GO ESCAPE NEW ENGLAND 2020

NEW ENGLAND 2020

CONNECTICUT • MAINE • MASSACHUSETTS • NEW HAMPSHIRE • RHODE ISLAND • VERMONT

REGION’S ALLURE Rivers, mountains, trails, parks beckon

BETTING BIG New casino gambles on gaming & glitz

Retreat Scenic, serene places on the capes & islands

Edgartown Lighthouse, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

TASTES OF THE STATE Maine’s myriad signature flavors

2

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

BE YOUR OWN DARN TRAVEL GUIDE. Know how to make the most of your trip and be the best vacation-taker you can be! Plan the vacation that’s right for you.

Excite your travel bug.

Download our free app.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

3

Share Curiosity.

Read Together. w w w. r e a d . g o v

4

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MAKE BIGGER SMALL TALK. Know more about everything from domestic policy and the markets, to sports and entertainment and know just what to say to seize the moment.

Get all of the latest news.

Download our free app.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CONTENTS

5

NEW ENGLAND

18 PETITE PARKS Smaller zoos and aquariums offer close-up animal encounters

GETTY IMAGES

6

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CONTENTS This is a product of

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jeanette Barrett-Stokes jbstokes@usatoday.com

MANAGING EDITOR Michelle Washington mjwashington@usatoday.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jerald Council jcouncil@usatoday.com

32

ISSUE EDITOR Tracy Scott Forson GREENWICH POLO CLUB

UP FRONT

GETTY IMAGES

8 10

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

12

PAST PATHWAYS

GERM-FREE JOURNEY Get expert advice on safe travel amid COVID-19

Covered bridges display early American ingenuity

14

TAKE THE TOTS

16

QUENCH YOUR THIRST

FEATURES

22

ALL-AROUND ADVENTURE

26

SET SAIL

Enjoy a variety of awesome activities in New England

Charter a boat for days of fun and glee at sea

Thrill your young ones with these family-friendly destinations

Sample the best ciders New England has to offer

32 36

MAINE

40

ON THE COVER

Enjoy polo, parks, pinot and more in Greenwich

Local delicacies delight with regional flavors

MASSACHUSETTS Wynn bets on Boston with new Encore casino

42

Heritage trail traces history of Nantucket’s Black community

46

Martha’s Vineyard farms offer unique experiences

EDITORS Amy Sinatra Ayres Harry Lister Deirdre van Dyk Debbie Williams DESIGNERS Hayleigh Corkey David Hyde Gina Toole Saunders Lisa M. Zilka CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Bair, Margaret Buranen, Ellen Chang, Alexandra Jones, Ryan Mercer, Kae Lani Palmisano, Sarah Sekula, Curtis Tate, Rachael Thatcher, Allison Tibaldi, Valentina Valentini, Mary Whitfill, Pamela Wright

ADVERTISING VP, ADVERTISING Patrick Burke | (703) 854-5914

THE REGION CONNECTICUT

ISSUE DESIGNER Debra Moore

pburke@usatoday.com

48

NEW HAMPSHIRE

50

VERMONT

52 54

Ascend these mountain peaks for scenic sights

The small town of Vergennes has big personality

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Vanessa Salvo | (703) 854-6499 vsalvo@usatoday.com

FINANCE Billing Coordinator Julie Marco

RHODE ISLAND Perfect pizzas are on the menu in Newport

LAST LOOK See vast views, wonderful wildlife and more at Maine’s Nubble Lighthouse

Edgartown Lighthouse, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass

ISSN#0734-7456 A USA TODAY Network publication, Gannett Co. Inc USA TODAY, its logo and associated graphics are the trademarks of Gannett Co. Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Copyright 2018, USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Editorial and publication headquarters are at 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA 22108, and at (703) 854-3400.

For accuracy questions, call or send an e-mail to accuracy@usatoday.com.

GETTY IMAGES

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @USATODAYMAGS

FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/usatodaymags

PRINTED IN THE USA

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

TECH SLAP THAT KNOW-IT-ALL NEPHEW. Know what’s in, what’s out, and what’s awesome before others even know what it is.

Get your tech going.

Download our free app.

7

8

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Fall foliage in the White Mountains of New Hampshire GETTY IMAGES

THE OUTBREAK OF AND response to COVID-19 has affected our lives, our livelihoods and the economy at the local, national and global levels. And it has had a profound effect on the travel industry.

As we grapple with the unprecedented scope of this pandemic, many events, festivals and celebrations have been suspended or canceled. However, across the country, businesses that provide lodging, food and transportation are starting to reopen with varied stipulations and baseline measures that aim to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

The USA TODAY Network is committed to providing timely, engaging and accurate information in our coverage, but given the evolving nature of this health crisis, we realize that there will undoubtedly be changes to the accessibility of many of the locations, venues and services mentioned throughout this publication. Please check with businesses for the latest updates.

We also know that the travel and tourism industry is resilient. It has rebounded from natural disasters, economic recessions and other crises before, and while this pandemic is uncharted territory, it is our hope that national and international exploration will resume soon. In the meantime, we will continue to look beyond today and provide you with the amazing sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that await.

Tracy Scott Forson Issue Editor

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

9

10

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

UP FRONT | TRAVEL

Germ-Free Journey Avoid the coronavirus during your travels

By Curtis Tate

T

RAVEL IN THE MIDDLE of a global pandemic presents challenges, with each activity carrying its own level of risk for contracting the coronavirus.

Dr. Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and

critical care physician at the Cleveland Clinic medical center, says many of his patients have questions related to travel activities.

“Every industry has interventions in place to make things safer,” he says.

The Cleveland Clinic has been helping United Airlines develop its coronavirus mitigation policies, including requiring

face masks, installing touchless kiosks and encouraging physical distancing.

“Companies are bringing in outside health experts,” Khabbaza says. “That can be a little bit reassuring.”

Khabbaza, who’s taking a 500-mile road trip with his family to New York’s Long Island, offered his thoughts on the relative risks of different travel activities

and best practices.

PLANES, BUSES AND TRAINS In spite of all the precautions now in place, Khabbaza says flying offers the most potential for exposure because of the nature of how planes are configured.

“You’re in relative closer proximity to people you don’t know.”

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

11

UP FRONT | TRAVEL

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Camping is probably the safest vacation activity, experts say. It’s outdoors, and you’re likely to stay with your own family.

GETTY IMAGES

Surface transportation presents similar challenges, Khabbaza says.

“Distancing isn’t always possible to the extent you’d like,” he says. “That’s not going to go away as long as the virus is around.”

Like the airlines, Amtrak and intercity bus operators such as Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines are requiring passengers to wear face masks. They’re also promoting physical distancing when possible and cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces more often.

ROAD TRIPS Take precautions every time you step out of the car, whether for gas, food or a rest break, Khabbaza advises. Use hand

sanitizer every time you’re at the pump and resist the temptation to use your phone while you’re doing it.

Adults and older children can visit convenience stores and eat in restaurants, says Khabaza. With younger kids, take them to the restroom and then back to the car to eat, he suggests. That minimizes exposure to surfaces and items where infected droplets may have fallen.

CRUISE SHIPS Although cruise ships were some of the original hot spots for the coronavirus, Khabbaza says when they resume sailing, their risk will be lower as long as passengers and crew members adhere to

precautions cruise companies are putting in place.

“It involves buy-in from everyone,” he adds.

Cruise ship passengers can stay separate from other groups on the ship by staying in their rooms. Common areas of the ship offer space for distancing, and outdoor activities are inherently less risky for disease transmission, Khabbaza explains.

