Proposed - Itinerary Boston-Cape Cod-New Hampshire-Main

I have posted so many questions over the past few months - and I think finally I have come up with a basic itinerary - accommodation wise at least. I will post it below and I would appreciate any comments as to how practical/good/bad or otherwise this plan is. Any advice or tips would be much appreciated - as nothing is set in stone (yet).

Arrive in Boston 30th June Overnight in Jurys.

1st July - explore Boston.

2nd July - pick up hire car. Travel out to Falmouth (Cape Cod). Overnight in Falmouth Heights Motel.

3rd July. Overnight in Falmouth Heights Motel.

4th July. Travel to rental house in Chatham for 7 nights.

11th July. Leave Chatham early. Travel to North Conway, New Hampshire. Overnight in Nordic Village Resort for 3 nights.

14th July. Leave North Conway. Travel to Portland Maine. Overnight in Embassy Suites for 2 nights.

16th July. Leave Portland. Travel to Boston. Overnight in Jurys, Boston.

17th July. Spend day doing last min shopping.

Return to Ireland late on Fri night.

(Sleep for a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Proposed - Itinerary Boston-Cape Cod-New Hampshire-Main

I think that%26#39;s perfectly do-able. You%26#39;re giving yourself enough time in each place that you won%26#39;t be dashing from one location to another.

Couple of tips, that you may have already gotten elsewhere. July 4 is Independence Day here in the States, so traffic on the cape will be BAD. And, sometimes people celebrate a bit too much, so watch out for erratic drivers (there will also be plenty of police out on the roads). So, be prepared for the trip from Falmouth to Chatham to take a while, even though it%26#39;s only 40 miles (unless you get up REALLY early to make the trip).

Also, your trip to N. Conway on the 11th - again, be prepared for a long, perhaps slow trip. It%26#39;s about 230 miles, could take 5 hours, could take 7. From Boston to Conway is usually about three. Since it%26#39;s a Saturday, as long as you get an early start it shouldn%26#39;t be too bad.

You will probably hit some toll roads, so make sure you have some quarters and single dollars.

I will be in Conway July 11 and 12; we leave for Ireland on the 13th. Might even pass you on the street somewhere, as we run all our last-minute errands!

While in Portland, take a trek (all of 10 miles, maybe?) out to Two Lights State Park - it%26#39;s right on the water and is beautiful. Take a picnic lunch and sit on the rocks - very relaxing.

Have an absolutely wonderful time!!

Proposed - Itinerary Boston-Cape Cod-New Hampshire-Main

Yankee Travelr. Thanks for that. I just needed to know it was some way %26#39;do-able%26#39;. Sat 11th is my biggest worry. If we leave early - say 8am - we should get some road under us early. As long as we are aware of the pitfalls - traffic, delays etc. and are some way prepared - that is half the battle, I feel. We are getting really excited now as the time draws closer. What a small world - that we will both be in N Conway at same time. Will drop you a line with some Cork suggestions. I wont wish you a good trip yet as I know I will be on to you with more questions over next month or so!!!

If you leave by 8am, you shouldn%26#39;t have any problems at all. Could even do a late lunch in N. Conway - let me know if you%26#39;d like suggestions. :)

Would love any suggestions you have for Cork, or anywhere else, for that matter. I, too, am SO excited!!

Sounds like a great trip. As others said, the 11th is a long day. You may want to stop in Lexington for lunch which is a very short ride off of I 95 on the way north. It has a lovely town square with places for lunch or maybe a short walk around the battlefield.

Depending on your timing, you could have 2-3 hours there and still make it to NC by 6 which will keep this from being a totally lost day.

Yes i think that would be a good idea to stop off somewhere mid way - have a nice lunch and have a wander around somewhere nice - to saveus from total boredom. Having said that a few years ago we went from North Western France right down to the South East (and back) - over 12 solid hours on mainly motorways - with 2 x 20 min breaks - and we lived to tell the tale!!!!!

Lexington is definitely a good option. Any ideas which route you%26#39;ll take up to Conway? There are a number of options - up Interstate 93 and then past Lake Winnipesaukee on Rte. 113, or up Interstate 95 to Kittery, Maine and then up Rte. 16 to Conway... both are good choices, and both would offer places to stop and stretch your legs...

I would avoid the Hampton tolls on a Saturday in July. I would advise to take 93(N) instead of 95(N).

