Massachusetts

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One of my goals this summer was to really embrace New England during its best season, and while the Solstice hasn’t even arrived yet, I am loving that we have done just that. We’ve already spent a beautiful weekend in Newport and had another weekend in Mystic, along with a Sunday wander to New Bedford.

This past weekend, we made the most of our trip to Maine to check out Nova Star. My original plan was to leave Portland to get home early to work, but it was so warm and sunny that we stayed out to play a little more.

We started the day with beautiful views from the ship and then went on to breakfast in the sun at The Porthole, which served us up some hearty fare to wake our foggy brains from a fun night before.

Portland, Maine

I was still hungry after breakfast, and I really wanted to try Eventide Oyster, so we made a quick stop there for briny Maine bivalves before we left Portland for Kennebunkport.

Eventide Oyster

I could have stayed at Eventide and eaten oysters all day. They were cold, cleanly shucked, and the perfect size.

oysters at Eventide

Next up, we found ourselves at the beautiful Colony Hotel for a walk on the grounds and across the street to the beach.

Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport

I could easily see us spending a leisurely summer day by the pool at the Colony Hotel, overlooking the ocean and waiting on the sunset. What a special space this is!

Colony Hotel Kennebunkport

Hunger struck again, and we went to downtown Kennebunkport to David’s KPT for lobster rolls. They serve their lobster roll with drawn butter AND mayo so we didn’t have to choose. I switched it up, dipping the lobster in butter at times and in the mayo at others. Pure heaven.

lobster roll, David's KPTThe rest of the afternoon was spent driving slowly down the coast, taking in the coastal farmland of Massachusetts and enjoying the sunshine and perfect blue skies.

horses

As the day headed toward sunset, we picked up a bottle of bubbles from Mumm Napa and went to Crane Beach, a favorite Massachusetts spot, for splashing in the very cold waves and watching as the sun dipped down below the trees. Crane BeachCrane Beach Crane Beach sunset

It was a pretty spectacular way to end the day of coastal New England sightseeing. There are so many cute towns and beautiful beaches along the way, I don’t think I could ever tire of spending a day like this.

Tags: Crane Beach, Kennebunkport. travel. New England, Maine, Massachusetts, Portland

There are so many more than 10 things I want to do in our beautiful Commonwealth, but I thought a list of 40 might be too much! This list is mostly Eastern Massachusetts based; I have a ton of love for the Western part of the state too, perhaps that’s a list all on its own? A few weeks ago we were trying to decide what to do for the weekend when I started thinking about all there is to do here. Since we’re soon going on a very big adventure, we’re sticking close to home and on budget the rest of the time. Below is a list of 10 things I want to experience sometime in the next couple of years. Have you done any of the below? Or do you have a list of things you want to do in the place you call home? I would love to hear them in the comments!

Mt Greylock

1) Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – I have lived in Boston since 2002. Wow. Typing that makes me feel old! I have sent journalists on FAM tours to the museum, but somehow I have never gotten there. This is one I hope to accomplish this winter.

2) Climb Mount Greylock again, but this time spend the night at the top at Bascom Lodge with friends and great food and wine.

3) Run a race on Spectacle Island – We’ve taken the boat to Spectacle so many times and have even spent the night. I would love to run the island sometime.

4) Tea at Bond at the Langham and the Four Seasons and the TajI love afternoon Champagne tea, and I would love to explore some of the elegant and luxurious teas in Boston.

5) Spend a lazy week on Martha’s Vineyard – We spent the day on the Vineyard a couple of summers ago, and we have been talking about going back ever since. I would love to swim, cook seafood, and explore on bikes and on foot. How relaxing does that sound?

6) Take dance lessons at the Boston Ballet – I was obsessed with ballet growing up, and though I am old and inflexible and out of shape, I would LOVE to take classes again.

7) Visit the Boston Public Library courtyard on a regular basis – I used to do this when I worked in the area. That space is so beautiful, and I would love to spend more time there.

8) Take classes at Harvard Extension – I took a PR writing class there years ago and it was great. It really helped to launch my career

9) Visit the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States SenateI love the JFK Library, and I will actually cross this item off my list when I attend a GBCVB event at the soon-to-be-opened addition next month.

10) Go out to an oyster farm and get fresh oysters, learn about the process, etc. – I learned about East Dennis Oyster Farm when I worked for an agency that had the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism as a client, and I have wanted to go out with them since.

Tags: Boston, Food, hiking, lifestyle, Massachusetts, outdoors, oysters, tea, things to do, Travel, vacation

Looking for a fun and festive day trip from Boston this weekend? Longfellow’s Wayside Inn is the perfect spot to visit this time of year for a step back in time and some holiday cheer.

I first visited the Wayside Inn years ago when I attended a retirement party there, but I have been a fan ever since, especially during the holiday season. It is the oldest operating inn in the country and has been opening its doors to guests since 1716.

Longfellows Wayside Inn

The inn itself is historic and beautiful, and when graced with blue skies and adorned with Christmas decorations, it is really something special. Holly abounds nearby, and the inside of the inn is warm and festive.

holly

wayside inn

The Tap Room at the Wayside Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and a warm fire. The nation’s first cocktail, a Coow Woow, was invented here, and they still serve it to this day.

coow woow co

We of course had to give a Coow Woow a try. . . and I would not recommend it unless you needed its contents to light a fire or lamp. Woow.

The ingredients in a Coow Woow are simple, ginger brandy and white rum, and it is strong! It’s easy to imagine our forefathers getting through cold nights with this concoction, but I’ll stick to the more tame Meetinghouse Punch, which was a blend of beer, rum, and sugar.

coow woow

It’s easy to linger in the Tap Room for the afternoon, and we met some very nice people planning a trip to Ireland whilst there. The Wayside Inn is not just a step back in time, but it is also a very classic New England place for food and drink, an excellent day trip from Boston.

wayside inn

wayside inn

Parts of the inn are preserved in a museum-like fashion, allowing guests a glimpse into the early days of the inn,

wayside inn

wayside inn

While the inside of the Wayside Inn is spectacular and homey, the land it is on as breathtaking. I love every second of blue sky and fresh air I can get in the country, and the Wayside Inn has it all, from rolling green hills to a lake to the most beautiful chapel.

sudbury walking

Mary Martha Chapel   walking in the woods sudbury naturewayside inn

When visiting the Wayside Inn, you can breathe in the smell of pines and enjoy the crunch of leaves and pine needles under your feet, all before digging into a delicious hearty meal paired with old fashioned drinks. The inn also often has events and special packages making it a fun little getaway from Boston.

I love this space and am glad we took an afternoon from the busy holiday season to escape to Sudbury in the 1700’s.

Tags: cocktails, colonial, decorations, festive, holidays, Massachusetts, outdoors, staycation, travel. sudbury, wayside inn

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