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Kxbronco · 08-16-2017, 10:22 AM

Starting the bucket list adventure with a trip to New England in the next few weeks. DW and I have been looking at places to visit and things to see and do. Below is our list so far. Right now the plan is to head up from east TN to western CT, north to Burlington, VT, east towards Acadia, south towards Cape Cod, west thru RI/CT, and then back home. We'll be picking camping locations in close proximity to these sights and see as many from one camp location and then move on.

Any input on these things and others would be much appreciated. Route input and campground input welcome too.

Gillette Castle St Park - Haddam CT
Mark Twain House - Hartford CT
Hammonassett Beach St - Park Madison CT
Mystic Seaport - Mystic CT
Yale Univ - New Haven CT
Cornwall Bridge - Sharon/Cornwall CT
Stonebridge Farm - Acushnet MA
Harvard Univ - Cambridge MA
Cape Code Natl Seashore - Cape Cod MA
Minute Man Natl Hist Park - Concord MA
Battleship Cove - Fall River MA
Shining Sea Bikeway - Falmouth MA
Gloucester MA
Vietnam Vet's War Memorial - Greenfield MA
Martha's Vineyard - Martha's Vineyard MA
Mohawk Trail - North Adams MA
Plymouth Rock - Plymouth MA
Rockport MA
House of Seven Gables - Salem MA
Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge MA
Acadia NP - Bar Harbor ME
Boothbay Railway Village - Boothbay ME
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse - Bristol/New Harbor ME
Gulf Hagas - Brownville/Newry ME
Mt. Battie - Camden ME
Mt. Megunticook - Camden ME
Two Lights SP - Cape Elizabeth ME
Kettle Cove - Cape Elizabeth ME
Portland Head Lighthouse - Cape Elizabeth ME
Cutler Coast Public Reserve - Cutler ME
Old Sow Whirlpool - Eastport ME
Maine Desert - Freeport ME
LL Bean - Freeport ME
Mt. Kineo - Greenville ME
Pres Bush house - Kennebunkport ME
Quoddy Head SP - Lubec ME
Baxter SP - Millinocket ME
Screw Auger Falls - Newry ME
Table Rock - Newry ME
Hight of Land - Rangeley ME
Moxie Falls - ME
Mt. Monadnock - Jaffrey NH
Laconia - Laconia NH
Kancamagus Hwy - Lincoln/Conway NH
Mt. Washington - North Conway NH
Lost River Gorge - North Woodstock NH
America's Stonehenge - Salem NH
Fort Adams - Newport RI
Providence RI
Rock of Ages - Barre VT
Church St Mkt Place - Burlington VT
Bike Trails - Burlington VT
Cider Mill - Burlington VT
Hildene Lincoln Family Home - Manchester VT
Mountshire Museum - Norwich VT
Vins Nature Ctr/Gorge - Quechee VT
Smuggler's Notch State Park - Stowe VT
Mt. Mansfield - Stowe VT
Ben & Jerry's - Waterbury VT
Sugarbush Farm - Woodstock VT

Larry and Suzette · 08-16-2017, 11:00 AM

There are BIG signs that warn large vehicles to NOT take rt 108 between Stowe VT and Jeffersonville VT. obey them, $2000 fine if you get struck.

Larry and Suzette · 08-16-2017, 11:02 AM

Your FIT will fit.

affreeman · 08-16-2017, 11:10 AM

You've got Hahvahd on your list -- practice saying it that way so you'll sound like a native -- and Minuteman NHP, but I didn't see Boston. If you're into history at all, you should take a day in Boson. DON'T DRIVE INTO BOSTON! Park somewhere out of town and take the 'T' in. Your destination is Park Street T Station, which is right on the Boston Common. When you come out of the T station, walk downhill a few yards to the tourist info center. You can get info and sign up for tours of the Freedom Trail there. Or get a map and do it on your own. Old North Church, Paul Revere's House, etc. And I believe, but am not sure, that the USS Constitution AKA Old Ironsides, is back at its dock.

