New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

Article and photo by Eric H. The hundreds of thousands of people who visit Foxboro (also spelled Foxborough), MA, yearly for a New England Patriots football game or shopping and entertainment at the adjoining, soon-to-be-completed Patriot Place might not even know that there's a real, live town here. Foxboro, a town of about 16,000 about 25 miles southwest of Boston, is true "small town America," blessed with a quaint downtown, a large circular village green with gazebo, historic homes and churches, an old-time Aubuchon Hardware store, the "townie" Commons Cafe, the Orpheum Theater for local plays, and many nice little stores. On the outskirts, you'll find Normandy Farms Campground, and quiet neighborhoods with well-kept ranches, Colonials and Victorians. The tree-lined streets, leading off the town center, several well-regarded public schools, brand new police and fire stations, and an ambitious plan to renovate old state buildings into commercial and resid...

Article and photo (Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, MA) by Eric H. For those of you with a hearty appetite and who are constantly searching for the best New England restaurants, we recommend visiting the Phantom Gourmet , watching its show on Channel 38 Boston (Saturdays 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.) and listening on WTKK 96.9 FM Boston radio on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. (it's amazing how they can be in two places at the same time!). With hungry businessmen and food critics Andelman brothers Dave and Dan running the show with a mysterious, unknown restaurant reviewer named the "Phantom Gourmet," this well-known dining review business is best known for its lively, brutally frank and humorous television descriptions of local restaurants in the best Boston accents or "I'll try my best not to have a Boston accent" voices. The Andelman brothers, sons of local legendary sports talk show host Eddie Andelman, really love their junk food, but still manage to ha...

Article and photo by Eric H. The Main Street of Oxford, MA, features just about everything that is good about a traditional New England small town: a wide tree-shaded street with great sidewalks, grand old Colonial and Victorian homes with cozy front porches, tall white steeple churches, a classic old library, a park and town common, and a diner. The diner, Carl's, offering some of the hugest breakfasts we've ever seen, really showcases the close-knit feel of Oxford as everyone seems to know each other (the owners of this place are a riot, just short of making the comedy circuit). The rest of the town isn't quite up to the downtown's standard, but it's, nevertheless, quite an attractive town just minutes from Worcester in central Massachusetts. If you're in the Worcester area during your travel, we recommend stopping by this town that quite well represents the spirit of a small, quintessential New England town.

Article by Eric H. It's not even Halloween yet, but let's admit it: the Christmas/holiday shopping season showed signs of evolving after Labor Day in some stores. And reality is that we are less than two months away from the holiday season -- we all know how quickly two months can pass. I have researched some New England businesses that offer high quality merchandise for the whole family. You can view some of these businesses and their Christmas and holiday gift ideas at VisitingNewEngland.com . Businesses include the Vermont Teddy Bear Company of Shelburne, VT; Stonewall Kitchen of York, Maine; and Cambridge Soundworks. We have also included Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Boston Celtics holiday gift suggestions, including apparel and accessories, automotive gifts, baby gifts, books, 2009 calendars, DVDs, office products, and toys and games. Additionally, we have found New England travel discount passes to Boston attractions, tours and museums, as well as a ski p...

Article and photo by Eric H. Sandwich, MA, pleasantly combines two of the best elements of New England: the quaint white steeple church, tree-lined, Colonial home downtown look and the seaside charm of New England. Proving that you don't have to drive too far through Cape Cod to get the true essence of this legendary vacation destination, Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod incorporated in 1639, is just minutes from the Sagamore Bridge -- connecting mainland Massachusetts with Cape Cod. Sandwich offers a great deal of scenery and attractions for its residents and vacationers: ocean beaches, a pretty harbor, a bike and walking trail along the Cape Cod Canal, and quintessential inns and restaurants including the renowned Daniel Webster Inn and Restaurant , golf, boating opportunities and gift shops. Developed without being overdeveloped, Sandwich is one of our favorite Cape Cod destinations as it is the "real deal" -- not the hokey, cheesy Cape Cod that is becoming more ...