The elimination of buffet food service, a move under consideration by multiple cruise lines, would remove a point of potential transmission not only for the coronavirus, but also for the foodborne illnesses that have long plagued cruise ship operations, Khabbaza notes.

HOTELS Hotels have increased their cleaning and disinfecting procedures for hightouch surfaces and common areas, as well as encouraged physical distancing.

They’ve recommended online check-in and automatic checkout to eliminate face-to-face interactions and have sealed items in rooms, such as coffee cups and glassware. Many have eliminated minibars.

Khabbaza says it’s not a bad idea to bring your own disinfectant wipes to use on surfaces in the room and consider whether housekeeping is a necessity.

If members of the hotel staff carry the virus, they could bring it to your room, he says.

12

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

UP FRONT | ATTRACTIONS

The County Bridge, New Hampshire GETTY IMAGES

Precious Pathways Travel back in time over New England’s covered bridges

By Tracy Scott Forson

B

UILT IN 1937, THE County Bridge, which straddles the Contoocook River between Hancock and Greenfield, N.H., is one of more than 60 covered bridges spanning the New England states. Many were built in the 19th century, making them as historically relevant and architecturally significant as they are beautiful. They also stand as a testament to American ingenuity.

While taking some inspiration from their homelands, early colonizers developed their own building techniques. “The designs that emerged of such bridges were uniquely American,” according to America’s Covered

Bridges: Practical Crossings — Nostalgic Icons. “What is so remarkable about the nation’s first generation of bridge engineers is that they not only, as it were, had to ‘reinvent the wheel,’ but did it with an unparalleled boldness bordering on the brazen.”

At one point, there were as many as 12,000 covered bridges in the United States. Experts estimate up to 1,000 remain today. Whether traversing small ravines or suspended over larger bodies of water, these American landmarks are worth a visit.

Find more of New England’s covered bridges at discovernewengland.org.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

13

14

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

UP FRONT | ATTRACTIONS

Small Wonders Kids will love these fun-filled parks

By Amy Sinatra Ayres

I

F YOU’RE LOOKING FOR a little adventure with little ones, you’re in luck: New England is home to many zoos and amusement parks that make the perfect family daytrip or even an overnight excursion. The kids will have permanent smiles on their faces, and the whole family will make lasting memories. Here are a few to explore:

CHERYL E. MILLER/MYSTIC AQUARIUM

MYSTIC AQUARIUM Mystic, Conn.

You’ll find thousands of marine species at the Mystic Aquarium, where visitors can view the 750,000-gallon beluga whale exhibit from above and below the water, and watch trainers work with the giant sea creatures. The aquarium also features a colony of more than 30 endangered African penguins, and you can see sharks, sea turtles and thousands of fish swim by in the main gallery. ▶ mysticaquarium.org

QUASSY AMUSEMENT & WATERPARK

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

QUASSY AMUSEMENT & WATERPARK

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

Middlebury, Conn.

More than 110 years old, Quassy is located on Lake Quassapaug, providing a scenic view from its rides and water features. Among its 20 rides are kiddie attractions, including the colorful Up, Up & Away balloon and a boat ride — and its marquee attraction: the Wooden Warrior roller coaster. Families can cool off at Quassy’s water park, with giant rafts, FreeFALL Extreme Bodyslides and Slide City, a new addition for the younger set. ▶ quassy.com

Providence, R.I. Masai giraffes, cheetahs and African elephants are among the 160 species of animals you can visit at the 40-acre Roger Williams Park Zoo. You can feed the giraffes and take a zip ride or a train through the woodlands in the park’s new Explore and Soar area. While you’re at the park, you can also visit Carousel Village, which is less than a mile away. In addition to carousels, it offers train and pony rides and a bounce house. ▶ rwpzoo.org

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

15

UP FRONT | ATTRACTIONS STORY LAND

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Glen, N.H. Visiting Story Land has been a rite of passage for kids in New England for decades. “Story Land is a special place for families,” says Shannon McKenna, who grew up going to the park and now takes her own three children there each year with their extended family.

“It’s remarkably clean; the staff is incredibly friendly, and you can still pack a picnic lunch. You can’t help but smile as you take a picture with Humpty Dumpty, visit the Old Woman in the Shoe and splash down the Bamboo Chutes.”

Filled with fairy tale fun, kids will enjoy more than 30 attractions, including the Crazy Barn, a ride that raises off the ground and spins; a drive in the guided mini antique cars; and the Roar-O-Saurus, a wooden roller coaster. The park also offers live shows and a photo booth at its whimsical Cinderella’s Castle. Just next door is the new 32,000-square-foot Living Aquarium, where you can touch stingrays, walk through a tropical bird aviary and watch the mischievous resident Asian small-clawed otters. ▶ storylandnh.com

Located in the White Mountains, North Conway, N.H., is just 5 miles from Story Land, and about 45 miles south of Santa’s Village.

WHERE TO STAY: North Conway Grand Hotel features 200 guest rooms and suites, indoor and outdoor pools, a playground, game room, movie room and a restaurant on-site. ▶ northconwaygrand.com The family will never forget staying at Adventure Suites, which has themed rooms like The Jungle, The Cave and The Treehouse. ▶ adventuresuites.com

WHERE TO SHOP:

STORY LAND

With an antique car in front and a bear statue to welcome you on the porch, don’t miss Zeb’s General Store in downtown North Conway for candy, homemade fudge and souvenirs. ▶ zebs.com Hit the outlets at Settlers Green, featuring 70 tax-free stores including Justice, Banana Republic and Coach. ▶ settlersgreen.com

WHERE TO EAT: Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub is great for families and offers hearty food and rustic décor. ▶ muddymoose.com

SANTA’S VILLAGE

EDAVILLE FAMILY THEME PARK

SANTA’S VILLAGE

EDAVILLE FAMILY THEME PARK

Jefferson, N.H. About 40 miles from Story Land, you’ll feel like it’s Christmas in July when you visit Santa’s Village. The amusement park is packed with Santa-themed rides, like the Chimney Drop, Rudy’s Rapid Transit Coaster and the Skyway Sleigh. Kids can visit Santa’s home and get a family photo and stop by his barn at Reindeer Rendezvous to feed them special treats. There’s even a water park, with features such as Ho Ho H2O, complete with a splash pad, slides and a giant bucket waiting to drench you with water. ▶ santasvillage.com

Carver, Mass.

For fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, try Edaville Family Theme Park, where Thomas and Friends and their home on the Island of Sodor come to life. There are 11 themed rides in Thomas Land featuring beloved characters including Cranky the Crane. The park also features a Dino Land where families can stroll along a walking trail where they’ll encounter 23 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. A third section of the park, Cran Central, features traditional amusement park attractions like bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl and mini flying plane rides for kids. ▶ edaville.com

Red Fox Bar & Grille is just down the street from Story Land. It serves woodfiregrilled food and offers a playroom for kids and 17 handcrafted draft beers for the adults. ▶ redfoxbarandgrille.com A must for breakfast, Peach’s Restaurant is worth the wait in line for its crepes and many takes on eggs Benedict. ▶ peachesnorthconway.com

16

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

UP FRONT | CIDERIES

Crisp Craft Sample some of the best cideries in New England

By Kae Lani Palmisano NORTH COUNTRY HARD CIDER

T

HE TRADITION OF CIDER making came to the United

States via English colonists who started planting apple trees nine years after landing at Plymouth Rock. Apples, a crop brought over from the Old World, were easy for farmers to cultivate and thrived along the northeastern corridor of the new colonies.

