Travel Itinerary from Manhattan to New England
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Vermont is known for its landscapes and especially its amazing autumn foliage. Vermont is also an attractive and popular destination for a ski vacation.
But it's worth knowing that this state is also a paradise for a peaceful and calm family trip.
To illustrate the feeling of safety and the pleasant atmosphere, I'll give a small example: scattered throughout the state are stands selling vegetables and fruits. You usually won't find any seller near the stands. When you approach, you'll see a sign indicating the price of each product and asking you to put the money in the box on the counter. Often, the box isn't even attached to the counter....
In Vermont, there are no giant amusement parks or national parks with amazing natural phenomena, but it has plenty of small and lovely sites, most of which have free entry or a symbolic price.
For those spending time in New York before this trip, here are several recommended accommodation suggestions in New York:
Staying in New York City in general, and in central Manhattan in particular, is significantly more expensive than anywhere else in the US. Also, the selection of hotels offering family accommodation is quite limited. Recommended hotels for families in New York at reasonable prices (relative to the supply in the city) that also allow families of 4-6 people in a room/suite in a central and convenient location are:
Recommended hotels in New York:
In central Manhattan:
San Carlos Hotel New York
A 4-star hotel with family suites, kitchenette, dining area, spacious rooms. Includes continental breakfast (kosher available). There are additional kosher restaurants in the hotel's vicinity. Free internet.
A 3-star hotel, rooms for 2-6 guests, includes breakfast and free internet. Refrigerator, work desk. Located a 5-minute walk from the Empire State Building.
Hotel Belleclaire
A 4-star hotel, rooms and suites for 2-6 guests, located 3 blocks from Central Park. Free internet.
The New Yorker Hotel
A 4-star hotel, rooms and suites for 2-6 guests, located a 2-minute walk from Madison Square Garden. Free internet.
Renwick Hotel
A 4-star hotel belonging to Hilton's Curio collection, rooms for 2-4 guests, located a 3-minute walk from Grand Central Station. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, coffee kettle, desk, safe, free internet.
TRYP by Wyndham Times Square South
A 3-star hotel, rooms for families up to 8 people, located a 5-minute walk from Penn Station.
In lower Manhattan near Wall Street and Ground Zero:
A 4-star hotel, suitable for 2-5 guests, full breakfast buffet included in the price, suites have kitchens, near Ground Zero, gym, free internet.
Search for a hotel on Booking in the Manhattan area map:
Booking.com
In New York, you can buy a combined ticket for several famous attractions at a discount:
CityPASS - New York - 6 great attractions in one ticket.
A great site for purchasing discount tickets for theater shows, sports, and concerts in New York and across the United States:
The Travel Itinerary
This itinerary begins in New York and ends in beautiful Boston. After visiting busy and intense Manhattan, a trip to Vermont will reduce all stress and instill an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Further along the way from Boston to New York, there are other lovely destinations as detailed in my article: Destinations and attractions on a trip from Boston to New York.
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Day Number 1: From Manhattan to Lake George
A 3:45 hour drive (340 km) to Lake George in New York State.
The town of Lake George is located at the southern end of the elongated Lake George in New York State. The town serves as a popular resort in the summer; you can sail a boat, walk or bike around the cute town center around the lake, and more. You can swim in the lake at organized beaches. The area is abundant with wineries and breweries where you can visit and conduct tastings. In clear weather, it's worth going up for a scenic view of Lake George from the top of Prospect Mountain, reached by driving a scenic road from the town of Lake George. On a beautiful day, you can also see the states of Vermont and New Hampshire from the viewpoint.
Additionally, it is recommended to visit New York State's capital, Albany, which is located right on the route.
♦ Recommended hotels in Lake George
A 4-star resort with cottages and suites, some with kitchens. Pool, free parking, and internet.
Holiday Inn Resort Lake George
A 4-star resort with rooms and suites, also suitable for families. 2 pools. Free internet and parking.
Or cheaper:
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lake George
A 3-star hotel with rooms and suites, also suitable for families. Pool. Free internet and parking.
Day No. 2: From Lake George to Stowe in Vermont via Ausable Chasm
Driving time to Stowe is about 3.5 hours (253 km), stopping on the way for a trip in a lovely deep canyon named: AUSABLE CHASM (The canyon is located in New York State close to the border with Vermont).
