Working at both a bed and breakfast and a large resort has helped me realize exactly what travelers want. What is that you ask? A local's opinion. Almost every guest I have worked with has asked me for my personal recommendation on food, vineyards, hikes, best places to see the sun set, etc. We all want the inside scoop, the secret location, and the true local vibe away from all the tourists. What can be difficult is deciding what to share with those tourists. As a traveler myself, I want to share exciting and interesting things to do in my area, with the hopes that the tourists will play it cool and not tell all of their friends. So far, this strategy has gone quite well. So please "play it cool" while I share with you my recommendations for New England highlights based on my own opinion, and the opinions of many New England travelers I have encountered.
Vermont
Do: A hike in Stowe
Don't: Go to the town of Stowe
My home state has a lot of interest from tourists who want a quaint and quiet getaway. We're known for maple syrup and cows, but there is a lot more to Vermont's atmosphere. My favorite thing to do on a free day in Vermont is to take a hike in the Stowe area. Stowe is a typical tourist town, but down the road is the entrance to the hiking trails. My favorite in Stowe is the Sterling Pond Trail. A steep, but short climb full of many rocky stairs will lead you to the top of Sterling Mountain and its pond. The pond is a great place to take a swim or have a picnic lunch. It is also very unique due to the pond being at the very top of the mountain. If you climb to the left around the pond, you will find a short staircase that brings you to the top of the Sterling ski trail at Smuggler's Notch. Climbing the ski lift tower reveals an incredible view of the pond and valley below.
Although many tourists go to the town of Stowe, near Vermont's best nature spots. It is not the best look at Vermont life. I would recommend going to Hackett's Orchard in South Hero instead. South Hero is an island on Lake Champlain that is only a short bike ride from Burlington. It is a beautiful ride along the lake with natural beauty and local life everywhere. Hackett's Orchard has fruit in season all summer, but the best time to go is during the fall. My family always takes a ride to Hackett's in the fall to see the foliage, pick fresh, crisp apples, and have a piping-hot apple cider donut. I cannot recommend their cider donuts enough (believe me, I've tried many different cider donuts across Vermont). No one can beat their flavor and feeling of warmth. Overall, this orchard and are of the state gives you the true Vermont experience.
New Hampshire
Do: See the Flume Gorge
Don't: Go to Hampton Beach
New England has a few gorges for nature lovers, another being Quechee Gorge in Vermont. The Flume Gorge is very hike-able with paths and boardwalks that go around th is a great place to start a trip in Maine. It has a gorgeous view of the open ocean, a grand lighthouse, a fisherman's museum, and more. You can even stay inside the lighthouse overnight for just $200 a night! There is a small gift shop nearby that offers affordable souvenirs and lots of oceanside cliffs to climb on. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is also a function light. I also recommend visiting the Lighthouse at night, which is just as amazing as it is during the day. The Milkyway is clearly visible to the naked eye and the stars are absolutely stunning. to find that the only entrance to the parking lot was at the very beginning of the beach (and there are no side roads to turn back to the entrance). So I had to drive for an hour in slow traffic with no view of the ocean and still didn't end up getting to the beach. I would recommend a trip to a smaller beach in Maine like Moody Beach if you're looking for a swim in the Atlantic. Its always better to beat the crowds and the traffic.
Maine
Do: See Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Don't: Go on a Whale Watch
Maine is full of nautical adventures to be had. It is also filled with huge pine forests and a feeling of wilderness that is very relaxing. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is a great place to start a trip in Maine. It has a gorgeous view of the open ocean, a grand lighthouse, a fisherman's museum, and more. You can even stay inside the lighthouse overnight for just $200 a night! There is a small gift shop nearby that offers affordable souvenirs and lots of oceanside cliffs to climb on. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is also a functioning light. For this reason, I recommend visiting the Lighthouse at night as well, which is just as amazing as it is during the day. The Milkyway is clearly visible to the naked eye and the stars are absolutely stunning.
If you're looking for an Atlantic ocean experience in Maine, I do not recommend a whale-watching excursion. In my experience, the boat you take is crowded with no place to sit for the usual 4-hour excursion. The wind and sun starts to burn your face even with sunscreen on a calm day. Plus on our particular voyage, I spent all 4 hours with my fingers in my ears because the speaker system our guide was using was horrendously loud. The whole experience was pretty miserable. We did get to see a fin whale, the second largest whale on Earth, but it was mostly just puffs of ocean spray and a small gray stripe in the distance. Overall, I didn't find the experience worthwhile. However, If you desire the ocean experience in Maine I would opt for lunch right on the waterfront. Personally I would recommend The Waterfront in Camden which has delicious burgers, Kahler's in Booth Bay which has the Maine vibe you've been looking for (along with amazing seafood), or McSeagulls in Booth Bay which has cold and hot lobster rolls on the menu (both of which are out of this world delicious). This option gives you the ocean solace you need without the jarring waves and sea sickness.
