My baby brother is going to photography school in Greenfield, MA and is graduating the last weekend of June. My mom, James and I are heading out next Friday (driving from TX) to be there for his graduation. Don't worry, we are seasoned road trippers. James first road trip was to Florida when he was 6 mos old and suprisingly, he loves being on the road. The only bummer is that I just realized we won't be with dh on Father's Day......but he said that is no biggie.

We are planning on being in the area for about a week+. We want to see the coast a bit, maybe Cape Cod, and plan to visit CT, MA, NH and VT. We figured a day or so for each place, yk? My mom has never been up North. I lived in Philly for a very short while and have seen most of PA and NJ.

I am curious if anyone knows some really cool places in the area(especially lighthouses, as my mom is dying to see a 'real' one......not a touristy one) I'd love suggestions of neat places to visit.

I can't think of any lighthouses off the top of my head, besides the one in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

In Connecticut you can stop in Mystic. It's really beautiful there. You'll find some great resteraunts and you could shop in some boutique type shops in Olde Mystic Village. The Saybrook Fish House or the Steak Loft are great places to get a good meal. I've stayed at the Comfort Inn in Mystic and it was really nice and affordable.

In Maine I would go to Brunswick. Another really beautiful town with a great downtown area as well as beautiful waterfronts. Kennebunkport is nice too. Don't forget Freeport for shopping :) Basically anything in the Casco Bay or the Sebago Lake areas are very nice.

New Hampshire has the White Mountains and Hurst Turkey Farm.

Forest Park in Springfield is a great place to stop if you have children with you. They have a cool petting zoo. Bring a lunch and go to the park.

Vermont- Brattleboro is a funky little town and fun place to visit. I also like the White River Junction area

New Hampshire- Conway is a gorgeoous town with lots of shopping.

Maine- Portland Headlight- Cape Elizabeth. It would be quite a drive but Acadia National Park is amazing. Oh, and here is a whole website of Maine lighthouses: http://www.lighthouse.cc/me.html

Have fun on your trip! :)

I don't remember the name of the my favorite lighthouse we saw in Maine. It was south of Searport, north of Freeport. It was so beautiful there, it was a few years ago. Sorry I can't be more specific. Definately check out Maine, it's so nice there.

Thanks everybody! I have a feeling that when I get back, I will be spending my time trying to convince dh to move there! It is SO freaking hot here right now that we are trapped indoors all day and I am going stir crazy.........the worst part is the heat is only going to get worse!!!!

I've printed everyones suggestions and now need to pack! We leave in 3 days and I haven't even started!!!! :eek:

There's a lighthouse in York Beach ME that is easy to get to and really cute. I always wanted to live in it when I was a kid.:) It's in southern ME, so it would be easy to cover the coast of NH and southern ME in one day. A bit touristy, but cute nonetheless. If you do go to the Nubble lighhouse, there is a great ice cream place right around the corner. It's called Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream...yummmmm! In the center of York is another place called the Goldenrod and you can watch them making candy in the window. Again, a tourist thing but good candy and ice cream.

https://www.thegoldenrod.com/

I'm right outside of Boston, so if you are headed this way and need some ideas lmk.:)