Weird and unique things to see and do in New England (USA)
March 15, 2023 3:48 PM Subscribe
I convinced my partner to move to Boston with me and promised him I would show him all of New England. Then life got in the way. Now our life situation has changed and we have the opportunity to travel on day and overnight and even weekend trips (yay!) But I haven't lived here in a long time, and I don't know what's worth seeing anymore. Any tips? Weird/unusual/unique things are great, also tasty things. Snowflake details inside!
We have seen Cape Cod pretty thoroughly, so no recommendations needed there.
We like wine, tasty food (preferably vegetarian because I am a vegetarian), nature and wildlife, and weird things. We like taking long walks but we are also both really deconditioned so hiking Mount Washington is not in our near or even intermediate future. I love luxurious hotels. Like, really really love them. He loves classical music (yes, Tanglewood is on the list already). I love history and I will read literally any plaque.
And like I said, we like weird and quirky things. When we were in New Zealand and Canada we made an effort to see a lot of the Big Things, for example. (Yes, sort of tourist-trappy, but hey!) We also found many neat off-the-beaten-path museums and natural wonders. Hit me with your best shot!
We have seen Cape Cod pretty thoroughly, so no recommendations needed there.
We like wine, tasty food (preferably vegetarian because I am a vegetarian), nature and wildlife, and weird things. We like taking long walks but we are also both really deconditioned so hiking Mount Washington is not in our near or even intermediate future. I love luxurious hotels. Like, really really love them. He loves classical music (yes, Tanglewood is on the list already). I love history and I will read literally any plaque.
And like I said, we like weird and quirky things. When we were in New Zealand and Canada we made an effort to see a lot of the Big Things, for example. (Yes, sort of tourist-trappy, but hey!) We also found many neat off-the-beaten-path museums and natural wonders. Hit me with your best shot!
Best answer: Weird/neat things:
The gravity hill in Greenfield. I've done it and, even though I know how it works, it was still freaky and amazing and fun.
700 foot long abandoned railroad tunnel in Clinton. This is right near the Wachusetts reservoir dam (like, same parking lot) which is also kind of neat. You could easily do this and the gravity hill on the same day, on the way to somewhere else.
The MIT Museum is worth visiting.
The boardwalk at Ponkapoag in Canton, MA is really neat. It's a boardwalk trail through a cedar bog. I haven't been there in many years but last time I was there it was pretty wet. Bring good boots.
If you are at all interested in Lego, the Lego Millyard at the See Science Center in Manchester, NH is a HUGE (possibly still the world's biggest) minifigure-scale display of the Amoskeag Millyard circa 1900.
The Simon Pearce factory in Quechee, VT. is worth stopping in if you're up that way. You can watch the glass blowers create all sorts of cool things and then eat at the restaurant. Quechee gorge is nearby, also worth a visit. King Arthur Flour has a store nearby as well.
I don't have too many ideas for luxury hotels but the Hancock Inn in Hancock, NH is kind of neat. It's very old, with wide, warped pine floorboards. Some of the rooms have in-room jacuzzi tubs. You're a vegetarian, so I will be sure not to suggest you try The World's Greatest Pot Roast in their restaurant.
If you like the outdoors but you're not up for hiking anything hard, Mt. Willard at the North end of Crawford Notch in NH is an easy mile long trail that will take you to a spectacular view. It's the best bang for the buck in the White Mountains. You could stay at the Mt. Washington hotel.
posted by bondcliff at 4:10 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
The gravity hill in Greenfield. I've done it and, even though I know how it works, it was still freaky and amazing and fun.
700 foot long abandoned railroad tunnel in Clinton. This is right near the Wachusetts reservoir dam (like, same parking lot) which is also kind of neat. You could easily do this and the gravity hill on the same day, on the way to somewhere else.
The MIT Museum is worth visiting.
The boardwalk at Ponkapoag in Canton, MA is really neat. It's a boardwalk trail through a cedar bog. I haven't been there in many years but last time I was there it was pretty wet. Bring good boots.
If you are at all interested in Lego, the Lego Millyard at the See Science Center in Manchester, NH is a HUGE (possibly still the world's biggest) minifigure-scale display of the Amoskeag Millyard circa 1900.
