Coastal New England during the Fall Season

Nubble Lighthouse in the early evening -- amazing! (photo by Eric)

Don't forget about coastal New England during the fall season!

We tend to think of the mountains in New England as the place to take in the fall colors of New England. It's true that you'll get a higher concentration of fall foliage in these regions. We find, however, that visiting places like southern Maine during the fall makes for just as fun of a time. The summer crowds lessen greatly and many of the shops and restaurants are still open for the season. If you're lucky, you'll catch a fall harvest event, thus adding to the overall grand feeling of being by the coast.

Virtually empty Short Sands Beach (photo by Eric)

We love York Beach, Maine, during the fall. On a good weather day, it's nice walking Short Sands Beach or Long Sands Beach and virtually having the beach to yourself. Or sitting on the rocky coast and gazing at Nubble Lighthouse -- one of America's most photographed lighthouses. We've also seen some decent fall foliage in this area, but that's not the real star of the show. Rather, it's just enjoying the coast in some good weather -- and before the harsh winter begins. In a way, it's like holding onto the last legs of summer, and that's always a good thing when in New England!

Compare hotel prices in York, Maine

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50 Fun Travel Ideas for the New England Fall Foliage Season

Chocorua Lake. Photo credit:
Lawrence Carbonaro

Here are 50 New England fall foliage season destinations, attractions, restaurants and hotels for your trip planning purposes. Please feel free to add your favorite fall travel things to do in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont! Together, we can build an incredible list!

1. Pick apples at Belkin Lookout Farm, Natick, Mass:http://visitingnewengland.com/applepicking.html

2. Take a scenic New England fall foliage driving route:http://visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-questions.html 

3. Discover some of New England's best fall foliage in Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/maine-fall-foliage.html

4. Enjoy apple picking, apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream and a general store at Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/brookfield-orchards-apples.html

5. Visit the Shaker Hill Fall Apple Festival, Sept. 24-25 in Alfred, Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1554

6. Take a walk around Walden Pond in Concord, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1204

7. Get a taste of true apple cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=598

8. Take in the million dollar views at low-cost Pack Monadnock Summit, Peterborough, N.H.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=174

9. See an amazing pumpkin Patch at Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkins-saturate-rhode-island-farm.html

10. Ride the Conway Scenic Railway in Conway, N.H., for great views of the New England fall foliage season:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/conway-scenic-railway-offers-colorful.html

11. View some of the best New England fall foliage at the famous Kancamagus Scenic Byway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-foliage-leaf-peeping-at-kancamagus.html

12. Visit the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt., to experience an authentic New England country store in a beautiful town:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-vermont-fall-foliage-drive-and.html

13. Hike Mt. Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, Mass., for some splendid fall foliage views: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/mt-sugarloaf-in-south-deerfield-mass.html

14. Enjoy a peaceful day in Wrentham, Mass., northern Rhode Island, and the northeast Connecticut area:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/picturesque-rhode-island-fall-foliage.html

15. Dine at the scenic 1761 Old Mill in Westminster, Mass., for some excellent New England fare:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-fall-dining-at-1761-old-mill.html

16. Stay at the Stoweflake inn in beautiful Stowe, Vt.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/136140.html

17. Find a hidden gem of a walk at the Walpole Town Forest in Walpole, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-hidden-fall-foliage-travel-gem.html

18. Enjoy the sweeping views of the Mt. Washington Valley at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93025.html

19. Discover Vermont for its rural beauty:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/vermont-fall-travel-ideas.html

20. Take a scenic motorcycle fall foliage ride in Central Massachusetts and Northeast Connecticut:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/scenic-motorcycle-fall-foliage-ride-in.html

21. Visit Pleasant View Orchards, a classic roadside farm stand in Smithfield, R.I.: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/classic-new-england-roadside-farm-stand.html

22. Stay at the Bethel Inn, a charming resort in inland Bethel, Maine (the foliage is great here!) that has been serving the vacationing public since 1913:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/122358.html

23. Pick some apples at the Big Apple farm in Wrentham, Mass. This is an old-fashioned working American farm in business since 1950 and a rural community travel attraction on over 200 serene acres:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/old-fashioned-fall-fun-at-big-apple.html

24. Take in classic fall travel attractions at Franconia Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/return-to-franconia-state-park-in-new.html

25. Splurge on luxurious lodging at the Wheatleigh in Lenox (the Berkshire Mountains): http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/24124.html

