Winter in New England can seem never-ending. March can be a long month, leaving most New Englanders itching for spring. As the buds on the trees come to life and the flowers start to bloom, many people are coming out of hibernation and looking for things to do. I have pulled together a list of 20 things to do this spring in New England.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Boston’s Public Garden and the Swan Boats.
The Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. It contains 80 species of plants and is home to beautiful swan boats. Since the 1800s, the swan boats have sailed around the park’s lagoon and become a symbol of the city of Boston. Robert Paget invented this style of boat, and four generations later, the Paget family still owns and operates the Swan boats.
The boats open for the season on May 8th and will remain open through Labor Day. The cost is $4.50, an adult, $3.00 for children 2-15, and under two are free. It is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
Attend a Baseball Game or Tour Fenway Park
If you are a baseball fan, one can not come to Boston without visiting the oldest and most beloved ballpark in America. Pick up tickets to a game and experience firsthand why Red Sox Nation loves this ballpark and their Sox. Sox not in town while you are here? No fear, take an hour-long tour of the park. Feel the presence of Ted Williams, Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, and Big Papi. Sit on top of the famous Green Monster. Tours are available year-round and depart every hour.
Boston Duck Tours
One of the best sighting seeing tours in Boston is the Duck Tours. It is a fully narrated historic tour of Boston that is seen by both land and sea! Well, the Charles River, but you get the point. These boats are a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. A conDUCKtor will be narrating your tour as you drive through the streets of the city, hitting many of its famous marks. Kids even get to drive the boat!
Attend one of New England’s Many Flower Festivals
Many festivals have been canceled, postponed, or are being held virtually for 2021. Please check with the event organizers before planning your trip.
A couple of years ago, we spent Mother’s Day at the Wicked Tulips Farm in Rhode Island. We explored the beautiful gardens and picked our own tulips. In doing my research, I have discovered New England has several flower festivals through the spring. According to Trip Savvy, these are the best Springtime Flower festivals in New England.
Daffodil Days at Blithewold
Blithewold Mansion is located in Bristol, Rhode Island, and its Gateway Event to Spring takes place every April. Fifty thousand daffodils are growing on 33 acres of gardens and woodland paths. In addition to the daffodils, in early May, flowering cherry trees, primroses, and star magnolias show their stuff, and by late May, the grounds come alive with columbine, forget-me-nots, and lupine.
Nantucket Daffodil Festival
Hop on board a ferry and head over to Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the annual Daffodil Festival.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s festival will be held virtually. It is quite the show with more than three million daffodils, complete with a seaside view and an iconic lighthouse.
Meriden Daffodil Festival
The Meriden Daffodil Festival is held in Meriden, Connecticut, each year at the end of April. It is called Connecticut’s most colorful April event. Usually, there are carnival rides, a food tent, games, and more.
However, due to the pandemic, this year’s festival is canceled. However,
Hubbard Park is still open to the public to drive through and enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Lilac Sunday
At Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts, the grounds are home to 408 lilac plants representing 179 different varieties. For this reason, Lilac Sunday is one of North America’s most significant lilac-focused events. Embark on a self-guided tour after printing a tour brochure, and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. The lilacs are in bloom for approximately four weeks, starting in late April to mid-May.
Maple Sugar Festival
On the last week of March, head on up to Maine and visit one of the 100 sugar shack participants in this annual event. See how maple syrup is made, sample some tasty treats, and bring home some of the country’s best maple syrup. You can find more information here.
Covered Bridge Tour
Jump in the car and head on up to either New Hampshire or Vermont and hunt for covered bridges. You can easily find a map online that lists all of the cover bridges. Why not make a weekend of it and spend the time exploring some of the most beautiful covered bridges on this side of the Mississippi.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 national parks in the United States to visit. There are twenty-seven miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads to drive and hike throughout the park. It has earned its title Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. The park houses the highest mountains along the Atlantic seacoast.
