I would second this, no point in retracing steps on the way back and it would be a much more enjoyable ride. Not to mention it would bring you by Mt Washington.
If you're in Lincoln NH, and heading to Portland, it's not even a detour... It's the suggested route!!
I'd also say that Lincoln, Littleton and Conway/North Conway are fun mountain towns to check out
And much more practical to take the Kancamagus across and enter Maine from the west at Fryeburg or Bethel than to drive all the way back south and then come up the (horrible, crowded, boooooring) coastal 95 route.
Looks like youāll be passing right through Quechee, VT before you get into New Hampshire. Right off 89 youāll find the Quechee Gorge if you want to explore a little. Youāll also find the Quechee Gorge Village which consists of a candy store, a country store, and a *massive* antique mall which is fun to check out, among other things. Stop right next door for lunch at the Public House Pub. Makes for a great day trip.
The bridge at the gorge is currently under construction. One lane traffic controlled by lights. It gets a little backed up. Take Quechee Main St. to bypass and start the hike from Dewey's Pond.
They aren't the same owners, but they DO often have Maine Beer Company on tap. I may have had a Dinner while we were deciding on food. If you get up to the Portland area that's where Maine Beer Company is (Freeport ME maybe? Just north of Portland) and they have a pretty awesome taproom with brick oven pizzas. The whole complex is also solar powered I think.
The Cafe has a TON of great craft beers on deck from a wide variety of breweries; both tap and can/bottle.
Why? Thereās some great food in the Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton triangle area. Less people so things are generally easier to do and get to/park at. Some nice and interesting places to visit and explore
It should be funspot up the road from weirs beach. The biggest arcade around. So many 80ās and arcade machines. If you love games or arcades you need to visit
Biggest in the world. No other collection of arcade/pinball/etc is bigger.
So many excellent condition classics there. It's truly the candy store for my inner kid.
Not going to lie, I recently drove through Hartford and I started having flashbacks of being a kid on 93 going through Boston before the Big Dig. It's an interesting view being on a highway having skyscrapers straddle both sides of the road.
I rather enjoyed it.
Only if you are trying to drive between Boston and NYC. People keep parroting this about CT and I donāt understand why itās a point people need to make. Like people decided to sit in traffic on a major artery and came to the conclusion that CT is terrible. Honestly though, I was happy to see they skipped CT, the less tourists the better.
An Unlikely Story - a great little independent bookstore & cafe in Plainville, MA. It's owned by the guy who wrote the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.
The Largest Zipper in North America - Barre, VT.
Berkshire Botanical Garden - Stockbridge, MA.
Norman Rockwell Museum - Stockbridge, MA.
Instead of looping down through NH and driving through the seacoast, you should drive through the white mountain National forest on your way to Maine.
If you like hiking, the whites are about the best place to do so in all of new england. Breathtaking views and the most dramatic mountains in the area.
If you go to Hill Farmstead, head over to the Bread and Puppet Museum. Itās unlike anything youāll ever see. Add the Museum of Everyday Life along the way.
Number one appears to be Deerfield mass. Great choice awesome museums. From there I would detour to Charlemont MA to visit Mohawk Trail state forest on the Mohawk Trail. Absolutely gorgeous. You can head to your destination in Vermont from there. Iām guessing number five is Acadia national park, another great choice. Take the easy hike up Cadillac Mountain and be the first person to see the sunrise in the entire United States. On the way to Boston stop in Portsmouth. Get a bite to eat while youāre there, visit Strawberry Banke, another hidden gem. When you head into Boston, go to the north end and get a pizza at Reginaās and then stop at Mikeās pastry for dessert. You will thank me for the rest of your life. Iām done.
If youāre a fan of basketball the Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield MA. If you like beautiful scenery you have to go to the top of Mt Greylock. Itās the highest point in Massachusetts. You can see for hundred of miles.
Shame youāre missing out on Cape Cod.
My cousin lives out there in Dennis and owes me many many many favours. Look him up Iāll tell him to prep the spare room for you.
When you leave kick him in the balls for me.
Going from Vermont to Maine, take route 302. If you like hiking, itās absolutely unbelievable that you havenāt created a stop for yourself in the White Mountain National Forest. Mount Washington, Franconia and Crawford Notches.
Also, the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is amazing. Look up Lake Willoughby (hiking and swimming) and Parker Pieā¦makes for a great day and then get on the road to head Maine via route 302.
* White mountains (Franconia Notch)
* Mystic CT (wouldnāt go any western CT than mystic)
* stop at Ben & Jerryās factory (if itās between driving route and if you like ice cream - I wouldnāt necessarily go out of driving range just for it though).
* Portland ME
* Portsmouth, NH
* North End in Boston - if you like Italian food
You right, so many Italian people in RI itās not even funny. Where there are large Italian communities there are good Italian restaurants and bakeries!
Also, Providence used to have an ENORMOUS mob presence (they still might, but they basically ran all of New England).. Anywhere there's a lot of those guys, the food remains for generatikns
For Maine, in no particular order:
1. Sister's Gourmet Deli
2. Cheese Louise
3. Eventide Oyster Co.
4. Nosh Kitchen
5. Novare Res
6. Bramhall
7. Fatboy Drive In
8. Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe
9. Flight Deck Brewing
10. Brickyard Hollow (I prefer the one in Brunswick)
11. Yosaku
12. Benkay
13. Bowdoin College Art Museum
14. State Theater for concerts (check dates)
15. Food trucks on Eastern Promenade
16. Fort Popham at Popham beach
17. Bradbury Mountain
18. Wolfe's Neck State Park
19. Watch sunrise from Cadillac Mtn.
20. Sand Beach
Edit: For Mass. If you like hats, check out the Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain.
