Places to Go USA: New England!

New England has a lot to offer visitors and locals. From Ice Cream shoppes; Beer factories, skiing and much more; you are never lacking for entertainment! Each state has something unique to offer, go visit and see for yourself.


Vermont

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, VT. Fun adventure for the entire family; go on a tour and then all get ice cream to share on the way out.

Trapp Family Lodge

Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT is a hidden treasure for ski enthusiasts and families. Built by the famed Von Trapp family, the lodge remembers their heritage with showings of the Sound of Music once a week, and the Austrian inspired lodging. The Trapp Family Lodge is definitely a place to consider for a weekend adventure.

Shelburne Museum

Shelburne Museum is located in the Lake Champlain Valley and is known as the most diverse and unconventional museums of art and Americana. There are over 150,00 works exhibited in a setting of 39 exhibition buildings. The museum is open in 2011 from May 15^th to October 30^th.

Teddy Bear from the VT Teddy Bear CO.

Vermont Teddy Bear Co. is a great tour for families and these tours fill up quickly. You and your children can see how their favorite stuffed animal was made; with tender loving care by the workers at the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. Great tour, lots of fun and from March to June they hold Story Time on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Smugglers Notch State Park

Smugglers Notch State Park is located in Stowe, VT and has excellent trails for backpacking and hiking. This is close by to the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory and the Trapp Family Lodge. 

Maine

Barnacle Billy’s in Ogunquit, Maine is a landmark of New England tradition. This is a popular summer tourist destination and the over sized seafood, delicious Maine lobster with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean on Perkins Cove.

Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach, Maine is a wonderful summer family destination with a boardwalk, concerts, sandy beaches, mini golf, and constant festivals and fairs.

Acadia National Park

Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Maine is along the rocky Maine coastline and mountains; creating an endlessly beautiful environment.

Fresh Salmon

Maine Salmon Festival is held in Eastport, ME every September. There is salmon barbecue in the evening and activities in the arts, music and sailing in the downtown area for the seafood lovers who flock to this festival.

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light is a must see on a day trip to Maine. There are plenty of picnicking sites and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean at Portland Head. Portland Head Light is also great for cross country skiing in the winter if you prefer the white snow and the frost on the trees. 

New Hampshire

Storyland

 Storyland in the White Mountains of New Hampshire offers children the chance to see their fairytale heroes come to life. Interactive play areas in a fun village like setting include; The Three Little Pigs, Peter Pumpkineater, Mother Goose, Cinderella, and much more.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery

 Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack NH has excellent tours (for those of you over 21).  The tour is free and freebies include beer, soda and snacks. This tour is perfect for bee enthusiasts and your wives/girlfriend won't mind tagging along as the scenery is also picturesque. 

Cathedral of the Pines

Cathedral of the Pines in Grand Monadnock Mountain in Rindge New Hampshire overs breathtaking views that have been described by notable literary geniuses such as Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain and more. The hiking and picnicking at Grand Monadnock is excellent and perfect for family gatherings or school trips.  

 

Clark's Trading Post

Clark's Trading Post is home to Clark's trained bears and the White Mountain Central Railroad. Here you will find bear shows, train rides, museums, gift shops, food and more. This is a must visit for families headed to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Plan on having a great time!

Santa's Village

Santa's Village is an awesome place to see for kids of all ages. Located in Jefferson, NH you are sure to have fun with your family; and maybe keep the belief in Santa going a couple more years! They have rides, shopping (think about planning your Christmas shopping early!), food, and entertainment to keep you busy all day long! Don't forget to meet Rudolph at the front entrance.

Massachusetts

Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass. is a wonderful historic destination for families in New England. It is one of the largest living history museums; where the staff and historians dress in costume, antique buildings are open for viewing and visitors can tour the village, gardens, and try hands-on crafts. The Village is open year round and provides excellent educational insight into how New England was in the 1800s. 

Fanueil Hall Marketplace

Fanueil Hall Marketplace in Boston, Mass. is close to the Aquarium and is the best place to eat in Boston. There are several choices for food and desert and other shopping is also available. Here you can see a combination of Boston history and the urban nature of the city today. The seafood here is worth waiting in line for; especially if you just came from the aquarium!

Children's Museum

Children's Museum in EastonEaston Village, Mass. Designed to provide hands on educational experience for children and 'adults.' Games, playhouses, wood-shop and the arts and crafts room are a few of the activities available to children at the museum.

