So (fingers crossed) I'll be picking up my R56 by this weekend. I'm trying to find a good road trip to take after picking her up. Looking for something that is as far as a few hours outside of Boston. I want to avoid highways/interstates so that I can start the break-in process right while enjoying some twists, turns, and scenic New England. I went to school on the North Shore, so I'm pretty familiar with ipswich, essex, manchester, magnolia, etc; so that area will be my default option but I'd like to venture someplace new and I was thinking about NH, ME, or VT.

I'll be taking the lady with me, so in order to sell her on it we'll need a cool destination spot. I'm thinking that a fun little restaurant or deli or a cool little New England town where we can grab a bite to eat would do the trick. Any reccomendations on quaint little towns with some fun eats within a few hours of Boston? Any good drives that are an absolute must for a new MCS to stretch its legs on?

Thanks for the help.

 

Dont remember the road numbers, but the road through cape cod is fun. Or to Salem (which prob has less traffic).

 

Unfortunately, I don't know southern Vermont as well as northern Vermont. I'll try to send one of the area regulars to this thread from over on mini2, perhaps someone will have the answer you seek.

 

Thanks for the help.

I hadn't thought of going down to the Cape, but that is definitely a good idea. Will there be a lot of traffic/people out there on a Saturday now that it is getting nicer?

 

Well, I lived there ages ago, shortly after the invention of the wheel, and it would definitely get crowded. But, there will be a lot of people admiring your ride, and you probably will be able to find a place to park it that was too small for "normal" cars.

 

You can't beat just following Rte 1 and Rte 1A up the coast. We took our MINI to Peabody for service (great experience! - Thanks Skip ) last Saturday and went home via Marblehead and Cape Ann. Even with the fog, the seacoast was beautiful, the chowder was t-a-s-t-y and the crowds thin.

I would suggest staying on it at least to Portsmouth NH as the entire coast of NH is great to see. If you still have time, head on up through Maine (and spend lots of money ). There are places that got hit pretty hard by the Patriot's Day storm, but I don't think that Rte 1 (or the more local versions like 1A or 1B) were damaged enough to be closed. Avoid the Camp Ellis area around Saco as the road washed-out along the beach.

 

I want to know if there is a Sherman in Peabody. (Yes, I know you Yankees pronounce it "Peebiddy", but that is understandable).

 

There used to be..."way back" when...

 

There's some fun restaurants in Portsmouth too. Flatbread Pizza has unique pizzas baked in a real brick oven. It's really good food, all organic.

And the Friendly Toast has a really eclectic atmosphere with breakfast foods all day and burgers and such.

Both of these are on Congress St. in the middle of Portsmouth.

Rt 1 through Rye is a fun drive.

Enjoy the new car!

 

The Friendly Toast is one of my favorite food spot in all of New England.

I've never had the breakfast stuff...I always get some kind of sandwich. They are open 24hrs from Friday-Sunday - and have $2.50 PBRs.

Gilley's is right around the corner if you are looking for a quick 'dog or burger. If you go really late on a weekend night (1-3am), you are bound to see some teeth hit the pavement, which always adds to the atmosphere.

Chauncey Creek is a good time (haven't been there since I was 6 or 8) - and should be a nice spot as the weather warms up.

16 Chauncey Creek Road
Kittery Point, ME

Just drive...**** it, you will find something cool.

 

Thanks for all the ideas. Sounds like the Friendly Toast will definitely be a destination spot in the near future. I should be able to piece together a good day trip now.

 

Beware of parking at Chauncey Creek!! For years it was the final destination for the New England Triumphs annual Lobster Tour in September. Even with a greatly reduced tourist population (after Labor Day), parking at the restaurant was mostly on the shoulders of the road, and those shoulders are very narrow. Most TRs are even narrower than a MINI and on at least 2 occasions, somebody's car was hit by a passing vehicle. Two years ago, the "basher" came back (finally) to see what she had done to a pristine yellow TR6 (dented and scrapped the front fender and door panels).

Since then, we have found other coastal lobster pounds to drive to.