New England Travel, Vacation Ideas Shared Straight From The Heart
Authentic Trip Planning Stories, Helpful Advice, Inspiration For Visiting New England
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Nubble Lighthouse, Cape Neddick, Maine
by Eric Hurwitz. Page updated on June 26, 2018.
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Welcome to New England! My name is Eric
Hurwitz, editor and
publisher of VisitingNewEngland.com and my mission is
to share with you information -- just like you were family -- from real
people like us who have
come to live in, or visit, New England. Through original articles,
reviews and photo essays, as well as social media resources, and hotel
reservations resources, we offer you
virtually everything you need to plan your New England vacation.
Ultimately, we present to you New England vacation information
straight-from-the-heart, based on our travel experiences. We feel that
is the most powerful way to let prospective travelers and New
Englanders looking for New England travel ideas to learn about this
beautiful six-state region. Here, you can tour Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, en route to
planning your New England vacation or day trips.
Additionally, I am a huge proponent of small businesses in New England,
recognizing the traditional, vital role they play in our society. I only write about businesses I
feel a connection to as they offer a great experience for customers
while showing strong pride of ownership.
I have written about the joys of family-friendly New England travel for
millions
of visitors on VisitingNewEngland through the years, as well as having
been referenced by
major sites like USA Today, Woman's World, the Maine Office of Tourism,
BusinessInsider.com, eHow.com and Wikipedia.com. I am the author of Massachusetts
Town Greens -- a book that celebrates the history of locals town commons-- and was interviewed for a segment on town greens on WCVB-TV Boston's
Chronicle. Without a doubt, my greatest career highlight
is
continuously helping you travel New England.
So relax, take in the breathtaking imagery of
the New England vacation
and travel essays, and ultimately picture yourself in the wonderful
environs of New England. May this online guide serve as the next best
thing
to being in New England, and inspire you to visit a truly
spectacular region. Thank-you so much for coming to my small,
locally-based business with a big heart, and enjoy visiting New England!
Best regards,
Eric Hurwitz at VisitingNewEngland
What Makes Visiting New England So Special?
A Sampling of Essential, Bucket List New England Travel Ideas
Quaint, Historic Small Towns
I live in a small New England town and love the
historic buildings, big
Colonial homes, the church with tall white steeple, quaint downtown,
open green spaces, tree-shaded streets, friendly people, big sky and
slower pace of life. It is well-known that New England features some of
the most charming small towns in the United States, but what does that
really mean? In my stories, I take you to some of these special
places, as if you were actually there -- that is, to bring you into the
special vibe of these small towns. Whether located by the coast,
mountains or other inland locations, small New England towns truly provide
the perfect setting to gain sustenance and meaning out of your New
England travel. Sample Stories: Small
New England Towns That Would Look Great in a Hallmark Movie, Wickford
Village,
R.I. and West Brookfield, Mass., Warren,
R.I., Concord,
Mass., Peterborough,
N.H., Stowe,
Vt., Lee
Mass., Walpole, Mass.
Country and General
Stores
As
essential bucket list New England travel destinations, country stores
-- also known as general stores -- sell a little bit of everything, and
then some, in charming, historic settings. Some like the Vermont
Country Store in Weston, Vt., feature more than 5,000 items (many, hard-to-find merchandise), while gems
like Brown & Hopkins in Chepachet, R.I., are jam-packed with country wares,
home furnishings, clothing and penny candy into smaller settings. At
VisitingNewEngland, I write about many of the best country stores in
New England -- places where
you feel like you've gone back in time, creaky wooden floors, pickle barrels and all! Recommended reading: The
Best Country Stores in New England
Classic, Old-Fashioned Diners
New
England is where it all began for diners (1872) and to this day, you
can find many classic, old-fashioned dining cars in Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. I rediscovered
diners when writing my book, Massachusetts Town Greens, as a way to eat
cheaply while becoming better aquainted with small towns and cities.
Some are famous like the Red Arrow Diner, Joe's Diner and Maine Diner
while others, like Cindy's Diner and Miss Lyndonville Diner, are better
known locally, but just as good.
The no-frills "What do you want honey?" service, the jukebox, neon and
chrome, and comfort food meals serve as authentic slices of Americana.
