New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

The Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Mass. (photo by Eric) Here are 20 fun, must-see New England family travel attractions to put on your Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont trip planning lists: Outdoor Living Museums Old Sturbridge Village A long-time favorite New England family travel attraction, Old Sturbridge Village depicts rural New England life in the 1800s "in the company of farmers, craftsmen and fascinating characters." The well-preserved homes and buildings on the premises will warm your heart and the hired staff, playing theirs roles convincingly, bring you back to another era when life was much more simple.   Old Sturbridge Village, Route 20 (two miles west of I-84 and I-90), Sturbridge, Mass. Tel. (508)347-3362.  Plimoth Plantation OK, so the Pilgrims actually first landed on Cape Cod, but Plymouth was their first permanent settlement. The Pilgrim village has been built as realistically as possible and the actors a...

Editor's note: Mid-October is usually the best time to enjoy peak fall foliage in Central Massachusetts. For updates on best leaf peeping times, call the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism at 800.227.6277 Article by Tom K., avid motorcycle enthusiast This route starts out in Rutland Mass., takes a scenic route through Charlton, Mass., and down to Pomfret, Conn., for lunch at the Vanilla Bean Cafe . We then head northwest from the Vanilla Bean through the central Massachusetts towns of Southbridge, Sturbridge and eventually, Ware. From Ware, we head into Hardwick, around the eastern side of the Quabbin, up to Athol, and down the western side into Belchertown, but not without stopping at the Hamilton Orchards in New Salem for warm cider doughnuts, first. I have taken this route many times and still enjoy the ride! Start at Colonial Convenience/Mobil gas station at the Intersection of Route 122 (Barre Paxton Rd.) and Pleasantdale Rd. Follow Pleasantdale Road into ...

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, Maine, might be far away for most people, but it will surely be close to your heart, forever, once you visit this magical place. Best known for the Jordan Pond House restaurant (open mid-May through late October) with its famous popovers, afternoon tea and Maine seafood, Jordan Pond, itself, is really the star attraction with its peaceful body of water, hiking trails to view different yet amazing perspectives along the way, dramatic open fields and big skies, and easy hike up the "Bubbles" where you can get a commanding view of the fresh water pond. Acadia National Park is one of the jewels of the eastern seaboard with its mix of ocean and mountains; Jordan Pond might be the apex of this wonderful travel experience. The Jordan Pond House Restaurant and Jordan Pond are located on the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.