Old North Bridge, Concord MA (photo by Eric)

Thinking of visiting Concord, Mass., but need to save money as you are on a tight budget? Here are 10 cheap travel tips when visiting this beautiful, historic town best known for its role in the American Revolution:

Walden Pond The former home of author Henry David Thoreau, Walden Pond is an absolutely beautiful spot — a large pond, formed by retreating glaciers, with plenty of surrounding forest and hiking trails. Walden Pond is most popular for walking the trail around the pond, and swimming at the designated beach area. $5 parking fee. 915 Walden St., Concord MA. Tel. 369-3254.

The Old North Bridge Site of the first victory in the American Revolutionary War, the Old North Bridge is part of the Minuteman National Park and features the famous bridge, a iconic statue of a militia Soldier and a memorial stone for the British Soldiers killed. The Concord River, wide open fields and elaborate gardens add scenic beauty to the area.  The Old North Bridge area also features a visitor center and gift shop. Free admission. Tel. (978) 369-6993

Old Manse Located next to the Old North Bridge, the Old Manse was built in 1770 and is best known for its American literary connections to famous authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. You can find many original  furnishings from the 18th and 19th century throughout this guided tour. The outside grounds are absolutely beautiful, leading to the Concord River. The Old Manse is owned by the The Trustees of Reservations, a private organization dedicated to preserving open spaces and historical sites in Massachusetts.    Adults, $8. Children (6-12) $5. Seniors $7.  Students (with valid ID), $7. Family (2 adults and up to 3 minor children), $25 (25% savings). 269 Monument St, Concord. Tel. (978) 369-3909.

Orchard House You can take a guided tour of this 19th century home where writer Louisa May Alcott (Little Women) resided. Adults $10. Seniors and college students with ID, $8. Children 6-17, free.  Family rate (two adults and up to four youths, $25.  399 Lexington Rd., Concord. Tel. (978) 369-4118.

Concord Museum This is a great starting point for “everything Concord,” with an impressive historical collection including American literary treasures and a nationally-significant collection of Concord clocks, as well as silver and furniture in self-touring galleries. Adults $10. Seniors, (62 and over) $8. Students (18 & over with valid id) $8. Children $5. Children 5 & under Free. Active Military (with valid id): Free 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. Tel. (978) 369-9763

Sleepy Hollow Cemtery  Graves of notables including Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson can be seen here. Free admission. One block east of Monument Square, on Bedford Street in Concord.

West Concord 5 & 10 One of the last five and dimes in the area, you’ll find many bargains at the West Concord Five and Dime within a delightfully retro atmosphere. From kettle cleaners to screaming flying monkeys (the chimp screams while flying through the air via rubber bands), it seems like you’ll find everything here but the kitchen sink! 106 Commonwealth Ave., West Concord. Tel. (978) 369-9011.

New London Style Pizza If you love Greek-style pizza, you’ll love this long-time storefront with a dine-in area. New London Pizza is a great cheap eats dining spot and has been in business more than 40 years! 71 Thoreau St., Concord. Tel. (978) 369-7053.

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge A 3,600 acre nature’s paradise with 2.5 miles of trails, lots of wetlands, peace and quiet, and great bird-watching opportunities. Free admission. Monson Rd., off Route 62.

Fairhaven Hill Located off Route 117 near the four corners intersection (Verrill Farm area), Fairhaven Hill offers a wonderful free, easy hike with beautiful views of Fairhaven Bay, leading to the Subury River.

The Concord area has many quality places to stay. For the best prices, we recommend you compare Concord hotel prices.

Editor’s note: Do you have any other cheap travel tips for concord? If so, comment in the box below. Thanks!

Brimfield, Mass., a small classic New England community in central Massachusetts, becomes larger than life three times a year when the Brimfield Antiques Show comes to town. Currently going on through May 19, the two other antique shows will take place July 9-14 and September 3-8.

The Brimfield Antiques Show is a sight to behold, spanning about a mile on scenic Route 20 — typically with 6,000 dealers and 130,000+ visitors over the course of a week, according to the Brimfield Antiques Show Web Site.

People come from all over the world to take in this traditional New England event that has been around for more than 50 years. I remember my aunt and uncle from Upstate New York would always make it a point to visit the Brimfield Antiques Show. Their initial state of awe in regards to the event never waned over the years, given there was no other show of this size and variety. As a kid, I always found it ironic that they would talk about what was new at a show that sold lots of old stuff!