26. Navigate a tricky corn patch at Jane and Paul's Farm in Norfolk, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/corny-new-england-travel-destination.html

27. Take the Road Less Taken in the New England Autumn:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/taking-road-less-taken-in-new-england.html


28. Enjoy Stowe, Vt., on a budget with these affordable travel attractions: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1619


29. Get in the fall spirit at Parker's Maple Barn in Mason, N.H.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/getting-into-fall-spirit-at-parkers.html

30. New England towns perfect for staying overnight or for an extended time during the New England fall foliage season:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-lodging.html

31. Stroll through Walpole N.H., a quintessential New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland97.html

32. Have fun at The Big E New England States Fair:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/eastern-states-exposition-fair.html

33. Dine by fireside at the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/salemcrossinn.html

34. Hike through some beautiful forest at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/22/hale-reservation-westwood-mass/

35. Gaze at the innate beauty of Echo Lake in Franconia Notch, N.H.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/17/echo-lake-at-foot-of-cannon-mountain-franconia-notch-new-hampshire/

36. Be amazed at the variety of pumpkins available at the Epiphany Church of Walpole Fall Fair in Walpole, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P1080540.jpg

37. Stay at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort in Chittenden, Vt., with its breathtaking views:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/120584.html 

38. Enjoy a fall family vacation at the Red Jacket Mountain View and Indoor Water Park in North Conway, N.H. (in the White Mountains):http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/132021.html

39. Dine at the historic, casual Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, Conn., one of New England most beautiful small towns:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/vanilla-bean-is-good-for-heart.html

40. Stay at the 4-star Inns at the Equinox in charming Manchester, Vt., at the base of Mount Equinox.

41. Visit Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet, R.I., one of the oldest continuously operating country stores in the United States:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland72.html

42. Dine and lodge at the historic Concord's Colonial Inn in Concord, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland84.html

43. Eat at one of the great New England diners -- the Miss Lyndonville Diner -- in Lyndonville, Vt.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/beloved-miss-lyndonville-diner.html. Located in the Northeast Kingdom you're also sure to find some spectacular foliage in this region during the peak season!

44. Visit Jackson, N.H., a truly picturesque, idyllic New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/jackson-New-Hampshire.html

45. Stay a while at picture perfect Chocorua Lake in Tamworth, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/Chocorua-Lake-NH.html

46. Enjoy a family resort vacation at Woodward's in Lincoln, N.H., near many White Mountains attractions:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/126181.html

48. Stroll the Currier and Ives-like downtown in Keene, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland98.html

49. Stop by Phantom Farms in Cumberland, R.I., for some apple picking, fall harvest events, apple cider, and a visit to the yummy bake shop:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/roadside-farm-stand-ri-apples.html

50. Stay at the Lodge of Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine, located in a setting of unspoiled natural beauty:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93783.html

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Lake Nakuru in Kenya Africa

Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley 160 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru is a bird watcher's paradise. A unique game-viewing venue and a notable spot for the Rothschild giraffe and home to the black and white rhinos. The lake is world-famous as the location of the “greatest bird spectacle on earth” by renowned ornithologist Roger Peterson, for its spectacular bird life particularly the myriads of flamingos that congregate the shallow soda lake together with tens of thousands of other bird species. Lake Nakuru is one of the world's première wildlife destinations.

Lake Nakuru was declared a national park in 1961 and covers 188 square kilometers of land of great ecological diversity - from lake water, woodland, bush grassland, to rocky ridges. It is the most accessible and most visited of the soda lakes of the Great Rift Valley. The national park was created mainly to protect the flocks of flamingos and other species in the hills and plains around the lake. Its algae-soaked waters attract the millions of lesser flamingos and the greater flamingos in the park that turn the shores pink.

Apart from the spectacle of the flamingoes, Lake Nakuru National Park offers its visitors great wildlife - a special sighting at the park is a number of rare Rothschild giraffe, trans-located for safety from western Kenya beginning in 1977. Moreover, Lake Nakuru National Park has recently expanded to include a large part of the savannahs to accommodate and provide a sanctuary for both white and the rare black rhino. The park boasts the most number of leopard per square kilometer than any park in Africa. Because of the park's proximity to nearby towns, the park is fenced to prevent the animals from wandering into town and most especially to keep the poachers out, not restricting the movement of wildlife. Nakuru officially became the shelter for protection for these endangered animals in 1987.