Massachusetts
Do: Visit the North Shore
Don't: Shop at Faneuil Hall
My favorite part of Massachusetts is the north shore. My mother went to college in Beverly, Massachusetts and she first introduced me to my love for this area. The best two towns to visit are definitely Marblehead and Salem. These neighboring towns both have ocean front and a very historical colonial feel. Marblehead is home to "the neck" where multi-million dollar houses boast perfect views of open ocean, and a park called Castle Rock can be explored by those brave enough to climb the huge "rock." The park is also next to a castle-like mansion that Muhamed Ali once owned. Downtown Marblehead has gorgeous shops with seaside themes and tiny, winding, cobblestone streets. There are historic houses from as far back as the 1500's in this town too. Marblehead's close neighbor Salem is known for the Salem witch trials in the 17th century where many people lost their lives out of fear of the masses. The town has similar cobblestone roads, not to mention amazing restaurants. It also home to historical monuments dedicated to the lives lost during the Salem witch trials. I highly recommend a night time "ghost walk" which brings you through the ominous and interesting history of Salem.
Boston is usually the big draw for tourists in Massachusetts. I am a fan of Boston's history and location, but not all the tourist activities are that great. For example, most visitors would take some time to shop a little at Faneuil Hall. I personally find the shopping center pretty boring. There are big stores that everyone has already seen and a huge food court. However, there are no unique shops or local businesses in Faneuil Hall. This was a downer on both my recent visits to Faneuil Hall. However, if you do happen to wander toward downtown Boston you should not miss Dick's Last Resort. What is "Dick's Last Resort" you ask? It is a restaurant and bar in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace where the wait staff will banter with your party by giving you silly hats and smart comebacks. I went with my grandmother-in-law once and they gave her a hat that said "I babysat Jesus." Mine said, "I haven't showered in weeks." Every time I have been to this restaurant the food has been delicious and the staff hilarious and helpful. You can't have a more fun night out anywhere else if you are touring Boston.
Edit: I just found out Dick's Last Resort has closed in Boston, but they have many other locations across the US! Instead, try Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem for a great meal and romantic atmosphere.
Connecticut
Do: Take a Train to NYC
Don't: Go to Regular Old Theme Parks
I have not spent a great amount of time in Connecticut. However, the time I did spend there was interesting. Connecticut is the most urban state in New England in my opinion. It has its fair share of colonial mansions on the hill, but it also has cities full of life. I took the Amtrak train called the "Vermonter" to New York City from Hartford and had such a fun time exploring the urban side of the East Coast. The Vermonter was a great way to see Connecticut without sitting in traffic. I also met a new friend on the train who enjoyed playing Uno as much as I did.
One thing I did enjoy in Connecticut was my visit to Holy Land. It is an abandoned, Christian-themed amusement park in Waterbury, Connecticut. It sounds a little spooky when you say it like that, but the park actually has hiking trails laid throughout it now. You can visit the top of the mountain and have a picnic under the giant cross which overlooks the city or take silly pictures in front of the Hollywood-esque sign. This was a much better experience than regular amusement parks in Connecticut such as Lake Compounce, which was overpriced and very small. If you're looking for a unique experience with an outdoor and urban setting, Holy Land is your best shot.
Rhode Island
Do: a Shopping Spree in Providence Place
Don't: Miss Roger Williams Park
My only trip to Rhode Island was a whirlwind. My boyfriend and I were talking one afternoon and realized that neither of us had ever been to "the Ocean State." We decided that the next morning we would leave at 5am and spend the day there. We went to Providence Place, the largest mall in the capital, which was huge compared to other malls I have seen in New England. This mall had multiple levels and every store you can imagine. It also had a great view of the city and delicious Thai rolled ice cream in the top floor food court.
My favorite part of Massachusetts is the north shore. My mother went to college in Beverly, Massachusetts and she first introduced me to my love for this area. The best two towns to visit are definitely Marblehead and Salem. These neighboring towns both have oceanfront and a very historical colonial feel. Marblehead is home to "the neck" where multi-million dollar houses boast perfect views of open ocean, and a park called Castle Rock can be explored by those brave enough to climb the huge "rock." The park is also next to a castle-like mansion that Muhamed Ali once owned. Downtown Marblehead has gorgeous shops with seaside themes and tiny, winding, cobblestone streets. There are historic houses from as far back as the 1500's in this town too. Marblehead's close neighbor Salem is known for the Salem witch trials in the 17th century where many people lost their lives out of fear of the masses. The town has similar cobblestone roads, not to mention amazing restaurants. It also home to historical monuments dedicated to the lives lost during the Salem witch trials. I highly recommend a night time
So which part of New England will you cross off your bucket list first? My personal favorites are Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts, but shhh don't tell the others. If you need any more recommendations or ideas on what to do, where to stay, or what to eat, leave a comment below and I'll let you know what the locals enjoy!
Remember to bring compassion wherever you go,
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