Moussaka from Patriot Diner, Woonsocket, R.I. (photo by Eric H.)

How many of you love a good diner? If in the Woonsocket, R.I. area, you’re in luck as the Patriot Diner serves mountains of amazing, affordable comfort foods with many dinners around the $10 mark. That’s a bargain, as we’ve found out that the portions served here are good for two or three meals, and the dinners come with salad and homemade soup at no extra charge. This is really the ultimate “cheap eats” place!

You’ll feel right at home here: this is a classic diner with chrome, neon, booths, counter and warm, welcoming, efficient personality-driven service. The moussaka, pastichio, chicken pie are particularly impressive, looking like something you’d see out of a food magazine — and tasting like something that would win the finals in a Food Network show.

You’ll also find diner staples at the Patriot Diner like pancakes, waffles, French toast, burgers, clubs, soups of the day (cream of turkey is very good), meat loaf, fried seafood and chicken, as well as pies and ice cream sundaes for dessert. One popular dish is the “New Englander” — pancakes topped with apples, cinnamon and whipped cream. It looks incredible, but we didn’t have the guts (stomach readiness, that is!) to give it a try this time.

The Patriot Diner is open 24 hours a day. And to paraphrase a famous line by comedian Steven Wright, it’s open 24 hours in a row!

Patriot Diner
65 Founders Rd.
Woonsocket, RI
Tel. (401) 765-6900

Fenway Park Green Monster (photo by Eric)

When it comes to Boston, Mass., travel attractions, the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park Tours hits it out of the park.

This highly entertaining, one-hour tour takes you through all the nooks and crannies of historic, cozy, fabled Fenway Park, including Pesky’s Pole, the 37 ft.-plus Green Monster wall, the oldest seats in the ball park and the press box. Viewing the different perspectives of Fenway Park is worth the price of admission alone as every step of the way shows the front-to-back, side-to-side beauty of the ball park. Its current owners have maintained the park’s innate, intimate charm, while making enhancements to make each visit more enjoyable and comfortable. They don’t make them like this anymore!

Touring the park, I felt thankful that the Sox didn’t move to a newer location. Yes, up-to-date is always nice, but the fixer-upper with character and charm and a great renovation team ultimately feels like a better place to be for fans like us.

Many of the tour guides speak with Boston accents while giving tourists a highly entertaining and educational experience. The anecdotes are priceless, whether discussing Ted William’s longest home run shot, the weird ways of Manny Ramirez, the greatness of Yaz, or the one-of-a-kind personality of Bill Lee. The guides have their own Red Sox stories, while being quite receptive and interested in hearing tourists’ own experiences at Fenway. They also love answering questions, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Red Sox nation recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, so we personally look forward to taking more Fenway Park tours to experience more of this great, American ball park. That might sound strange, as one would think that one tour is all you need but when baseball is built into your DNA, one visit is never enough.

While Fenway Park stands as the smallest Major League baseball park, the heart and soul of this Boston landmark comes up big. A Fenway Park tour is definitely a great starting point to experience the magic of this legendary baseball stadium.
TOUR SCHEDULE (As of May 9, 2012)
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, every hour on the hour daily. On game days the last tour is offered 3 hours before game time.

TOUR PRICING
Adult $16.00
Senior $14.00
Child (3-15)   $12.00
Student $12.00
Military $12.00

Eagle Brook Saloon, Norfolk Mass. (photo by Eric)

At a time when many restaurants unfairly raise the prices on Mother’s Day to take full advantage of the crowds, the Eagle Brook Saloon in Norfolk, Mass. (a southwest suburb of Boston), has moseyed along the other route: having mom’s eat for half price on this special day!

We read on the Eagle Brook Facebook fan page that mom’s can once again eat for a discount on Mother’s Day, May 13, 2012, by making reservations at (508) 384-7312. Last year, we did just that, enjoying our meals at the Eagle Brook on Mother’s Day, while not witnessing any evidence of price inflation. The food was excellent, as usual here — steak, chicken, seafood, pizza — and no reducing the quantities of food to match the lower prices for moms. We’re not sure what will be on this years Mother’s Day menu, but judging from last year’s dining experience don’t worry about it: again, the quality and quantity of what we had was excellent!

Additionally, The Eagle Brook’s atmosphere is something that you will rarely find in New England, looking like something out of the wild west — a wide, creaky front porch and rustic, “old west” bar and dining room theme, along with a wide staircase that twists and turns to additional upstairs dining rooms. The Eagle Brook also has an impressive beer menu, including well-known commercial brands, and its own handcrafted ales: blue, oatmeal stout with coffee and chocolate overtones, and King Philip Dark ale  (darker version of the traditional amber ale with a complex flavor produced by utilizing six varieties of grain), to name a few.

Kudos to the Eagle Brook Saloon for not ripping off customers on Mother’s Day and for being a unique restaurant that is also worth visiting any other time of the year!

