Take into account commuter traffic.
1) 495 thru Lowell is the Boston commuter route to New Hampshire. Avoid 4 PM traffic
2) significant congestion in Hartford at 91-84 junction at 3-430 PM
3) Tappan Zee is much better than the George Washington bridge. Traffic on Hutch/Merrit starts at 4 PM
Commuter traffic in DC, Baltimore, Newark and NYC is brutal- I would bypass 95 entirely.
Summer traffic is starting for the Delaware shore, Jersey shore on weekends. Traffic can back up at the Delaware Memorial bridge- best to avoid this pincer point.

Daughter is doing an engineering internship at a brewery(that shall not be named) in Merrimack, NH.

We are meeting with her friends in Virginia on the first leg for food. She also wants to visit the Shenandoah National Park.

Loving these ideas. I am going to have to research all of this over the weekend. Thinking we may drive overnight to avoid some of the traffic if possible. NYC may be in the cards as she has never been there(Statue of Liberty, Twin Tower site).

What do you recommend on a day trip there? Ferry and then subways?

I will be flying back from Boston. Anywhere that is a standout for you all as a place to visit there?

The 'Brewery' would've been my other guess in Merrimack...I 'almost' typed it even!

Re: the Brewery, they have a excellent Car Show (The 49th Annual 'Show N' Shine' this year - Supports the Make-A-Wish foundation) in early August, and a Great American Ribfest in late July. I also know of a range where you can rent Machine Guns if your daughter is so inclined...

Re: NYC, if you're gonna be way downtown in Manhattan to the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty, etc I'd definitely take the ferry in Hoboken NJ. Re: the Statue of Liberty, though you can do that via ferry from NJ (Jersey City ), logistically it would be much better for you from Lower Manhattan (Battery Park). I haven't used the Subway in NYC since before COVID, but from what I hear since DeBlasio & Adams implemented their policies re: crime & the homeless, I'd advise walking, or taking a Taxi, but unless it 'really raining' or you plan on going further uptown, that's not necessary. All of these sites are withing easy walking distance of the pier at Battery Park City/Vesy St. If taking the ferry from Hoboken, you'll want to depart from the Hoboken/NJ Transit Terminal. There's a parking garage a couple of blocks away to park you car, so easy peasy!

NY Waterway Ferries from Hoboken, NJ --> https://www.nywaterway.com/
Statue of Liberty Ferry from Battery Park --> https://www.cityexperiences.co...city-cruises/statue/

Re: "I will be flying back from Boston. Anywhere that is a standout for you all as a place to visit there? Well, there is the SIG Experience Center at SIG Academy in Epping, NH that kinda stands out!

Also, re: flying back to GA, you would be well advised to check flights out of Manchester, NH and avoid Boston altogether, unless you've go your heart set on going there. Manchester [MHT] is a joy to fly out of vs Logan [BOS]. Just checked and unfortunately it appears NO direct flights to ATL...Still might be worth a consideration though. Just sayin'

I grew up in NH and lived in Merrimack for several years. It is more of a Boston suburb now than when I lived there but still a nice place. I lived about 5 miles from where your daughter is going.

You mentioned visiting Shenandoah NP on your way up. If she likes that sort of thing you might suggest a day trip up to Mt. Washington. It’s a very special place and you can actually drive up to the summit. Highly recommend.

Daughter and her belongings on an adventure in the Northeast.
1) overnight in Virginia for dinner. 1/2 day to explore Shenandoah National Park. Drive to CT on 81 cross Tappan Zee.
2) overnight in CT town on rail system. Metro North into Grand Central station. Pick 3 or 4 attractions- then Metro North back to CT. Download the app - Citymapper. Great app to navigate NYC. Metro North is safe
3) overnight in Mass - suburb that has T line access. Pick 3 or 4 attractions in Boston. Would recommend green line—Boston Harbor, Freedom trail. Again- City Mapper will guide you step by step.
4) complete the drive to NH on day 4
Think about this plan. I can provide specifics if you are interested.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I grew up in NH and lived in Merrimack for several years. It is more of a Boston suburb now than when I lived there but still a nice place. I lived about 5 miles from where your daughter is going.

