10. Kittery and Freeport, ME: LLBean and outlet shopping
Maine’s greatest assets are her forests, mountains, sea ... and shopping. Alongside the Great Outdoors, enjoy the Great Indoors on US 1. Just over the border is Kittery, where over 120 brand name outlet stores offer dramatic discounts on jewelry, china, clothes and toys. Further north is Freeport, a 19thC village now comprising more than 100 shops, restaurants and inns. Both shopping destinations open early and close late, with Freeport’s legendary LL Bean flagship store serving customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
11. Bar Harbor, ME: Acadia National Park
Since the mid-19th century, Bar Harbor has been a special destination. 100-year-old inns with modern comforts and fine restaurants abound, along with shops that stay open late in the season. Since this seaside resort is the entrance to Acadia National Park, unspoiled natural beauty is on the doorstep. Romantic, relaxing and the best of both worlds.
12. Great New Hampshire Resorts: Colonial Grand Old Hotels
Grand resorts, with ballrooms, broad porches and sweeping lawns, are back in fashion. Among New Hampshire’s impressive array of restored 19thC grandes dames is the Mount Washington Hotel (1902), where Winston Churchill, among others, set up the International Monetary Fund in 1944. Door plaques tell you which famous person slept in which room. Like the Mount Washington, the 130-year-old Balsams, up near the Canadian border, boasts a fine golf course, as does the re-born Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa (1865) in Whitefield. At the heart of Jackson Village, The Wentworth (1869) has a course next door.
13. Lake Winnipesaukee, NH: M/S Mount Washington
Ringed by mountains and dotted with islands, the 72 square miles of Lake Winnipesaukee are best seen from a boat. The 230-ft M/S Mount Washington has dinner dance cruises, as well as a host of specially-themed cruises. The live bands range from the Rockin` 50s and Swinging 60s to Country & Western.
14. Stowe, VT: Mountain and valley
The 200-year-old village of Stowe is a favorite destination for European visitors. Thanks to excellent winter sports on Mount Mansfield, this is ‘The Ski Capital of the East’, with top class inns and restaurants. Open year-round, summer is as much fun as winter. Bikers and hikers enjoy the car-free 5.3 mile Recreation Path.
15. Manchester, VT: Designer outlets/Equinox Resort
There are three Manchesters, and each has its special appeal. Manchester Depot grew up around the train station; Manchester Village has elm-lined streets, attractive homes and the imposing Equinox Resort and Spa, where the rich and famous have come to play golf and enjoy the great outdoors for over 200 years. Manchester Center has some of the best shopping in New England, with over 50 designer outlets offering big discounts. All around are excellent B&Bs and restaurants, hiking and skiing.
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