4Real Forums: New England "must-sees"

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Topic: New England "must-sees"

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Molly Smith
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 8:21am \| IP Logged

We're planning a fall trip to Cape Cod, Plymouth, Boston area, but we have lots of flexibility on distance and are not limiting ourselves now in the planning stages. I really need help, though, with figuring out the "must-sees". Not just the towns, but specific attractions.

We know we'll go to Plymouth and we definitely want to go whale watching. What else?

Thanks so much!!

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Molly Smith in VA
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MarieA
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 1:20pm \| IP Logged

Hi Molly,

My husband and I grew up on the Cape and we just came back from there while visiting family. When are you heading up there? If it is during the next month or so, the weather is usually still very nice.

Plan a visit to Boston and to the USS Constitution(which is across the river in Charlestown). Lunch in the Italian North End of Boston or at nearby Quincy Market(Faneuil Hall) is always fun. Don't forget the Freedom Trail through Boston. Nearby in Quincey, is the home of John Adams. There really is so muc to do in this area it is hard to narrow it down.

While you are on the Cape, a drive down RT. 6A (Old King's Highway)is pleasant and there are interesting shops (for the best penuche fudge go to the Brewster Store)and stops along the way. I'd definitly plan some beach time to search for shells or fly a kite and a walk down quaint Main Street in Chatham can be nice. If you are in Hyannis and like seafood try Cookes Seafood. It isn't on the water, but it is consistently good! A popular seafood place on the water, in Hyannis, is called Baxter's Fish and Chips. St. Francis Xavier is the church in Hyannis. This is the church that Rose Kennedy used to attend...and Arnold Schwartzenegger was married there. Up the road in Centerville at our Lady of Victory is where Caroline Kennedy was married.

If you plan on seeing the western part of the state, then I'd visit Old Sturbridge Village. I have loved visiting here since I was a child!

Also, Mystic Seaport in CT and the Newport Mansions in RI might be fun.

Enjoy your time! PM me if you have any questions.

Marie

Here are a few links:

Cooke's Seafood

Baxter's (Fish and Chips) Boathouse

Faneuil Hall

Freedom Trail

Adams Home

Brewster Store

Chatham

Old King's Highway

1856 (Centerville) Country Store

Old Sturbridge Village

MarieA
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 1:29pm \| IP Logged

Oops, I sent you an un-edited version...(ignore my missing commas...)

Here is a link for Mystic Seaport and theNewport Mansions.

Enjoy!

Marie

RamFam
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 4:15pm \| IP Logged

Molly Smith wrote:

Thanks for posting this, Molly. We are planning this same trip. And thanks, Marie, for all the great info, complete with links!

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nissag
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 4:19pm \| IP Logged

Woodstock, CT (Roseland Cottage and Park are lovely), is right near Old Sturbridge Village and listed on the 1000 Places to See Before You Die. If you're going to see either one, or both, drop me an email and we can meet up - I'm right between the two (about 20 minutes from each).

Minuteman Park in Lincoln/Concord contains the Paul Revere capture site and has a great hiking trail complete with gravesites along the old Battle Road. The Old Manse, Orchard House, The Wayside, North Bridge et al in Concord. Don't miss Author's Ridge at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and Walden Pond. Concord has some lovely, quaint little shops, restaurants, and inns as well. We used to live on Hanscom AFB, and our quarters were just yards from the capture site. I really miss being there - it's fabulous. Oh, and try to get to Lexington Green - it's really pretty, and if you've read Johnny Tremain, it'll "look" familiar. Plus, there is a wonderful Lindt chocolate shop just over the road.

Vinny T's is a nice, laid-back place to get an Italian dinner - kids are very welcome.

If you're in Boston, visit the Public Gardens and take a picture with "Make Way For Ducklings". I also recommend the MIT Museum - that was loads of fun, and it's really small - easy to manage with a family, not such a huge production. The Kennedy Library is very nice, be sure to watch the intro film if your kids can sit comfortably for about 15-20 minutes.

Salem is uber-tacky, unfortunately. However, if you're drawn there, you can visit the Peabody Essex museum (really, really nice), and the Salem Witch Memorial as well as the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers (right over the line). Rebecca Nurse and her sisters, Mary Easty and Sarah Cloyce were accused of witchcraft. I am descended from their brother Jacob. Mary and Rebecca were both hanged, Sarah was released from prison after months and months of confinement. Incidentally, their mother Joanna was also accused of withcraft some years before, but never tried. It seems that accusations of witchraft were a way of getting back at your neighbours when you had a serious disagreement. The women of the Towne family (and the men, too) were fairly outspoken folk, which got them into some scrapes.

But I digress...

I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip!

Blessings,

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SusanJ
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 4:29pm \| IP Logged

Roseland Cottage is a place to see before you die?! I grew up about ten minutes down the road from there and I have NEVER been inside. I was on the grounds once. Isn't it funny what the "locals" miss?

I went to college on the North Shore of Boston and if you get up that way (you could do a whale watch from there, I think--and Salem is the same area) you could poke around Gloucester a bit. A cute town and still an active fishing village.

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nissag
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 6:01pm \| IP Logged

That whole section of CT is supposed to be on the list of 100 Places.

I guess you'd better come on back for a visit before you die! LOL! And come visit us, too.

Blessings,

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Nissa
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Molly Smith
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Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 6:46pm \| IP Logged

Thank you all so much! This has given us some great jumping off points. Please keep the ideas coming if you think of anything else. We'll be traveling by RV, and towing the car, so we have a lot of flexibility. We'll have about 9 days in early October.

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helene
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 8:28pm \| IP Logged

If you like American History then you cannot miss Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge Mass! We,ve been there umpteen times and cannot get tired of it. It is a living history museum- a village from 1820 or so. The buildings are authentic and have been moved to Sturbridge from all over New England. The people are in period dress and have storytelling, workshops, presentations and crafts in the various buildings and houses and shops of the Village. Fabulous! They have a website, I think its OSV.com. Enjoy your vacation! I love living here!

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MamaLamb
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Posted: Sept 20 2008 at 10:39am \| IP Logged

This is great! We're new here and planning a 3-week trip to the Cape and Boston (we leave this Sunday! YIIPPEE!!). MIL lives in Harwich, so we're doing Monomoy, the National Seashore, Wood's Hole, etc. Plymouth is a must, too!

We LOVED Johnny Tremain and hopefully we'll get to Lexington Green!

Plerase keep the ideas coming!
Heather (currecntly in sunny CA)

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