love boston with me
Browse for antiques
Sign in Vermont
There's plenty of opportunities to browse for antiques all around New England. We're just scratching the surface with our list but it's a start. Feel free to pass on your suggestions if you come across a great place. We think consignment stores are fun too!
Take a trip to Boston Harbor Islands
Just outside of Boston you will find Boston Harbor Islands. It is very easy to catch a ferry and spend the day on the islands (unless you know someone with a boat... have them take you!). You can go and just hang out, bring a picnic, a book or a kite. Or visit Georges Island where you will find an interesting historic fort you can visit (kids love it there). Or you can take a guided tour of Little Brewster Island (with Boston Light, oldest light station in the country).
Pick your own apples and pumpkins (seasonal)
Fall is a popular time for New Englanders to go apple or pumpkin picking. There are plenty of farms all around New England that offer everything from apple and pumpkin picking to hayrides and corn mazes. Fun for everyone!
Experience New England
Rockport
Drive to Cape Ann, Rockport and Gloucester
Spend the day in Rockport, strolling around this cute seaside town. Best in the summer! There are restaurants, stores and beaches. Make sure you walk out to Bearskin Neck, maybe bring your lunch or an ice cream and sit on the rocks and watch the ocean with all the sail boats. Then visit Gloucester and maybe Manchester-by-the-Sea which has a cute beach (no parking). You can take the train to Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Go on a whale watch
There are several option for whale watching. Generally offered during summer months until late fall, it is a unique experience. There are whale watching trips leaving from Boston and from many other places around New England. Best is to search online but here are some options:
• New England Aquarium • Boston Harbor Cruises
Drive north to Marblehead and Salem
Adorable Marblehead with its beautiful harbor and quaint houses, and Salem with its history of witches.
• Visit Marblehead, MA and stroll around its old town, see the boats in the harbor and have a nice lunch at one of the nice restaurants by the water such as the landing or the barnacle
• Visit Salem, MA and learn more about the witch-trials that occured here in the late 1600´s. If you are visiting during halloween, then Salem is the place to visit. There´s more to Salem than witches though; for example the Peabody-Essex Museum (PEM) that have interesting exhibits, and a great museum store....
Drive north to Ipswich and Essex
The north shore with cute towns, lobster, beaches, and antiques • Have lobster at Woodman´s in Essex (lobster in the rough, come as you are, directly from the beach, in shorts, this is NOT a fancy place. You pick out your lobster outside, get it on a paper plate with lemon and melted butter. Pick up your bib and head inside for a beverage, and then enjoy your lobster. They have other foods too but basically it is a sea food. They are famous for their fried clams.)
• Check out the antique stores in Essex, there must be about 30 or so in all price ranges. We enjoyed Howard's, 136 Main Street (a wide range of things including garden items; lots to look at). A fun store to visit is Joshua's Corner Antiques, 4 Southern Ave - it's a mix of antiques and fun, cool stuff in a beautiful building. Very nice store-owner too!
• On the way there, you can stop at the nice farm stand on Route 22 on the way to Essex from rt 128 with fresh veggies, lots of flowers, fruits, berries, and more.
•Crane Beach (a long popular beach, go for a walk if not summer, or bring your towel and go for a swim in the summer. It´s quite popular, you pay for parking and it happens that the enormous parking lot fills up so get there early)
Drive north to Concord & Lexington
Concord, the place where the American Revolution began. The perfect drive in the fall when the leaves are changing
•Wilson farms (local New England farm, pumpkins, apples, pies, food, flowers, great in the fall, 10 Pleasant Street, Lexington, 781 862 3900)
• have lunch and/or dinner (suggestions: The Colonial Inn in Concord)
Drive south to Newport, Rhode Island
Here you will find the mansions of the Astor’s and the Vanderbilt’s. Have a nice lunch, party in the summer, go for a sail, and much more. Newport is about an hour and a half south of Boston. Take Interstate 93 south to route 24 South (you can stop at IKEA on the way). Follow Route 24 through Fall River, then take route 114 south into Newport.