Today, cider is enjoyed throughout the country, but the heritage of this tart drink has deep roots in New England, where cider production started. Experience one of America’s oldest traditions at these New England cideries:

NORTH COUNTRY HARD CIDER Rollinsford, N.H. To guarantee high quality and freshness, North Country Hard Cider has teamed up with local farms where it carefully vets methods of growing apples. These tightknit relationships give this cidery access to antique and heirloom apple varieties that lend themselves to unique and experimental flavors. ▶ northcountryhardcider.com

FAR FROM THE TREE CIDER Salem, Mass.

Just as American cider-making has roots in England, so do the roots of Far From the Tree Cider.

Before opening a cidery, Al and Denise Snape became so passionate about winemaking that the two moved to England where Al earned a winemaking degree. Their interest shifted to cider, and every variety they create tells the story of their travels. ▶ farfromthetreecider. com

SHACKSBURY

SHACKSBURY CIDER Vergennes, Vt. This cidery is trying to stay as true to the European tradition as possible. Sourcing heirloom apple varieties from around North America, England and Spain, Shacksbury Cider’s Lost Apple Project brings the flavors of Old World cider to Vermont. First-time visitors should try the Shacksbury Farmhouse to get a taste of cider history. ▶ shacksbury.com

FAR FROM THE TREE CIDER

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

17

UP FRONT | CIDERIES

STAFFORD CIDERY Stafford Springs, Conn.

Stafford Cidery has the feel of a brewery taproom, but instead of beer, it’s an entire fleet of Crazy Cock Cider that’s on tap. With a menu of rotating styles and flavors paired with live music, games and art shows, there’s something new to experience during every visit. ▶ crazycockcider.com

TAPPED APPLE CIDERY & WINERY

TAPPED APPLE CIDERY & WINERY Westerly, R.I. This family-owned business now has three generations running the show. Focusing on small handcrafted batches, this cidery and winery creates unique products that highlight the versatility of the apple. Its apple wines are also worth a try. ▶ tappedapple.com

RICKER HILL HARD CIDER Turner, Maine Ricker Hill has been in the business of growing apples for nine generations, with the Ricker family working the same farm since 1803. Ricker Hill’s hard cider brand, Mainiac, comes in a variety of styles and flavors, some of which have a little carbonation, adding a bit of effervescence to the apple’s crispness. ▶ rickershardcider.com

STOWE CIDER Stowe, Vt. All apples used in Stowe Cider are sourced within a 150-mile radius of its cider house. Most of the apples are of the sweeter variety, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji and the classic McIntosh, but the cider selection is well-rounded and covers a wide spectrum of styles. ▶ stowecider.com

FARNUM HILL BY POVERTY LANE ORCHARDS Lebanon, N.H. Owner and manager Steve Wood makes it his mission to bring the history of New England hard cider into every batch he makes. He has even sourced pre-Prohibition era apple varieties and implemented traditional techniques to make Farnum Hill’s hard cider as historically accurate as he can.

Cider experts love the Kingston Black Reserve, a rich and floral cider that often sells out fast. ▶ farnumhillciders.com

BEAR SWAMP ORCHARD

BEAR SWAMP ORCHARD DISTILLERY AND CIDERY Ashfield, Mass.

The site where Bear Swamp is located has been an apple orchard for more than 100 years. This family operation celebrates the fruit, selling a wide range of apple varieties from their farm. They also open the orchard to apple lovers who want to pick their own fruit. Bear Swamp’s main focus is apple brandy, which can be purchased from the farm, but local retailers carry the hard cider. ▶ bearswamporchard.com

ARTIFACT CIDER PROJECT Florence, Mass.

Although tradition is respected at Artifact Cider Project, it doesn’t hold the company back from being innovative.

Every cider embodies some of life’s greatest moments, from the exciting Wild Thing that captures the essence of rebellion, to Magic Hour which provides the laid-back, easy feeling of the first drink after a hard workday. ▶ artifactcider.com ARTIFACT

10Best.com is your source for what’s tops in travel, food and culture, providing inspiration to explore the world around you.

18

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CLOSE

By Margaret Buranen ENCED OFF ENCLOSURES AND glass cages often limit visitors’ access to zoo and aquarium animals, but these smaller venues allow animal lovers to see more creatures closeup, with less walking required — a boon for the youngest and oldest visitors. With smaller crowds, these locales offer more chances to interact with animals and zoo staff members:

F

GETTY IMAGES (8)

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

19

ENCOUNTERS New England’s smaller zoos and aquariums offer much to enjoy

DEW HAVEN ZOO AND RESCUE, MOUNT VERNON, MAINE

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO, PROVIDENCE, R.I. Open year-round, this zoo’s 40 acres make it easy to see most of its 160 species during a single visit. Endangered animals at the zoo include a golden lion tamarin family, Matschie’s tree kangaroo, white-cheeked gibbons, giant otters, red pandas and a critically endangered red wolf. Spokeswoman Diane Nahabedian says visitors have the opportunity to see the animals up close. They can interact with seals and giraffes (for an additional fee) and armadillos. Docents with ambassador animals chat with guests, and animal keepers talk about various animals in their care. Nahabedian notes that elephant bath time always draws a crowd. “We combine the opportunity to visit with over 100 animals from around the globe,” she says.

Rescue animals are well-cared for by the founders, volunteers and friends of DEW Haven (DEW stands for Domestic, Exotic and Wild). Visitors can see bears, a kangaroo, a bison, a camel, a badger, a peacock and many other animals on about 27 acres.

The exotic big cats are popular with visitors and unusual residents in a zoo this small.

20

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS A live butterfly exhibit may be available through Sept. 7.

ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN BURLINGTON, VT. This 34,500-square-foot nature and science museum is focused on the ecology of the Lake Champlain region. Located in the downtown Waterfront neighborhood, ECHO has more than 70 species of live animals, including frogs, turtles, snakes and fish. The many hands-on exhibits are designed to appeal to children. A 3D theater shows science and nature films daily.

STONE ZOO, STONEHAM, MASS.

STONE ZOO

Part of Zoo New England (along with Franklin Park Zoo in Boston), Stone Zoo houses some animals not found in much larger facilities.

Harry and Kira, the beautiful and rare snow leopards, live in the zoo’s Himalayan Highlands exhibit along with markhor goats and a yak. A stunning hyacinth macaw is part of the popular Caribbean Coast exhibit. Whooping cranes, Jamaican iguanas, bush dogs and Mexican gray wolves also call the 26-acre facility home. Stone Zoo participates in the Mexican Wolf Survival Plan, a cooperative program with other zoos to bring back this highly endangered species.“Inside the Animal Discovery Center, children have the opportunity to learn more about smaller creatures that play a big role in healthy ecosystems,” says Brooke Wardrop, Stone Zoo’s senior director of marketing and communications.

GETTY IMAGES (6): BRIDGET COLLINS LYMAN

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

21

BEARDSLEY ZOO BRIDGEPORT, CONN. A pair of Amur leopard cubs are among the more than 300 animals of 120 species on 52 acres at Beardsley. Orion and his sister, Kallisto, (even rarer because she’s all black) were born at the zoo more than a year ago. The zoo’s Tropical Rainforest exhibit includes an aviary where visitors can watch birds in free flight. Other animals at this zoo include river otters, white-naped cranes, endangered red pandas, an Andean condor and black-handed spider monkeys. The popular Evening Lecture Series presents talks with wildlife experts. An playground and indoor carousel offer more fun.

WOODS HOLE SCIENCE AQUARIUM WOODS HOLE, MASS. One of the oldest public aquariums in the U.S., Woods Hole features about 140 marine animals of the New England and mid-Atlantic waters, plus information about science, history and fishery. Touch tanks allow visitors to experience hands-on encounters with small fish, crabs, sea stars, whelks, shells and egg casings.