Coastal Highway U.S. 1 in Maine
Take a drive up the Maine coastline and experience some breathtaking views. Along the way, stop for a lobster roll and steamers. Make sure to visit some of Maine’s iconic lighthouses. The route will take you from the New Hampshire and Maine border all along the coast of Maine, the St. Croix River, and then along the border of the U.S. and Canada. I suggest you take a few days to enjoy this adventure.
Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA
At the tip of the National Seashore is Race Point Beach. This gorgeous beach is a great beach to watch wildlife (seals, dolphins, whales, and perhaps a great white) and see one of the most amazing sunsets.
If you are so inclined, you can walk the three-mile trail to see the Race Point lighthouse or bike the eight-mile Cape Cod Province Lands Bike Trail, which winds through towering dunes.
Baby Animal Day at Billings Farm
Head to Woodstock, Vermont, and attend Baby Animal Day at Billings Farm, an annual tradition to meet the baby animals. Surrounded by the Green Mountains, Woodstock is a great place to visit, from sampling Vermont’s famous cheeses to hiking to strolling the historic downtown.
Boston Food Tour
Boston has some fantastic food tours. One year my best friend and I, along with our husbands, took a Historic Pizza and Taverns Tour. It started in the North End, went to Charlestown, and back to the Faneuil Hall area. It was a lot of fun and yummy. There are so many to choose from. You can find a list of Boston’s best food tours here.
Whale Watching off the Maine coast.
Mid-April is when the humpbacks make their way to Kennebunkport’s waters and other coastal areas of Maine.
Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Dinosaur State Palk has one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. On display in the museum are early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. In addition to the exhibit center are two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur Arboretum. The arboretum contains over 250 species and other living representatives of plant families around during the dinosaur’s age.
Mark Twain House
Designated National Historic Landmark, the Mark Twain House is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and showcases Mark Twain’s life and career. The museum chronicles his life and works, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, which he wrote while living there.
Mystic Seaport, Connecticut
Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea is the most significant maritime museum in the United States. The museum is known for its collection of sailing ships and boats and the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century seafaring village. The maritime town consists of more than 60 historic buildings. There is also a fantastic aquarium, and make sure to grab some pizza from Mystic Pizza.
Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH
The Strawbery Banke Museum is an outdoor history museum that brings more than 300 years of American history to life. The museum spans 10 acres in downtown Portsmouth’s waterfront neighborhood and features 32 historic buildings and eight heritage gardens.
The Sandwich Boardwalk, Sandwich, MA
Named one of the top 10 boardwalks by National Geographic, the Sandwich boardwalk spans 1,350 ft over a marsh before it connects to Boardwalk beach. It an excellent place for birdwatching and watching ships enter the Cape Cod Canal.
Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal is a man-made canal connecting Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south and is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The canal is used extensively by recreational and commercial vessels. You will access fishing and trails for in-line skaters, bicyclists, and walkers on both sides of the canal. Several parking areas are maintained at access points. The Corps of Engineers lease bourne Scenic Park to the Town of Bourne Recreation Authority for use as a tent and R.V. campground adjacent to the canal.
Castle Island, South Boston, MA
Castle Island is a peninsula on the shores of the Boston Harbor. It a recreation site and home to Fort Independence. Attractions include a playground, beach and swimming access, and Sullivan’s restaurant. You can also take a tour of Fort Independence.
Explore a Massachusetts State Park
With 151 state parks to choose from, you could spend the entire season exploring the state parks. Some of our favorites include Halibut Point, Natural Bridge, and Bash Bish Falls.
So there you have it, 20 things to do this spring in New England. Which one would you do first?
Welcome to the White Mountains of New Hampshire!
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Though my whole family grew up in New England, we never learned how to ski. When the boys were little, they took a few lessons but never really got into it. Robbie’s hockey scheduled did not allow for much time to spend on the slopes, and Nicholas outright disliked it. So when I suggested we head to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a few days, the first thing my son asked what we will do? Well, Nicholas, what won’t we do is the better question!
Where to stay in the White Mountains?