• Newport Mansions A must see! Visit the mansions of the Astor’s and the Vanderbilt’s. If you can visit one or two, the Breakers is the largest and most popular. The Elms have a great audio tour.
• Have lunch and/or dinner. There are plenty of restaurants in Newport but if you head to Bannister Wharf and you are bound to find something you like from outdoor casual places to more fancy places. It's right by the water. One for example is the Black Pearl
• See the calendar for the Jazz Festival in Newport and the Winter Festival
Tip - If you are interested in renting a house in Rhode Island, we can personally recommend Harbour Island House. It's owned by friends of ours.
Drive north to Canterbury Shaker Village, NH
Hear the history of the Shakers during very interesting guided tours, visit the store with beautiful shaker furniture and handicrafts. A fascinating visit to a beautiful spot. There´s a restaurant too, or visit the little cafe and eat outside. Definitely check out what times the tours are as that makes the whole visit.
Drive west to The Berkshires
Best is to check out their website for things to see. it´s quite a drive so go early or stay overnight. It is a beautiful area with several museums, nice restaurants, traditional inns, and much more. If you go in the summer, try to get tickets to Tanglewood which is supposed to be fantastic.
• Tanglewood in Lenox, MA. The perfect summer outing. Boston Pops in the open air with picnic on the lawn.
• Hancock Shaker Village Visit the village and participate in various activities, take tours, visit the gardens and the animals. located in the heart of the Berkshires there is much to do in the area.
• Norman Rockwell Museum have lunch and/or dinner (find a listing of restaurants here)
Drive north to New Hampshire
• Portsmouth, NH Stroll around this city where you will find restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and more. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants. See if you can snag a table outside at the Portsmouth Brewery.
• You can have a great meal at The Common Man. There's a few different ones so check out the website.
• You like antiques? If so, drive along New Hampshires route 4 also called New Hampshires Route 4 Antique Alley. You will have most fun if you go with someone who also enjoys antique stores... There are lots of them. some really neat and some dusty and crazy (but isn’t that where you make your finds???) with yes, lots of junk; ‘we buy junk and sell antiques’.
• In Hillsborough, NH, you will find the birthplace of President Franklin Pierce (14th US President). On route 31, on the east side of Washington Road, about 100 yards north of its intersection with route 9. Call first as it is mostly only open in the summer 603 478 3165. President Pierce unfortunately had a sad life with all his children passing away at young age and his wife dying of tuberculosis.
• In Concord, NH you will find Franklin Pierces private residence from before and after his presidency. Check opening times before going 603 225 4555.
Drive north to Maine
You probably need to go overnight if you are going to Maine. It’s a big state. Below are some suggestions of things to see, places to visit and things to do. Let us know if you have tips about things to do in Maine!
• You could start with some shopping at the outlets in Kittery, Maine. A shopping outlet mecka. You could definitely go here on a day trip from Boston.
• If you drive further from Boston, you will find the outlets in Freeport, Maine, home of LL Bean , open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day - if you need anything outdoorsy for hiking, biking, fishing, etc, you could stop here.
• Kennbunk and Kennebunkport quaint and typical New England seaside towns. It gets really busy in the summer but it’s worth it. Lots of seafood restaurants from the small shacks to the fancier places. Plenty of shopping, and cute inns to stay at. You can stop in Kennebunkport and have delicious seafood sitting outside just by the water. There is a brewery which has good food and great beer but I would maybe suggest going for one of smaller places, just for the experience. You may think that the Kennedy’s had their estate here but it is actually the Bush family who have a summer retreat here. You can’t visit but you can see it from the road, follow Ocean Avenue, north from Kennebunkport.
• Ogonquit is another quaint seaside town. Very cute. lots of little stores, restaurants, pubs, and inns. Very popular.
• Portland, Maine. Many restaurants and good shopping. Hugo’s is a local favorite and quite fancy. The same chef, Rob Evan’s, has also opened Duckfat at 43 Middle Street; far more casual than Hugo’s with paninis, soups and salads. The Belgian fries sound good. If you like art, then ‘First Friday Art Walks’ could be fun.
• Bar Harbor If you want to go sailing (and who doesn't?), you should check out Acadia Sailing Company.