Hope you get to visit the Brimfield Antiques Show, even if you aren’t a huge antiques and collectibles fan — the enormity and spirit of the event combined with a tour de force of merchandise makes for a one-of-a-kind New England attraction. What’s more, it’s truly a cheap travel destination with general free admission, although some of the shows charge a nominal fee.

For more information, visit the Brimfield Antiques Show Web Site

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Putnam CT: the antiques capital of New England

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The fun summer combo of ocean beach and the Palace Playland amusement park at Old Orchard, Maine (photo: OldOrchardBeachMaine.com media room)

If you’re looking for an unpretentious, cheap travel New England beach destination, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, offers waves of fun at the Palace Playland amusement park and the beautiful seven-mile beach.

A classic Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend travel and vacation spot, the great stretch of Maine ocean beach affords room for everyone while the four-acre Palace Playland features 26 rides, including a Ferris Wheel with a brand new LED lighting display, carousel, roller coaster, crashing tea cups,  fun house, tilt-a-whirl, mini golf, and 24,000 sq. ft. arcade area. Palace Playland also features Thursday night summer fireworks displays at 9:45 p.m., as well as a special holiday show on July 4th.

The nearby Pier, extends 500 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean, offering more summer fun with shops, restaurants and nightlife. In the general area, it seems like there’s enough fried dough, pizza, cotton candy and other classic summer junk food to feed the state!

Another great thing about Palace Playland and the beach is the affordability. Just park at one of the two municipal lots, located  at Memorial Park and on Milliken St., one of the many pay lots, or the metered parking on Old Orchard St. or First St., and you have access to Palace Playland and the beach. Also, when compared with other amusement parks, Palace Playland is a terrific deal.  You can check out the Palace Playground site here for current rates.

We may no longer have Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass., so it’s heartwarming to see Old Orchard Beach thriving.  But, in one form or another, Old Orchard Beach has been that way as a popular vacation destination since 1870, pleasing vacationers world-wide (including a significant local and Canadian summer turnout). It’s known as a great family travel destination, but you’ll also see all walks of life here to visit for a day or spend an extended vacation. We hope you get to visit this classic New England coastal destination!

For more information, log onto the Old Orchard Beach web site.
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Book a hotel room at Old Orchard Beach at a discount rate

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, affordable 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!

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.

Already a favorite with visitors, the kids will spend the next few months nursing and will begin to nibble on hay and grains later this week, as well. The kids are not named as of yet. Visitors may expect another special delivery sometime soon as Cupcake’s sister, “Peaches,” is expecting kids of her own. Rodney is the father of Peaches’ kids, too.

About Nigerian Dwarf goats

Nigerian Dwarf goats are miniature dairy goats. The milk produced by these goats has higher butterfat content than their larger counterparts and tastes much sweeter. A doe (a grown female) can produce up to two quarts of sweet milk a day. Most females will grow to around 18 inches, while males can reach 23 inches. They weigh just around 75 pounds when fully grown and can be a full spectrum of colors, from black, brown, and white to spotted or striped. Bucklings (young males) may be fertile around 7 weeks of age, while mature females can breed as early as 8 months of age.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won’t want to miss Amur (Siberian) tigers, Brazilian ocelot, Red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include the South American rainforest and free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with “pop-up” viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on a colorful carousel. For more information, visit www.beardsleyzoo.org.

About the Author: Janet Serra is the executive director of the Western CT Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Green Mountain Stage Race. Please by Jeff Dickinson

Vermont is repeatedly ranked the healthiest state in the nation. From its chiseled farmers to Olympic skiers and riders and mountain biking mommas, it shows. In the Green Mountain State, there’s an ultra-marathon, adventure race, century ride, distance swim or yoga-fest for all athletic appetites. Sports enthusiasts come to train, race, compete, tour and experience the state’s beautiful landscape. Of course, Vermont’s farm to plate culinary scene also plays a large role in fueling and tantalizing visitors and local athletes alike.

Vermont’s sports events schedule is proliferating; plus, the caliber of the events and participation continues to increase and appeal to destination-savvy athletes. Seventy-five percent of marathon runners in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, the state’s largest marathon, come from out of state. Other races like the Half Marathon Unplugged doubled in participation in the last two years and the 24th annual FirstRun 5k on New Year’s Day saw 107 percent growth from 2009 to 2012. The fact that the 5k race is growing most quickly, followed by the half marathon, reveal a welcomed increase of new runners regionally, reports RunVermont.

