Travel Report Eastcoast USA (Sept 2017)
What a 14 days phototrip along the Eastcoast of the USA could look like?
Our Travel Report Eastcoast USA shows you the highlights of our 14 days tour from Boston to Arcadia National Park and on to the White Mountains with a rental car. Here is our routing:
1.Day: Munich -> Boston (Renaissance Boston Waterfront)
2.Day: Boston
3.Day: Boston -> Hyannis and Cape Cod (Fairfiled Inn and Suites Cape Cod Hyannis)
4.Day: Hyannis and Cape Cod
5.Day: Hyannis and Cape Cod -> Portsmouth
6.Day: Portsmouth -> North Conway (Residence Inn North Conway)
7.-8.Day: North Conway
9.Day: North Conway -> Bar Harbor (Atlantic Oceanside Bar Harbor)
10.Day: Bar Harbor
11.-12.Day: Bar Harbor (Holiday Inn Bar Harbor Regency)
13.Day: Bar Harbor -> Portland (Fairfield Inn Portland Maine Mall)
14.Day: Portland -> Boston -> Munich
Where is Boston?
What you should think about prior departure to Eastcoast USA
National currency: US dollars. If possible, take small USD bills for tipping. Money can easily be withdrawn at any ATM. Otherwise, credit card payment works smoothly everywhere.
Visa: You do need an ESTA. You can organize it online and you have to do it prior departure. No entr without granted ESTA. It is valid for three years.
Vaccinations: Coming from Germany, no vaccinations are required. However, it recommends the standard vaccinations, see suggestions Foreign Office.
Luggage: The photo equipment should be taken on board, so pay attention to cabin luggage sizes (!)
Clothing: nothing special for the clothing, but since we wanted to “hike”, we took functional clothing, as well as a rainproof jacket, solid sneaker and hiking boots. In the malls, it can be quite cool due to the air conditioning, so keep this in mind too.
Detailed Travel Report Eastcoast USA, Highlights and Phototips
The new england states are located in the north east of the United States. In the north is canada, in the west is New York State and to the east is the atlantic ocean. The states have a rich history, cozy little towns and endless beaches. Wonderful nature makes this region worth a visit.
Our visit started in Boston, then down to Cape Cod, up north west to the white Mountains and further up north east to the Acadia National park, located on Mount Desert Island. If the weather is right and you have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset from the top of Cadillac Mountain, this is something you will not forget.
PHOTOTIP:
Cadillac Moutain. You should first make yourself familiar where the sun rises and sets. For the sunrise, the top parking is relevant for the sunset one of the last ones before the top, the higher the better. Be there on time, as they fill up quickly in the season.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts has it all: Beaches, Islands, culture, history and a wonderful capital: Boston. In the south is the sandy Cape Cod with endless beaches. – which is liked by many americans and therefore quite expensive, specifically in season. Beside many nice beaches you can visit the House of the Kennedy family (see picture above). Overall it looks much like the Hamptons or also quite similar to the north sea in Germany, but personally I like the architecture in the US on Cape Cod much more.
PHOTOTIP:
the Kennedy Villa on Cape Cod
NEW HAMPSHIRE
WHITE MOUNTAINS
New Hampshire is home of the White Mountains and the key reason for us to go there. We stayed in North Conway, which is nicely located, so you can use this town as your base. The White Mountain National Forest ranges from mountainous hardwood forests to majestic alpine peaks.
Experience the breathtaking scenery, clear mountain lakes and streams, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities year round. Mount Washington is the highest Mountain in the state (1917m) an the summits of the mountains are often covered with snow, which is why they are called white mountains. We enjoyed some wonderful days, hiked a lot to many waterfalls and lakes and enjoyed the nature.
KANCAMAGAUS HIGHWAY
One of the key things to do is the Kancamagus Highway, a nice scenic drive, specfically during the indian summer. Kancamagus Highway is considered one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world, which I personally find an overstatement, but it is definitely a nice drive. It is named after an Indian Chief from the colonial times.
PHOTOTIP:
Kancamagus Highway and the many historic bridges
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK / MAINE
MAINE
Maine is the northernmost state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is the 39th most extensive and the 41st most populous of the U.S. states and territories. Maine is bordered by New Hampshire to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and northwest respectively. Therefore it is the easternmost state in the contiguous United States, and the northernmost east of the Great Lakes. It is known for its jagged, rocky coastline; low, rolling mountains; heavily forested interior, and picturesque waterways; and also its seafood cuisine, especially clams and lobster.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Maine is also home of the Acadia Nationalpark, which was the key reason for our visit and we did not get dissapointed. You have to be fast if you want to book a nice hotel, specifically over the weekend, as this park is one of the most visited in the US and there is a reason for it.
BAR HARBOR
Best is to stay in Bar Harbor. But if you prefer it much calmer, you may also want to look at Southeast Harbor. The park is really good and Bar Harbor is also a good starting point if you want to go whale watching. In August you can see puffins too and the island is home to a couple of bald eagles.
PHOTOTIP:
Bass Harbor Headlight, Bald Eagle, Cadillac Mountain View
If you have enough of Acadia National Park – which is hard to believe – or like in our case have to leave and need to go back to Boston, I would recommend 1 night in Portland. It has a nice park and 4 lighthouses close by, which are heavily crowded by photographers, at least Portland Head Light, the most known one.
PHOTOTIP:
Portland Headlight
Do you want to order a calendar from our phototrip?
as of 18,90€, sizes A2-A5
Which Photoequipment for Eastcoast USA?
The photographic equipment that we brought to the USA can be found below. In addition, you have the opportunity to order the photographic equipment directly through our photo-shop and to request further technical details. There are also a lot of extras.
Cameras:
- D610 (Nikon)
- D7000 (Nikon)
- P7800 (Nikon)
- Iphone 6s
Lenses:
- 70-200mm f/4 (Nikon)
- 24-85mm (Nikon)
- 85mm f/1.8 (Nikon)
- 50mm f/1.8 (Nikon)
- 150-600 G1 (Nikon)
Tripod:
- Sirui Carbon Stativ
- Benro Gimbal Head
All in a Lowepro Runner 450.