Article and photo by Eric H. Barrington, RI, doesn't get the press that nearby Newport and Bristol receive, but that doesn't mean it's any less of a idyllic New England coastal town. Primarily an upscale residential community, Barrington features plenty of splendid water views with the Warren River on the east and the Narragansett Bay on the west and south. Barrington is also located on the East Bay Bike Path, spanning 14 miles from Providence to Bristol with many water views. Although the downtown isn't as clearly defined as Newport or Bristol, it, nevertheless, has a pleasant look with historic, tree-shaded town buildings, boutiques, a book store and a few restaurants. Barrington's location is terrific, close to Providence and Newport making it an ideal, scenic place to live, or travel as part of a day trip. The water views are the real draw here, bringing you into a true coastal New England town, thus proving that you don't have to religiously follow the ...

Article by Eric H., Photo Courtesy of HiddenBoston.com I love blueberries. They are packed with antioxidants, taste great and, better yet, transform into something more magical in the form of a pie. Here in New England, we are not exactly bereft of great-tasting blueberry pie. The blueberries often come straight from the source, Maine, creating the foundation for locals to practice the art and science of making the perfect Maine blueberry pie. Out of all the great tasting wild blueberry pies in New England, I find the best to be at the Maine Diner in Wells, Maine. Served with some delicious vanilla ice cream, this version of a sweet New England dish mixes the perfect crust with wild Maine blueberries and just the right amount of sugar. The Maine Diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features other Maine/New England specialties like lobster pie, clam chowder, seafood chowder, Maine crab meat roll, chicken pot pie, and a delicious roast turkey dinner. Always call ahead t...

Article and photo by Eric H. Perhaps best epitomizing the quaintness of a small Connecticut Colonial seaport town, Essex is a true visual delight with its idyllic location on the Connecticut River. Tucked away in south central Connecticut, Essex boasts a picturesque marina, beautiful town park with gazebo, quintessential historic New England lodging at the landmark Griswold Inn, and 14 miles of sidewalks leading you past historic homes and interesting little shops and restaurants. Author Norman Crampton mentioned Essex as one of America's best small towns in his 1995 book, ''The 100 Best Small Towns in America.'' One look at Essex and you'll know exactly what he's talking about! Additional resources: VisitingNewEngland.com Article on Essex Essex Tourism Web Site Hotels Near Essex

Intro by Eric H., Bath holiday event info, courtesy of VisitMaine.com We've written before in The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Blog about Bath, Maine, as a wonderful, coastal mid-Maine travel and vacation destination. A truly authentic small Maine city with a vibrant, historical downtown, travelers often think of Bath as a summer travel spot, given its proximity to beaches and all the great benefits that come with it -- seafood restaurants, lodging with a water view, and refreshing ocean breezes. The reality is, however, that places like Bath thrive year-round as a residential community -- and, surprise, a place to visit even during the colder months. A good case in point is the holiday season. We recently received information from VisitMaine.com on a special holiday event to be held in Bath: Bath's Old Fashioned Christmas Turns Green The city of Bath's Old Fashioned Christmas celebration is living up to its name and getting greener in 2008. The month-long event...

Article and photo by Eric H. As the Boston, MA, suburbs move toward a more overcrowded, unfriendly, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality, there is a pocket of towns southwest of Boston that remain generally more laid-back, quaint and friendly. The towns of Walpole, Norfolk, Millis, Medfield, Medway, Wrentham and Franklin comprise a series of close-knit Norfolk County communities that include pretty village greens, meandering country roads leading from the town centers, road side farm stands, loads of community events, scenic ponds and lakes, and real estate prices generally lower than some other areas around Boston. The crime rates in Norfolk County are low and the schools are amongst the best in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine . It's especially nice to go out to breakfast or to the local supermarket, and meet people you know. After a few years of being involved in these communities, it's rare to go out and not see a familiar face. In the western suburbs where...

