NGKUR: New England (all welcome)

[onesweetworld]

I'll meet you for lunch somewhere on one of my days off if I can

[icedtea]

(I grew up in RI and went to school in Boston. Random recommendations ahead.)

In Providence, Thayer Street is a fun walk. Some great food and a pub with a nice beer selection (English Cellar). High concentration of hipsters due to RISD, but still worth it. Providence is fun to walk around, in general, but is very street by street as far as atmosphere. I'm not sure what you're into, but AS220 usually has something cool going on, and if you can get last minute tickets to the Providence Performing Arts Center, I greatly recommend it.

Newport is always fun, though expensive. It's a bit later in the season so it should be calmer, assuming there's no festival. The Red Brick Marketplace has some cute shops, and there are great restaurants.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is awesome. Food, shops, gorgeous water view.

Portland, Maine is also fun, though I like Portsmouth better. The Shipyard Brewery is a good time, if you like beer.

In Boston, the North End is lovely (don't bother with Mike's Pastries, it's not worth the line). If you like history, the Constitution tour is interesting. Quincy Market, of course, though it's crazy touristy. They should be prettying it all up now and that's always really nice. Salem is as kooky and great as you'd expect. Southwick Zoo has great exhibits and does a lot for its animals.

The Berkshires in MA is beautiful and has cute little towns. Same with several towns along the NH/VT border. Depending on what you like (history, antiquing, etc) TripAdvisor has some good info on all the tiny towns.

Lastly, if you're going to be road tripping, I'd suggest getting a copy of Weird New England It's very fun to drive around with.

[joy]

I lived in New England for two years and have no suggestions. Haha. I did like Portland, ME a lot but it's two hours north of Boston.

Boston is nice. North End is a fun place. Beacon Hill, The Common and the Public Garden are fun. The Museum of Fine Arts is really nice. The science museum sucks.

I didn't love New England and living in Boston really tainted me against the city. I think I am the rare exception.

[BurritosAtEveryMeal]

I am a lifelong MA resident and went to college in Providence. Pretty much +1 to everything icedtea said. Don't waste money at the Boston Aquarium or Science museum, but the Duck tour is totally worth it if you have time.

Thayer street in Providence is great and Newport RI has awesome mansion tours. If you're into that sort of thing, the Breakers and Rosecliff are worth seeing;it's about $30. And the Cliffwalk in Newport is a nice scenic walk. It's free. We also ended up doing an inexpensive boat tour in Newport. You can sign up at the wharf and it was worth it, as something different to do.

Portsmouth NH is also awesome for little shops and tons of restaurants and bars. DH and I stay at the Hiltons downtown pretty frequently and walk around, wandering aimlessly. Before DS, we would bar hop all afternoon/night. Tons of food and beer there.

[rablissful]

I would totally meet you for lunch too!

pippacricket could join us. onesweetworld too!

I agree to what others have said. If you have time do a duck tour because they are a lot of fun.

I have not been to Pourtsmouth, NH so I can't attest to how awesome it is.

Kittery, ME and Merrimack, NH have fantastic outlets if you want some retail therapy. I have been to both.

Monadnock in NH is a gorgeous mountain to hike.

[rablissful]

Oh! The mansions BurritosAtEveryMeal mentioned are GORGEOUS! I haven't been there in a long time.

[wannabmama]

I live south of Boston and used to live in NH and I love the whole area. Everyone has given you good tips so far. I love the mansions in Newport. If the weather is nice the cliff walk is great...and get a drink at castle hill. Newport Storm brewery is fun and even Newport vineyard to Sakonnet (about 45 min from newport) is fun if you're into that.
If you want a day trip on the cape, go to Truro vineyard and the beach near there. Stuff will be closed but it's pretty. A fun splurge hotel (with tons of discounts on living social, esp. mid-week) is Chatham bars inn. H and I go for a night a couple times a year. Get a cottage room. Chatham is cute, even off season. But again the cape will be very quiet so just giving those suggestions if you want to head that way at all.
In Boston, definitely agree north end is fun sand the common/garden are nice to walk around. Newbury street is a nice stroll with shopping. There are so many great restaurants all over the city, too. Depending on your favorite types I can give targeted suggestions The SamAdams brewery and Harpoon are fun (damn a lot of my suggestions are booze related, whoops).
There are a ton of cute places in VT and NH if you're thinking of heading up that far, I can add suggestions. Lots of beautiful hiking and nice quaint towns. Same thing in Western MA...
I hope you love the trip! Happy to help if you have any specific questions while you plan!