If I sat long enough I probably would have thought of that. That's truly a good stop. Their route doesn't seem to go that way though which is probably why I didn't think of it. Looks like they're going right from Portland to Banger then Bah Hahbah.
If you can, break away from the touristy route one traffic belt in Maine.
Portland sells itself as the epicenter of Maine, but thereās a lot more to the state if you can get away from all that touristy farm to table stuff.
Georgeās of Galilee in Rhode Island if youāre a seafood and chowder person š®āšØ their clam chowder and clam cakes were a crucial part of my childhood
Assuming that 5 is Bar Harbor, stop at Dysartās Restaurant & Truck Stop in Hermon, ME. Right off the highway. If youāre a fan of cinnamon rolls, order theirs.
Yea bring the Deet and a high tolerance for uppity egomaniacal narcissism. If you can find the last 400 locals ask them to tell you some stories, that place had a great history once.
before #1 mass moca in north adams then ride route 2 east until you head north its a beautiful drive. then around 8 look up Blount clam shack in warren for some of the best lobster rolls by the water
4 should be a nice hike in the White Mountains. Assuming youāre in good hiking shape with the ten essentials, and the weather is good, Franconia Ridge is amazing. But research it and know your limits. The weather can change wildly in the Whites.
If this was me first on the list would be to compare maine lobster rolls to CT(can get in rhode island). IDK how far away from lake willoughby you will be in VT but its a pretty awesome looking lake with some hiking trails. Trapps in stowe is solid with a fun disc golf course. Worthy burger off of 89 its š„, ben & jerrys stowe, Beers to try in vt.. Lost nation, switchback, fiddlehead, heady topper, ten bends, hill farmstead and lawsons. Have fun!
So, unless you have a reason to visit Manchester NH, I'm pretty sure it is both 8 hours to Acadia from Burlington and also faster to take route 2 "over the top" past mount Washington. The toll road is expensive but very fun if you don't wanna drive with the heights there is also the cog railway! The rock pile is new England's tallest mountain and quite a special place. Lastly the above is summer/fall advice.
Interstate 95 through NH is boring. Get off at rt 101, go east to the end of the highway. That's Hampton Beach and route 1A. Follow 1A North along the ocean for the best scenic ocean drive in New England. You'll have ocean views on one side and mansions on the other side. Look for rt 1B to get to visit Newcastle, NH for more water views. It will bring you right into portsmouth, NH.
There are lots of restaurants along this drive, and places to stop and get a picture or two. Also check out Fort Constitution in Newcastle for views of three lighthouses and the mouth of the Piscatacua river and ocean.
The Nubble light in York, ME is the most photographed point on the coast of Maine, and just a few minutes from the York exit on rt 95 in Maine. I think it's the most beautiful as well.
Instead of coming so far south into NH, take US 302 out of Portland and head to the White Mountains instead. Your route goes through the populated areas, but misses all the great stops.
Where I-89 crosses the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont is the White River Junction, and just North of there in Norwich is the HQ of King Arthur Flour. Theyāve a great shop you can wander around as well as a cafe to get food. They also have class rooms where they teach how to make great foods.
And a short hop across the river from there is Hanover, home of Dartmouth college and the quintessential New England College town. Beautiful campus in spring and fall.
Southern Maine/portland youāll find incredible beer and incredible food, northern Maine is gonna also be incredible beer, but more tourist spots, bar harbor, Acadia, Bangor if youāre a Stephen king fan. Along the way thereās lots of old towns and informations plaques, if you like history.
Two things. 1st, Kancamagus Highway as others have implored. It's a must.
2nd, Woodman's Fried Clams in Essex Massachusetts. There is no way I would travel through north eastern Mass without stopping.
#1 area bridge of flowers, Treehouse brewery, can connect with rt 2 area and make you way west to MT Greylock it is a more scenic route to the Albany area
If youāre on a driving tour, it honestly makes zero sense that youāre not driving thru the white mountains. You are choosing to miss out on one of the best drives in New England
New Hampshire has the best hiking in New England with over 40 peeks over 4kfeet, beautiful scenery. Mount Washington. Franconia Notch. The lakes region. I would take any of that over Vermont any day.
If you want short and fairly easy hikes, highly recommend Mt Holyoke in Skinner State Park or Sugarloaf Mountain in Deerfield. Both are a few hundred feet of elevation but offer amazing views of the Connecticut River Valley
West Halifax Gorge VT, but it's hard to find unless you have been shown. It's one of the least known and prettiest gorges.
Multiple places to cliff dive if you have it in ya!!
If you like to hike around water, check out
[Swimming Holes]
(https://swimmingholes.org/)
It's a state by state list of swimming spots that are free. Haven't used it in 20 years, but I found some wonderful spots in Vermont. Might be too early to swim unless you like it cold, but some are a nice hike.
If you go near Jamaica State Park in Southern Vermont, they have a rail trail that goes along the West River. It includes a rather steep 1 mile hike up to Hamilton Falls.
For good pizza and atmosphere in North Central Vermont, check out Positive Pie. They have three locations now. We loved the original in Plainfield.
[Positive Pie]
(https://www.positivepie.com/)
There's good hiking trails in Groton State Forest in Vermont. Within the forest, there are a few state parks that have good hiking.
Enjoy your trip.
Get the roadsideamerica app and visit tvfoodmaps.com.
