Boston Travel Forum

Hi,

Our family vacation has us driving from Boston to Portland and we were planning on taking the most scenic route. Is Highway 1 the logical choice? If so, what's the best place to pick up that road after leaving Boston (I was assuming I should take 95 for a portion of the way)? Finally, if we're planning on making a day out of the drive, what stops would you suggest we make along the way?

Thanks for your help.

Dave

You should start on route 1 in Boston via the Tobin Bridge over Charlestown but you should be aware that it takes you through a long stretch of Northern suburbs of supreme tackiness, actually worth a look for the almost surreal over-the-top commercial garishness of it all.
It's a fast highway, so I would suggest you take it to 95, and then stay on 95 until the Maine border, where you can hop back over to rte 1. Frankly, the scenery is nothing special, and it's fairly slow, but it's more pleasant than the dead boring interstate highway that it parallels.
I'd suggest a lunch stop and the shore walk in Ogunquit.
If you want to go shopping, Freeport is a town almost entirely composed of chain store outlets about a half hour north of Portland.

I agree with the previous poster. I would suggest stops in Portsmouth and Kittery, they are across from each other via a bridge.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have just a couple follow-up questions:

Other than the Ogunquit beach (which we're planning on doing), are there any other suggestions for kids of 12 and 9?

Any dinner or evening suggestions for downtown Portland?

Thanks again.

Rte 1a through Nh is very pretty and goes right along the coast- so if you're looking for scenary consider that diversion. I go to Petey's Chowder House frequently in Portland- but only good if you want chowder because they don't have anything else.