At the park, you will also see a healthy population of predators like lions and hyenas, black and white colobus monkeys, hippo and crocodiles, zebra and fish eagles, antelope and buffalo and large-sized python snakes that dwell the dense woodlands. The best vantage point to track the lake shore and watch huge flocks of feeding flamingos is from the Baboon Cliff. Other viewing spots are from Lion Hill and Out of Africa.

Thus, this lake offers one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sights. So if you are looking for the best possible wildlife photography opportunities, Lake Nakuru is the perfect place to be as animals are never out of sight. And if you still have the luxury of time, an overnight stay in here, will definitely complete your safari travel adventure.

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Five New England Restaurants Perfect for the Fall Season

1761 Old Mill restaurant, Westminster, Mass.

Perhaps it's a mix of location, dining atmosphere and foods compatible with autumn, but I have found the following restaurants as ideal destinations during the fall season:

Salem Cross Inn West Brookfield, Mass. -- The historic home, roaring fireplace, post and beam design, rolling green fields outside and some delicious Yankee fare make the Salem Cross Inn an ideal fall dining spot, situated in the beautiful New England town of West Brookfield. Love the maple jack chicken sauteed with Applewood bacon scallions and sundried tomatoes. The chicken is then topped with Monterey jack cheese and a dijon mustard sauce. Yum!

The 1761 Old Mill, Westminster, Mass. -- This former saw mill features a waterfall, covered bridge, duck pond, long outdoor front porch and on the inside, a roaring fireplace (do I detect a pattern here?) and charming post and beam dining rooms. The steak, seafood and chicken dishes are quite good, although not up to par with the Salem Cross Inn. The best bet is the extensive Sunday morning brunch that includes some delicious popovers and some very nicely done chicken and seafood items. There's also a really good country store on the lower level!

Vanilla Bean Cafe, Pomfret, Conn. This restored 1740s farmhouse is so cozy! Owners Barry & Brian Jessurun run this restaurant with pride and joy -- the farthest thing from just another generic big box restaurant. The comfort food breakfast, lunch and dinner items are amongst the best we've ever experienced. All this, plus folk entertainment at night! The atmosphere is just right -- informal, pleasant and with rural and modern charm combined. The location is fantastic, too, right in the heart of Pomfret, a quintessential small New England town. My favorite dish is the smoked mozzarella and basil ravioli with a cream sauce, asparagus, and roasted red peppers. If I had to take an out of town guest to a local restaurant, the Vanilla Bean Cafe would be it!

Parker's Maple Barn, Mason, N.H. Rustic and located in a remote area, this busy country restaurant serves huge breakfasts, very tasty lunches and a lot of items made with maple syrup. I love the maple ribs. maple frappe and fresh roast turkey dinner here. On the premises, there's also a gift shop. The area countryside with deep forest, lakes and ponds is a amazingly scenic destination during the fall foliage season.

Clay Hill Farm, Cape Neddick, Maine This special "date night" caliber restaurant is not located near the ocean, but rather in some beautiful countryside. Located in a rambling, restored and refined farmhouse, Clay Hill Farm offers modern cuisine without the stuffiness that sometimes mars upscale restaurants. They source many of their food  locally, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Clay Hill Farm also offers some very pleasant piano entertainment at night.  I've had lobster bisque, roasted half duckling (with merlot blueberry sauce) and grilled salmon that makes me wish this restaurant was located closer to our Boston area home. We'd be there as often as our budget allows!

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Lake Garda in Italy

“Discovering this idyllic place, we find ourselves filled with a yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty overwhelms.” Whoever said this must have seen wonders beyond what man can afford with his ingenuity. So when in Italy, stop and stare on the peaceful and breathtaking Alpine scenery reflecting in the still, delicate waters of Lake Garda.

Lake Garda or Lago di Garda or Benaco is the largest inland lake situated in a beautiful area in northern Italy between Venice and Milan and split among three regions: Lombardy on the western shore, Veneto on the eastern shore, and Trentino-Alto Adige on the northern shores. A lake that boasts more than 48 kilometers of beaches from north to south and a scenic view of the cue misty mountain tops and bright bursts of bougainvillea is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque parts of Italy.

The formation of Lake Garda dates back around 1.5 million years ago during the last Ice Age. When a large mound of glacier spilled on a flat land next to a valley and flowed down from the Brenta Dolomites and gouged through the valley. Once the glacier melted the fresh water, a lake was formed which we now know as Lake Garda.