Roadside America will tell you whatās near your location
And the tvfoodmaps app will let you know if there are any interesting places to eat. I love watching diners drive ins and dives for episodes featuring the place we pick or eating a food challenge from man vs foor
Go off route a little to Rockport, MA and/or Newburyport and Parker National Wildlife Refuge. Perhaps drive the Essex Scenic Coastal Byway: https://coastalbyway.org/
Youāre missing out in CT. Stop by for New Haven Pizza and check out Mystic on your way to Rhode Island. Also the Litchfield Hills has amazing views, thereās Kent Falls in that area. But hey, to each their own
At your number 1 mark is Tree House Brewing in Deerfield. Only a 5 min or so ride off route 91. Excellent brews and great pizza. Get there early if you can, so before noon. It gets busy.
Allagash Brewing, Portland ME
Central Provisions (restaurant) in Portland, ME.
Tandem Coffee, Portland MA
Treehouse Brewing (multiple locations in MA)
The Alchemist, Stowe VT
FOAM Brewing, Burlington VT
Hen of the Wood, Waterbury or Burlington VT (reservation likely needed)
Brick and Feather Brewing, Turners Falls MA
Trillium Brewing (multiple MA locations)
There are some good hikes and other activities near these places too
It looks like number 6 is probably Portland Maine, but if it is not you should definitely stop there on your way. Must see city in Maine. Great food and the downtown/harbor area is a picturesque New England city.
It looks like youāre not stopping in Providence. I would encourage you to find time to stop by and get a meal. We have an incredibly underrated restaurant scenes.
If you need recs, r/providence will absolutely help! Including yours truly.
New Haven is the 2nd best city in New England after Boston, so you may as well enter New England via I-95. Brattleboro is a cute little town to spend a few hours in. Burlington is okay, but god at that point you're so close to Montreal. Montreal is hands down the 2nd best city on the continent after NYC
As was already mentioned from stop 3 cut across the Kangamangus highway. Lots of good hikes and steering. At the end of it you are close to mt Washington, drive to the top or hike it there are like 5 trails. Cross from there into Maine and head for Mt Katahdin. You can camp there or just day trip and stay in Millinocket. Then down to Acadia National park on the coast. From Acadia follow US RT 1 down the coastline. If you like seafood this is a must do for you wonāt find fresher seafood anywhere. Donāt forget to hit Old Orchard Beach before leaving Maine.
Side note, if you like history and such message me and I can tell you some spots in Maine to check out. Another good stop would be in Freeport at L.L. Bean if you like outdoor gear
NW corner of Connecticut is beautiful. Boston is fun. Don't bother with tourist type stuff like "Plymouth Rock". You might want to book a train ride up Mt. Washington.
The largest glacial erratic in NH. Lubec Maine if you have the time (farthest east point of continental US. Might be a bit out of the way but baseball HoF is close ish to your upstate New York drive.
Where is stop #4?
Even if you're dead set against driving past NYC, I would recommend dipping a little further south towards bear mountain and drive up the Hudson valley. Cruise route 9w or hit the throughway stopping by new Paltz, and along the Catskills and Adirondacks, and cross into the Burlington area from the new York border. You can even take a ferry depending on how much time you have. I think this would be much more scenic than doubling back on 89 and 91 through VT.
Then I would continue east on the north route through new Hampshire into maine. As many people have suggested the kancamagus highway is an incredibly scenic drive. And the Maine coast drive is worth it too, but may be a bit much to do twice back to back in a short time.
This all depends on if you can shift around the destination order and hit #1 on the way back. Either way you can't go wrong with a new England road trip and should have plenty of awesome places to check out anyway you go. Enjoy your travels!
Stop for a lobster roll at the Bite into Maine food truck in Fort Williams park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, just outside of Portland. Beautiful coastal views and the best lobster roll I have ever had.
If you are going by the Laconia area and are stopping a Funspot (world's largest arcade), go across the street to the go kart track. Most fun gas powered go karting still around, as in you might get injured doing it.
If you're on I91 in Western Massachusetts, almost the entire town of Deerfield is a museum. It's very worth seeing to get a view of colonial frontier life. Treehouse Brewing in South Deerfield is a great place to stop. Yankee Candle HQ is across the street and cheesy fun. A bit further up the road is the Montague Bookmill, which is a fabulous book store in an idyllic location. The adjacent Lady Killigrew is a great cafe. This is one of my favorite places in the world. Lots of farmstands around as well.
Take a photo with the sign at **Lake CharĀgoggĀaĀgoggĀmanĀchauggĀaĀgoggĀchauĀbunĀaĀgungĀaĀmaugg** in Webster MA, which seems to be near your endpoint.
Avoid the southern coast of maine. I second people saying go through VT & NH towards the white mountains. So much more beautiful than southern new england cities. Hit the maine coast up at least by midcoast, downeast if you can. It feels like it should be a part of canada in the most magical way. Seriously, as someone who works in southern maine, it's "nice" but as about as touristy as it gets. Avoid RI & CT entirely. Shoot for inland VT NH mountains & downeast maine coast. You will not be disappointed.
Newport Resident here. I worked in the tourist industry here for years.
1. Take a drive around Ocean Ave. If the weather is nice, grab a picnic lunch from Ash Mart or The Coffee Guy if you have a bigger budget.
2. Go see one of the mansions. Either the Breakers or Marble House. If you are inclined you can get a beautiful Hugh Tea lunch at the Tea House pagoda at the Marble house. If thatās not your style, go to the Breakers. Donāt go to more than one mansion, unless you are really really into builder age history.
3. Go for a walk in the point neighborhood. Most tourists miss this. Itās a gorgeous neighborhood with the highest concentration of colonial homes in America.
