Remembering Shakey's Pizza in Nashua, N.H.

Article by Eric H.With its corporate chain restaurant status, Shakey's Pizza Parlor, on the Daniel Webster Highway, in Nashua, N.H., might not have been your classic New England dining spot, but it sure was classic in the sense of fond local dining childhood memories.The dark, cavernous room with a player piano and Laurel and Hardy movie playing made the hand-tossed fresh pizza even that much better. Add some full-bodied root beer and Shakey's became...

Welcome to Apple Picking Season!

Article and photos by Eric H. Video by Worcester Love.With summer vacation in the rear view mirror and a touch of fall in the air this morning, we can now turn our seasonal New England interests to great fall-time activities like apple picking. All over New England, commercial apple orchards report their "corp" businesses yielding an impressive supply of apples ready to pick from the trees. We recommend calling your chosen apple orchard before...

Art in North Atttleboro, Mass.

Article by Eric H.Village Artisans Collaborative, which opened in April 2009, is really a fantastic addition to an already thriving downtown North Attleboro, Mass. Billed as a "An Art Community for Community," Village Artisans features some wonderful local art work, as well as quality crafts. This is not another pretentious store with overly expensive work, stuffy employees and insufferable new age wallpaper music lurking in the background. Rather, Village Artisans focuses on bringing art work to all walks of life, helping improve North Attleboro's...

A Few Thoughts on Sen. Ted Kennedy

Article by Eric H.All politics aside, I believe that Sen. Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy brought an important element of civility to state relations in Massachusetts and, ultimately, to our country. Yes, that might sound strange, given visions of him pounding his fist on the table and and often displaying an angry, beet red face when disagreeing with his political colleagues while in session, but there's always another side to common public perception of an individual.During my time working for the public sector, I had some contact with Sen. Kennedy's...

Bangor Book Festival, Oct 2-3

Our friends from the Maine Office of Tourism recently sent us information on the third annual Bangor Book Festival to be held on October 2-3, 2009.Hosted by the Bangor Public Library, this event will start with an opening reception and keynote address from best-selling novelist Douglas Preston. Author readings, book discussions, and programs on writing and illustration are scheduled for this educational and entertaining event. Local and regional authors will also discuss their work in the categories of Maine history, Native American history, earth...

Something Fishy in Vermont

Article by Eric H.Every once in awhile we stray from our predominant New England travel and vacation theme to feature local businesses and locally-produced products that we truly believe in. Today, we feature a fish oil supplement made in Vermont. Yes, fish oil made in Vermont is far removed in topic, than, say, spending a romantic weekend getaway in Stowe, Vt., so bear with us while we take a vacation from New England travel news.New Chapter, a...

A New England Scenic Tour

Article and photos by Eric H., lifelong residentNew England resonates with such scenic richness and diversity that you could spend a whole lifetime here and not get to see every unique nook and cranny of the six-state region. We are continuously amazed at New England's visual delights featuring quaint small towns, ocean beaches, mountains, historic cities full of character (and sometimes characters) and of, course, the experience of four distinct seasons.With excitement, we are pleased to present to you a sampler of scenic New England. Above...

Searching for Back to School Savings in Southern New England

Article and photo (of Benny's) by Eric H.Hard to believe that the school season is upon us, but that's strictly "academic" now.With the abundant early season rain and oppressive late summer humidity making it hard to ever get any vacation momentum going for many of us in New England, the summer did indeed seem to go by too quickly. Now, with local school budgets unable to pay for many of our supplies, it's up to us to feed another retail cash cow...

This One Takes the Cake

Article and photo by Eric H.Jimmy's Steer House in Arlington, Mass., is best known for its delicious steaks at moderate prices, but they are also no slouches at offering incredibly tasty desserts. "Jimmy's Avalanche" might just reach the apex of dessert nirvana with its vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and honey roasted pecans in a cake form that goes well beyond your basic store-bought brand or restaurant afterthought. We're not recommending making...

Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Sept. 12!

Just received word from our friends at the Maine Office of Tourism that the country's largest open house of lighthouses will take place at Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With lighthouses open to the public from Kittery to Lubec, many communities, businesses and lighthouse volunteer groups are planning special events and activities on that day, and local lodging establishments are offering travel packages. Sounds like a...

Cheers to a Vermont Mom and Pop Store

Article and photo by Eric H.Nice to hear that the Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury, Vt., has asked the family-owned and operated Kerrigan's Market & Deli in West Burke, Vt., to provide catering services to its business meeting members.The partnership makes perfect sense. We have stayed at the 107-room Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury and regard it as the best-run chain we have stayed at, anywhere (on-the-ball management staff, great indoor pool, spotless...

