boston to Maine or Maine to Boston

My friend is 50 in 2010 and has always wanted to go to Boston and Maine- but as we are non drivers is it possible to do both in one trip? looking to go around February (that%26#39;s her birthday) and probably not staying for more than a week. Any ideas?

boston to Maine or Maine to Boston

Sure, it%26#39;s possible. But February would be an awful time to come. It%26#39;s very cold and could be very snowy in both Boston and Maine.

boston to Maine or Maine to Boston

thanks- actually she would really like the idea of snow!

In Boston, things will be open and there will be lots to do, even in February. But in Maine most things will be closed. On the other hand, you could take a train from Boston to Portland, Maine. Things will be open along the cobblestone roads of the Old Port section of Portland, a very safe and walking-friendly town.

In February, there are loads of things to do if you like the outdoors and don%26#39;t mind cold weather. You can downhill ski, cross-country ski, snowmobile, skate, go tubing, etc. Being non-drivers might be a problem for the downhill skiing suggestion, but there is skating and cross-country skiing right in Portland.

As already mentioned, there are plenty of intown options in both Portland and Boston, and you can travel by train or bus between the two with no problem. (You can fly, as well.)

Getting between Maine and Boston isn%26#39;t really a problem....but after that it gets more problematic. Portland is Maine%26#39;s largest city and the immediate area has a good public transportation system -- however many other towns in Maine do not...

My suggestion -- fly into Boston, spend a night or so there to adjust to the time change, then come up to Maine and spend some time in Portland.

You can fly from Boston to Maine, but it%26#39;s fairly expensive and, because of the relatively short distance, most of the service is on smaller, propellor-driven (as opposed to jet) aircraft. On the other hand, if small planes don%26#39;t bother you, you%26#39;ll get a good look at some of the New England coastline on the way up.

Your other options are bus or train.

By bus, you have a choice of Greyhoound, operated by a company called Vermont Transit, or Concord Trailways, operated by Concord Coach Lines. Have used both and would recommend Concord for cleanliness of buses, courtesy of drivers and counter staff, and convenience. Their schedules and other information are available at

www.concordcoach.com

They have pick-up points for service to Maine from every terminal at Logan International Airport or from Boston%26#39;s South Station, one of two major transportation hubs in the city.

Train service is provided by a subsidiary of Amtrak, the US%26#39;s passenger rail system. The Boston-Maine-Boston connection operates under the name The Downeaster and recieves the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any route in the Amtrak fleet nationwide. Specific information on The Downeaster can be found at www.Amtrakdowneaster.com

For help in planning your visit to Portland, check out the local Visitor%26#39;s and Convention Bureau%26#39;s website at www.visitportland.com

It has lots of helpful information about local hotels, places to stay, things to do etc.

Portland can be cold and wintry, but offers lots to do so long as you dress for the weather.

Come on over and enjoy yout trip!

visitportland.com

concordcoachlines.com

amtrakdowneaster.com