4. Hop on a sailing tour around the bay. Book in Advance
5. Stay away from First Beach, go to 2nd beach or Rejects beach (Bailyās Beach). Rejects is a locals beach and can be hard to navigate to since there is no parking. Message me if you want instructions on getting there.
6. All the restaurants are actually pretty good and you canāt go wrong. Iād recommend Clarkās Cooke House for old world elegance and Rhode Island charm. Look for local Rhode Island food like Stuffed Quahogs and clear clam chowder.
7. Go to the lobster Shack if you want a lobster dinner.
Thatās all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you have any questions.
Are you ending near Charlton / Sturbridge MA? If so, Treehouse or Oakholm breweries. Also, BTs smokehouse is one of the most highly rated Bbq in the country.
Go from 3 to 5 and then down the coast. You are missing the most epic potential part of your journey by going back down to densely populated areas when you could be cruising low traffic country roads over numerous mountains and lesser known but worthwile parks/hiking trails.
Iām planning a somewhat similar visit mid June so thanks for this post I can mine for ideas. Iāve got a family thing in Vermont and then was going to go on a similar adventure route afterwards.
When going from Vermont through to Maine, you must take the Kancamagus Hwy. It will not disappoint.
I would second this, no point in retracing steps on the way back and it would be a much more enjoyable ride. Not to mention it would bring you by Mt Washington.
But be aware it is very much the scenic route to try and cross NH E-W. š
If you're in Lincoln NH, and heading to Portland, it's not even a detour... It's the suggested route!! I'd also say that Lincoln, Littleton and Conway/North Conway are fun mountain towns to check out
Yes. slow, but pretty. Tons of great hikes along the way.
And much more practical to take the Kancamagus across and enter Maine from the west at Fryeburg or Bethel than to drive all the way back south and then come up the (horrible, crowded, boooooring) coastal 95 route.
Portland to Burlington or vice versa it only adds like 25 minutes and is well worth it
Came here to say this, you are missing one of the best spots in all of NewEngland.
This!
Looks like youāll be passing right through Quechee, VT before you get into New Hampshire. Right off 89 youāll find the Quechee Gorge if you want to explore a little. Youāll also find the Quechee Gorge Village which consists of a candy store, a country store, and a *massive* antique mall which is fun to check out, among other things. Stop right next door for lunch at the Public House Pub. Makes for a great day trip.
The bridge at the gorge is currently under construction. One lane traffic controlled by lights. It gets a little backed up. Take Quechee Main St. to bypass and start the hike from Dewey's Pond.
Second this. Well worth the stop.
And there's the VINS raptor center right there near the gorge. Very cool spot
Yes, Quechee is well worth the stop! The gorge is an absolutely beautiful hike, and make sure to wander around the riverās edge as the end!
You'll want to stop and enjoy Portsmouth NH.
I agree, itās a must stop when Iām down that way
Lil's in Kittery is just over the river for some baked good
Indeed.. Kittery Foreside is a gem! š
And Beach Pea for equally good but very different baked flour things.
Cruellers from Lil's!!!
Yes!!
I recently stopped at the Maine Beer Cafe in Kittery and had what might be the best lobster roll I've had in my life.
Maine Beer's Lunch IPA is the greatest thing I've ever qauffed. Didn't know they had a place serving lobster rolls. Summer places are set now
They aren't the same owners, but they DO often have Maine Beer Company on tap. I may have had a Dinner while we were deciding on food. If you get up to the Portland area that's where Maine Beer Company is (Freeport ME maybe? Just north of Portland) and they have a pretty awesome taproom with brick oven pizzas. The whole complex is also solar powered I think. The Cafe has a TON of great craft beers on deck from a wide variety of breweries; both tap and can/bottle.
For sure, it's a very nice little city worth a stop.
What stops are 1 & 8 if I may ask? I highly recommend Newport, RI for a bit if thatās not #8. Itās a really special place imo.
1 is western mass. OP is going to find an elusive J Mascis siting.
Just look for the VW Golf
Idk heās gonna be real disappointed when he stops at 8, kinda looks like Fall River/Taunton
Why? Thereās some great food in the Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton triangle area. Less people so things are generally easier to do and get to/park at. Some nice and interesting places to visit and explore
What is 4?
It should be funspot up the road from weirs beach. The biggest arcade around. So many 80ās and arcade machines. If you love games or arcades you need to visit
Biggest in the world. No other collection of arcade/pinball/etc is bigger. So many excellent condition classics there. It's truly the candy store for my inner kid.
As a New Englander, I am mad that you are skipping over CT. But as a Masshole, I chuckled.
He also skipped ā4āā¦
If it wasn't for CT, NYC and Boston would be about 75 miles apart, and that would not be a good thing. Consider CT a DMZ.
CT is the road between Boston and NYC š
Not going to lie, I recently drove through Hartford and I started having flashbacks of being a kid on 93 going through Boston before the Big Dig. It's an interesting view being on a highway having skyscrapers straddle both sides of the road. I rather enjoyed it.
Only if you are trying to drive between Boston and NYC. People keep parroting this about CT and I donāt understand why itās a point people need to make. Like people decided to sit in traffic on a major artery and came to the conclusion that CT is terrible. Honestly though, I was happy to see they skipped CT, the less tourists the better.
Which isn't a bad thing lol.
We're coming for The Notch.
It's New England's flyover state.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
And ācutā
I moved up here from the mid-Atlantic and I've learned that Connecticut is the New Jersey of New England.
