Posted by I will be traveling this coming thursday (Christmas day) from Little Rock, AR to New Haven, CT (where my brother lives). We’re gonna have a road trip to east coast states, since i’ve never been there before, do you guys have any idea the interesting places to visit in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. We prefer the places where we can take beautiful scenery photos, unique landmarks. Also we really like eating and trying new stuff, so what are the recommended places to eat (of course budget is our major consideration since we’re only college students.. lol). We don’t do skiing.
Please give us some trip ideas and tips (places, foods, motels, transportation, cost, route, etc)
Thanks a lot… we really appreciate it!! 
I tend to agree with Mr. New England. The Adirondacks, in North East NY would be worth checking out if you go as far as Burlington, VT. Being college students, Burlington is probably a place worth checking out, UVM is there so it’s a very student friendly place. It’s not that far out of your way from Burlington to check out Lake Placid, lots of beautiful scenery in that area. Not sure what will be going on in the Lake George area this time of year, but it’s at least good for a drive through on the way to Lake Placid. From CT, go north on 91 to the Mass Pike (I90) to I87 and go north. This will take you right by both Lake George (literally 1/2 mile off I87) and Lake Placid (about 45min off I87). You could go along 9N at Lake George and cruise the lake shore up to Ticonderoga – the fort may be closed for the year?, or take cable ferry (if operating) across Lake Champlain.
Word of caution – it’s bleeping cold up here now, be sure to bring warm cloths, boots.
For New Hampshire, I’d suggest coming from Vermont via the White Mountains, Franconia Notch/Canon Mt area, then head either toward Portland, ME (via Rt 302 out of Conway, NH) or go for Portsmouth, NH via Rt 16).
A recommended place to eat is Flo’s Hot Dogs (yes hot dogs) in Cape Neddick Maine. It’s located on Rt1, roughly between York and Ogunquit. It’s a little red shack looking thing, only open 11AM to 3PM, and I believe closed on Monday and Tuesday. Order the “special”, it’s a one of kind.
If you go to Ogunquit, take a road called Shore Road (connects to Rt1 and the goofy three way intersection in the middle of town). This will be for your pictures of the coast of Maine. Shore Road connects Ogunquit to York. You can back track on Rt 1 to Flos. If you really like pie, the Pie in the Sky bakery (about 1/2 mile from Flos) is pretty good – but expensive.
In York you want to head out to the Nubble Light. When you get to the York end of Shore road, take a left, you’ll find it.
Check out the web site http://www.hollyeats.com, eating the coast of New England article for more on local eateries. Many of the roadside clam shacks are closed for the winter. Wells Diner (Wells Maine) is another recommendation. In Portsmouth, the Portsmouth Brewery is good as is the pizza at the Portsmouth Gas Light (in the basement).
Besides some beautiful scenery and attractions new hamphire and vermont are great places to go but there’s not a heck of alot of things to do. Most attractions are closed for the winter months but you can get great deals on motels. Unless you enjoy driving on snow covered icy roads and fffreeeze your butts off try planing this trip during the spring Rhode Islands not too exciting in the winter either nice scenery and cool beaches though
NH has several covered bridges that are interesting to see. Here is a link.http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/bridges/
Also there is a Country Store in Moultonborough,NH that is a National Landmark and worth the visit. http://www.nhcountrystore.com/bin/miva?M…
There are several restaurants. A popular one for tourist is Harts Turkey Farm in Meredith NH.http://www.hartsturkeyfarm.com/
VT-Take I-91 North to Exit 9, turn right, about 1 mile on the left turn into Harpoon Brewery for a tour and beers. Get back on I-91 North, maybe 20 minutes take I-89 North to exit 10, bear right for a 1/2 mile to Ben & Jerry’s ………Back on 89 North to Burlington, our only real city. Try Church street and Nectars for FF w/ gravy
Vermont- Woodstock and Stowe as well as Ben & Jerry’s (Waterbury which is near Stowe) and of course, Burlington.
For eating, I would reccomend Atwells Street (Federal Hill) in Providence. Many, many good restaurants. Park one or two streets over to avoid valet tipping. Some restaurants are expensive, some are just pizza places. Try the Pepper Pig at Casertas.
