<p>There isn’t much of a NH coast. Try Ogunquit up through the Yorks.</p>
<p>Thanks, Lergnom-- I appreciate the recommendations – you must be a lifetime New Englander, or a travel writer :)</p>
<p>Marion, MA down on Buzzards Bay. Home to Tabor Academy.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a New England feel without travelling too far from NYC, try Litchfield, CT. You can drive there in just an hour and a half (maybe a little bit more) from NYC.</p>
<p>Mattapoisett and Marion (Geraldo Rivera has a place on the ocean in this area) and South Dartmouth have everything that the Cape has but they aren’t as crowded or as expensive. They’re close to Little Compton, RI–which is wonderful as well. I think Western Mass is great–lots of cultural attractions and the Berkshire Mts (but no ocean). My D is a counselor at a camp that’s near the White Mountains in New Hampshire and that would be a great area to visit in the fall. It’s about 2.5 hours from Boston and an easy day trip. I like the area around Burlington/Lake Champlain in Vermont. We went to a wedding that was at the Inn at Essex (which is run by students at the New England Culinary Institute). Their star alum is Alden Brown (Food Network) and they do a great job of running the Inn and the restaurants there. It’s pretty close to Burlington and it is beautiful in the fall (the wedding we attended was in early October).</p>
<p>I’ve passed many of these places while driving to the Cape and S’s college. Now will know to stop and visit. I’ve actually started quite a long wish list from this thread.</p>
<p>Wiliamstown is appealing because of the museums and also because town residents can take classes at the college. I’d be interested myself except my husband says no snow!</p>