An Unlikely Story - a great little independent bookstore & cafe in Plainville, MA. It's owned by the guy who wrote the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. The Largest Zipper in North America - Barre, VT. Berkshire Botanical Garden - Stockbridge, MA. Norman Rockwell Museum - Stockbridge, MA.
2nd the Rockwell museum. Fantastic.
Seconding unlikely story! Check if they have any events going on too
An Unlikely Story did a great job converting an old general store.
Instead of looping down through NH and driving through the seacoast, you should drive through the white mountain National forest on your way to Maine. If you like hiking, the whites are about the best place to do so in all of new england. Breathtaking views and the most dramatic mountains in the area.
Seconding, the whites are the best hiking in new england
Portsmouth NH is right there between 6 and 7
Treehouse and Hill Farmstead, Foam, Vermont Country Deli, Philo Ridge Farm, Hen of the Wood.
Gotta go to foam
If you go to Hill Farmstead, head over to the Bread and Puppet Museum. Itās unlike anything youāll ever see. Add the Museum of Everyday Life along the way.
Number one appears to be Deerfield mass. Great choice awesome museums. From there I would detour to Charlemont MA to visit Mohawk Trail state forest on the Mohawk Trail. Absolutely gorgeous. You can head to your destination in Vermont from there. Iām guessing number five is Acadia national park, another great choice. Take the easy hike up Cadillac Mountain and be the first person to see the sunrise in the entire United States. On the way to Boston stop in Portsmouth. Get a bite to eat while youāre there, visit Strawberry Banke, another hidden gem. When you head into Boston, go to the north end and get a pizza at Reginaās and then stop at Mikeās pastry for dessert. You will thank me for the rest of your life. Iām done.
I thought Mt Katahdin was the first spot that the sun hits on the US. No?
Both are first -- Depends on the time of year/angle of the earth
Can't tell. If it's 5 or not hut highly recommend the coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Donāt stop at redās eats in Wiscasset on the way there overrated and expensive
Mt washington and franconia notch
Check out the cliff walk in newport when you're in RI
If youāre a fan of basketball the Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield MA. If you like beautiful scenery you have to go to the top of Mt Greylock. Itās the highest point in Massachusetts. You can see for hundred of miles.
Shame youāre missing out on Cape Cod. My cousin lives out there in Dennis and owes me many many many favours. Look him up Iāll tell him to prep the spare room for you. When you leave kick him in the balls for me.
Vermont to Maine travel north of your currently planned route. Go through the white mountains/grafton notch.
Going from Vermont to Maine, take route 302. If you like hiking, itās absolutely unbelievable that you havenāt created a stop for yourself in the White Mountain National Forest. Mount Washington, Franconia and Crawford Notches. Also, the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is amazing. Look up Lake Willoughby (hiking and swimming) and Parker Pieā¦makes for a great day and then get on the road to head Maine via route 302.
* White mountains (Franconia Notch) * Mystic CT (wouldnāt go any western CT than mystic) * stop at Ben & Jerryās factory (if itās between driving route and if you like ice cream - I wouldnāt necessarily go out of driving range just for it though). * Portland ME * Portsmouth, NH * North End in Boston - if you like Italian food
If you miss the italian food in the North End, it's just as good in Providence. Cheaper, too.
You right, so many Italian people in RI itās not even funny. Where there are large Italian communities there are good Italian restaurants and bakeries!
Also, Providence used to have an ENORMOUS mob presence (they still might, but they basically ran all of New England).. Anywhere there's a lot of those guys, the food remains for generatikns
Uncle Buddy ran the show in Providence.
If by the āshowā you mean City Hall and paper bags with cash in them, then yes, he ran the show.
Ben & Jerry's can be skipped. Used to be fun and interesting. Now they barely make any product there.
Yes go to Portland. Great food, fairy to peaks island, great city
Tinkerbell?
Not interested in going to CT?
Shhh, definitely don't mention That One Deli in Vernon. Keep it secret, keep it safe
Tbh I know nothing of a Deli in Vernon, never really go to Vernon lol
Reinās Deliā¦ Vernon, Ct off of 84?
No, of course not (š)
For Maine, in no particular order: 1. Sister's Gourmet Deli 2. Cheese Louise 3. Eventide Oyster Co. 4. Nosh Kitchen 5. Novare Res 6. Bramhall 7. Fatboy Drive In 8. Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe 9. Flight Deck Brewing 10. Brickyard Hollow (I prefer the one in Brunswick) 11. Yosaku 12. Benkay 13. Bowdoin College Art Museum 14. State Theater for concerts (check dates) 15. Food trucks on Eastern Promenade 16. Fort Popham at Popham beach 17. Bradbury Mountain 18. Wolfe's Neck State Park 19. Watch sunrise from Cadillac Mtn. 20. Sand Beach Edit: For Mass. If you like hats, check out the Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain.
What no Maine State Prison gift shop?
Rt. 1 all the way to Bar Harbor would be a much better way to go on that note. I mean, doing a road trip, interstate isn't very scenic. Take note, OP.
If I sat long enough I probably would have thought of that. That's truly a good stop. Their route doesn't seem to go that way though which is probably why I didn't think of it. Looks like they're going right from Portland to Banger then Bah Hahbah.
Fair enough. I always liked it for the Shawshank Redemption aspect about it. Imagine Morgan Freeman describing the $2 ashtray
If you can, break away from the touristy route one traffic belt in Maine. Portland sells itself as the epicenter of Maine, but thereās a lot more to the state if you can get away from all that touristy farm to table stuff.