That is a really good point. I haven%26#39;t been caught in that traffic but have seen it backed up for miles as we passed in the other direction. Definitely stay on top of the traffic reports but 93 is a good alternative and you can then go across past Lake Winni or up to the Kanc.

Any less congested route suggestions would be very much appreciated. We had not got that far - planning routes. It has taken me so long so organise hotels and destinations I have given very little thought into routes/activities/eating etc. Thats for the next few weeks!!!!

Keep the tips coming as I am printing all the tips and filing them.

Hair Salon Recommendations

I posted a similar listing over 2 years ago and am looking for updated advice. I am looking for a stylist/colorist in the Portsmouth area who caters to longer-length hair. The Wingate was suggested by many but I didn%26#39;t have luck there. Any other recommendations?

Hair Salon Recommendations

There%26#39;s two salons now that are good in my book around the seacoast area these days. There%26#39;s ';Sanctuary Hair Studio'; located at 135 Lafayette Rd., in Rye 603 433-2772. See if you can get an appointment there, if not, try to get over to Cabello%26#39;s at 1660 Greenland Rd., Suite 10, Greenland next to Portsmouth, it%26#39;s on that road that leads you to the exit for the Pease airfield, not near the Newington/Fox Run Mall entrance the other one. An easier way is from the highway driving north I-95 take exit 3 for NH33-toward Greenland/Portsmouth and take a left after the exit, it%26#39;s about a mile down on the right past Pease.

I%26#39;ve been going to Newbury Street in Boston these days to ';Beaucage'; Hair Salon which is located at 71 Newbury Street to either Dean or Vivienne. They%26#39;re both excellent hair stylists. Dean%26#39;s the owner %26amp; Vivienne is from the seacoast originally, they%26#39;re both extremely good hair stylists %26amp; expert colorists. I%26#39;m from Boston originally with a lot of friends that I like to meet down there when I%26#39;m in town, so that%26#39;s why I like to get my hair done down there. I really should knock it off, but I love to shop there %26amp; check out new places for lunch when I%26#39;m in that part of town, it%26#39;s my thing!

Good luck wherever you decide to have your hair done.

Good luck this time!

Hair Salon Recommendations

Marcie at Hair Excitement in the Newington Mall is AMAZING.

Thank you very much for your updated suggestions. I think I may try Cabello as it is fairly close to my house. Is there anyone in particular I should ask for? I only wish I had the time to head into Boston...your experience, NoMo, sounds fantastic! I hope I have luck too. Thanks all.

See if you can get an appointment with Joan at Cabello%26#39;s, she%26#39;s a very good colorist %26amp; stylist, you won%26#39;t be disappointed.

Another thought for you just popped in to my head. If you can%26#39;t get an appointment @ Cabello%26#39;s, then see if you can get an appointment with this Joan Sullivan @ the Joan Sullivan Salon in Exeter right on Water Street. She%26#39;s extremely good for coloring %26amp; styling too, IF you can get HER though, so see what you can do. She%26#39;s from Newbury Street originally and has quite a business, IF you can get her it%26#39;ll be awesome, she%26#39;s usually pretty booked up solid, that%26#39;s how good she is...

603) 778-8424

137 Water St

Exeter, NH 03833

makeup help

After North Conway

I will spend 3 nights in North Conway 11-14 July. We are due back in Boston on 16th July. Any suggestions for somewhere between the 2 - maybe even heading over towards Vermont (for something a bit different for 2 nights)- would be appreciated.

I know I have posted similar questions in the past - but my plans are just taking better shape in the past week or so.

After North Conway

Biancat,

You%26#39;ve probably said this, and I haven%26#39;t seen, so apologies - what are your preferences for activity? Are you looking for hiking, sightseeing, history, shopping, etc? Vermont is definitely a possibility; you could also head over into Maine, which is a beautiful state and has many options. Are you spending any time on the coast?

After North Conway

I would suggest Maine also. Maybe near Portland or Old Orchard Beach. Another option is Cape Ann (Gloucester and Rockport) which has great ambiance, ocean and beaches, food, artist%26#39;s colony, and Ipswich clams!!! At least these put you closer to Boston on your last day.

