New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

Article and photos by Eric H. Adam's Farm in Cumberland, R.I., celebrates the simple joys of life in the New England fall. This small farm with the seasonal store under a tent and some most pleasing peaceful country farm views features everything "fall": apples, candy apples, caramel apples, cider, cornstalks, gourds, hay, hay rides, a hay maze, Indian corn, mums and various other healthy-looking plants, and a petting zoo with goats and sheep. Although the fall-oriented merchandise and activities draw people from all over the region, what makes Adam's Farm most special is the sweet smell of fresh air and the postcard-perfect scenes of pumpkins, white fences and green land. When the fall foliage arrives, Adam's Farm looks even more like a wonderland of New England fall pastoral beauty. Viewing this scene lends Adam's Farm an almost retreat-like quality, offering a potent antidote to the stresses of nearby "civilization." We highly recommend visiting ...

Article and photo by Eric H. Some restaurants shine most prominently in the fall. Parker's Maple Barn, in Mason, N.H., fits that autumn dining concept nearly perfectly. Located in the middle of nowhere -- and with several winding country road leading there -- Parker's Maple Barn requires a nice country drive before landing at the dirt parking lot in front of the old rustic 1800s maple barn and silo. Although we equate maple sugar with the spring, Parker's Maple Barn feels best in the fall. Maybe it's the scenic journey along the way -- is there a better time for New England scenery than in the fall?. Perhaps it's the isolated location with vibrant fall foliage colors surrounding the restaurant. It could be the fall chill in the fresh New Hampshire air. Or the walking foot bridge leading to the quaint Corn Crib country store located on the premises. Here, the scented candle aromas set a pleasing foundation for all the merchandise you love to see during a trip t...

Article and photo by Eric H. The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) is sure to offer you more than a "fair time" with its entertaining and educational late summer and fall fair from Sept. 18-Oct. 4 at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Mass. Like a county fair on steroids, the Big E is best experienced during a full day visit with its overwhelmingly enjoyable mix of amusement rides, circuses, parades, animal exhibitions, agricultural displays, comfort food vendors, musical entertainment, horse shows, cooking contests, and leather-lunged, fast-talking carnival barkers selling their merchandise in the finest infomercial style. Our favorite exhibition is the replicas of the six New England original statehouses: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Inside, you'll find a delightful vendor presentation of educational, travel and tourism information relative to each state. Even better: the local food selections, ...

Article and photo by Eric H. If you're looking for a nice, out-of-the-way, yet close-to-civilization apple picking spot, then we suggest the Big Apple Farm in Wrentham, Mass., as a "core" destination. The Big Apple Farm features apple picking (primarily MacIntosh and Cortland), this weekend from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., in a scenic, peaceful 200-acre setting near the Franklin, Mass., line and northern Rhode Island border. Located in the virtually unknown Sheldonville section of Wrentham, the Big Apple has always been considered a "destination" for locals, but is certainly worth a drive for those in search of a classic, local, family-owned farm with plenty to do in addition to apple picking. Here are some highlights of the Big Apple: * The farm stand with fresh, hand-picked in-season fruits and vegetables, and a bakery offering delicious homemade donuts, pies, hand dipped candy and caramel apples. Also available at the farm stand are jams, sauces, syrups, gift baskets...

2008 Photo of Franconia Notch State Park by Eric H. Fall foliage report, courtesy of VisitNH.com It's hard to believe that swimming in a lake on a hot summer day a few weeks ago has transitioned seemingly overnight into cooler days and chillier nights -- and leaves starting to change color. True to tradition, northern Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire allow for the first glimpses of colorful seasonal change. The colors, admittedly, are spotty, so don't travel great distances yet in hopes of brilliant fall foliage. Still, this is a great time to travel to New England's northern extremes as the fall crowds aren't lining up yet for leaf peeping while the chance to apple pick, drive the scenic country roads, take a hike (we mean that in a nice way) and catch a seasonal event are inherently present at this time of the year. From the scenic, rugged White Mountains to the quiet, quaint Currier and Ives-type towns within the Monadnock region of southwest New Hampshire, this is...

Editor's note: Welcome to the debut of our series on the best New England fall season attractions, destinations and places to shop, dine and stay. Today we feature a famous New England attraction, the Flume in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire ... Article and photo by Eric H. The Flume, in Franconia Notch State Park, N.H., offers a natural greatest hits package of everything that's good about New Hampshire scenery. The natural chasm with its wide gravel paths and boardwalks takes you through covered bridges, beautiful waterfalls and an 800-ft long gorge with a slightly scary 90-ft drop, affording amazing scenes of scenic pools glacial boulders and mountain views. Visitors can enjoy the Flume in two different ways -- walking through the gorge or taking on the moderate challenge of walking the two-mile loop (with inclines and what seems like a lot of stairs). The visitor center is impressive, also, with an information center, gift shop, cafeteria and auditorium feat...

Article and photo (downtown Walpole, Mass.) Beginning tomorrow, the Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette will feature a series of articles on New England fall events, foliage updates and best destinations, attractions, dining and lodging during the autumn season. We anticipate publishing articles almost on a daily basis until late October. If you would like to see a particular subject matter covered that relates to the New England fall season, e-mail us and we'll consider it for publication. For many fall is the best time of season for traveling New England. The scenery is colorful, the weather generally more stable and comfortable, and the events and attractions plentiful. Happy fall travel, here in New England!