Recommended
reading: The 50 Best Diners in New England
New
England Seafood
Restaurants and Shacks 
What
better way to eat seafood than having fish delivered straight from the
boat to the restaurant? New England is known for its fishing industry
and that means some of the freshest tasting seafood imagineable. My local favorite meals: lobster, lobster rolls, fried clams, New England clam chowder, clam cakes, and any kind of haddock. I
love waterfront dining in coastal towns like Plymouth and
Kennebunkport and regions like Cape Cod, but
some of the inland seafood destinations offer meals just as good as their waterfront counterparts
(although not with the views). Whatever the case, New England is where
locals and travelers come for some incredible seafood. Recommended Reading: The Best Seafood
Restaurants and Shacks in New England, Biggest
and Best Lobster Rolls in New England, Best Fried
Clams in the Boston area, Warren's
Lobster House, Kittery, Maine
More Regional Food Favorites
Every region in the United States has traditionally beloved
foods, but I believe that New England has the very best! Going beyond the
aforementioned seafood, there's also long-time favorites like hot
wieners and coffee milk (a
Rhode Island specialty), Maine
whoopie pies, apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream, salt water taffy,
Boston
baked beans and blueberry
muffins. And don't forget the legendary Ben and Jerry's Factory Ice Cream Tour in Waterbury, Vt., where you can also taste free samples!
Coastal Beach Towns
If I
had to choose one coastal destination, York
Beach, Maine would be my choice. The feeling of sand, surf, seafood,
amusements, homemade ice
cream, local salt water taffy candy, seaside lodging, Nubble Lighthouse
(more on that shortly) and the rocky coast helps create those memorable, seemingly
endless summer days by the sea -- the precious moments you remember long into the
cold of winter. There's nothing quite like the feeling of Short
Sands Beach or Long Sands Beach in York Beach -- the former located by all downtown
activities, the latter a two-mile stretch of beautiful beach! York Beach is great as a day trip, a weekend getaway or as an extended summer vacation destination. Read about
York Beach More Coastal Towns to Discover: Kennebunkport,
Maine, Chatham,
Mass. (Cape Cod), Plymouth,
Mass., Newport,
R.I., Salem Mass.
Back Roads and Hidden Destinations
We
all know about Plymouth Rock, the Gloucester Fisherman, Cape Cod and
the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but what about the hidden, or
off-the-beaten path
side of New England? Sometimes, the greatest travel discoveries can be
made by taking the road less taken. The typical New England travel
guide often misses the nuances, the under-the-radar places, and the
underrated destinations that locals know make New England so special. Sample Articles: 6 Underrated Southern New England Travel Destinations, Offbeat
New England Travel Attractions, Hidden
New England Travel, Parker's Maple
Barn in Mason, N.H., Walpole, N.H., Beavertail
State Park in Jamestown, R.I., Wolf
Hollow Sanctuary in Ipswich, Mass.
Historic Town
Greens
I
recently wrote a book, Massachusetts
Town Greens
(Globe Pequot, May 2016). Often dating back to Colonial
Times, these town greens -- also known as town commons -- possess
incredible historic value, as well as modern day relevance with, often,
park-like settings, community events and observances, beautiful green
spaces with benches, walkways, monuments and surrounding historic
sites and structures to help you soak in the beauty of New England. I
traveled six months to write about 70 of the most beautiful, historic
town greens in New England and the experience was just amazing -- even
for a lifelong New Englander like me! Taking in the incredible ambiance
at these town commons lends itself to experiencing the "real New
England." More
on Massachusetts Town Greens
Acadia National
Park, Maine
Imagine
a place where the mountains meet the sea. That is Acadia National
Park. The 26-mile Acadia Loop Road affords some of the most spectacular
coastal views on the east coast. Additionally, Cadillac Mountain
provides spectacular sunrises and sunsets, while
Jordan Pond -- with its scenic hills and crystal clear waters -- is
located next to Jordan Pond House which is famous for its popovers.
Nearby Bar Harbor offers one of the most pretty small town settings by
the coast with plenty of shops and restaurants, while small communities like
Northeast Harbor epitomize the small, quaint, picture-perfect coastal
communites that look like something out of a movie. I spent many late
spring childhood weekend vacations here and it still never gets old.
