Thanksgiving Day Meals, New England Style in Massachusetts

Concord's Colonial Inn, Concord Mass. (photo by Eric)

Do you enjoy going out for Thanksgiving, having someone else do all the cooking for you?  If so, you'll find no shortage of such places in New England, but the key is to find a destination that will get you in the local spirit. Here are some traditional, historic and charming New England spots in Massachusetts that are sure to provide a fabulous setting for your Thanksgiving Day meal...

The Pilgrims were to first to celebrate Thanksgiving in America, so why not celebrate at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth? This wonderful outdoor living museum that recreates life during the Pilgrim days offers the traditional America's Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as a Thanksgiving Day Buffet. It looks like some seatings are already sold out for both Thanksgiving Day dinners, so we recommend making reservations soon if this event sounds interesting to you. Log onto http://www.plimoth.org/dining-functions/thanksgiving-dining-special-events for more information, or call (508) 746-1622 for reservations.

In Central Massachusetts, the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield provides a beautiful restaurant setting for enjoying the bounty of New England's harvest on Thanksgiving Day with traditional free range oven roasted turkey and appetizers, unique drinks and homemade desserts (the deep dish apple pie is phenomenal!).  If you'd rather have something else than turkey, then broiled salmon and pepper crusted sirloin with gorgonzola cheese are also available. With a roaring fireplace, post and beam design, and 600 acres of beautiful rolling hills, this colonial restaurant -- with part of the building well preserved from the early 1600s -- will surely bring you into the heart and soul of traditional New England.  For more information, log onto http://www.salemcrossinn.com/CalendarEvents/thanksgiving_dinner.htm, or call (508) 867-2345 for reservations.

In historic Concord (birthplace of the American Revolution), Concord's Colonial Inn offers a comprehensive Thanksgiving Day meal with a carving station (yes, including oven roasted turkey with pan gravy!), pasta, fish,  salads, cheese, a raw bar, soup, bread and sides, including fresh vegetables. This restaurant and inn overflows with colonial charm and is located at beautiful Monument Square in the heart of this beautifully preserved town. One of the inn's original buildings was once used, in 1775, for arms and provisions while from 1835-1837, famous author Henry David Thorough (Walden and Civil Disobedience) lived here before moving to Walden Pond.

You can view the full Thanksgiving Day menu at http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/sites/default/files/docs/Thanksgiving%202012.pdf, or call (978) 369-9200 for reservations.

Editor's note: we strongly advise you call ahead for Thanksgiving Day meals details and to make reservations before embarking to the above-mentioned places.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading:
Walking along Plymouth Harbor
20 classic New England travel attractions
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New England Christmas Holiday Season Travel Tips

One of our readers, Stacy, would like to visit New England in December. Here is what she wrote:

We want to do a short trip from Thursday-Monday from Atlanta Georgia in December. We have never been to New England and want to see as much as possible. Any ideas where to start? Where to fly into, rent a car, and possibly stay different locations each night?

Thanks for the question, Stacy! We could write a book on what to see and do in New England during December, but for bandwidth purposes, here are some suggestions that I think you'll love:

Fly into Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine, rent a car there, and drive 45 minutes south to Kennebunkport, Maine, where the spirit of Christmas saturates this beautiful small coastal town the first and second weekends of December. Amazing light displays, horse drawn sleigh rides, caroling, holiday musical entertainment, arts and craft shows, and historic trolley rides are just a few of the events that will get you into the holiday spirit.  We strongly recommend logging onto the Christmas Prelude web site for exact dates and times of events to correlate with the days you plan to visit New England. By the way, HGTV voted the Christmas Prelude the #2 Christmas town in America!

For lodging, we like staying at the Rhumb Line Inn Resort and for dining, we recommend Alisson's Restaurant , H.B. Provisions and Federal Jack's, as well as the The Maine Diner in nearby Wells. For more lodging options, long onto our Kennebunkport Hotels Page. 

While staying in Kennebunkport, you might want to drive about a half hour south to York Beach Maine, where famous Nubble Lighthouse is all dressed up in holiday lights. It's a spectacular scene at one of New England's most beautiful lighthouses.  When in York,, be sure to check out the Festival of Lights Parade scheduled for Sat., Dec. 1.  This wonderful event includes a lighting of the village festivals of gingerbread houses and trees, a Christmas tea, student art exhibit,  arts and crafts, and a holiday sing-a-long. We recommend logging onto the York Parks and Recreation Department Web Site for updates.

We also recommend visiting two lovely small cities, the previously mentioned Portland, as well as Portsmouth, N.H. Both cities are historic, filled with charm, as well as wonderful locally-owned shops and restaurants. Portland and Portsmouth do have big city amenities, but strolling through these two costal gems also brings about a small town feeling. We regard Portland and Portsmouth as two of the best small cities in New England.

Freeport, Maine (20 minutes north of Portland), is also a "destination," especially during the holiday season. This once sleepy town has transformed into a bustling attractive downtown with an impressive variety of outlet stores -- anchored by the  spectacular flagship L.L. Bean. store. It's really a great place to do your holiday shopping.

Hope this helps! Readers, if you have any more suggestions for Stacy's visit to New England, please comment below. Thanks!

We recommend reading the following articles to help with your southern Maine trip planning:
York Beach, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Portsmouth, N.H.
Portland, Maine

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Main Street Market and Cafe in Concord, Mass.