[Deleted]

I'm no help for what to do, but my favorite apps for road tripping are RoadTrippers, Road Ninja, Field Trip, and RoadFood. I'm probably forgetting some good ones, but those are the ones I used the most when we moved. Road Trippers you can use on the computer and plan things out and it's a lot of fun.

[daisy818]

The Amherst/Northampton area of Western Mass. has a lot of cool spots, and it's not as rural as areas further west. I haven't been there in a decade or so, so don't have specific recommendations, but it's a college town with lots of cool artsy places and yummy food, with some beautiful scenery.

[wannabmama]

Shipyard brewery in Portland is fun! I had a great meal at Ox there too.
Woodstock, VT is a nice stop...also has a brewery...Longtrail is there and is a fun stop. Near there is Quechee gorge, a pretty sport and a really nice restaurant is Simon Pierce, that company also is famous for glass blowing and there's some pretty stuff, kind of a nice random thing.

[spicysalmonroll]

Hi! I have lived in MA my whole life (except for 3 years in my early 20's). If you're going to the Cape, our absolute favorite is Seafood Sam's. But it has to be the one on Coast Guard Rd in Sandwich. Not the other locations. This is right on the canal and it's awesome for you to see the canal!

Everyone else has mentioned great stuff- Newport, North End Boston, Duck Tours, hiking Mount Monadnock NH. Those are all things I show people when they visit. I have not yet been but there's a restaurant Top of the Hub in the Prudential Tower that's on the top floor with a panoramic view of Boston. The food is pricey for the view but I've heard that it's really worth it.
If you're going to make the trek up to Maine you can't miss the famous Nubble Lighthouse.

[notagoddess]

+1 to what everyone else said, except I like the aquarium! But it's always super crowded, so there's that.

Since you and YH are foodies, I wanted to suggest some restaurants in Providence:

Den Den Cafe Asiana - Delicious Korean food, RISD student watching
Nick's on Broadway - Foodie heaven, best brunch, pricey for dinner
Los Andes - Top-rated restaurant in Providence, reasonably priced, get reservations!
Gracie's - Romantic meal. A lot of $$ though.
Seven Stars Bakery - Warm, friendly and delicious cafe-bakery.
Brickway on Wickenden - Classic breakfast, cool vibe

Enjoy your trip!

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2015 13:58:24 GMT -5 ****** said:

wannabmama our uneducated temporary itinerary is
RI--Cape--Portsmouth--Portland following the coast then on the return trip we plan to go more inland through NH and VT...

If you want some booze related vermont suggestions let me know.

[dashook]

+1 for meeting for lunch in Boston one day!

Everyone has given great suggestions. If you do go down the Cape, I highly recommend Chatham as a good place to hang out. It is really fun off-season and more places there are open this time of year than in other Cape Cod towns. And seriously, if you like seafood, there are few places that are better.

Boston is awesome and fun. The North End and Faneuil Hall are great spots for good food, good drinks, and people watching. If you like live Irish music and a well-poured Guiness, the Black Rose and Mr. Dooley's are fabulous.

I'm also obsessed with Maine. Portland is a blast; so many great breweries. Kennebunk is slightly closer and is also picturesque. If you go there, I recommend Federal Jack's. If you really want to take a trek northward in Maine, Cook's Lobster House on Bailey Island is worth the trip.

Have an awesome time!!

[joy]

Nov 2, 2015 9:04:25 GMT -5 notagoddess said:

+1 to what everyone else said, except I like the aquarium! But it's always super crowded, so there's that.

Since you and YH are foodies, I wanted to suggest some restaurants in Providence:

Den Den Cafe Asiana - Delicious Korean food, RISD student watching
Nick's on Broadway - Foodie heaven, best brunch, pricey for dinner
Los Andes - Top-rated restaurant in Providence, reasonably priced, get reservations!
Gracie's - Romantic meal. A lot of $$ though.
Seven Stars Bakery - Warm, friendly and delicious cafe-bakery.
Brickway on Wickenden - Classic breakfast, cool vibe

Enjoy your trip!

I really like the aquarium, too!!

[ellabee]

Hai. Bostonian here.

Sounds like you'll hit a lot of great locations.

I second the Chatham Bars Inn on the cape. Super cute. If you're thinking about making it all the way up to Provincetown, let me know and I'll include some more recommendations. My inlaws have a house in Wellfleet so there are a few good spots I can recommend around there.

You've gotten great suggestions for Boston.

Portsmouth - great tapas restaurant called Moxy you should check out.

If you're going from Portsmouth to Portland, I also second checking out Kittery, ME if you want a quick outlet shopping experience. Also Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are super cute. You can drive by the Bush compound.