The Simon Pearce factory in Quechee, VT. is worth stopping in if you're up that way. You can watch the glass blowers create all sorts of cool things and then eat at the restaurant. Quechee gorge is nearby, also worth a visit. King Arthur Flour has a store nearby as well.
I don't have too many ideas for luxury hotels but the Hancock Inn in Hancock, NH is kind of neat. It's very old, with wide, warped pine floorboards. Some of the rooms have in-room jacuzzi tubs. You're a vegetarian, so I will be sure not to suggest you try The World's Greatest Pot Roast in their restaurant.
If you like the outdoors but you're not up for hiking anything hard, Mt. Willard at the North end of Crawford Notch in NH is an easy mile long trail that will take you to a spectacular view. It's the best bang for the buck in the White Mountains. You could stay at the Mt. Washington hotel.
posted by bondcliff at 4:10 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MOCA) in North Adams, on the west side of the state, is a very cool, interesting art space in a set of converted factories in an old mill town. Definitely worth the drive over. Berkshire County is also just beautiful, with lots to explore: Natural Bridge State Park, hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail, which runs through town), and the Hoosac Tunnel. We had some great pizza and eggplant gyros, among other meals, when we were there in November; I had no problems avoiding meat. Mt. Greylock is a mountain you can drive to the top of, and walk around as much as you want from there. Lots of orchards and a farmer's market. The Susan B. Anthony Museum just down the road in Adams is a fun activity. Adams also is the terminus for a rails-to-trails project that runs south as far as Pittsfield. If you take Rte. 2 from Boston, you can drive across French King Bridge. Like the rest of the Berkshires, some things are only open "in season," so check before you go. And have fun!
posted by helpthebear at 4:19 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by helpthebear at 4:19 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Two of my favorite museums are in Vermont: the Fairbanks Museum, and the Main Street Museum. Both are weirder than their websites suggest.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:52 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:52 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: In my neck of the woods:
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:14 PM on March 15, 2023 [4 favorites]
- Mystic Seaport is a reproduction of a 19th century whaling town. It includes one of the last wooden whalers moored in the harbor, which you can tour. Also a working smithy, a rope walk, a cooper's shop, a printing press, etc. The staff are all quite knowledgeable but are not in "character" (as at some other "living history" museums. )
- The Mashantucket Pequot museum is a cool way to learn about the pre-Colombian way of life in New England. It's right next to the Foxwoods casino, at whose hotel I would expect you could spend an arbitrarily large amount of money on a really nice room.
- If you're down this way, it's also worth visiting the US submarine force museum, mainly for the opportunity to tour the USS Nautilus, which is also moored in the river nearby.
- The Gilded-Age mansions of Newport, RI, are ridiculous and have to be seen to be believed. Particularly "The Breakers", one of the summer home of the Vanderbilts.
- The New Bedford Whaling Museum is fascinating. Be sure to enjoy some Azorean & Cape Verdean food while you're there (though I don't know how readily vegetarianism fits with those foodways.) Also, lots of cool antique & vintage clothing shops in the area, including one devoted entirely to dollhouses & miniatures.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:14 PM on March 15, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Hope Cemetery in Barre, VT. Where granite artisans made their loved ones’—and their own—exquisite burial monuments.
posted by kapers at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by kapers at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If you go to Hanover NH (home of Dartmouth College), the Appalachian Trail runs down the center of bridge between Hanover NH and Norwich Vt. There is a access point to the wooded trail in town between the gas station and the playing fields. If you are a couch potato like me, you might get a kick out saying that you hiked on the Applachian Trail, even if you just go for a mile or so.
posted by metahawk at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by metahawk at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: In Connecticut, Gillette Castle, New Haven Pizza, Yale Peabody Museum, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
posted by Rhedyn at 5:26 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Rhedyn at 5:26 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Johnny Assay has great ideas. Also visit the IYRS in Newport and watch the students rebuilding wooden boats, then walk the Cliffwalk. After that visit the Topiary Gardens and then go to Gray's Ice Cream in Tiverton.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:27 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 5:27 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: I'll third the Mt. Washington Hotel for old school fancy hotels, with bonus Bretton Woods content to scratch your historical plaque itch.
The Woodman Museum is a very strange museum in Dover NH; both Dover and nearby Portsmouth NH are having 400th anniversary of settlement by Europeans events throughout this year, so they might be worth a visit particularly around the 4th of July. (Nb that the Abenaki have been involved in some of Dover's events, if that helps mitigate feelings around celebrating settlement.) Portsmouth also has a tall ships weekend every year.