The White Mountains have plenty of motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, ski lodges, and house rentals. We wanted a more homey feel, so I decided we would rent from Airbnb for the first time. I was always hesitant to use them, as I had heard horror stories from my friends. However, I had also seen and heard of some fantastic properties. We took a chance and rented a three-bedroom condo in the small town of Thorton, NH. It did not disappoint!
Welcome basket in the mud room. 
Living Room 
Table with a wealth of information 
Living Room 
Kitchen 
Bedroom 1 
Bedroom 1 
Bedroom 2 
Leads to Master 
Loved the coffee station 
Master Bedroom 
Master Bedroom
The condo had everything we could think of and more. Plus, it was minutes to skiing, hiking, restaurants, & NH’s renowned White Mountain National Forest.
There was an open concept living room with a huge cathedral ceiling setup with comfy seating for 10, 4K TV with surround sound, plus a treasure chest of dozens of inspiring books and card/board games.
As for the kitchen, it came equipped for cooking and dining: high top seating for six at the expandable table, dishwasher, oven, microwave, Foreman Grill, Ninja blender, & one-button coffee maker that grinds & brews. The owner even provided the beans!
Oh, and can we talk about the master bedroom? It was a quick two steps up off the living room. Featuring a gorgeous queen-sized canopy bed, top-10 rated premium memory foam mattress, dual nightstands with wireless charging for our phones. There was a private balcony off the master to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or a glass of wine at night.
Located downstairs were two more bedrooms. Two double beds with the same premium memory foam mattresses in one room, two bunk beds sleeping four children/light adults total. Both rooms were steps from the full downstairs bathroom and in-unit washer/dryer. The house was fully stocked with towels, sheets, washcloths, and blankets.
What to do in the White Mountains?
We arrived on a Thursday evening and spent it relaxing in the condo. The next morning we got up and, after a leisurely morning, headed toward N. Woodstock, NH, to explore the White Mountains for a bit before heading to the Ice Castles. I was on a quest to find a covered bridge and frozen waterfall. As I told my husband, I was not going home until I saw both!
According to the map, once in N. Woodstock, we would head west on Rt 112. This took us right into the White Mountain National Forest.
The views were beautiful, but the photos didn’t really capture it that well due to the overcast.
The following excerpt was taken directly from the National Forest website.
The White Mountain National Forest was established in 1914, with 7,000 acres bought for 13 dollars an acre. Today the area has expanded to over 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and the lands that were once razed and blackened are now vibrant and healthy.
One of only two National Forests in New England, the White Mountain is truly a unique natural wonder. As you wander through the lower-elevation mixed hardwood forests, it’s easy to stumble upon a piece of history, be it an old foundation, logging camp, or railroad bed. The area was first colonized in the 1600s, and before that, it was home to numerous Native American tribes.
Moving higher in elevation, the forest notably shifts, with conifers like hemlock, pines, and spruce dominating the landscape. The White Mountains are home to the most rugged and challenging terrain in the region. Boasting some of the highest peaks in New England, the tops of these mountains are home to unique health communities and stunted krummholz forests of firs and spruces.
The White Mountain National Forest is a vacation hotspot for a reason – it holds some of the best recreation opportunities in the North East. Hikers and Backpackers test their endurance on trips that bring them from granite peak to peak, with challenging elevation drops and gains in between.
After conquering a day’s worth of summits, hikers can rest their weary feet and tired heads in a series of mountain huts that provide everything from dinner and breakfast to pillows and wool blankets (but bring your own sheets or sleeping bag). All this adds up to a winning combination of rugged days and comfortable nights that has given the system a reputation for the best hut-to-hut hiking outside of Europe.
About 30 minutes into the ride, we came upon the Swiftwater Covered Bridge.
Located in Bath, NH, this bridge is the fourth to cross the Wild Ammonoosuc River. Originally built in 1810, but was carried away in 1818 by a flood and replaced in the same year. In 1828, the bridge was destroyed by another flood. The third bridge was erected in 1829 and remained at the site until 1849. At that time, it was dismantled and replaced by the current bridge. The state rebuilt this bridge in 1977. The Swiftwater Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ice Castles in the White Mountains
The whole purpose of our trip was to see the White Mountain’s version of Ice Castles. I have wanted to attend this event for the last 4-5 years and was FINALLY successful in snagging some tickets.