Article and photo by Eric H. Wolfeboro, NH, is truly a special vacation or day trip treat, with several nice downtown stores and restaurants, and the amazing views of the eastern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains framing this idyllic, little town. With all the great lake and mountain views, however, I keep coming back to the Wolfeboro Station building as this town's greatest representation of New England's character. Sort of like a Victorian-looking train station building, Wolfeboro Station now houses the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce . What a nice place for them to work, and for us to view as tourists always looking for the "true New England." Next time you're in Wolfeboro, make sure to stop by this personality-filled building and receive some tourist information and tips from the Chamber at 32 Central St., just a block off Main St.

Article and photo by Eric H. We're always looking for the best hidden, not-too-taxing New England hiking gems, and we'd have to put the Storrow Pond Trail at Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA, in that category. Starting at Hale's main entrance, the wide trails, complemented by some pretty slopes, take you by some truly beautiful views of Storrow and Noanet Ponds. If you didn't know it, you'd think you were in New Hampshire, not minutes from overcrowded Routed 109 and 128! Just follow the blue blazes and you've got yourself one of metro Boston's nicest hikes, as well as a decent workout at this scenic 1,200 acre reservation. Hale Reservation 80 Carby St. Westwood, MA Tel. 781-326-1770

Article and photo by Eric H. The Big Apple Farm, located in the tiny Sheldonville section of Wrentham, MA, serves as an old-fashioned working American farm in business since 1950 and a rural community travel attraction on over 200 serene acres. We consider The Big Apple Farm the best local farm in the southwest Boston suburbs, a salt-of-the-earth destination that favors authenticity over tourist trap cheesiness. For starters, there's seasonal fruit picking, including apples in the fall (all picked over for the 2008 season, unfortunately), raspberry picking in July and blueberry picking in July and August. For those looking for something a bit more sweet, the Big Apple Farm's bakery and donut-making facility turns out some fantastic baked goods, most notably the cider donuts, hand-dipped candy and caramel apples, apple crisp, blueberry muffins and homemade pies (including blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, pumpkin and Boston cream). There's even an ice cream stand with a cozy...

Article and photos (top to bottom: Walpole, Newburyport, Walpole and North Attleborough) by Eric H. I received the following e-mail from a reader interested in moving to a vibrant, small town within an hour to Boston, MA (we'd appreciate your reader feedback on this posting): I hope you can help. My husband and I love New England and want to call it home. We recently visited Northampton and love the small town feel with the eclectic mix of old and young; however, we need to be a little closer to Boston Airport (within an hour). Can you recommend a small town that has the same feel as Northhampton and would also be suitable for raising a three and six year old and a quaint "Main Street" without the chain restaurants, etc.? While it's entirely possible to find a small town with character and a quaint Main Street close to Boston, I'm not aware on any suburbs that have the eclectic mix of old and young within a college town setting (Northampton is home to the estee...

Article and photos by Eric H. The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Dedham, MA, certainly doesn't practice any false advertising when stating its mission: "Art too bad to be ignored." Located in a dingy basement in the Dedham Community Theater just outside the restroom, this community-based, private institution founded in 1993 is "dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms and in all its glory," as stated on the MOBA Web Site. MOBA even sells a book of its bad art, as well as producing a newsletter! Most of the art work, created by unknown amateurs, has been retrieved from dusty attics, thrift stores, yard sales and trash cans. I recently took a very brief tour of the museum, silently gasping in horror at some of the horrific art work. With no staff present for my 10-minute visit, the most stunningly putrid piece of art work I saw was "On the Shore at Sunset." The description reads, "'Two bat...