A day trip to Block Island might be worth it; quirky things include a petting zoo/yarn store combo, and getting a tour of the island via taxi cab, assuming you get the right tour guide (ideally, old local person doing it for kicks.)
posted by damayanti at 5:29 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Woodman Museum is a very strange museum in Dover NH; both Dover and nearby Portsmouth NH are having 400th anniversary of settlement by Europeans events throughout this year, so they might be worth a visit particularly around the 4th of July. (Nb that the Abenaki have been involved in some of Dover's events, if that helps mitigate feelings around celebrating settlement.) Portsmouth also has a tall ships weekend every year.
A day trip to Block Island might be worth it; quirky things include a petting zoo/yarn store combo, and getting a tour of the island via taxi cab, assuming you get the right tour guide (ideally, old local person doing it for kicks.)
posted by damayanti at 5:29 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Go to Gather Glass in Providence and make a pint glass or paperweight, then go out to eat in Federal Hill. When you come back a week later to pick up the final piece, get dessert at Pastiche fine bakery.
Take a coffee brewing class at New Harvest Coffee in Providence, it's so much fun!!
posted by wenestvedt at 5:29 PM on March 15, 2023
Take a coffee brewing class at New Harvest Coffee in Providence, it's so much fun!!
posted by wenestvedt at 5:29 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: The Museum of Everyday Life, in Grafton, VT is an amazing place.
Nearby is Bread and Puppet.
If you're in the neighborhood, we might go to Barr Hill Natural Area for a hike, or Parker Pie for pizza, or get some world-class beer at Hill Farmstead.
posted by MtDewd at 5:35 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Nearby is Bread and Puppet.
If you're in the neighborhood, we might go to Barr Hill Natural Area for a hike, or Parker Pie for pizza, or get some world-class beer at Hill Farmstead.
posted by MtDewd at 5:35 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: H.P. Lovecraft was pretty racist and xenophobic, just to get that out of the way, but if you enjoy the mythos that arose from his work you might also enjoy experiencing Providence by walking in his footsteps (NY Times link). I took a self-guided walking tour using this map but you could also wait and attend the next NecronomiCon, which includes a film festival, art exhibits, panels and talks, and other programming as well as guided walking tours. If they continue to run every other year though you will have to wait until 2024 for that. (As a bonus, there's an MBTA commuter rail line that runs from Boston to Providence and will deposit you within walking distance of College Hill.)
posted by sigmagalator at 5:59 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sigmagalator at 5:59 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Twin Farms in Vermont is astonishingly luxurious.
posted by Daily Alice at 6:26 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Daily Alice at 6:26 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Providence also has a Lovecraft-themed shop downtown, which is very awesome.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:27 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 6:27 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: Some big things:
- https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2439 (I’ve seen this one in person, it’s fun!)
- yay, Gloucester, MA (also a fav town of mine) https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/glo.html
-some dubious native american hugeness, but also paul bunyan, etc:
https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-england/guide-to-new-england-roadside-giants/
posted by mollymillions at 6:50 PM on March 15, 2023
- https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2439 (I’ve seen this one in person, it’s fun!)
- yay, Gloucester, MA (also a fav town of mine) https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/glo.html
-some dubious native american hugeness, but also paul bunyan, etc:
https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-england/guide-to-new-england-roadside-giants/
posted by mollymillions at 6:50 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: Seconding Hope Cemetery in Barre, and while you're there also visit the Vermont Granite Museum. The Vermont Marble Museum (the rock, not the glass balls) is in Proctor.
The American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont is pretty great.
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is a neat little village with the famous Bridge of Flowers.
Much closer to Boston is the mysterious Ponyhenge in Lincoln and the Baldwin Apple Monument in Wilmington.
posted by plastic_animals at 6:53 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
The American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont is pretty great.
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is a neat little village with the famous Bridge of Flowers.
