BEST WATERFRONT RESORT Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes You’ll want to pack a trunk and spend all summer at this plush, 125-year-old Lake Champlain retreat. Golf, watercraft, formal dining, and cottage or lodge accommodations. Rates: rooms from $232, $332 with American meal plan; cottages from $369, $448 with American meal plan. 4800 Basin Harbor Road. 800-622-4000, […]
BEST SWIMMIN’ HOLE Smalls Falls, Township E Twelve miles south of Rangeley and about four miles north of Madrid, the Sandy River squeezes through a gorge, dropping more than 50 feet in a series of four waterfalls interspersed with ledges. Soak in the pool at the bottom or hike up the trail edging the falls […]
THE LIGHT STUFF Wood Island Light, Biddeford Cruise to Wood Island, tour the 1809 beacon guarding the mouth of the Saco River, perhaps even climb the tower. A mere $10-per-person donation to the Friends of Wood Island Light covers everything and benefits future restoration efforts. 207-286-3229; woodislandlighthouse.org WALK-ON WATER L.L. Bean Walk-on Adventures, Freeport C’mon, […]
BEST MAINE MEXICALI Loco Coco’s Tacos, Kittery Transplanted Californians think they’ve been transported home when they sink their teeth into the burritos, enchiladas, and tacos served at this Cal-Mex restaurant, where some of the recipes have been passed down for generations. Choose from self-serve, dining room, or lounge seating. Entrées: from $6.95. 36 Walker St. […]
BEST DIY CLAMBAKE Harwich Shellfish Permit, Harwich Port With 15 different areas, each on its own tide schedule, Harwich is tops for a do-it-yourself feast. The town offers a $15 one-day shellfish permit, plus good deals on season-long family permits. Digging is easy–the town annually reseeds its beds with 2 million baby clams. Harwich Harbor […]
BEST B&B SUNSETS Centennial House, Northfield Spacious common areas in this 1811 mansion lead to a glassed sunporch overlooking a two-acre “back meadow.” Step out to the gazebo for sunset views over the valley. Five guestrooms combine comfort and Federal-era grace. Rates: from $117, including full breakfast. 94 Main St. 413-498-5921; thecentennialhouse.com BEST VICTORIAN STAY […]
BEST MOVIE HOUSE Beacon Cinema, Pittsfield The city’s Kinnell-Kresge building is classic 1918, but inside, a new six-screen, all-digital theater features the Met Opera “Live in HD” as well as art films, sports broadcasts, and first-run movies in surround sound. Hot hits may appear on all screens at once–in 3D. A vintage escalator accesses the […]
BEST CLIMB FOR FAMILIES Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey Perhaps it’s the proximity to Boston (only a 90-minute drive) or its long history (hundreds of hikers from as far back as the early 1800s have inscribed their names on the rocks), or most likely it’s the panoramic views from the peak that helped Monadnock become the most […]
BEST HANDS-ON HISTORICAL ATTRACTION Uss Albacore, Portsmouth You can periscope up and down all you want at this museum, where the main attraction is a sub designed and built at the nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The tour includes recorded voices of the crew members describing what you’re looking at. 600 Market St. 603-436-3680; ussalbacore.org BEST […]
BEST CUPCAKE Shabby Chic, Windham The confections here are works of art and taste equally divine. Dive into the moist decadence of, for example, “Vanilla Cranberry Swirl,” “Salted Caramel,” or “Cinnamon Pear,” topped with clouds of flavored butter cream ($3.25 each). 4 Cobbetts Pond Road. 603-898-2442; shabbychicwindham.com BEST ORGANIC FINE DINING The Rustic Leaf Bistro, […]
Acadia National Park encompasses the best Maine has to offer with its rocky coastline, woodlands, historic trails and lakes. Join photographer Christopher Churchill as he captures the beauty of the natural landscape at the height of summer. View more of Christopher’s photography on his Web site.
The varieties of flowering trees and bushes found in cities, public gardens, and cemeteries are chosen to provide color from early April through October. Landscape designers often pick species that show bright color before our native trees have woken up. While you’re waiting for the maples to flower, enjoy this landscaped diversity. Early species include […]