The Minuteman Bikeway

The Minuteman Bikeway in Boston offers an 11 mile mix of untouched scenic land, historic sites and suburban atmosphere as you pedal through the suburbs of Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford.

Walden Pond

Walden Pond in Concord, Mass. Many of you might have read snippets of Walden Pond in school, now come enjoy the beautiful swimming area, small sandy beach, in the midst of a seemingly busy area. The serenity of Walden Pond is here for all to enjoy; take advantage of the beauty that Henry David Thoreau captured in his writing.

The New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium in Boston, Mass is the best aquarium in New England.  They have numerous educational programs and more fish than your little ones could count. The interesting column tank in the middle will have you walking in circles just to try and see everything. The penguins are the best, mostly because they are cute and flap their wings.

Southwick Zoo

Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, Mass. Houses hundreds of animals; including endangered species. You will see giraffes, lions, tigers and monkeys in addition to other fun animals like the pygmy goat and the Nilgai antelope.

The Butterfly Place

The Butterfly Place in Westford, Mass. is a natural garden setting filled with New England butterflies and tropical species from all over the world. There are staff members available to answer any questions. At the Butterfly Place you will see butterflies living naturally with the flowers and flitting around freely in the sunshine.

Connecticut

GIllette Castle

Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Conn. stunning architecture sweeping view of the CT river, wonderful for picnicking, hiking ,small town atmosphere, and quality family time. Take a tour of the castle and enjoy the unique structure and learn about the creators of Gillette Castle; their history and their home.

Peabody Museum

Peabody Museum is located at Yale University in New Haven, CT. The Peabody Museum is more than just a stop on a local school field trip; it is an experience. Each floor of this museum has something cultural, historical and educational for everyone. You will see minerals, mammals, mummies and an exhibit on Machu Picchu!

James Gallery and Soda Fountain 

The James Gallery and Soda Fountain in Old Saybrook, Conn. best ice cream shop art gallery in the world. It’s the only one... nearby main street with gas lit lamps, huge homes, and right next to the Timothy Pratt B & B. Stop by and enjoy a cool refreshing scoop of ice cream with your family while strolling through the picturesque streets of Old Saybrook, Ct. If you have time pop over to Essex, CT for more small town beauty. 

Valley Railroad 

Mystic, Conn is a sweet seaside town with an aquarium, shopping a sense of history in the Mystic Seaport which provides endless entertainment and educational adventures for the entire family.


Valley Railroad and riverboat cruises in Essex, Conn. Essex offers 12 miles of great CT scenery and taking a ride on the Essex Steam Train will bring your family on a scenic ride they will never forget.

Rhode Island

Roger Wheeler Beach

South County Beaches in Rhode Island include Roger Wheeler State Beach, a classic family oriented location with great soft sand and relatively calm ocean. Roger Wheeler Beach is located in Narragansett near the fishing village of Point Judith. Also, fantastic seafood is to be found at the South County Beaches.

Newport Mansions

Newport, RI. Home of the Newport Mansions, shopping, beaches and much more. The movie the Great Gatsby was filmed on location here. Tour the mansions and then pop into town for a lovely lunch and a stroll on the beach.

Block Island

Block Island is a beautiful relaxing location about 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. Block Island is famous for the miles of free public beaches, clear water, bluffs, preserved open spaces, and fun activities for all ages. There are lighthouses, nature trails, history and more for families to enjoy. 

Providence Place Mall

Providence Place Mall is a great shopping excursion for family outings and intimate meetings. There are over 170 stores, 8 restaurants, movie theaters and much more. This is the centerpiece of downtown Providence and with the stunning architecture and street views; the Providence Place creates a unique one of a kind experience.

Monkey at the Roger Williams Zoo

Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to approximately 130 species of rare and fascinating animals from around the world. It is the nation's third oldest zoo (opened in 1972) and is one of the top tourist attractions in Rhode Island and  New England. 

Honeymoon Guide Part 2: Five Non-Traditional Honeymoons

Beach getaways and island honeymoons are perfect for many newlyweds. For those of you who need more adventure and want to do something unusual for you honeymoon, below are 5 ideas that you can work with to plan a unique and non traditional honeymoon. All of the trips listed below will work more smoothly with the assistance of a travel agent as they have more experience working with hotels, airlines and attractions at these destinations. Also, travel agents will have excellent recommendations for where to stay, what to do and where to go. I highly recommend using a travel agent for booking any of these trips to ensure that all goes according to plan as you will likely be too busy planning the wedding. Leaving the travel plans to the pros is the best idea.  