This season’s events “run” the gamut from gentle to grueling; the choice is yours:

Mad Triathlon & Kids Triathlon: May 11, Mad River Valley www.madtriathlon.com Triathlon

Shires of Vermont Marathon: May 19, Bennington & Manchester www.shiresofvermontmarathon.com Running

KeyBank Vermont City Marathon: May 26, Burlington www.vermontcitymarathon.org Running

Killington Stage Race: May 25-27 www.killingtonstagerace.com Cycling

Tour de Kingdom: June 5-9, Northeast Kingdom www.tourdekingdom.org Cycling

Tour de Heifer: June 9, Brattleboro www.strollingoftheheifers.com/tour-de-heifer Cycling

Wanderlust: June 20-23, Stratton Mountain http://stratton.wanderlustfestival.com Yoga

Long Trail Century Ride to Benefit Vermont Adaptive Sports: June 22, Killington www.longtrailcenturyride.com Cycling

LAX Bitter Lacrosse Tournament: June 20-28, Stowe www.bitterlacrosse.com Lacrosse

Northern Champlain Century: June 22, Champlain Islands www.northernlakechamplain.com/bike-for-the-lake Cycling

New England Tri Fest: June 29-30, Fairlee www.sunmultisportevents.com/New_England_Trifest.htm Triathlon & Duathlon

Kingdom Swim: July 6, Newport www.kingdomswim.org Swimming

Mad Marathon: July 7, Mad River Valley www.MadMarathon.com Running

The Great Race Triathlon XXXIV: July 7, St. Albans www.facebook.com/TheGreatRaceVT Triathlon & Duathlon

Vermont Mountain Bike Festival: July 13-14, Ascutney www.vmba.org Mountain Biking

Stowe 8 Miler: July 14 www.locorunning.com/stowe8miler Running

The Biggest Loser RunWalk: July 28, Killington www.BiggestLoser.com/RunWalk Running

Tough Mudder: August 10-11, Mount Snow www.toughmudder.com Obstacle Race

Harpoon Point to Point: August 10, Windsor www.harpoonpointtopoint.com Cycling

The Vermont Challenge: August 15-18 www.vtchallenge.com Cycling

100 on 100: August 17 www.100on100.org Running

Green Mountain Stage Race: Aug 29-Sept. 2 www.gmsr.info Cycling

Spartan Beast Race: Sept. 21-22 www.spartanrace.com Obstacle Race

Vermont Sports & Outdoors Scene by the Numbers:
50+ Vermont State Parks
273 miles of the Long Trail
7,000 miles of rivers and streams, including part of the 740 mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail
50+ alpine and Nordic ski areas
212 miles of Vermont shoreline along Lake Champlain, the nation’s sixth largest lake
200 Vermont Outdoor Guide Association (VOGA) outfitters and services ready to assist
223 Mountains
18 Mountain Bike Clubs in the Vermont Mountain Bike Association
626,000 Residents
9,200 sq. miles of land; 76 percent forested
Bonus: Local brews to toast your athletic endeavor? One for every mile of a marathon, plus some: 27 breweries.

About the author:  Jen Butson is Director of Communications for the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing. For more information, visit VermontVacation.com

Happy Training!

Our Lady of Victories Civil War statue war monument in Portland, maine. Photo by Norm Forgey

The U.S. Civil War Sesquicentennial revisits the Battle of Little Round Top at Gettysburg.

General Joshua Chamberlain and the Maine 20th Regiment saved Little Round Top for the Union, and in saving Little Round Top, saved the Battle of Gettysburg and perhaps the entire Union on July 2, 1863.

Follow the Maine Civil War Trail – from Kennebunk to Castine along the coast and inland to Bangor, Augusta and Livermore, with over 20 exhibit sites and other activities taking place throughout Maine
during 2013.

One hundred forty eight Maine towns have a Civil War monument in a prominent place – a testament to the over 70,000
soldiers and sailors, the most per-capita of any other Union State, that served in the war. Create your
own Civil War Trail and learn their stories.

The Greater Portland area and Brunswick offer an excellent day trip introduction of Maine’s vital role in the war. Start at Monument Square in the center of Portland and end at General Joshua Chamberlain’s grave in Pine Grove Cemetery, Brunswick.

The Soldiers and Sailors 1891 monument is named “Our Lady of Victories” and is the largest work of public art in Portland at Monument Square. The sculptor was Portland native, Franklin Simmons.

