Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

182  NE W ENGLAND

Practical Information the coast and driving tours
during the fall foliage season.
Although particularly popular during summer and fall, Several books list the best
New England is a four-season vacation destination. The driving tours of the region.
superb skiing facilities attract tourists during winter, which Yankee Magazine (www.
often lasts from mid-November to April. The region offers a yankeemagazine.com) details
recommended routes,
wide variety of recreational activities within a relatively historic stops, and places to
small area. On any weekend, vacationers can hike the White eat and stay.
Mountains of New Hampshire, swim at Maine’s Ogunquit
Beach, and take in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Outside Safety for Drivers
of Boston, where public transportation is excellent, you Large areas of New England are
definitely need a car for sightseeing.
wild, so be prepared for any
eventuality. This is doubly
true in winter, when sudden
Tourist Information Natural Hazards blizzards and white-outs
State tourism offices are The risks involved in taking caused by blowing snow can
great sources of information part in outdoor activities can leave motorists stranded. Stock
and are happy to send road be minimized with proper salt, a snow brush, an ice
maps, brochures, and listings of precautions. Be prepared for scraper, and a small shovel. If
attractions, accommodations, sudden changes in the you do get stuck in an out-of-
and events, free of charge. weather, especially in higher the-way place, stay inside your
Some places also offer elevations. Wear protective car. Keep the motor running
discount vouchers for lodgings, gear for adventure sports and for warmth, but open your
restaurants, and entry fees. never try to interfere with window slightly and keep the
Many towns have a visitors’ wildlife. When hiking, wear tailpipe clear to prevent carbon
bureau that offers information insect repellent to avoid monoxide buildup. American
on local lodgings, events, tick bites, which can cause Automobile Association (AAA)
and restaurants. Lyme disease. provides roadside assistance.
Personal Security Getting Around Laws
New England’s comparatively Many bus companies serve The legal drinking age in
low crime rate makes it a safe particular sections of New New England is 21, and young
holiday destination. But it is England, making it relatively people can be asked to
good to take precautions. Since simple to get from state to produce a proof of age in
pickpockets tend to frequent state. In Boston and Cambridge, order to buy alcohol or enter
popular tourist sights, use a it is easier to get around by a bar. You can lose your driver’s
money belt for cash and public transportation than license if caught driving under
documents and keep cameras by driving. Once outside the the influence of alcohol or
out of sight. Avoid wearing city you will need a car. In fact, drugs. Cigarettes can be sold
expensive jewelry and leave much of New England’s charm only to people 18 years of age
your valuables in the hotel safe. lies along scenic jaunts down or older. Smoking and drinking
in public spaces is illegal.
The Climate of New England
Sports & Outdoor
New England’s weather can vary greatly from year to year. Activities
Generally, the short spring is
cloudy and wet, with rainy skies BOSTON With miles of coastline,
and melting snow. Summer can mountain ranges, forests, and
be unpredictable, but is generally 80/27 rivers, the region has much to
dry – July and August are usually °F/C 63/17 63/17 offer to sports lovers. The
the sunniest months. Bright fall 55/12 choice of camping areas in
days out among the colorful national forests ranges from
foliage are spectacular – the peak 32°F 39/4 46/8 36/2 primitive sites to ones with
fall foliage period usually lasts from °C 20/–7 various facilities. Hiking trails
mid-September to late October.
Snow usually starts in December; 17 20 19 16 crisscross almost the entire
the temperature can dip to 0° F days days days days region, with the most popular
(–18° C) or lower in winter. In 3.5 2.8 3.3 3.6 being the New England section
general, it is warmer along the in in in in of the Appalachian Trail and
coast and in the southern section month Apr Jul Oct Jan Vermont’s Long Trail. The
of New England. Appalachian Trail Conservancy
runs various information and

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm