Travelling from Canada (Toronto) through Conn. to Cape Cod

Hi - In early September/07 my husband and I will be travelling from Toronto to Cape Cod, Nantukett and Martha%26#39;s Vinyard. We%26#39;re just mapping out our route and think we might want to break up the trip in Connecticut. We%26#39;ve never been. We think we might want to drive down to either Bridgport or New Haven (or any other suggestions you might have) stay overnight and part of the next day and then slowly make our way to Cape Cod along the coast.

Any ideas of where to lodge by the water along the way? This is very foreign territory to us. One thing for certain is we want to be able to lodge as close to the water as possible as well as make our way to Cape Cod along the shore line (yes, it%26#39; will be a longer ride - but I%26#39;m thinking it will be worth it). Last year we drove to Boston from Toronto then made our way north stopping in whichever little town we liked. This year we%26#39;d like to be able to have lodging booked in advance - last minute lodging at 2am proved to be rather stressful - we%26#39;d like to avoid that this time if we can.

This year we have our bicycles with us and our trip will start in Connecticut (shoreline) make our way to Cape Cod, Nantukett, Martha%26#39;s Vinyard, the head back to Canada north - so stopping in Salem, Kittery (for the outlet shopping) then up to vermont and west back to Canada.

Any ideas what we should do in Conn? Where are some decent places to stay that have a pool and / or are by the water? We%26#39;re open to B%26amp;B%26#39;s.

Is Rhode Island worth visiting?

Thanks in advance.

dd

Travelling from Canada (Toronto) through Conn. to Cape Cod

ddb:

As someone who grew up in RI and now lives in CT, I would suggest visiting RI instead of either New Haven or Bridgeport (where I live now). RI has Providence and Newport both of which are tourist towns that have a lot of history packed into a small space.

New Haven and Bridgeport are not what I would call touristy and though they are on the water, they are on long island sound and beaches are not anywhere near the caliber that you would get in RI where the beaches are on the ocean. Also, there are no hotels along here with pools or beach access in the sense that you would stay here to be on the water, it just isnt a part of the deal. Though farther up the coast closer to New London might have types of things you are looking for.

Since you have your bikes, you will also be intersted in the RI East Bay bike path a designated path along the water that goes from Providence along the bay to Bristol - a beautiful ride.http://www.dot.state.ri.us/bikeri/ Newport is a bikable city too. I recommend a stay in newport to start off your trip. http://www.gonewport.com/

I would strongly suggest going to RI instead of CT especially at this time of the year, the RI coast cant be beat.

Travelling from Canada (Toronto) through Conn. to Cape Cod

I would second that recommendation - although you could stay in the Eastern parts of CT, around the Mystic area - close to an aquarium, the casinos, a seaport, great antiques, etc... or move up to RI and stay near Misquamicutt, Watch Hill - great beaches and shopping.

If you want places with an outdoor pool / by the water, look towards Mystic - you won%26#39;t find it in Bridgeport or New Haven.

Those sound like great recommendations!

Thanks so much for your input on RI over CT - I%26#39;ll start exploring RI in the guidebooks. Thanks a million - this has made my planning so much easier!

dd