Desperately seeking college visit advice!

O Wise Locals,

Our two sons will be traveling from Annapolis, MD where our older son is a midshipman at USNA, to take our youngest to visit Bowdouin, Dartmouth and Williams Colleges. Since older brother%26#39;s leave is very limited any suggestions on places to stay, fun things to do en route? They start on a weekend when the colleges are closed so would love a recommendation on an interesting place to stay on the way somewhere in New England - they love historic sites, kayaking, hiking, biking, something active would especially appeal as they will be driving a lot. I figured they%26#39;d start the college visits in Maine and head south.

Thanks!

Desperately seeking college visit advice!

If I understand correctly, your sons will be driving north from MD and heading to Williams College in Williamstown, MA, (northwest MA), Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, (southwestern NH) and Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. (mid coast, ME).

It seems to me, that either Maine of Mass. should be the first stop and NH would be the 2nd stop.

Since I live about a 1/2 hour from Williams College, I%26#39;ll try to help there. They may want to stay at The Williams Inn on the Green. You will find them listed on the Williams College web site, among other suggestions.

Mount Greylock (the tallest mountain in the state) is near by. There are hiking trails all over the mountain. I%26#39;m not sure if the auto road to the top is open (it was due to be rebuilt this year). Jiminy Peak is just to the south. It has a mountain coaster and alpine slide as well as a few other activities which the guys may like. In Adams, MA there is walk/bike/hike/run/rollerblade trail that runs a little over 11 miles from Adams to Lanesboro MA. It is called... get ready... Ashuwilltucook Rail Trail! It is about 6 feet wide, paved and relatively flat (the Adams end has a slight hill about a 1/2 mile long). It runs though some pretty area.

If your sons are up to it and have the time, there is some rafting to the east of Williamstown in the direction of NH. Check the web for a company called Zoar Outdoor. I can%26#39;t recall if they are located in Rowe, MA, Charlemont, MA or another nearby town off route 2.

Hope I helped some!

Westernmass

Desperately seeking college visit advice!

Forgot to mention... if they are golfers, there is that option too!

Westernmass,

Thank you for your replies! I apologize for not being clearer I am looking for a place to stay about half way (driving time) between Annapolis and Maine. It looks like somewhere along the Hudson River Valley would offer a likely place - that way they%26#39;d get past NY City on Saturday and then head up the coast to Bowdouin then to Dartmouth then Williams and my younger has added Hamilton.

Have you any suggestions?

I would think you%26#39;d want to stay in Connecticut and head up 91 to the Mass Pike then to route 290, 495 and 95.

I don%26#39;t know that area of Connecticut that well. You may want to post the question on the Connecticut and NY forums also.