Posted on 04/09/2023 5:28:31 AM PDT by jimfr
I am planning a trip to Maine , Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall. I'm asking for advice on where to go, a more specific timing, what to see and places to stay. Interested little visited places but just beautiful as the more publicised spots.
Bflr
The home of Norman Rockwell is actually in West Arlington VT, but Shaftsbury is close. Driving along the Battenkill River is beautiful. Manchester is a nice town with outlet shopping more tastefully arranged than in N. Conway NH.
Up in the White Mountains, drive through all the notches for fabulous views: Franconia, Pinkham, and Crawford Notch. We love staying at the Stonehurst Inn on the northern side of North Conway. Great food and comfortable rooms, a little on the expensive side. The Kangamangus Highway is a stunner. Lots of walking and hiking through out this region, from semi-easy nature walks to difficult day hikes. Make sure you heed the warnings on food and clothing if you go up Mt. Washington.
If you like art museums, the Portland Art Museum (Maine) is a good one. Works by Homer, Hartley and others.
I know all these states pretty well. Start north in late Sept/early October and go south with the foliage. Everyone has recommended very good choices.
One more place if you like art. In the northwestern corner of MA, near VT, you could visit Mass MoCA in North Adams. Most of the art is pretty contemporary (and often empty), but a light work by James Turrell is called Perfectly Clear and it is an truly awesome experience. Nearby, the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA has amazing Impressionist works.
Have fun and report on how it goes!
https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/the-maine-beaches/york
https://www.cuttysarkmotel.com/
All first floor rooms have doors leading directly onto the lawn looking out at the Atlantic. You can walk directly onto the beach from the lawn.
https://newengland.com/travel/maine/nubble-light/
EAT: https://theyorkriverlanding.com/
You’re right, Shaftsbury and Arlington are basically the same thing to me.
Here is the restaurant I was looking for (The Soups!)
http://capeneddick.com/food_starters.cfm
When you are leaving New England through Massachusetts and you’re a fan of Norman Rockwell don’t miss the Normal Rockwell Museum. It’s in Stockbridge, MA right near Tanglewood. Unfortunately there will be no Tanglewood concerts after August 27.
Pretty part of the state,totally infested with moron moonbats.
our honeymoon was in that area....loved it...it was in early October....upper Massachusetts and New york are spectacular as well....you could visit the Norman Rockwell museum.
It’s been a while, but if you like history check out Strawberry Bank and John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth NH, Woodman Museum in Dover (https://woodmanmuseum.org/) and Canterbury’s Shakers Village (https://www.shakers.org/) in Canterbury NH.
I spent a year working in Boston and lived in southern NH. Loved the history and attractions attractions in/around boston - hated the traffic and the job.
If you come early enough the drive up MT. Washington will still be open. It’s a thrill of a lifetime. I live here and it’s my favorite place to go.
In re, King Arthur’s: been there a few times and really enjoyed it. Got my wife a gift card for baking classes, both online and in person. A big hit. Definitely worth a stop on your way to Canada.
Stonewall kitchen furniture ds gay extremism and other gay causes
Get away from the shore. Go inland.
My father is from there. It’s about as country as you can get.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some wonderful places on the shore, but if you want neglected, go beyond 10 miles from the shore.
BTW, wonderful museum in the capital, Augusta. Maine State Museum. I could say some more but I’ll leave it at that for now.
jimfr,
Sent you a freepMail...check it out.
I flew into NH and rented a car. Had used lighthouse maps to plan a trip from the southern tip up to our Bar Harbor destination. Saw and photographed our way north.
They also have a tremendous amount of their recipes online. All you have to do is google up the recipe and add *king arthur* and it will come up if they have it.
Manchester is not all that far from the border and it's worth doing that.
The LL Bean flagship store is worth going to but be aware that across the street is a LLBean outlet store in a small mall where they sell their stuff discounted.
We live in the woods on a lake shore in Lincoln, Maine.
Southern Maine and coastal Maine is infected with liberals.
In NH the Albacore Submarine in Portsmouth is well worth your time.
Next to Gorham, NH, the Town and Country Inn and Resort, locally owned is a great place to stay and eat, right on Us Route 2. Excellent views and good food, reasonably priced. Affordable. Well maintained.
In Acadia National Park, have lunch at the Jordan Pond House... Popovers and Tea on their lawn dining area. May have to call ahead for a reservation. An experience you will relish. And drive the Shoreline Loop Road. And drive up Cadillac Mountain...might need a reservation for the drive... stupid federal government keeps adding rules. Also, drive to the quiet side of the island, Southwest Harbor. Very scenic with a lighthouse nearby.
In Bar Harbor, park on or near the pier, and walk the path to the right of the pier. Ocean path, goes about half a mile behind many of Bar Harbor’s “cottages”. Easy walk. Also an experience you will relish.
Route 2 through VT, NH and ME is a two lane small town ride. Scenic. Colorful.
In Portland, Demillo’s Restaurant is a floating ferry converted into a restaurant. Good food and service. Seafood and everything there is great. Paid parking...they will validate your parking stub for free parking.
If you stop in Portland, the Casco Bay Lines Ferry has a great ride to all of the nearby islands. Affordable. Super scenic.
And the Portland Head Light in neighboring Falmouth is worth a stop. Also easily accessible and scenic.
The Cold Stream Inn in Enfield, Maine, owned by Jack and Cate Marsden is worth a night or two. On Cold Stream Pond, a large lake. Great owners, great view. Affordable.
In Lincoln, you can take your picture with our large loon, along the shore of Mattanawcook Lake. Visit the downtown store, Possibilities. Locally owned. And if you come to Enfield or Lincoln, let us know. We will invite you to lunch or dinner, perhaps a boat ride on our lake, Upper Cold Stream Pond,or a local restaurant. Ashley’s Ice Cream on Route 2 here, has homemade molasses ice cream. Yum.
Near the foot of My Katahdin, on Millinocket Lake, River Drivers Restaurant has good food and an amazing view of Maine’s largest mountain. And you could see a moose!
Gosselin’s Donuts in Bangor has great donuts. Family owned. Cash only. Closes at 11:00a.m.
I did not expect such a huge response to my request. It will take a while to process it all. Thanks
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