Main Street Market and Cafe, Concord MA (photo by Eric)

When visiting Concord, Mass., last week, a local recommended dining at the Main Street Market and Cafe. Great recommendation!

 The building is historic, the setting "old-timey" and the crowds bustling at this spot that acts more like an upscale townie restaurant than a market (really not much of a market to speak of here). The brick walls, wooden floors counters and low and high rise tables will make you feel right at home and the location in the heart of downtown Concord is ideal for grabbing a breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I tried a bowl of beef chili with butternut squash and loved it! At first, I thought this might be too odd a dish -- that is, replacing beans with butternut -- but the combination turned out to be better than the traditional recipe. From Belgium waffles and baked goods to hot grilled paninis to pistachio crusted salmon filet, the Main Street Market and Cafe's menu is certainly extensive.

The Main Street Market and Cafe also has a dining spot out back in a charming, clean alley that serves burritos, pizzas, hot dogs, sandwiches, smoothies and ice cream. Having lived in Concord many years ago, one of my few complaints was lack of a downtown restaurant with quick service and a good selection of food at reasonable prices -- nice to see that the Main Street Market and Cafe has filled a much-needed niche in this beautiful town.

The Main Street Market and Cafe is located at 42 Main Street in Concord, MA. Tel. (978) 369-9948

Editor's note: tell us your favorite "local" restaurant in your New England hometown by posting a comment below. This will be a great help to those looking for a bite to eat in your area!

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Barnacle Billy's, Ogunquit, Maine, is a Timeless Dining Tradition

Source: momslifesavers.blogspot.com via Moms on Pinterest

Barnacle Billy's restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine, seems like a rite of passage into the Maine summertime.

Rarely do you find someone in New England that doesn't know about this landmark seafood restaurant specializing in fresh Maine lobster, steamed clams, chowder, lobster rolls, lobster stew, over sized drinks and, well, barbecue chicken (don't laugh, it's really good).

It's not that Barnacle Billy's is better than other local restaurants, specializing in seafood. It's just that Barnacle Billy's has a well-known presence, a timeless tradition, a waterfront location and excellent seafood that results in this dining incumbent constantly being reelected by thousands of visitors and locals every year looking for a trusted, dependable restaurant.

Barnacle Billy's actually has two locations, virtually right next to each other. Barnacle Billy's, Etc., offers more ambiance than the original location, but either restaurant is fine as you get the same outstanding seafood. We do prefer Billy's, Etc., however, as it's a bit more spacious and comfortable, and the views of the harbor and ocean from the expansive sundeck are really spectacular -- especially at sunset. Plus, after lunch or dinner you can explore beautiful Perkins Cove with its quaint little seaside shops as well as walking Marginal Way -- a spectacular mile and a half path along the rocky coastline of Maine. Ogunquit Beach, one of Maine's best sandy ocean beaches, is at the other end.

I've been coming here since I was a kid, and have always had a great meal. Some things never change, and it's nice to see Barnacle Billy's appeal to multi-generations of visitors to southern Maine through the years. Hope you get to experience this slice of southern Maine dining bliss!

Barnacle Billy's is located at 50-70 Perkins Cove Rd. in Ogunquit, Maine. Tel. 1-800-866-5575 

Perkins Cove (photo by Eric)

Marginal Way (photo by Eric)

Related articles and resources: 
Visiting the southern Maine seacoast
Book a hotel room in Ogunquit

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Bar Harbor, Maine: Wouldn't You Like to be There Now?

Source: acadiamagic.com via Heather on Pinterest

When creating our New England Pinterest pinboards, I came across one photo that I keep coming back to:  a colorful picture of downtown Bar Harbor, Maine.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Bar Harbor is the lively commercial center of the Acadia National Park area. Just minutes from Acadia where the ocean meets the mountains, Bar Harbor has an enviable and impossibly beautiful harbor location with enough shops and restaurants to keep the most insatiable shopper and diner happy throughout the vacation. Tree-lined in many parts and with a relaxing town common, Bar Harbor might be too hectic from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend for those in touch with the spectacular natural, pristine setting of Acadia National Park, but let's remember, too, that it's not exactly one of those tacky, souvenir-laden tourist traps. Sure, you'll get elements of that here, but, all in all, Bar Harbor has an attractive, often beautiful walkable downtown with almost all of the shops and restaurants running on a pride of ownership platform. The town also has some amazing historic inns that add a touch of class like the Primrose Inn and Bar Harbor Manor. Bar Harbor is really the perfect companion and foundation for your Acadia National Park vacation.

My favorite downtown things to do? Visiting the West End Drug Store (105 Main St.) for the old-fashioned soda fountain, Island Artisans (99 Main St.) for hundreds of locally-made handmade crafts, Roslie's (46 Cottage St.) for delicious hand-tossed pizza and tunes on the Wurlitzer jukebox, and Testa's (53 Main St.) for delicious lobster, seafood and pasta.

That's just a fraction, however, of what's in Bar Harbor.  You could spend several hours here, but in the name of fair and balanced, I would first get out to see Acadia National Park and then leave enough time to enjoy downtown Bar Harbor. That way, you get the best of both vacation worlds!

Log onto the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce web site for more information on Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and the surrounding region.

Related articles and resources:
Visiting Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park
Exploring Sand Beach at Acadia National Park
Relaxing at Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park
Book a hotel room in Bar Harbor

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Markey's in Seabrook, N.H., Focuses on Lobster Quality and Value

Lobster on the premises at Markey's (photo by Eric)

We have found that at Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, N.H, there's no need to "shell" out a lot of money on lobster.

