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...