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East coasters, what to do before Fenway, Coastal Massachusetts?

mwplummwplum Posts: 1,509
in All Encompassing Trip
Sorry, wasn't really sure where to post this. Forgive me for my west coast ignorance, but where would be the best place to go for 4 or 5 nights before Fenway? My wife and I are looking for something quiet, with great beaches, hiking, etc... In looking at Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, it's really hard to tell any difference between them.

I'm a bit worried as many of them seem to get overrun with tourists in the summer, and the last thing we want is a loud, obnoxious trip.

Have any of you been to these places? Any advice? Are these good places to focus on, or should we shift focus to more low key places along the coast? We're kind of hoping to find somewhere like PEI in Canada, or something similar. Would it be better to drive up to Maine or somewhere else?

Thanks,
Matt
1992-07-21 Vancouver
1993-9-4 Vancouver
1996-9-16 Seattle
1998-7-19 Vancouver, 7-21 Seattle, Memorial Stadium
2000-11-6 Seattle
2001-10-22 Seattle
2002 -12-09 Seattle
2009-8-17 Manchester, 9-25 Vancouver
2011-6-16 Seattle (EV), 9-3/4 PJ20, 9-25 Vancouver
2012-6-27 Amsterdam (#2!)
2013-11-29 Portland, 12-4 Vancouver, 12-6 Seattle
2014-AUS - 1-26 Sydney, 1-31 Adelaide, 2-11/12 EV Sydney State Theatre, 2-13 EV Opera House
2014 - USA - Memphis, Detroit, MOLINE, St. Paul, MILWAUKEE, Denver, 25/26 Bridge School
2016 - Lexington, Philly x 2, MSG x 2, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto x 2, Pemberton, Fenway x 2, Wrigley x 2
2018 - Seattle x 2, Missoula, Fenway x 2

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    BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,292
    You can't go wrong with all 3, depending on what you want to do. The Cape is awesome, but traffic suuuuuuucks. Nantucket is the quietest of all 3 but probably the most expensive and has the least amount of things to do. And MV is great...lots to do but also a great place to chill out. I've been to all 3 several times.

    Another option - yes, Maine is great but quite a hike. Check out places like Rockport, MA (north shore) or if you're up for the drive head out to the Berkshires.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
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    PJNBPJNB Posts: 12,740
    edited July 2016
    Bar Harbour/Acadia National Park and Old Orchard were great spots when I was growing up going to vacations in Maine. I haven't been there in years though I doubt much has changed.
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    AvardAvard Posts: 9
    Go to PROVINCETOWN at the end of the cape. You can rent a car and drive there from Boston or take a ferry. GREAT artist/glbt/Portuguese fishing community. Lots of cool places to stay that are in old houses/bnb. You can rent bikes and ride throughout the town, or the bike paths through the beautiful dunes. The national seashore beaches in North Truro just south of Provincetown are stunningly beautiful, you can bike down there from Ptown, but it's about 15 miles or so. Your not tied up to a car/ferry schedule like you would be going to Nan. Or MV. The islands are great, but expensive. Not saying Ptown isn't exp., Or drive up to MAINE. Portland is a GREAT small city, great restruants, craft beer-breweries. As is Portsmouth New Hampshire. The small coastal towns of Maine like Ogunquit and Wells are beautiful too. Rocky coasts, "picturesque" lighthouses etc etc. Eat some fresh COLD water lobster. Have local chowder. Upper New England is fucking awesome.
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    mwplummwplum Posts: 1,509
    Nice, thanks so much everyone for the great ideas, so many options!
    1992-07-21 Vancouver
    1993-9-4 Vancouver
    1996-9-16 Seattle
    1998-7-19 Vancouver, 7-21 Seattle, Memorial Stadium
    2000-11-6 Seattle
    2001-10-22 Seattle
    2002 -12-09 Seattle
    2009-8-17 Manchester, 9-25 Vancouver
    2011-6-16 Seattle (EV), 9-3/4 PJ20, 9-25 Vancouver
    2012-6-27 Amsterdam (#2!)
    2013-11-29 Portland, 12-4 Vancouver, 12-6 Seattle
    2014-AUS - 1-26 Sydney, 1-31 Adelaide, 2-11/12 EV Sydney State Theatre, 2-13 EV Opera House
    2014 - USA - Memphis, Detroit, MOLINE, St. Paul, MILWAUKEE, Denver, 25/26 Bridge School
    2016 - Lexington, Philly x 2, MSG x 2, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto x 2, Pemberton, Fenway x 2, Wrigley x 2
    2018 - Seattle x 2, Missoula, Fenway x 2
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    Steve BarnabeSteve Barnabe Posts: 139
    mwplum said:

    Sorry, wasn't really sure where to post this. Forgive me for my west coast ignorance, but where would be the best place to go for 4 or 5 nights before Fenway? My wife and I are looking for something quiet, with great beaches, hiking, etc... In looking at Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, it's really hard to tell any difference between them.

    I'm a bit worried as many of them seem to get overrun with tourists in the summer, and the last thing we want is a loud, obnoxious trip.

