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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI'm leaving Sunday with Goahead tours to New England
for the color tour. Im coming from the Florida Keys and I will land in Vermont and then take a bus through New Hampshire and Maine and end up in Boston. I dont care anything about the colors because I was raised in Michigan and have seen plenty of those, but basically we just decided when Covid first started that we were going to book some thing that we could look forward to and if we died we died or if we didnt there it would be. And now there it is.
So, anyone from the these states have any suggestions? My husband and I used to go to Cape Cod and so once we are in Boston for an extended leg of the journey, we will go on a whale watching trip. But otherwise any advice is accepted.
Thanks ❤️❤️
PS,we will be in Burlington and a train ride up a mountain In New Hampshire, Portland Maine, and ending in Boston.
bottomofthehill
(8,261 posts)Old Ironsides, the Boston Commons and the Make way for ducklings statues, castle island, the aquarium, Lexington, Concord, A. Roast Beef sandwich from Kellys Roast beef on revere beach. Slice of pizza from Reginas, or a whole pizza from santarpios in east Boston by the airport, legal seafoods, a day in Salem, the witch museum, the house of 7 gables, walk around the port. Gloucester, rockport although if you are coming from the keys, the costal still may have a little less appeal, but the old history there is amazing. Walden pond if you rent a car, you could do Lexington, Concord and Walden pond in a day.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)My husband and I went to Cape Cod several times on vacation and we took the ferry to P town so I do know a bit about Boston but I love love love your suggestions. Thanks!
bottomofthehill
(8,261 posts)We have had some great meals there. I am not sure how they are dealing with covid, but it is delicious. Sometimes they have a fish chowder that is amazing. I cant eat shellfish so the clam is out, but my wife loves it too.
applegrove
(118,022 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 28, 2021, 12:47 AM - Edit history (3)
with professery gardens (built back when people had gardens) and 250 year old trees everywhere. Rent a car for sure to do that. Drive through Harvard Square too. Go to Sam's American Cafe around the corner from the Ritz if it is still there (I guess the Ritz is now called the Newbury Hotel - right off the Commons).
tavernier
(12,322 posts)dem4decades
(11,244 posts)applegrove
(118,022 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(23,862 posts)Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)Character and the classic New England fare is pretty good. Dine on the second floor and the waitress will point out the favorite booth of President Kennedy who would have clam chowder and read the Sunday paper there. Right near Quincy Market.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)❤️❤️
Thanks!
Raven
(13,872 posts)say it's because we got so much rain this summer. You may have better luck farther north. I'm betting that your train ride is up Mt. Washington on the Cog Railway...that will be wonderful! While you're in Boston, you could visit the JFK Library and the Granary Burial Ground in addition to what other people here have suggested.
Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)2naSalit
(86,061 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(23,862 posts)this year. Probably due to lots of moisture and lack of cold nights.
Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 28, 2021, 11:35 AM - Edit history (2)
What used to be the Ritz Carlton Hotel located directly on the Public Gardens (take a ride on a swan boat) has just reopened as the Newbury Hotel. I haven't been in the newly renovated place but the legendary Ritz Carlton bar now looks like it's called The Street Bar. A very pleasant spot to take a break from touring. Try to grab a seat by the window.
The actor Jack Lemmon's mother wanted her ashes placed on the bar of the old Ritz Carlton!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)My brother lives in Burlington, my sister lives in Kennebunkport and I live in Boston, so I have obviously spent time in all three places.
Burlington is a charming little city and there is a nice farmer's market on the weekend in City Hall Square just off of College St. and at the end of the Church Street shopping area, which is a great place to visit. One of my favorite restaurants there is Leunigs right on Church Street and if you are a chocolate lover, be sure to stop in to Lake Champlain Chocolates for some of their excellent handmade wares as a gift or for yourself. If you get a chance to venture out of Burlington a little, I also love Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Farms Inn. A very Vermont experience and if you have a free night for dinner, that would also be another one of my recommended places (the Inn, which overlooks Lake Champlain, and everything served is grown right there on the farm or is sourced locally). It's a wonderful experience.