Portland - HAVE to check out Duck Fat for lunch. Awesome food. Also, Fore Street for dinner (though I would definitely call for reservations). It has AHmaaaazing food. Also, shameless plug for Gelato Fiasco if you're not too cold for a dessert (my SIL's brother owns the business and they have really great flavors).

K that is all I can think of for now. I would also be down for a meet-up in Boston once you firm up your plans!

[wannabmama]

ellabee oooh yes, duck fat is great!!
Also...I'm actually going to be in Welfleet for dinner on Friday, got any suggestions??
ETA: I'd be down for a Boston meetup too!

[notagoddess]

Forgot to say, I would also be up for a meet-up in Boston!

[ellabee]

wannabmama
- The Pearl - right in the harbor. Food is standard upscale pub I'd say. It's a great spot for drinks. Sometimes they have live music. They also have a roof deck.
- PB Boulangerie - this place is great french/european food. If you don't eat there, it can also be a great place just to pick up a pastry and hot chocolate.
- Mac's - I just looked this up and seems like the Wellfleet location is closed for the season, but they do have a restaurant in Provincetown too. They get super fresh fish. They have great sushi, but also other standard fare plus fish and chips etc. The quality is great.

ETA: Obligatory edit to add Box Lunch, if you're looking for a quick roll up sandwich. Quintessential cape quickie meal. Anectode: last time I was at the Wellfleet Box Lunch, Julia Stiles was there picking up an order to take to the beach.

[wannabmama]

ellabee thanks! The Pearl sounds exactly up our alley! Maybe a stop by for a treat at PB Boulangerie too

[TheEleventhHour]

I third Chatham. It definitely stays a little more lively in the off season. I must say while I like Seafood Sam's there is better seafood on the Cape for sure. Provincetown has great seafood places and I think driving the entire length of the Cape is a cool thing to do. Drive 6A rather than the highway and you will stumble upon great places in all of the villages and it is a lovely drive with all of the old, historic houses. I lived there my entire life and still always loved driving 6A. And with it being off season you won't have to contend with traffic.

ellabee Oh my lord I adore PB Boulangerie. That is a great rec!

[spicysalmonroll]

Nov 2, 2015 11:15:01 GMT -5 TheEleventhHour said:

I third Chatham. It definitely stays a little more lively in the off season. I must say while I like Seafood Sam's there is better seafood on the Cape for sure. Provincetown has great seafood places and I think driving the entire length of the Cape is a cool thing to do. Drive 6A rather than the highway and you will stumble upon great places in all of the villages and it is a lovely drive with all of the old, historic houses. I lived there my entire life and still always loved driving 6A. And with it being off season you won't have to contend with traffic.

ellabee Oh my lord I adore PB Boulangerie. That is a great rec!

Yes definitely. I forgot to mention that we love Seafood Sam's because it's one of those no-frills clam shack places. As casual as you can get with great fried seafood platters. If you're looking for something more upscale like raw oysters & wine you would not go there.

[icedtea]

The last time I went to the aquarium, it was still basically all penguins. Which worked for me, because I freaking love penguins, but some other people I know were disappointed.

That said, Mystic Aquarium in CT is fun, though also insanely crowded. Mystic Village is cute too, albeit touristy (but that's going to be the caveat for most things in New England).

[dashook]

Nov 2, 2015 11:15:01 GMT -5 TheEleventhHour said:

I third Chatham. It definitely stays a little more lively in the off season. I must say while I like Seafood Sam's there is better seafood on the Cape for sure. Provincetown has great seafood places and I think driving the entire length of the Cape is a cool thing to do. Drive 6A rather than the highway and you will stumble upon great places in all of the villages and it is a lovely drive with all of the old, historic houses. I lived there my entire life and still always loved driving 6A. And with it being off season you won't have to contend with traffic.

All of this!

The Chatham Squire is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world, btw.

[TheEleventhHour]

Nov 2, 2015 11:37:55 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Nov 2, 2015 11:15:01 GMT -5 TheEleventhHour said:

I third Chatham. It definitely stays a little more lively in the off season. I must say while I like Seafood Sam's there is better seafood on the Cape for sure. Provincetown has great seafood places and I think driving the entire length of the Cape is a cool thing to do. Drive 6A rather than the highway and you will stumble upon great places in all of the villages and it is a lovely drive with all of the old, historic houses. I lived there my entire life and still always loved driving 6A. And with it being off season you won't have to contend with traffic.

ellabee Oh my lord I adore PB Boulangerie. That is a great rec!

Yes definitely. I forgot to mention that we love Seafood Sam's because it's one of those no-frills clam shack places. As casual as you can get with great fried seafood platters. If you're looking for something more upscale like raw oysters & wine you would not go there.

They do have great fried seafood. I used to live in Sandwich so I have definitely been there quite a bit!