USA - Boston/New England fly-drive - anyone familiar with this area?

[HeyBaby]

We (a couple with DS who will be 11-12 m.o. at time of travel) also happen to be planning a 2.5 week trip to New England in September flying in and out of Boston. We are hoping to go to Cape Cod/Martha's vineyard, Newport then followed by some time up in Vermont/New Hampshire then a couple of days in Boston before flying back to London.

I am trying to work out distances and what is do-able. We don't want to have a rushed holiday and we also want to stay at self-catering accommodation a few days at a time - less disruptive for DS - and then explore areas from a base. So far, the accommodation in general seems rather pricey and a lot of the self-catering places require a week stay min (Sat to Sat) which obviously doesn't suit us.

Does anyone have any advice/tips on:
a) where to go
b) good cities/towns to use as a base
c) websites for self-catering accomm (I've already looked up Vermont and Massachussetts govt sites).

Thank you!!!

We did this holiday about four years ago. There are a lot of really pretty places to go. Martha's vineyard is lovely we left our car at Vineyard Haven ( I think) and caught the ferry over. It gets very busy in the summer but by September should be good. We stayed in Edgartown which was nice in what was termed a nice B&B but much better than B&B's over here and more expensive. Also went to Cape Cod & Plymouth. Maine has some lovely places to stay. Rhode Island - Newport is lovely. We did go to New Hamshire as well. Looking back I think I would have spent less time driving around. I think if I were doing it now would go to Marthas again, Newport, Maine & Boston and would probably leave Vermont/ New Hampshire for a ski trip unless you are going at the end of September and really want to see the changing colours. Anyway I'm sure you will have a lovely time.

Have a lovely time.

We stayed in gloucester (just north of boston) - went whale watching from there (in September). Was fantastic - was where the film about a storm with george clooney was filmed - have nappy brain at moment so can't remember the name!). The people where lovely. We stayed in a self contained appartment in a large house for a couple of days but did it b&b - recomemnded by a man at the visiter centre (again can't remember what it was called - something like the grey house). I would imagen if you emailed the visiter centre direct they would be able to give you some details of accomadation. Every town had their own centre.

Felling very envious wish we could afford to go again (dd was conceived in Wells, Maine - not the nicest of places but give it a wave if you go past it!)

The perfect storm!

Cape Anne & Rockport are worth a vist (they are just north of Gloucester). Just north of Rockport is a nice place that sells lobster where you can sit outside on picknick tables beside the coast. Forget Salem -it isn't up to much and is too witchy!!

Didn't think much of Cape Cod myself - I think the island are meant to be nicer.

If you see a Christmas Tree Shoppe stop! they are great - very kitch but irristably so. When you are there they will be full of stuff for Halloween. There is one on Route 1 ~ 10 miles north of Boston on the southbound carriageway.

Boston is a nice city for walking in - the centre isn't too big. Walk the Freedom Trail, go to the Italian area of North end, eat clam chouder at the harbour ( the "Sail loft" bar/ restaurant is good place for this.

Bostonian's aren't very friendly but don't take it personally. Mass driver are the worst in the US - you need to watch out on the freeway as they rarely look before overtaking.

Lots of good factory outlets too. You can get details from the tourist info centres.