Well our itinerary is - 30 June - 2 July Boston. 2-4 July Falmouth and then 4-11 July Chatham (both Cape Cod). 11-14 July North Conway and then we have 2 nights left as we fly back on 17th. I just wanted to do my last min shopping in Boston on 16/17. We love to shop, eat nice food, go on nice walks, explore quaint villages, we like nice scenic drives, sea, mountain lake - doesnt matter. We are planning maybe whale watching in Cape Cod, visiting all the areas there - as we have a rental house - we love to cook - maybe do some BBQ%26#39;s - relax on the beach, swim in the ocean.. Maybe head out to Marthas Vineyard or Nantucket. Then in North Conway we want to soak up the views, do some outlet shopping, visit some of the quaint shops etc. - head up in a cable car, do the flume gorge etc. That is our rough likes/plans. Kids want pancakes and maple syrup every morning - so they tell me!!!

I think neslaw1%26#39;s suggestion of Portland is a good one - it%26#39;s a fun, nice sized town/city. Another option would be to stay on one of the lakes in Maine for a couple of nights. Sebago%26#39;s a beautiful area, and has some great towns scattered around it...

Any idea what the mileage is from North Conway to Portland?????

About 60 miles. Takes an hour and 15 min. From Portland to Boston is two hours.

Will be going that way myself just before flying out to Ireland - have to go pick up Mom in Conway!

I%26#39;ll agree with Maine as well. Portland, Ogunquit, or Freeport. Freeport has a lot of outlet shopping. It%26#39;s home to LL Bean. You can do a really nice walk on Marginal Way in Ogunquit. Visit the Portland Light (lighthouse) and quant shops in Portland.

From Settler%26#39;s Green Shopping Outlets located at 2 Common Court on Rte 16 in No. Conway, NH to Portland Maine%26#39;s Lighthouse %26amp; Old Port area of Cape Elizabeth, it%26#39;s exactly 1 hour %26amp; 53 minutes. It%26#39;s 61.95 miles according to mapquest.

Definitely head over to the coast of Maine, check out Freeport%26#39;s L.L. Bean outlet. There%26#39;s a lot of really good stores at the village of Freeport %26amp; then you could go to the Harraseeket Inn, which is 2 blocks north of L.L. Bean where they have a buffet Monday to Saturday from 11:30 to 2PM, it%26#39;s $16.95 per person. It would be well worth it to even stop here as a stop over before you head down the coast:

www.harraseeketinn.com

From Freeport continue south to Portland, it%26#39;s about 30 minutes more of driving south, go along Rte 1 if you can. Once in Portland, check out the Portland Lighthouse:

www.portlandheadlight.com

It%26#39;s actually the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Fort Williams Park has some nice short trails to stroll around as well. You could check out the Old Port%26#39;s many many shops from there. Take your camera, there%26#39;s quite a lot of pictures that you could snap thru here.

There%26#39;s a great candy store that you should look for, it has the biggest chocolate moose here! It%26#39;s a good stopover for heading further south from here to Ogunquit or Kennebunkport along the coast, in fact, here%26#39;s a good article about this Lenny!

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/4364

Have a wonderful time!

I think a couple of nights in the Monadnock Region of Southwest NH might be a nice change from the more touristy places on your itinerary. A 3 hour drive to the Cape, 2 hours to Boston, it%26#39;s a great location with gorgeous scenery, towns, hiking and walking trails, etc.

Any good rustic bars or pubs in Lincoln or North Conway?

Hi

We will be visiting Lincoln and staying at the Innseason Resont Pollard Brook and would like to know of any good biker bars or pubs or even rustic places to drink or eat at. We don%26#39;t mind traveling a bit to find these great little places. Thanks

Any good rustic bars or pubs in Lincoln or North Conway?

There are many great pubs in the N Conway - Jackson area. Remember, in order to sell booze in NH, you have to sell food so all are restauarant - pub places. A few are

Moat Mt

Up Country

Mae Kellys Irish

Delaneys

Muddy Moose

Red Fox

Shannon Door

Scarecrow

They should keep you in good spirits!

Any good rustic bars or pubs in Lincoln or North Conway?

I am partial to Moat Mountain Brewery in North Conway. Its not a biker bar per se, but they make their own beers and the food is good and generous portion sizes.

There are also a lot of Bikers that go to the Woodstock Inn and Brewery, and it fits the rustic requirement. If your up for it try their Death by Burger which is the largest burger I%26#39;ve ever had, its basically a loaf of homemade bread cut into 1/3%26#39;s with a huge cheeseburger on the bottom and a BLT on top... So good, it took me 2 days to eat it.