This no-frills, order-at-the-counter restaurant with lobster tanks and indoor picnic-like benches inside and out tends to focus on the food and value rather than the hype. Last summer, we ordered a delicious steamed lobsters for under $10 a pound and a lobster roll for about the same price! Of course, the market value varies by day and food prices (and just about everything else) are more expensive this year, but you get the picture: this is a lobster shack for the budget-minded.



Of course, the steamed lobster is a highlight, but Markey's also serves various fried, broiled, steamed and baked fish entrees and appropriate seafood shack sides like corn on the cob, french, fries, onion rings and cole slaw. They also make great fish and clam chowders, as well as a good lobster bisque. For you raw bar fans, Markey's also serves up oysters and cherrystone clams.

Popular with beach goers for lunch and dinner, Markey's is a "come as you are" (within reason and proper decorum) establishment. We prefer eating out on the deck where the marsh and water views are pleasant, but the indoor dining rooms are just fine, too -- clean, comfortable and unpretentious. Most popular with New England residents and travelers from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend, Markey's is actually open year-round for those that need their lobster fix in the dead of winter!

Markey's has a classic lobster shack look (photo by Eric)

Time-tested dining spots usually indicate high quality food, and Markey's is no exception: they have been in business since 1971and has become a household name for those living near or at the Southern New Hampshire seacoast. Markey's has also become a household name for us vacationers, too, as we've yet to find a consistently good lobster restaurant with such relatively cheap prices on lobster.

Markey's Lobster Pool is located 2.5 miles off Route 95 on Route 286 in Seabrook, N.H. Tel.  (603) 474-2851 

It's like one big picnic inside Markey's (photo by Eric)

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Nantasket Beach Still Has That Special Summer Feeling

The Paragon Carousel at Nantasket Beach (photo by Eric)

Many people felt like they were being taken for a ride when Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass., closed its legendary amusement park in 1984.

The better part of a century brought a joyous beach and amusement scene that exuded a classic New England summer tradition with, to name a few staples, the unbeatable combination of rides, arcades, souvenirs, waves and ice cream. Who can forget that wooden roller coaster or the bumper cars?

Paragon Park's closure gave way to housing development -- great for the people that live there by the ocean -- but sad for us to see Paragon Park and the memories associated with it just drift away. It was so close to home (about a half hour south of Boston, FYI), and really the ultimate day trip.

While we'll probably never see a return of Paragon Park, there are still significant remnants that still make Nantasket Beach a worthy New England travel destination:

The historic Paragon Carousel has been well-maintained. It's a beauty and is as good as ever!

The old clock tower is next to the Paragon Carousel, thus adding a touch of traditional dignity to Nantasket Beach. The clock is also in good condition and brings back such great memories.

The Carousels and Ships souvenir shop and the Dream Machine arcade line the main drag to remind us of those carefree, slightly tacky days gone by. The Fascination site remains -- kind of a mysterious, clandestine place to kids, but well-known to adults -- a destination that sort of mixes a table version of skee ball and bingo.  You can also find at Nantasket Beach a good, huge, gooey slice of pizza at places like Joseph's, ice cream at Carousel Creamery (right next to the Paragon Carousel), as well as play miniature golf at Nantasket Mini Golf.

Today's Nantasket Beach has an added element that didn't exist, as a whole, in the older days -- many high quality seaside restaurants and outdoor cafes are popping up all over the place. I like Jake's Seafood the best -- the water views are nice, the staff is efficient and pleasant, and the seafood always seems to be fresh. No surprise, given that they have a seafood market on the premises.

Yes, we find no "amusement" in Paragon Park being taken away from our kid-like hearts and souls, but Nantasket Beach is still a worthy  vacation destination. It's close to Boston and... oops, I almost forgot (not really, just writing that for effect)... the beach itself is worth a trip. Five miles of sandy ocean bliss, including harbors and bays to boat or fish make this not only one of the best beaches in the Boston area, but in all of New England. The roller coaster of emotions about Paragon closing will perhaps never go away, but the appeal of a great beach town with still plenty to do keeps us coming back.

The beach is simply beautiful -- expansive and with plenty of room for you! (photo by Eric)

You can see the condos on the far right, but the beach still dominates (photo by Eric)

The Dream Machine arcades (photo by Eric)

Carousels and Ships offers a classic gift shop scene to Nantasket Beach (photo by Eric) 

What would the beach be without a good ice cream place? (photo by Eric)

Sunset at Nantasket Beach. Beautiful! (photo by Eric)

Related articles and resources:
Visiting the Paragon Carousel 
Booking a room at Nantasket Beach
Family of four spends only $5 dollars for a day trip to Nantasket Beach
Ten ways to beat the heat on a hot summer day in the Boston area

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Visiting an Old-Fashioned Jam Kitchen on Cape Cod

Yummy Green Briar jams (photo by Eric)

If you like jam to go with your sandwich, then head on over to the Thornton W. Burgess Society's Green Briar Jam Kitchen in Sandwich, Mass., on Cape Cod.

This living museum offers visitors the chance to see how the process of cooking jams the old-fashioned way takes place, as well as jellies, relishes, pickles in a turn-of-the-century kitchen where local resident Ida Putnam began the Jam Kitchen in 1903. The sun-cooked preserves are cooked slowly in what is reported to be the oldest solar-cooking operation in the United States!