BRIDGET COLLINS LYMAN

PROVIDED BY WOODS HOLE SCIENCE AQUARIUM

22

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

The U.S. Rafting company operates along three Maine Rivers. The Kennebec River — the most rafted in Maine — offers Class III and IV thrills, while the Dead River features 16 miles of continuous white water. For a big-water adventure, take on the rapids of the Penobscot River, nicknamed the Beast of the Northeast.

FIND THRILLING WAYS TO EXPLORE NEW ENGLAND

T

here are plenty of ways to enjoy the New England states, and USA TODAY’s 10Best relied on readers to select some of their favorite areas to explore the region’s rivers, mountains and parks.

10Best.com is your source for what’s tops in travel, food and culture, providing inspiration to explore the world around you.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

23

Located in Jeffersonville, Vt., ArborTrek Canopy Adventures takes visitors on guided zip line tours through the canopies of northern Vermont throughout the year (even in the snow). The Treetop Obstacle Course features more than 85 elements where visitors can climb, swing, jump, zip and balance their way from tree to tree.

True to its name, Three Rivers offers rafting trips on the Kennebec, Dead and Penobscot rivers in Maine, with rapids ranging from family friendly Class III to intense Class V filled with chutes, drops and holes. Thrill-seekers can combine a day of rafting with a skydive from 11,000 feet above the ground.

PROVIDED BY THE COMPANIES; GETTY IMAGES

24

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

The tree-to-tree adventure park at Ramblewild encompasses more than 10 acres of pristine Massachusetts forest divided by a ravine. A central platform serves as the starting point for eight aerial obstacle courses with features like high wires, zip lines, balancing logs, cargo nets, rope ladders and suspension bridges.

Those aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire can enjoy a three-hour tour to the peak of Mount Washington.

The first cog-driven train made the climb on July 3, 1869, and 150 years later, the railway is a National Historic Mechanical and Civil Engineering Landmark.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

25

Cape Cod Central, a heritage passenger railroad that re-creates routes and scenes of historic train travel, provides narrated rides of the cape. Massachusetts’ woodlands, cranberry bogs, salt marshes, sand dunes and canals set the scene, whether aboard a shoreline excursion or brunch or dinner train.

Zoar Outdoor pioneered whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. Today, rafters enjoy trips from the West River in Vermont to the Millers and Concord rivers in Massachusetts to the Great Falls section of the Connecticut River in Connecticut.

PROVIDED BY THE COMPANIES; GETTY IMAGES

26

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

AWAY

By Sarah Sekula HEN THE SCHOONER anchors for the night in Maine’s Gilkey Harbor, all is calm.

Guests aboard the sailboat are blissfully exhausted from the day’s activities. And this beautiful stretch of water between Islesboro and Seven Hundred Acre Island makes a lovely spot to spend the night.

Below deck, Tracy Sheppard and her husband drift to sleep. By 2 a.m., though, Sheppard is startled by a thud near the schooner’s hull.

Soon after, the boat begins rocking dramatically. Then, a kerplunk and more rocking. She must investigate.

“I stood there against the rail forever trying to adjust my eyes to the pitch black,” she recalls. “Then I heard the sound of something smacking the water and lots of splashing. I could only see dark and darker dark in the water, if that’s

W

CONTINUED

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

27

GETTY IMAGES; FRED LEBLANC

28

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

Cape Sail Charters CAPE SAIL CHARTERS; GETTY IMAGES

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

even possible. But it went on for at least an hour.”

The sounds were near.

And then far. Starboard and then portside. Portside and then starboard. Then up at the bow and moving throughout the harbor.

Eventually things quieted down, and she sat on deck until the sky brightened enough that she could see her surroundings. Yet, there was no sign of anything that had occurred in the darkness of night.

“I still to this day think that it was a pod of small whales,” she reminisces.

“I heard tail smacks on the water, splashing and even the occasional sound of a blow hole. And no one on the trip experienced that but me.

It was a purely magical and amazing experience that I will never forget.”

For Sheppard, that experience sums up the thrill of a sailing cruise: You never know what you’re going to get. She loved sailing so much, in fact, she’s now been on six sailing cruises with the Maine Windjammer Association (sailmainecoast. com), and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Needless to say, it’s a pleasant pastime that can easily become a lifelong addiction. Just ask Barry King, a captain with the Maine Windjammer Association, who takes guests on cruises ranging from three to 10 nights for everything from yoga-focused sailings to stargazing cruises to filmmaking trips. In fact, he’s been sailing New England’s beautiful waters for 40 years.

He grew up in Marblehead, Mass., sailing perched on his father’s knee as a toddler. As a teen, he had a lobster boat and shuttled daysailers off to Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., for lunch.

“I love being away from the stresses and demands of life ashore,” King explains.

“I love turning off my cellphone. I love moving at a slower pace.”

Seeing guests fall in love with sailing is just an added bonus for him. And showing off his seaside backyard is the icing on the cake. One of the most mind-blowing experiences for guests, he says, is the bioluminescence phenomenon.

“On any dark night you can stir the water and watch the underwater fireflies display a light show unlike any other,” he says. “It’s like the stars fell out of the sky and are waiting in the ocean.

Sometimes we go swimming in the dark and our bodies are covered in phosphorescence. As we swim we leave a trail of light. And when you shower off you will see small specs of light on your skin lasting only a few moments.”

SEAFARING SOULS ack aboard the ship you can be as hands-on as you’d like. “You can go on a Windjammer trip and not do anything except sit on deck and enjoy the view, or you can learn as much as you want,” Sheppard says. “There are easy tasks to learn, and participation in raising the sails is not only greatly appreciated, but great fun as well.”

“Anchor raising is equally exhilarating and not for the faint at heart,” she adds. “You can pretty much participate in most crew activities. The captains love to share their nautical knowledge to anyone willing to learn.”

Beyond the educational aspect, a sailing trip can also be an excellent way to make lifelong friends.

“Learning to sail means learning a skill that will make you more adventurous, will introduce you to a set of adventurous people, will get you outside and give you plenty of metaphors that will improve your life on and off the boat,” says James Kell, founder of Sailing Virgins

B

29

(sailingvirgins.com), a sailing school — named in homage to the British Virgin Islands — that offers lessons around the world, including Rhode Island.

“Newport (R.I.) is the sailing heart for the entire East Coast of the U.S.,” Kell says. “It buzzes with a sailing vibe, as a big percentage of people are there for sailing.”

Not to mention, the surrounding towns cater to boats, with restaurants and cafés within walking distance of the docks. Plus, Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard are the perfect sailing distance away from the mainland and are steeped in history and brimming with charm.

Kell’s sailing school sets itself apart by focusing on millennials rather than baby boomers. “We based our company on the younger group because we realized that for an adventure sailing course to appeal to millennials, it needed to fill the boat with just them,” he says.

“Then these millennials get a chance to not only sail hard but to meet other adventurous millennials while doing so.”

And the best part is, no sailing experience is needed before guests step aboard one of the company’s fleet of French-built Beneteau First 40s, race cruisers that are equal parts comfort and performance. The only requirements are a moderate fitness level and an open mind.

“Few other activities can take you to the places that sailing can,” Kell says. “With sailing, the journey can be just as awesome as the destination itself. Plus, there is the whole ecological side of things: Sailing involves harnessing nature to get where you want to go, with zero engine. It takes skill — a mix of art and science — to do this well. Refining that skill is compelling and never-ending. It is a real joy.”