    Have any of you been to these places? Any advice? Are these good places to focus on, or should we shift focus to more low key places along the coast? We're kind of hoping to find somewhere like PEI in Canada, or something similar. Would it be better to drive up to Maine or somewhere else?

    Thanks,
    Matt

    Portland to the north, or Westerly, RI to the south are easy to get to.
    9\28\04 - Boston 5\25\06 - Boston 6\28\08 - Mansfield 8\27\09 - Chicago 5\15\10 - Hartford EV - In Providence on the night the Bruins won the Cup! 7\19\13 - Chicago 10\25\13 - Hartford 4\28\16 - Philly 4\29\16 - Philly 8\5\16 - Fenway 8\7\16 - Fenway
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    WhiteMaleRatWhiteMaleRat Posts: 301
    If you are willing to spend some money and putting effort into it, and the weather is looking good, without a doubt go to Nantucket and stay at least 3 nights in the downtown area at a Bed and Breakfast. Probably an hr and a half drive from Boston to Hyannis, take the 1 hr fast ferry to the island. The downtown is quintessential old new england seaside town. Plenty of bars, restaurants, shops. You can bike to area beaches or take a shuttle, there is a brewery, whaling museum, etc.

    If you don't want the hassle, then you could stay in downtown Falmouth which is the beginning part of Cape Cod. Nice quaint town with enough to do/ see. You could still take the ferry from there and do a day trip to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard.

    Also you should plan a couple of days in Boston while you are here.
    "This guy back here is giving me the ole one more....one more back to you buddy."

    - Mr. Edward Vedder 7/11/03


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    drlovemonkeydrlovemonkey Posts: 394
    Check out Tree House Brewery in Monson. Best. Beer. Ever!
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    Steve BarnabeSteve Barnabe Posts: 139
    Trillium in Canton is about 30 minutes from Fenway and pretty good, too
    9\28\04 - Boston 5\25\06 - Boston 6\28\08 - Mansfield 8\27\09 - Chicago 5\15\10 - Hartford EV - In Providence on the night the Bruins won the Cup! 7\19\13 - Chicago 10\25\13 - Hartford 4\28\16 - Philly 4\29\16 - Philly 8\5\16 - Fenway 8\7\16 - Fenway
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    BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,292
    Steve Barnabe said:

    Trillium in Canton is about 30 minutes from Fenway and pretty good, too

    and Trillium in Boston is even closer.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
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    BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,292
    drlovemonkey said:

    Check out Tree House Brewery in Monson. Best. Beer. Ever!

    Far drive from Boston, but amazing beers.

    Load up and then head to BT's Smokehouse for some legit Q. BYOB...
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
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    Steve BarnabeSteve Barnabe Posts: 139
    BinFrog said:

    Steve Barnabe said:

    Trillium in Canton is about 30 minutes from Fenway and pretty good, too

    and Trillium in Boston is even closer.
    Oh yeah! I'm dumb.
    9\28\04 - Boston 5\25\06 - Boston 6\28\08 - Mansfield 8\27\09 - Chicago 5\15\10 - Hartford EV - In Providence on the night the Bruins won the Cup! 7\19\13 - Chicago 10\25\13 - Hartford 4\28\16 - Philly 4\29\16 - Philly 8\5\16 - Fenway 8\7\16 - Fenway
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    BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,292
    Steve Barnabe said:

    BinFrog said:

    Steve Barnabe said:

    Trillium in Canton is about 30 minutes from Fenway and pretty good, too

    and Trillium in Boston is even closer.
    Oh yeah! I'm dumb.
    I know Trillium well...

    image
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
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    Steve BarnabeSteve Barnabe Posts: 139
    I'm heading up to Canton soon to stock up for the Fall. I've gotten so spoiled with all of the good RI breweries that have popped up that I've neglected those 40 miles north.
    9\28\04 - Boston 5\25\06 - Boston 6\28\08 - Mansfield 8\27\09 - Chicago 5\15\10 - Hartford EV - In Providence on the night the Bruins won the Cup! 7\19\13 - Chicago 10\25\13 - Hartford 4\28\16 - Philly 4\29\16 - Philly 8\5\16 - Fenway 8\7\16 - Fenway
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    weekapaug19weekapaug19 Posts: 2,278
    drlovemonkey said:

    Check out Tree House Brewery in Monson. Best. Beer. Ever!

    this. gotta hit it right timing wise though
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    FrankieGFrankieG Abingdon MD Posts: 9,095
    edited July 2016
    PJNB said:

    Bar Harbour/Acadia National Park and Old Orchard were great spots when I was growing up going to vacations in Maine. I haven't been there in years though I doubt much has changed.

    I was going to suggest this. Acadia National Park was awesome. There was many things that we couldn't do cause there is so much to do and so little time. Definitely at least look into this.
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
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    dankinddankind I am not your foot. Posts: 20,827
    Other than Cape and Islands, Ipswich, Mass., offers great beaches and decent hiking.
    I SAW PEARL JAM
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