All of the Common Mans have decent bars. Not sure if the Broken Spoke is open at Weirs Beach, that would be the biggest biker bar that comes to mind.

I%26#39;m pretty sure this is the place you%26#39;re looking for...

http://www.myspace.com/truantstaverne

North Woodstock is just on the other side of Route 93 from the InnSeason Resort. About 2 miles.

Bikers are regulars here.

Also of note is the Woodstock Brewery, not a biker bar -- but excellent suds, good food and friendly bar.

As clarification, I did not mean that Woodstock Inn is a biker bar, just that it does seem to have alot of bikes there when I go... (But so do alot of places up in that area)

Thanks everyone! It doesn%26#39;t necessarily have to be a biker bar. But we like fun places and fun bars with food of course and meeting awsome people to talk with. We have done the Laconia thing and that is just ok. I have been to the Scarecrow and hope to go there again. I love that place!!

Not sure why no one mentioned the Red Parka Pub which is one of my favorites along with the moat mountain pub. Also enjoy the Woodstock Inn on the Lincoln side

I like Shannon Door%26#39;s in Jackson. The food is good and I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s rustic.

I ate at Truants Tavern in Lincoln when I was there in March. That was good too and probably just what you are looking for.

I am writing all these places down and also checking them out on Google. I can%26#39;t wait to go hiking, biking and sightseeing!! I have been many times to NH but not for a solid 8 days.

When I head up north, only 2 MUST have%26#39;s: the Rocky Gorge and Truants Tavern. Great food, Great Adult Beverages, Good People and lots of fun!

Thanks Peanut 39. I will definetely write these down. We will be there 8 days, so I am sure we should have plenty of time to try these places out.

helicopter rides

does anyone know if there is a place in the white mountains that offers helicopter rides? i went on one many years ago in north conway but it doesn%26#39;t seem to exist any longer.... any suggestions would be appreciated!!

helicopter rides

I believe the closest is in Concord

concordhelicoptercharters.com

helicopter rides

thanks for getting back so soon!! i looked at their website and its pretty expensive...$400/hour/PP!!! ..i was looking for like a 15 minute type ride!! thanks for the help!!!

The old airport in North Conway is now the site of Settlers Green outlet stores. I had fond memories from my youth there too. Anyone remember Wiley Apt?

well it just figures they plop a shopping center on the site! it was one of the best times i%26#39;ve ever had riding in that helicopter....the view was just breathtaking..... i actually took that ride in 1985 when i was on my honeymoon.....

makeup help

Looking for Hotel Name/Location

Hi,

Many years back stayed at a place in NH. It was a suite with a glass walled livingroom (almost octogonal) and a spiral staircase to a loft bedroom. Cannot remember the name of hotel or city it was in and cannot seem to find on any search. Have been trying to find for a long time, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and happy vacationing!!

Peanut

Looking for Hotel Name/Location

Paenut,

Can you think of any points of interest in the general area? Did you do anything special while you were there? Anything like:

swimming in lake or ocean

any large towns or cities

was it a stand alone vacation home, condo

Any small bit of info may help.

Looking for Hotel Name/Location

Hi Dav,

Your a genius, lol. In the midst of writing a response, some keywords came to mind: Waterville, Eagle. I did another search, voila, see link.

Thank%26#39;s for kickstarting the old brain.

Thanks much!!!

Peanut

www.waterville.com/info/winter/hotels.asp

oops, lol, see why I need help 8o)

Thanks again

Glad you were able to find what you were looking for. Sorry for mis-spelling your name.

Lake Winnepesaukee - MS Mount Washington

Hi there,

We are looking at doing a cruise on the MS Mount Washington from Wolfeboro. Is this trip worth doing. We will be travelling from Ogunquit for the day. I%26#39;d be grateful for any advice.

Selbeep.

Lake Winnepesaukee - MS Mount Washington

Without a doubt plus it%26#39;s a great way to spend the day. Lots of info on TA. This wiil give you some info

www.cruisenh.com

Where in Ireland are you from? I%26#39;ve been there 3 times and plan on going back next yr.

Lake Winnepesaukee - MS Mount Washington

Thanks for your reply dav4844. I%26#39;ll go ahead and book the trip on the MS Mount Washington.

In answer to your question, I live in County Wicklow - it is south of Dublin.