Notes From the Road

New England is filled with beautiful coastline and historic cities, but the charm of the following New England towns may fly under the radar in comparison to Boston or Burlington. Here are some must-see places to check out on your next trip through New England:

1. Newburyport, MA

Massachusetts has a lot of history and beautiful vacation towns south of Boston and on Cape Cod, however the North Shore area above Boston is filled with coastal charm and Newburyport is a great example! This coastal city started in 1764 and was a hub for fishing, trade, and shipbuilding, and this is felt while walking amongst the old brick buildings and sidewalks. Now, Newburyport is a tourist destination with great restaurants such as The Joy Nest with fun vibes and Thai small bites, The Paddle Inn known for brunch and a surf shop style, and The Grog, a North Shore staple.

There is also so much to discover if you walk along the Waterfront, downtown streets, or the Tannery. Right by the water you will stumble upon Oldies Marketplace, an antique barn filled with treasures and oddities. In the Tannery, formerly used for the shoe making industry, be sure to check out Jabberwocky Bookshop as you stroll. The historic State Street has more than enough to keep someone busy as well with shops such as Ganesh, Partridge in a Bear Tree, and more. Lastly, if you are looking for a bit more nature on your trip to the area be sure to go to Maudslay State Park, a former family estate with mansion ruins, beautiful gardens, and many trails.

2. Mystic, CT

Yes, that Mystic, Connecticut, the one from Mystic Pizza! While in town you can visit a replica of the famous Mystic Pizza and explore Main Street. Walk in one direction and you can browse at Bank Square Books or grab a treat at Sift Bake Shop, and if you are in the mood for more fine dining Oyster Club has seafood and a view of the river from the treehouse deck. The Mystic Museum of Art is a free museum on the same street if you wanted a change of scenery while enjoying curated galleries. Back on Main Street you can enjoy something sweet at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream while watching sailboats pass under the Mystic River Drawbridge. If you wanted to compare pizza quality, locals really love Nana’s Bakery & Pizza where you can enjoy a slice or a donut while sitting outside by the Pequotsepos River.

A trip to Mystic is not complete without a visit to Olde Mistick Village. Modeled after an 18th Century Colonial Village this open-air shopping plaza is complete with duck ponds, unique stores, restaurants, and even a theatre. Neighboring Olde Mistick Village is the Mystic Aquarium, a renowned aquarium in New England where whales, penguins, and sharks can be seen. If you enjoyed the atmosphere of the village be sure to check out the Mystic Seaport Museum, a reimagined 19th Century boating settlement complete with historic ships, a lively waterfront village, and a museum.

3. Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, NH is a hidden gem of a coastal New England city with architecture similar to Newburyport, culture like Portland, and historic relics like Mystic. The Strawbery Bank Museum is a seasonal living-history museum with historic buildings, crafts, actors, and gardens, and in the winter visitors can enjoy ice skating instead. Nearby in Prescott Park you can delight in live performances in the Summer while enjoying the gardens and waterfront park, and even leave a lock on the Portsmouth Love Wall.

If you enjoy live theatre try to get tickets to a musical or play production at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and you can enjoy a meal beforehand from establishments like Lexie’s Joint, Friendly Toast, the Library Restaurant, or Fezziwig’s Food and Fountain (reservations recommended – worth it). If you want to grab a drink in a chill atmosphere I recommend checking out some of Portsmouth’s great breweries, such as Eagle Earth Brewings, Liars Bench Beer Co., or Great Rhythm Brewing Company to sip by the river.

4. Portland, ME

North of Portsmouth and into Maine you’ll find Portland – Land of breweries, lighthouses, and a historic waterfront called Old Port! The coast of Maine is known for it’s lighthouses and you can see quite a few in the Portland area, including Bud Light, Spring Point, and Portland Head Light. If you want to explore these lighthouses and more from the water you can even take a Harbor Sights and Lights Cruise. Live music can be enjoyed on the water in the summer season at the Thompson’s Point venue, neighboring the Children’s Museum and International Cryptozoology Museum. A true Portland adventure would be incomplete without a walk around Old Port where you’ll find oceanfront restaurants like Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier or Liquid Riot, rooftop bars like Luna, and endless giftshops and bookstores along the historic cobblestone streets.