NEW ENGLAND SAILING ADVENTURES If you’d like to try your hand at living the life of a sailor, here are some options. From private charters to two-hour sunset sailings, there’s plenty to choose from:

Boatsetter Explore the Connecticut coastline by renting a boat from the Airbnb of boats. Choose the luxe boat of your dreams, book it online and show up. boatsetter.com

Cape Sail Charters Cape Sail Charters offers day trips and multiday trips to Massachusetts’ Nantucket Sound, Monomoy Island, Martha’s Vineyard and occasionally to the Elizabeth Islands. Sign up for sailing lessons on the 39-foot Southern Cross and the 17-foot Daysailor to learn about basic boat handling and docking practice, navigation, chart plotting and nighttime passage. capesail.com JOHN COUTURE/SAIL VERMONT

Sail Portland Maine

“Learning to sail means learning a skill that will make you more adventurous, will introduce you to a set of adventurous people, will get you outside and give you plenty of metaphors that will improve your life on and off the boat.”

— JAMES KELL, founder, Sailing Virgins

The daily two-hour public excursions sail past lighthouses, historic forts and seals swimming in the harbor of Casco Bay. Or opt for a private charter or a sunset-rosé cruise. sailportlandmaine.com

Select Yachts Take a seven-day yachting trip along the New England coast, where it’s all about clambakes and cocktail hours. Charter the boat for a day, several days, a week or more.

While away the days with sailing lessons, whale watching, kayaking excursions and exploring the different stops like Jamestown and Block Island in Rhode Island. selectyachts.com

Sail Vermont For a slightly different experience, take a two-hour private sailing trip on a classic ocean-racing yacht on Lake Champlain. sailbtv.com

Vista Yacht Charters Take a two- to four-hour excursion on the Piscataqua River and to Portsmouth’s harbor, Isles of Shoals and points along the New Hampshire and Southern Maine coastlines. vistayachtcharters.com

30

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

31

THE REGION 32

CONNECTICUT

Pinot and polo await in Greenwich

36

MAINE

This culinary state offers more than lobster

48

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Climb these summits for awesome views

50

VERMONT

Find big surprises in state’s smallest town

52

RHODE ISLAND

Enjoy myriad pizza varieties in Newport

40 MASSACHUSETTS Explore Black history on Nantucket at the Whaling Museum; place a bet in Boston; experience Martha’s Vineyards farms

GETTY IMAGES

32

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CONNECTICUT | GREENWICH

Alfresco Attractions Nature abounds in bucolic Greenwich

GREENWICH POLO CLUB

By Ellen Chang

L

OCATED 30 MILES NORTHEAST

of New York’s Manhattan, Greenwich, Conn., offers a respite from the cacophony of the city while providing cultural and sports options amid the backcountry and rolling hills.

In Greenwich, visitors can experience myriad outdoor activities nestled in a small New England town’s ambiance.

Summer and fall in Greenwich are full of charm, offering various alfresco and cultural havens. Watch polo matches,

savor wine and check out the local culinary delights at an outdoor weekend festival.

TAKE IN A MATCH Founded in 1981, the Greenwich Polo Club hosts a spate of public matches on Sundays during the summer, a fun outing in the backcountry after you attend brunch. Gates usually open hours before games begin, giving ample opportunity to munch on snacks and sip on polo-inspired cocktails.

The picturesque polo club put itself on the map when it hosted presti-

gious tournaments such in the Players’ Lounge VIP as the East Coast Open, (areas).”

PUBLIC Gold Cup, Sentebale Royal Spectators can also POLO Salute Polo Cup (attended partake in divot stomping, MATCHES

by Prince Harry) and the grab a drink at the Pony Silver Cup. Bar and have an afternoon ARE “Each season we have from the gourmet food SCHEDULED snack seen the club’s public trucks.

TO BEGIN match attendance grow,” In the fall, you can experisays Leighton Jordan, ence the foliage as the leaves AUG. 30. managing director of the turn russett, gold and red and Greenwich Polo Club. “You enjoy live music while trying can make a day at polo as laid back out delicacies prepared by local chefs. or sophisticated as you’d like, from CONTINUED picnicking on the east lawn to mingling

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

33

34

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CONNECTICUT | GREENWICH FROLIC IN THE FORESTS Nature lovers can head to one of many trails in Greenwich to check out the wildlife, birds and rivers.

For a casual stroll, take a walk at Montgomery Pinetum Park, which includes the lush Greenwich Botanical Center, ponds and hiking trails.

Nearby is the Greenwich Audubon Center, which spans 686 acres. With its seven nature sanctuaries, the park attracts bird-watchers and wildlife and nature fans. A live bird cam offers a look at the area’s different species.

Adventure seekers can spend the day at the Babcock Preserve, which features about 7 miles of hiking and horseback trails. In the winter, you can crosscountry ski.

For more variety, walk around the trails at Mianus River Park in nearby Stamford, Conn. The river stretches for 2 miles and is a popular area to spot local wildlife. The nature reserve boasts 391 acres and features both deciduous and evergreen trees among the many species of grasses, ferns, toadstools and wildflowers. The park is also home to myriad birds, fish and other animals.

Rear entrance of main Audubon Center building GREENWICH AUDUBON CENTER

Tasting plates, Greenwich Wine + Food Festival SARA LUCKEY/GREENWICH WINE + FOOD

VENDORS AND VINO The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival is scheduled for Oct. 2-4 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich.

Visitors can watch some of their favorite TV personalities during live demos and sample food and drinks from more than 200 vendors. Previous participants include Martha Stewart, Daniel Boulud, Scott Conant, Valerie Bertinelli and Alex Guarnaschelli.

Live musical performances round out the day. Past performers included Ziggy Marley, Tim McGraw, Train, Natasha Bedingfield and Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

The festival was created by Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine.

“What began 10 years ago as a way to bring everyone together for some incredible food has become a can’t-miss weekend amongst foodies,” Unger says.

“Each year brings new and exciting experiences for anyone looking to learn more about the culinary greats of our area in one location.”

A portion of ticket sales benefits nonprofit organizations including Food Rescue US and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at greenwichwineandfood. com and at the gate.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

35

36

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MAINE | ICONIC FLAVORS

GETTY IMAGES

Maine Ingredients Authentic flavors you should try on your next visit

By Allison Tibaldi

L

OBSTER IS A MAINE culinary

hallmark, but there’s a windfall of flavors to explore when you visit New England’s easternmost state.

An abundance of high-integrity ingredients from fertile farms and salty seas emphasize primary materials rather than elaborate technique.

Life in Maine moves at a pace set by wind,

weather and tides, as it has for centuries.

This throwback quality is evident on the plate, so expect simple, authentic foods that recall yesteryear.

Although Portland is the current gastronomic darling, look on a map for remote wisps of land stretching into the Atlantic.

Venture down one and find tastes that USA TODAY’s 10Best suggests to satisfy your every craving.

WILD BLUEBERRIES Unlike their cultivated cousins, wild blueberries are not pumped with water, giving them more concentrated flavor. The bountiful summer season usually starts in July and lasts for a few weeks, when dozens of roadside stands pepper the landscape.

These luscious lavender-blue beauties are the star of many a cobbler, pie, crumble, buckle and jam jar.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

37

38

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MAINE | ICONIC FLAVORS

RAYE’S MUSTARD The Raye family has been making mustard since 1900, and their commitment to quality has remained constant. The mustard is made in small batches at the Eastport factory using the original stone-ground mill — one of the last remaining in North America. They utilize a cold-grind process, which helps to preserve the taste of the whole seed. Try the Down East Schooner, a yellow mustard that’s a hot dog’s best friend, or go for the zesty kick of Maple Horseradish made with Maine maple syrup.

