I am planning a trip to New England next year, first time over to the US.

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TanyaS

painterly painter!
Nov 18, 2014
406
1,618
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Auckland
As a kiwi gal who is coming over to NE next June for a few weeks, I was wondering if someone can tell me; what are the best states to visit, the most scenic etc. My friend and I were planning to hire a car, but is NE relatively safe? I know the usual common sense rules will apply: don't pick up hitchhikers and travel around in pairs etc, but is there anything else that could help. I am so excited to be coming over, this is a lifetime dream for me. I am planning to visit Vermont, Augusta, Bangor...but not sure where else is good to go to? Stephen King country, wow!! I know I won't be able to meet the man, but just to be there in those places will be enough. So very exciting. Hope that is okay to post all this here....not going to any other states really due to money and time (or lack of both). Such a huge country!! Can't wait. I am sure New Englanders, like New Zealanders, are really lovely, friendly, down to earth people. The scenery I've seen from books/films etc, looks absolutely stunning!
 
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TanyaS

painterly painter!
Nov 18, 2014
406
1,618
53
Auckland
They are, really, really lovely people. I am so excited for you, this is wonderful. I hope you will come back here and share your experiences with us all when you get back.
Absolutely, I will FlakeNoir! Have you been there yourself? I am counting down the days...quite a few to go!! So excited. It will be like a hundred Christmasses at once! A dream come true.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Absolutely, I will FlakeNoir! Have you been there yourself? I am counting down the days...quite a few to go!! So excited. It will be like a hundred Christmasses at once! A dream come true.
No, I've never been outside of NZ... but would some day love to visit. You should let Marsha [ Moderator ] know ahead of time, she'll have a whole list of places for you.
(I know they are lovely people because I have been talking to some of them daily, for many years.)

So, Tanya... how much carry on do you get? I figure if I start fasting now, by June you could probably just about wrap me up and stow me in your hand bag. :biggrin2:
 

not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
29,655
139,785
Behind you
Watch out for Jud.!! I hope you have a lovely time.

petsematarygwynne.jpg
 

AToyStoryInCali

Well-Known Member
Nov 20, 2014
167
767
39
Worst City Ever, USA
I'm from CT and was born in Maine. New England is gorgeous. I would say it's quite safer than where I live at the present. :) If you're partial to donuts, go to a Dunkin' Donuts! Fun fact: Tabitha King used to work at one:) :p I like the blueberry cake donut, personally.

Other than that. I would say try to do something outdoors- it is very picturesque.
 

nate_watkins

Eternal Member
Dec 9, 2009
4,428
8,661
a buick 8
I'm from CT and was born in Maine. New England is gorgeous. I would say it's quite safer than where I live at the present. :) If you're partial to donuts, go to a Dunkin' Donuts! Fun fact: Tabitha King used to work at one:) :p I like the blueberry cake donut, personally.

Other than that. I would say try to do something outdoors- it is very picturesque.

Years ago, I worked for Dunkin Donuts distribution company in New England. It was a fun job, and occasionally some of the percs were free donuts and coffee...

I also saw the Dunkin that Tabby worked at while I was in Bangor last year.
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
As a kiwi gal who is coming over to NE next June for a few weeks, I was wondering if someone can tell me; what are the best states to visit, the most scenic etc. My friend and I were planning to hire a car, but is NE relatively safe? I know the usual common sense rules will apply: don't pick up hitchhikers and travel around in pairs etc, but is there anything else that could help. I am so excited to be coming over, this is a lifetime dream for me. I am planning to visit Vermont, Augusta, Bangor...but not sure where else is good to go to? Stephen King country, wow!! I know I won't be able to meet the man, but just to be there in those places will be enough. So very exciting. Hope that is okay to post all this here....not going to any other states really due to money and time (or lack of both). Such a huge country!! Can't wait. I am sure New Englanders, like New Zealanders, are really lovely, friendly, down to earth people. The scenery I've seen from books/films etc, looks absolutely stunning!
Drop by Canada as well....lots of poutine here.
 

misery chastain loves co.

MORE Count Chocula please.....
Jul 31, 2011
2,642
15,099
50
Brewer,ME
I live in Maine, right near Bangor and definitely suggest doing the SK Tour, like Craig mentioned above. I've taken a couple of friends on it and Stu is a great guy with some great stories. Once you've gotten your King fix I suggest hitting up Bar Harbor. It's beautiful and a tourist hot spot. If you have time do a whale watch, the waters are iffy in June but if you get to see some whales it's well worth it. Bring warm clothes if you decide to do that. The sea is cold! Check out Acadia National Park if you want some great scenery or hiking. Camden and Belfast are great spots to shop and be on the ocean. Skip Augusta, seriously. It's the capitol but there is nothing there to see. Go to Portland or Freeport instead. You also MUST have a whoopie pie! ;-D If you have time and are going to Massachusettes, Boston is a no brainer but if you want some neat history Salem is awesome and you can do it in a day. Have a great trip!!!! keep us posted!!
 

swiftdog2.0

I tell you one and one makes three...
Mar 16, 2010
7,095
35,344
Macroverse
I'm a Boston Dog born and raised and I can tell you are lots of places to visit, things to see, things to do, etc. in New England.

Since you are coming in the summer I recommend visiting Newport in Rhode Island, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Hampton Beach in New Hampshire and Portland in Maine for sure. You'll also want to check out a Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston if you can get tickets.

New England is definitely safe. If you visit the major cities (Newport, Providence, Boston, Portland, etc.) stick with the tourist / trendy spots. There are some places in Boston and Providence that can be pretty shady so be careful if you want to explore lesser known places there.

If you come to Boston and like Italian cuisine, definitely hit the North End. Downtown Providence in Rhode Island has a lot of nice restaurants as does Portland in Maine.

Someone previously mentioned Salem in Massachusetts. That's an interesting place to check out. It's more fun at Halloween but is nice all year round.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I live in Maine, right near Bangor and definitely suggest doing the SK Tour, like Craig mentioned above. I've taken a couple of friends on it and Stu is a great guy with some great stories. Once you've gotten your King fix I suggest hitting up Bar Harbor. It's beautiful and a tourist hot spot. If you have time do a whale watch, the waters are iffy in June but if you get to see some whales it's well worth it. Bring warm clothes if you decide to do that. The sea is cold! Check out Acadia National Park if you want some great scenery or hiking. Camden and Belfast are great spots to shop and be on the ocean. Skip Augusta, seriously. It's the capitol but there is nothing there to see. Go to Portland or Freeport instead. You also MUST have a whoopie pie! ;-D If you have time and are going to Massachusettes, Boston is a no brainer but if you want some neat history Salem is awesome and you can do it in a day. Have a great trip!!!! keep us posted!!
...we went to Bah Hobaw whilst we were there...I spent a week on day azzhole to elbow with my fellow man.....xD