The only Civil War battle fought in Maine was the naval Battle of Portland, in June 1863. Twenty-four Confederate sailors, pretending to be fishermen, were captured after a short naval battle. Preparations to defend Portland had begun in 1861 when the Civil War broke out. View Fort Gorges from the Eastern Promenade. This Civil War fort is similar in size and construction to Fort Sumter, but is built of granite instead of brick. The fort was completed in 1865 as the war ended. By then the fort was obsolete, due to the ammunition improvements made during the civil war. No shot has ever been fired from the fort. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1960. It is owned by the City of Portland and is open to the public; however, there is no public boat transportation available to access it.

Learn of the personal stories about Maine people during the Civil War at the Maine Historical Society in
Portland. The Portland Museum of Art will exhibit “Winslow Homer’s Civil War” beginning in September. Take a quick ferry ride to Peaks Island to journey back in time at the the headquarters of the Fifth Maine Infantry. The ferry ride also provides an excellent view of the Fort Gorges in Casco Bay.

In South Portland, visit Fort Preble and South Portland Historical Society to see samples of Civil War artifacts from South Portland men who served. Enjoy the views from Bug Light and Spring Point Lighthouse, as well.

Travel about 40 minutes north of Portland and make your first stop in Brunswick; the Pejepscot Historical Society Museum. Founded in 1888, this is one of the oldest historical societies in the State of Maine. The Society’s headquarters feature the General Joshua Chamberlain research collection, which is the largest repository of Chamberlain artifacts in a single place. The Society has the entire set of original copies of the Maine Adjutant General Civil War Annual Reports. These are detailed records of each Maine Regiment, the men who served, dates, and fate. This is a great place to start your own search for local family and civil war history. Do you have a Maine ancestor who fought in the Civil War?

Nearby is the Joshua Chamberlain Museum. You will see many of Chamberlain’s belongings on their one hour narrated tour. Bowdoin College is across the street from the museum, with the eight foot bronze statue of Joshua Chamberlain erected in 2003, in view. Chamberlain also was the Governor of Maine and the President of Bowdoin College after the war.

Bowdoin College’s Memorial Hall began as their Civil War Memorial Building built in 1873. Used originally for military drill, there are honor rolls for Bowdoin Civil War alumni in the entry way. Notice the Confederate roster on the stair landing to the left as you view the Union roster on the front wall.

Pine Grove Cemetery is a few blocks away. Joshua Chamberlain’s grave is marked with a reddish granite
stone. Enter the first cemetery drive and the Chamberlain family plot is on the right near the road.

Let these and the many other Maine Civil War Trail exhibits tell their stories.

About the author: Norm Forgey created Maine Day Trip Tours in 2007. Thier customized private tours and shore excursions have enthralled visitors from all over the world with the historical landmarks, lighthouses, museums and the scenic coast of Maine. Experience a relaxed and informative tour and day trip at your pace and with special requests welcomed. Log onto Maine Day Trip Tours for more information.

Beautiful Bristol RI (photo by Eric)

Bristol, R.I., often gets lost in the New England travel shuffle.

Located halfway between Providence, R.I. and Newport, R.I., travelers tend to either stay in those two cities or drive directly from one to another. While there’s no doubt that Providence and Newport are fabulous travel destinations, it’s a shame that visitors to this area often pass through Bristol.

Bristol, to us, is one of the most appealing towns in New England. With spectacular views of the Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays, Bristol also has a beautiful downtown with tree-lined streets, beautiful residential homes and municipal buildings, a good diversity of charming little local shops and surprisingly, a great “foodie” scene with more than 40 area restaurants (some waterfront).

A Bristol vacation can get pricey if, say, you dine by the water, stay at a B&B and shop to your heart’s content. If you have the money, we say  ”Go for it!” as Bristol embodies so many of the qualities and endearing one-of-a-kind nuances that we love about small town New England.  If, however, you are on a budget and within proximity for a day trip, we have found ways to visit Bristol without spending a dime. Just fill the gas tank, bring food and drinks for your picnic and you are pretty much set!. Without further ado, here are some free destinations to enjoy in Bristol:

Colt State Park Located on a beautiful stretch of the Narragansett Bay, Colt State Park features 464 acres of scenic bliss — the perfect place to have a picnic, go walking or boating,  fly a kite, enjoy bike and wooded hiking trails, game fields, horseback riding and an idyllic, immaculate landscape. There’s also a small town beach, public boat ramp, an observation tower as well as a chapel by the sea if you are so inclined to get married (there is a charge for that)! Colt State Park is without a doubt, the nicest state parks we have visited, to date, in New England! More on Colt State Park…