The lake also has numerous small islands and five main ones, the largest being Isola del Garda and nearby to the south is Isola San Biagio. The three other main islands are Isola dell'Olivo, Isola di Sogno and Isola di Timelone, all further north near the east side.

As the largest of the lakes, Lake Garda offers much to see and do – including deep blue waters, green forests, towering mountains, and picturesque towns. Luxury hotels and resorts that cater to both local and foreign tourists, dot the shoreline of the lake as well. It should come to no surprise why this place is the most visited lakes in Italy. Moreover, Lake Garda is a true outdoor fitness center where all sorts of “active sports” can be enjoyed. Many tourists visit the lake for the extraordinary opportunities the lake offers on its waters and throughout the inland area. The clear waters of the lake is perfect for swimming in summer and many popular sports such as windsurfing and sailing. Malcesine, Riva, Gardone, Brenzone, Caprino Veronese and Spiazzi are also excellent for mountain-hiking and biking and Canyoning and other outdoor sports providing panoramic views of the area.

Finally, a visit to this region is a delight to the taste buds – pasta, fresh tomatoes, the highly aromatic Italian basil, and the most glorious olive oil completes the whole package of pleasure. Lake Garda is definitely one difficult place to beat.

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Walking Along Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Mass.

Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Mass., is a pleasant destination for a day time or evening stroll (provided it's not raining cats and dogs like today). After a nice seafood dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants like Woods Seafood or the Lobster Hut, the unmistakable coastal New England feel in the air makes for a relaxing yet refreshing time. Along the way, you'll see the Mayflower II (a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America), Plymouth Rock and several spots to eat some ice cream (we like Peaceful Meadows the most), or buy a souvenir (John Alden Gift Shop is very neat!). Some boat companies offer cruises as well as fishing and whale watching tour opportunities. There are even a few hotels along the way like the Bradford Inn and Suites that provide waterfront views Although Plymouth is very famous as a vacation destination, I feel that Plymouth Harbor tends to fly under the radar as a top notch coastal spots in New England. Enjoy this special place, while the weather is relatively good!

Article and photo of Plymouth Harbor by Eric

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Boston Area Travel Ideas and Hub Happenings

Good morning from New England! Today, we'll focus on happenings in the Boston area. Let's start off the day by mentioning Coffee Sensations inside Lord's Department Store in Medfield, Mass. Coffee Sensations is actually an authentic, old fashioned luncheonette that brings back memories of the lunch counter at Woolworth's Department store. They serve lunch and dinner and know how to make great shakes, burgers, pancakes and other comfort foods. They also serve delicious homemade ice cream from the Black Cow in Millis, Mass. My favorite dish is the chopped chicken panini that features moist chicken, hots and the right touch of mayonnaise.  Lord's is in a bit of a time capsule, too, reminding us of the old neighborhood general stores that we grew up with -- no surprise, given Lord's is well over 60 years old!... Over in neighboring Walpole, Mass., The Walpole Farmers Market is still open through the end of October on the Walpole Town Common (Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) I'm very impressed by this Farmers Market -- the mix of vendors is terrific and the setting is pure New England. The town common is beautiful with its open space surrounded by mom and pop shops, restaurants, churches and historic buildings and homes... And over in Westwood, Mass., here is some news out of the "boo-hoo" department: Bubbling Brook ice cream stand will be closing for the season on Sunday, Sept. 11, according to its Facebook Fan Page. Seems like they just reopened for the season -- shows how fast the summer has gone by. Make sure to get to this classic ice cream stand before the ice cream season ends here... Read with interest in the Boston Globe that the former Andros Diner on Trapelo Rd. in Belmont, Mass., might reopen as a new restaurant. Its current owner reportedly has some parties interested in bringing back a restaurant to this location. It broke my heart when Andros Diner closed last winter. For a few decades, I thought they had some of the best Greek-American food in the Boston area -- always loved the baked lamb and homemade Greek salad dressing. Too bad financial difficulties forced Andros to close, but looking forward to the possibility of a new restaurant spot here...Good news for Villa Mexico restaurant fans: the restaurant will remain open in its present location at 296 Cambridge St., in Boston, until December of this year, according to its ConstantContact newsletter page... The Paul Revere House reports on its Twitter page that the annual Paul Revere House September Lecture Series will feature Rick Detwiller talking tonight (Sept. 7) about Boston's Georgian landscape at the Old South Meeting House. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m... Read in the Quincy Patriot Ledger that Dave & Buster’s will be coming to Braintree (in the former Circuit City building just off Route 95 near the South Shore Plaza). Good news for those that had to trek to the Dave and Buster's in Providence, R.I., to enjoy this chain food and entertainment complex that features lots of video games to go along with a large bar and dining area.... Congratulations to Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage at Harvard Square in Cambridge for making USA Today's "10 great places to sink your teeth into a burger" article.  There are many great burger places in the Boston area, but Mr. Bartley's has withstood the test of time, always turning out some fantastic burgers. Haven't been in a while, but the article has inspired a return visit!...  That's about all for now, we'll see you soon with more information from around New England!