A gift shop on the premises offers these homemade preserves. For those inspired by the cooking process, workshops are also available to learn this time-tested craft.

There's also a prominent nature center here featuring water views, hiking trails, a wild flower garden and the Robert S. Swain Natural History Library with books on the natural history of the United States. All in all, the Center is really a beautiful spot, often contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the commercial side of Cape Cod. I'd imagine many people travel to Cape Cod as a getaway, and then visit the Nature Center and Jam Kitchen to get away from the getaway! Not only is the Nature Center and Jam Kitchen a pleasant oasis, but it's right off Route 6A, one of the most scenic roads in New England with its charming little villages and historic homes hugging the coast.

By the way, if you're wondering about Thornton Burgess, he was a naturalist and conservationist from Massachusetts who wrote more than 170 books and 15,000 articles in newspapers. That's a lot of trees used!

The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen is located at 6 Discovery Hill Rd., East Sandwich MA. We recommend calling for hours at 508-888-6870 and for more info on workshops.  Admission is by donation.

The Green Briar Jam Kitchen (photo by Eric)

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Cape Cod family vacation ideas for the summer
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Commonwealth Barbecue in Wrentham, Mass., Serves Authentic BBQ Cuisine

Ancient New England proverb: when it comes to barbecue food, it's better to have slow cook food than food from a slow cook.

The Boston, Mass., area offers several great places for well-prepared slow cook barbecue foods (definition: utilizing less heat than grilling over a longer period of time), including Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington and Newton, Redbone's in Somerville, Mass., and Firefly's in Marlborough. All these dining spots have chefs that clearly know what they are doing, which is great given that there's also a good number of local barbecue restaurants that miss the mark. Real barbecue cuisine does not equate to rotisserie! Often, we can do better on our own with some high quality barbecue sauce and meats bought from the local butcher and proper use of the grill.

It's nice, however, when someone else with a virtual PhD in barbecue cooking does all the work for you. Thankfully, a newcomer to the Boston area barbecue dining scene, brings perhaps the best barbecue foods to this area: Commonwealth Barbecue in Wrentham, Mass. It's located about a mile from beautiful downtown Wrentham and the Wrentham Premium Shopping Outlets.

Employing a south of the Mason Dixon line roadside shack look, this order-at-the-window barbecue joint shows amazing promise from the start with the aroma of smoked barbecue meats permeating the air the minute you step out of the car. Those aromas were born out of a lengthy process: the smoked meats are cooked for several hours over hard woods and that translates into "real" barbecue foods in the form of ribs, pulled pork or chicken, beef brisket and sausage. Another plus is that you can adjust the amount of BBQ sauce you want on your meal as there are large containers of sauces of varying spiciness at the counter. Sides like "cowboy beans," corn bread and southern fried pickles drenched in buttermilk add additional southern food ambiance to this unpretentious, outdoor dining scene at the picnic tables under the pavilion. Yesterday, I had some mouthwatering pulled pork that was just out-of-this-world good -- tender, flavorful and plentiful!

Although it's not a southern staple, soft serve ice cream is a dessert highlight with very low prices and huge portions served for small, medium and large. It's a nice way to end a satisfying, full-bodied barbecue dining experience at this "south" of Boston mom and pop drive-in!

Commonwealth Barbecue is open for lunch and dinner and is located at 659 South St. (Route 1A), Wrentham MA. Tel. (508) 384-9676.

Pulled pork, cowboy beans and butternut squash from Commonwealth Barbecue (photo by Eric)

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Mt. Washington Auto Road in New Hampshire Reaches New Vacation Heights

Mt. Washington Auto Road, Pinkham Notch, N.H.
(photo by Joe Gill, Boston Sports Then and Now)

If you're looking to bring your New Hampshire Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend summer vacation to new heights, we suggest taking a road trip to the Mt Washington Auto Road.

Wildly popular with families looking for commanding scenic views -- and often ignored by acrophobics, poor drivers and people that want to stay at or near sea level -- the eight-mile long Mt. Washington Auto Road features a winding road that brings you and your car to the peak of Mt. Washington at 6,288 ft.  That's the highest point in New Hampshire, as well as the New England six-state region.  Along the way, you'll see spectacular mountains view everywhere you look, but it's getting to the top that's the real crowning glory for this road trip. The views are simply amazing everywhere and on a clear day, you can see hundreds of miles. There's an observation deck for added viewing benefit,  service desk, gift shops, food courts, a museum, restrooms, and a post office.

It's a bit frightening in some spots up the road with no guard rails and huge drops, but if you can get past any fears, this road trip is certainly worth the rather steep price of admission. You can start your Mt. Washington Auto Road ride by stopping by the reception "toll" center at the base of Mt. Washington where they'll give you a "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" bumper sticker and a guided tour CD. Please note that if you are not comfortable taking your own car, there is a van tour or you can take the Cog Railway  (Base Rd., six miles off Route 302 in Bretton Woods) to the top.  Additionally, please be aware that there are some days you will not be able to drive up Mt Washington as, after all, this is known as the place with the  "World's Worst Weather." I remember hiking Mt. Washington several years ago and it was 80 degrees at the base and 36 at the peak. That was in August!

The Mt. Washington Auto Road is located on Rte 16 in Pinkham Notch. For weather conditions, rates, hours of operation and driving options, I'd recommend logging onto the Mt. Washington Auto Road web site.