Much closer to Boston is the mysterious Ponyhenge in Lincoln and the Baldwin Apple Monument in Wilmington.
posted by plastic_animals at 6:53 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You could try to hear the Moodus noises!
posted by inexorably_forward at 7:29 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by inexorably_forward at 7:29 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: You could see Lenny the worlds largest chocolate moose in Maine.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:44 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:44 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: How about the Snowflake Bentley Museum in Jericho, VT?
posted by transient at 7:51 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by transient at 7:51 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: It's not very far, but for nature lovers, the Arnold Arboretum is fun.
posted by praemunire at 7:54 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by praemunire at 7:54 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: A few items that could be elements of a day trip for you - some things are quirky, some are easy hiking, but other things I mention as “linkers” :)
Walden Pond is great for not- too-strenuous hiking (and swimming in the summer). Walden always blows my mind a little when I think about how deep it is….The deCordova sculpture park is nearby as is Concord and West Concord, which both have some good places for lunch along with other transcendental highlights like the Louisa May Alcott house etc. If you continue a little west (about 20 min drive), you’ll come to Bolton which has the lovely Nashoba winery and brewery. More easy hiking trails in Bolton and nearby towns (Delaney area, Assabet Refuge). Assabet is fun for cross country skiing and I bet there are great conditions today! Assabet is also a little weird to walk around in due to the bunkers hidden in the landscape - I always feel a little like I’m in an apocalypse movie. And then Clinton, mentioned above, is just a little further west.
A separate day could take you to Wachusett Mountain. Right now it’s a skiing mtn but in the summer, it’s hiking trails (but you can drive to the top) and some weekends there are festivals. If you go on a clear enough day, you can see Boston. Wachusett Brewery is not too far away.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:45 PM on March 15, 2023
Walden Pond is great for not- too-strenuous hiking (and swimming in the summer). Walden always blows my mind a little when I think about how deep it is….The deCordova sculpture park is nearby as is Concord and West Concord, which both have some good places for lunch along with other transcendental highlights like the Louisa May Alcott house etc. If you continue a little west (about 20 min drive), you’ll come to Bolton which has the lovely Nashoba winery and brewery. More easy hiking trails in Bolton and nearby towns (Delaney area, Assabet Refuge). Assabet is fun for cross country skiing and I bet there are great conditions today! Assabet is also a little weird to walk around in due to the bunkers hidden in the landscape - I always feel a little like I’m in an apocalypse movie. And then Clinton, mentioned above, is just a little further west.
A separate day could take you to Wachusett Mountain. Right now it’s a skiing mtn but in the summer, it’s hiking trails (but you can drive to the top) and some weekends there are festivals. If you go on a clear enough day, you can see Boston. Wachusett Brewery is not too far away.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:45 PM on March 15, 2023
Best answer: In southern Maine, not far from Portland, two suggestions are the Desert of Maine in Freeport and the Maine Wildlife Center in Gray. Bradbury Mountain State Park has short trails and a granite overlook. Stay at the Haraseeket Inn in Freeport or one of the boutique hotels in Portland.
posted by Sukey Says at 3:19 AM on March 16, 2023
posted by Sukey Says at 3:19 AM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: I forgot one little-known attraction that's you'd like if you like "weird and quirky things": Hogpen Hill Farms. Requires some advance planning but very much worth a visit.
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:32 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:32 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Western Massachusetts beckons. Art museums from Norman Rockwell in the south to the ones in Williamstown and North Adams. Hancock Shaker Village. The Appalachian Trail including Mt Greylock (you can drive to the top). Tanglewood. Skiing. Etc.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:58 AM on March 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by SemiSalt at 4:58 AM on March 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Go up to Cape Ann, north of Boston! For weird, check out Hammond Castle (a castle built in the early 20th century by an eccentric inventor, possibly the inspiration for The Cloisters) and the Paper House (a house made out of paper).
The Crane Estate and Crane Beach are also great (I recommend visiting these in the off-season - the beach is just too crowded and parking is an expensive pain in the ass in high summer). Oh actually there's a Snowy Owl Prowl at the beach this weekend - looking for migrating snowy owls that hang out on the beach!
Rockport (where the Paper House is) is a quintessentially adorable New England seaside town. Gloucester (where Hammond Castle is) is a historically working-class fishing town that still has a major fishing industry but has gotten more developed and has good restaurants and things. My go-to restaurants in the area are all seafood-focused so I don't know about. Ipswich, where the Crane Estate is, is also charming!
posted by mskyle at 5:13 AM on March 16, 2023
The Crane Estate and Crane Beach are also great (I recommend visiting these in the off-season - the beach is just too crowded and parking is an expensive pain in the ass in high summer). Oh actually there's a Snowy Owl Prowl at the beach this weekend - looking for migrating snowy owls that hang out on the beach!
