Massachussets – MLE Travel Diary

The Most Unique New England Road Trip Itinerary

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my New England Road Trip itinerary! Complete with overnights in Boston, MA, Burlington, VT and Portland, ME, and unique stops along the way. I spent a week with my boyfriend over July 4th checking out these different spots. However, you could definitely split these up and take multiple trips exploring the different New England states!

I’ve included our exact itinerary, honest reviews of each place we stopped at, and restaurants I recommend along the way. There are so many great spots to check out that you can’t find anywhere else! Also, make sure to save all these travel destinations and more with my list on Google Maps.

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Massachusetts

Boston

Starting off the trip in Boston is the way to go. There is so much to do; check out my list of some of my favorite things to do in Boston for inspiration.

Restaurant recommendations:
– Barcelona Wine Bar for Spanish tapas; they also serve brunch, which I highly recommend.
– Terra for an Italian meal in a beautiful, green space (see below!)
– James Hook & Co. for an unreal lobster roll (also included in my list of faves linked above)

Vermont

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour

From Boston, head Northeast towards Burlington, Vermont. On your way to Burlington, you will pass by the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and Flavor Graveyard! Especially if you are an ice cream lover, this should absolutely be on your bucket list!

Make sure to book your ticket for the factory guided tour online in advance! I’ve heard they can sell out pretty quickly. The Flavor Graveyard doesn’t require tickets; you can go in there and check out the retired flavors from the past.

Burlington

After you’ve finished at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, drive to Burlington, where you should spend at least one night. Burlington honestly really surprised me; their downtown area was so cute with a ton of shops and restaurants. Everyone was outside, walking around, eating, and hanging out! Plus, we got to see this beautiful sunset over Burlington Bay of Lake Champlain.

Restaurant recommendations:
– Foam Brewers was recommended to me by a friend, and it was so fun! The vibes were chill, there was live music, and a food truck.
– Pascolo Ristorante for delicious Italian food; we ate on the patio, which was perfect for people-watching.
– The Friendly Toast and Henry’s Diner are great breakfast options in downtown Burlington.
– We grabbed a quick lunch at The Skinny Pancake when we first arrived, which was yummy and convenient.

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

Right outside of Burlington is the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. This is a must for kids and adults alike. They will take you through their factory production line (no photos or videos allowed), and if you go during the week, you can actually see it in action. Tickets are really cheap, and can’t be reserved online – we had no issues getting on the tour, and did not have to wait.

They have this huge (7 feet tall!!) bear that you can take photos with at the entrance. There is also a huge gift shop with all different teddy bears and animals! For my birthday that year my boyfriend got me one of their huge stuffed animals and it’s one of my all time favorite gifts🥺 so snuggly!

New Hampshire

Ripley Falls Trail Hike

Continuing along on your way to Portland, you’ll pass through New Hampshire. We did not spend a night in New Hampshire, although there are a ton of cute towns where you definitely could. However, I would highly recommend at least stopping for a quick hike at Ripley Falls Trail.

Ripley Falls is a pretty easy, 1 mile roundtrip hike that leads you across railroad tracks to a little waterfall. It’s the perfect break while driving to get out, stretch your legs, and admire the scenery of the White Mountains!

If you get hungry after this hike, you can stop in North Conway for food. We ate lunch at the Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub, which was nothing fancy, but the decor is really fun.

Maine

Portland

I highly recommend spending at least two nights in Portland; there is so much to do and to see! Make sure you take a walk along the Harbor, or you could also go for a run. Other fun stops on the walk include Fort Allen Park, Fort Sumner Park, and Main Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Restaurant Recommendations:
– The Holy Donut – this is a MUST; best donuts ever, made from potatoes!
– Arcadia for a fun barcade experience.
– Boda is a yummy Thai spot, that is open late-night.
– Three spots I was unable to make it to but have heard phenomenal things about are Duckfat, Cheese Louise Portland, and Luke’s Lobster. The waits can get a bit long here, so make sure to go early or be patient!

Old Orchard Beach

Okay this is genuinely very random…but I think is fun and worth adding to your itinerary if you have some extra time! It’s only about a 30 minute drive from Portland, so you could come here during the day one day, or stop by on your way back to Boston.

We played indoor blacklight mini golf here at Jungle Adventure, which was so cool. They give you these glasses that make everything look 3D but I thought I might pass out from dizziness if I wore them for too long so opted not to.😂 You can also spend the day at Palace Playground, a massive amusement park with lots of rides and games. We just walked through, but it brought me back to my childhood days, going to the New Jersey Boardwalk with my family.