Cairo: A Historical Place in Egypt

Cairo is the most populous city in Egypt and the largest in the Arab World. It has 214 kilometers squared and currently a developing country in the world. Cairo is marked by wide boulevards, public gardens and open spaces. It’s also the home of multiple famous attractions such as Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Citadel, Ibn Tlun and Al-Azhar Park.The LifestyleVisiting Cairo is going to the city of the thousand Minarets. It’s a vibrant modern society...

Happy Days at George's Surf N Turf Drive-In in Mendon, Mass.

Article and photo by Eric H.Put a little Brylcreem in your hair, get in your pink Cadillac, and head down to George's Surf N Turf drive-in in Mendon, Mass. The first two suggestions, when combined, might land you in some kind of observation facility, but the last suggestion -- George's Surf N Turf Drive-In -- remains wildly popular and surprisingly wholesome and refreshing in an increasingly boxy, assembly-line, vanilla restaurant world.A classic...

Hi, I'm Slim from Whitman!

Back in the 1970s, the WEEI radio "Sports Huddle" sports talk show (starring Eddie Andelman, Marc Witkin and Jim McCarthy) featured a hilarious topic where callers identified themselves and the alleged local New England town they were calling from to create a famous person's name.Some examples:Hi, I'm...Slim from Whitman (Slim Whitman, hokey pop singer)Rick from Middleton (Rick Middleton, former Boston Bruins great)Rick from Springfield (Rick Springfield,rock star and actor, famous for the hit single "Jessie's Girl")Bobby from Hull (Bobby Hull,...

The Best Small-Town New Hampshire Communities?

Article and photo (of Littleton, N.H.) by Eric H.What town in New Hampshire reminds you most of small-town America? We'd be interested in hearing from you about these charming, quaint, quintessential New England towns in the "Granite State." "Small-town America" refers to a community bringing us back to a simpler, more traditional time. Often, small town America is a place of tree-lined streets with old homes, and a community where people go downtown...

Weddings and Receptions, Newport-Style!

Article and photo by Eric H.If you're in a knot trying to figure out where to tie the knot in New England, consider the Belcourt Castle in Newport, R.I., as grand and surprisingly affordable place for a wedding and reception. This spectacular late 1800s, 60-room 17th century King Louis VIII hunting lodge replica surely impresses with its old-world, French-style charm and Norman, Elizabethan English and country German design. With a simply beautiful...

Siargao: Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Who can imagine that a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippines is perfect for your surfing adventure? Siargao is an unspoiled and isolated location blessed with unharmed rain forests, islets and lagoons. Plus, the weather is stable all-throughout the year, mostly clocks at thirty degrees Celsius.Now, can you now feel the intensity of excitement when you get there? If not, let me tell you the ten reasons why Siargao is your destination for your...

The Remarkable Maine Diner

Article and photo by Eric H.

The Maine Diner in Wells, Maine, goes way beyond just typical diner food, specializing in local New England favorites like seafood chowder, lobster pie, lobster salad, clam cake plate, fresh fried clams, and some of the best homemade Maine wild blueberry pie you'll ever taste. We often prefer the Maine Diner over most of the fancier Maine waterfront restaurants specializing in seafood. You won't get any coastal ambiance at the Maine Diner as it is located on inland commercial Route 1, but the breakfast, lunch and dinner selections are so good, it doesn't matter for many of us.

You can read a review on the Maine Diner by clicking on the link above.

Maine Diner
2265 Post Road, Route One,
Wells, Maine
Tel.: 207-646-4441



The Next Best Thing to Being in New England

Article and photo (Echo Lake, Franconia State Park, N.H.) by Eric H.

If you are considering traveling to New England, a great way to get familiar with the area is by touring our New England Travel Photo Gallery. With large, colorful photos of popular and hidden New England travel destinations, we also give you a written descriptive --straight from the heart -- of that particular location.

New England indeed resonates with such vacation diversity, including the mountains, ocean, charming little towns and villages, and wonderful small, medium and large cities. We hope you enjoy our photo gallery. If you need more information on planning your New England vacation, we encourage you to browse our entire locally-produced and owned Web Site, which includes many New England travel essays, resources and tips, as well as online hotel reservations and a book store full of New England travel books. Happy New England travels!

Marshfield Fair Runs until Aug. 30

Just a reminder that the 142nd annual Marshfield Fair, in Marshfield, Mass., runs until Sunday, Aug. 30. Truly one of New England's most special fairs, this year's event will include plenty of vendor comfort foods and midway rides, plus demolition derby, wrestling
motocross, truck pulling, blues festivals, lawn mower races
and pony, horse and ox pulling.