Eagle Brook Saloon
258 Dedham, St.
Norfolk, MA
Tel. (508) 384-7312

Related article: Dining review of Eagle Brook Saloon

Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar, Sharon, Mass. (photo by Eric)

I was happy to read that Food and Wine chose Anabelle’s Natural Ice Cream in Portsmouth, N.H., and Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar in Sharon, Mass., in its recent “Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S.” article.

Both are indeed high quality ice cream destinations, with Anabelle’s located near the waterfront in a beautiful historic city and Crescent Ridge in a classic rural, farmland spot about 40 minutes southwest of Boston. Food and Wine recommended the Mint Summer Night’s Dream (mint chocolate ice cream with dark and white chocolate chunks) at Anabelle’s and Black Bear (red raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate raspberry truffles) at Crescent Ridge. I concur, having tried both, but I’d also like to add the toasted walnut fudge and ginger flavors from Crescent Ridge. They are both amazing!

While both places turn out leader-of-the-pack ice cream, neither charge a fortune for this traditionally affordable, delicious treat. So, you can stay in your budget without having to worry about those annoying “gourmet” prices that seem to infiltrate so many well made food and products these days!

We, at VisitingNewEngland.com, have our favorite ice cream places, too, centering in one New England — log onto our Best of New England Ice Cream Spots — for additional perspectives on where to find great ice cream in our region. As you might have read in previous posts, ice cream is built into our DNA and we have always regarded it as a cheap, enjoyable travel staple when driving the main and back roads of New England!

Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar is located at 355 Bay Rd. in Sharon, Mass., (Tel. 800-660-2740) and Anabelle’s at 49 Ceres St. in Portsmouth, N.H. (Tel. 603-436-3400)

Kimball Terrace Inn, Northeast Harbor, Maine (photo by Eric)

As a kid growing up in the Boston, Mass., area, one of the things I always looked forward to most was traveling the six hour trek with family in the spring to Northeast Harbor, Maine, and staying at the Kimball Terrace Inn.

Staying at this friendly, well-kept motel during this time of the year was an affordable foundation to enjoy the spectacular ocean-meets-the-mountains scenery of nearby Acadia National Park (about 10 minutes away) and the bustling, fun-filled downtown Bar Harbor. Northeast Harbor is a gem  on its own, a quaint little village with some beautiful harbor views and a good mix of friendly little mom and pop shops and restaurants. Fortunately, for the Kimball Terrace, location is everything as they offer many rooms with harbor views (a few hundred years away) and a setting that’s only about a five minute walk to the village. In between the harbor and motel are some nice views of the expansive lush green lawn. With hills in the background rounding out this splendid scene, I’ve always looked forward to enjoying this beautiful, little spot.

Additionally, Kimball Terrace has a nice outdoor swimming pool (you’ll have to catch a very warm day to use the pool, given this is Maine!) and an excellent breakfast-lunch-dinner restaurant that includes patio dining overlooking the harbor.

Having not been to Northeast Harbor and Kimball Terrace for a long time, I just checked the rates for the Kimball Terrace Inn and it’s nice to see that the prices are still cheap. At this writing, I spotted first and second floor harbor view rooms for $100 and a third floor single room for $75 (presumably, with no harbor view) until May 23. The prices stay quite reasonable until the end of June. I encourage you to take a look at the current Kimball Terrace rates on its web site.

I also encourage you to read our article on Northeast Harbor, Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor to get a more detailed perspective of this amazing region of New England.

In addition, if you have been to this part of Maine, we’d love to hear your comments. Please share your expertise on Northeast Harbor, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park by writing in the “Leave a Reply” box below. Thanks!

The harbor at Northeast Harbor, Maine (photo by Eric)

Pinterest, as many of you know, is a wildly popular social media site that allows accepted guests to “pin” their favorite photos onto a virtual pinboard. For us, we have created New England travel pinboards to not only help with vacation planning, but also give you strong visuals of so many many great New England attractions and destinations. We’ve certainly come a long way since those annual travel guides with limited photos!

We recommend you check back often to these budget travel-friendly pinboards, as we will be updating frequently. Enjoy!

Stevrula "Stephanie" Asirides, owner of Cozy Spa, East Walpole, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Owning a business in Walpole, Mass., can be a thing of beauty. Just ask Stevrula “Stephanie” Asirides, owner of Cozy Spa.

Asirides, in need of a career makeover not too long ago, opened Cozy Spa in August 2011 after working many years for others as an aesthetician at local spas in the Boston area. Cozy Spa, located in a former apartment virtually right around the corner from Asirides’ East Walpole home, received a beauty treatment of its own as she transformed this small, traditionally non-descrsipt space into, well, a ultra cozy little spot. Unlike some of the sleek, angular, rather sterile spas that can be found charging a fortune in any metropolitan area, Asirides put her own personal touches into the Cozy Spa with a living room-like feel in the front with couches, a coffee table, tea, coffee, books and magazines. In the back, the spa treatment area also has a warm and inviting feel with absolutely no pretense within a small space used to great advantage — that is, for Asirides to focus solely on the customer while exhibiting her expertise on the art and science of spa treatments.

