New England / Boston, 2-week trip this fall, sites to see?

[Rooster_Ties]

Hi all,

My wife and I are planning a world-wind 12-day vacation to Boston and New England this fall, and are of course wondering what all we should take in. We're museum/history/historic-architecture* junkies, and yes -- we will be doing some "leaf peeping". We've about set up most of our accommodations (B&B's mostly, even in Boston). After about 4 days in Boston, we're planning an 8-day drive/loop that will include the southern tip of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. (Or the big loop first, and then 4 days at the end in Boston.)

Any significant jazz events going on between Oct. 4th and 16th?? (We'll be in Boston either the first 4 days, or the last 4 days -- not sure which, but we should know for sure in a few days.) Classical too, or anything else interesting.

Any reason to make a pilgrimage to the Mosaic Mecca, in Stamford, CT?? – other than shaking hands with MC?? I don’t suppose I could get him to play "The Trainwreck" for me?? (Not a chance in hell, I would expect, but it never hurts to dream, right?? )

We’ve got several guidebooks for Boston and the larger region, but open to suggestions for things to do and see. Thanks!!

*by "historic architecture" - I should clarify that we're especially interested in post-1900 architectural styles, either early 20th century (FLW, Deco, etc...), or more "mid-century" modern stuff -- like Louis Kahn (who I understand has a few buildings in the region, particularly two things at Yale, if I remember correctly). I really need to do my homework about this before we go. (I'm not only/exclusively interested in Kahn, but he was the first name I could think of.)

Edited July 29, 2007 by Rooster_Ties

[Alexander]

I love Boston (I lived there for several years), but honestly, I don't think I've ever done anything remotely "touristy." The best thing I can recommend is to hit Harvard Square and take in a movie at the Brattle (they have a great film series), go to the Boston House of Pizza off of Commonwealth Avenue and get a sub (their Italian subs are out of this WORLD), and hit a lot of used record stores (although the ones I used to visit are all closed now, except for Stereo Jack's, of course). Boston does have a great science museum and a very good aquarium. And then there is that whole Freedom Trail thing...

Just hanging out in the Public Garden is always a treat. It's the best city in America for walking around, I think. So many beautiful buildings. It's a great town in the fall especially. One of my happiest memories is of sipping hot cider in Quincy Market on a crisp fall day.

New Bedford has a kick-ass whaling museum!

[connoisseur series500]

A visit to the Patriots' training camp?

[md655321]

If you like mexican food especially burritos, check out any of the Anna's Taquieras. Worth visiting Boston just for one of those. MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm.

[dave9199]

The Museum Of Fine Art in Boston. I'm betting you're already going there. Say hi to Worcester, MA if you drive through it on either I-290 or Route 9. That's where I'm from.

[rachel]

The Museum Of Fine Art in Boston. I'm betting you're already going there.

ditto that

[Man with the Golden Arm]

not exactly, but...

[Chuck Nessa]

[zen archer]

Don't miss going to The Berkshires , Lenox , Stockbridge and Great Barrington.

Actually in Great Barrington there is a cool book store called Yellow book store the owner is a HUGE

Jazz fan and has quiet an assortment of jazz books. I once bought a very nice autographed picture of Louis Armstrong from him.

Also in Stockbridge is the Norman Rockwell museum which will really surprise you i never really thought much of his work

BUT one visit to the museum changed that in a hurry.

DO NOT MISS this :

The Chesterwood House: Located in Stockbridge, MA, Chesterwood is the early 20th century country home of sculptor Daniel Chester French, who sculpted the extraordinary seated Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Over 500 pieces of sculpture are collected at Chesterwood and French's original studio. The house, gardens, central fountain and the lovely vista of 120 acres of rolling estate are all accessible to visitors of the property.

This place blows me away everytime the Estate is unbelievabley beautiful and his studio is very cool !!!

Edited July 29, 2007 by zen archer

[zen archer]

here is a link of all the great stuff in the Berkshires

http://www.berkshirerentals.net/museums.htm

Check out the Wharton house and Williams College Museum of art which has some some rare

works and from big name artists it's always a pleasant surprise stopping in there !

[sal]

Burlington, Vermont is a neat little town. Lots of pretty scenery and a lot of outstanding microbreweries!

[BruceH]

Don't forget to visit Stereo Jack's in Porter Square, Cambridge. A great jazz store!

[.:.impossible]

For Rhode Island, the most interesting from a tourist perspective, are the most remote. Depending on where you are in CT, Westerly RI is pretty amazing. I remember being struck by the architecture there, though it is certainly not mid-century. Block Island is at least one day in and of itself (due to remoteness and otherworldliness), and there are plenty of great places tucked away all over the state. I'm sure you will be in Providence and Newport? Vint and Dave and Tom and Dmitry can all give you great ideas on RI. We all have our favorite spots.

p.s. Aside from the whaling museum in New Beige, you would probably be ok to circumvent that route. Not exactly a tourism bureau over there. It can be a tough town. I've seen it and it was a culture shock. Then again, maybe that's the reason to go. Portuguese fishing town.

*question: is it "whirlwind tour" or "world wind tour"? I always thought it was whirlwind.

[7/4]

not exactly, but...

23rd, Broadway & 5 Ave., NYC.

[BruceH]

For Rhode Island, the most interesting from a tourist perspective, are the most remote. Depending on where you are in CT, Westerly RI is pretty amazing. I remember being struck by the architecture there, though it is certainly not mid-century. Block Island is at least one day in and of itself (due to remoteness and otherworldliness), and there are plenty of great places tucked away all over the state. I'm sure you will be in Providence and Newport? Vint and Dave and Tom and Dmitry can all give you great ideas on RI. We all have our favorite spots.

Don't forget to take the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI. You get the view of ocean and rocks, and also get to see a bunch of the biggest robber-baron mansions (or "Summer cottages") for free.