You mentioned visiting Shenandoah NP on your way up. If she likes that sort of thing you might suggest a day trip up to Mt. Washington. It’s a very special place and you can actually drive up to the summit. Highly recommend.

I did Mt. Washington in 2005. My car was subject to overheating, so I took the cog railway. (If you have a bad back, DO NOT DO the cog railway--it jerkes so much you'll hurt.) Some photos of my visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631905145283/

flashguy

My mapping tool indicates that the drive from Atlanta, GA to Merrimack, NH is right at 1200 miles and is suggesting a 2-day trip of about 600 miles each. I don't like long driving days and would probably opt to do that drive in 3 days, going about 400 miles each. If I were planning to add stops for sightseeing, I'd make it 4 days of 300 miles/day. The tool works with 8-hour days, but one must remember that time is needed for gas and food stops, especially with a child aboard. Over the years I've decided that 300-400 miles/day is the max I willingly plan on.

flashguy

Okay. It looks like NYC will be out of the picture due to so many things to do in so little time. Going to take the suggestion of skimming around the major cities via Delaware Water Gap & Port Jervis.

Going to get to New Hampshire and then do a daytrip into Boston. So, any suggestions as to what are must do for a day trip in or around Boston?

Thank you for all the suggestions!

The Aquarium and Old Ironsides come to mind.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157627408961253/
Fenway Park is very historical. Bunker (Breed's) Hill. Faneuil Hall is interesting. Take a coach tour https://www.flickr.com/photos/...m-72157627574314160/

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by Beanhead:
Okay. It looks like NYC will be out of the picture due to so many things to do in so little time. Going to take the suggestion of skimming around the major cities via Delaware Water Gap & Port Jervis.

Going to get to New Hampshire and then do a daytrip into Boston. So, any suggestions as to what are must do for a day trip in or around Boston?

Thank you for all the suggestions!

I just suggested that route because it was what I had mapped out years ago when traveling from my parents house near Philly to Hyde Park, NY for culinary school and while it was a bit longer on paper, it avoided having to go anywhere near the NYC metro area as I knew that drive would suck ass.

If you are coming up through NY state on Route 9 to get to NH, and want to stop at a really cool diner, this is one in Hyde Park and was featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives at once point. It was a regular hangout for us CIA students there.

You could also check out the Walkway Over The Hudson which is REALLY cool and the CIA itself if you had time:


Ever Ready Diner


Walkway Over The Hudson

The Culinary Institute Of America: Hyde Park NY

Couple of quick questions - What day of the week and approximate time of day do you plan to be in the Northern NJ (PA?) area? Are you on any kind of schedule to get from that area to NH?

I ask because driving to Port Jervis and then across NY-CT via I-84 could easily add two hours (and possibly more w/ traffic) to your trip depending on the time and day you're traveling. Driving any further north in NY than Newburgh basically forces you to continue on to the Albany area to take I-90 East across MA, and that will add a HUGE amount of time to the trip. I don't know exactly how much, but I would NEVER consider going that way!

Just for reference I used to travel regularly from North Jersey (approx. 25 miles from the Deleware Water Gap) to NH. Timed right, that trip taking the route I previously suggested crossing the Tappan Zee and heading north on the Merritt Parkway can be done in 4 or 4.5 hours. Timed wrong, taking I-84 across CT that trip can easily take 6.5+ hours!

Ultimately it all depends on your priorities/plans, and whether you want to spend add'l time on your way to the destination, or have add'l time once you arrive at your at your destination.

quote:

So, any suggestions as to what are must do for a day trip in or around Boston?

The last time I was in Boston during nice weather I spent most of a day on the Freedom Trail. Cool to see where the Boston Tea Party began, Paul Revere House, Old North Church (i.e. one if by land, two if by sea), etc.

For dining, when I'm in the largest 25 cities in the USA, I like to use Eater's Essential 38. It's a foodie site (i.e. doesn't recommend mass produced chain restaurants that reheat frozen food with microwaves like the idiots on Yelp) and the Essential 38 is updated 3 to 4 times per year, covers all different food genres, and covers all different price ranges. As expected, I had some fantastic dining experiences while I was in Boston. One of the best and least expensive was in Boston's Chinatown which was only a few blocks from the hotel so I went to the best rated dumpling restaurant in the city.