Article and photos by Eric H. On a recent trip to Northeast Kingdom Vermont, we drove through one of New England's most beautiful regions, Franconia State Park in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The mountain scenery and fall foliage colors were beautiful, as always, but the brief visit brought back equally beautiful memories of spending time here as a child. I remember my Mom and Dad taking us with great frequency to Franconia State Park during the 1960s and 1970s. In the back seat of our phony-paneled wood Ford LTD station wagon, we recorded our voices on a $59.00 Hitachi cassette recorder with a fading phony wood panel and a powerful built-in mike that picked up the road noise more significantly than our voices. With WFEA radio 1370 AM playing the greatest hits of the 1960s and 1970s on the analog car radio and an occasional ABC Contemporary Radio newscast, we shouted over all the musical and road noise-- documenting each landmark of our day or extended weekend trip. Of...

Colorful fall foliage leaf peeping opportunities still exist in Maine, most notably in southern Maine and all coastal locations over the next several days, according to the Department of Conservation's final fall foliage report of the season. We recommend viewing the map in this post to see current conditions and to visit MaineFoliage.com for continuous updates -- or VisitMaine.com for the latest events and activities for your Maine vacation. Two key events coming up are: Blue Hill's 3rd Annual Foliage Food and Wine Festival, Oct. 16-19 http://www.bluehillpeninsula.org/ The City of Hallowell's annual Fall Festival, Oct. 17-19 http://www.hallowell.org/ Both events are located in regions with peak foliage, at this writing, thus, enhancing great events even more!

Article and photo by Eric H. The Old Country Store and Emporium in West Mansfield Village, MA, looks like someone took a village from Vermont, put it on a flatbed truck and brought it to the Boston suburbs. Located in a Vermont-like neighborhood with old Colonial and country homes, a peaceful-looking modest old church, tree-lined streets, and a solitude occasionally interrupted by a rushing train, the Old Country Store and Emporium becomes even "more Vermont" upon entering this 175-year-old, continuously-running country store. The original store, with its worn, hardwood floors, 19th century mood lighting, post-and-beam ceilings, and an unidentifiable mix of country store aromas, immediately creates a scene actually better than some country stores in Vermont by packing what seems like every favorite, heartwarming country store item into its large-sized rooms. There's an antique candy counter with hard-to-find candies, an area artfully dedicated to fudge and other deliciou...

Article and photos by Eric H. Bird Park, in Walpole, MA, offers 89 acres of walking paths, trails and granite bridges, ponds, streams, tree groves and rolling meadows. It's easily one of eastern Massachusetts' most beautiful parks, courtesy of its dedicated, prideful owners, The Trustees of Reservations . This well-maintained, special East Walpole destination also features a nice playground for the kids, as well as tennis and basketball courts. Fall time at Bird Park enhances this great travel destination even more with its brilliant red, yellow, orange and gold leaves. There are pockets of beautiful foliage now, but the next few weeks should bring even more. After an afternoon in the park, take a short walk to 204 Washington St. (Tel. 508 660-1400, open at 4:30 p.m., and bordering Bird Park), a friendly, spacious, family-oriented neighborhood restaurant and bar, known mostly by only Walpole residents. It's a nice place for a good steak, roast turkey dinner (Sunday speci...

Article and photo by Eric H. Every community should have a restaurant like Star's on Hingham Harbor in Hingham, MA, located about 20 miles south of Boston. Friendly, cozy, and reasonably priced, this dining spot with views of Hingham Harbor serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a creative streak. Always going the extra mile, the Shepherd's Pie, as an example, isn't just ground beef, mashed potatoes and corn: there's also a herb tomato demi glaze and Parmesan crust. The baked mac and cheese features a four-cheese sauce and bread crumbs. The cod is potato encrusted with grilled seasonal vegetables and a roasted tomato-herb vinaigrette. For those who love food without a twist, Star's comes through quite including favorite American dishes like burgers, a great clam chowder, chicken pot pie, lobster rolls, grilled salmon, and a delicious grilled tenderloin medallions with asparagus, onions and real mashed potatoes. Stars presents huge portions, but if you have room f...