• If you are in the area of Brunswick, Maine, ‘Spindleworks’ could be a neat stop. It’s an art gallery and a store. It’s over 2 hours northeast of Boston. May not be open weekends so check the website first or call them at 207 725 8820
Drive north to Vermont
A beautiful state, summer and winter. skiing in the winter, hiking, golfing, antiquing in the fall, and foliage ('leaf peeping') of course.
• Woodstock, VT is a charming town, sometimes called the 'prettiest small town' in America. A typical New England town, quaint, with beautiful houses, nice restaurants, coffee places and fun stores. Treat yourself and stay at the Woodstock Inn & Resort. A typical (upscale and big...) New England inn/resort. They offer golf, a spa and dining.
• A nice (but it can be expensive....) trip is to visit the Simon Pearce store in Quechee, VT. Simply beautiful glass and pottery - modern. Glass blowing daily. They have a VERY nice restaurant as well.
• In Fairfield, VT you will find a replica of the 21st president's, Chester A. Arthur, childhood home. Open summer time. 802 828 3051.
• In Plymouth, VT you will find the boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge and where he was sworn in in 1923. Plymouth Notch is frozen in time, a quintessential New England Village preserved as it was around 1923. President Coolidge was sworn in here by his father, a justice of the piece, when news arrived of President Harding's heart attack.
Visit Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard
if you have some extra time (preferably in the summer) a visit to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard can't be beat. Both islands are charming, quaint and have plenty of activities from beaches, shopping, restaurants and activities ranging from swimming, golfing and bike rides around the islands. Martha's vineyard is the larger of the two.
Getting there: you can either take the ferry or you can fly (faster but pricier) from Boston or Hyannis
Spend the day in Rockport, strolling around this cute seaside town. Best in the summer! There are restaurants, stores and beaches. Make sure you walk out to Bearskin Neck, maybe bring your lunch or an ice cream and sit on the rocks and watch the ocean with all the sail boats. Then visit Gloucester and maybe Manchester-by-the-Sea which has a cute beach (no parking). You can take the train to Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Go on a whale watch
There are several option for whale watching. Generally offered during summer months until late fall, it is a unique experience. There are whale watching trips leaving from Boston and from many other places around New England. Best is to search online but here are some options:
• New England Aquarium • Boston Harbor Cruises
Drive north to Marblehead and Salem
Adorable Marblehead with its beautiful harbor and quaint houses, and Salem with its history of witches.
• Visit Marblehead, MA and stroll around its old town, see the boats in the harbor and have a nice lunch at one of the nice restaurants by the water such as the landing or the barnacle
• Visit Salem, MA and learn more about the witch-trials that occured here in the late 1600´s. If you are visiting during halloween, then Salem is the place to visit. There´s more to Salem than witches though; for example the Peabody-Essex Museum (PEM) that have interesting exhibits, and a great museum store....
Drive north to Ipswich and Essex
The north shore with cute towns, lobster, beaches, and antiques • Have lobster at Woodman´s in Essex (lobster in the rough, come as you are, directly from the beach, in shorts, this is NOT a fancy place. You pick out your lobster outside, get it on a paper plate with lemon and melted butter. Pick up your bib and head inside for a beverage, and then enjoy your lobster. They have other foods too but basically it is a sea food. They are famous for their fried clams.)
• Check out the antique stores in Essex, there must be about 30 or so in all price ranges. We enjoyed Howard's, 136 Main Street (a wide range of things including garden items; lots to look at). A fun store to visit is Joshua's Corner Antiques, 4 Southern Ave - it's a mix of antiques and fun, cool stuff in a beautiful building. Very nice store-owner too!
• On the way there, you can stop at the nice farm stand on Route 22 on the way to Essex from rt 128 with fresh veggies, lots of flowers, fruits, berries, and more.
