Summer Approaches the New England Coast
Summer Approaches the New England Coast
Well the air is finally warming and as the memorial day weekend approaches ushering in "Summer" in New England time to look at some options for whatr's new and interesting all along the New England Coast.
Connecticut:
There are many things happening in the land of steady habits most notably is the new display/interactive "Birds of The Outback" at Mystic Aquarium & Institute of Exploration. A new 1200 foot airway will allow interaction between the visitor and the birds of the outback. More than 300 species! Worth a stop!
Info can be found at: www.mysticaquarium.org/index.cgi/1538
Mystic Seaport has the Lobster Days Festival- a hit for 2 decades already. Enjoy a Lobster, some chowdah and corn on the cob at Mystic Seaport www.mysticseaport.org/
one of America's great history museums and some of the best views as well.
New London has a few new hot spots to enjoy including a soon to be opened super deck at The Buckeley House on Bank Street. Now featuring a brand new look as well! Lucca Wine Bar & Grille is about to open on Bank Street just up the street and the new club Club Aqua is about to open their outdoor eatery on the corner of Bank and Tilley! If you are in the mood for a new pair of shoes and some art Muse, a NY Style shoe boutque and gallery is opening on June 1 at 102 Golden Street. Check it out... right across the street from the Golden Street Gallery!
Keep an eye open there are several new spots opening in New London including new retail and eateries.
Old Saybrook is beginning work on the Katherine Hepburn Theater at the old Town Hall on Main Street thus ushering in a new image for the old town hall area. Theater goers will now be able to enjoy a great gift of Katherine Hepburn and the hard working fundraisers of the theater. Planned opening for next year.
New Haven has added several new restaurants- will report on this in another blog!
Rhode Island
Westerly and the beach area continue their transformations. More people have opted to live downtown of late and more projects are planned. An active dining community and artist area Westerly is worth a stop. The beach area's of Watch Hill will feature new condominiums and renovated eateries later this summer while Misquamicut is working hard to drop that "trashy" image that they held so proudly for generations.
Jamestown continues to work hard to attract the Newport bound tourists. With a long main street and growing dining offering Jamestown looks to pick up even more momentum especially for those who have long been out of college. Me included...
Bristol is looking to also be more of a destination for the Providence and Boston traveler. With a historic waterfront and close proximity to the "big" city Bristol is an ideal alternative to Newport and points south and east. Newport continues to grow expanding further to the south in the former "workers" area. Now shops and attractions fill this area almost connecting Newport's tourist area with the beach area. Heading toward the other beach nearer to the "point" Newport has another face that is equally as nice as neighboring towns but without the glitz of Newport's Bellevue community.
Block Island is working to avoid another summer of drunk teenagers in the news. Time will tell if they accomplish or not. Once a sleepy island town now known as a party hotspot. Hopefully it will not be run into the ground.
Massachusetts:
Is reaching out to persons of "other" incomes... Nantucket long an attraction to those with well 7 or 8 digits or more in their account has been actively pursuing day tourists. However with hotel / family accomodations still running in the mid 200s per night and more some work needs to be done to attract more "middle income" families. However for a long romantic weekend... you cannot beat Nantucket.
Boston looks to again build upon the big dig by adding more attractions, eateries and more. Will update the beantown as news warrants. Check out www.boston.com for more info.
The northshore of Boston continues to advertise itself heavily to attract more visitors. However Salem will need to clean it's image up of Scam Artists, copy cats and just "hokey" places before the masses return. Rockport and Gloucester continue to gain the crowds that are not interested in Salem or Salisbury Beach which both in their own respects need help.
Maine
Portland continues its movement toward greater success. The Old Port has become a popular stopping place for those looking for old New England entertainment. Orchard Beach needs more help and is a popular "dump" of tourist attraction... ok a little harsh there is potential there though! Tourists are finding the ferry to Nova Scotia a popular 2ndary trip/sidetrip tour! Great stuff and worth a trip. Northern reaches of Maine are also finding some values farther North and some peace and quiet!
New Hampshire
We have not forgotten you! Strawberry Banke and Portsmouth offer a nice waterfront "Savannah" like offer. Nice shops, history and a couple good eateries. Worth a stop and say hi to John Paul Jones' old homestead!
What are your favorite spots? Anything new happening in your area?