Related articles:  
Visiting Echo Lake State Beach, Franconia Notch State Park, N.H.
Where to stay in Lincoln, N.H.
Popular walks in the New Hampshire Lakes Region
The longest candy counter in the world at Chutters in Littleton, N.H.
The best scenic drives in New England

Thanks to Joe Gill, of Boston Sports Then and Now, for submitting this great photo!

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Four Bike Trails in New England That Are "Wheel" Good

Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail (photo by Eric)

Do you like riding a bike but are afraid of the crazy drivers out there on the road or the awkwardness of passing pedestrians on the sidewalk? Well, the good news is that many bike trails have emerged in New England (a good number of them converted from old railroad tracks), offering paved trails and great scenery. Here are four bike trails in New England that we highly recommend:

Cape Cod Canal Trail The amazing canal water views make this seven-mile trek a  "must-visit" destination for the outdoor enthusiast visiting Cape Cod. Beautifully maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail is convenient, too, located virtually at the gateway to Cape Cod. The trail spans from Sandwich to Buzzards Bay. The views of the gigantic Sagamore and Bourne Bridges -- connecting the mainland to Cape Cod -- are worth the visit, too!

Stowe Recreation Path  Forests, meadows, rivers, arched bridges and mountain scenery highlight this 3.5 mile pathway in one of New England's most idyllic little towns. Stowe is a gem of a place with its quaint downtown and beautiful mountain views, so having a bike trail is really a godsend for those that love biking.  Not a long trail, but every second of the way is like a lifetime of scenic Vermont memories. Although we think of summer as an ideal time to bike, fall is also a fantastic time to visit the trail as the foliage is spectacular in Stowe.

Minuteman Bikeway Nice for those living or vacationing in the Boston area, the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway spans about 11 miles from Cambridge (right next to Boston) to Bedford. Our favorite part is Lexington where you can take a break and explore this attractive suburb that is best known, along with Concord, as the where the American Revolutionary War had begun in 1775. In summer, tours are available to view the historic sites around town (including the Lexington Battle Green, the Lexington Minuteman Statue and Minuteman National Historic Park. Downtown Lexington is also nice for its pleasing mix of mom and pop shops, restaurants and tree-lined streets with historic homes.

East Bay Bike Path This 14-mile bike path spans from scenic Bristol to bustling Providence. Along the way on this well-maintained 10 ft. wide bike path, you'll experience wonderful views of the Narragansett Bay and the chance to experience more of this scenic splendor at the 464-acre Colt State Park.

Related articles:
Bristol, R.I. the all-American town
Cape Cod family summer travel ideas
40 reasons to visit Lexington and Concord
The rebirth of Providence, R.I.
Visiting Stowe, Vt.
Beautiful Colt State Park

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Newport Mansions Offers A "Rich" Travel Experience

Belcourt Castle, Newport, R.I. (photo by Eric)

Touring the Newport mansions in Newport, R.I., might seem like an obvious New England travel attraction, but it's definitely a "rich"  experience worthy of a visit.

Once "summer cottages" to the rich and famous from the Gilded Age (beginning in the mid-19th century), many of the Newport mansions  remain in great shape and available for tours. The Preservation Society of Newport County offers the majority of house tours, including The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House and Rosecliff. The tours can take up to 90 minutes, given the size, details and nuances of each home. My recommendation would be to see no more than two homes a day, as the experience can eventually become overkill.  By purchasing a multi-house ticket, you can spread out the visits on different days. Speaking of tickets, you can order online or on site at any participating house. Log onto the Preservation Society of Newport County web site for full details.

You can also take private tours of Newport mansions not owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County, most notably the Belcourt Castle.  The Belcourt is actually my favorite Newport mansion with its combination of old-world, French-style charm and Norman, Elizabethan English and country German design. The home showcases  Gilded Age "King" and "Queen" chairs and Russian crystal chandelier with 13,000 prisms in the main room, stained glass, carved oak wainscoting, grand staircases and a replication of a coronation coach.  Wow! You can request a tour through the Belcourt Castle web site.

Enjoy the tours, it's a definite highlight of New England travel!

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What it's Like to be at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Conn.

Source: Uploaded by user via Brea on Pinterest

Two miles of beach, a boardwalk, 558 open camp sites and also extensive open spaces away from the beach to walk: what's not to like about Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Conn.?

Hammonasset Beach is the largest beach in Connecticut, and certainly one of New England's finest. Located on Long Island Sound,  the extremely well-maintained beach is situated on 919 acres with every step of the way a utopia for beach enthusiasts. Not only do you get some beautiful New England ocean beach scenery, but soft sand, relatively warm water in the summer, attentive lifeguards on duty, a concession stand, picnic areas and a nature center as well as walking, biking and rollerblading opportunities within the park. Most importantly, you get a generally well-behaved crowd here -- many families and peaceful types with few showoffs. Perhaps the best way to visit Hammonasset Beach is to secrure a camp site. Why take a day trip when you can spend several days by the coast? That's not to say a day trip pales in comparison: when you have beaches like Hammonasset, take advantage of every moment and feel blessed to experience such an ideal beach -- especially during the Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend timeframe.

I often think that if someone was assigned to build the perfect beach, Hammonasset would be the prototype. No need to, however, as Mother Nature has once again provided us with yet another moment of splendor in New England with this wonderful ocean beach scene -- along with a nice move by the State of Connecticut to create a publicly accessible beach here!

