New England :: 20 Must-Go Places to Visit

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I spent a week up in New England for work. This was actually only my second time up in this area. The first time I spent the entire week working and in my hotel room in Manchester, NH. I wish I’d taken the initiative to wander around more last year. But thanks to a dear friend who lives in New Hampshire I was given the opportunity to see the beauty that is the Northeast corner of our beautiful United States.

Rather than going through and listing my favorite things about New England [because seriously I loved it all!] I’ll just start with the food. I mean, what better place to start, right?

Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire

I’m told that the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester has been visited by presidential candidates, Hollywood actors and famous musicians from all over the States. I personally sat at the same seat Diane Sawyer once sat at.

Famous for their home-cooked meals and pies, I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and finished it off with a piece of their peanut butter and chocolate cream pie. Too rich to finish but it was just something I had to do. I mean, SOMEone had to do it! And it certainly didn’t disappoint!

Kisaki Japanese Cuisine :: All-You-Can-Eat Sushi in Manchester, New Hampshire

Sushi is one of my all-time favorite foods to eat and I have to say I have had some great sushi all over the world. But when someone suggests an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant I usually decline. Call me a sushi snob. “All-you-can-eat” usually indicates to me that the quality is not as good as what you get in a truly authentic sushi bar.

Well, I stand corrected for all time. Kisaki Japanese Cuisine in Manchester was absolutely fabulous. For $24.99 per person [dinner price] it is IMHO a steal for what you get :: amazing sushi! Try the tuna tartar for an appetizer [to die for] and any of the rolls on the menu. Order a round, enjoy and when you’re ready they will take your next order and serve it to you on a nice large platter in the center of the table. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much sushi in one sitting and walked away wishing I could have eaten more.

KC’s Rib Shack in Manchester, New Hampshire

KC’s Rib Shack is known for their hickory-smoked BBQ :: in large quantities at that! Tables are covered in butcher paper and include a roll of paper towels. Trust me :: you will need them! Your chicken, pork ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork, sausage and brisket are all smoked to perfection and then served at your table with all the trimmings along with a six-pack of sauces.

The Feedbag Shovel is their signature dish :: be sure to invite all your friends to join in when you order it though because there is no way to finish this dish by yourself! It contains six pounds [you read that right] six pounds of barbecued goodness and includes a variety of each of their specialties.

Martha’s Exchange in Nashua, New Hampshire

One of the places I experienced while in New Hampshire was Martha’s Exchange, a charming New England restaurant and brewhouse. Their lobster mac and cheese and their clam chowder were to die for. And the atmosphere was truly wonderful.

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Congdon’s Doughnuts in Wells, Maine

Located in the beautiful seaside town of Wells, Congdon’s Family Restaurant & Bakery has been serving up world famous doughnuts and delicious breakfast items since 1955. The recipes and flavors are the same as they were when they opened their doors almost seven decades ago and the reason Food and Wine Magazine voted them in the top 15 of their list of America’s Best Doughnuts.

Docks Seafood in Portland, Maine

My friend Jen brought me here to try their fresh lobster and then taught me for my very first time how to crack and eat it. And I must say it is the best lobster I’ve ever eaten. So far, that is, because I plan to come back for more in the future! It’s true what they say about New England Maine lobster :: it is the best! From what I’ve come to understand Maine lobster lives in cold water but warmer than that of Canadian lobster and because of that they are tastier. OMG it was soooo gooood!

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Blink’s Fry Doe in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Blink’s Fry Doe that serves a traditional funnel-like dessert has two locations at the 14-mile and only stretch of coast you will find in New Hampshire which tells how popular it is. I had the cinnamon sugar with powdered sugar but Jen and I shared it, thank goodness.

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Brown’s Lobster Pound in Seabrook, New Hampshire

Four generations of Browns have owned and worked this New England lobster pound turned successful restaurant. Known for their fresh lobster and steamed clams you will find much more such as lobster rolls and sandwiches here… fresh as can be! And feel free to BYOB and any other food you want as long as it’s not something they serve. What a fun, casual atmosphere of picnic tables with a great view of the coastline, inside or outside, it’s your choice.

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Getting your appetite up to visit New England was a great idea, wasn’t it? I mean now you really have a reason to get up there! And even though that should be motivation enough there is so much more to the Northeast that will just blow you away. I was truly blown away! First up, what I found really special were the lighthouses.

Nubble Light in Cape Neddick, York, Maine

My friend Jen and I had the foresight to head out early in the day before all the tourists could clog up the view. When we arrived at Nubble Lighthouse, also known as Cape Neddick Light Station, there were only two people out there and we were able to enjoy the stunning views on a gorgeous spring day in Maine pretty much all by ourselves.

I took so many pictures of this amazing New England spot that I’ll have to create a separate post for them all.

Portland Head Light / Fort Williams Park in Portland, Maine

What a beautiful setting for this lighthouse and park and I’m thankful I had such a beautiful day to enjoy it. Stay tuned to that in my next post.

Its original function in 1776 was to alert the townspeople of coming attacks from the Brits and was managed by a crew of lighthouse keepers. Over the years Portland Head Light has become automated. These days the Coast Guard maintains the light and fog signals but the remainder of the property is maintained by the Town of Cape Elizabeth.