•Crane Beach (a long popular beach, go for a walk if not summer, or bring your towel and go for a swim in the summer. It´s quite popular, you pay for parking and it happens that the enormous parking lot fills up so get there early)
Drive north to Concord & Lexington
Concord, the place where the American Revolution began. The perfect drive in the fall when the leaves are changing
•Wilson farms (local New England farm, pumpkins, apples, pies, food, flowers, great in the fall, 10 Pleasant Street, Lexington, 781 862 3900)
• have lunch and/or dinner (suggestions: The Colonial Inn in Concord)
Drive south to Newport, Rhode Island
Here you will find the mansions of the Astor’s and the Vanderbilt’s. Have a nice lunch, party in the summer, go for a sail, and much more. Newport is about an hour and a half south of Boston. Take Interstate 93 south to route 24 South (you can stop at IKEA on the way). Follow Route 24 through Fall River, then take route 114 south into Newport.
• Newport Mansions A must see! Visit the mansions of the Astor’s and the Vanderbilt’s. If you can visit one or two, the Breakers is the largest and most popular. The Elms have a great audio tour.
• Have lunch and/or dinner. There are plenty of restaurants in Newport but if you head to Bannister Wharf and you are bound to find something you like from outdoor casual places to more fancy places. It's right by the water. One for example is the Black Pearl
• See the calendar for the Jazz Festival in Newport and the Winter Festival
Tip - If you are interested in renting a house in Rhode Island, we can personally recommend Harbour Island House. It's owned by friends of ours.
Drive north to Canterbury Shaker Village, NH
Hear the history of the Shakers during very interesting guided tours, visit the store with beautiful shaker furniture and handicrafts. A fascinating visit to a beautiful spot. There´s a restaurant too, or visit the little cafe and eat outside. Definitely check out what times the tours are as that makes the whole visit.
Drive west to The Berkshires
Best is to check out their website for things to see. it´s quite a drive so go early or stay overnight. It is a beautiful area with several museums, nice restaurants, traditional inns, and much more. If you go in the summer, try to get tickets to Tanglewood which is supposed to be fantastic.
• Tanglewood in Lenox, MA. The perfect summer outing. Boston Pops in the open air with picnic on the lawn.
• Hancock Shaker Village Visit the village and participate in various activities, take tours, visit the gardens and the animals. located in the heart of the Berkshires there is much to do in the area.
• Norman Rockwell Museum have lunch and/or dinner (find a listing of restaurants here)
Drive north to New Hampshire
• Portsmouth, NH Stroll around this city where you will find restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and more. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants. See if you can snag a table outside at the Portsmouth Brewery.
• You can have a great meal at The Common Man. There's a few different ones so check out the website.
• You like antiques? If so, drive along New Hampshires route 4 also called New Hampshires Route 4 Antique Alley. You will have most fun if you go with someone who also enjoys antique stores... There are lots of them. some really neat and some dusty and crazy (but isn’t that where you make your finds???) with yes, lots of junk; ‘we buy junk and sell antiques’.
• In Hillsborough, NH, you will find the birthplace of President Franklin Pierce (14th US President). On route 31, on the east side of Washington Road, about 100 yards north of its intersection with route 9. Call first as it is mostly only open in the summer 603 478 3165. President Pierce unfortunately had a sad life with all his children passing away at young age and his wife dying of tuberculosis.
• In Concord, NH you will find Franklin Pierces private residence from before and after his presidency. Check opening times before going 603 225 4555.
Drive north to Maine
You probably need to go overnight if you are going to Maine. It’s a big state. Below are some suggestions of things to see, places to visit and things to do. Let us know if you have tips about things to do in Maine!
• You could start with some shopping at the outlets in Kittery, Maine. A shopping outlet mecka. You could definitely go here on a day trip from Boston.
• If you drive further from Boston, you will find the outlets in Freeport, Maine, home of LL Bean , open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day - if you need anything outdoorsy for hiking, biking, fishing, etc, you could stop here.
• Kennbunk and Kennebunkport quaint and typical New England seaside towns. It gets really busy in the summer but it’s worth it. Lots of seafood restaurants from the small shacks to the fancier places. Plenty of shopping, and cute inns to stay at. You can stop in Kennebunkport and have delicious seafood sitting outside just by the water. There is a brewery which has good food and great beer but I would maybe suggest going for one of smaller places, just for the experience. You may think that the Kennedy’s had their estate here but it is actually the Bush family who have a summer retreat here. You can’t visit but you can see it from the road, follow Ocean Avenue, north from Kennebunkport.