Article and photos by Eric H. There's nothing wrong with staying at a luxury hotel every once in a while, but sometimes a return to yesterday feels best by staying at a no frills, clean motel. The Lynburke Motel, in Lyndonville, VT, reminds me of the sunny, friendly, reasonably-priced New England motels we used to stay as children like the Springs in Pittsfield, MA, Indian Head in North Woodstock, Vt., and Kimball Terrace in Northeast Harbor, Maine. The spacious, laundry-fresh rooms, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a living-room-like lobby with nice dim lighting, a gift shop with "country treasures and treats," modest but pleasant flowered landscaping, and very friendly owners and staff fills the Lynburke with traditional warmth and hospitality. There's also cable television and free wireless Internet. The Lynburke also features a unique attraction: the Sanborn covered bridge, an antique, 117 long. structure built in 1867. It's certainly not fully restored, b...

Article and photo by Eric H. When locals rave about a local restaurant, we take that as a cue to put aside the travel guide dining recommendations and do as the natives do. While staying at a local motel in Lyndonville, Vt., the owners and staff praised the Miss Lyndonville Diner -- almost approaching filibuster status about the virtues of this diner. They told us that the Miss Lyndonville is where everyone goes for the delicious muffins, and oversized, delicious waffles and pancakes, and the equally good lunch and dinner (they favored breakfast, however). We arrived at the Lyndonville for dinner where we immediately fell in love with the hometown atmosphere. It almost seemed like we entered someone's living room, as everyone seemed to know each other. With the exception of the counter and stools, however, the Miss Lyndonville didn't really seem like a diner. The two rooms of booths and tables created more of a small restaurant look. Whatever the restaurant genre, we f...

Article and photo by Eric H. Walk about a mile into Adams Farm in Walpole, MA, and you'll hear something quite unfamiliar to the Boston, MA, suburbs: absolute silence. With the exception of leaves rustling, birds chirping or other melodious sounds of nature, the chance to get away from it all in an otherwise developed area results in a refreshing, tranquil feeling. Adams Farm, off North St., features more than 365 acres of town-owned land,hundreds of conservation land acres adjoining the property, and land owned by the New England Forestry Foundation and the Norfolk County Agricultural School. The total acreage adds up to 700-plus acres, an unbelievable amount of open land for the suburbs! It's a perfect four-season natural recreation destination, ideal for activities like hiking, picnics, horseback riding, non motorized mountain bike riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. Adams Farm is also an ideal place for fall foliage leaf peeping. In 2006, local resi...

Article and photo by Eric H. Northern Rhode Island currently offers many areas of peak fall foliage. One of New England's more underrated travel destinations, northern Rhode Island has many roadside farm stands and small restaurants, scenic rural views and historic mill towns and cities within the Blackstone Valley. We recently drove through the Cumberland, RI, area, where the leaves around the Cumberland Reservoir area were spectacular! One great way to leaf peep northern Rhode Island (and bordering Connecticut) is through the Blackstone Valley Fall Foliage and Shopping Train Excursion to Putnam, CT, departing on Sat., Oct. 25, 2008, at 9 a.m. from the Ann and Hope parking lot in Cumberland, RI. More information of the train ride can be viewed here, including ways to purchase tickets . For more information on the Blackstone Valley, read a previous post at the weekly New England Travel Vacation and Gazette at http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/impressions-of-black...

Article and Photo by Eric H. I found no "amusement" when Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA, closed in 1984 to give way for cold and clinical condo development. This once-magnificent amusement park landmark -- bringing thrills to locals since the early 1900s -- brought a festive quality of life to this coastal community, just 20 miles south of Boston and easily accessible from our suburban locations. While Nantasket Beach has made a bit of a comeback with a growing number of restaurants and hotels, the feeling just isn't the same for some of us traditional New Englanders. There are, however, three saving graces for the Nantasket visitor who wanted things to stay the same, forever: an original clock tower, one of the best ocean beaches on the northeast Atlantic coast, and the Paragon Carousel from 1928. Largely restored within its original housing, this special carousel features 24 restored horses and a Wurlitzer band organ that generates the carnival-like musi...

