Around New England

70. Wachusett Mountain Princeton, Massachusetts

Join us this week as we hike Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts!  Located within the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, This was a great family friendly hike with some great views!  We started from the parking lot at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.  The trail name we did was Balance Rock to Old Indian Trail.  Balance Rock is a natural glacial phenomenon that is an easy .35 miles from the trailhead.  It's cool to check out.
After the hike we checked out The Vice in nearby Westminster, Massachusetts for some coffee and a sweet treat.  The offer deli sandwiches featuring Boars Head meats, ice cream, coffee, and some good looking bakery items.  Check them out if you are in the area!
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69. Mount Will Trail - Bethel, Maine

Join us this week as we head back up to the Bethel, Maine area to hike the Mount Will Trail.  This is just one of the many trails maintained by the Inland Woods & Trails.  This non-profit organization maintains over 100 miles of trails in the area.  We first meet them at the Snowbound Expo and again at the Boston Run and Outdoor Expo.  We brought our dog, and there are many other dog-friendly trails we are eager to try.  
Mount Will is a moderate family-friendly hike with great views of the Androscoggin River Valley including one of our new favorite ski areas - Mount Abrams.  It also has cool views of Sunday River Ski Resort.  
Not far from this trailhead is Grafton Notch State Park where we were hoping to get a treat at Puzzle Mountain Bakery but it appears they were sold out that afternoon.  We were then going to try to go back to Steam Mill Brewing to grab some good food.  We know they are dog-friendly but they were on their shoulder-season break when we went.  
G found a winner though!  Butcher Burger was great.  We got takeout and the staff was great, and the food was phenomenal.  Check them out when in the area!  
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68. Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH

Join us this week as we hike one of the most popular hikes in NH, possibly even the US, Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH.  Although Mount Monadnock is attainable for almost any ability, it is still a challenging hike.  Be prepared to have fun, but also make sure you are prepared for a real hike!  It was over 4 miles total, and about 1,650 feet of elevation gain.  
Besides this park having a strict no-pet rule, this wouldn't be a very dog-friendly hike anyway.  There are exposed slabs on many of the trails.  The exposed peak offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the Boston skyline to Vermont!  Once you hike this one you understand why it's such a popular hike!  Reservations are recommended, especially in the busier summer and fall months!!  This state park is free for NH State Park license plate holders, but is $15 for anyone else.
On the way home we stopped at Ben's Sugar Shack in Temple, NH.  This place did not disappoint!  There's a cool Deli at Maple Station Market which had it all...good coffee, great food, and some of the best MAPLE CREEMEES we've had outside of Vermont!  It was right on the way home from the mountain, so it was also super convenient.  Be sure to stop in and check Ben's out!  It's 100% worth it.
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67. Mount Major, Alton New Hampshire

Join us this week as we hike a local favorite of ours, Mount Major.  This mountain is a great introductory hike for pets, kids, or anyone looking to take a nice step towards the more difficult mountains.  
We have been to a few places to eat in the area.  In the summer, we have been to Pop's Clam Shell, right on Lake Winnipesauke in Alton Bay.  They serve seafood and a variety of other fried foods.  You can even eat outside on the deck!  After lunch, there is an ice cream place within walking distance, right in the heart of Alton Bay.
This time we decided to try somewhere new.  We went into Gilford to check out the Gilford Village Store.  The sandwiches and desserts did not disappoint!
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66. Lye Brook Falls Trail Manchester, VT

Join us this week as we travel to beautiful Manchester, VT to hike Lye Brook Falls Trail.  The destination of this 4.8 mile hike is one of Vermont's tallest waterfall.  The hike is fairly easy, kid and dog friendly, and the views are worth the mileage!  We saw a wide variety of hikers here.  
After the hike we checked out nearby Depot Street Burgers for a delicious post-hike burger & beer.  We also grabbed coffee at Colburn Cafe and the bookstore it is in.  It was super cute and fun to poke around in.  So fun, we ended up missing out on going back to the Vermont Country Store.  We also poked around The Mountain Goat and they had some great deals, even on Patagonia!  
All in all, it was a great day in the Green Mountains of Vermont!
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65. Sleeping Giant State Park & New Haven Pizza

Join us this week as we go to Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT.  This family and dog-friendly hike has a cool tower (or castle) at the summit that has nice views of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area.  We did a 4.5 mile loop that included going past the summit and returning a less common trail.  It was not difficult and a lot of fun.
After the hike we headed to the world famous Wooster Street in New Haven to try Frank Pepe's and Sally's Apizza.  Which is your favorite?   
We also grabbed some dessert at Libby Italian Pastry Shop that did not disappoint!  It's well worth the stop when you are in that area.  
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64. Ireland special: Connemara, Aran Islands, & Doolin.