MOXIE America’s first mass-marketed soft drink, Moxie is a carbonated beverage that was originally sold as a nerve tonic back in 1884. Mainers once consumed it by the spoonful; today it’s guzzled by the can or bottle. It contains gentian root, which is used to make cocktail bitters. Some find it has a peppy taste while others think it borders on medicinal. You can purchase Moxie at most convenience stores.

WHOOPIE PIES The sugar fairy has blessed Maine, so leave your diet at the state border. Whoopie pies are beloved in several states, but they’ve been Maine’s official state treat since 2011. This snack isn’t really a pie; it consists of two discs of cakelike cookies sandwiched around a fluffy marshmallow filling.

CRAFT BEER RED SNAPPER HOT DOGS Maine summer is short-lived, and many residents celebrate the season with as many barbecues as they can squeeze in. Red snapper hot dogs are a mainstay at these outdoor feasts. The frankfurters get their sassy scarlet hue courtesy of dye and their serious snap thanks to natural casing. They’re a combo of beef and pork, usually served on a traditional top-split New England bun.

Maine enjoys a reputation as a hops-and-barley powerhouse. In postcard-pretty Blue Hill, DeepWater Brewing Co. — a solar-powered three-barrel microbrewery — offers a frequently rotating lineup with a noticeable lean toward ales. Boothbay Craft Brewery in Boothbay sells its own IPAs, ales, stouts and pilsners. In Liberty, sip on lagers and porters while enjoying barbecue, pizza and more from the patio of Liberty Craft Brewing, where scenic views and live music are as satisfying as the fare.

MAINE TOURISM (3); PAT WELLENBACH/AP; GETTY IMAGES

10Best.com is your source for what’s tops in travel, food and culture, providing inspiration to explore the world around you.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

39

40

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON

Bet on Boston Las Vegas opulence arrives in Massachusetts with Encore resort

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ENCORE RESORT

By Mary Whitfill

F to look.

ROM THE MOMENT YOU walk into Encore Boston Harbor, Wynn Resorts’ new $2.6 billion casino and hotel on the Mystic River, you have no idea where

A life-sized, floral carousel sits in the middle of a massive lobby flanked by seemingly endless halls of restaurants and shops. Beyond the lobby is a sprawling gambling floor with thousands of slot machines and table games, brightly colored, custom-made carpeting and dozens of intricate glass chandeliers

handmade in Venice, Italy.

The casino resort is meant to bring a bit of Las Vegas opulence to the working waterfront of Everett, Mass., but the sharp contrast of manicured gardens just yards from the Mystic power plant also adds a bit of distinctly Boston grit.

The doors of Encore Boston Harbor

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

41

MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON opened to the public for the first time last June. People have poured in from every direction via car, train, bus and even boat — and officials promise that they’ve created a destination that guests won’t want to leave.

“This is one of the most anticipated resort openings on the planet,” says Matt Maddox, CEO and president of Wynn Resorts. “This is not just a United States story — this is a global story. We are here, and we want to make the Commonwealth of Massachusetts proud.”

First and foremost: The casino is a place for gambling. A sprawling, 210,000-square-foot gambling floor is home to more than 2,800 slot machines, 166 table games, a 74-table poker room, 11 high-roller tables and six private gambling saloons. The main casino floor is under massive, double-vaulted ceilings and is visible from a balcony that circles the entire room.

There are 12 places to eat at Encore.

Within its four walls you can eat a $200 steak or a grab a $4 pastry. One restaurant, an upscale Italian eatery called Sinatra, is replicated straight from the Encore Las Vegas, but others, such as Waterfront gastro pub, are unique to Boston Harbor.

“With Waterfront, we wanted to tell the story of New England craft — be that beer, spirits, food, the chef we hired — we really wanted this to be all New England,” says Warren Richards, the resort’s executive director of food and beverage.

The restaurant offers 32 local beers on tap and dozens of spirits used to make cocktails. Additionally, Encore Boston Harbor has partnered with Massachusetts craft brewers for exclusive drinks such as a new American IPA from Woburn-based Lord Hobo and a gin from South Boston’s Bully Boy Distillery.

Other eateries include a 27-seat raw bar, aptly named Oyster Bar; the indulgent Rare Steakhouse; a sports bar with more than a dozen TVs called On Deck Burger Bar and — because it wouldn’t be Boston without it — a Dunkin’ Donuts.

Encore Boston Harbor took a slight step back from its Las Vegas cousins in two main categories: shopping and nightlife. The upper deck of the casino floor does boast a 600-person nightclub called Memoire, but it’s a far cry from Intrigue and XS Nightclub, the brand’s destination hot spots in Vegas.

Similarly, the Boston Harbor branch takes it down a notch when it comes to luxury shopping. Las Vegas resorts are famous for their designer storefronts as far as the eye can see, but Encore Boston Harbor has consolidated designer

products from fashion houses such as Jason Wu and Christian Louboutin under storefronts called Wynn Collection. There are several such stores focused on men’s and women’s fashion and beauty.

On the other side of the 3-millionsquare-foot complex is a resort with 671 guest rooms. Of those, 104 are multiroom suites, and 20 of those are massive spaces that each include marble countertops, three master suites, a wet bar, a pool table and a kitchenette.

Richards says the suites have been estimated to cost $7,000 to $12,000 per night, but they’ll “almost never ac-

tually be available,” and instead comped for high rollers the casino expects to draw from Las Vegas.

The remaining 550 or so rooms have been booking at $600 per night and start at 650 square feet apiece. Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows and classic, neutral furnishings. Upgrades to better views can be purchased.

Amenities for hotel guests include a small fitness center, a six-station salon offering hair and nail services and a 20,000-square-foot spa with luxurious locker rooms, steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs — the only pools on the

property.

Despite the millions of dollars already invested in Encore, and the millions more at stake, Wynn officials acknowledge they still have much to learn about what Boston is looking for in a casino. From transportation to the potential legalization of sports betting, management officials seemed happy to take challenges as they come and adapt where need be.

“We’ll learn quickly,” Richards says.

“And we’ll start to see demands very quickly. We’ll learn what people want, what they need, and we’ll give it to them.”

42

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MASSACHUSETTS | NANTUCKET

African Meeting House JOSEPH FERRARO

Tour Through Time Nantucket’s Black Heritage Trail offers cultural treasures

By Diane Bair and Pamela Wright

Y

ES, IT’S A POSH vacation

playground. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll find that Nantucket, Mass., has a history as multilayered as the coats of paint on an old fishing boat. For African Americans, the story goes way back: Enslaved Africans were brought to Nantucket in the late 1600s, shortly after the first white settlers arrived. However, by the 18th century, many African American islanders worked as tradespeople, laborers,

farmers and later, as whalers and mariners.

“People assume that the Black society in Nantucket was only a serving class, but that was not the case,” says L’Merchie Frazier, director of education and interpretation at the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket. “They owned property. They were engaged socially and economically, and they were patriots, deeply involved in political life,” she adds. And most visitors have no idea.

CONTINUED

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

43

44

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MASSACHUSETTS | NANTUCKET

Whaling Museum PROVIDED BY THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Unlock this part of Nantucket’s history on the Black Heritage Trail (maah.org).

Take a guided tour, or pick up a map (available all over town) and go at your own pace. The 10 sites reveal powerful stories of how the Black community advanced the cause of freedom, all from a tiny dot of land in the Atlantic. “Guests experience a sense of amazement that this has happened and how it evolved,” says Leon Wilson, president and CEO of the museum. Here are some highlights:

AFRICAN MEETING HOUSE/ MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY When this meeting house (circa 1827) was vandalized in 2018, islanders came together to quickly repair the damage.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building holds a solid place in Nantucket’s history. In the 19th century, it served as a church, a school

and a safe haven for escaped slaves, Native Americans, Cape Verdeans, Quakers, educators and abolitionists. The building underwent a major restoration in the 1990s, but nearly three-quarters of the original structure remains.