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Traveling New England, Here and There...

New England Travel Thoughts
It's a rainy day here in the Northeast, a good day for travelers to visit some of Boston's best museums like the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Museum of Fine Arts Boston... Congratulations to Bondir restaurant in Cambridge, Mass., chosen by Bon Appetit Magazine's in its "The Best New Restaurants in America in 2011" (September 2011 edition). Bondir bills itself as a restaurant serving "Sustainable Modern American Cuisine."... Today, we give shout outs to Attleboro, Mass., for its great community and patriotic spirit; Narragansett, R.I., for its wonderful ocean beaches; Old Lyme, Conn., for a remarkable sense of preservation; Dover, N.H., for bringing its downtown back to life in a big way; Woodstock, Vt., for its postcard picture perfect look; and South Berwick, Maine, for just being itself, a sleepy, friendly little town... It's amazing how Davis Square in Somerville, Mass., has gone from a rather nondescript neighborhood to an eclectic, interesting area loaded with restaurants and locally-owned stores. In a certain regard, it's now more interesting than Harvard Square in Cambridge. The centerpiece is, still, of course, the old-school Somerville Theater with some great movies playing at low prices...If I had to choose five Boston area towns to live for families, they would be Cohasset, Wakefield, Walpole, Franklin and Ipswich. All of those towns have a friendly close-knit, small town feel, very good to excellent schools, real downtowns, and plenty of activities going on for all ages. Ipswich and Cohasset have the advantage of being located by the ocean. And it's amazing that Cohasset, for all its wealth, has much less of a snob factor than other towns of its class... Best small city/town downtown district for college kids? I'd have to say Burlington, Vt., with its colorful, four-block downtown pedestrian shopping area, walking and bike paths, myriad restaurants and shops and boat rides along Lake Champlain...Looks like there are still some very good "Best Value Red Sox Tickets prices for upcoming games against the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. The Sept. 19 game against the Orioles has tickets starting at $15, through Ace Tickets!... Some close friends tell us that the indoor "wave pool" at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis, Mass., is a lot of fun, adds to a great family hotel destination... I really like Everything But Anchovies restaurant in Hanover, N.H. (5 Allen St.), A wide menu selection (including pizza), salad bar, and good prices not only make it a favorite amongst Dartmouth College students, but anyone else with a hearty appetite and thrifty spending habits. They actually do serve anchovies here on the pizzas... When the fall foliage season arrives, one place I'd highly recommend walking is Walden Pond on Route 126 in Concord, Mass. The hike around the pond is about 45 minutes and, more or less, level. The foliage colors are typically outstanding and the scenery so pleasing around the pond...Boston Bruins Tickets are now available. Here's hoping to a season as successful as last!...We stayed at the Henniker Motel in Henniker, N.H. a few weeks ago, and have to say that we were pleasantly surprised. We had a nice, clean room with cable television and views of the surrounding hills and open land. We also enjoyed the indoor pool. Additionally, they have a cozy gathering room with fireplace and television. The staff was very nice to us, too. The Henniker Motel is probably made more for the winter, as it is located at the base of Pat's Peak Ski area, but this summer visit was sure nice. By the way, Henniker is becoming one of our favorite New England towns as we find the downtown old fashioned and pleasant -- really quintessential New England. It's walkable, has a few nice restaurants and shops, an independently owned pharmacy and general store, nice views of the Contoocook River, and New England College with its attractive campus. We'll be back and look forward to another stay at the Henniker Motel!...Bishop's Orchards in Guilford, Conn., reports on Twitter that its apple picking season has begun with Gala and McIntosh available... That's about all for now, check in again soon for more New England travel thoughts!

