Boston-Niagara Falls-Montreal-Back to Boston

[KUZN EDY]

Hope this is the right forum for this (there are so many!)

At the end of July, my family (Me, Wife, 2 small children and mother in-law) are going to a family reunion just east of Montreal. The reunion is on a private property and they have a giant camp out and festival every 2yrs. We decided to rent an RV and take the week off and tour around the Northeast for a bit.

Our immediate plan is to fly into Boston (because of direct cheap fights). We would rent an RV and drive over to Niagara Falls, (maybe one overnight stop in between). Then up to Montreal (with another overnight stop halfway), Stay the weekend at the ranch, and back to Boston and fly home. I have absolutely no idea what is in between these destinations (born and raised in California). I am researching campgrounds and destinations now and could use some tips.

I’m looking for some local wisdom on good destinations around this area, landmarks, tourist traps, where to stay overnight, what to avoid, where to rent RV's (Boston area), Restaurants along the way.... Basically what would you do and see in the area.

Thanks for the help!

[mrrving]

This past summer while we were in Acadia National Park, ME we met a family who flew into Boston and rented an RV through Cruise America at the Boston /Cape Cod KOA. On your way to Niagara, Lake George or Lake Placid (Olympics) NY would be great places to check out. Make sure your passports are up to date so you can cross into Canada. The Canadian side of the falls is more scenic and plenty of activities for the kids.

[KUZN EDY]

Thanks. I just confirmed the dates for the trip and am now looking for rentals in the Boston area. Cruise America is alright but they dont have operating hours on Sunday and thats the day we would drop off the RV and fly home. Im also looking for something bigger, possibly with bunk beds for the kids.

Has anyone heard of, or used getrv.com? (i know this is an owners forum, but its worth a shot)

Does anyone know of any private rentals in this area? (in southern california, people use craigslist a lot for this)

Thanks again!

[demoon]

Starting with a rental. There is a good rental agency about 50 miles outside of Boston that has a wide variety of rigs. Fuller RV Sales and Rental - Massachusetts I guess a rental car to the site that could then be dropped off in Worcester. A great campground on the way to Niagara Falls The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone Resort · Casino. If you plan on one stop to Niagara you don't have time for Lake George or Lake Placid. After Niagara Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a good ride on the way to Montreal.

[KUZN EDY]

Thank you soooo much! Those links and your advice were very helpfull. Ive been looking for a "tourist" type link source like that for a little while now. The RV rental place you suggested had a wide variety of rentals to choose from at a decent rental rate.

Thanks again for your help.

[KUZN EDY]

Thanks again everyone for your help with this trip. We have the RV booked and i am looking forward to testing out the rig. We got a Newmar- Canyon Star Bunk Model. I am looking to purchase a bunk model in the next couple years, so this is our test run.

Below are the campgrounds that i have picked out for our nights stays. Ive narrowed it down to two choices for each night. If anyone has experience at one of them please advise (good or bad). For the most part, we are getting to the campgound late afternoon/evening and leaving in the morning so its not real important on the campground itself. Just a clean, quiet place to rest and re-charge.

One place we were thinking of staying a full day was at Brennans Beach RV Resort... Anyone have any experience with this place?

Night Two (Sunday night): Cooperstown
http://www.belvederelake.com/
http://cooperstowncamping.com/rates/

Night three (Monday Night): Niagra Falls
http://jellystoneniagara.ca/
http://scottstrailerpark.com/

Night Four and Five (Tuesday /Wed Night):
http://www.brennanbeachrvresort.com/Index.htm
http://www.associationislandresort.com/


Thanks again for your help!

[demoon]

I am assuming you really want to go to Cooperstown with its attractions, otherwise I would advise that it is really out of your way. And, are you sure you only want to stay overnight in Niagara Falls? There is a lot to see.
Enjoy your trip, you are going through some beautiful country.

[KUZN EDY]

Thanks Demoon for your response!

I dont see how cooperstown is really out of my way when traveling from Boston to Niagara. When I map it out, its only an additional 20 miles or 30 min longer to swing through cooperstown. Also, I figure this is about the halfway point between the two and a good place to stop for the night. We also plan on Howes Cavern for a tour the first day. Please tell me if I am missing something because my trip is planned out accordingly.

Regarding Niagara Falls.... Im sure that someone could spend a few days taking in the beauty of the falls and admire the landscape and surrounding area. However, I will be with a 2yr old, 4yr old so i dont think sitting on a bench taking in the scenery will last longer than 30 seconds. We plan on doing the maid of the mist boat tour, then a walk around the observatory for an hour or so. I think 4hrs will be a long stretch with my children.

Are you from this area? Later today i will post my whole itenerary and schedule to see what people think. I think its a little agressive, but my wife and I want to see everything and dont know when the next time we will have the chance to go through this area.

Thanks again!

[demoon]

You are absolutely right - it is only about 25 minutes longer to go via Cooperstown. I would never have guessed it. We have been to both on seperate occasions and it just seemed like the ride from I90 to Cooperstown took a long time. And, if you are doing Howe Caverns it certainly makes sense.
Been there, done that with a 3 and 4 year old (seems like 100 years ago). They and you will enjoy the Maid of the Mist. As an aside, this might be your last chance to do that - rumor has it the the company that runs the Maid is throwing in the towel after this season. On the Canadian side there is a totally different perspective, and the behind the falls tour is pretty neat as is the nightly lighting of the falls. I was never a bench sitter, so I can appreciate not wanting waste time on doing that. I guess, what I would say is, give yourself the option of a little more time in case you and the kids do get caught up in the place.
I do not live in the Niagara area, in fact, I am only 50 miles west of Boston. However, have been to Cooperstown several times and to the Niagara area on many occasions.
When someone asks if you remember where you were on 9/11, I can say that I was in the middle of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, headed home. Made it across 90 minutes before they shut the borders down. (Way more than you needed to know).
Never been to either of your last stops, but they do look great.
I'm sure you are going to have a great time - enjoy.

[KUZN EDY]

Thanks for the heads up! This is our schedule for the trip below. As you can see, we are strapped for time and getting the most out of the 8 days!


SATURDAY - Fly into boston 8am-2pm (5pm east coast)Check into hotel - BostonFenway Park - Red Sox Game 7-9pm (or as long as kids stay awake)

SUNDAY - Pick up RV - 10am -12pm. Drive To caverns (4hrs) 12-4pm. Cavern Tour 4-6pm. Grocery Shopping 6-7pm. Drive to Campground 7pm (possible Walmart parking lot)

MONDAY - Drive to Hall of fame 8am. Hall of fame tour - 9am-11am. Drive to Niagara Falls (5hrs) 11-4pm. Campground 5pm Dip in pool, dinner, relax.

TUESDAY - Niagara Falls Tour 9-12. Drive to Kids Mueseum 2hrs. Kids Museum 2hrs 2-4pm. Drive to Brenan Beach Camp 2hrs.

WEDNESDAY - All Day Brennans Beach - Local lighhouse or castle tourrs

THURSDAY - Dive to Boldt Castle 1hr - 8-9am. Boldt Castle Tour (2hrs) 9-11am. Lunch & drive to Campground 3hrs. Camp at Lancaster Park.

FRIDAY - Drive to Reunion East of Montreal 4hrs - 8am-12pm. Reunion Friday Through Sunday.

Sunday - Drive to Boston 6am-12pm. Drop off RV - 12-2pm. Flight Home 4pm-9pm (6pm pacific)