1841, Frederick Douglass was among the cultural leaders to grace its halls, giving his first public speech there that same year. Destroyed by the Great Fire of 1846, the iconic Atheneum was rebuilt just six months later.

WHALING MUSEUM Nantucket’s Whaling Museum is a portal to the island’s past, Black islanders included. Look for the portrait of Absalom Boston (1785-1855), the island’s first Black whaling captain to own his own ship, the Industry. “Boston took a voyage with 200 Black men, and they all came back,” Frazier says. He was also instrumental in co-founding the African Meeting House.

UNITARIAN CHURCH (SOUTH CHURCH) This island landmark (circa 1809) hosted Douglass and Booker T. Washington, who gave speeches here in 1885 and 1904, respectively. It was also the setting for Boston’s wedding in 1814.

NANTUCKET ATHENEUM Now Nantucket’s public library, this 1820s building became a site of abolitionist meetings, conventions and lectures. In

ANNA GARDNER’S HOME This residence is the former home of activist and schoolteacher Anna Gardner; her parents sheltered escaped slaves in this house in 1822. “Gardner was key in organizing the first anti-slavery convention in 1841, promoting the networking of anti-slavery advocates in Boston

and Nantucket,” Frazier notes. She later became a leader in the women’s suffrage movement.

FIVE CORNERS By the 1800s, the area known as Five Corners served as the heart and soul of the island’s African American community. “Island Blacks were entrepreneurs and landowners,” Wilson explains. Black homes, shops and churches populated the area called “New Guinea” where the African Meeting House is located. A look at the “colored” cemetery is evidence of the deep roots of Black families in this community.

Now, the museum hosts cultural programs and interpretive displays. Historically, “there is a large gap regarding what makes Nantucket unique,” Wilson says about the area’s lesser known history.

“We’re looking to fill that. There are still many more stories to be told.”

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

45

46

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MASSACHUSETTS | MARTHA’S VINEYARD

The Farm Institute LISA VANDERHOOP

By Valentina Valentini

Loving the Land A farming tradition is being revitalized on Martha’s Vineyard

F

ISHERMEN HAVE BEEN A

staple on Martha’s Vineyard for centuries. But over the last decade, the island known for surf, sand and summers full of beachgoers has experienced a bit of a farming boom.

“It’s really weird and wonderful,” says Nancy Gardella, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. “I think it stems from many young people embracing the concept of knowing where food comes from and knowing that the community, both year-round and seasonal, support(s) local farmers.”

As an island, sustainability is always a top priority, and it’s been enthusiastically promoted with food: produce, poultry, dairy, baking, shellfish and fisheries. On any given Saturday, the island is teeming with people biking or driving from one farm stand to another to gather their favorite items. The West Tisbury Farmers Market is extremely popular, with vendors offering samples galore of old favorites and new products.

Here are a few farm and food experiences worth trying on your next visit to the island: Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt has been hard at work since 2013 reviving a centuries-old island tradition. A decade

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

47

MASSACHUSETTS | MARTHA’S VINEYARD

Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt collection

North Tabor Farm

Whiting Farm

Oyster Farm Tours tasting

MARTHA’S VINEYARD SEA SALT; PROVIDED BY FARM. FIELD. SEA.; RANDI BAIRD; CHRISTINE SARGOLOS

prior, Heidi Feldman and her husband, Curtis Friedman, bought the soil-poor farm and went to task with creative ways of not just making a living, but providing sustenance for locals and visitors as well.

Since its beginnings, Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt has grown exponentially, now selling wholesale to New England retailers and individuals worldwide. “We’re proud to bring an honest and unadulterated product to those who … put their trust in the stewards of the land and sea,” says Feldman.

Make a special point to observe the gathering of the saltwater. The collectors use moon cycle, tide, current, weather and wind to determine when to go collect

the sea salt. Call or check the website for details.

Farm. Field. Sea. is a small group of local food entrepreneurs who create experiential and educational events to highlight eating locally, sustainability, culinary tourism and agritourism. Last year, they launched oyster tours.

On the boat tour, visitors get to learn how the oyster farming process works and taste the oysters on-site.

Farm, Field. Sea. also creates experiences at The Farm Institute, North Tabor Farm and Whiting Farm.

Morning Glory Farm is a Vineyard staple. Established in 1975 by Jim and Debbie Athearn, it’s been family-owned and operated ever since. The family’s

farming roots on the island date back to the 1800s, and Morning Glory provides the island with 65 acres of vegetables and small fruit, beef, poultry, eggs and gorgeous flowers. The farm stand store is open every day from May through December and its annual, free and open-to-the-public Strawberry Festival (June) and Pumpkin Festival (October) are not to be missed.

The Grey Barn and Farm is a traditional New England farm with a little bit of everything, but its backbone is dairy production. It specializes in organic cheese, eggs, meats and vegetables. Last fall, the farm added fresh-baked organic breads made in a European tradition.

“We were very interested in doing bread,

but we didn’t want to build a bakery and hire someone at random,” says co-owner Eric Glasgow about hiring a baker who grew up on the island, left for training and returned. “The bread has kept people coming into the farm stand.”

Glasgow and his wife, Molly, have developed world-famous cheese, but their roots are still homegrown. It took only one visit two summers before moving there in 2009 to cement the Glasgows’ hopes of settling down after living abroad for work.

Their farm stand is open every day of the year, and they offer tours of varying levels, ranging from a basic walkthrough to see the animals to a cheese-making demonstration.

48

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

NEW HAMPSHIRE | HIKING

Take a Peak Reach great heights for views of scenic New Hampshire

By Ryan Mercer

T

HERE’S LITTLE DISPUTE OVER the beautiful landscape of the New England

states. The dazzling fall foliage is a draw for many visitors, and what better way to view it all than from the summit of the area’s highest mountains.

Here’s a list of top peaks in the White Mountains that’ll give you that natural high. Be warned: All of these peaks are fun to climb, but they’re challenging.

Mount Washington GETTY IMAGES

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

49

NEW HAMPSHIRE | HIKING

MOUNT LAFAYETTE Height: 5,260 feet above sea level Location: Franconia Range in the White Mountains Noteworthy: Lafayette made the New England 50 Finest list because of its amazing 360-degree views and easy accessibility to the parking lot. There are also several waterfalls along Lafayette’s popular Falling Waters Trail, including Cloudland Waterfall, Stairs Falls and Swiftwater Falls.

MOUNT MADISON Height: 5,366 feet above sea level Location: Presidential Range of the White Mountains Noteworthy: Exploring Madison offers spectacular views, but the hiking is difficult. In bad weather, winds above the tree line can easily exceed 100 mph, and hypothermia is a danger even in summer, according to the Dartmouth Outing Club.

Mount Lafayette

MOUNT MONROE Height: 5,372 feet above sea level Location: Presidential Range of the White Mountains Noteworthy: Named for President James Monroe, it’s the fourthhighest mountain on the 4,000 footers list for New Hampshire (out of a total of 48).

MOUNT WASHINGTON Height: 6,288 feet above sea level Location: Sargent’s Purchase within White Mountain National Forest Noteworthy: This is the highest peak in the northeastern United States and the most topographically prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River. It’s known for extreme and erratic weather.

On April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded a wind speed of 231 mph at the summit, the world record from 1934 until 1996.

