Taking touristy and cool recommendations for the New England states

[77ncaachamps]

More specifically, Boston, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Possible side trip to Vermont.

[wadesworld]

I hear Boston's a really nice state.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

When are you going and how many days?  Is the plan to fly to Boston then go somewhere from there?

With or without kids?

Are you looking for foliage?

[reinko]

Have a ton of recs,  kids,  no kids?  Foodies?   Craft beer kinda folks? Once I get to laptop will give you the laundry list.

[keefe]

Are you travelling stag or bringing sand to the beach??

[77ncaachamps]

- family visiting family in Boston
- leaf peeping
- a day in each said area except Boston (2 days)
- no kids
- foodies
- drinking
- history
- eccentrics plus down for some traditional looks

[4everwarriors]

Check out the Celtics for traditionals, hey?

[77ncaachamps]

Check out the Celtics for traditionals, hey?

I don't think they're going to be playing.

Can't even watch BU or BC hockey (they're playing away).

Possible Bruins game.

[Freeport Warrior]

- foodies

Was in Boston area with fam in early August for a week. Love NY for restaurants and have been generally disappointed in Boston by comparison. Had an exceptional meal at Troquet -- one of the best meals in the last few years. Took the family - 3 kids (8-14) are well-trained. No one ordered the same thing and it was all amazing -- ricotta cavatelli, duck, steak, chicken, lamb, halibut. The desserts were great as well. Biz casual dress with wine bar on lower level. Right down the street from Boston Common.  http://troquetboston.com/#menu

[Galway Eagle]

If the east coast grill is having hell night you need to go that place is amazing and hell night is legendary! The barking crab is one heck of a place that you definitely should check out. Gorgeous view of the skyline and incredible sea food.   The eagle's deli has an amazing burger but unless you're out by BC I wouldn't say its worth going that far out on the T.  Sam's down town has an amazing sandwich.  My source is I dated a Boston girl for a few years and we were major foodies. 

[reinko]

Happy to assist.

Providence: Hit up Federal Hill, best Italian in New England, Spirito's and Siena are my favorites.  For some good pub food, and good local beer, Trinity brew hourse near the DD Center is solid.  Also, if in the mood for pizza, Bob and Timmys is fantastic.  Newport, RI is also gorgeous, and cliff walk is pretty cool too...I might choose this over Providence, as you can get good food throughout NE, http://www.cliffwalk.com/

Boston: For beer, Sam Adams tour is actually kinda nice.  It's free, and you get 2-3 beers out of it.  If you have the extra time, hit up the trolley that goes to Doyles Bar.  (Get a free SA pint glass when you order a suds).  Another great place is the Harpoon tasting Room.  Great great spot.  No TVs, over 50 Harpoon beers on tap, many you can't get anywhere else and they only serve homemade pretzels...great spot!  http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/breweries/boston/beerhall  If you go here, Yankee Lobster is nearby great fresh seafood.

Other spots in Boston:  Raw oysters & chowder: Union Oyster House.  Near Fenway Park, hit up the Bleacher Bar:  Actually built into the ground level of the Green Monster.  Also heard the FP Park tour is pretty nice too.  Other spots in Boston; USS Constitution, Faniuel Hall, Public Gardens are very pretty this time of the year...If you want a meat sandwich, go to Sam LaGrassa's.  http://www.samlagrassas.com/

If you are making your way north, Rockport and Gloucester are very pretty.  Rockport has an awesome state park on the ocean, http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/halibut-point-state-park.html

PM me when you get out here, more than happy to provide more insight.

[keefe]

No Names. Book it.

Grendel's in Cambridge.

[Jay Bee]

Happy to assist.

Boston: For beer, Sam Adams tour is actually kinda nice.

[mu03eng]

In Boston, Union Oyster House is awesome and after stop in for a pint and live music at the Green Dragon.  The historical trail is pretty cool too.  We did a lot of walking around Boston and the subway is pretty good.

The wife and I loved Acadia national park in Maine, lots of fantastic hiking (only wish the wife backpacked, it's an epic place for that).  Stayed in Bar Harbor and loved it.  Lots of great places with character and the lobster was fantastic.  Can't recommend it highly enough.

Stopped by Bath on the way(my choice) they have a big ship building area there and lots of history.

Enjoy the trip.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

- family visiting family in Boston
- leaf peeping
- a day in each said area except Boston (2 days)
- no kids
- foodies
- drinking
- history
- eccentrics plus down for some traditional looks

77ncaa:
On foliage, it depends on when you go.  I attached the up-to-date foliage map from Yankee Magazine for you (below) as parts of New England are already at peak.
http://www.yankeefoliage.com/live-fall-foliage-map/

MAINE:
I would recommend Portland, ME.  1hr 50min drive from Boston.  A fun little scenic waterfront city. Several breweries & brewpubs including The Shipyard, Allagash & Geary's.  www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/15/  
If you stay downtown you get unique sunrise off the bay in the morning.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow home is there.  You can visit LL Bean just 30mins away in Freeport.  You can also stop at any of the beach towns in between Portland & the New Hampshire line such as Ogunquit, York, Kennebunk or Old Orchard Beach.

New Hampshire:
Portsmouth, NH is kind of like less interesting Portland, ME.  They have a refurbished DT and a waterfront plus a historical section and a few brewpubs.

