New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

Charley Manning featured a great topic yesterday afternoon on his WRKO Boston radio talk show, focusing on the challenges restaurants face in today's tough economy. I caught a few segments where many callers and restaurant employers felt  that good service was as important  as the food. I don't know about you, but too many restaurants I've been to have average service, at best. It seems like either the management is too busy to pay attention to its customers, the often transient wait staff disinterested and lacking good listening skills -- or both.  Several restaurants, however, come to mind when thinking of offering a pattern of excellent service. This includes waitress or waiter friendliness from start to finish, bringing the food out on time, and a host or manager that interacts well with the customer.  In no particular order, here are some New England dining spot where we have found a  general commitment to excellence when it comes to "service with a smile...

If you enjoy the Boston and New England of yesteryear, we think you'll enjoy our newest VisitingNewEngland publishing network blog addition, Old School Boston . Here, we will take a reflective and sometimes humorous look at some of the Boston restaurants, retail stores, local media, television and radio commercials, travel attractions and events, town and city icons, etc., that warmed our hearts and minds when growing up in the 1960s and 1970s.  Some subject matter you'll find in our first several articles include Rex Trailer, Willie Whistle, Grover Cronin's Department Store, the Cottage Crest restaurant, the "Famous Jim Sands" radio show,  legendary sports anchor Don Gillis, the Dave Dinger Ford radio jingle and the Zayre retail chain. Much more is on the way!  As always, feel feel to contribute your Boston and New England memories to this new Blog!

It takes some getting used to, but Putnam, Conn., ultimately grows on you. The old Montgomery Ward building (pictured here; Montgomery Ward, however, is long gone), the many locally-owned antique stores, head-on parking, a leisurely pace and a growing restaurant and retail scene help make Putnam unique, serviceable and with a rough-around-the-edges but pleasant personality.  We recently spent some time here and really enjoyed the antique stores and the modest but nice Christmas decorations around the downtown area.  If you need some other place to shop than the big box stores, Putnam is surely a worthy New England destination. For more information on this small New England town located in the northeast sector of Connecticut, please visit read our Putnam CT travel article at VisitingNewEngland.com.

The southwest Boston suburban town of Wrentham, Mass., always comes up with a fantastic Christmas lights display at its beautiful town common. Although the look of this town common is classic New England year-round, things just seem to come alive even more during the holiday season. With a gazebo all decked out in white lights, big trees with multi-colored lights and places to stroll along this multi-acre open space, the holiday spirit is always alive and well at this pleasant, little downtown spot. We'd love to hear your comments on the Wrentham town common Christmas lights display, or any other holiday travel attraction that you enjoy in New England!

If you're looking for the latest New England fall foliage reports online, state agencies in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont offer excellent web site updates (with resources listed below). We couldn't find one for Rhode Island, but you can call 800-250-7384 to find out information on the fall season in the "Ocean State." Enjoy the great colors, but be sure to stay up to date as conditions constantly change! Connecticut   http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2222&q=320738&depNav_GID=1631 Maine  http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/index.shtml Massachusetts  http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/#/driving-routes New Hampshire  http://foliage.visitnh.gov.ns1www.silvertech.net/index-flash.html 1 Vermont  http://www.vermontvacation.com/vermont%20by%20season/fall/current%20foliage%20report.aspx Tweet

Chris Leadbeater, of the Daily Mail, just wrote a fantastic article on his recent  New England fall foliage trip . His writing, is no doubt, as colorful as the foliage leaves of New England, taking on almost a child-like awe of this special time of year in our region. Perfectly capturing the fall essence of the New England highways and byways, small quaint New Hampshire and Vermont towns (Woodstock and Grafton Vt., Jackson, N.H.) and scenic areas like the Berkshire County region of Massachusetts, Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and the Androscoggin River in Maine, reading this article makes one feel that they are alongside the traveler. The journey ends in Boston "where the leaves, stoked to an orange inferno around the perimeter of the Common, give an extra tint of majesty to the redbrick masonry and the shining dome of the Massachusetts State House." Beautiful writing, with detail that you don't always find in general New England fall foliage articles! Fall foliag...