Gladie · 08-16-2017, 11:33 AM

Big itinerary, how much time are you planning to do this trip?

Kxbronco · 08-16-2017, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the responses so far.

L&S, thanks for the heads up on 108 and the FIT reference. It will FIT most anywhere.

Affreeman, going to hit Boston and some of the other big cities along the coast on a later trip. Thinking of maybe driving or flying to Washington DC and then taking the train up that way. As for the accent, I'm working on it.

Gladie, got all the time in the world! Actually thinking 5 or 6 weeks. Some of the places may just be drive throughs and a few may get cut. This is just the initial list. Definitely want to make sure we hit the "must sees" and we can work everything else in.

n-e-d · 08-16-2017, 04:33 PM

If your a railtrail fan, beside the Falmouth trail theres the Cape cod railtrail and the Canal service road,bring your bike to Marthas Vineyard or Nantucket, the Airline trail in Ct,Washington Secondary and Blackstone Canal trail in RI, Eastern and Back Cove trails in ME also in ME the Carriage roads in Acadia and peddle Schoodic Pennisula(2 lane one way road)Schoodic Woods NP CG is the place to stay,Vermont has the Lamoille railtrail and the Burlington trail which will bring you out into Mallets Bay. Happy Trails

Gladie · 08-17-2017, 03:52 PM

Ashaway RV Resort in RI will get you in the proximity of Mystic, CT, Newport, RI, Watch Hill, RI, and numerous beaches and seafood on the beautiful RI coast. Shores Hill CG in Maine is convenient for Boothbay and Camden, And Mt. Battie. Camden has a nice state park.
Lake Champlain Adult CG, VT sits in the shores of the lake, good sightseeing and biking.
Wild Duck CG in Scarborough Maine is not far from Portland and maybe Freeport, not sure.

damdannyboy · 08-17-2017, 04:49 PM

I'm warn out just looking at the list,

How long is this whirl wind trip?

In New England we roll up the camping season around Oct 15th... well enjoy your adventure! Personally I would scale that list way back. It's nice to see all these spots, but you really need some time to enjoy them.

Blastvalve · 08-17-2017, 05:15 PM

While in the Burlington area, The Shelburne Museum and nearby Shelburne Farms are both worth a visit. The museum can easily fill a day if you explore the majority of the buildings.

Kxbronco · 08-17-2017, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the input so far. All good input.

Trip is going to be ~5 - 6 weeks. Some of the things are must sees. Some are just ideas that we are still researching and may not make the cut. What I want to make sure of is the we see the "must sees". If they aren't on the list, please let me know. If there is something on the list that really isn't worth the time, let me know that too.

Any experience with good campgrounds in the White Mtn. area and Acadia would be useful.

Keep the input coming!

n-e-d · 08-18-2017, 05:22 AM

Gladdie's list are all very good parks-Wild Duck is also adult only very quiet but a tad tight Baileys down the road has bigger sites but is a re$ort park.We stay at Schoodic Woods NP a couple of nites each year across Frenchmen Bay from Acadia, water/elect only,easy access to bike trails and scenic drive plus ferry ride to Bar Harbor. In Acadia our go to has been Bar Harbor CG(no reservation) Hadley Point and Smugglers Den are also good. Havent stayed at the Narrows 1+2 toured them though look OK.In New Hampshire we generally stay at Ellacoya SP CG on Lake Winnipesaukee,or Fransted Family at the north end of Franconia Notch

Rburian · 08-21-2017, 11:43 AM

I just biked on Shinning sea trail today. Live on The Cape, and bike all the rail trails and the Channel, there are many champ grounds on the Cape a

dsurette · 08-21-2017, 12:01 PM

If you're going to be in Rangeley, ME, a very scenic trip to NH is to take 16 in Oquossoc ME all the way to northern NH. If you do travel that road early morning or in the evening be especially careful of moose. They are plentiful in that neck of the woods. We have a cabin in Oquossoc on Rangeley Lake and are familiar with that road.