Ice Castles was beautiful! It looks like something straight from the movie Frozen. Located in 4 states, Colorado, New Hampshire, Utah, and Wisconsin, it all started with a dad building an ice cave in his front yard for his 6 kids. Not only did his kids love it, but the whole town did.
Fun facts
🧊 Founded in 2011
🧊 In 4 locations.
🧊 Each castle is over 29 million pounds.
🧊12,000 icicles are grown each day.
Like most things with this virus, it was a timed ticket. However, once we were there, we could stay as long as we wanted. I wanted to see the castle in both the day and night. We arrived at 5:00 pm just as the sun was starting to set. Within 45 minutes of being there, nighttime arrived, and we experienced the castle all lit up. Fortunately, the weather was not too bad. We made sure to have warm clothing, plus snow pants. We were all comfortable.
So what is there to see? Well, there is the ice castle itself. There are frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, and much more. Our son had fun flying down the ice slides. There is an area for tubing. We were going to try that, but the line was a bit long and, honestly, not the best thing for my back. I purchased tickets for the sleigh ride. It was a relaxing ride through the woods located toward the back of the castle and tubing area. There was also a quarter of a mile walking path; all lit up with colored lights. It was beautiful. Of course, like most places, there were booths to purchase hot drinks and snacks and a gift shop.
Snowshoeing in the White Mountains
Though we do not ski, I thought we would try our hand at snowshoeing. I booked through Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, New Hampshire. We met at their base camp in Lincoln and from there drove about 6 miles to Barron Mountain. The tour is approximately 90 minutes long. We had a tour guide take us up and back down the mountain. Once at the top, we took in the beautiful views of Franconia Notch State Park. It is hard working going up a mountain, but even harder coming back down. It took a lot of concentration to prevent myself from tumbling down! However, it was a lot of fun, and I think Santa will be bringing everyone snowshoes next Christmas!
Up we go 
Taking in the beauty. 
So pretty 
No one around but us. 
What a view!
Kancamagus Scenic Byway in the White Mountains
The Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5-mile scenic drive along NH’s Rt. 112 in Northern New Hampshire. The Kancamagus Highway is now designated an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, aesthetic beauty, and culture.
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway takes you through a path cut through the White Mountain National Forest. You will see breathtaking views of the White Mountains, the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge. The Kanc (its famous nick-name) takes you to an elevation of just under 3,000 feet at its highest point.
People flock here in the fall to see the breathtaking foliage. However, we found it to be a beautiful place to see in the winter as well. Here is where I knew I would find a frozen waterfall!
As we drove along the Kanc, we stopped at a few places to take some photos. The higher up in elevation we went, the cloudier it became and not ideal for photos. We also found quite a few of the trails were closed due to ice. There was a particular waterfall I had wanted to see, but it closed. However, I was determined and found the Rocky Gorge was a short walk from the road.
Rocky Gorge is a powerful narrow gorge carved by glaciers, where water is almost always rushing through, even during droughts. Rocky Gorge offers a 10′ drop and rapids through the gorge.
This is definitely a place we want to come back to in the fall. There is a trail that leads to a pond that we want to hike. From what I heard, the views are amazing.
Where to eat in the White Mountains?
One of the reasons I wanted to rent a house or a condo was to have access to a kitchen. It was perfect for having coffee and breakfast in the morning. However, that is the extent of my use of the kitchen. I don’t particularly appreciate cooking at home and certainly do not want to be doing it while I am away. With plenty of places to eat in the White Mountains, it was not hard to find a place to please all our palettes. Everywhere we ate was good, but two places really hit it out of the park.
Woodstock Inn and Brewery in N. Woodstock, NH, had a great atmosphere, food, and terrific service. Their portions were generous. I had the mac and cheese. It was baked to perfection. The winterscotch martini was divine. It was made with Vanilla Bean Vodka, Baileys, and a splash of butterscotch schnapps. The boys really enjoyed dessert, peanut butter pie, and a brownie sundae!
