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Hey-
I leave Sunday to fly to Boston and drive to Smugglers Notch, Vermont for a week. We'll mainly stay in that area, but are planning on taking an overnight trip up to Acadia National Park. Are there any can't miss stops along the way of either stop? We've got a rental car, and love to go out exploring. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
It's been quite a few years since I've been that far North in Vermont!
Where to go depends on your interests, but some of my favorite roads around here are (these will be time-permitting):
MA 2 (especially the Western half)
NH 112 (Kancamagus Highway) through the White Mtns. don't miss Mt. Washington...you can't! Also, the Mt. Washington hotel is a sight to behold.
For Interstates, I-93 also takes you through some spectacular country. Sadly, the Old Man of the Mountain is no more. You might want to consider this as your route up to VT. I-89 isn't quite as thrilling.
VT 100
Definitely go into Burlington and check out the scene there. You really can't go wrong with any of the roads in Vermont, you're bound to run into something interesting, whether it's an old town where all the buildings are made of stone, or a ride through the Green Mountains.
Enjoy your trip!
For routes :
In ME : highway 26 is great, SR9 between Portland and Rye, NH (lighthouses, seafood restaurants and beautiful scenery)
In VT : SR105 and 118 through rural country, lots of covered bridges and small towns. Like Timbo said, you're going to love highways in VT, everywhere you go there are hills and beautiful country. It is a very peaceful environment.
NH : I-93 in the White Mountains Area
Since you won't be very far from the border, you could go to Quebec and visit some nice places in the Eastern Townships like Magog, North Hatley, Mts Orford and Megantic and the Coaticook Gorge. Oh and while you're there try our magnetic hill in Chartierville. The instructions are simple : you park just in front of the big hill, just beside the sign, you put your car on neutral and see what happens (look in your mirrors, it helps understand the whole process).
If you loke hiking, here are a few suggestions for you :
In Maine : on your way to Acadia, you could stop by Baxter State Park and hike the knife's edge (if you're courageous enough!).
In NH : apparently the most interesting hike within the White Mountains is Mt Lafayette, followed by Mts Adams and Washington. If you're too lazy, or feel like cheating:o), you can drive to the top of Mt Washington.
In VT : MT Mansfirld in the Green Mountains
In Quebec : Mt Orford, Mts Sutton, you can take the chairlift to the top of Owl's Head, Megantic provincial Park is a must especially if you're interested in astrology.
Other stuff :
In Vt : Church Street Marketplace and the Waterfront in Burlington, The Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Middlebury, Mountain, restaurants and art galleries in Stowe, just across the lake is Pointe Au Roche State Park (NY) which is great for a picnic or an afternoon on the beach, Falls of the Missisquoi river if you like to swim in a natural and quiet setting in Montgomery, Smug's great also. Oh and drink Green Mountain Coffee!
In ME : check out Wormwood's Restaurant in Camp Ellis (near Saco) for seafood, Portland is a fun city to visit, Ogunquit for restaurants, art galleries, Cape Neddick and Cape Porpoise lighthouses, Factory outlets in Kittery.
In MA : Cape Cod, especially PTown, in the heat of the summer Herring Cove Beach is a must, Freedom Trail in Boston
Have a great trip!
Gen
Just a few suggestions for worthwhile stops on the way up to Smugglers Notch:
America's Stonehenge in Salem, NH is an odd attraction. Just go for the odd standing stones and wonder for yourself how they got there.
Quechee Gorge, just off the I-89 I-91 interchange, is a little bit touristy at the top, but stop and have the corn if it's being freshly roasted, and definitely take a hike either along the top of the gorge to the north as far as the dam or down into the gorge to the south.
Brookfield, VT is one of my favorite quirky New England towns. If for no other reason, go there to drive across the 'floating' bridge - you'll see what I mean. The town is a bit hard to get to (because in its quirkiness it has refused certain highway 'improvements') but exit I-89 at Randolph Center and follow VT-66 east, VT-14 north and VT-65 west, then connect back into the interstate system via VT-12 north. These are all great 2-lane blacktops.
TimboTA and Gen have also given you a number of great suggestions. This is a trip you should enjoy.
AZBuck