Article and photo by Eric H. Too many times upon returning from vacation, we have ended up at restaurants with witch-type waitresses, service that could be done better by a turtle, and a kitchen out of everything except water and a toothpick. Martha's Exchange, in Nashua, NH, served as the antidote to this disturbing dining trend. Located off the wide, brick sidewalks of surprisingly pleasant Main St. in a historic, restored 1872 Victorian building, Martha's Exchange looked immediately inviting. With its outdoor cafe dining, colorful yet relaxing indoor and outdoor mood lighting, interior brick facades, and an amazing "candy shoppe" with virtually every type of chocolate known to mankind, Martha's Exchange set a positive tone for our modest appetites. With the Boston Red Sox on the bar television (and a brewery featuring 25 different brews) across from an old world-type dining room, we sunk into the comfortable booths while receiving some friendly hospitality from...

Article and photos by Eric H. Littleton, NH, a historic mill town beautifully situated at the edge of the White Mountains near Vermont, could have been just another dying New England industrial community but, fortunately, has employed a vision to make the most of its modest, rural location. The downtown is surely one of New Hampshire's best examples attracting businesses that have ultimately attracted visitors and pleased residents looking for a full service town center. With a movie theater, toy and book store, Chutters candy shop, a classic in town diner aptly called the Littleton Diner, a furniture store, a post office filled with character, a 100-year old Opera House, the historic Thayer's Inn and restaurants popping up all over the place, Littleton is more than a stop along the way. It's, on one hand, picturesque with its typical New England big, white churches and mountain views, and on the other, a town with a downtown that has nearly all of its storefronts filled...

Article and photo by Eric H. Country stores in Vermont are best known for their Vermont clothing, arts and crafts, furnishings, souvenirs, regional food and sweets, gift baskets, Christmas gifts and penny candy, but how about some pizza? Bailey's and Burke, in East Burke, VT (near the Burke Ski Area), has all the bells and whistles of a country store with its "past and present" gifts within a classic, old wooden country store two-story building featuring dark, creaky narrow hardwood floorboards, a cozy area for eating and a network of larger rooms leading to smaller, quaint rooms with more merchandise. Owner Jody Fried is quoted as saying, "It's like walking into a warm blanket." From country linens to homemade Vermont fudge, Bailey's and Burke will surely satisfy the most picky country store aficionado. The difference, however, at Bailey's and Burke is the wonderfully overwhelming pizza aroma. For me, it sure beats that eventually nauseating smell...

Article and Photo by Eric H. Most of the fall foliage in Northeast Kingdom Vermont is past peak, but you'll still get some great leaf peeping opportunities in certain areas of this quiet, high and lonesome region.The views from Burke Mountain, pictured in this article, still afford beautiful panoramic views of the vast mountain ranges in this region. We recommend traveling there as soon as possible before all the foliage is gone. If you're not able to, then consider that Burke Mountain has another impending benefit -- the ski season with its 45 trails and glades on 250 acres of terrain, and a vertical drop of 2,011 feet. For today, however, the peacefulness of the mountain is fully intact before the roar of winter soon sets in at this scenic, unspoiled part of Vermont. Visit the Burke Mountain Ski Resort Web Site for more travel information.

