Whether you’re traveling New England for business or vacation, or just to visit with friends or family, if you’ve never been there before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The area is positively bursting with must-see sights and unforgettable attractions.
Here are three of my absolute favorites.
The Cozy Storybook Castle
The country from which New England takes the second half of its name is well-known for its royal history, as exemplified by its majestic castles and opulent lineages. Unfortunately, that stuff didn’t quite make the journey when the English settlers moved to North America. Unless, of course, you count The Cozy Storybook Castle in Ellington.
A charming, regal example of medieval stylings and architectural flair, this locale is a vision of fairy tale Europe with its stone-walled spiral staircase, Romeo & Juliet-themed bedroom, luxurious claw-foot bathtub, and even a stone gargoyle on its 7-acre grounds. Best of all, as one of New England’s most unique Vrbo rentals, The Cozy Storybook Castle isn’t just a beautiful sight to see, it’s also a beautiful property for guests to live out their lifelong fantasies of kingly (or queenly) decadence.
Pepe’s Pizza
Who has the best pizza in the US? Some people say it’s New York City. Others believe it’s Chicago. New Englanders, however, know the truth: one of the best places to get pizza anywhere in the world is Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is New Haven. For almost a century, this family-owned eatery has been serving up one-of-a-kind “tomato pies” to famished natives and tourists alike.
What makes Pepe’s pizza so special? For starters, its unique hand-made, coal-fired, thin-crust dough is crispy, crunchy, and completely delicious. But if you really want something that will knock your socks off, try Pepe’s signature pie: the legendary White Clam pizza. Combining everyone’s favorite Italian dish with New England’s famous, fresh-caught seafood, this littleneck clam, shredded cheese, olive oil, and oregano-topped masterpiece brings together the best of both culinary worlds.
H. P. Lovecraft’s Providence
New England is known for its deep connection to national history, in particular its preservation of centuries-old monuments, buildings, and sites. A visit to Providence is like taking a step back through time, but for lovers of the literary and macabre it’s something even better. It’s a step into a world of fantastic fictions come to life.
One of New England’s most famous artistic icons, the horror, fantasy, and science fiction author H.P. Lovecraft was known for including numerous real-world locations from his native Providence in his incredible stories of monsters and magic. Many of those locations are still standing today. Not only that, their descriptions in Lovecraft’s stories are often identical to their current appearances. Just be careful, you never know what creepy creatures might be lurking in the city’s shadows.