Bug Light in Portland, Maine

Bug Light was dubbed for its small size. Makes sense, right? It is such an adorable lighthouse. Its official name, Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, was built in 1875 and is one of Maine’s most elegant lighthouses. Though modeled on an ancient Greek monument, it was built with plates of cast iron. 

Bug Light Park is a popular destination for picnicking, boating, kite flying and salt water fishing. The 8.78 acre park was the site of major shipbuilding activity during WWII. An estimated 30,000 people were employed here from 1941-1945 building liberty ships for the New England Shipbuilding Corp. and the South Portland Shipbuilding Corp. 

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Spring Point Ledge Light in Portland, Maine

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is one of the few working lighthouse that is available for visitors to tour and the only caisson-style lighthouse visitors can walk to. The beautiful granite boulders that form a path to Spring Point Ledge Light are stunning.

The United States Coast Guard continues to maintain the aids to navigation, the light and fog signal, having transferred ownership of the lighthouse structure to the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust in 1998.  The Trust is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity committed to the preservation of the lighthouse, which was listed on the National Historic Register in 1988. 

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There were several other really special places my friend Jen took me to.

The Wiggly Bridge in York, Maine

What may very well be the world’s smallest suspension bridge the Wiggly Bridge spans a mere 75 feet between two green towers. One right side in this image is the York River and on the left is Barrell Mill Pond.

Barrell Mill Pond Dam in York, Maine

This tidal pond created by a dam in 1726 and formerly known as Meeting House Creek was the focal point of much of York’s history for the first 300 years. The first English house built in York in 1630 by Edwin Godfrey was built on the south-west shore of Meeting House Creek. It’s amazing to me that so much history lies in this nondescript place.

Bald Eagle and its nest

I ran into a local man who pointed out the location of a bald eagle on a branch across the pond. Had I had a camera with a good zoom lens it would have been a lot more clear however all I had with me was my iPhone X and this is all I was able to document. If you look very closely you can see him.

He then explained that there was a nest around the other side of the pond if I would cross the bridge and look up into the trees. I was able to cross the bridge but had no idea where to look for this nest. Lucky for me I came upon a photographer who was commissioned by two ladies to show them the nest and he was kind enough to point it out to me.

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I promised this photographer that I would mention his name and his Facebook link on which he has spent his lifetime documenting the bald eagles in this area. Please take a look at the Corey Cain Photography page where you will find some pretty amazing images he has taken over the years.

Lobster boat

What a blessing it was to come across a lobster boat and its crew that was loading the cages to be set out.

Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine

What a beautiful place, Kennebunkport, the location of the Bush Family Compound here in New England. It looked as though there were a couple of Secret Service cars on the property as well as people who it appeared were unloading. There were a couple of kids running around so I’m thinking at least some of the family was present when I took this picture.

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk, Maine

What I found exceptional was the little church that is said to be where the Bushes attend when they are summering in Kennebunkport. It is open for services only seasonally starting in June but the doors are always open. I’m thankful to have been able to visit and enjoy its beauty inside and out.

I was so impressed by this church :: I will be dedicating a post to include more images of this beautiful place. Stay tuned.

The Stonehouse in Kennebunk, Maine

What a stunning place! I couldn’t go further without stopping to see it. Water views from every window :: available for rent at $17k per week. Honey :: can we go?

The Wedding Cake House in Kennebunk, Maine

The most photographed house in Maine for its frilly Gothic-inspired architecture, the Wedding Cake house was constructed by George W. Bourne, a prominent 19th-century shipbuilder who constructed his vessels on the Kennebunk River directly behind the home.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery and home of the Clydesdales in Merrimack, New Hampshire

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery is located in stunning surroundings in Merrimack, New Hampshire and offers a Biergarten as well as tours of the facility.

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On the property you will also find the home of the Budweiser Clydesdales East Coast Team. When the hitch is back from one of their many public appearances you can get an up-close and personal encounter and have your picture taken with these iconic horses right here.

Lowell, Massachusetts :: “The Cradle of the Industrial Revolution”

Incorporated in 1826 to serve as a mill town Lowell was named after Francis Cabot Lowell a local figure in the Industrial Revolution. The city became known as the “Cradle of the American Industrial Revolution” due to a large series of textile mills and factories.

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Nearly 200 years ago Lowell’s groundbreaking canal system transformed the landscape and powered the city’s new textile mills. Of the nearly six miles of canals dug to provide waterpower almost all remain intact and functional. The survival of this historic power system was one of the key factors in the successful creation of Lowell National Historical Park in 1978. Today this network of waterways has reemerged as a defining feature of contemporary life in downtown Lowell.

There is a good chance I’ll be posting more photos of this charming town in New England in a future post so be on the lookout for those!

If you are interesting in visiting the New England coastline area click here for a great opportunity [from Boston] to take a New England Seacoast Tri-state Tour.

Read more ::

Best Ocean Views in Laguna Beach

Heisler Park :: Images That Will Inspire You to Visit

15 Incredible Images of Papago Park

I am so thankful for my time in New England. It is a place that I hope to return again and again. Many thanks to my friend Jen for showing me her favorite places in and around her home. It is an adventure I’ll never forget.