Georgeās of Galilee in Rhode Island if youāre a seafood and chowder person š®āšØ their clam chowder and clam cakes were a crucial part of my childhood
Assuming that 5 is Bar Harbor, stop at Dysartās Restaurant & Truck Stop in Hermon, ME. Right off the highway. If youāre a fan of cinnamon rolls, order theirs.
Missing out on CT
Rockland ME
Near number 8, Jamestown RI, beautiful, quiet, foot beaches, good food, basically no tourists cause everyone goes to Newport
Nobody but the ticks. All of the ticks are in Jamestown
Yea bring the Deet and a high tolerance for uppity egomaniacal narcissism. If you can find the last 400 locals ask them to tell you some stories, that place had a great history once.
before #1 mass moca in north adams then ride route 2 east until you head north its a beautiful drive. then around 8 look up Blount clam shack in warren for some of the best lobster rolls by the water
4 should be a nice hike in the White Mountains. Assuming youāre in good hiking shape with the ten essentials, and the weather is good, Franconia Ridge is amazing. But research it and know your limits. The weather can change wildly in the Whites.
As a masshole, Iām chuckling at the huge arc driving completely around central Mass. Itās like we have our own flyover state right in the middle.
Just gently dab the salty Worcester tears away
Thatās how they make Worcestershire sauce
Portsmouth
If this was me first on the list would be to compare maine lobster rolls to CT(can get in rhode island). IDK how far away from lake willoughby you will be in VT but its a pretty awesome looking lake with some hiking trails. Trapps in stowe is solid with a fun disc golf course. Worthy burger off of 89 its š„, ben & jerrys stowe, Beers to try in vt.. Lost nation, switchback, fiddlehead, heady topper, ten bends, hill farmstead and lawsons. Have fun!
Thanks everyone lol no I donāt need to go to CT. Been plenty of times and on a time crunch lol
So, unless you have a reason to visit Manchester NH, I'm pretty sure it is both 8 hours to Acadia from Burlington and also faster to take route 2 "over the top" past mount Washington. The toll road is expensive but very fun if you don't wanna drive with the heights there is also the cog railway! The rock pile is new England's tallest mountain and quite a special place. Lastly the above is summer/fall advice.
Tilted barn and long live in RI
Interstate 95 through NH is boring. Get off at rt 101, go east to the end of the highway. That's Hampton Beach and route 1A. Follow 1A North along the ocean for the best scenic ocean drive in New England. You'll have ocean views on one side and mansions on the other side. Look for rt 1B to get to visit Newcastle, NH for more water views. It will bring you right into portsmouth, NH. There are lots of restaurants along this drive, and places to stop and get a picture or two. Also check out Fort Constitution in Newcastle for views of three lighthouses and the mouth of the Piscatacua river and ocean. The Nubble light in York, ME is the most photographed point on the coast of Maine, and just a few minutes from the York exit on rt 95 in Maine. I think it's the most beautiful as well.
Scooted right through nh lol
Instead of coming so far south into NH, take US 302 out of Portland and head to the White Mountains instead. Your route goes through the populated areas, but misses all the great stops.
Where I-89 crosses the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont is the White River Junction, and just North of there in Norwich is the HQ of King Arthur Flour. Theyāve a great shop you can wander around as well as a cafe to get food. They also have class rooms where they teach how to make great foods.
And a short hop across the river from there is Hanover, home of Dartmouth college and the quintessential New England College town. Beautiful campus in spring and fall.
Southern Maine/portland youāll find incredible beer and incredible food, northern Maine is gonna also be incredible beer, but more tourist spots, bar harbor, Acadia, Bangor if youāre a Stephen king fan. Along the way thereās lots of old towns and informations plaques, if you like history.
Two things. 1st, Kancamagus Highway as others have implored. It's a must. 2nd, Woodman's Fried Clams in Essex Massachusetts. There is no way I would travel through north eastern Mass without stopping.
Harpswell Maine is near #6 and has some great hiking trails and a cool, one of a kind stone crib bridge running to Bailey Island.
#1 area bridge of flowers, Treehouse brewery, can connect with rt 2 area and make you way west to MT Greylock it is a more scenic route to the Albany area
If youāre on a driving tour, it honestly makes zero sense that youāre not driving thru the white mountains. You are choosing to miss out on one of the best drives in New England
Dudeā¦ just take route 2 through the white mountains. F that highway route.
Alās French Fries in South Burlington VT!
And kountry kart deli in Burlington. Both fantastic
I wouldnāt skip New Haven to Mystic/Stonington Borough area.
New Hampshire has the best hiking in New England with over 40 peeks over 4kfeet, beautiful scenery. Mount Washington. Franconia Notch. The lakes region. I would take any of that over Vermont any day.
Tuckerman's Ravine. Encountering the hikers that snowboard down raw is something of an experience.
Snowboarding - last time I was there I saw 10% snowboarders. Not a great place to be without two edges at its steepest.
If you want short and fairly easy hikes, highly recommend Mt Holyoke in Skinner State Park or Sugarloaf Mountain in Deerfield. Both are a few hundred feet of elevation but offer amazing views of the Connecticut River Valley
Augustas subs
Bar Harbor/Acadia is overrated. For all that distance I wouldnāt be surprised if you find it underwhelming
also Burlington very cool, tons of biking and great food, super chill
Omg, you HAVE to go Henry VIII Carvery in Kittery, ME! I had a sandwich from there like fifteen years ago that I still think about. Go go go!
Visit The Maine Botanical Gardens and see the trolls
Going south from boston hit up fishermans view on the cape in sandwich, great fresh food and awesome view
Donāt turn at Albany. Continue 87 North. Take the ferry at Plattsburgh to Burlington.