Returning back to land just slightly, Fox Street and Anderson Street (or as I like to call Brewery Row) are host to some of the best breweries, coffee shops, and quirky bars in the city. You won’t have to walk far to visit a place that fits your taste or energy, like Austin Street Brewery, a renovated gas station loaded with plants, games, and open space, or its neighbor Rising Tide Brewing Company. Not in the mood for beer, walk a bit further and you’ll find Après, specializing in hard seltzers and ciders, and Urban Farm Fermentory producing mead, kombucha, cider, and more! Do not forget to stop by the Portland Zoo where you may not see real animals, but rather some party animals in this garage-party style bar.

5. Newport, RI

Heading more south to tiny Rhode Island you can walk the hallowed halls and grounds of some not so tiny mansions along the coastline in Newport, like The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff, where scenes from the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby were filmed. If you have the energy, highly recommend doing part or all of the Cliff Walk, a paved path which runs along the coast and behind the mansions. At the furthest point of Newport you can visit Fort Adams State Park home to a 19th-century fort and the annual Newport Jazz Festival, which happens in early August.

Return to downtown Newport after a day of exploring and eat seafood, nachos, or burgers at one of many restaurants along the water, such as The Mooring, Diego’s, The Reef, and Brick Alley Pub. There is always an option to take a boat cruise or harbor tour through one of the cruise companies along the docks ranging as low as $20-$35 per person, where you can visit the sites like Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Adams, or even see seals, via boat.

6. Saint Johnsbury, VT

This quaint riverfront town in Vermont is just less than 50 miles south of the Canadian border and is accessible from two major highways. Walking along Railroad Street (pictured here) you’ll find places like Boxcar & Caboose a combined bookstore and cafe, a classic small town diner Kitchen Counter Cafe, some very Vermont gifts at Moose River Lake & Lodge Store, and a cold pint at Whirligig Brewing & Bistro. Walk just a few blocks to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium to view 30,000 artifacts and see the sky.

One of the most unique sites in St. Johnsbury is Dog Mountain, Dog Chapel, which sits high above town with sprawling views of the Vermont scenery. Quite the site to behold in any season, but especially in the Fall, you can go on your own or bring your pet to this art exhibit and symbol of piece dedicated to dogs. You can bring a note or photo of a dog to hang, explore the trails on Dog Mountain, and maybe even get to enjoy music on the mountain in the Summer with The Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series. In neighboring Danville you can also stop for a drink at Red Barn Brewing or if you have extra time wander around at the Great Vermont Corn Maze.

7. Camden, ME

The Mid-Coast of Maine has some unmatched beauty and if you are on your way up to Bar Harbor or this is your destination, Camden is a gem to visit. Hiking, seafood, and a smalltown feel are to be expected, and while downtown some places to visit include Megunticook Falls and bookstores and antique shops like Stone Soup Books and Antiques on 10 Mechanic. Once you’re ready for a bite check out Sea Dog Brewing Co. right along the bay, the charming Zoot Coffee for a little pick-me-up, or head over to Chestnut Street to beautiful Franny’s Bistro.

Nature fans should take the time to reach the summit of Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park and bask in the views of the bay and the islands in the distance. There are multiple ways to reach the summit: by car you can pay between $4-6 per person to drive to the top and walk a short distance to the tower, or take one of the many trails for free to the top with varying degrees of distance and difficulty. Once you reach the summit you can climb the Mount Battie Tower for a better view and on a clear day you can even see Cadillac Mountain of Bar Harbor in the distance!

Bonus: If you have some extra time drive down Route 1 to Rockland, ME. Take the long route there through Rockport to drive past Aldermere Farm and see the Belted Galloway Cows (Oreo Cows). There is much to explore in Rockland including the Breakwater Lighthouse walk, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and Rock City Cafe/Hello Hello Books. However, drive just a bit past town to Owls Head Lighthouse and enjoy incredible panoramic views, best enjoyed as the sun sets over coastal Maine (seen above).