Rockport (where the Paper House is) is a quintessentially adorable New England seaside town. Gloucester (where Hammond Castle is) is a historically working-class fishing town that still has a major fishing industry but has gotten more developed and has good restaurants and things. My go-to restaurants in the area are all seafood-focused so I don't know about. Ipswich, where the Crane Estate is, is also charming!
posted by mskyle at 5:13 AM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: Let me put in a plug for the Dog Chapel on Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, VT: "In 2000, the Dog Chapel was introduced to the world as a symbol of peace, love, and remembrance. In the more than 20 years since, it has been transformed into a living piece of communal art and history, ever-evolving with each new note and photo pinned to the overflowing walls. The Chapel has become a unique and moving physical embodiment of the unending love people have to give."
Stop at the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury-Stowe on your way to Landgrove.
Stay at the Landgrove Inn which was recently recognized as one of the best inns in New England. It's real and cozy and the cross country skiing is outstanding. If you don't ski, the walking is also lovely and you can do a day trip to Mt. Equinox in Manchester and get the best local burgers and fries of all time at Depot Street Burger in Manchester.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:20 AM on March 16, 2023
Stop at the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury-Stowe on your way to Landgrove.
Stay at the Landgrove Inn which was recently recognized as one of the best inns in New England. It's real and cozy and the cross country skiing is outstanding. If you don't ski, the walking is also lovely and you can do a day trip to Mt. Equinox in Manchester and get the best local burgers and fries of all time at Depot Street Burger in Manchester.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:20 AM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: If you do make it out to North Adams, you should absolutely stay at either the Porches (downtown) or Tourists (right outside of town on the way to Williamstown). Both sort of quirky-fancy and really fun. And yeah, Mass MoCA is great, as is the Clark in Williamstown.
Don't think anyone has mentioned the Northampton/Easthampton area of Western Mass yet. There's a great music scene -- I'm not really up on classical music, but you might find something you like at the Parlor Room or Academy of Music. Lots of fun bars/breweries/wineries in the area too. Check out Black Birch Vineyard in Hatfield, Artifact Cider in Florence, Treehouse Brewing in South Deerfield, New City Brewery in Easthampton if you like ginger beer. Bela is a fantastic and deeply weird vegetarian restaurant in Northampton, though I believe they're still takeout-only for covid reasons. Paul and Elizabeth's is largely vegetarian (plus seafood) and also great. For activities, Mt. Tom is fun and you can do it with little to no hiking. The Smith College art museum is small but worth checking out. The Eric Carle Museum is one of my favorite places, and has an amazing Christian Robinson exhibit on right now if you're into children's book art. Plus afterwards you can hop over to Atkins for cider donuts!
posted by catoclock at 8:02 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Don't think anyone has mentioned the Northampton/Easthampton area of Western Mass yet. There's a great music scene -- I'm not really up on classical music, but you might find something you like at the Parlor Room or Academy of Music. Lots of fun bars/breweries/wineries in the area too. Check out Black Birch Vineyard in Hatfield, Artifact Cider in Florence, Treehouse Brewing in South Deerfield, New City Brewery in Easthampton if you like ginger beer. Bela is a fantastic and deeply weird vegetarian restaurant in Northampton, though I believe they're still takeout-only for covid reasons. Paul and Elizabeth's is largely vegetarian (plus seafood) and also great. For activities, Mt. Tom is fun and you can do it with little to no hiking. The Smith College art museum is small but worth checking out. The Eric Carle Museum is one of my favorite places, and has an amazing Christian Robinson exhibit on right now if you're into children's book art. Plus afterwards you can hop over to Atkins for cider donuts!
posted by catoclock at 8:02 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Atlas Obscura is a decent site for finding things like this. Many of the ideas people have listed here are in there. Recently we took a walk to check out Martini Junction , a model railroad in the middle of the woods in Needham, a short drive from Boston proper.