Ryan Mercer writes for the Burlington (Vt.) Free Press Mount Madison

Mount Monroe GETTY IMAGES

50

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

VERMONT | VERGENNES

Visit Vergennes Vermont’s smallest city offers big fun

Snake Mountain BOB SCHATZ

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

51

VERMONT | VERGENNES

The city of Vergennes

Lake Champlain ALEXANDRA JONES

By Alexandra Jones

Y

OU’VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD of Vergennes, and

in some ways, it’s no wonder. It’s Vermont’s smallest city in population, with an area of just two square miles, but the size of this petite municipality is inversely proportional to its charm.

With a standout restaurant row, a beautiful historic setting and a location that’s convenient to Lake Champlain, little Vergennes offers big fun.

USA TODAY’s 10Best lists these attractions you won’t want to miss:

Daily Chocolate JENNIFER ROBERTS

SIP ON LOCAL CRAFT CIDER Some of Vermont’s best cider is made at Shacksbury, not far from downtown Vergennes’ Main Street strip. Stop by the tasting room to sip a glass of Shacksbury’s pleasantly pink rosé cider or cans of Vermonter, made with local apples.

For more locally made beverages, hit up Otter Creek Brewing and Woodchuck Cidery in nearby Middlebury.

PICNIC AT OTTER CREEK Otter Creek is more than the name of a beer brand. It’s a real creek that flows through Vergennes and surrounding communities. Visitors can relax outdoors and dine in view of the cascading waters of one of the state’s largest rivers. There are also nearby trails to hike where otters still reside.

HIT LAKE CHAMPLAIN FOR FRESHWATER FUN The “sixth Great Lake” is less than half an hour from downtown Vergennes. Head to its shores for swimming, fishing, birding, kayaking, boating, water skiing, camping and more. Access the water at Button Bay State Park or Kingsland Bay State Park in nearby Ferrisburgh.

INDULGE YOUR SWEET TOOTH Tucked below street level just off the town’s main drag is a chocolate lover’s paradise. Head to Daily Chocolate to sample bonbons and barks handmade by owner Jen Roberts and her crew of chocolatiers. Then, pick up some

BOB SCHATZ

decadent gifts for your friends back home.

Don’t miss Daily Chocolate’s bestselling lemon-lavender white chocolate bark, shot through with tamari almonds and lavender buds.

Looking to cool off with dessert?

Soft-serve maple creemees and farm-to-spoon scoops in flavors like orange cardamom and green tea await at Lu Lu Ice Cream.

GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS Vergennes is a quick, scenic drive from outdoor destinations offering lush wooded trails, seasonal birdwatching and stunning vistas. Mount Philo offers access to its 968-foot summit — with an unmatched view of pastoral farmland, Lake Champlain and New York’s Adirondack Mountains — via a hiking trail, or you can walk (or drive) up the paved access road for an easier trip to the top.

Check out the ruins of the aptly named Grand View Hotel on Snake Mountain in Addison for a more moderate hike.

10Best.com is your source for what’s tops in travel, food and culture, providing inspiration to explore the world around you.

52

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

RHODE ISLAND | NEWPORT

GETTY IMAGES

The Right Slice A pizza lover’s guide to Newport

By Rachael Thatcher

W

HILE NEWPORT, R.I., MIGHT not have its roots in pizza, a number of restaurateurs have set out to change that. Each one has introduced a signature style and spin, drawing inspiration from acclaimed chefs, family recipes and Italian traditions. And while they all bring a different piece of pie to the table, one thing they agree on is great customer service and high-quality ingredients. Whether you want crispy Neapolitan for dinner, a gluten-free pie for lunch or maybe a late-night large pepperoni, this guide will point you in the right direction:

At Antonio’s, you can get an impressive variety of toppings, even a dessert pizza with a Nutella spread.

And since Antonio’s sells them by the slice, you can try them all. (OK, well, maybe not all at once.)

The slice counter displays options like Salad Pizza, Mac Attack, Beef Taco and Tortellini Red, along with favorites like classic pepperoni and Veggie Supreme, so customers can take a look at what’s most appealing and decide just how adventurous they’re feeling. antoniospizza.com Karma Pizza Co. satisfies a variety of dietary preferences. You can get your slice of pepperoni and bacon after last call on a Friday night, or you can

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

53

RHODE ISLAND | NEWPORT

Imbriglio”s Pizzeria Napoletana

Carmella’s Pizzeria

KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

VERONICA MUSCH

opt for vegan, gluten-free or even “keto” pizza Saturday if you’re feeling guilty about it.

“Newport’s very expensive,” says owner Paul Duffy. “We’re trying to be one of the few value quick bites you can get on Thames (Street): high quality, good value.”

Duffy says customer interaction is the key to his success. “Here’s my whole mantra: You have to engage your customer. If I’m there, I engage everybody. Tell me about your life over a slice.” karmanewport.com

“I always loved pizza when I was working in New York. I came to Rhode Island and thought pizza didn’t taste quite right. Here we are, 16 years later, so we’re doing something right,” Martin says.

“I’ve had the same people working for me for 14 years. We do everything made to order. We don’t fry any foods or anything like that,” he adds. “When you have staff that stays, you develop a consistency that’s hard to develop elsewhere.” carmellaspizzeria.com

Nikolas Pizza, a longtime staple on Newport’s Memorial Boulevard, is a favorite of locals and tourists alike — in part because of the variety of crusts offered.

“We feature New York–style thin; razors, which are ultrathin; and Chicago-style thick crust.

We really cover all tastes and preferences,” says owner Chris Young, whose family has been in the business since the 1920s. The menu has always had a Greek influence inspired by Young’s family, which continues despite a recent revamp.

“On the way out the door, people say it’s the best pizza they’ve ever eaten,” Young says.

“That is obviously music to our ears.” nikolaspizza.com

Imbriglio’s Pizzeria Napoletana is new to the scene, opening in April 2019. Operating next to, and under the same management as Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, they’re slinging Neapolitan-style pies.

“We’re kind of unique because the oven was imported from Italy,” owner Richard Sardella says. “We did a lot of research in what makes an authentic Neapolitan pizza. When I say authentic, I mean we use all the ingredients that are required by the pizza guru group in Naples.

We use a Caputo ’00’ flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and we follow an old recipe from my grandfather, who was a baker.”

Sardella says this style of pizza is best eaten fresh on the premises.

If you opt for takeout, put it in the oven at 350 degrees, and it will come back to life within minutes. sardellas.com/imbriglios-resto-bar

At Carmella’s Pizzeria, owner Ken Martin prides himself on the quality ingredients he uses — particularly the handmade sauce for the New York–style pizzas Carmella’s churns out.

GETTY IMAGES

— Rachael Thatcher writes for newportri.com.

54

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

LAST LOOK | VAST VIEWS

GETTY IMAGES

NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE Enjoy the peaceful scenery around the Nubble Lighthouse, which stands on the shores near York, Maine. Although the 19thcentury structure is not open to the public, it’s a picturesque place for picnicking, fishing, scuba diving, photography and even weddings. Seals, gulls and other wildlife can be seen from the shores, and a small gift shop is open from April to October.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

BE KNOWN AS THE ‘GREEN-THUMB’ OF THE FINANCIAL WORLD. Learn to track your money and manage your investments to help make your bank account resemble your phone number.

Make your money smarter.

Download our free app.

55

56

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

Give them tomorrow Premature birth is the #1 killer of babies. Every baby deserves a fighting chance.

DO SOMETHING TODAY

marchofdimes.org/tomorrow © 2016 March of Dimes Foundation

Shop to support our partners