Winterscotch Martini 
Mac & Cheese 
Flatbread Pizza 
Peanutbutter Pie 
Brownie Sundae 
Woodstock Inn & Brewery
The second place we enjoyed was right outside of Loon Mountain Ski Resort. It was called the OneLove Brewery. Bill and I both had the chicken and waffles. Nicholas had the fish and chips. We enjoyed a giant pretzel as an appetizer. Again, the portions were huge, the service was terrific, and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. It was perfect after a long day of being outside in the White Mountains.
Cool sign 
Drinks 
Giant pretzel 
Fish and Chips 
Chicken and Waffles
As you can see, even if you are not a skier, there is still plenty to do in the White Mountains in the winter. All it takes is some warm clothes and a positive attitude.
What adventures have you enjoyed this winter?
Interested in more of what New Hampshire has to offer? Check out my article on the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Last September, we escaped to the lakes region of New Hampshire for a long weekend. It had been years since I had explored this area. I was just a child the last time I was here. We spent four days and three nights hiking a castle and browsing the towns along Lake Winnipesaukee.
What and Where is the Lakes Region of New Hampshire?
The Lakes Region is located south of the White Mountains in east-central New Hampshire. There over 270 lakes in New Hampshire, including Lake Winnipesaukee (the largest lake in the state), Squam Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, and Lake Sunapee. It is also home to two mountain ranges, the Belknap and Ossipee Mountains. A popular summer destination, the Lakes Region offers something for everyone, including boating, water sports, fishing, swimming, hiking, and more. However, there is no lack of activities during the other three seasons.
Lodging In the Lakes Region
There are plenty of places to stay in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. From campsites, Airbnbs, resorts, and boutique hotels, the possibilities are endless. We chose to stay at Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton, NH. The resort sits on top of Steele Hill, overlooking Lake Winnespauske and Lake Squam. It has 500 acres of land consisting of hiking trails, a golf course, a private pond for fishing, and more. Accommodations range from two-bedroom suites to cozy rooms located in the original inn.
Amenities include:
- 2 Indoor Pools/2 Outdoor Pools
- Whirlpools & Saunas
- Free 9-hole Executive Golf Course
- Snowmobiling with access to state trails (bring your own machine)
- Fishing in our private pond (catch & release)
- Racquetball and Tennis courts
- Health Club
- Hiking/Snowshoe Trails
- Horseshoes
- Children’s Playground
- Ice Skating (weather permitting)
- Tobogganing & Sledding (sleds not provided)
- Wii U & PlayStation 4 Gaming Systems in Lobby
- The Market, an onsite convenience store
- Hilltop Restaurant and Tova’s Tavern
- Laundry Facilities
- Ice Machines
We stayed in a one-bedroom suite, which was plenty big for the 4 of us. We had a full kitchen, living room, with a pull-out couch, dining area, a full bath, and a master bedroom. Our suite overlooked the Belnap Mountains and the lakes. It was clean, comfortable, and moderately priced. However, I do think pre-covid, the prices would be slightly higher.
Living room 
Full kitchen 
View from the room 
Master bedroom 
Living room again 
Bathroom 
Main Inn 
Recreation Center 
Fitness center 
Arcade 
VIew from recreation center 
Indoor pool
Another bonus to the resort was its onsite restaurant. It was excellent. The resort is a bit hidden away, and it can be 20 mins or more to the nearest restaurant. Having the restaurant as an option was great. One of the days, our kids ordered take out from there so they could stay in and watch football, leaving my husband and I free to explore on our own without worrying about them.
Things to Do in the Lakes Region
For our first full day in New Hampshire, we headed to Castle in the Clouds. Castle in the Clouds is a mountaintop estate located in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. It is a 16-room mansion with 5,294-acres of land.
I had toured the mansion when I was a child, but a lot has changed. Or at least in my mind, it has! Castle in the Clouds is so much more than a mansion tour. There is a guided basement tour, an exhibit hall featuring the career of the original owner of the castle, Thomas Plant, a restaurant, cafe, gift shop, hiking and walking trails, winter activities, events, and more.