Join us this week as we travel abroad to Ireland!  We hiked and ate at some fantastic spots that we simply had to share with you guys!  If you are ever fortunate enough to get to Ireland, be sure to take a day to have a hiking adventure. 
We booked our trip through Ireland Walk Hike Bike.  We first learned about this Ireland based company on our first trip to Ireland.  We hiked a guided 16 km hike through the Killarney National Park.  We even saw Torc Falls and the hike ended at the famous Muckross Castle!  Once we found out they book entire trips, we knew who to contact when we returned!
First we hiked Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, and the views of the ocean and mountains was spectacular to say the least!  It was a little windy, but we otherwise had a fantastic day for this 4.5 mile hike!  
When in Connemara, drive around and check out some of the great spots.  We checked out the Pine Island View Point and also made our way out to Dog's Bay Beach.  It's worth the drive for sure! 
After our adventure, we decided to check out Connemara Woodfire for some great pizza, burgers and chips (fries).  When we made our way back to Galway, we had to get some tasty ice cream at Murphy's!  It's homemade ice cream from Dingle.  It's very good!
Our second hiking adventure put us over on the Aran Island of Inis Mor. Besides a very rocky ferry ride from Doolin on the Doolin Ferry, this was a highlight of our trip for sure.  There are plenty of bike rental options on the island but we decided to do a van tour since the wind was intense.  This van tour took us to some amazing spots around the island but we got to hike up to Dun Anoghasa (Black Fort).  This is a 3,000 year old ring fort that is on top of some jaw-dropping cliffs.  Being here seeing the edge of Europe is pretty intense.  
When we stayed in Doolin, we hiked from our B&B along the cliff edge on the ocean towards the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk.  The views are breathtaking but the heights and the drop off to the ocean is not for those afraid of heights.  Once back in town, head over to Ivy Cottage in Doolin for some of the best food we had on our trip!  
Two other places we mention that we ate in Galway are The Dough Bros and John Keogh Gastropub.  Both have excellent food and you won't be disappointed.  We love Ireland and were so happy to share a little bit about why we love it so much!  
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63. Blue Job & Winnie The Pooh Trail

This week we talk about two short NH hikes that are perfect for families that enjoy getting out on the trails!  First we checked out Blue Job Mountain in Strafford, NH.  There are two peaks, with great views accessable by the Blue Job Mountain Loop trail.  Little Blue Job has an exposed peak and nice views of the White Mountains.  Blue Job has a fire tower that is available to partially climb up.  
After Blue Job we checked out The Jefferson for breakfast, and it was amazing!  Be sure to check it out if you are in the Strafford, NH area!  
After that, head to Barrington, NH to check out the adorable Winnie The Pooh Trail!  This super-kid-friendly trail follows the story, including all the characters' houses.  
Finally, head to Calef's to get yourself and the kids a sandwich or treat in an old school country store.  It's a really fun hike, and really fun store.  
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62. Best Season to Visit New England

Today we’re going to break down outdoor activities to do in each season here in New England regardless of when you get to travel.
We get this question a lot, "What do you think is the best season to visit New England?"
While G loves the Fall, Mike prefers the warmer weather in the summer months.  Both of us agree that each season has its advantages.  Here are just some of the activities we discuss this week and what months we recommend doing these activities in.
 
January & February - Ski Season 
Down hill and cross country skiing
Snow shoeing 
Ice castles 
Winter hiking, but just be careful and prepared!
 
March & April - Mud Season 
There might be some skiing left 
Fenway tour
Boston 
Haunted tour 
Beach walks
Cape cod 
Southern New England
Wicked Tulips opens in April Preston- CT & North Kingstown RI
March - Maple weekends VT NH and ME
Watch for hiking trail reports, it’s  not the best time to hike at all. Post hikes, muddy etc
Portland Head Lighthouse
Scenic Drives the Kanc, Ocean Drive in Newport and Coastlines
 
May & June
Hiking season has begun weather permitting 
Arethusa falls 
WaterFire begins on select dates through Dec
Cape cod before the summer season 
Trolls 
Early May- Late Oct the Cog they’re open year round too! Just not to the peak of washington
Camping season beginning Suncook family campground 
 
July & August - True Summer
Peaks island 
Block Island
Hiking season has begun
Watch the weather thunderstorms and always bring water not matter how short the hike is
 
September -Summer Then Fall 
Beach season 
 paddle boarding kayaking surfing
 at the start of the month
Apple picking 
Fairy house tour (9/20-21/2025)
Fair season; Fryberg, Topsfield & the Big E 
 
October Fall!
Peak fall at the start of this month typically first two weeks 
Apple picking
Pumpkin picking 
Cider donuts 
Ghost on the banke
 
November - Stick Season 
Gile mountain 
Quechee gorge 
 
December 
Winter has started 
Lots of outdoor light displays. 
Lights in Eliot - sandy hill farm 
Vin center lights a forest of lights
Boothbay Botanical Gardens - lights gardens aglow 
Holidays parades 
Snow Port Boston outdoor winter market
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61. Lincoln Woods State Park - RI

Join us this week as we take the puppy on her first RI hike at Lincoln Woods State Park.  This is a great park with many activities available year round.  The price is the best part!  It's free to get in!  
Located in Lincoln, but also near Providence, Woonsocket, and Pawtucket, this spot is just a RIPTA bus ride away!  We went in the winter and hiked but this place is a gem in the summer!  You can boat, swim, and even horseback ride here!  Next time you are in Northern Rhode Island, check it out!
Afterwards, you can do what we did, and check out Fundati Coffee.  This fun spot has awesome coffee, hot chocolate, and treats.  It's worth the stop.
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