In the canyon, you can take a tour combining a walk on a beautiful path along the canyon's edge with stunning viewpoints and (quiet and calm) rafting in a rubber boat on the river flowing in the canyon. During the sail, the guide explains the geological phenomena in the area and tells stories about the many movies filmed over the years at the site.
From the canyon area, near the city of Keeseville (in New York State), you can take a ferry crossing Lake Champlain on the line called: Burlington - Port Kent, which reaches the city of Burlington, the largest city in the state. In its center is a colorful and sympathetic pedestrian mall called:
CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE, which has plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Another option is to continue north from AUSABLE CHASM on Route 9 to Plattsburgh and take a ferry to Grand Isle in the heart of Lake Champlain and from there take a short trip between the islands in the lake.
In the lake, there are several islands connected to Vermont and New York State by bridges and ferries. There are many farms on the islands. On some, you can conduct self-picking of apples and other fruits (depending on the season). A recommended farm to visit in the area is ADAMS APPLE ORCHARD & FARM MARKET, in the town of WILLISTON, which also has a lovely petting corner.
On the island named NORTH HERO, you can visit the White Lipizzaner horse stables and watch (in summer months only) a dancing horses show. Phone: 802-372-8400.
Afterward, it's worth driving towards Shelburne (south of Burlington).
The main attraction in Shelburne is the SHELBURN MUSEUM which is a large and successful open-air museum considered one of the main attractions in the state. Scattered over a vast area are 37 historic buildings, including a lighthouse, a steamboat, a circus, a school, and more, all furnished with authentic furniture and full of artworks. You can stroll leisurely between the buildings or ride a bus that stops at several points between the structures. Experiential activities take place daily at the site. The museum is open from mid-April to late October. Entry is paid.
North of the museum is SHELBURNE FARMS where guided tours are held; you can milk cows at the children's farm, watch cheese making, visit the visitor center, and shop for food products at the farm store. Entry to the farm is paid separately.
Near Shelburne is a factory especially liked by children: the VERMONT TEDDY BEAR factory which produces soft and pleasant teddy bears. In the tour, guided in an amusing and kind way, you'll discover how each teddy bear is "born" and what treatment it receives. The guided tour price is $2 per adult and free for children up to age 12, but you likely won't get out so cheaply since anyone can make their own teddy bear on-site, choose its shape, the amount of stuffing, clothes, and accessories, give it a name, a birth certificate, and even make a wish that will remain hidden in the bear's heart. All this is, of course, for an additional payment that isn't minimal at all. The factory is located in Shelburne, on Route 7.
Not far from there is the DAKIN FARM factory store, where you can see how meats are smoked, how maple is packed, how cheddar cheese blocks are wrapped in wax, and especially you can taste various interesting flavors for free (and of course be tempted to buy gift packs for home).
♦ Recommended places to stay in Stowe, Vermont:
A 4-star hotel with rooms and suites, also suitable for families. Two pools, restaurant, free internet and parking.
A 4-star resort, with rooms and apartments up to 3 bedrooms. Indoor and outdoor pool, spa, tennis court, free internet and parking.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak, a Destination by Hyatt Residence
A 4-star hotel, with rooms and 2-bedroom suites suitable for families. Heated pool, spa, free internet and parking.
Cheaper:
A 3-star hotel, with rooms suitable for families, indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym. Free internet and parking.
A 3-star hotel, indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, game room, free internet and parking.
Cheaper: Stowe Motel & Snowdrift
A 3-star hotel, with rooms and also family apartments with an equipped kitchenette. Free internet and parking.
Day Number 3: Vermont:
Factory Tours in Vermont:
"Factory Tours": the name is a bit misleading; it doesn't mean a professional tour but rather a day of tastings and experiences. In Vermont, there's an impressive selection of factories you can tour.
The most recommended and famous of all is the "Ben & Jerry's" ice cream factory BEN&JERRY'S ICE CREAM FACTORY located near the town of WATERBURY, close to Route 100. At the factory, a half-hour guided tour is held, starting with a short film and continuing with an observation of all ice cream preparation stages. At the end of the tour, you receive ice cream samples. Opening hours and tour frequency vary according to the months of the year.
Near the ice cream factories are plenty of other factories and factory stores where you can tour and especially taste... the successful ones among them are:
A diverse factory store is CABOT ANNEX where you can taste dozens of types of Vermont's famous cheddar cheeses for free, considered among the best in the world, and taste wines and chocolate.