Comment below your favorite spot to visit in New England! Let me know if you have any questions about our trip, or the east coast in general by sending me a DM on Instagram. Be sure to follow along for more adventures and tips!

mariss

The post The Most Unique New England Road Trip Itinerary first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Best 8 Things To Do In Boston In The Summer

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Thinking about seeing Beantown this summer? After spending 3 months in Boston in the summer of 2022, I have lots of recommendations and local secrets! I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the east coast last summer. It was so fun to learn more about the rich history of the city and experience their culture firsthand. Plus, the warm weather was a huge bonus!

Keep reading for my personal top 8 favorite things to do in the city. And don’t forget to click the button below to save all these spots to your Google Maps!

1. Shop on Newbury Street

The Back Bay is such a nice area; walking around here is a must! Tom Brady himself used to own a condo just a block away from Newbury Street. There are hundreds of cute boutique shops, brand name stores, coffee shops, dessert spots, restaurants and more lining the street. The 19th century brownstones (the building style as seen in the pic below) are gorgeous, and are a must-see while you’re in Boston.

2. Watch a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park

Boston fans go HARD when it comes to supporting Boston sports teams, and especially America’s favorite ballgame: baseball. Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest active ballpark in the US! It also has the only remaining manual scoreboard in left field.

Boston fans can get pretty rowdy, so watch out if you’re rooting for the opposite team! At our first Red Sox game, my friend Danny and I got these big green pins that said “My 1st Game!” We also got to meet Tessie, one of the mascots (see middle pic below). We had so much fun!

Bonus points for going to Bleacher Bar (featured in the 3rd pic)! This unique bar is located below the stands in center field, and gives fans a direct view of the game. It basically feels like you are on the field and part of the game, which is really fun. Definitely recommend checking it out either during or after the game!

3. Hang out at Christopher Columbus Park

Christopher Columbus Park is a public park just a short walk from the North End. They have this really pretty gazebo you can walk through and take photos in. You can then sit out by the water and have a picnic, relax, and watch the boats! There is also a little rose garden you can walk through. This is the perfect spot for a lowkey afternoon.

4. Watch the sunset at Chestnut Hill Reservoir

This is a bit further away from downtown Boston, but right at the end of the Green Line. Check out MBTA’s site for the current schedule and map. There is a beautiful 1.5 mile loop around the reservoir that is perfect for a sunset walk. Check out these views!

Afterwards, you can grab a nice bite to eat in Chestnut Hill or Brighton. The Shops at Chestnut Hill is an upscale shopping center, that has a lot of fantastic dining options. I recommend stopping by if you are already over in the area.

5. Get a lobster roll at James Hook

Let me tell you something; I tried a LOT of lobster rolls from many different restaurants over the 3 months I was in Boston. And James Hook & Co was BY FAR my favorite. Located on the waterfront, this is a great spot to stop for lunch. They have a retail store, where you can purchase fresh lobster and seafood, and a food truck outside where you can get lobster rolls!

6. Climb up to the Observation Deck at Independence Wharf

After grabbing a lobster roll and James Hook & Co, you can walk across the street to the Independence Wharf. This is a well-kept secret, but was one of the coolest places I visited over the summer so had to share! On the weekends, you just need to knock and security will let you inside and upstairs to the observation deck. Just check out these views of the harbor and the city!

7. Sip a cider at Downeast Cider House

I came here with my friend Mary on my last weekend in Boston and we had a blast! We took the Blue Line from downtown and came over to Piers Park. This is another great spot to watch the sunset, by the way! You can see the entire city skyline, it’s pretty incredible. During the warmer months, Downeast Cider House has an outdoor pop-up bar, serving their ciders on tap. It was a very popular spot, and we even made some friends here. The pop-up closes on the earlier side, around 8pm though, so make sure to get here early!

8. Grab a bite to eat at Quincy Market

Last but not least, the popular favorite Quincy Market! It originally opened in 1826, and is basically a giant food hall with over 50 different eateries and vendors. They also have a photo booth, if you are a fan of memorializing your Boston trip with an iconic photo strip.

Honestly, there are so many more spots in Boston you should make sure to check out while you’re there. Be sure to save down my Google Maps Collection to make it easier to see where everything is as you explore the city. Comment your favorite spot in Boston!

mariss

The post Best 8 Things To Do In Boston In The Summer first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.