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New England Travel Thoughts

I can hardly wait until The Big E New England States Fair, running Sept. 16-Oct. 2 at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, Mass. Love the midway, animal exhibitions, parades, musical entertainment and comfort food vendors... Was driving up Route 495 in Hopkinton, Mass., the other day and already saw some leaves changing color. Scary thought, as it seemed like Memorial Day Weekend was just a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to the peak colors, though, later this month and in October (depending on location in New England)...To answer the age old argument -- which is better for pizza in Boston, Santarpio's or Pizzeria Regina? The answer is "yes!"... Coastal Newburyport, Mass., has a near perfect downtown. The choice of stores, restaurants, the water views, brick sidewalks, historic old buildings and homes make for an ideal, walkable central district... Come to think of it, though, coastal Portsmouth, N.H., is just as nice and a great way to spend some time visiting New England. Portsmouth has a boatload of cultural activities going on near or at the waterfront and Market Square locations, as well as offering lots of locally-owned shops and restaurants. The harbor here is  really beautiful... If I had to choose a Massachusetts town that maintains a quintessential classic New England small town feeling, it would be West Brookfield. The town common is amazing, the surrounding old "front porch" homes so beautiful and the people quite friendly. For a meal, go to the historic Salem Cross Inn on Route 9, just outside the downtown, for tasty New England fare as well as some very nice local ambiance... If you like lodging with waterfront views without the hefty price tag, I would recommend the Katahdin Inn in York Beach, Maine (Ocean Ave. Ext., at Short Sands Beach). I don't know how owners Bob and Rae do it, but the prices are half of what some other similar lodging establishments charge for just being on the water... I think many New England towns have become either generic-looking or overgrown, but Hanover, N.H., remains just as nice as ever. Fantastic, little downtown and with Dartmouth College to add a lot of tree-lined campus appeal... I could watch the Mystic Drawbridge in downtown Mystic, Conn., go up and down all day, only to be interrupted, of course, by some delicious homemade ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. I always get the lemon chocolate kiss... Speaking of ice cream, the landmark Kimball Farm in Westford, Mass. , is as good as ever. Had a delicious ginger snap molasses ice cream the other night and was it ever good! The place has expanded over the years with two fantastic mini golf courses, an animal area, batting cages, bumper boats, an "outdoor seafood shack and grill," country store and arcade games. It's all so fun and not tacky at all -- everything seems to fit in nicely to make for a great morning or afternoon itinerary... One of the highlights of the summer was dining on lobster and lobster rolls at around $10.00 a dish a Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, N.H. (Route 286, just off Route 1A). How they keep the prices down, I don't know but I'd certainly recommend going there is you love lobster and low prices. Of course, the market value changes the prices, but we've always found the dining bill to be quite low. The outdoor waterfront dining is a real plus, too... I love the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt. (3600 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.). Cold Hollow makes apple cider the old-fashioned way with a rack and cloth press built in the 1920s. The taste is amazing! Cold Hollow is not just a cider place, however. They have a bakery (including delicious homemade donuts), Green Mountain Coffee, Vermont-made wines and a toy store. This always makes a pleasant fall foliage season destination... The Raven's Nest in Walpole, Mass. (998 Main St.), is what I'd call a "major league" restaurant.  Mark and Maura McCauliffe have gone through painstaking efforts to make the Raven's Nest look like an Irish pub (Mark is from Ireland). The bricks on one dining room wall were even hand-painted one-by-one! It's a ultra cozy place with fabulous contemporary cuisine and upscale pub fare, lots of draft beer selections, open air windows, an outdoor patio, seven plasma televisions to watch the game, and a nice fireplace for the winter. My favorite dishes: the baked mac and cheese, Shepherd's Pie, fillet of salmon with a soy ginger glaze, and the pesto chicken sandwich. Everything about The Raven's Nest just looks and feels right. Love this place; every hometown should have a downtown restaurant like this... All country stores that I have been to in Vermont are worth a trip, but my favorite is still the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt. (right in the heart of the quaint downtown). The place is huge and full of everything you could ever want in a country store. They haven't gone "Hollywood" either, keeping the authentic feel well intact... We started this post with a mention about a local fair, and we'll end it that way, too: the Topsfield Fair will be held this year from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, Mass. Not as large as The Big E, it's still worth a trip. The Topfield Fair is the oldest agricultural fair in the United States has a wonderful mix of agricultural exhibits and presentations, a good midway area, and entertainment (Phil Vassar, Sean Kingston and Ayla Brown are a few of the scheduled performers this year)... That's about if for now. Come back soon as we'll post some more New England travel thoughts not too far down the road!

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