Hammonasset Beach is located at 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT. Tel. (203) 245-2785

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3 Rhode Island Seafood Shacks to Make You As Happy as a Clam

Evelyn's Drive-In, Tiverton (photo by Eric)

Cape Cod and Maine tend to get most of the accolades when it comes  to the best New England seafood shacks. Let's not forget, however, about the small state of Rhode Island that comes up big with countless outstanding roadside seafood spots. Here are three examples:

Seafood lovers will certainly not feel underwater when visiting Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton. This plain-looking seafood shack features an amazing Rhode Island clam chowder (with a thinner broth), mouthwatering clam cakes, the unusual lobster chow mein, huge fried seafood platters, lobster rolls and grilled salmon, to name a few. The atmosphere feels like a coffee shop by the water -- nothing fancy and with quick, to-the-point diner-like service. Located on scenic Nanaquacket Pond, Evelyn's also features a very pleasant outdoor patio dining area where the pond has more of a coastal feel than inland. Evelyn's is so good that the Food Network's Guy Fieri featured this tiny seafood shack on his Diners, Drive-ins and Dives television show!  Evelyn’s Drive-In is located at 2335 Main Rd. (Rte. 77). Tel. (401) 624-3100

George's of Galilee in Galilee (photo by Eric)

What better place to feast on seafood than in a live fishing village where seafood is delivered to restaurants right off the boat? That's the scenario in Gaililee, a Narragansett neighborhood. Here, larger seafood shacks like George's of Gaililee Waterfront Seafood Restaurant and Champlin's constantly bring in the crowds that love a great shore dinner and amazing views of Block Island Sound (particularly nice at sunset). George's is a little bit more built up and has a restaurant feel, while Champlin's has an undeniable seafood shack atmosphere with you order at the window, can sit at long dining tables and buy from the seafood market on the first floor -- and fish that come in right off the commercial fishing trawlers, and off-shore and in-shore lobster boats. George's and Champlin's both have second story outdoor deck and indoor dining with water views while serving some of the best locally caught lobster around as well as New England dining staples like steamers, chowder, whole belly clams, and fried seafood platters. George's extends a bit beyond Champlin's offering more broiled and grilled seafood dinners, an extensive wine list and sushi, but they can't fool us: this is still a classic NewEngland seafood shack! Ice cream lovers should take note, too, that both restaurants have ice cream stands -- always nice after a seafood dinner! George's and Champlins are located right across from each other, the former at 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd. (Tel: (401-783  2306), and the latter at 256 Great Island Rd. (Tel. (401-783-3152).

Champlin's Seafood in Galilee (photo by Eric)

Do you have a favorite Rhode Island seafood shack. Please comment below!

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12 Great Downtown Districts in New England

Do you love a good downtown? We have a few favorites in our region that offer small town New England appeal, stores, restaurant, historical preservation and traditional ways, and an overall welcoming feeling. Without further ado, here are some of those great downtown districts where we'll let the pictures do the talking...

Salem, Mass.

Bristol, R.I.

Keene, N.H.

Mystic, Conn.

Milford, N.H.

Northeast Harbor, Maine

Hanover, N.H.

Chatham, Mass. (Cape Cod)

Wickford Village in North Kingston, R.I.

Newburyport, Mass.

Portsmouth, N.H.

Springfield, Vt.

Do you have a favorite downtown in New England? Tell us a little about it by commenting below. Or, please feel free to comment these downtown districts featured in this post. Happy travels!

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City-Like Dining in Suburban Spaces at The Raven's Nest in Walpole, Mass.

Apple goat cheese salmon with asparagus, rice,
and cinnamon and cranberry balsamic glaze from
The Raven's Nest, Walpole, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Driving into the city for a "date night" out can be such a pain -- fighting traffic and rude drivers, paying more for parking and tolls than a meal, and having our car value go down about 60 percent in one night from hitting pothole after pothole.

Fortunately, the past 10 or 15 years have been good to us Boston suburbanites looking for a quality meal, close to home. Many restaurant business types, chefs and entrepreneurs have opened up restaurants in the suburbs closer in concept and quality to those high-profile city restaurants that I think sometimes have more appeal as a conversation pieces than places we'd like to go.

We have found a southwest Boston suburban dining gem called The Raven's Nest Pub and Eatery in downtown Walpole, Mass. Built much like the Irish pubs owner Mark McAuliffe grew up with in this native land, the Raven's Nest is very cool and cozy -- an upscale yet casual dining spot without an ounce of trendiness or pretension.  The comfortable dining room with fireplace, long wall with hand-painted bricks, handsome front-to-back bar, the open air windows, high ceilings, attractive lighting, seven plasma televisions and outside patio create an overall atmosphere that makes for an extremely accommodating atmosphere. Add 15 different draft beers, an extensive wine list and many signature cocktails to its impressive food choices -- along with live Irish music on Sundays from 4-7 p.m. -- and you have a restaurant where it's easy to become a "regular." The Raven's Nest also features a brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Because of the appealing hometown atmosphere, professional but friendly service, and high quality food, The Raven's Nest certainly qualifies as a date night place, but also a family-friendly spot where you don't have to dress up. That's the beauty of the place!