• Ogonquit is another quaint seaside town. Very cute. lots of little stores, restaurants, pubs, and inns. Very popular.
• Portland, Maine. Many restaurants and good shopping. Hugo’s is a local favorite and quite fancy. The same chef, Rob Evan’s, has also opened Duckfat at 43 Middle Street; far more casual than Hugo’s with paninis, soups and salads. The Belgian fries sound good. If you like art, then ‘First Friday Art Walks’ could be fun.
• Bar Harbor If you want to go sailing (and who doesn't?), you should check out Acadia Sailing Company.
• If you are in the area of Brunswick, Maine, ‘Spindleworks’ could be a neat stop. It’s an art gallery and a store. It’s over 2 hours northeast of Boston. May not be open weekends so check the website first or call them at 207 725 8820
Drive north to Vermont
A beautiful state, summer and winter. skiing in the winter, hiking, golfing, antiquing in the fall, and foliage ('leaf peeping') of course.
• Woodstock, VT is a charming town, sometimes called the 'prettiest small town' in America. A typical New England town, quaint, with beautiful houses, nice restaurants, coffee places and fun stores. Treat yourself and stay at the Woodstock Inn & Resort. A typical (upscale and big...) New England inn/resort. They offer golf, a spa and dining.
• A nice (but it can be expensive....) trip is to visit the Simon Pearce store in Quechee, VT. Simply beautiful glass and pottery - modern. Glass blowing daily. They have a VERY nice restaurant as well.
• In Fairfield, VT you will find a replica of the 21st president's, Chester A. Arthur, childhood home. Open summer time. 802 828 3051.
• In Plymouth, VT you will find the boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge and where he was sworn in in 1923. Plymouth Notch is frozen in time, a quintessential New England Village preserved as it was around 1923. President Coolidge was sworn in here by his father, a justice of the piece, when news arrived of President Harding's heart attack.
Visit Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard
if you have some extra time (preferably in the summer) a visit to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard can't be beat. Both islands are charming, quaint and have plenty of activities from beaches, shopping, restaurants and activities ranging from swimming, golfing and bike rides around the islands. Martha's vineyard is the larger of the two.
Getting there: you can either take the ferry or you can fly (faster but pricier) from Boston or Hyannis
Every season is sports season in New England
Boston Bruins
Plenty of opportunities to watch the awesome sports teams of Boston. Baseball, basket ball, hockey, and football - try to catch a game.
Want more action?
A leisurely walk in the woods
Hiking
You will find hiking for all levels in the New England states
Online guide to hiking in New England
White water rafting
In Maine, we would like to recommend Magic Falls rafting company. It is a lot of fun.
Running/walking/roller blading/biking
Canoeing & Kayaking
Activities around Charles river in Boston
There are boundless activities on the esplanade & around Charles river, you can run, walk, have a picnic, roller blade, bike, and some say you can even swim in the river but that is at your own risk - check it out here
Golfing
There are plenty of golf courses in New England, many close to Boston. Look for a public golf course. some we have played at are...
Swimming & beaches
✓ Why not try Water Country in New Hampshire? They have lots of water-rides ranging from gentler wave-pools to the "Double Dive Boggan".
Scuba diving
Why not check out some birds if you are out for a walk. Apparently there is quite a variety here in New England. Could be fun for the kids too - have them write down the birds on a list and make it a competition.
You will find several places to go skiing around Boston, and north of Boston
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Weston ski track. Consistent snow conditions through snow making when there isn't enough natural snowfall. Over 15 km of trails.
Ski areas around New England:
Online guide to skiing in New England
Ice skating
Strap on those ice skates (or rent) and skate around for a bit (seasonal). Check the sites for season openings!
You will find hiking for all levels in the New England states
Online guide to hiking in New England
White water rafting
In Maine, we would like to recommend Magic Falls rafting company. It is a lot of fun.