The East Bay Bike Trail Part of the the East Bay Bike Trail goes through Colt State Park, but don’t just stop there. This 14-mile paved bike trail meanders all the way up to Providence with some amazing views of the Narragansett Bay. I have talked with several bicycling enthusiasts through the years and the East Bay Bike Path never fails to come up in conversation as one of the premier bike trails in southern New England! More on the East Bay Bike Trail…

Downtown Bristol walking tour The Discover Bristol web site recommends a one-mile walking tour that gives the visitor a true flavor the the town’s remarkable architecture and general historical preservation. You won’t be disappointed. On a personal level, we feel Bristol is right up there with Kennebunkport, Maine, Portsmouth, N.H., Burlington, Vt., and Cooperstown, N.Y., as great walking towns of the Northeast. Yes, it is a little more low-key, but shares the “feel good” aura of these beautiful communities. More on a Bristol walking tour…

Bristol 4th of July Parade The oldest 4th of July Parade in the United States (228 consecutive years!), the Bristol 4th of July Parade is also considered on the best of its kind with an incredible spirit and observance of our National Heritage that best reflects the pride of our country. Wonderful parade, amazing music and fireworks display!  More on the Bristol 4th of July parade…

Independence Park Located near the head of the East Bay Bike Path, Independence Park is a nice place to watch a sunset and walk the bay side concrete paths and boardwalk.  Nothing fancy, mind you, but the admission is free and the coastal vistas are priceless!

Related articles:
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Traveling to Block Island

For more on Bristol, log onto the DiscoverBristol web site

Fairy castle. Photo, courtesy of Janet Serra

Connecticut Landmarks’ Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden — located on 9 Main St. in the scenic village of Bethlehem in the heart of the Litchfield Hills  – will host the fourth annual Caroline’s Enchanted Garden: Fairy & Wizard Festival, on Saturday, May 11th, from 1 to 4 pm.

Children and families can participate in many magical activities offered at this unique festival for kids.  One popular activity is for kids to make a basket fairy house out of all natural materials including bark, leaves, twigs, pine cones, and moss to create a charming little home that any fairy would be pleased to move in to. Kids can bring the fairy house home as a souvenir or find a place for it in the Fairy Village to remain throughout the summer on the grounds of the Bellamy-Ferriday Gardens.  Another activity for kids is to follow the trail of fairy houses and woodland creatures made by staff and volunteers to the Fairy Village. Materials will also be available in the Fairy Village to make a fairy dwelling to stay on the property.

Back by popular demand, Cyril May, the Resourcerer and Director of Yale Recycling, will incorporate magic into a program that teaches children about the value of preserving open space using fairy and animal stories. He will tell tales while performing tricks around the Bellamy- Ferriday grounds, and give a Recycling is Magic show.

Other activities include a Garden Wizard offering children the opportunity to pot a small plant for Mother’s Day, a strolling musician, story reader and puppeteer Sue Meister, pony rides with Joan Coogan of Watertown’s Pony Tales and a game circle. Children are encouraged to come in fairy and wizard costume,

Fairy Parade. Photo, Courtesy of Janet Serra.

and kids of all ages are invited to participate in hands-on craft activities, including making fairy wands out of apple tree suckers from the Ferriday orchard and creating wizard hats. The afternoon will conclude with a fairy and wizard parade around the Bellamy-Ferriday grounds.

A walk to the Old North Church in the North End of Boston (photo by Eric)

It can be daunting for new Boston, Mass., visitors — let alone many locals — to figure where to start their tours of this amazing city. Enter Boston by Foot as a reasonably-priced guided tour resource.

Boston by Foot offers many fine tours, but the “Classic Walking Tours” really caught our attention with its guided low-cost walks of Beacon Hill, the Freedom Trail,  the North End (famous Italian neighborhood), and old Boston neighborhoods — including a visit to the 19th century Victorian-flavored Back Bay streets. Boston by Foot further delves into the nuances of the Hub of the Universe with walking tours of  ”literary landmarks,” the “dark side of Boston,”  tours geared for kids, and an overview of the way the city has been built up through the years.

This is an extremely well thought out Boston tour business that also focuses on good value for the money. A family of four, for example, can take a tour for under $50, and members get in for free!

For more information on the classic tours and other offerings, log onto the Boston by Foot Web Site.

Related Boston posts:
Swan Boats of Boston
Free or low cost admission to Boston museums
Enjoying open spaces in Boston