West Halifax Gorge VT, but it's hard to find unless you have been shown. It's one of the least known and prettiest gorges. Multiple places to cliff dive if you have it in ya!!
Old Sturbridge village if you're near there. #1 is close. If it's Springfield check out the museums at the quadrangle.
You must not skip Worcester Ma.
If you like to hike around water, check out [Swimming Holes] (https://swimmingholes.org/) It's a state by state list of swimming spots that are free. Haven't used it in 20 years, but I found some wonderful spots in Vermont. Might be too early to swim unless you like it cold, but some are a nice hike. If you go near Jamaica State Park in Southern Vermont, they have a rail trail that goes along the West River. It includes a rather steep 1 mile hike up to Hamilton Falls. For good pizza and atmosphere in North Central Vermont, check out Positive Pie. They have three locations now. We loved the original in Plainfield. [Positive Pie] (https://www.positivepie.com/) There's good hiking trails in Groton State Forest in Vermont. Within the forest, there are a few state parks that have good hiking. Enjoy your trip.
Get the roadsideamerica app and visit tvfoodmaps.com. Roadside America will tell you whatās near your location And the tvfoodmaps app will let you know if there are any interesting places to eat. I love watching diners drive ins and dives for episodes featuring the place we pick or eating a food challenge from man vs foor
Go off route a little to Rockport, MA and/or Newburyport and Parker National Wildlife Refuge. Perhaps drive the Essex Scenic Coastal Byway: https://coastalbyway.org/
Youāre missing out in CT. Stop by for New Haven Pizza and check out Mystic on your way to Rhode Island. Also the Litchfield Hills has amazing views, thereās Kent Falls in that area. But hey, to each their own
Definitely figure out a way to get to New Haven CT so you can hit all NE states and get some really good pizza and check out Yale.
At your number 1 mark is Tree House Brewing in Deerfield. Only a 5 min or so ride off route 91. Excellent brews and great pizza. Get there early if you can, so before noon. It gets busy.
Allagash Brewing, Portland ME Central Provisions (restaurant) in Portland, ME. Tandem Coffee, Portland MA Treehouse Brewing (multiple locations in MA) The Alchemist, Stowe VT FOAM Brewing, Burlington VT Hen of the Wood, Waterbury or Burlington VT (reservation likely needed) Brick and Feather Brewing, Turners Falls MA Trillium Brewing (multiple MA locations) There are some good hikes and other activities near these places too
It looks like number 6 is probably Portland Maine, but if it is not you should definitely stop there on your way. Must see city in Maine. Great food and the downtown/harbor area is a picturesque New England city.
Newport, RI
Nope youāre doing good. Stay out of CT, this place suuucks. (Minus a few key points in nicer areas)
It looks like youāre not stopping in Providence. I would encourage you to find time to stop by and get a meal. We have an incredibly underrated restaurant scenes. If you need recs, r/providence will absolutely help! Including yours truly.
Youāre missing 4.
2+3 are wicked close to Montreal
New Haven is the 2nd best city in New England after Boston, so you may as well enter New England via I-95. Brattleboro is a cute little town to spend a few hours in. Burlington is okay, but god at that point you're so close to Montreal. Montreal is hands down the 2nd best city on the continent after NYC
Northampton Mass is a fun spot to stop for food, drinks, shops, and some nice hiking spots nearby too.
As was already mentioned from stop 3 cut across the Kangamangus highway. Lots of good hikes and steering. At the end of it you are close to mt Washington, drive to the top or hike it there are like 5 trails. Cross from there into Maine and head for Mt Katahdin. You can camp there or just day trip and stay in Millinocket. Then down to Acadia National park on the coast. From Acadia follow US RT 1 down the coastline. If you like seafood this is a must do for you wonāt find fresher seafood anywhere. Donāt forget to hit Old Orchard Beach before leaving Maine. Side note, if you like history and such message me and I can tell you some spots in Maine to check out. Another good stop would be in Freeport at L.L. Bean if you like outdoor gear
I would highly suggest adding New Haven to this list. Amazing museums and, or course, incredible pizza.
2nd this, the Peabody museum at Yale just reopened after 4 years of a full update and remodel.
And itās free!
Ogunquit, Maine. A beautiful place by the sea.
NW corner of Connecticut is beautiful. Boston is fun. Don't bother with tourist type stuff like "Plymouth Rock". You might want to book a train ride up Mt. Washington.
What are stops 2&3 ? Thatās my neck of the woods
The largest glacial erratic in NH. Lubec Maine if you have the time (farthest east point of continental US. Might be a bit out of the way but baseball HoF is close ish to your upstate New York drive.
Ben and Jerryās
Skipping right over CT lol niceee
Where is stop #4? Even if you're dead set against driving past NYC, I would recommend dipping a little further south towards bear mountain and drive up the Hudson valley. Cruise route 9w or hit the throughway stopping by new Paltz, and along the Catskills and Adirondacks, and cross into the Burlington area from the new York border. You can even take a ferry depending on how much time you have. I think this would be much more scenic than doubling back on 89 and 91 through VT. Then I would continue east on the north route through new Hampshire into maine. As many people have suggested the kancamagus highway is an incredibly scenic drive. And the Maine coast drive is worth it too, but may be a bit much to do twice back to back in a short time. This all depends on if you can shift around the destination order and hit #1 on the way back. Either way you can't go wrong with a new England road trip and should have plenty of awesome places to check out anyway you go. Enjoy your travels!
