New England Road Trip 2022
Updated: Oct 6
I thought I would share a past adventure; my sister and I traveled the six New England states in 10 days back in September 2022! We put over 1,500 plus miles on our rental car. This was our first time visiting Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. There were so many great memories made and lots of photos taken. Here are some of the highlights from this incredible trip!
Day 1: We touched down in Boston, Massachusetts, and eagerly hopped into an Uber to pick up our rental car. To our delight, we were upgraded to a car far fancier than we anticipated. With our wheels secured, we headed to the hotel, excited for an early start the next morning.
Day 2: Hello Salem! The town was exactly as I imagined it! Our adventure began at the Peabody Essex Museum, a vibrant hub of art and culture, with exhibitions ranging from the intriguing history of witch trials to the wonders of nature and science. One of the most thrilling experiences was exploring the exhibit Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home. This 200-year-old Chinese home was carefully dismantled in its original village, shipped to America, and reassembled at the museum. The first-floor rooms, with their carved lattice windows overlooking two serene fishponds in the central courtyard, transported us to another era. The upstairs was just as captivating, offering a glimpse into the life of the Huang family and the cultural and historical changes they experienced over time. After immersing ourselves in this historic home, we marveled at stunning artworks, including Nonantum Riding out a Gale, 1842, by Samuel Walters. I couldn't resist snapping a selfie with a majestic guardian lion (Artist in China, Pair of guardian lions, Qing dynasty, about 1850) and was mesmerized by Anila Quayyum Agha: All the Flowers Are for Me, 2015. This radiant installation invites reflection on the differences and commonalities that shape our lives and relationships (as beautifully described on the PEM Website).
After our museum exploration, we ventured to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. This poignant site honors the 20 individuals executed in 1692 after being accused of witchcraft. In one of my favorite books, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, the protagonist Diana has an ancestor named Bridget Bishop. Harkness draws on rich research and timeless tales to craft her enchanting depictions of witches. If you want to check out my book review click here. Naturally, I donned my A Discovery of Witches shirt and posed for a photo with Bridget Bishop's cenotaph, marking the first person executed for witchcraft in 1692. After paying our respects, we roamed around Salem to visit the iconic filming locations of the movie Hocus Pocus. What a magical day!
Day 3: After a refreshing night's sleep at the Colonial Inn in Seekonk, we eagerly ventured into Providence, Rhode Island, to visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo. The excitement was palpable as we admired the cheetahs, the elephants, the snow leopard (a personal favorite), and the adorable red panda. Once we had our fill of the incredible wildlife, we headed downtown to explore the Museum of Art: Rhode Island School of Design. The array of artwork was simply breathtaking, and I could have spent endless hours marveling at the masterpieces. However, my sister set a time limit to keep us on track. If I had to pick my standout favorites, they would be: There is an Average of Four Bars to Every Block, from the Harlem Series, 1943 by Jacob Lawrence, Coffin Containing the Mummy of Nesmin, ca. 250 BCE (my love for Egyptian history knows no bounds), Drawings Aren’t Meant to Hurt, from the series The Fragility Drawings by Dominic Quagliozzi. These pieces truly stood out among the many highlights.
From Providence, our adventure took us south to Newport, Rhode Island. There, we explored the enchanting Green Animals Topiary Garden. Home to more than 80 topiary animals and figures for over a century, Green Animals dazzles with vibrant flowers from May to October. The 7-acre property offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay (as noted on their Website). It was fascinating to see the dedication and artistry involved in creating these topiaries. However, if you're pressed for time, you might consider skipping this stop.
Day 4: Hello Connecticut! This has to be one of my absolute favorite adventures of the entire trip! We ventured into Mystic, and for breakfast, we made our way to Sift Bake Shop, a delightful French-focused bakery. The pastries were absolutely amazing, as expected! While enjoying our delicious treats, we stumbled upon the Mystic Museum of Art, where they had an incredible exhibit featuring Norman Rockwell’s 323 Saturday Evening Post Covers. A couple of my favorite covers include the Triple Self-Portrait, 1959, which graced the cover on February 13, 1960, as well as the covers from June 23, 1928, September 16, 1961, and December 16, 1939. There were so many to admire, each bursting with creativity and fun!
Of course, we couldn't miss dining at Mystic Pizza because who hasn’t seen the iconic movie Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts? The walls are adorned with pictures and memorabilia from the 1988 filming. The pizza was phenomenal, and naturally, I had to grab a shirt! A little rain didn’t deter us from heading to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. It may be a smaller zoo, but it features one of my all-time favorite animals, the wolf, no matter the type. We got to see the Red Wolf, Mexican Wolf, and Maned Wolf in their enclosures, which was such a treat!
Day 5: Waking up bright and early, we set off for Washington Depot, Conn, the town that famously inspired the beloved show Gilmore Girls! Our first stop was the charming Marty’s Café for a delightful breakfast. Fueled and ready for adventure, we explored the stunning Hidden Valley Preserve, crossing the picturesque Thoreau Bridge and soaking in the breathtaking scenery along the trails. After our hike, we returned to our car and made our way to the enchanting The Hickory Stick Bookshop. Naturally, I couldn’t resist picking up a copy of The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson, which I later reviewed, click here. Washington Depot truly exudes those "Stars Hollow" vibes that every Gilmore Girls fan dreams of!