This is a dream-come-true business for Asirides who has shown a lifelong love for beauty, going back to her childhood.

“I definitely wanted to put my own personal touch on the Cozy Spa,” said Asirides. “A place where customers feel welcome. There’s no rush here, you can enjoy your treatment at a relaxing pace… I am so glad to be here. Walpole is my home. We have lived for many years. It’s a great town and I’m so excited to have opened a business so close to my house.”

Cozy Spa offers facial treatments, waxing services and make-up services with products Asirides has hand-picked as “highest quality” for the skin. Her prices are lower than what you would find at high-end Boston area spas. Asirides says that the spa not only services women but also men and teens, as well as brides looking for a spa wedding package.

Additionally, as part of laid-back, old-fashioned East Walpole, Cozy Spa has become yet another quality “mom and pop” business that includes Charlie’s Barber Shop, 204 Washington St. restaurant, East Walpole Deli and News (article on the way!), Jimmy’s Pizzeria, Ever So Humble Pie Company, Fancy Pants Bakery and Tre Jolie women’s clothing store and gift shop. You’re also sure to enjoy beautiful 89-acre Bird Park with its rolling parkland and large stone walkways that lead you past open, grassy fields, small walking bridges overlooking the water, mature shade trees, tree groves, and ponds.

East Walpole is a bit of an escape from the fast pace of the Boston suburbs, and Cozy Spa fits in so nicely with that feeling. You can come to Cozy Spa, get a spa treatment from a skilled owner with clear pride of ownership of her business, relax with a cup of coffee and magazine after, and then enjoy some of the other small town treasures of East Walpole. If you live in the Norfolk County area, reside in Boston or Providence, or are on business or leisure travel, Cozy Spa is a great little getaway for those in search of a little pampering at prices that won’t age you!

Cozy Spa is located at 220 Washington St. in East Walpole, MA.. Tel. (508) 660-1224.

Beaches at Peaks Island in Casco Bay, Fish Beach at Monhegan Island and Mackerel Cove on Bailey Island are “dependable” sea glass destinations, according to VisitMaine.

In addition, Spring Point Beach in South Portland offers lighthouse views, while Lincolnville Beach in Lincolnville and Mowry Beach in Lubec are promising stretches of sand away from crowds, states VisitMaine.

For more information about Maine’s summer events and activities, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Editor’s note: do you know of a great spot for sea glass hunting in Maine, or any other part of New England? Please feel free to share your suggestions in the comment box below!

“in tents” at Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro, Mass.

Proving that you don’t have to drive a million miles to the backwoods of northern New England to have a great camping experience, many of our friends tell us that the 100-acre Normandy Farms Campground offers a surprisingly well-rounded, memorable, family-oriented camping experience that brings them back every summer. It’s extremely convenient for Boston area residents and a cheap accommodations option for those vacationing on a budget in the Boston (35-40 minute drive) or Providence, R.I. (20 minute drive), area. But you’d never know you’re near these major cities as the wooded setting belies its southwest suburban suburban location.

In addition to its proximity to Boston and Providence, Normandy Farms just a few minutes from Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots/Patriot Place shopping and entertainment complex, as well as the famous Wrentham Premium Village Outlets in neighboring Wrentham, Mass.

The amenities are quite good. Normandy Campgrounds offers a reception center, four swimming pools (including indoor), jacuzzi, sauna, recreation lodge, creative arts center, fitness center, gift shop and general store, playgrounds, full basketball court, soccer and softball fields, fishing pond, nature trails, a dog park, bike park and disc golf.

Whether staying a day or two or up to a month the rates are quite reasonable — typical of so many campgrounds (thank goodness). Bring your RV, tent or rent out a cabin or yurt (year-round universal recreation tent)!

Log onto the Normandy Farms Campground web site for more information, including rates and special events.

Candy Man, Kennebunkport, Maine (photo by Eric)

Who can make the sun shine in Kennebunkport, Maine?  The Candyman can!

This friendly, sunny Dock Square candy shop is jam-packed with sweets, including various homemade chocolates, jelly beans, fruit slices, hard-to-find candy bars, fudge, penny candy, salt water taffy and more. We found a little goes a long way — spending less than $10 on jelly beans and chocolates — and feeling satisfied on the ensuing walks to burn off those calories.

While not one of those mega-sized candy stores, the Candyman seems to have all the sweet essentials that made us happy as kids and equally content as adults. It has kind of an old-fashioned neighborhood vibe that makes every visit even more that appetizing!

The Candyman
20 Dock Square
Kennebunkport, Maine
Tel. (207) 967- 5693