That trek from Shenandoah National Park to NH will be on a Friday. We plan to drive through the park on the scenic route in the am and then push forth through to NH. When I put that into Google Maps leaving there around 12:00, it actually puts us on that wide berth around DC/Philly/NYC.

I found out that Boston isn't really that big. It's a place I have not been. Really would be good to see some of the nation's history such as the Boston Tea Party site, Paul Revere, etc. However, some of those places can be tourist traps and some are pretty cool. Looking for some insight as to what to see and what to avoid.

Yes, I avoid the chain restaurant like the plague. Use Yelp if I don't get local recommendations.

By "scenic route" do you mean the Skyline Drive running through the entire park? Would you access it from the south from I-64 near Waynesboro? Access from I-81 going north could be via US-33 or US-211. FWIW, US-211 runs right by the Luray Caverns, which are certainly worth visiting. I did it in 2005: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157631991889579

If you're using I-64 as your route, there are several things in Charlottesville worth seeing: Monticello (Jefferson's home) and Montpelier (Madison's home). I doubt the 11-yo will be very interested in either one, though.

One place in Virginia (barely) that I thoroughtly enjoyed was the AAF Tank Museum outside Danville, VA. It's a fascinating place.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157631991057902
I created a revised route that would take you by the AAF Tank Museum. Most of the route is unchanged:
Atlanta GA to Merrimack, NH and beyond 3 by David Casteel, on Flickr
flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy,

88 up across NY would be my choice over 84 across and up CT. Less effected by traffic than 84 as well. Better scenery. (not that the valleys 88 runs through are breathtaking. lol)

I'd been keeping the route out of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Obviously, if a visit to Boston is desired, that would not work with my routes.

flashguy

Sorry for not updating everyone on the trip. Thank you for all the members who responded and gave their tips. All of the information was great and we made some adjustments on the trip.

It was a great start...driving up and meeting up with her friends at 7 Dogs Brew Pub in Wytheville, VA. I'd recommend definitely for their beer. The food...get the shrimp taco and stay away from the hockey puck..I mean burgers.

Next day, we got up and drove through the Shenadoah National Park. The smoke from the fire was evident in the air. Got a few short hikes in at the park and then just drove up to through the Delaware Water Gap. Thank you Gustofer and PAsig! for this tip. Great scenic route and we even stopped to hike at one of the waterfalls. This was through the Poconos. We reached Ben's Fresh Burger and Ice Cream in Port Jervis, NY. Okay...what in the world is with New York and regular soda. C'mon man.

We got up to Merrimack, NH the next day and got a very very detail tour of the brewery. I have mixed feelings about the boycott. While I understand the reasons behind it, it is a bit jarring to see the effects on the people that just work that 9-5 there. Based on the advice from the folks there, we did a 180 on our plans. Instead of Boston, we headed to Sig. Yeah, headed there and spent a bit of time there. No, I did not get a bunch of stuff as I was flying back.

We spent the rest of the day over to Hampton Beach for lunch and a stroll on the beach. I don't envy people there as it was about 60 degrees and windy. We had a nice seafood lunch with the obligatory lobster roll. After that, we drove up the coast and got to Portsmouth. What a quaint little town in New Hampshire. Did a little shopping for the missus and was happy that there are no sales tax in NH....what a nice little bonus. Then we drove back to Manchester, NH to check in the AirBnB and did a little grocery shopping.

The next day, we drove into Boston and just walked around. Got to see the spot for the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's church, the meeting house, and the Boston Tea Party. Hit Chinatown and then the airport.

Only regret was not hitting Cheers.

Again, thank you everyone! It was a great daddy daughter trip.

Glad to hear the Delaware Water Gap route worked out for you, Beanhead! It’s a nice scenic and non-stressful drive, 1,000x better than the hell that is I-95 in the Northeast.

Glad you had a nice time in NH. It’s a great place to live. If you come back up, be sure to swing by Kittery Trading Post. It’s just over the bridge from Portsmouth.