best lobster you've ever eaten, then Bar Harbor is the place to be. Just don't expect to see whales on the whale tours. We saw one, but that was very lucky.

I'll have to look up the B&B we stayed at. I can't think if it right now, but it was good. The best deals will likely be at B&B's.

 

As for Vermont, our favorite town is Stowe, which is northern Vermont, about an hour from Burlington. The scenery is great, and the food is great as well. In the summer, you can hike the mountains. The Whip at the Green Mountain Inn is our favorite restaurant there, although there are other more expensive places that may or may not be better.

Woodstock is also a nice little town I've only driven through so I can't really comment on that.

 

By the way, Wisconsin on steroids does not describe New England. New England is WAY nicer in every way.

Thanks.

 

I think the reference of WI on steroids was about the backcountry in Maine and the small towns therein, specifically, not New England as a whole.

 

I always wanted to go to New England. I heard Burlington, VT is pretty cool. Owego, NY got ranked Americas "coolest town".

I always wanted to go to New England. I heard Burlington, VT is pretty cool. Owego, NY got ranked Americas "coolest town".

 

I only spent a couple hours in Burlington just to check out the lake front. It's a really cool looking place. I would like to go back at some point.

I always wanted to go to New England. I heard Burlington, VT is pretty cool. Owego, NY got ranked Americas "coolest town".

Btw, the thing about Owego is a dirty, dirty, dirty lie.

Bar Harbor has some great food - the lobster is to die for because it's as fresh as you can get. The scenery is beautiful, but then you have to deal with all the people because it's a state/national park - that's the downside.

 

i know you said it would be for your anniversary in july, but if you can somehow go in late august or september during fall....its absolutely gorgeous up there

i know you said it would be for your anniversary in july, but if you can somehow go in late august or september during fall....its absolutely gorgeous up there

And it's really crowded.

 

I wonder if you could get on up to Nova Scotia - less people and just as nice.

Vermont is fun in the summertime, lots of easy hiking - and the ability to basically get a ski lodge all to yourself for something like 50 dollars a night make it worth visiting. I used to head up that way around Labor Day every year for some hiking and relaxing.

Vermont is fun in the summertime, lots of easy hiking - and the ability to basically get a ski lodge all to yourself for something like 50 dollars a night make it worth visiting. I used to head up that way around Labor Day every year for some hiking and relaxing.

 

This is a great point. It really depends on what you are looking for. In the summer, Maine has more to do than Vermont, but will also be more crowded.

 

Also, the Kennebunks are supposed to be beautiful, though very expensive.

Btw, the thing about Owego is a dirty, dirty, dirty lie.

 

 

Yup.

 

Only thing "cool" is that in Appalachin, which is 5 miles from Owego, the house where the mafia used to meet and eventually got busted at is located there still.

 

And NY is not in New England

The girlfriend and I went to Vermont after the bar exam last summer and I would really recommend Burlington. The town had a lot to do... especially lots of places to eat... and the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at (Willard Street Inn) was fantastic. The other nice thing about Vermont is that it is such a small state, a trip to anywhere else in the State is about an hour or hour and a half drive. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Stowe is really nice... lots of cool places to eat and some nice hiking.

 

Last thing, when I went out there, we were between Maine and Vermont and chose Vermont because the airfare was cheaper.

 

Anyway, let me know if you need more information.

You can make the argument that the area along the CT and VT state lines could easily be described as New England - much of Westchester county for example feels like New England.

Ben & Jerry's headquarters tour maybe?

 

 

You can make the argument that the area along the CT and VT state lines could easily be described as New England - much of Westchester county for example feels like New England.

 

Much of Westchester county also feels like an extension of NYC/LI though too

Went to Burlington and it was fun. The town is great, and like someone said, Vermont is so small, you can get anywhere you want pretty quickly. We had a rental house on South Hero Island and just kinda hung around. It's also a pretty quick drive up to Montreal, if that's something that interests you...but remember to bring your passport cuz you are going to need it to cross the border, now.

 

We also took side trips to Waterbury (Ben and Jerry's) and Montpelier, which has to be the most quaint capital city in the country. PLUS, the New England Culinary School is there and the restaurant attached is pretty damn awesome.

 

AND they have Friendly's...so's ya know.

 

Maine...I've only been to Ogunquit for the day...and the beaches were gorgeous.

AND they have Friendly's...so's ya know.

Home of the most wonderful Happy Endings.

Home of the most wonderful Happy Endings.

Girls appreciate them too?

Girls appreciate them too?

 

Only in the movies.