New York City To Maine Road Trip

[AZBuck]

Here are some of my favorite attractions on the 'inland' road back from Maine to New York. Note that everything that follows are direct quotes from previous posts that I found using the Search Function above.

As you head out through Massachusetts, there's Old Sturbridge Village a 'living history' recreation of a 19th century town. You can then head on north a bit and use the Mohawk Trail through the Berkshires.

I have toured the Mark Twain House that Mass Tim suggested and found it quite fascinating. Two smaller scale (and lesser known) things you might also consider, depending on your predilections are Dinosaur State Park where you can make plaster casts of real dino foot prints (Buy your own plaster of paris at a local hardware store. Be on the lookout for this sign) and the historic Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry. Both of these sites are just southeast of Hartford.

AZBuck

[richc46]

I have made the trip to Maine many times. It is a beautiful area and I am sure that you will have a wonderful time. Since I am making my comments rather late in the conversation, most of the "must see gems" are already mentioned, but at least one is not. Try East Haddam's (CT), Gillette Castle. It was built at the turn of the Century, by an actor by the name Gillette. The castle was built for his wife, who actually never occupied the property. You will get a great tour of the stone castle, with a lot of little surprises (the castle was built by an eccentric millionaire) who added a lot of little quirks to the castle. As an added bonus, by the coast there are many fine seafood restaurants.

If on your return inland trip, if you find yourself in the area of Wethersfield CT, and you like seafood, you must try the Old Saybrook restaurant. The best seafood that I ever had (at the end of the meal everyone is given a bowl of fresh fruit, really hits the spot). It is right by exit 24 on RT 91. Right next door there is a great steak place, Chucks steak house, the menus is printed on a big wine bottle and they, also, have a great salad bar.

Have a great time

[Mark Sedenquist]

Try East Haddam's (CT), Gillette Castle. It was built at the turn of the Century, by an actor by the name Gillette.

I have heard of this place but never received a field report from anyone I knew -- so thanks. The Old Saybrook sounds like a place we must investigate further sometime!

Mark

[HyulpyGuy]

I am planning a 9-day roadtrip from Washington DC area to Mass, Maine, NH, Vermont, and Upstate New York in June.

After a lot of internet research, (ie. roadfood.com) I discovered that you may wish to eat breakfast at Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire (In Western New Hampshire just before Littleton). I can't vouch for it yet, but it sounds good to me!

Harry

[wdwforus]

I can give you some tips for the Midcoast Maine area. Bath, Me is home to Bath Iron Works(my employer) and there is a very nice museum there, Maine Maritime Museum. Bath has many B&Bs. Freeport, home to LL Bean is about 20 minutes south of us. There are many good resturaunts along the Route 1 corridor and getting through Wiscasset at this time of year will be easy, it can be a nightmare in the summer. Boothbay Harbor is about a 15 minute drive off Route 1 just North of Wiscasset and is a mecca to summer tourists and boaters and there are many sights to see down there. Damriscotta is just off Route 1 and is the home of Renys, a discount retailer and a Maine tradition and is also the gateway to the Pemiquid area previously mentioned. The Camden/Rockport area is also very nice and the Owls Head Transportation Museum is down that way. They have just built a beautiful new bridge just south of Bucksport and there is an observation tower at the top and you can stop and visit Fort Knox and have a nice picnic lunch overlooking the town of Bucksport and the Penobscot River. We did it 2 summers ago with the kids and it was a very nice day. On your way back you can take either Route 1A into Bangor and come back on 95 or go south on Route 1 and take Route 17 to Augusta (our capitol) and visit the Maine State Museum. Then take 95 south. The Route 1 corridor south of Portland has alot of beach property like Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunkport, Arundel but most of this area doesnt get that busy until summer. In Kittery there is the Kittery Trading Post and a huge selection of retailers spread out over a couple of miles of outlets and strip mall type buildings. Have a great trip and enjoy your visit to our great state.

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

Thanks, wdwforus, for the local intel on the central coast of Maine. It is a popular destination and topic on these forums and we hope you'll continue to impart your knowledge to people visiting Down East.

AZBuck

[The Haz]

Hi Mass Tim.... The Haz here again (Toronto, NY, New England and back to Toronto)

I found this posting you did, wow in 2005 and it listed Dunscroft By The Sea in Harwich Port, MA....it is lovely and I wonder if we incorporated a stop here say on around June 17 what would be a nice route to go from there still through New England/NY and to Toronto??

Haz