Those interested in cheese production can tour the CABBOT factory located further east, in the town of Cabot.
Nearby is also a glass shop where fascinating glass-blowing demonstrations take place.
Vermont is also famous for its maple syrup. Anyone who has tasted real Vermont maple syrup will find it hard to settle for synthetic syrups sold in supermarkets. There are several small maple production factories throughout the state where you can tour and of course taste. It is recommended at the end of the tour to buy a few small syrup bottles for home. Visiting one of these factories is enough to understand the principle. The most recommended factory is: MORSE FARM SUGER WORKS located near Vermont's capital, Montpelier.
While there, it's worth peeking at the impressive state government building with the large golden dome. The tour and tastings are free. Interested parties can also visit the New England Maple Museum located in the city of RUTLAND. The museum is open daily from mid-March until December.
A different type of experience awaits you at "Knight's Spider Web Farm", website: www.spiderwebfarm.com/ located in the town of Williamstown. This is the obsession of one man, who produced pictures and artworks from spider webs. There they will explain how he "grew" the spider webs and the manner of painting them, gluing them onto wooden surfaces, and his additional work methods. He is the only man in the world who made pictures from spider webs. Entry is free. Open daily from June 15 to October 15 and on weekends only during the rest of the year. Address: 124 Spider Web Farm Rd., Williamstown, Vermont.
Not far from there, you can visit the ROCK OF AGES granite quarries located in the town of BARRE. From the visitor center, a guided tour departs to the old quarries and of course also to the active quarries. In the tour, you'll hear explanations about granite types, the quarrying manner, and work methods in the mine. The sight of the massive pit with hewn granite walls and dozens of tiny people inside arouses admiration. At the visitor center, there are interesting displays and nearby a granite processing factory. The visitor center is open from May until late October. Entry to it is free, but the guided tour costs a symbolic amount.
Touring Ski Towns
Even in summer, when there's no snow, it's worth visiting one of the ski towns in the Vermont mountains, especially STOWE where it's recommended to stay, and Killington. In summer, you can ascend from them by cable car to the mountain tops for viewpoints and additionally do sports and active leisure activities, such as: alpine slides, water slides, skate park, golf, cycling, and wall climbing.
A short video about the autumn foliage in New England:
The Von Trapp Family
Remember the famous Von Trapp family from the movie The Sound of Music? They fled from Austria to Switzerland and from there immigrated to Vermont, which reminded them most of all of the landscapes familiar to them from Austria. They built the Trapp Family Lodge on a peaceful and lovely mountain peak. To this day, family members manage the resort, which spans vast green areas and has Austrian-style buildings with flowers in the windows, a vegetable garden, flowers, and huge grassy areas, all located on a mountain top from which a beautiful view of the surroundings is reflected. A small cemetery is located at the site containing the graves of Maria, her husband, and other family members. Those who can afford it are invited to live in the luxurious hotel and nearby villas, but even non-guests can enjoy (free of charge) the magical atmosphere and especially the scenery.
Day Number 4: The White Mountains in New Hampshire:
A drive of about 2:45 hours (210 km) to North Conway (where it's recommended to stay) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Visiting FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARK (in New Hampshire). It is recommended to visit FLUME GORGE, a walking trail along a river, part of which passes through a deep and beautiful canyon. In the visitor center, it is recommended to see an interesting film about the area's formation starting from the glacier period, about the wildlife and vegetation in the White Mountains area, and about the first settlers.
Then a drive (if weather permits) to the summit of Mount Washington (you can go to the summit by antique train and visit the MOUNT WASHINGTON OBSERVATORY). The road to the summit, which is over 1900 meters high, is extremely winding and the views are impressive. It is recommended to equip yourself (free at the visitor center) with a cassette or CD describing the sights along the route and the history of the place. After descending from the mountain peak, it's nice to visit ATTITASH MOUNTAIN RESORT. The park is in a winter ski area which in summer serves as a resort.
The main attraction is extremely long ALPINE SLIDES. Additionally, there are special trampolines, a climbing wall, and a chairlift that ascends for about 40 minutes to the mountain peak.
Another lovely attraction is the "Lost River", Lost River , located near NORTH WOODSTOCK. This is a lovely hiking trail along a river that enters and exits caves and crevices. Along the path, there are many narrow tunnels where you can crawl near the river and hear the thunder of the flowing water. This is the main attraction at the site. The landscape is green and beautiful and at the end of the path, there is a covered bridge and a botanical garden.