Swiss Alps

Swiss Alps: For couples planning a winter wedding; consider vacationing in the Alps for your honeymoon. The snow in late December, January, and February is fabulous and allows for snow filled slopes, great views of the mountains and landscapes. The Swiss are known for their chocolate; an aphrodisiac that is sure to keep the romance in the air throughout your entire honeymoon. 

Geneva, Switzerland

When vacationing in Switzerland try to hit some of the great cities and sights. Geneva is a must as the shopping, sightseeing, and history of this city is fantastic.  Zurich and Lucerne are also great stops to include on your honeymoon.  The Hotel Mirabeau in Zermatt and the Hotel Victoria in Meiringen are great hotels in the Swiss Alps. And if you are looking for a good 4 star hotel in Geneva try the Rotary Hotel or the Hotel Auteuil.  Relax and enjoy the snow, culture and uniqueness of this winter wonderland honeymoon.  

Alaskan Glaciers

Glacier Cruise: The Glaciers of Alaska are beautiful and offer some of the most scenic sea lanes in the world. This is not a traditional cruise as the destination may seem unusual; but the culture, history and beauty that can be found on these trips are monumental.  Princess Cruises offers both a 7 day and a 14 day Glacier tour leaving from Vancouver, British Columbia. The 14 day cruise hits some great ports including; Skagway, Alaska; Anchorage, Alaska; and Juneau, Alaska. 

Princess Cruises Ship

On these cruises you can relax and enjoy the splendor that is Princess Cruises while embarking on an unusual honeymoon. This is a great trip for couples who want something other than a “resort and beach” honeymoon.  Most of the Alaskan Cruises are from May through August as the water is not frozen at this time of year.  Prices begin around $549.00 per person for an interior cabin on the 7 day voyages on Princess Cruises. 

Holland America Ship

Holland America Cruise Line also offers 7 day Alaskan Glacier Adventure Cruises. Holland America sees similar ports (Skagway, Glacier Bay and Anchorage) and follows a similar course to that of Princess Cruises. Holland America inside cruises start at $749.00 per person. This is just another option for honeymooners to consider. Both cruise lines are excellent and offer all of the on board amenities that clients look for. 

Wild Pandas 

China Adventure: Chinese culture and heritage extends back 4,000 years. In addition to being the largest and one of the most magnificent countries in the world, China does not lack for activities, festivals, sightseeing, delicious meals and much more. A few ideas to add to your itinerary would be a cruise on the Li River, visiting Beijing, viewing the giant pandas roaming free, and enjoying the history of Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. 

Great Wall of China

Take time to walk the Great Wall of China; one of the greatest wonders of the world and the only man made structure to be seen from space! The best time to travel to China is between spring and early fall as the temperatures are reasonable and the rainfall is not as frequent. 

Summer Palace

There are excellent hotels in China; in Beijing, The Peninsula Beijing is in the Forbidden City near the cultural district; near the Great Wall, the Commune is a mountain oasis with excellent restaurants and a beautiful view; and in Shanghai the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is a choice option as it is in the heart of the city and boasts a excellent food, sightseeing and much more.

Parthenon

The Ruins of Greece: For the honeymooners with a penchant for history and ancient architecture, a tour of Greece and the ruins of ancient Greece may be the honeymoon for you.  You can start your vacation in Athens, where you can see the National Archaeological Museum and Benaki Museum. From there travel to the Acropolis where you will see the Parthenon and the ancient Panathenaiko Stadium and much more as the Acropolis is one of the most famous ruins in the world. 

Acropolis

Other cities to consider are Delphi, Knossos and Sounion where you can see the Temple of Poseidon.  In addition to history and architecture; food is central to the culture of Greece. A gyro, grilled lamb, octopus and baklava are never too far away. 

Red Beach Santorini

While in Greece you can go hiking up the volcanic island of Santorini or visit the fantastic beaches of Greece, such as the Paradise Beach, Red Beach Crete and Red Beach Santorini. Some recommended hotels are the Hotel Artemis in Mykonos; Hotel Albatros in Santorini and the Oscar and Oscar Inn in Athens.