Pumpkins at Adam's Farm, Cumberland, R.I. (photo by Eric H.) Just an update from a few posts ago that the pumpkin selection, at this writing, at Adam's Farm in Cumberland, R.I. , is spectacular! Pumpkins take up most of the large field behind the farm stand. Adam's Farm owner Jim Marszalkowski tells me that the crop has been quite good this year, so if you're in the area and looking for a healthy-looking pumpkin of any size, we recommend stopping by this pleasant, small farm in northern Rhode Island (near Wrentham, Mass.). You can click on the link above to find out more about what Adam's Farm has to offer during the fall and Christmas seasons. Adam's Farm, 495 Sumner Brown Rd., Cumberland RI 02864. Tel. 401-333-1727, 401-333-1845 Editor's note: we recommend calling Adam's Farm first before setting out on the planned itinerary as operating hours and merchandise for sale can potentially change! We also would like to add that we, at the Weekly ...

The Mt. Washington Valley in the White Mountains of New Hampshire always has something fun going on, and the remainder of October is no exception. The great thing about going to an entertaining event in this region is that you not only have something great to do, but also the advantage of touring some of the best fall foliage, lake and mountain scenery in New England. The following press release from the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce mentions Mt. area fall festivals, an Oktoberfest, a famous fair and scarecrow contest: North Conway, NH -- Fall colors are a great reason to visit Mt Washington Valley in September, but add in fun foliage events, and you've gotten more reasons to visit Mt Washington Valley in September and October.  From World Championship Trike and Mud Football competitions to scarecrows and pumpkins, there are cider barrels full of events to enjoy this fall.  Simply click on the links below or visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/  and cli...

Vermont and the fall season go hand-in-hand. Having the ideal location to showcase the splendor of colorful fall foliage and many picture-perfect little towns, Vermont is a wonderful fall destination to go sightseeing by car, get out and walk or hike in the quaint communities or on trails and mountains (weather permitting), and, generally, just take in the true feeling of what New England is all about. There's nothing like a warm day that eventually turns to a cooler crisp afternoon or night while getting to know the people, places and things in this laid-back, beautiful New England state. Add a classic town common, church with tall white steeple and a scenic winding country road surrounded by the spectacular Green Mountains and it all adds up to something that for your "greatest memories" books. The Vermont Press Room recently produced a press release for events to enjoy in October, including fall harvest festivals (including apple and pumpkin themes) craft shows, and...

Adam's Farm, Cumberland, R.I. (photo by Eric H.) Adam's Farm in Cumberland. R.I., remains one of our favorite New England fall destinations with its scenic farmland, weekend hay rides, locally-picked apples, cider, pumpkins, free corn maze, cornstalks, mums, gourds and other seasonal delights. Unassuming in nature and located in an area not typically thought of as a prime fall foliage destination, Adams Farm's magic resides in the simplicity of an old-time farm with friendly owners and staff and a relaxing feel. Only open during the fall and for the holiday season (beautifully lit and with Christmas trees for sale, hot chocolate, warm cider and a visit from Santa), this large canopy surrounded by rolling farm land, pumpkins in the field, and an old dairy barn provides a nice little escape from the hectic pace of the nearby suburban and urban ways of life. Additionally, Adams's Farm features a farm animals --primarily, friendly goats -- which kids from all over the...

We had a chance this weekend to visit Jane and Paul's Farm in Norfolk, Mass., and are happy to report that the pumpkin and apple picking opportunities are quite good, at this writing. This small, friendly family-owned farm offers a good supply of Macoun, Mac, Daybreak and Cortland apples, all within within easy walking distance from the parking lot and farm stand. A tractor ride will get you out to the large fields of pumpkin patches, but you'll also find many pumpkins for sale just outside the farm stand. The pumpkins looks great and come in all different sizes. We like Jane and Paul's Farm a lot. It's not as high profile as some of the other local farms, the prices are reasonable, owners very pleasant and knowledgeable, and the place feels like one's own secret discovery. The farm stand also still has many fresh vegetables and fruit for sale, as well as local breads, eggs and honey. You'll also find a complex corn maze here (for a nominal fee) -- it took u...