For families, it's highly recommended to conduct a visit to CLARK'S TRADING POST, located near LINCOLN. The main attraction at the site is trained bear shows. Additionally, there are bumper boats, a humorous guided tour in a tilted house, a ride with surprises (a whole story around a "wolf-man") on a steam train, antique carriages, candle making, displays of ancient devices, a simulator, a large souvenir shop, and other ancient buildings.
For shopping enthusiasts, it's very worthwhile to concentrate their shopping in New Hampshire. This is one of the few states in the US where there is no state tax and therefore it's profitable to shop there. Residents of neighboring states flock in droves to shop in New Hampshire and therefore the variety of large stores, shopping centers, and factory outlet centers is huge (particularly near the border with Massachusetts).
Accommodation:
It's recommended to stay in New Hampshire either in North Conway or in the Lincoln area, located in the scenic and attraction-filled White Mountains area near many tourist sites and main roads, making them convenient for star tours.
♦ Recommended hotels in North Conway
A 4-star hotel, suites have an equipped kitchen, suitable for families. Free internet and parking.
A 3-star hotel with suites or double rooms, suitable for families. Indoor heated pool. Free internet and parking.
Red Elephant Inn Bed and Breakfast
B&B includes breakfast, at a 3-star level. Pool, free internet and parking.
♦ Recommended hotels in Lincoln
InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook
A 3-star resort, with suites and lofts with a kitchen. Suitable for families. Indoor and outdoor pool. Free internet and parking.
Village of Loon Mountain, a VRI resort
A 4-star resort with suites, apartments, and lofts with a kitchen. Suitable for families. Pool, free internet and parking.
Day Number 5: Boston:
After a few days between mountains and lakes, it's time to visit one of the most beautiful and impressive cities in the eastern US, Boston, which is the largest of the New England cities. It has a charming combination of old and new, thanks to the city's glorious history on one hand and the abundance of prestigious universities on the other which attract many students and young people to the city. Drive time from the White Mountains area is about two hours (about 200 km, depending of course on where you stay).
You can dedicate several days to this interesting city full of historic buildings, museums, and cultural buildings, but on this trip, we'll only taste it briefly. To see the best the city has to offer in a relatively short time, it's recommended to go on an amphibious bus tour called: BOSTON DUCK TOURS which travels both on land and in the river. The tour passes along the city's main sites and lasts about an hour and a half. During the tour, you'll receive a humorous overview (accompanied by a variety of jokes) about the city's history and the sites you pass. The tour departs from the front of the "Prudential" building, the second tallest building in the city. On a clear day, it's worth conducting a landscape viewpoint from the 52nd floor of the building.
Afterward, it's worth walking the "Freedom Trail" also called the "red brick path" whose starting point is in the city's central park: BOSTON COMMON, where the city's main visitor center is also located. The path (marked throughout its length in a prominent red color) passes between the city's famous and historic sites: the impressive state government building with the golden dome,
PARK STREET church, GRANARY BURYING GROUND cemetery where the first patriots who began the struggle for independence are buried, on School Street, where the first public school in the US was, the old City Hall, the Old State House, and FANEUIL HALL which is an ancient city market, QUINCY MARKET packed with fast-food restaurants, stalls, and souvenir shops.
The trail ends at Boston Harbor where it's recommended to visit the historic ship that turned into a museum:
U.S.S. Constitution .
For those with time and strength left, and especially for families with children, it's worth visiting the impressive New England Aquarium, which, despite its relatively modest size, is considered one of the most successful aquariums in the US.
Accommodation recommendations in Boston and its vicinity:
Hotel 140 - A 3-star rated hotel in a central and convenient location in central Boston near public transportation. The hotel has 55 rooms, all with a refrigerator and microwave. Free internet.
Hotel Commonwealth - A 4-star rated hotel with 150 rooms. The hotel has a gym and a restaurant. Located near Boston University, Fenway Park, and the river.
Residence Inn Boston Back Bay/Fenway - A high-quality suite hotel near Fenway Park and adjacent to the Red Sox stadium. Each suite has an equipped kitchen. Free internet and free breakfast.
The hotel has 175 suites and offers its guests a free gym, indoor pool, and jacuzzi.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston - Cambridge
A 3-star rated hotel with 308 spacious rooms and suites. Located in Cambridge adjacent to the river. Free internet.