I like to start with the map and zoom into whatever area I'm living in/visiting in.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 8:33 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
I like to start with the map and zoom into whatever area I'm living in/visiting in.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 8:33 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Take the Downeaster to Portland and/or other stops. Portland is a serious foodie town, has been for ages. You can take a ferry out to Peaks Island, have drinks or lunch, or take the mailboat on an island tour; fantastic outings on a summer day. Peaks and the other islands have pleasant walking. Portland has a 1st Friday Art Walk that's fun, lots of galleries and shops, brewpubs, a good museum, whale watching and other seagoing tours.
If you come up the coast by car, there's a massive globe called Eartha, and the Osher Map Library is great, easily accessible by bus or a short walk if you come by train.
Portsmouth is also a nice visit by train or car.
I love the Museum of Science in Boston.
posted by theora55 at 9:38 AM on March 16, 2023
If you come up the coast by car, there's a massive globe called Eartha, and the Osher Map Library is great, easily accessible by bus or a short walk if you come by train.
Portsmouth is also a nice visit by train or car.
I love the Museum of Science in Boston.
posted by theora55 at 9:38 AM on March 16, 2023
Mount Auburn Cemetery is beautiful, filled with ornamental trees and sculptures. It's a great place to take a date and walk around on a spring or summer day. But, you know, it's a cemetery.
When in Boston it's also worth checking out the Mapparium.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:03 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
When in Boston it's also worth checking out the Mapparium.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:03 AM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Crazy Burger in Narragansett, RI. It has an amazing variety of veggie burgers and all sorts of other unique dishes.
posted by catquas at 10:08 AM on March 16, 2023
posted by catquas at 10:08 AM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: Western Mass :
Glacial Potholes in Shelburne Falls
candlepin bowling in Shelburne Falls
Montague Bookmill
Double Edge Theater in Ashfield
Connecticut:
Gillette Castle in East Haddam
Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam
Essex Stream Train and Riverboat
USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum in Mystic
Mystic Aquarium
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center in Mashantucket
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:29 AM on March 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Glacial Potholes in Shelburne Falls
candlepin bowling in Shelburne Falls
Montague Bookmill
Double Edge Theater in Ashfield
Connecticut:
Gillette Castle in East Haddam
Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam
Essex Stream Train and Riverboat
USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum in Mystic
Mystic Aquarium
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center in Mashantucket
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:29 AM on March 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Bash Bish Falls: first as an 1850s painting by John Frederick Kensett in Boston's MFA then in reality in Western Mass just north of the NY MA CT triple-point.
For Thoreaumania forget Walden and hunt out Gowing's Swamp in Corcord MA: as fine a snapshot of ecological succession as can be found a short walk from a free car-park.
Diners [as in restaurants fabricated in a factory and transported to site] are a characteristic aspect of New England streetscapes; but not everyone has the taste for chowder, meatloaf and blueberry pie. TJ Buckleys in Brattleboro VT does fine dining in a trad 1925 Worcester Lunch Car. We fed well there in 1982! Your 21stCMMV.
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:51 PM on March 16, 2023
For Thoreaumania forget Walden and hunt out Gowing's Swamp in Corcord MA: as fine a snapshot of ecological succession as can be found a short walk from a free car-park.
Diners [as in restaurants fabricated in a factory and transported to site] are a characteristic aspect of New England streetscapes; but not everyone has the taste for chowder, meatloaf and blueberry pie. TJ Buckleys in Brattleboro VT does fine dining in a trad 1925 Worcester Lunch Car. We fed well there in 1982! Your 21stCMMV.
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:51 PM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: The murals and restored vintage neon signs in Lynn make for a good day trip.
posted by plastic_animals at 3:08 PM on March 16, 2023
posted by plastic_animals at 3:08 PM on March 16, 2023
Best answer: In the vein of the Shaker Village, there's also Old Sturbridge Village in central MA, a living museum - pretty neat, or at least, it was when I was a kid. Old Deerfield is not as dense a living-museum as Sturbridge but it's an older historical site and also just very pretty to walk through in the right weather.
Speaking of Deerfield, Yankee Candle's flagship store in South Deerfield is worth a visit; it's not just candles! Also N'thing the mentions of Shelburne Falls nearby for the Potholes and the Bridge of Flowers. Mount Sugarloaf in Deerfield also has incredible views of the surrounding river valley, really just a good easy-access way to see New England topography.