Let me know!
Well the air is finally warming and as the memorial day weekend approaches ushering in "Summer" in New England time to look at some options for whatr's new and interesting all along the New England Coast.
Connecticut:
There are many things happening in the land of steady habits most notably is the new display/interactive "Birds of The Outback" at Mystic Aquarium & Institute of Exploration. A new 1200 foot airway will allow interaction between the visitor and the birds of the outback. More than 300 species! Worth a stop!
Info can be found at: www.mysticaquarium.org/index.cgi/1538
Mystic Seaport has the Lobster Days Festival- a hit for 2 decades already. Enjoy a Lobster, some chowdah and corn on the cob at Mystic Seaport www.mysticseaport.org/
one of America's great history museums and some of the best views as well.
New London has a few new hot spots to enjoy including a soon to be opened super deck at The Buckeley House on Bank Street. Now featuring a brand new look as well! Lucca Wine Bar & Grille is about to open on Bank Street just up the street and the new club Club Aqua is about to open their outdoor eatery on the corner of Bank and Tilley! If you are in the mood for a new pair of shoes and some art Muse, a NY Style shoe boutque and gallery is opening on June 1 at 102 Golden Street. Check it out... right across the street from the Golden Street Gallery!
Keep an eye open there are several new spots opening in New London including new retail and eateries.
Old Saybrook is beginning work on the Katherine Hepburn Theater at the old Town Hall on Main Street thus ushering in a new image for the old town hall area. Theater goers will now be able to enjoy a great gift of Katherine Hepburn and the hard working fundraisers of the theater. Planned opening for next year.
New Haven has added several new restaurants- will report on this in another blog!
Rhode Island
Westerly and the beach area continue their transformations. More people have opted to live downtown of late and more projects are planned. An active dining community and artist area Westerly is worth a stop. The beach area's of Watch Hill will feature new condominiums and renovated eateries later this summer while Misquamicut is working hard to drop that "trashy" image that they held so proudly for generations.
Jamestown continues to work hard to attract the Newport bound tourists. With a long main street and growing dining offering Jamestown looks to pick up even more momentum especially for those who have long been out of college. Me included...
Bristol is looking to also be more of a destination for the Providence and Boston traveler. With a historic waterfront and close proximity to the "big" city Bristol is an ideal alternative to Newport and points south and east. Newport continues to grow expanding further to the south in the former "workers" area. Now shops and attractions fill this area almost connecting Newport's tourist area with the beach area. Heading toward the other beach nearer to the "point" Newport has another face that is equally as nice as neighboring towns but without the glitz of Newport's Bellevue community.Block Island is working to avoid another summer of drunk teenagers in the news. Time will tell if they accomplish or not. Once a sleepy island town now known as a party hotspot. Hopefully it will not be run into the ground.
Massachusetts:
Is reaching out to persons of "other" incomes... Nantucket long an attraction to those with well 7 or 8 digits or more in their account has been actively pursuing day tourists. However with hotel / family accomodations still running in the mid 200s per night and more some work needs to be done to attract more "middle income" families. However for a long romantic weekend... you cannot beat Nantucket.
Boston looks to again build upon the big dig by adding more attractions, eateries and more. Will update the beantown as news warrants. Check out www.boston.com for more info.
The northshore of Boston continues to advertise itself heavily to attract more visitors. However Salem will need to clean it's image up of Scam Artists, copy cats and just "hokey" places before the masses return. Rockport and Gloucester continue to gain the crowds that are not interested in Salem or Salisbury Beach which both in their own respects need help.
Maine
Portland continues its movement toward greater success. The Old Port has become a popular stopping place for those looking for old New England entertainment. Orchard Beach needs more help and is a popular "dump" of tourist attraction... ok a little harsh there is potential there though! Tourists are finding the ferry to Nova Scotia a popular 2ndary trip/sidetrip tour! Great stuff and worth a trip. Northern reaches of Maine are also finding some values farther North and some peace and quiet!
New Hampshire
We have not forgotten you! Strawberry Banke and Portsmouth offer a nice waterfront "Savannah" like offer. Nice shops, history and a couple good eateries. Worth a stop and say hi to John Paul Jones' old homestead!
What are your favorite spots? Anything new happening in your area?
Let me know!
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