For Vermont and NH, you’ll probably want to stay in the southern reaches if you’re on a short visit. If you want quaint villages try Weston, Grafton and Newfane, Vermont. If you want frozen over lakes there are plenty in southern NH. If you want to go to a ski area, try Mount Snow, Stratton, Bromley, Magic Mountain, Ascutney, Okemo, in southern VT or Sunapee, Pat’s Peak in southern NH. If you want pictures of high mountains, you’ll have to go to northern NH… Kankamagus Highway, US Rte 3, and/or I93 (through Franconia Notch). For dining in VT and NH try the family restaruants, inns and diners. It’s hit or miss.
Skiing is going to be expensive. Lift tickets go for 50 to 80 bucks apiece. Equipment rentals are 20 to 35 bucks. Its fun to watch for a little while, though.
In Rhode Island, stay around Cumberland (north of Providence). Its a lot cheaper than the city. In VT and NH, stay as far away from the ski areas as possible. Try Brattleboro, VT or Keene, NH.
As far as transportation goes, you’re gonna need a car. Period.
PS. The longest bridge in USA connects Cornish (NH) and Windsor (VT).
in vermontt—check out the city of burlington–you could see lake champlain and the adirondac and Green mountains right from town–check out Church Street, for eats go to Boves Cafe for their lasagna, its so good that it was on the Food Netwrk (throwdown with bobby flay show), from burlington you can drive 45 minutes to Stowe, vermont–you;ll see covered bridges, quaint towns,,at stowe ski resort you can take a gondola ride to the summit for some snowy mountain photos, you’ll also pass Ben &Jerrys factory where you can take a tour and eat fresh B&J ice cream
in NH, the best landmark i can think of is the Prersidential Range and Mt Washington near Conway, NH…the presidentials are the highest and most impressive mountain range in the east
..personally i would skip Rhode Island and head to maine instead, from new hampshire you would only be about 1 1/2 hours from portland maine rather than backtracking about 5 hours to rhode island…the coast of maine is way more dramataic than anything RI has to offer…by going to maine you would’ve gotton the quaint towns and covered bridges of VT, the mtns of NH and the coast of maine–you would’ve seen the best of new england that way
I live in little rhody. its a great place to visit. Skiing isn’t great. All we have is Yawgoo Valley Ski area. We have a lot of ice skating and pond hockey though! Tubing and sledding is fun. Out of all the states, Rhode Island in the winter has the best scenery. In the woods after a snow, the trees are coated with a lat yer of silver ice and it encases every branch creating a glowing effect when the sun shines through. The old houses and mansions in newport covered in snow is a great place to take pictures. The factories in pawtucket and arctic are beautifulful too.
PROVIDENCE WATER FIRE http://blog.kayak.com/wp-content/uploads…
About food here in Rhode Island, winter is a great time to try our famous blue lobster. I recoment IGGYS in Newport by the sea. Or “chellos ont he water” for some chowda.
As for landmarks…. You MUST visit Providence for some amazing nightlife, interesting people, places and resturaunts. The best are is to walk around the Providence place mall, even in the snow, it is beutiful. The statehouse is a wonderful picture spot and providence is WONDERFUL at night. The streets come alive and you can see the providence water fire. The lights are gorgeous from the BILTMORE hotel in Providence right next to the mall.
Actually, heres betuful providence too. As a resident, I recognize every building in this photo!
I go to high school right by the citezens tower. http://www.wrpoint.com/images/498_Prov_S…
Ahh. And in the center is the FLEET SKATING center where you can ice skate in the city. They rent out ice skates and serve hot chocolate.
Newport Rhode Island should be at the top of your list.
You’ve got the breathtaking Newport Cliff Walk and 10 Mile Ocean Drive, the opulent Newport Mansions, countless historic sites. This is a photographer’s dream.
For great, affordable food, check out Brick Alley Pub on Thames Street and Ben’s Chili Dogs on Broadway.
I’ve never been with that places that you mentioned….But I had the chance to watched the Rhode Island on a magazine….The place is relaxing,You will enjoy the places there…GOODLUCK! have a nice trip
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