Boston for a week. What's some good side trips?

[JohnMitchell 16]

Valinda and I will be in Boston for a week, staying with our daughter. I'd like to take a 2-3 day side trip, somewhere within a few hours of Boston, either by car or train. Any suggestions?

[airtwardo 7]

Chicago

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[JohnMitchell 16]

airtwardo

Chicago

Cool. Lemme google map that.

[NWFlyer 2]

You could head down the coast and see how the 1%ers live in Newport, RI, then head into southeastern Connecticut (Mystic, Stonington). Lots of tourist stuff to do and pretty little beach towns & fishing villages along there. (I spent a decent amount of time in that area as a kid since my grandparents were up thattaway in a tiny little town nearby called Noank). I know Mystic's on the Amtrak line, not sure about whether you can get to Newport on the train.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[airtwardo 7]

We were there about this time last year...took a drive up to Kennebunkport ~ nice drive with the trees changing, had a great lunch, talked to the secret service d00ds parked across from Bush's house...fun day!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[JohnMitchell 16]

Thanks, I'll check those out.
Of course, Redbone's is on the schedule.

[wmw999 2,452]

There's always the wind tunnel in Nashua
Coastline drives are always nice. Walking around Boston is actually kind of cool, too, even with the shutdown. There is a churchyard cemetery with a single monument for all the unbaptized babies at the time; I was fascinated with that.

A drive up Mass. Ave. south to north takes you through Northeastern, MIT and then Harvard -- the changing look of the students is pretty interesting.

And this is prime leaf-peeping season -- check where the best drives are (obviously they change north to south).

Another fun outing is a train ride from Conway, NH (Conway Scenic Railroad)

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[JohnMitchell 16]

Thanks Wendy. Our daughter has been living in Boston for 8 years now, first for school, now working. So we've done the town many times. And yes, it's fascinating, but looking for some stuff on the side.
Thanks for your suggestions. I do love a scenic train ride. I'll definitely look into that one.

[skymama 37]

Take a side trip to Orlando. You're retired, you have plenty of time for that.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[JohnMitchell 16]

[Amazon 7]

JohnMitchell

Other than heading out to jump at Jumptown with a great group of people at a great facility.... hint hint you can head out into the hinterlands for the fall color.

While in town.. go check out old Ironsides at Charlstown..... you know me.. I love old boats

[JohnMitchell 16]

Amazon

While in town.. go check out old Ironsides at Charlstown..... you know me.. I love old boats

I've done that tour 3-4 times, and just might do it again. An amazing piece of history.

Another tour I plan in town . . .

http://www.samueladams.com/brewery-and-craft/our-brewery

[Trafficdiver 8]

Take the train to Cape Ann north of Boston. Stay at a b&b in Rockport or Gloucester and explore the area. It's about an hour by train or car from Boston. Train ticket is about $10.

Acadia National Park in Maine is about 4 hours north and is great for a long weekend. It's the most beautiful spot on the east coast IMHO.

If its in the winter drive to Stowe in Vermont and stay at an Inn or b&b. great skiing and riding and a lot going on in that small town (its really nice in the summer too.) it's 3 hours north.

Edit: oh and after you tour Sam Adams go to the Publick House on Beacon St. in Brookline (off green line in Washington sq.) for some good beer.

[turtlespeed 221]

JohnMitchell

***

While in town.. go check out old Ironsides at Charlstown..... you know me.. I love old boats

I've done that tour 3-4 times, and just might do it again. An amazing piece of history.

Another tour I plan in town . . .

http://www.samueladams.com/brewery-and-craft/our-brewery

Another one for the taste experience

http://www.yuengling.com/breweries/pottsville/

yum.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[JohnMitchell 16]

Looks fun but a bit far. .

[turtlespeed 221]

JohnMitchell

Looks fun but a bit far. .

I assumed you were driving.

My Bad.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[GooniesKid 0]

skymama

Take a side trip to Orlando. You're retired, you have plenty of time for that.

I'd take a side trip to Orlando,,i'm not retired yet but i'll make time

[raftman 12]

Try Cape Cod. Beautiful beaches, but a bit cold this time of year. When are you going?
I am splitting time between Boston and the Cape 10/13-10/21.

[JohnMitchell 16]

Gonna be there the 11th thru the 17th. NIN concert for that Friday.

[OWB 8]

You can now take a train from Boston to L.L Bean in Freeport, Maine. Enjoy the scenery and spend money.

Don't worry about nuthin' cause nothin's gonna be okay.

[JohnMitchell 16]

I'm liking these train trips. Rental car is $40 a day and I have to drive. Traveling the rails is a fun way to go.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

Rental car is $40 a day

A few months ago I got a car at Enterprise at Logan Airport for about $30/day (including tax + nuisance fees) (didn't get extra insurance cuz I have collision on my own cars that covers it.)

[JohnMitchell 16]

Not bad.

My Allstate policy covers me in rental cars as well.

It varies so much from week to week. Now is the Fall Colors time and Parents' Weekend time in the NE, so rates tend to rise.

On Oahu in HI, I rented a car for $50 a day one month. Four months later (June) it was $9 a day. Just goes to show ya.

[DrDom 0]

JohnMitchell

Valinda and I will be in Boston for a week, staying with our daughter. I'd like to take a 2-3 day side trip, somewhere within a few hours of Boston, either by car or train. Any suggestions?

Depends what you're in the mood for

its fall so the foliage is great, you can also tear up the coast of MA to Newburyport (I work there, message me if you're in the area!), Portsmouth, even head upward to Maine. I like Portsmouth for its bars and nightlife, as well as some of the shopping.

Boston itself is full of diversions, but you're looking to get away.

You can take the train up to my home in Exeter area, which is a bit more rural but quaint (you take the Amtrak Down Easter, its about 1.5 hours), or you can take it to Portland ME as well. If you're into Lobster that's a good place to go (I'm vegan so its been a long time).

Sport Related... SkyDive New England is about 2 hours from Boston, Pepperel is about 45 minutes and Skydive Orange is about an hour. The Wind Tunnel is just under an hour at SkyVenture

oh, if you're in Boston there are also Whale Watches (I cant remember when peak season is), and this time of year Salem, MA really picks up for the museums and touristy stuff.

You are not the contents of your wallet.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

JohnMitchell

Valinda and I will be in Boston for a week, staying with our daughter. I'd like to take a 2-3 day side trip, somewhere within a few hours of Boston, either by car or train. Any suggestions?

This place...

http://skydivect.com/

... looks fun!

http://www.skydivingstills.com/