A quest for quaint: New England Guide

I was on a quest for a weekend getaway in a quaint town.

My husband suggested we explore the New England area and I am now convinced he might be a genius; emphasis on the MIGHT!

Our exploration included Portsmouth, Rye and Exeter, NH, as well as Salem, MA.

We started our trip by driving up the coast to Rye from Boston. I covered our time in Boston in my previous blog post. The roads curved along the rocky shoreline with the ocean on one side and historic homes on the other. It was hard to decide where to look! I would highly recommend grabbing a coffee and planning on spending a few hours in the car riding the coastal byway. There were plenty of places to stop for pictures and just take it all in! The North Atlantic is definitely a beauty.

We made it to Portsmouth just in time for lunch. This town has so many food options, it would be hard to make a bad choice! We decided on Surf Seafood as soon as I saw lobster fries on the menu. These crispy fries are loaded down with huge pieces of lobster, garlic, butter, and queso. Needless to say we didn’t talk much during this meal while stuffing our faces. On top of the food this place has an amazing view of Maine, just right across the Piscataqua River!

After a delicious meal, Portsmouth is a great place to walk around and shop.

There is a plethora of local art, jewelry, and antiques. I recommend spending a few hours walking around popping in and out of whatever stores look interesting. Most local artists were happy to ship so that I wouldn’t need to shove my new purchases in a bag or buy a new suitcase!

If you are looking for a place to crash, Wentworth by the Sea is worthwhile! Right down the road from downtown Portsmouth, you can get the busy city mixed with the get away vibe all in one day. Between the claw foot tubs and drinks with a few, this is the perfect place to kick back after a long day. There are multiple bars, views, and did I mention the claw foot tub?

Before leaving the New England area, I recommend a stop in Exeter, NH.

This town is about as quaint as it gets. With countless historic homes and a sleepy downtown, it makes for the perfect place to spend an afternoon. It’s best to get your shopping done early; most shops and local spots close between 4:00 and 5:00pm even on the weekends! For a place to sleep, the Exeter Inn is comfortable and welcoming. This hotel is in a great location and makes it easy to walk to local spots if it’s not too cold out!

Before heading to Boston for some time in the city, we explored Salem, MA.

To say it is spooky would be an understatement. We grabbed some lunch at Finz Seafood & Grill. If you like lobster, they are not running out any time soon! This place had all the seafood options one could possible want, plus the taste was just right!

Visiting New England was a trip that I will never forget. The weather was chilly and the lobster was drool worthy. Bundle up and make your way to this area to get a taste of QUAINT!