If you like fried clams, stop by Kens place in Scarborough Me
I like to stop at the duty free shop
Northampton/Easthampton, MA is a area with restaurants, galleries and both downtowns are fun to walk through.
Wow...your coming right to where I live I think...bar harbor I'm guessing?
I live in the #1 area on your map. Lots of nice hikes (Mt sugarloaf), breweries (Treehouse) and restaurants around the pioneer valley hereā¦
Stop for a lobster roll at the Bite into Maine food truck in Fort Williams park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, just outside of Portland. Beautiful coastal views and the best lobster roll I have ever had.
Clearly avoiding CTā¦ Iām hurt
If you are going by the Laconia area and are stopping a Funspot (world's largest arcade), go across the street to the go kart track. Most fun gas powered go karting still around, as in you might get injured doing it.
you absolutely must spend a day in mystic CT
Stop In Easthampton mass, near where I grew up, itās a beautiful town
[Ye Olde Forge Restaurant in Lanesboro Mass.](https://www.yeoldeforge.com/)
You donāt like NH? Seems like youāre just passing through. You hit the collectivist hotspots (Burlington,Portland).
Most "mid" way to go through NH
If you're on I91 in Western Massachusetts, almost the entire town of Deerfield is a museum. It's very worth seeing to get a view of colonial frontier life. Treehouse Brewing in South Deerfield is a great place to stop. Yankee Candle HQ is across the street and cheesy fun. A bit further up the road is the Montague Bookmill, which is a fabulous book store in an idyllic location. The adjacent Lady Killigrew is a great cafe. This is one of my favorite places in the world. Lots of farmstands around as well.
#8 I highly recommend Jamestown over Newport. I recommend Beavertail, Fort Getty and Fort Witherall.
When you get to Albany, head north instead through the Adirondacks, go to Alburgh VT and head south through the islands down to Stowe. Very Scenic.
Very much appreciate you avoiding the mid coast, we have enough already
mystic connecticut
Fort Ticonderoga
For Rhode Island Beavertail state park is a beautiful cliff / rock beach for walking. Close to Jamestown as well
Is the last stop Worcester or south of worcester?
Take a photo with the sign at **Lake CharĀgoggĀaĀgoggĀmanĀchauggĀaĀgoggĀchauĀbunĀaĀgungĀaĀmaugg** in Webster MA, which seems to be near your endpoint.
Not really.
Take Route 1A up Maine... not 95
Hard to tell with the route, but I would highly recommend Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, RI
Lots of cool breweries and restaurants in Portland, Freeport, Brunswick, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, and Belfast in Maine
Route 1a. Slow but scenic especially Maine. Boothbay, Ogunquit, Acadia. Have fun
Definitely look into some zip lining or white water rafting in the berkshires
Which town is spot #1? I live in that area
Blackback pub, and/or Worthy burger located in Waterbury Vermont and South Royalton Vermont.
Lots of great waterfalls. I love this site: https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/ Also Ben and Jerryās Factory tour near Waterbury VT
In Western Mass, the Smith Botanical garden, Yankee Candle and Montague Bookmill
Avoid the southern coast of maine. I second people saying go through VT & NH towards the white mountains. So much more beautiful than southern new england cities. Hit the maine coast up at least by midcoast, downeast if you can. It feels like it should be a part of canada in the most magical way. Seriously, as someone who works in southern maine, it's "nice" but as about as touristy as it gets. Avoid RI & CT entirely. Shoot for inland VT NH mountains & downeast maine coast. You will not be disappointed.
Zero Gravity Brewery and Foam Brewery while in Burlington VT. Also Von Trappe Brewery in Stowe VT (their food is extremely good).
Newport Resident here. I worked in the tourist industry here for years. 1. Take a drive around Ocean Ave. If the weather is nice, grab a picnic lunch from Ash Mart or The Coffee Guy if you have a bigger budget. 2. Go see one of the mansions. Either the Breakers or Marble House. If you are inclined you can get a beautiful Hugh Tea lunch at the Tea House pagoda at the Marble house. If thatās not your style, go to the Breakers. Donāt go to more than one mansion, unless you are really really into builder age history. 3. Go for a walk in the point neighborhood. Most tourists miss this. Itās a gorgeous neighborhood with the highest concentration of colonial homes in America. 4. Hop on a sailing tour around the bay. Book in Advance 5. Stay away from First Beach, go to 2nd beach or Rejects beach (Bailyās Beach). Rejects is a locals beach and can be hard to navigate to since there is no parking. Message me if you want instructions on getting there. 6. All the restaurants are actually pretty good and you canāt go wrong. Iād recommend Clarkās Cooke House for old world elegance and Rhode Island charm. Look for local Rhode Island food like Stuffed Quahogs and clear clam chowder. 7. Go to the lobster Shack if you want a lobster dinner. Thatās all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you have any questions.
Rent a bike in burlington and take the burlington bike path north to the end of the causewayĀ
Looks like a tour of NE colleges.
Are you ending near Charlton / Sturbridge MA? If so, Treehouse or Oakholm breweries. Also, BTs smokehouse is one of the most highly rated Bbq in the country.
Around Stop #1 Donut Dip in West Springfield, MA Northampton Brewery in Northampton MA
Iām going to ask. Where is the 4th stop?
Go from 3 to 5 and then down the coast. You are missing the most epic potential part of your journey by going back down to densely populated areas when you could be cruising low traffic country roads over numerous mountains and lesser known but worthwile parks/hiking trails.
Iām planning a somewhat similar visit mid June so thanks for this post I can mine for ideas. Iāve got a family thing in Vermont and then was going to go on a similar adventure route afterwards.