We chose to tour the mansion, grab a snack at the cafe, and then set out on one of their more picturesque hikes featuring seven waterfalls.
Tour of the Lucknow Estate
The tour starts with a trolly ride up the road to the estate once owned by Thomas and Olive Plant. From there, you meet a guide and receive a 10-15 minute orientation on the history of the estate. The tour of the mansion is self-guided, though there were plenty of guides stationed in each room to answer any questions. Due to COVID, admission was staggered, so at times it seemed we had the house to ourselves. It was quite lovely.
View from parking lot. 
Old stove 
Kitchen 
Formal Dining room 
Game room 
Old fashion intercom 
Home decor 
Thomas Plant 
View from inside 
Another view 
Bedroom 
Bedside table 
Bathroon 
Love the old products 
Interesting shower 
Another bedroom 
Tea anyone? 
Soap 
Hey, I know that company!
The inside of the house was impressive, but it was outside that caught my attention. The gardens, the grounds, and the views of the mountains were my favorite part of the tour.
After touring the mansion and grounds, we headed back down and grabbed a snack from the Castle Cafe. Once we fueled up, we hiked on one of the many trails here at Castle in the Clouds.
Brook Walk Trail
Brook Walk Trail is a moderate hiking trail that has seven spectacular waterfalls. There are signs along the route providing descriptions of the waterfalls and photos of how the falls looked many, many years ago. The falls include Twin Falls, Whittier Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Falls of Song, a 40 ft plunge waterfall.
The hike was lovely, and the boys enjoyed seeing the different waterfalls. It would be a great place to go back to and hike in the evening. There are quite a few trails to explore.
Meredith, New Hampshire
The next day we headed out early to the town of Meredith, NH. Meredith is a major resort town located on the shores of Lake Winnespauke, the largest lake in the New Hampshire Lakes Region. Our first stop, Hart’s Turkey Farm.
Hart’s Turkey Farm was a restaurant I grew up going to when on vacation in New Hampshire. I have fond memories of it and wanted my kids to experience it as well. It did not disappoint! As you can probably guess, turkey is the specialty, but they have other menu items. After we ate, we stopped by their store, where I picked up some local maple syrup and candy for the kids.
After lunch, we headed into the town of Meredith. It has a picturesque downtown area, with lots of restaurants and shops. The kids hung out at a park along the lake while Bill and I walked around snapping photos and picking up a book at a local bookstore. We noticed around town were these sculptures. It is an annual exhibit called Meredith Sculpture Walk. You can learn more about it here.
Lake Winnipesaukee 
Nicholas hanging out. 
Memorial 
Sculpture 
Lake Winnipesaukee 
Beautiful day on the lake. 
Lighthouse 
Sculpture 
Another Sculpture 
Sculpture 
One more sculpture 
Bill being goofy.
A Morning Hike and Wolfboro, New Hampshire
On Sunday, the boys told us ahead of time they did not plan to leave the room all day. They wanted to watch football. They are certainly old enough to stay by themselves, and it gave Bill and me some 1-1 time, something we rarely get these days. We started the day with a hike around the property. The resort has three hiking trails totaling 5 miles. We hiked two out of the three trails. The trails are relatively flat, with some elevation toward the end of one of the trails. We passed through an open field, marshy areas, and even an old burial ground. According to the Steele Hill Resort website:
“The Joseph Leavitt Burial Ground is the largest of two cemeteries located onsite at Steele Hill Resorts, which dates back to the early 1800s. The oldest headstone in this particular graveyard is over two centuries old with the date 1818 engraved upon it belonging to Abner Kimball. The majority of the headstones at the cemetery are legible with the youngest to be buried at the location being only three months old.
A local man named John Douglas Crawford was sent to Germany in 1946 to be a liaison medical officer for the Office of Military Government. John, unfortunately, had to leave his pregnant wife, Caroline, home in the United States. After giving birth to their daughter Margo, Caroline had set out to visit John so he could meet his daughter for the first time. Unfortunately, he never got the opportunity to meet his daughter or the chance to see his wife again as their plane crashed into a ridgeline on a windy night departing from Newfoundland. Both Caroline and Margo share a headstone onsite.
