New England/New York area in April

New England/New York area in April

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boyse7en

Original Poster:

6,727 posts

165 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Got a trip to see family in Connecticut booked for first two weeks of April.

Would like to take a few days to have a look around so I'm planning to hire a car and do a short tour. There's four of us (2 adults, 2 kids)

First idea was to drive to Niagara Falls, but it seems that a lot of the touristy stuff (boat tours, etc) aren't open at that time of the year so I'm not sure if it is worth going. Not interested in the Casino stuff in the town.

Second idea was to drive up to Vermont and try skiing for a couple of days. None of us have ever been skiing, so would be a good opportunity but probably would be stuck in ski school most of the time.

Anyone got experience of the New England area and what might be worth going to see that time of year?

The Leaper

4,954 posts

206 months

Friday 19th January 2018
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I'll piggyback on this, which I assume OK with the OP.

Probably visiting family in upper New York State in May for 2-3 days, so looking to go elsewhere for maybe 10 days. Thinking of hiring a car. We've already done New York, Boston, Maine, Massachusetts, Cap Cod, Niagara etc. Thinking of maybe New England, Vermont. Alternatively, maybe get a flight from, say, Stamford to another part of the USA entirely.

R.

boyse7en

Original Poster:

6,727 posts

165 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
The Leaper said:
I'll piggyback on this, which I assume OK with the OP.

Probably visiting family in upper New York State in May for 2-3 days, so looking to go elsewhere for maybe 10 days. Thinking of hiring a car. We've already done New York, Boston, Maine, Massachusetts, Cap Cod, Niagara etc. Thinking of maybe New England, Vermont. Alternatively, maybe get a flight from, say, Stamford to another part of the USA entirely.

R.
You're welcome to join in smile

As you've already been to the area, any of those places you have visited that you'd recommend? I've never been, and I'm unlikely to get the chance to go back any time soon, so it would be nice to get a flavour of the area.

CardinalBlue

839 posts

77 months

Friday 19th January 2018
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boyse7en said:
Got a trip to see family in Connecticut booked for first two weeks of April.

Would like to take a few days to have a look around so I'm planning to hire a car and do a short tour. There's four of us (2 adults, 2 kids)

First idea was to drive to Niagara Falls, but it seems that a lot of the touristy stuff (boat tours, etc) aren't open at that time of the year so I'm not sure if it is worth going. Not interested in the Casino stuff in the town.

Second idea was to drive up to Vermont and try skiing for a couple of days. None of us have ever been skiing, so would be a good opportunity but probably would be stuck in ski school most of the time.

Anyone got experience of the New England area and what might be worth going to see that time of year?
I went to Niagara last summer, and the falls are amazing - highly recommended. The boat cruises open in April, so you maybe in luck https://www.niagaracruises.com/2017-sailing-schedu...

Niagara, the town however isn't great - much tackier than expected. But Niagara-on-the-Lake is a short drive away and well worth a visit. There are some vineyards nearby that specialise in 'Ice Wine' - so if that's your thing then fill your boots.

The Leaper

4,954 posts

206 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Yes, Niagara is great but far better from the Canadian side. Maid of the Mist is a must do. Niagara-on-the-lake is a delightful town to visit, recommend overnighting or longer there. Don't stay in Niagara USA, it's worse than Blackpool!

Cape Cod is also good for a few days. We stayed in Hyannisport, went whale watching one day, did a trip right up to Provincetown,,that's quite a place!

Some say Boston is really good, and that's true but for me it's a bit like being back in the UK, less like the expected typical large USA city.

Massachusetts is a good state for visiting. Aside from Cape Cod and Boston,we have stayed in Kennybunckport for a few days, did day trips to several towns etc up the north coast, delightful.

We've also had a "leaf peeping " two weeks in Maine. Started in Augusta few a few days, took in Baxter State Park, then moved south with the leaf fall to Portland, visited Rangeley Lake area, simply stunning. You do have to move with the leaves!

We've not visited Vermont or much of New Hampshire or SW of New York, hence my piggybacking.

R.

Yipper

5,964 posts

90 months

Friday 19th January 2018
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Niagara Falls is worth a tick in the box, but it's a bit rubbish. There are taller waterfalls in Wales. It is nowhere near as big as it looks on TV or film.

New York, Killington, Boston and Cape Cod are all worth a visit up and down the northeast coast.

anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
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Ignore Yipper, as ever.

There may be higher falls in Wales, but they're streams compared to Niagara, which is quite impressive - and certainly much better from the Canadian side. As others have said, Niagara city is very naff, but Niagara on the Lake is beautiful. If you're at Niagara, remember Toronto is not that far away, (we took a train round the lake), and it's a great city to spend some time in, loads to see/do.

Back to the North East Coast, I love Newport RI - mansions, fab restaurants, fishing, wonderfully restored colonial buildings, etc, etc.

boyse7en

Original Poster:

6,727 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd January 2018
quotequote all
CardinalBlue said:
I went to Niagara last summer, and the falls are amazing - highly recommended. The boat cruises open in April, so you maybe in luck https://www.niagaracruises.com/2017-sailing-schedu...

Niagara, the town however isn't great - much tackier than expected. But Niagara-on-the-Lake is a short drive away and well worth a visit. There are some vineyards nearby that specialise in 'Ice Wine' - so if that's your thing then fill your boots.
That boat looks like it sails from the Canadian side.

Is going into and back out of Canada a painless experience or is the border a PITA for a fleeting visit?