As they say in the infomercials:" But wait, that's not all!" We suggest you check out the Marshfield Fair Web Site's schedule of events before traveling to this fun, seasonal attraction on the South Shore of Massachusetts. You can also call (781)834-6629 for more information. We hope you enjoy this traditional New England event!

The Best Maine Blueberry Jam

Article by Eric H.

The blueberry picking season might have seen its better days in New England, but, fortunately, Maine blueberry jam doesn't grow on trees, thus making it available year-round. Our favorite New England based blueberry jam is, hands-down, Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Jam. Bursting with flavor, this jam has the right combination of wild Maine blueberries, pure cane sugar, fruit pectin and lemon juice. If you are not able to visit the Stonewall Kitchen flagship store in York Beach, Maine (2 Stonewall Ln., Tel. (207) 351-2713), then you can buy it by clicking on the link above.

It's easy to see why this is Stonewall Kitchen's most popular item. Simply amazing, especially with peanut butter!

A Library Where Eating is Allowed

Article and photos by Eric H.If your town or city has too many empty storefronts or municipal buildings, we suggest frequently reminding your local appointed and elected officials that there is a way to make good use of these structures. Of course, it all starts with your community encouraging local businesses to come into town -- so if that isn't the case, remind your local reps of that, too!One of the best examples in New England of re energizing...

Visiting The Children's Museum in Easton, Mass.

Article and photo by Guy BocabellaAs we face another hot, muggy day in the Boston, Mass., area, this might be a great time to get into some nice, cool air conditioning -- why not make such a destination involve culture? We recently took our nephew and niece to the Children's Museum in Easton, Mass., and found it to be a perfect "staycation" idea!The Children's Museum in Easton, Mass., is one of New England's true "travel attractions" gems. This...

Camden 4th Annual Maine Fare, Sept. 11-13

For those looking to go beyond New Hampshire and Vermont travel for the fall season, Maine offers a wonderful variety of autumn events. Often offering more than just apple and pumpkin picking, you are sure to find some unique travel ideas in this state tailor-made for four-season vacationing. We just received from our friends at the Maine Office of Tourism, a list of fall events. Here is one of them, with more to be featured at our blog:Camden, Maine, will be hosting the 4th Annual Maine Fare culinary celebration from Sept. 11-13 (yes, it's technically...

Escape to Niagara Falls

For generations, the majestic beauty and humbling power of Niagara Falls State Park has fostered a sense of awe and wonder. Writers, artists and prominent figures have also flocked to the falls to feel the spark of creativity only the park’s panoramic views can create.Through the years, countless people have enjoyed the sparkling scenery of the falls, making the Niagara Falls vacation spot a favorite for the whole family.Niagara Falls is a set of...

Review of Woods Seafood in Plymouth, MA

The latest dining review on VisitingNewEngland.com's travel and vacation Web Site features Woods Seafood, a restaurant and fish market located at Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, MA. With scenic views of the harbor, the informal and inexpensive Woods Seafood features a wide variety of fried, broiled and baked seafood dishes. Clambakes and lobster dinners are a specialty. On a hot summer day like today, Woods serves as a great terrific destination, as...

Life Before KISS 108

Article by Eric H.Every once in a while, we take a vacation break from our travel articles and reminisce about New England back in the day. Consider the following one of those articles...Anyone remember WWEL FM 107.9 ("Well') in Medford, Mass.? The beautiful music station had a solid run from 1972 to 1979, playing soft selections from such artists like Ferrante & Teicher, Mantovani, Johnny Mathis, and Peggy Lee. Along with WCOZ (now WJMN), WBOS,...

Magnetized to Salt Water Taffy Making in York Beach, Maine

Article and photo by Eric H.The New England sea has an innate ability to magnetize us to its waves, the changing color of the waters, the salt sea air and the cushy natural flooring of the sand. It's just a natural mechanism for many New Englanders to head to the ocean for this special rejuvenation of the soul and senses.In York Beach, Maine, across from Short Sands Beach, a whole group of people have found another magnetizing source of enjoyment...

Recommended New England Beaches for a Hot Summer Day

Article and photo (of Short Sands Beach, York Beach, Maine) by Eric H.For most of the New England summer, life was no day at the beach given the cooler temperatures and rain. How times have changed as we are now experiencing, in some areas, some record-setting heat. While today will not be quite as hot as yesterday (at least in the Boston, Mass., area), you can expect another scorching day -- in other words, a day perfect for the beach. From the...