Vermont:
Burlington, VT is a family favorite and I'd highly recommend, but it may be way farther than you want to drive for a day (about 3.25hrs one way from Boston).  It was recently listed as the Best College Town in America as it's the home of the University of Vermont.  Pedestrian only center of town that overlooks Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks in the background.  Home to the Magic Hat Brewery as well as some brewpubs.  The Shelburne Museum is unique & interesting and it's right next to a winery (they sell a wine called Marquette, coincidently) and The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.  Ben & Jerry's ice cram factory is just outside of Burlington off of I-89 and available for tours.

renko's recommendations on Boston and points north & Rhode Island are pretty solid.  I agree and would take a visit to Newport over Providence if you have to choose.  The mansions & the cliff walk are something to see.  

In Boston, you can do the Freedom Trail (and pick & choose your stops) which basically just connects the dots on all the historic known spots in Boston.  It passes through the North End on the way to the Old North Church (made famous by Paul Revere's ride).  There are plenty of good Italian restaurants here.  I went by smell and ended up in place with home made ravioli that made my kids day.  

[Eldon]

Portland Maine is a cool little city.  Nice bar scene and nice downtown for a city of its size.

You MUST try a lobster roll.  They are pricey, but well worth it.  Fresh as can be.  Another cool thing in Portland is a mead factory (distillery?).  You can take tours of this place

http://mainemeadworks.com/

They also give you sample tastings of all of the mead.  Yet another activity is whale watching.  Another thing I found cool about the city is this little retro toy store downtown.  Not retro like toys from the 60s (eg, wooden firetrucks), but rather toys from the 80s and 90s (eg, thundercats, ninja turtles, monster in my pockets, etc)

[keefe]

monster in my pockets

What you call a "toy" I call a "weapon"

[MU82]

It would be pretty difficult to top my childhood home in Milford, Conn.!

[Jay Bee]

It would be pretty difficult to top my childhood home in Milford, Conn.!

Affectionately referred to as The Milf?

Check upcoming concerts at The Middle East

[D'Lo Brown]

My family shares a cottage in York Beach, ME. Any of the towns around there are an easy drive from Boston, a little over an hour. There is a good amount of history in the area. A lot of seafood recommendations. You don't have to look far for deep-fried seafood or lobster rolls. If you are looking for straight-up lobster, there is a shack called Off the Boat which is as it sounds. My friends have always loved it. Also, if you're into trying to walk on the beach, two of the most popular beaches around are found in York (Long Sands and Short Sands beach).

Portsmouth, NH is 15 minutes from York and has a lot of history as well.

[Celtic Truth]

My family shares a cottage in York Beach, ME. Any of the towns around there are an easy drive from Boston, a little over an hour. There is a good amount of history in the area. A lot of seafood recommendations. You don't have to look far for deep-fried seafood or lobster rolls. If you are looking for straight-up lobster, there is a shack called Off the Boat which is as it sounds. My friends have always loved it. Also, if you're into trying to walk on the beach, two of the most popular beaches around are found in York (Long Sands and Short Sands beach).

Portsmouth, NH is 15 minutes from York and has a lot of history as well.

Small world, I've been going to York beach every July with my entire extended family for the past 15+ years. Long sands beach and Nubble light are definitely worth seeing

[mu03eng]

77ncaa:

MAINE:
I would recommend Portland, ME.  1hr 50min drive from Boston.  A fun little scenic waterfront city. Several breweries & brewpubs including The Shipyard, Allagash & Geary's.  www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/15/  

Shipyard has my favorite pumpkin beer of all time Pumpkinhead....it is a must try.  Allagash in general is outstanding and they have a great brewery/tasting tour.

[Celtic Truth]

If you are into history I would highly recommend visiting Quincy(not to be confused with Quincy Market). It's just a few minutes from downtown Boston, take the redline to Quincy center. Quincy was home to John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and the birthplace of John Hancock. They have a historic trolley tour from quincy center that takes you to the birthplaces of John Adams and John Q Adams. Also goes to the original Adams mansion and the church of presidents where the two former presidents are buried in the basement. I would Highly recommend Albas restaurant, right in Quincy center just a block down from the church of presidents. Pretty upscale and pricey but amazing food. If you want a more blue collar locals place McKays restaurant is right across the street from the birthplaces and they serve a great breakfast.....I recommend the country breakfast, or the Irish breakfast.

[brandx]

Lots of good hiking in White and Green mountains this time of year. Hop on the Appallatian Trail for a ways. Or drive up coastal Maine all the way to Acadia.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

If you are into history I would highly recommend visiting Quincy(not to be confused with Quincy Market). It's just a few minutes from downtown Boston, take the redline to Quincy center. Quincy was home to John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and the birthplace of John Hancock. They have a historic trolley tour from quincy center that takes you to the birthplaces of John Adams and John Q Adams. Also goes to the original Adams mansion and the church of presidents where the two former presidents are buried in the basement. I would Highly recommend Albas restaurant, right in Quincy center just a block down from the church of presidents. Pretty upscale and pricey but amazing food. If you want a more blue collar locals place McKays restaurant is right across the street from the birthplaces and they serve a great breakfast.....I recommend the country breakfast, or the Irish breakfast.

Kin-zee in local parlance.  I meant to mention this one also.  It was fascinating to visit recently after reading the book & watching the John Adams mini-series.  It closes for the season on November 10.  We visited on that date and both President Adam's and their wives had a wreath & flag laid on it.  Apparently, every Veteran's Day weekend (I think this was the reason), deceased presidents get this at their burial site.  The library was built by JQA's son (out of stone to be fireproof per JQA) to house his father's and grandfather's books & writings.