Amberley Castle

Castle hopping in the UK:Amberley Castle, located in the heart of England,  will leave you spoiled with the elegantly furnished suites and a beautifully preserved castle both the interior and the exterior. 

Swinton Park Castle

Also in England are the Swinton Park Castle and the Thornbury Castle. Swinton Park Castle is located in North Yorkshire and has magnificent gardens and lakes in addition to grand room accommodations.  Thornbury Castle is located in the Cotswold’s and is the only Tudor Castle in England to be open as a hotel. 

Thornbury Castle

The vineyards at Thornbury are known for their wine and the gardens at Thornbury are some of the oldest Tudor gardens in England.  Heading over to Scotland the Dalhousie Castle and Spa looks like a fairytale castle and as each room has a historic theme the idea of a fairy-tale castle is not too farfetched. Dalhousie also has a hydro-spa for relaxation and sessions in falconry which can be booked upon arrival. 

Dromoland Castle

Ireland is not to be forgotten on this castle hopping experience as the Dromoland Castle and the Waterford Castle are not to be missed. Dromoland Castle has everything a guest could want; furnished suites, golf course, health spas and fine dining.  Dromoland Castle has art galleries, horse riding, archery and much more to help you step back in time to a more tranquil and elegant period. 

Waterford Castle 

Waterford Castle is located on its own island. In addition to golf, tennis and the nature trails, fine dining is found in many of the various dining rooms in the castle. The easiest way to get to most of these castles is by rail. The UK has an excellent rail system and the rail passes are flexible and not overly expensive. Ask your travel Agent for more details. This Castle hopping honeymoon is romantic and charming and is an excellent idea for those couples who are living their fairy-tale dream.

Honeymoon Guide Part 1: 8 Tips to Planning a Budget Friendly Fantastic Honeymoon

US Passport

• Budget: Always include your honeymoon in the wedding budget calculations. The Wedding Source has an excellent worksheet you can download to help organize your finances for the honeymoon.

Hawaii

•  Destinations: Keep an open mind when considering destinations and remain flexible with your dates. Just deciding to leave on a Tuesday or Wednesday could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. And remember that some destinations get hit hard during hurricane season and you do not want to be stranded and soaked on the ‘honeymoon of your dreams’. 

•  Travel Identification: Make sure that each party has their updated travel identification (passport) and that you are cleared medically for travel (depending on the destination). Also, photocopy everything important (itinerary, airline tickets, credit cards, passport, and license) in case of theft or lost luggage etc

DisneyWorld

• Staying Stateside: You do not have to go overseas to have a great honeymoon. DisneyWorld, sunny beaches of Florida and Southern California, and much more are easy to get to affordable and do not come with the financial restrictions of international travel. Also, if you live close to either Mexico or Canada you can search for good deals on air and hotels which have the likelihood of being cheaper than driving to your destination as gasoline can be super expensive.

Florida Keys

• Location: If you are determined to go to an island; don’t forget there are a lot of islands here on the coast of the U.S. There are great B & B’s on the barrier islands, Golden Isles, off the coast of Georgia and Acadia Islands in Maine (near Bar Harbor Maine). You could even go down to the Florida Keys if you are looking for a more tropical vacation or head to sunny California where the beautiful Catalina Island has lovely old fashioned hotels and a romantic atmosphere.

Catalina Island

•  Peak Wedding Season = Peak Travel Season: If you are getting married during prime wedding season (May to September) consider postponing your honeymoon as these months are also peak travel season and the prices are higher across the board. Once the ‘season’ is over resorts drop rates drastically and airfare is often reduced. Not only will you pay less, but there will be less people at your destination and you will have the undivided attention of the hotel staff. There is nothing better than peace and quiet to enjoy the romance of your Honeymoon!

• Newlywed Status: ALWAYS mention that you are newlyweds (even if you are postponing your honeymoon). This will tremendously increase the likelihood that you will get special perks or upgrades etc. Hotel Concierge’s, innkeepers, restaurants LOVE doting on newlyweds. Take advantage of it!

• Travel Agent: Call a Travel Agent. Travel Agents have access to certain companies that can help you book all inclusive resort, air and car for reduced rates. Travel agents can also help in doing all the research for you.  Travel Agents have also been to many of these places and can help you out with choosing a destination and planning the trip down to the little details so you can worry about the actual wedding details. Travel agents also have relationships with hotels and airlines that can help them find you ‘private’ airfares which aren't published online or get you room upgrades because they know the manager of the resort.