Kennebunk is an adorable little town and very charming. There are a few nice places to go on the water for a drink - The Boathouse Restaurant, Arundel Wharf Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, or Federal Jack's. You can also get food at these places as well. Very walkable.
Finally in Boston, I am sure they will show you the usual hotspots, but it's nice to just walk through the Boston Common and Public Garden this time of year and take a little detour off on Beacon Hill (where I live) to see some of the lovely old brick and cobblestone streets, old homes and street lamps and some of the prettiest streets in the country. Also, Charles Street, the main street on Beacon Hill has some nice little shops, cafes and restaurants. The Cafe Tatte on the corner of Mt. Vernon and Charles is a favorite of mine and has some delicious baked goods. Their tea and coffee is so/so, but there is a Starbucks up at the end of Charles on the Corner of Beacon if you would like a tea or coffee that is a little larger, cheaper and better tasting in my opinion. However you can't beat their baked goods at Tatte.
The Back Bay in Boston is also another great area to wander around, as is the South End, which is adjacent to the Back Bay. You can also take the Red Line from Beacon Hill (Charles/MGH T-Stop) a few stops over the river to Harvard Square and walk around Cambridge, but I think that might be included in your tour. Also, you can take a nice walk along the Charles River Esplanade which is easily accessible from either the Back Bay or Beacon Hill if the weather is nice. Let me know if you are looking for anything in particular and I can steer you in the right direction. Enjoy your trip and please tell us all about it when you get back! Bon voyage!
tavernier
(12,322 posts)Ive traveled with this company many times over the years
UK, France, Ireland, Russia, Baltics, Germany
and always had a wonderful experience. This is my first domestic trip with them, and Im hoping it will be just as much fun. The reviews are great. Plus Im going with three girlfriends who love to laugh and are up for anything, so it should be excellent despite possible bad weather or other glitches.
Thanks for the suggestions!
padah513
(2,483 posts)Something about that train ride up a mountain put a smile on my face.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)and it does look like an awesome experience. I bought a very warm jacket for just this in mind.
mitch96
(13,821 posts)Quaint older small city. Lots of brick and cobblestones. Very "food forward" place. Ate my self silly. Lots of micro breweries if that's your bent. I think almost every one has a beer tour and there is a tour bus if you don't want to drive. Maine Beer Co Peepers is my all time fav... On the west end is a locals dive bar with great food. Ruskies... 1892 it opened. Good juke box. The Miss Portland diner between Trader Joes and Whole foods is consistantly good. Again a locals place. Also went to a neat car show at Owls Head about 1 hr north of P'land. Passing thru the quaint towns was a walk back in time
We drove over NH and took the cog railroad up to the top of Mt Washington. That was. hoot. A bit pricy but on the bucket list. Or you can drive up. Mt Desert Island and the area is neat also.. Portland is very liberal if that is important to you. Most were masked up
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tavernier
(12,322 posts)Sadly we will only be there one day and night. Wish it was longer so that I could visit all of the places you mentioned.
mitch96
(13,821 posts)Take the ferry over to Casco Island and go for a nice walk. I think the ride is about 15-20 min and you get to see P'land from the water side. Neat old sailing ships going in and out also. Lots of history in that little town..I keep missing the whale watching... Next Year!!
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Vinca
(50,170 posts)The first 2 weeks in October is usually the best time for the kind of tour you're taking. I don't know how many of the activities have been cancelled because of Covid, but there are usually craft fairs, apple pie festivals, etc. all over the place. When you get to Maine, don't leave without a big plate of fried clams. Maybe you'll get to check out some lighthouses. In southern Maine there's the Portland Head light and at York Beach, south of Portland, there's Nubble Light. There's also an L. L. Bean store in Freeport (plus loads of other shops) and a huge antique mall on Route 1 around Kennebunkport. Also the Bush compound at Walker Point in Kennebunkport if you're interested.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)Youre speaking my language.
I live in the Keys and we have lobsters, but I really dont care for the flavor because they taste kind of musky to me. But I love lobster from New England waters.