Conway Scenic Railroad in Conway Dan Houde / Purity Spring The Conway Scenic Railway in North Conway, N.H., is a great way to "track" the New Hampshire fall foliage. Departing from North Conway Village, the Conway Scenic Railway features handsomely restored trains traveling through the Mt. Washington Valley countryside and surrounding White Mountains. The timing is good to take the train as the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development recently wrote on its latest New Hampshire Fall Foliage Update : "More brilliant color awaits you in the White Mountains region. Stunning reds, warm golds, vivid oranges, and deep purples have come to life all over the terrain." We recommend calling ahead to the Conway Scenic Railway at 1-800-232-5251 as the trains fill quickly during this spectacular time of the year! Conway Scenic Railroad 38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH 03860 (603) 356-5251 Tweet

Nubble Lighthouse  in York. Photo Credit: Maine Office of Tourism The thought of Christmas holiday tree lighting ceremonies in New England seems so distant, given that it's fall foliage season now and we were swimming in lakes and oceans until very recently. But as we know in New England, it has been known to snow in October and summer and fall memories seem like a distant memory. We just received word from our good neighbors at The Maine Office of Tourism about Maine tree lighting ceremonies happening just after Thanksgiving.   Here is an introduction from VisitMaine.com on those special Maine holiday places, followed by the specifics of the events (and some music events, too)... Prominent evergreen trees in Maine's city and town centers get dressed with lights and holiday decorations annually during the days after Thanksgiving. The events are often accompanied by parades, visits from Santa Claus and live entertainment. But, some communities have a twist to t...

Article by Eric H. Photo: Albany Covered Bridge Kancamagus Highway, 9/11/08, by Jesse Mosston Seems like there's a leaf peeping tourist for every colorful leaf on the Kancamagus Highway, but don't let the crowds impede your New Hampshire fall foliage visit to this famous location. This is simply one of the best scenic routes in New England to take in the brilliant fall foliage!  The 34-mile highway, spanning from Lincoln to Conway in the heart of the White  Mountains, features some truly wonderful forest, river and mountains views.  We just received some great "New Hampshire Fall Foliage Updates" news sent to us on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, from the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development stating that " Drivers will want to cruise the Kancamagus Highway for dramatic scenery, and take advantage of a number of stopping points, from roadside picnic areas to short and long hikes. Nearly 75% of the area is almost at peak and promises awesome fa...

Article by Eric H. Leave it to the Maine Diner, in Wells, Maine, to come up with an innovative, delicious lobster dish. This famous diner seems to hit a home run with everything they make, and its lobster salad is no exception! With a generous amount of tender Maine lobster chunks layered combined with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, this mouthwatering dish is a Maine Diner standout from a large menu already filled with amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. We've never had a bad meal here! The choice is indeed always tough on what to order at the Maine Diner, but, for now I'm sticking with this dish that gives you the best of both worlds: a taste of Maine with its lobster and the healthy accompanying vegetables. Maine Diner 2265 Post Road, Route One Wells, ME 04090 Phone: 207-646-4441 Editor's note : For more on this wonderful southern Maine roadside restaurant, we recommend checking out the VisitingNewEngland.com Maine Diner dinin...

Strolling the Common at Old Sturbridge Village in autumn. Photographer: Thomas Neill Tweet Article by Eric H. If you're looking for an educational and entertaining New England travel attraction for the whole family, Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) in Sturbridge, Mass., continues as one of the region's best destinations. The authentic, expansive Sturbridge Village living museum presentation expertly recreates rural New England during the 1790s through the 1830s.  The village layout is tremendously thoughtful and detailed with 59 historic buildings on 200 acres, three water-powered mills and two covered bridges.  Additionally, you can visit with knowledgeable New England historians in costume, ride in a stagecoach, view antiques, heirloom gardens, meet the farm animals, and take part in hands-on crafts.  Additionally, the charming Oliver Wight Tavern looks like an 1830s rural New England tavern and offers lunch, Sunday Brunch and Friday night dinners, at t...