Article and photo by Eric H. When in Vermont, it's always good to feel like you're in Vermont -- that's not always easy, given the growing gentrification of the region. The Lyndon Freigthouse, in the "Northeast Kingdom" laid-back town of Lyndonville, VT, will bring you right into the heart and soul of traditional Vermont with a restaurant, gift shop, railroad museum, coffee shop, ice cream parlor and information center all set within a historical building. The Freighthouse is one of two buildings left from the 22 built in the area by the Boston and Maine railroad, making it an essential Vermont and New England travel destination for lovers of history. The Lyndon Freighthouse restaurant reflects Vermont's "green" perspective by tapping into local natural and organic ingredients for its breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Set in the rustic, slightly worn, former 1878 red freighthouse with a long farmer's porch, and a country store-meets-r...

Article and Photo by Eric H. Echo Lake Beach is located right off busy Route 93 in Franconia Notch, NH, on the slopes of popular Cannon Mountain in the White Mountains, but seems like a million miles away from civilization. This pristine 28-acre beach features incredibly peaceful views of where the Franconia and Kinsman Ranges meet, thus creating a notch. In the fall, the foliage is "top-notch," while the June 20-Sept. 1 timeframe brings visitors a perfect lake beach travel getaway with lifeguards on duty for safety purposes, a snack bar for hunger purposes, and the chance to rent a kayak or canoe for scenic splendor purposes. New Hampshire lakes -- or New England, for that matter -- don't get much prettier than Echo Lake Beach. The good thing for you is that it's right off the highway in the heart of the White Mountains. Visit the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation for more information on Echo Lake Beach .

Article and Photo by Eric H. Phantom Farms might have a slightly menacing name, but you'll feel quite relaxed and refreshed visiting this friendly Cumberland, RI, apple orchard and farm stand. With cornstalks, rocking chairs, deep orange pumpkins and colorful flowers gracing its wide front porch and adjoining snack deck, Phantom Farms creates a perfect New England country roadside stand atmosphere that gets even better once inside. The store features baked goods, cider, bags of fresh-picked apples, pies, cream and butter fudge, flowers, and jams. A current special is the pumpkin mousse roll! We personally recommend the pumpkin scones, fresh blueberry pie, and moon pies with cream stacked to seemingly the moon! Phantom Farms, located in the pleasant northern Rhode Island countryside, also features a garden center, flower shop, gift shop and a spectacular fall time pumpkin patch with colorful pumpkins, gourds and squash of all sizes. The 2008 apple season has ended at Phantom Farm...

Article and photo by Eric H. With its lively indoor and outdoor summer shack seafood scene, Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, NH, seems like the perfect hot weather New England dining destination but why stop something so good with the change of seasons? The southern coastal New Hampshire landmark will be open for lunch and dinner this Columbus Day Weekend -- good news for those who love lobsters from an on site lobster pool, delicious and substantial lobster rolls, some of the most tasty clam chowder in this region, and perfectly fried clams (with equally perfectly fried onion rings). Add some water and marsh views, and the feeling of being in coastal New England feels quite pronounced. After Columbus Day, Markey's will be open for lunch and dinner on just Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As a loyal customer who loves Markey's seafood, you can be sure this hardy New Englander will be eating there even in the thick of winter. After all, there's no need to suppress one...

Commentary and photo by Eric H., fall foliage updates courtesy of VisitNH.com The good people at VisitNH.com just sent us some fall foliage updates for New Hampshire. Just a day away from the Columbus Day Weekend, this leaf peeping information should serve, no doubt, as a valuable guide to your New Hampshire trip planning needs. On a personal level, New Hampshire has always had a special place in my heart, especially during the fall foliage season. Yes, fall foliage is tremendous anywhere in New England, but to me, the New Hampshire foliage resonates with colors seemingly more consistently brilliant. Add the dramatically, rugged and beautiful White Mountains and its nearby lakes or quaint, relaxing towns like Hollis, Milford, Bristol, Keene, Wolfeboro, Peterborough, Meredith and Woodstock and you have the perfect foundation for a New Hampshire fall foliage day trip or extended vacation. Without delay here are the updates from VisitNH.com -- and don't forget to call its recorded h...