The most recent headstone was added in 2014 and belongs to Lola Rose Cutillo. Her husband, Ralph Cutillo, former president of Steele Hill Resorts, has his tombstone sitting adjacent to Lola’s.”
Pretty interesting, right?
Great trail for hiking. 
Yes, I do appear in photos. 
Send help! 
Old burial grounds 
Old burial grounds 
Bill and I
After our morning hike, Bill and I headed to Wolfboro, New Hampshire. Located next to Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfboro is the “Oldest Summer Resort in America.” Wolfboro has a cute downtown area with lots of little shops to visit. First stop, ice cream at the Yum Yum Shop.
Then we headed over to Cate Park, which overlooks Wolfboro Bay. It was a great place to stop and do some people watching.
The main street of Wolfboro is lined with shops and restaurants. They had the cutest bookstore, and as an avid reader, I had to stop and browse.
We weren’t in any hurry, nor were we hungry for dinner, so we found a trail that started at the old Wolfboro Train Station, close to where we parked the car. The Cotton Rail Trail is a beautiful trail, following the old railroad tracks but occasionally veering off and winding through the woods before returning to the tracks for 11 miles. Along the way, we saw beautiful lakes, homes, and more. We walked for about a 1.5 before turning around and heading back into town. Once in town, we grabbed some dinner before going back to the resort to relax for the night
One Last Meal Before Heading Home
Who doesn’t love a good breakfast? I wanted to grab something hearty before we left for home. Plus, we had a couple of hours to kill before stopping by the bookstore at my son’s college before going home.
Heritage Farm Pancake House came highly recommended by the people at our resort. It serves a farm-fresh family-style breakfast. It is one price per person, and each person receives their choice of pancakes, fresh farm eggs, homegrown home fries, & bacon, and drinks. You can check out their menu here. The boys had chocolate chip pancakes, and Bill and I had blueberry pancakes. The food was delicious! As we waited for our food to be served, we walked around the farm visiting all the animals.
We will defintely be back!
Our final stop of the trip was to Southern New Hampshire University. Our son, Robbie, is a freshman studying sports management. Unfortunately, due to the virus, he is studying online from home. The campus is expected to open in the fall, and we all can’t wait for that to happen. In the meantime, we stopped at the bookstore to grab some swag and walk around a bit. Go, Penmen!
I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. It is definitely a beautiful place to visit regardless of the season.
Interested in learning more about New England? Check out my posts on the Berkshires, Provincetown, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Refuge, and Chatham, MA.
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the different colors across the trees, the smell of apples, and pumpkin spice. I mean, what is there not to like? Growing up in New England, I have been blessed with some beautiful Falls. New England has a LOT to offer this time of year, and I would like to share some of these with you.
Apple Picking
One of our family traditions is apple picking. With over 80 pick your own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. We have a family favorite, Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stowe, MA.
We like Honey Pot for several reasons. First, the orchard has several varieties of apples. The orchard is quite large, and we never feel it is too crowded. Second, it is one of the few places that have ladders to climb the trees. I love that! For some reason, it makes a bit more fun and authentic. Third, APPLE CIDER DONUTS! Hello?!? These donuts melt in your mouth. Now I know many places sell them, but nothing compares to the ones we get at Honey Pot Hill Orchards. The orchard has farm animals, hayrides, three different mazes, pumpkins, a great farm store, and some food stands. New this year, a Cider Garden. They will be a Hard Cider Tent set up on the weekends. We are looking forward to trying that out.
cider donuts -photo courtesy of Honey Pot 
cute little pig – courtesy of Honey Pot
Go Leaf Peeping
The foliage in New England is GORGEOUS! Whether you want to make this a day trip or a weekend-long event, there is plenty of foliage to see among the New England states. Check out the best foliage drives here.
