The suggested tour itinerary below gives you a good introduction to the three northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and is especially good for those interested in the outdoors.

The itinerary may be followed as a full 10-day tour, or divided into two shorter independent tours of four days and six days:

—Days 1 through 4 is a short tour of the seacoasts of New Hampshire and Maine, returning to Boston on Day 4 instead of going to Bethel ME.

—Days 5 through 10 is a six-day tour of New Hampshire and Vermont: drive north from Boston to North Conway NH, and pick up the itinerary at that point on Day 5.

Day 1

Head north from Boston on I-93, then I-95, stopping at Porstmouth NH for lunch and a tour of Strawbery Banke. Continue to the Maine coast, staying the night in Ogunquit or Kennebunkport, or, if you prefer, in Portland.

Day 2

Continue northward along I-95, stopping for some shopping in Freeport, home of L L Bean and many factory outlets. Just before Brunswick, follow US 1, continuing through Bath. Spend part of the day around Boothbay Harbor, or Camden, or Blue Hill, but plan to stay the night in one of Bar Harbor's sumptuous inns.

Day 3

Explore Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, with another overnight here.

Day 4

Return to Portland and drive north on the Maine Turnpike and Maine Route 26 via Sabbathday Lake and Poland Spring to Bethel, for the night.

Day 5

Follow US 2 west to Gorham NH, then NH 16 south through Pinkham Notch to Glen and North Conway. Have lunch in North Conway, or buy supplies for a picnic, then drive westward along the Kancamagus Highway, the heart of the White Mountains.

Stop for a picnic and a short hike at one of the White Mountain National Forest areas along the highway.

Spend the night at Lincoln or North Woodstock, at the western end of the highway.

Day 6

Drive north from Lincoln through Franconia Notch, stopping to see the Flume Gorge and other natural wonders.

Stop for lunch in Littleton, then head southwest on US 302 into Vermont. You may want to take a look at the Rock of Ages granite quarry and Hope Cemetery in Barre, next to Montpelier. Spend the night in Stowe, Burlington, or Sugarbush Valley.

Day 7

Visit the Shelburne Museum south of Burlington, then follow US 7 south through Middlebury and the Middlebury Gap to Hancock, on VT Route 100. Drive south on VT 100, perhaps with a detour to Woodstock or Plymouth. Stay the night in Woodstock, Weston or Grafton.

Day 8

Spend today exploring the beautiful towns and villages of southern Vermont: Manchester, Dorset, Grafton, Newfane, Weston. Spend the night in any one of these.

Day 9

From Manchester, go south along US 7 via Arlington to Bennington for a visit to Old Bennington, the Bennington Battle Monument, and Bennington Museum. If you have the time, you can slip across the state line to see Williamstown MA and the wonderful Clark Art Institute. and/or Mass MoCa in North Adams. Stay the night in Bennington.

Day 10

Go east along VT Route 9, the Molly Stark Trail, via Marlboro to Brattleboro, perhaps with a detour to Newfane for lunch. Continue via Keene NH and Mount Monadnock back to Boston.

---

4-Day Boston Tour 7- to 10-Day South NE Tour Guided Tours Tours & Routes Homepage New England Highlights Where to Go in New England