OT / My trip to the US - New Englanders, I need your advise, please

[europegirl4jfk]

My Swiss friend asked me a few days ago if I would like to visit the US East Coast with her in October. We plan to come over for about 10-14 days and would like to visit as much of Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire as possible in this short period of time. Or at least the most interesting places in the region because I realize that two weeks are too short to see everything. I suppose we will fly into Boston and rent a car there. I would be glad to get your suggestions what to visit and where to stay. Do we need to book our hotel rooms in advance at this time of the year? What weather is to expect in the first two weeks of October?

And of course I would love to see everyone of you who would be willing to meet up with us. It would be a great pleasure to meet as many of you guys in person as possible. As the New Hampshire Diner with JK will be held during the time of our stay (October 13th), I would love to go there but would need your help to get tickets. I'm not a US citizen and therefore can't purchase them directly. But if someone of you would be so kind to do it for me I would send you the money for the tickets via Paypal or in the mail. My friend Vreni isn't as much into politics as I am but she would like to come as well. She was accepted in the Green Card program and plans to move to the USA in a few years when she has finished her studies.

[rox63]

1. I would recommend booking your hotels in advance

Autumn is a big tourist season in New England, because of the fall foliage. I pack for cool weather - bring layers. Some days are warm, other can get quite chilly. And the nights can get cold. Bring sweaters, long pants and light jackets. But also pack some short sleeve tops, in case there are warm afternoons.

[europegirl4jfk]

3. That sounds good

I have nothing against some cooler weather at all. Especially as we have more than 100°F here in France since two weeks and no change in sight. No honestly, when you travel it's nice when it's not too hot. Thanks for you suggestions.

[TayTay]

2. I just wrote a reply in another thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=96514&mesg_id=96685

There are numerous agencies on line that can help you plan your trip. If it is possible, you might want to fly into Manchester, New Hampshire. (Boston is having a bit of trouble right now with it;s highway tunnels. Ahm, I have no idea if this will be fixed by October, but I surely hope so.)

Ahm, what Rox said. She is right and sensible.

http://www.visitnh.gov/fall-foliage-new-england.html

http://www.foliage-vermont.com/

http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/

http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/current_category.30/current_advcategory.292/companies_list.html

These links give you tips on when to come, where to stay and how to get around. Let me know if I can help. It is a little more expensive to come here in the fall, but you can usually find a motel or bed and breakfast in the area that is not too costly. Bring a camera.

I would be happy to front the ticket for you. You can pay me back at the event. No hurry.

[europegirl4jfk]

4. Thanks for all the great links

I will check them out tonight and send them to my friend as well. And thanks for the nice pictures in the other thread. It really looks gorgeous and I can't wait to visit finally. I don't mind if you talk for days about this region; I would love to listen to it. I always wanted to go to the New England region when I thought about the USA, not to the West Coast. But then I had my friends in California and my daughter went to school there...

Maybe we could build our travel itineraries around the political events going on in October. But this could probably be a bit too much politics for my friend. Poor Vreni! LOL Coming from Europe I think we have to fly to Boston to get halfway decent air fares. And I will borrow my daughter's new digital camera for the trip.

It's really nice that you would buy the ticket for the NH Dinner for me. I'll get back to you as soon as we have a clear idea about our travel plans. Thanks so much for all your help, I really appreciate it. :hug:

[whometense]

5. My personal prejudice,

but if you have a rental car I'd recommend a trip to Concord, Massachusetts. It's central to the American Revolution, and a lovely town full of historic places of interest - museums, the "rude bridge that arched the flood," and just a great place to walk around.

http://www.concordma.com/history.html

I grew up in that area, and it was the place all visitors always wanted to visit.

[TayTay]

6. I took some interns there two weeks ago.

I second Whome's suggestion. It is historic and lovely. It's a wonderful day trip, as is nearby Lexington, where you can actually get a cup of coffee and some donuts or a meal, btw, to tide you over. (I found it hard to get coffee and donuts in Concord. Geez.)

[whometense]

7. Concord

is more of a tea and crumpets type place. :P

[TayTay]

8. I prefer scones and Earl Grey

I do have a reputation to uphold as the 'Duchess of Massachusetts.'

LOL! Remember that one from early JK Forum when we were still sorting out our regional differences. Ahm, they don't make cheese in Illinois, just soy beans. The cheese comes from Wisconsin and Vermont. We don't grow anything in Massachusetts, except for wicked good Senators and political operatives. Sigh!

[europegirl4jfk]

9. History is always fine with me

And it's true that I don't know nearly enough about American history. Checked your links - thanks! - and it looks great over there. Will you be around in early October as well? It would be nice meeting you. Oh, and I have one more friend from Germany that I try to convince to come with us. Her comment on JK in an email she sent me: "toller Mann" which means "great guy". LOL

[whometense]

10. I probably will be.

I also highly recommend a few hours exploring Harvard Square, which unfortunately isn't as interesting as it used to be, but is still worth a look around - and also happens to be right near where I work. ;-)

But it is an interesting place, I swear.