Running/walking/roller blading/biking
- A run around the Charles is a must. check out this running map
- Maybe your want to try the world’s oldest running marathon?
- You could attempt all or parts of the 38+ mile long Boston Harbor Walk (some parts still being worked on). The Harbor walk encompasses several neighborhoods in Boston, and wants to connect the public to a clean and restored Boston Harbor. There are plenty of places to stop on the way for food or visting museums.
- Minuteman bikeway
- The Fells in West Medford. Reachable by car (Interstate 93), the bus and the T.
- Bike paths and trails
- Nashua River Rail Trail This is a former railroad that travels 11 miles through the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable. The trail trail is paved and great for biking and rollerblading.
- East bay bike path in Rhode Island
- Try an indoor vertical wind tunnel! It's a blast!
- Try Boston Rock Gym
Canoeing & Kayaking
- In Boston, on Charles River with Paddle Boston
- In Ipswich at Foote Brothers, about a 40 minute drive from Boston. rent a canoe and enjoy a relaxing paddle down Ipswich river. bring a picnic.
- Nashua River in Groton.
Activities around Charles river in Boston
There are boundless activities on the esplanade & around Charles river, you can run, walk, have a picnic, roller blade, bike, and some say you can even swim in the river but that is at your own risk - check it out here
Golfing
There are plenty of golf courses in New England, many close to Boston. Look for a public golf course. some we have played at are...
- Sagamore Spring Golf Club (20 minutes north of Boston, all levels, varying quality depending on the season, no real restaurant, nice staff, welcoming)
- Stow Acres Golf Club (about an hour outside Boston. Very nice course)
Swimming & beaches
- Crane beach This is a beautiful, large beach which is very popular so it can get packed. The parking lot can fill up if you are not there early. Parking is quite expensive. It is a fun place though. Nearby, you will pass it as you drive, there's a farm, Russell Orchards, and it is fun to stop there for vegetables, fresh pies, fruit, fruit wine, and plants. They have farm animals too which can be fun for the kids.
- Plum island There are quite a fun parking opportunities here and it's a nice beach so it's a good alternative. Bring some picnic and drinks.
- Marblehead There are a few different beaches here so click on the link for a listing
- Singing beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea. You can take the train here. It's about a 10 minute walk to the beach (there's an ice-cream place on the way!). Parking is very difficult and unless you are getting there really early, you may be out of luck. It is a very pretty beach and the town has cute restaurants and shop so it is a nice outing.
- Revere beach Oldest public beach in America. Very close to boston, and you can reach it by taking the T. Take the Blue Line to Revere Beach or Wonderland Stations. Cross the street to the beach.
- Pleasure bay near Castle Island in South Boston.
- Nahant beach
- Nantasket beach in Hull is fun and quite popular
- Yirrell beach in Winthrop
- Good harbor beach and Wingaersheek beach, Both in Gloucester
✓ Why not try Water Country in New Hampshire? They have lots of water-rides ranging from gentler wave-pools to the "Double Dive Boggan".
Scuba diving
- PG Dive Who knew you could dive in Boston in the middle of winter.... inside...
- Courageous sailing in Charlestown have classes and our friend Miguel Corti is the director!
- Community boating on the Charles river. It's their sails you see on the river with the Boston skyline behind it!
- Boston sailing center at Lewis Wharf offer lessons, memberships, racing, and more
Why not check out some birds if you are out for a walk. Apparently there is quite a variety here in New England. Could be fun for the kids too - have them write down the birds on a list and make it a competition.
- Mount Auburn cemetery is a good spot
- Website about birding in New England for more information
You will find several places to go skiing around Boston, and north of Boston
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Weston ski track. Consistent snow conditions through snow making when there isn't enough natural snowfall. Over 15 km of trails.
Ski areas around New England:
- Loon mountain, New Hampshire
- Mount sunapee, New Hampshire
- Killington, Vermont
- Stowe, Vermont
- Sugarbush, Vermont
- Okemo, Vermont
Online guide to skiing in New England
Ice skating
Strap on those ice skates (or rent) and skate around for a bit (seasonal). Check the sites for season openings!
