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I would really appreciate your advice and links or bits of info you can provide....

My parents, who live here in Michigan will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary next summer with a trip to New England. (My father was born in Concord, Mass. but hasn't returned since moving here to MI when he was very young.) They plan on visiting for ten days to two weeks.

Not being familiar with the region, he has asked me to help him set this up. I have been to Boston once for about 4 days so I too am totally clueless about what to suggest. They will be driving there from MI so they will have a car. I am trying to talk my dad into taking the 13' but I am not sure he wants to trailer a boat around for a couple weeks unless there are some really excellent opportunities for sights and such on waters that wont beat you down in a 13'.

He has also been having some trouble locating reasonable lodging prices as they want to jump around a bit (every couple days or so.) I have suggested the B&B route but upon further research have found this somewhat pricey in the peak season as well. (Trying to stay around $100 a night +/- is this impossible?)

Please keep in mind preparations are still in infancy. With good luck on responses we hope to plan this primarily based around the sage advice of area locals, and frequenters with the understanding that Concord, Mass. must be included in the itinerary.

Thanks so much for your assistance in helping me set up a memorable trip!

--John

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Hi, John.

I was born and raised a couple towns over from Concord and now live on the North Shore here in MA. Concord is about 15 miles northwest of Boston. Pretty quick trip into the city from there. Massachusetts is a fairly small state, so it won’t take long to get from anywhere to the coast. Not sure what your father likes to do, but New England certainly has plenty to offer. $100/night sounds reasonable, depending on where he wants to stay. Lots of lakes and protected harbors in these parts. Maybe if you can provide some additional info, I’ll be able to make some specific recommendations.

John

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Thanks for your response,

In regard to your question, honestly I don't even know where to start. I would say that they would probably like to do some waterfront seafood dining, do some antiquing, check out some historical sites. Maybe do some small water cruising with the 13' or a rental...My dad said something about Lizzie Borden! Yikes. They are really laid back folks and in addition to some limited touristy siteseeing would probably just like to fodder around in "local's haunts" and take in the culture and spend some QT. (quality time)

They are definitely not opposed to crusing around in the car a bit, trip to the cape, vineyard etc. I think they will be stopping in multiple states, so the CT, VT, ME, NH etc. folks are welcome to poke in as well.

--J

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Portsmouth,New Hampshire as Base Camp ! Here they'll be within reach of Boston (1 hour) The Cape (1.5 hours). Maine just across the Piscataqua River. The Great Bay is 13' Whaler. Heaven !!
Seafood.....well tie that 13' footer up at some of the best their is !( www.chaunceycreek.com/) just one of countless opportunities available from the boat.
Now send them an hour East to the Casco Bay and they'll need much more time as the coast invites exploration. The 13 will handle this well. I hope our resident expert on the Down East experience chimes in to assist.

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Thanks scrimshaw.

This may prove to be a great way for a photo/caption documentation of the trip for any of those looking for a similar retreat in the future.

Keep it comin'.

--J.

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I think Jim is referring to me?

If you have 10 days, I would start in the north, then travel south and loop back to Concord before leaving for home.

Portland/Casco Bay is ~ 2 hours north of Boston.

Casco Bay has lots of islands to explore in mostly protected water. There is a great historic district near the waterfront. Portland Headlight is a must see (free). 20 minutes north is Freeport, home of L.L Bean [open 24/7/365 and no locks on the doors!] and a good stop for off-water time.

Portsmouth, NH ~ 1 hr south of Portland, 1 hr north of Boston is a great stop, great for launching and going up river and exploring. Bald eagles and whalers abound.

Newburyport MA ~ 20 minutes south of Portsmouth has the Merrimack River, great for cruising and a rustic New England town.

South of Boston, there are several towns worthy of a visit. I will defer to the experts on those parts.

All of these destinations have public ramps. Lodging can be expensive close in but attainable in the outer areas for your budget.

If the itinerary includes Portland, let me know and I can send you links to popular destinations on land and water and give you directions.

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Thanks Phil!

Links would be great if its not too much trouble, directions though I think we can forego for now anyway. That seems like a lot to ask. I will update this thread with possible itineraries as the suggestions come in. I would really like to try and take in as many suggestions as possible to create a "local" experience in each of the destinations.

--J

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Some of the things I would do if I had some free time.

2 hour schooner cruise http://www.portlandschooner.com/ooner.com/
Portland Observatory http://www.portlandlandmarks.org/obse...servatory/
Victoria Mansion http://victoriamansion.org/
Portland Head Light http://www.portlandheadlight.com/light.com/
Harbor Fish Market http://www.harborfish.com/
LL Bean and Freeport http://www.freeportusa.com/index.htmlindex.html
Lucky Catch - Lobstering http://www.luckycatch.com/

Send me a PM with what kinds of things they like to do and I can get more specific.

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I was born and raised in Boston. Most posts offering advice to the North. so let me give you some alternate feedback to South.

Concord is west of city, but like everyone said it is a small state. Go downtown Boston and walk freedom trail....this covers USS Constitution, Paul Revere, North Church, etc. Then get a seafood dinner at Legal Seafood...world famous.

South of Boston, Cape Cod is famous for antiques, laid back atmosphere and many B&Bs. Plus, most Whaler names are from this stretch of New England. On the way from Concord, stop at Fall River...that's the home of Lizzie Borden. Do some outlet shopping then leave...the city is depressed, post textile industry decay. A short hop down the I-195 is New Bedford, with it's Whaling history. Then take Bourne bride over Cape Cod canal and you are at your final destination.

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Thanks Phil for the links, will send PM if more information is needed. Mambo Minnow, thanks for checking in from the South. I really appreciate this folks.

--John