The experience is simply awe-inspiring
for those who love scenic drives and walks, and hiking and biking
with plenty of backroads and carriage trails. Recommended Reading: Spectacular Scenery at Acadia National Park's Loop Road
Fall Foliage Travel
Many
say that fall is the best time to visit New England, and I agree. The
colored leaves, chill in the air, fall festivals in small towns, and
some apple cider and donuts make for a very special time, indeed. New
Hampshire and Vermont seem to get all the accolodes for the foliage
season -- and deservedly so -- but the truth is that every state in New England offers
wonderful fall foliage. Additionally,
areas like Cape Cod, Rhode Island and Mystic, Conn., quiet down from
the summer -- all the much nicer to enjoy the foliage and beautiful
southern New England destinations!
Recommended reading: The
Best Fall Foliage Destinations in New England,
The Best Apple Picking Farms,
New England Icons
Some
places simply have New England written all over it like the Swan Boats of
Boston, Motif #1 in Rockport Mass. (pictured to the left), Old
North Bridge in Concord, Mass., Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, The Goldenrod in York
Beach, Maine, the L.L.
Bean flagship store in Freeport, Maine, The Cliff Walk in
Newport, R.I., The
Big E State Fair in West Springfield, Mass., Historic Colonial Massachusetts Restaurants,
Kimball
Farm in Westford, Mass. and other Classic Ice
Cream Stands.
The Maine Lighthouse
New
England proudly displays around 200 lighthouses, which represent part
of the fabric
that makes scenic, local coastal travel so special. Each
lighthouse looks different from one another with, often, intricate
designs and remarkable durability. There's nothing quite like seeing that red beacon flashing on
and off, the smell of the salt sea air, and waves crashing against the
rocks. Most lighthouses deserve an extended look, but if I had to go
with one, it would be Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick, Maine. The
good news, too, about Nubble Lighthouse is that you don't have to
travel too far up the Maine coast to enjoy the splendid views! Read
about Nubble Lighthouse
Boston, "The Hub of the Universe"
There
is no other city like Boston. The historical preservation, the
neighborhoods, the attractions, the thick Boston
accents and crazy
traffic patterns create this one-of-a-kind urban experience. It's a
relatively small city with a coastal location, making for a walkable
experience. Whether Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the
Freedom Trail, Boston Public Garden or all those wonderful museums, I
don't think any New England vacation would be complete without a trip
to Boston. It is after all, know as "The Hub of the Universe!"
Recommended reading: Boston
Travel and Vacation Guide, Touring
Boston's
Neighborhoods, The Boston Public Garden, Faneuil Hall
and
Fenway Park.
Additionally, those who families that fall in love with the Boston area
might want to read where to raise a
family affordably in the Boston suburbs.
That's when travel translates to moving here!
Regions of New England
New
England is geographically so compact that travelers can often drive
from one region to another within one day. That includes the
classic summer coastal vacation environs of Cape Cod and the
Islands, the charming small towns and ample cultural opportunities
in the Berkshires
of Western Massachusetts, the ruggged, tall mountains and family
attractions in the White
Mountains of New Hampshire, the
Southern Maine coast, Green Mountains of Vermont and the
solitude of the "Quiet Corner
of Connecticut." Try to
see them all! More recommended
reading: The
Best Regions, Towns, Cities,
and Villages in New England,
Scenic New
England Drives, Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend Summer Vacation Travel in New England
I also love reminiscing about nostalgic
Boston memories, New England
restaurants that are no longer with us and, well, more New England restaurants that are no longer with us. Some of those old school places, however, are still with us, thank goodness, like the 8 retro road trip wonders of Massachusetts and 5 Classic American roadside food stands and drive-ins in Massachusetts.
VisitingNewEngland.com Sponsors - Supporting the Great Mom and
Pop Businesses of New England
Here's something you will never see on a New England travel blog: a
dedicated section with stories on small businesses in New England! I love these
small businesses and greatly believe in what they do. That
is why I wrote about them. Now is more important than ever to
tell the story on small businesses in America, and, specifically here,
on New England small businesses. If you feel that your local, small
business would be of interest to travelers in New England, please write to us.
While we have a very selective process (only businesses I feel a
connection to so I can write authentically and truthfully for our
readers), I would love to hear your story and why your business is
special! It's a win-win: I get to write about great small
businesses and share it amongst our significant social media audience,
while you help support my small business.