The "contemporary cuisine and upscale pub fare" dishes we have experienced at The Raven's Nest are as good, if not better than at some of the date night restaurants we've tried in Boston. Good news, too, for the "budget-minded": the prices are much lower than many higher-profile Boston restaurants. We would first recommend the mouthwatering apple goat cheese salmon with asparagus, real mashed potatoes (or rice), and cinnamon and cranberry balsamic glaze. Phenomenal! Another fantastic dish is the pistachio chicken, a breast of chicken with roasted pistachios, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, pesto cream sauce and balsamic nectar. The Raven's Nest also makes a great baked mac and cheese, steak tips, roasted pork chops (with honey and cinnamon glaze, roasted potatoes, honey-glazed carrots),
Shepherd's pie, eggplant Parmesan, burger and grilled pizza (especially the "Goat Broke Loose" with goat cheese, caramelized onions, roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella). I also have frequent cravings for the delicious pesto chicken sandwich with grilled chicken, basil pesto, roasted peppers, cheddar American cheese and rosemary. I could eat that sandwich every day!

Mark and his wife Maura have been so embraced by this friendly little New England town that they have decided to open a coffee shop called The Coffee Perch a few doors down from The Raven's Nest. As the Walpole community has been in need of a coffee shop for several years, the arrival of the Coffee Perch should also be embraced by Walpole. The Coffee Perch web site describes its soon-to-be-opened coffeehouse as a "place to rest, chat with with friends, escape in a great read, write your first novel, catch up on work, surf the Internet, gaze at beautiful art, sketch your next masterpiece... all while enjoying exceptional coffee, delicious pastries, eclectic music - in a comfortable neighborhood coffeehouse!" Like The Raven's Nest, The Coffee Perch will overlook the beautiful Walpole Town Common -- a great spot to relax after a cup of coffee, or take in the Walpole Farmers Market during the summer and fall on Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.

We'll let you know at the Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette when The Coffee Perch grand opening takes place.

Back to The Raven's Nest: isn't it nice to have restaurants like this not too far from where you live? Please feel free to share your favorite date night "neighborhood restaurants" in New England by posting a comment below.

The Raven's Nest is located at 998 Main St., Walpole, MA. Tel. (508) 734-9377


Editor's note: for full disclosure, The Ravens' Nest is an advertiser on VisitingNewEngland.com. Its status as an advertiser does not affect our opinion on this Walpole restaurant. We are paying customers that write straight from the heart -- and our taste buds! You will never find a good-review-for-an-advertisement scenario on our web sites. We have too much pride and integrity for that nonsense!

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Visiting My Grandmother Had That Antiques in Wrentham, Mass.

My Grandmother Had That...Antiques  in Wrentham, Mass., is one of those "hidden gem" antique stores that is jam-packed with antiques, collectibles and other items from the past.

Located in a charming, two-story old red barn at 446 South St. (Route 1A), My Grandmother Had That...Antiques certainly lives up to its name. You'll find furniture, lamps, desks, chairs, plant holders, fine China sets and just about everything your grandma had, and also didn't have -- like a web address, Facebook fan page or any hint on the Internet that this place exists! Unless you're a Wrentham native, one familiar with the antiques industry, have driven by the red barn on South St., or somebody that just reads maps of Wrentham all day, My Grandmother Had That...Antiques is as hard to find as the rarest antique. You won't even find the name, "My Grandmother Had That," on the building, just a sign that states "Antiques." The My Grandmother Had That name is on the business card, though.

My Grandmother Had That is open "Weekdays by Chance" so call ahead before embarking on a trip to this hidden gem. For the record, we went on a Sunday, and the store was open.

Yes, they do have a phone and the number is (508) 384-2874!

Editor's note: if you have been to My Grandmother Had That...Antiques, we'd love to hear your experience. Please feel free to comment on this post!

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20 Classic New England Family Travel Attractions

The Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Here are 20 classic New England family travel attractions that are sure to please families visiting Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont:


Outdoor Living Museums
Old Sturbridge Village A long-time favorite New England family travel attraction, Old Sturbridge Village depicts rural New England life in the 1800s "in the company of farmers, craftsmen and fascinating characters." The well-preserved homes and buildings on the premises will warm your heart and the hired staff, playing theirs roles convincingly, bring you back to another era when life was much more simple.  Old Sturbridge Village, Route 20 (two miles west of I-84 and I-90), Sturbridge, Mass. Tel. (508)347-3362. 

Plimoth Plantation OK, so the Pilgrims actually first landed on Cape Cod, but Plymouth was their first permanent settlement. The Pilgrim village has been built as realistically as possible and the actors and actresses employed there are worthy of winning Oscars for sticking so close to their traditional Pilgrim roles -- they give no hint that they are of this 21st century world. Plimoth Plantation, three miles south on Rt. 3A, Plymouth, Mass. Tel. (508)746-1622. 

Old Mystic Seaport This is America's largest living outdoor maritime museum. Educational and entertaining, you'll find many memorable exhibitions and hands-on exhibits, including a fabulous collection of smaller vessels, a whale ship (you can board this!), a square rigged ship or fishing schooner. Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic Conn. Tel. (860) 572-5315.

Battleship Cove This large collection of historic Navy ships is an awesome site, where you can sail through the Cold War on USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., sound the diving horn on the Submarine Lionfish, crank the hand wheels on Big Mamies 40mm guns, or climb on board a high-speed missile corvette that the Soviets designed to fight us. You simply don't know how big these boats are until you get one. It made us greatly appreciate the craft that went into making theses ships and our brave Soldiers that protected our freedoms on these vehicles.  Battleship Cove, Five Water St., Fall River, Mass. Tel. (800) 533-3194 New England only, P: (508) 678-1100, f:  (508) 674-5597.