All easy to get to from I-91 or Rt 2 (which as noted, yes, a very pleasant drive once you get away from the eastern urban areas).
posted by cyrusdogstar at 3:22 PM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Speaking of Deerfield, Yankee Candle's flagship store in South Deerfield is worth a visit; it's not just candles! Also N'thing the mentions of Shelburne Falls nearby for the Potholes and the Bridge of Flowers. Mount Sugarloaf in Deerfield also has incredible views of the surrounding river valley, really just a good easy-access way to see New England topography.
All easy to get to from I-91 or Rt 2 (which as noted, yes, a very pleasant drive once you get away from the eastern urban areas).
posted by cyrusdogstar at 3:22 PM on March 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'll always take a chance to tell people about the Maparium at the Christian Science mother church in Boston.
posted by rmd1023 at 11:47 AM on March 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by rmd1023 at 11:47 AM on March 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Great thread - I lived in Boston for 10 years and most of the rest of my life in the Berkshires. We now have a 9 year old so we are constantly looking for things like this that would entertain us all.
Some additions:
- Deerfield Magic Wings Butterfly Garden up the road from Yankee Candle
- Springfield MA has lots of museums in one location including a Dr. Suess museum and science museum, also nearby is the Basketball Hall of Fame, Armory Museum, and Forest Park Zoo/Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
- Closer to you is Squantum Point park in Quincy MA that is actually an old abandoned airport, then you can go to the original Dunkin Donuts nearby
- Harvard Natural History Museum, if you go by red line just before the Harvard Station the train slows for a curve and squeals and if you look out the window you can see the old abandoned temporary station they built when they were constructing the new station
- Just beyond Harvard is Porter Square Station with some huge long elevators that fascinate me
- On the other end of the red line at Ashmont, take a ride on the super old timey Mattapan trolley
- I'm surprised no ones mentioned downtown Salem MA, especially in October
- I have mixed feelings about these two but kid loves them and they are weird and interesting especially if you like cold blooded creatures - Riverside Reptiles in Enfield CT and New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow NH
- Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum in Cheshire CT
- Hartford CT has the Mark Twain House, a giant science museum, a really gorgeous city hall, and nearby at Bradley airport is an Airplane museum
posted by wannabecounselor at 3:19 AM on March 18, 2023
Some additions:
- Deerfield Magic Wings Butterfly Garden up the road from Yankee Candle
- Springfield MA has lots of museums in one location including a Dr. Suess museum and science museum, also nearby is the Basketball Hall of Fame, Armory Museum, and Forest Park Zoo/Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
- Closer to you is Squantum Point park in Quincy MA that is actually an old abandoned airport, then you can go to the original Dunkin Donuts nearby
- Harvard Natural History Museum, if you go by red line just before the Harvard Station the train slows for a curve and squeals and if you look out the window you can see the old abandoned temporary station they built when they were constructing the new station
- Just beyond Harvard is Porter Square Station with some huge long elevators that fascinate me
- On the other end of the red line at Ashmont, take a ride on the super old timey Mattapan trolley
- I'm surprised no ones mentioned downtown Salem MA, especially in October
- I have mixed feelings about these two but kid loves them and they are weird and interesting especially if you like cold blooded creatures - Riverside Reptiles in Enfield CT and New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow NH
- Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum in Cheshire CT
- Hartford CT has the Mark Twain House, a giant science museum, a really gorgeous city hall, and nearby at Bradley airport is an Airplane museum
posted by wannabecounselor at 3:19 AM on March 18, 2023
Best answer: For classical music, the Marlborough Festival is excellent. Their website recommends a lot of nice places to say.
posted by JimN2TAW at 4:34 AM on March 19, 2023
posted by JimN2TAW at 4:34 AM on March 19, 2023
Best answer: ...and when you've done all those things and are ready to do the cape again, pop over to the vineyard meet me for a beer.
posted by vrakatar at 6:29 PM on March 19, 2023
posted by vrakatar at 6:29 PM on March 19, 2023
Best answer: You can through-hike the City of Boston. Hop on the T when you get tired.
posted by backseatpilot at 9:51 AM on March 20, 2023
posted by backseatpilot at 9:51 AM on March 20, 2023
If you are in Portland, definitely check out the International Cryptozoology Museum
posted by boomdelala at 9:41 PM on March 22, 2023
posted by boomdelala at 9:41 PM on March 22, 2023
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posted by kevinbelt at 4:06 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]