The Hollywood Sign

Perched high atop Mount Lee, the tallest peak in Los Angeles, lies the very famous Hollywood Sign. It is an attraction that literally shouts to the world the word “Hollywood.”The sign is said to measure 450 feet long, its mammoth letters are 45 feet high, and it's visible from all parts of Hollywood. It was erected on 1923 as an ad sign for real estate development in Beachwood Canyon, the Sign originally read "Hollywoodland." The last four letters...

Nice Gift Shop, Pilgrim!

Article and photos by Eric H.I've always found it quite remarkable that John Alden could be so many things at once -- a carpenter, cooper, the first Mayflower passenger to set foot on Plymouth Rock, one of the founders of Plymouth Colony, a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and one with the vision to open a gift shop selling bright orange rubber lobsters and Plymouth Rock stuffed toy bears strategically located across from Plymouth Rock.All kidding...

Camarines Sur: Wakeboarding Capital

CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) is the reason why Camarines Sur becomes a wakeboarding capital of the Philippines. CWC is probably the most popular attraction in the province and it drags thousand of crowds from different places in the world. Basically, wakeboarding involves a wakeboard over a surface of the water and for you to understand, Camarines Sur provides great facilities for this exciting hard-driven water sport and commemorates wakeboarding...

One Brontosaurus Burger, Please!

Article and photo by Eric H.There's nothing quite like a good sub shop with a dinosaur theme.First Sandwich Shop Owner Tom Dugdale, a local expert on dinosaurs who once appeared on the David Letterman Show, serves up interesting decorations of dinosaurs, cavemen and other prehistoric elements to go along some mighty fine pizza, pasta and subs at this downtown Walpole, Mass., location. The displays are simple, not overwhelming as you won't find,...

Thanks a "Lot," Natick Collection!

Article and photo by Eric H.The Natick Collection, in Natick, Mass., stands as one of New England's premier shopping malls with something for every taste -- 200 diverse stores ranging from the upscale Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom's to the more populist presences of JCPenney, Claire's Boutique and McDonald's. With a refreshed, updated mall atmosphere with skylights, landscaping and plush soft seating area, the Natick Collection runs on almost all shopping...

Maine Ocean Beaches Approach Their Warmest Temperatures

Article and photo (of Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine) by Eric H.This is nothing scientific, but it seems to us that Maine ocean beaches always approach their warmest temperatures from mid-August to early September. The water is still chilly -- compared to Cape Cod or Rhode Island -- but some prefer it that way. Plus, you often get a unique rocky coast appeal in Maine that you won't find, with as great consistency, in other parts of New England....

Enjoying New England Ice Cream Stands

Article and photo by Eric H.New England ice cream stands serve as sort of a rite of passage for the summertime here in the six states. Hard to believe that in a few months, many of these seasonal places will be closed! With one of the last extended heat waves for the season upon us, what better time to enjoy a nice, cold ice cream at one of New England's relaxing ice cream stands? Our New England ice cream stands article features such gems as Peaceful...

Overrated New England Attractions: Plymouth Rock

Article and photo by Eric H. Plymouth Rock, located in Plymouth, Mass., certainly doesn't "rock."By far one of New England's most overrated attractions, Plymouth Rock proves that history doesn't always equate to education or entertainment value. With the year "1620" stamped on its side, you otherwise couldn't tell the difference between this rock and the one in your backyard that serves as an impediment to your otherwise fine landscaping. Perhaps...

Trip Planning for the 2009 New England Fall Foliage Season

Article and photo (Flume area at Franconia State Park, N.H.) by Eric H.The 2009 fall foliage season will be here before you know it. Strange as it may seem to discuss this topic in the midst of an August heat wave, the reality is that this is the best time to start trip planning for this what many consider the best time of the New England season. The foliage colors can be brilliant, there's a special chill in the air, and lots of small town attractions...

Morin's Diner in Attleboro, Mass., Interviewed by Guy Fieri, of the Food Network

Article by Eric H.We are so glad to see Morin's Hometown Diner in Attleboro, Mass., getting the recognition it deserves. Guy Fieri, of the Food Network's fascinating and well-produced "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show, visited the 98-year-old restaurant last week. The segment should appear on the Food Network sometime this month. On a personal note and perspective, Morin's is a terrific restaurant that we have been going to for years! This historic breakfast, lunch and dinner downtown dining spot has an unusual but most welcoming look with a...

Online Banking has Change the Future of the Financial World

In simple words, online banking is the process of banking meant for the future. It is pretty astounding how people can handle their banking needs right from the comfort of their home. This system saves a lot of time, money and energy. Even simulation pret can be started through this online banking system before going to the bank. This system makes banking possible 24 X 7. All features, which are available at the physical location of the bank, are...