Toronto, Canada to New England

I am planning a 1-week road trip from Toronto to New England in July/August. I am especially interested in architecture and food of the region. There are only going to be the two of us on the trip and only one of us drives.

I have seen Rachael Ray's episode on New England. She went on Route 1A through Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She started in Kennebunkport, Maine, with a visit to Mabel’s Lobster Claw then continued south on Route 1A and stopped at Oarweed Restaurant in the picturesque town of Ogunquit. Then back in the car for a drive to Portsmouth, N.H., where Rachael stopped in at the Caribbean-themed Blue Mermaid Island Grill. Her last stop was at the Halibut Point Restaurant in Gloucester, Mass., for a taste of their famous fish chowder.

She did not visit the usual Newport, Providence, etc.

I am doing the planning and I don't drive so this has been a bit difficult. I do have a GPS. Any help would be much much appreciated.

Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

Often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of New England for our guests is the ocean, or perhaps clam chowder the way it should be - with nary a tomato in sight! However, each of the New England states has something different to offer.

Here's an all-too brief overview of each of the six states that make up this area

If you're looking to really get away from it all, the Maine North Woods will fit the bill, but only go there if you are looking for some serious solitude. US-1 and towns near Ogunquit, Kennebunk, etc. will bring you into Maine's busiest locations, but good food abounds and there are plenty of places to rest your bones at the end of a long day.

Vermont has the beautiful Green Mountains, and peaceful Lake Champlain, while New Hampshire has the rugged (yet no less beautiful) White Mountains, which includes Mount Washington, where a 231 mph wind gust was once recorded. This is also the highest point in New England.

Massachusetts has the hill towns of the Berkshires, including the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood. If you are interested in some of New England's historical architecture, the page linked here may give you a good start. From the Berkshires through the Pioneer Valley, into Central Massachusetts and on towards Boston (a great city to walk through) and Cape Cod.

Rhode Island is small but has quite a bit to offer. If you're in to hiking high points, however, this is not the place! Otherwise, plan on spending some time at the beach and enjoying the sound of the surf.

Connecticut goes from the "quiet corner" in the Northeast, with its smaller towns and rock wall lined streets, to the energy and craziness of the Southwest corner, essentially a suburb of New York City and home to some of the nation's wealthiest families. This is known as the "Diamond Triangle" and a drive through Greenwich and surrounding towns will show you why.

If you're into gambling, Connecticut also has the world's third largest casino at Foxwoods.

You can spend the entire time taking in the ocean tour along the coastal route, or mix it up a bit, it's up to you. You have enough time to at least get a good feel for the area beyond what the television shows normally display.

There are two cities that should be high on your list for this trip, Boston MA where the Freedom Trail will let you walk by and through 300 years or so of historic buildings and Newport RI where the 'Cottage' tours will show you what you can build with some taste and a practically unlimited supply of money. For other possibilities in New England check out these discussions.

AZBuck