Indoor Museums
Boston Museum of Science More than 500 exhibits (many hands-on) highlight this world famous science museum that also includes a planetarium and Imax films. Boston Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, Mass. Tel. (617) 723-2500.

Museums of Fine Arts, Boston   A recent renovation and expansion makes a world-class museum even that much better with more collections and and an appealing modern look.  The museum features a  collection of about 450,000 objects,  including Art of the Americas; Art of Europe; Contemporary Art; Art of Asia, Oceania, and Africa; Art of the Ancient World; Prints, Drawings, and Photographs; Textile and Fashion Arts; and Musical Instruments. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass. Tel. (617) 369-6500

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Very nicely presented, the 40,000 sq. ft. Basketball Hall of Fame wonderfully celebrates the best basketball players in the history of the game, as well as exhibits that focus on "skills challenges, live clinics, and shooting contests." Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 West Columbus Ave., Springfield, Mass. Tel. (413) 781-6500

Salem Witch Museum Highly entertaining, the Salem Witch Museum focuses on this famous city's witch culture trails in 1692 through a tour that offers the visitor life-size figures, lighting and a lively narration. Salem Witch Museum, 19 1/2 Washington Square North, Salem, Mass. Tel. (978) 744-1692

Maple Grove Farms of Vermont You've probably seen Maple Grove maple syrup products in the supermarket; here at the Maple Grove Farms Sugarhouse Maple Museum, you can learn the process of making maple syrup. Maple Grove Farms, 1052 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, Vt. Tel. 1-800-525-2540 ext 5547 

Aquariums
New England Aquarium When it comes to aquariums, there are plenty of fish in the sea, but the extensive collection of fish as well as an extremely knowledgeable staff make the New England Aquarium a premier aquarium that is a "must-sea" when visiting Boston. New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, Mass. Tel. (617) 973-5200

Mystic Aquarium The Mystic Aquarium is perhaps a close runner-up  to the New England Aquarium, and regarded as one of the better aquariums in the United States according to a marine expert friend. Not only is the collection of fish spectacular and the physical plant simply beautiful, but the Mystic Aquarium is also dedicated "to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration." That means it's not just looking at fish here; the chance to learn here is tremendous. Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, Conn. Tel. (860) 572-5969

Amusement Parks, Theme Parks and Zoos
Canobie Lake Park In a world of locally-owned amusement parks closing, Canobie Lake Park has been a role model of the independents that have remained opened by giving the customer what they want: a mix of more than 100 traditional and modern amusement rides, an impeccably clean park, and pride of ownership from management to staff. Admission prices have remained reasonable, too, of the utmost importance to many families feeling the economy. Canobie Lake Park, 85 North Policy St., Salem, N.H. Tel. (603) 893-3506 

Roger Williams Zoo One of America's oldest museums that has constantly updated through the years, the Roger Williams Zoo is set on 40 acres  and home to more than 100 animals from around the world. Roger Williams Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, R.I. Tel. (401) 785-3510

Old Orchard Beach Old Orchard Beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, has pleased the generations with its mix of sun, sand, and amusements. It's a bit honky tonk, but family-friendly and with a beautiful stretch of beach, and plenty of shopping and dining options.

Storyland Mother Goose, Cinderella and many other famous fairy tale characters come to life in a village setting (there are relevant amusement rides here, too, including Alice's Tea Cups and Cinderella's Coach). Especially great for the younger kids! Storyland, Route 16, Glen, N.H. Tel. (603) 383-4186

Clark's Trading Post The most famous attraction here is the trained bear show, but Clark's is also worth a visit for a scenic train rides through the woods, a haunted house, bumper boats, an "Americana" Museum and an excellent gift shop. Clark's Trading Post, Daniel Webster Highway, Lincoln, N.H. Tel. (603) 745-8913

Water Country The largest water park in New England features some traditional and innovative water rides, including Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror (how did they come up with that name?), the Double Geronimo, Thunder Falls and Wild Canyon, and the Triple Giant slides. Water Country, 2300 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, N.H. Tel. (603) (603) 427-1111


Tours
Boston Duck Tours What better way to see Boston by land and sea than in an amphibious landing vehicle? Depending on the tour, you'll see many of the great Boston attractions like Quincy Market, Bunker Hill, Old Scollay Square, Old State House, Beacon Hill and Old North Church.


Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Tour Fun, fun, fun! You'll see a historical "moovie," a visit to the production room and receive a free sample of ice cream, afterwards!

It doesn't really fit into any category here, but let's not also forget about The Flume, a natural gorge extending 800 ft. as the base of Mt. Liberty in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with a rise to a height of 70 to 90 feet. It's a bit scary as I've heard of many moms that just prefer to wait in the car. You can walk the gorge or do the two-mile loop. I like the latter; it's a great workout and lots of nice scenery along the way! The Flume, Rt. 3, Lincoln, N.H. Tel. (603) 745-8391


Editor's note: please share this article with anyone you know who you feel is interested in family travel attractions. You can use the social media buttons below to spread the word.  Also, please share with us in the comment box further below, some of your favorite New England family travel attractions. Your feedback will be most helpful to those planning family vacations. Thanks!

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