Endless Vacation...

10 Great Reasons to Visit New England

The Cape Cod National Seashore is a great place for a quiet beach getaway along the Atlantic. More than 27,000 acres of beach, bicycle and nature trails, marshes, woodland and sand dunes stretch from Eastham to Provincetown.

The Berkshire Mountains and Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts offer splendid beauty, many artisan's shops, and interesting native American history. Take beautiful country roads to colonial Williamstown, Hancock Shaker Village and the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, along the Mohawk Trail to Hairpin Turn, Shelburne Falls, and Mt. Greylock.

New England is anything but new when it comes to history. Boston's Freedom Trail is a great way to walk right through 350 years of American history. This three-mile walking trail features 16 historic sites, including Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, and the USS Constitution.

Shop 'til you drop in North Conway. There re hundreds of specialty and designer outlets, with savings up to 70% and no state sales tax. Some great possibilities include. . .

They call Rhode Island "America's first resort" and Newport is definitely the resort of choice. Long fabled as the getaway for the rich and famous, it's easy to explore the "Sailing Capital of the World." The waterfront Colonial area features beautifully restored buildings, shops and homes.

Rhode Island's Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum has blossomed into one of the most beautiful spots in New England. The former summer residence of a Pennsylvania coal magnate now beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens overlooking Narragansett Bay and historic Bristol harbor. The Annual Spring Bulb Display from April 15 to May 15 is a perfect time to be at Blithewold, when you can view and purchase your favorite florals.

Block Island is Rhode Island's Victorian treasure island. Accessible only by year-round public ferry or air, the island features quaint architecture, spectacular vistas, and delicious native seafood.

One of New England's most dramatic roads runs right through one of Vermont's best four-season resorts. Route 108 leads to Smuggler's Notch. This area is less-visited than many resorts in the south, with many scenic drives, hikes, horseback riding, and other activities nearby.

Ben & Jerry's is very Vermont and a trip to New England is not complete without a trip to this ice cream mecca. The tasty tour in Waterbury is fun for everyone, with a factory tour where more than fifty famous flavors are produced.

Vermont makes more maple syrup than any other state in the United States. The best way to taste and buy "liquid sunshine" is at one of many sugarhouses or festivals in the state. Some of the best bets are the World's Biggest Maple Festival in St. Albans April 22-24 and a visit to St. Johnsbury's Maple Grove Museum, the world's largest maple candy factory.

For more reasons to pick up and go, contact:

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

100 Cambridge Street, 13th Floor

Boston, MA 02202

(617) 727-3201

(800) 447-MASS

New Hampshire Office of Travel and Tourism

P.O. Box 856

Concord, NH 03302

(603) 271-2666

(800) FUN IN NH (ext. 100)

Rhode Island Tourism Division

7 Jackson Walkway

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 277-2601

(800) 556-2484

Vermont Department of Travel and Tourism

134 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05602

(802) 828-3236

Lynn Seldon is a full-time freelance travel writer and photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. He specializes in the East and the Caribbean, making many exploratory trips to New England each year.