From there, our journey led us to New Canaan, Conn, where we had the incredible opportunity to tour The Glass House. This architectural marvel, crafted between 1949 and 1995 by the visionary Philip Johnson, is a historic gem of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Nestled in a pastoral 49-acre landscape, it boasts the iconic midcentury modern Glass House and fourteen other fascinating structures, including follies and outdoor sculptures, alongside a permanent collection of 20th-century art. (Information sourced from this website.) Although our time was limited to the house and grounds, the experience was absolutely awe-inspiring. Living in a glass house might not be for me, but the beauty of it was undeniable. One unbelievable fact is that when Johnson donated this property to the National Trust, he was still alive and left a detailed binder of guidelines, including meticulous lawn care instructions—groundskeepers had to trim the grass with scissors to maintain a precise height and ensure no clippings marred the path! I’m definitely planning a return trip to explore more of the grounds and exhibits. What an unforgettable day!
Day 6: Welcome to Vermont! Before we set off for the day, we had a hilarious start—a toad was perched in the window, gazing out at the rain. It was such a quirky sight, I couldn't help but laugh! And then, just to keep things interesting, I nearly got sprayed by a skunk near the motel office. Close call, but no thank you!
We headed to Burlington, and although the rain tried to dampen our spirits, we still managed to explore downtown once the skies cleared a bit. Our adventure then took us south to the legendary Ben & Jerry’s! This place was fantastic! One of the coolest spots was the Flavor Graveyard, where they have these whimsical headstones with flavor names, quirky descriptions, and their run dates. We toured the center, learning all about their ice cream-making process, and even enjoyed some delicious samples. No photos allowed, but trust me, it was incredible!
Goodbye Vermont, hello New Hampshire! We arrived at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival in Hampton, which was bursting with excitement. New England seafood, live music, unique arts and crafts, and the unbeatable oceanfront vibe of Hampton Beach—it had it all! The food was irresistible, especially the award winning lobster roll, and we sampled a bit of everything. After our feast and some shopping, we journeyed to Lincoln to savor local cider at Rhythm Cider, Tap & Grille, crafted at Seven Birches Winery. With snacks and cider in hand, we took a scenic drive, hoping to spot some wildlife before nightfall. We caught a glimpse of the majestic White Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. Our time in New Hampshire was brief, but we made every moment count!
Day 7: Welcome to Maine! Our adventure took us to New Port, where we had an amazing time exploring the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge. The views from the middle of the bridge were absolutely breathtaking! After enjoying the bridge, we headed downtown and had a blast checking out the charming shops and boutiques. Next, we journeyed south to the Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park. The Portland Head Lighthouse is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the United States, and it's easy to see why! I couldn't resist snapping tons of pictures, with Cape Elizabeth providing a stunning backdrop and boats gently floating by. We also got to indulge in the famous Maine Lobster Roll, and wow, it was incredible! Now I totally get why everyone raves about it. As the day wound down, we strolled along a beach at dusk, soaking in the vibrant sunset. On our walk back to the car, we even spotted a crab scuttling around.
Day 8: Hello Massachusetts! Our adventure took us to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, where we dived into the magic of our beloved childhood books. We were thrilled to explore the Eric Carle's Book Birthdays exhibit, a delightful celebration of 13 Eric Carle titles marking their 20th, 25th, and 50th anniversaries in 2022. Another highlight was the Celebrating Collage: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition, showcasing the incredible work of 20 picture book artists who excel in the art of collage.
Next, we journeyed south to the The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield. This museum was a dream come true, capturing the whimsical essence of Dr. Seuss perfectly. As we wandered through Whoville, I couldn't resist snapping a photo with the Grinch! The museum offered a fascinating glimpse into Theodor Geisel's childhood, complete with never-before-seen artwork, photographs, and his cherished childhood stuffed dog, Theophrastus. One of the most enchanting spots was Readingville, where the vibrant worlds of Dr. Seuss came to life. Seeing The Lorax's colorful realm and grabbing a selfie with him was pure joy! After soaking up the indoor magic, we headed to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. My absolute favorite piece was The Storyteller, featuring Dr. Seuss himself at his desk with The Cat in the Hat by his side, gazing at a gigantic ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go’ book, while the Grinch and Max peeked around the corner.
After immersing ourselves in the vibrant worlds of Dr. Seuss, we set off to Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon. As New England's largest zoo, it offered endless excitement! I was thrilled to see the Bennett’s Wallaby, the White Rhinos, an adorable Capybara, a Cheetah, and of course, the giraffes. We definitely got our steps in for the day exploring this expansive zoo!
Day 9: Welcome to Boston! Our adventure began at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. This incredible museum brings to life the dynamic leadership and enduring legacy of President Kennedy, the 35th president. It perfectly captures his passion for politics and public service. The standout features? A stunning Oval Office replica, fascinating political campaign artifacts, and touching family memorabilia and personal notes. After immersing ourselves in JFK's world, we headed to Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market for lunch. This vibrant spot is brimming with shopping and food vendors offering just about every treat imaginable. Of course, we couldn't resist indulging in a Boston Cream Pie from North End Bakery—it was absolutely scrumptious!
Before dinner, I was eager to explore Beacon Hill, especially the charming Acorn Street. This narrow, cobblestone alley is famed as one of the most photographed streets in the US, and it didn't disappoint! After capturing its beauty, we made our way to Cheers Boston. This iconic pub inspired the beloved TV show and features a replica of the bar where you can enjoy a drink. The food was phenomenal, truly embodying the spirit of the cozy, friendly pub “where everybody knows your name.”
Day 10: Goodbye New England, Hello Minneapolis, MN.
This trip was an unforgettable adventure, filled with priceless memories. I can't wait to return and explore even more of New England's rich history and hidden gems. I hope you enjoyed reading about our incredible journey! *Head on over to New England Roadtrip 2022 in Photos post to explore more photos.
Comments