Pumpkin Festival
Did you know that Laconia, NH, has one of the best pumpkin festivals in the country? Neither did I until I started researching for this piece. Each year, New Hampshire residents attempt to amass the largest number of lit jack o lanterns in one place, trying to meet or beat the world record, which the festival held for many years. The festival held mid-October attracts approximately 40,000-50,000 people each year. This year it will be held October 18th and 19th. There will be amusement park rides, a beer garden, music on the streets, a zombie walk, pumpkin displays, yummy food, which of course includes pumpkin everything and a five and a 10k on the morning of the 19th. Also, there are children’s games like pedal tractor pulls, corn hole, and more. There is fun for the whole family. We will be in Maine that weekend visiting colleges, so I am sad we are unable to attend. However, I will be sure to add it to my list for the following year.
The North American Wife Carrying Championship
Yes, folks, you heard it right. Such a thing exists! Sunday River in Maine is the second largest ski resort in New England. It is also home to The North American Wife Carrying Championship. This annual event is held over Columbus Day Weekend. Ironically, it does not have to be your wife that gets carried across a 278-yard obstacle course. It can be any woman of your choosing. The woman is thrown over the man’s shoulder. She is hauled across the course with her legs wrapped around a man’s neck and her arms around his waist. The obstacle course is made up of mud, logs, dirt, deep grass, and water, where her head is bound to get wet. A Finnish couple has won the event since 2013. This event coincides with the ski resort’s annual festival with chairlifts rides, live bands, food & beer tents and craft fairs.
4th Annual Harvest Festival at the Newport Vineyards
Newport is a seaside town in Rhode Island known for its historic mansions and sailing history. It hosted America’s Cup for many years. Next to Newport is the town of Middleton, home to Newport Vineyards. In addition to being a winery, Newport Vineyard has a brewery that offers fresh craft beer and a farm to table focused menu. There are events such as
This two-day event is Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th from noon -5:00 pm. It is two days of grape stomping (yes you read that right), sipping delicious wine or beer and eating delectable food. Or perhaps you are a pie lover? There is a pie-eating contest too! The cost of the event is $25.00 per person and includes up to 7 samplings of wine or beer. Children under 15 are free.
Viewing Foliage from High Above the Trees
For the adventurous leaf peepers, Connecticut offers a unique way to see the beauty that a New England Fall has to offer. Tree climbing, ziplining, and adrenaline-pumping rock climbing is some of the ways to take in vibrant hues of the season. Empower Leadership
Hiking with the Family
Not to be missed is the beautiful state of Vermont. Vermont is known for its yummy maple syrup and over 100 19th century covered bridges. It is also a great place to take a hike and see the beauty of The Green Mountain State. We are not that family that can hike for hours. Yes, I can run a marathon, but hiking up mountains for hours is not in the cards. However, we do love the outdoors and seeing the beauty around us. Here are 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes for your family to enjoy.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a hot vacation spot in the summer, but did you know that the Fall is one of the best times to visit this New England gem. The crowds are low, but a fair amount of restaurants are still open. House rentals are often half the price, and the beaches are there for all to enjoy. My sister and her husband head down the last week of September each year. Last September we tagged along for a weekend. We enjoyed hanging at the house, walking to the beach and a tour to see the seals that gather each year in Chatham, MA. I highly recommend the Monomoy Island Excursion. It is quite the site to see.
Salem, Massachusetts
The best place to be around Halloween, is Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is North of Boston and is famous for its witch trials in the 1600s. There are over 500 different events during October to
- Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour Salem Witch Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Halloween Cruises
- Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours
- The People vs Bridget Bishop
- Gallows Hill
- Salem Witch Museum
- Salem Wax Museum
Oh, and before you leave, make sure to stop by Enchanted. It is a magical shop for “witches & muggles” It is home to Laurie Cabot, Salem’s official witch. You can read about Laurie here.
Last, but certainly not least, Sitting by the Fire
Probably one of my absolute favorite things to do in the Fall, sitting out on the patio, cuddled up by the fire enjoying the cool, but pleasant weather. As New Englanders, we need to enjoy this season much as we can because we all know what comes after Fall.