Pickity Place, Mason, New Hampshire
Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley,
Massachusetts
Oliva's Market, Deli, Catering &
Gourmet Gifts, Milford, Massachusetts
Pleasant Cafe, Roslindale, Massachusetts
Hayward's Ice Cream Stand, Nashua, New Hampshire
Cupcake Charlie's, Falmouth, Mashpee, Plymouth, Foxborough, Newport
CabbyShack, Plymouth, Massachusetts
When Pigs Fly Bakery and Pizzeria, Kittery, Maine
Woodman's, Essex, Massachusetts
KNEAD Doughnuts, Providence, R.I.
B.T.'s Smokehouse, Sturbridge,
Massachusetts
Quahog Republic Captain's Den,
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Centerville Pie Company, Centerville, Massachusetts (Cape Cod)
Normandy Farms Campground, Foxborough, Massachusetts (near Boston)
Port City Pretzels, Portsmouth, N.H.
Cushman Market and Cafe, North Amherst, Massachusetts
Kelly's Roast Beef, Revere Beach, Revere, Massachusetts
Hager's Farm Market, Shelburne, Massachusetts
Mystic Sweets and Ice Cream Shoppe, Mystic, Connecticut
The Drawing Room at Anthi Associates, Marion Massachusetts.
Depot Street Tavern, Milford, Massachusetts
Kindles Wood Fired Pizzeria, Marlborough, Massachusetts
The Beach Plum in North Hampton, Portsmouth and Epping, N.H.
Beantown Pastrami Co, Boston, Mass.
Nashoba Club Pizza Restaurant, Ayer, Massachusetts
Main Streets Market & Cafe, downtown Concord, Massachusetts
The Raven's Nest, Walpole, Massachusetts
The UXLocale Restaurant, Uxbridge,
Massachusetts
Warren's Lobster House, Kittery, Maine
From the Heart of Ayer Gift Shop,
Ayer, Massachusetts
Crafty Yankee, Lexington, Massachusetts
The Abbey, Providence, Rhode Island
Carlins, Ayer, Massachusetts
Barrett's
Alehouse, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Snowdon Chalet, Londonderry, Vermont
Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield,
Massachusetts
Wicked Whoopies, Freeport, Maine
Clyde's,
Walpole, Massachusetts
Steaming Tender Restaurant, Palmer,
Massachusetts
Nesting Gift Shop, downtown Concord, Massachusetts
Roundabout Diner, Portsmouth, New
Hampshire
Kihei Dynasty, Walpole, Massachusetts
Vanillia Bean Cafe, Pomfret,
Connecticut
Crescent
Ridge Dairy Bar, Sharon, Massachusetts
Star Drive-In, Taunton, Massachusetts
Jimmy's Pizzeria, East Walpole,
Massachusetts
Rico's Pizzeria, Walpole,
Massachusetts
Commonwealth
BBQ, Wrentham, Massachusetts
Bliss Restaurant, Attleboro,
Massachusetts
Putnam, Connecticut
Kravings Grille and Ice Cream in
Millis, Massachusetts
Good Food Store & Deli, Walpole,
Massachusetts
Park Street Books, Medfield,
Massachusetts
Patriot Tavern, Walpole, Massachusetts
Juice Mill, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Ever So Humble Pie Company, Walpole,
Massachusetts
Planet Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in
Franklin, Massachusetts
Norwood Farmers Market, Norwood,
Massachusetts (SEASONAL)
Winsmith MILL Market (antiques,
shabby chic shopping) in Norwood, Massachusetts
Eagle Brook Saloon, Norfolk,
Massachusetts
Al Mac's Diner Fall River,
Massachusetts
Muffin House Cafe, Medway,
Massachusetts
The Kayak Centre, Wickford Village
Rhode Island
Little Falls Bakery and Cafe, Pawtuxet
Village, R.I.
Walpole Farmers Market, Walpole,
Massachusetts
Napper Tandy's, Millis, Massachusetts
Ye Olde Tavern, West Brookfield,
Massachusetts
Abbott's Frozen Custard in
Needham, Massachusetts
C&L
Frosty in Sherborn, Massachusetts
Connie's Rustic Kitchen and Tavern,
Wrentham, Massachusetts (CLOSED)
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Books by
VisitingNewEngland.com Publisher Eric Hurwitz
Massachusetts
Town Greens -- Discover New England's first travel attractions:
town commons!
The
Best Diners in New England -- If you love
classic diners, New England has them! In my book, I write in detail on
50 top local diners.
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