Simply put? I don't get to go on actual vacations too often, I'm not in the tax bracket. But I have been to a few cool plces in the last couple years, as we toured colleges for my daughter. So, I will include those places in this list!
Sections
4
Burlington, Vermont
Newport, Rhode Island
Southern Maine
Bailey Island & Harpswell, Maine
Burlington, Vermont
another one on the college visit trail
For People and Planet | The University of Vermont
This hotel was AMAZING. We had our own suite, with a kitchen, living room, bedroom and a gigantic bathroom. We were able to buy groceries and cook right here saving a ton on restaurant prices. They had a really good continental breakfast, a giant fir...
Burlington Hotels | Green Mountain Suites Burlington Hotel
Yup, we did find this.
Tallest Filing Cabinet on Earth
We did visit the Ben and Jerry's factory!
Waterbury Factory, VT Ice Cream Shop - Ben & Jerry's
we visited North Beach at sunset. So amazing
North Beach
Took Emma paddleboarding at Oakledge Park in Burlington, on Lake Champlain
PaddleSurf Champlain
the best place in town to go shopping
Church Street Marketplace
this was the coolest vintage shop
Shop Vermont
the UVM bookstore
Welcome | The UVM Bookstore
the CUTEST gift shop
Golden Hour Gift Co
really good pub food outside, with live music!
Red Square - Burlington, VT
Newport, Rhode Island
A college in the HEART of Newport's Gilded Age mansion district
Salve Regina University - Learn, Lead, Make a Difference. | Salve Regina University
We had lunch here, and watched an entire wedding take place across the street.
Corner Cafe
This was a very nice stay. It was clean. Well staffed. Had a pool, work out room and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream vending machine. Our room was on the first floor, and had a patio is a very green grassy area. Continental breakfast was very good.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Middletown Newport Area Rooms & Rates
We had such a good meal here. OMG
Home
so much to do in downtown Newport.
Shopping in Newport, RI│Gift Shops, Clothing Stores, and More
Just explore this page. then go and see it in person
Explore the Gilded Age | Newport Mansions
We got to tour this IMMACULATE mansion
The Breakers | Newport Mansions
We did the Ocean Point drive, and found some amazing vistas!
Ocean Drive - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)
When in newport....
NEWPORT, RI
we visited in april. It was freezing and DEAD.
Sachuest Beach (Second Beach)
Most of the trail was inaccessible when we went due to massive flood damage. But we went during Daffodil season, and it was beautiful
Newport, RI's Cliff Walk combines ocean views, mansions, and a rocky
shore line into a 3.5 mile Federally listed Recreational Walk.
Visit during April!
April's Daffodil Days - Newport in Bloom
a little about the city
Hello Burlington, VT: Things to Do, Places to Stay, Events & More
Southern Maine
this was the SWEETEST Air Bnb in Camp Ellis (Saco) Maine.
Home in Saco · ★4.96 · 2 bedrooms · 4 beds · 1 bath
Another Air Bnb in Saco Maine. This was right in downtown, walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
Rental unit in Saco · ★4.72 · 2 bedrooms · 2 beds · 1 bath
an incredible restaurant in Saco, in the old mill!
HOME | ROTM
Best Pizza in Biddeford
Coletti's Pizza Factory
PHENOMENAL breakfast spot in downtown Saco
Home | Finestkind
We were able to catch a night of live music when we got ice cream here. So much fun
The Saco Scoop | Ice Cream | Saco, ME | United States
Dont be fooled by the price points, it IS worth every penny! This place is DIVINE!
Dizzy Birds Rotisserie
inside the old mill, this concept is amazing. Salad bowls. DELISH and so healthy.
Salad Bar - The Garden Bar
QUINTESSENTIAL general store on the Maine Coast
Saco ME Convenience Store - Camp Ellis General Store & Lobster Pound
Amazing college on the coast of Maine, with it's own beach and island.
University of New England in Maine, Tangier, and Online | University of New England in Maine
Bailey Island & Harpswell, Maine
A quick drive from Brunswick, Maine. Harpswell and Bailey Island offer a very quite taste of coastal life in Maine.
When in Midcoast Maine, a visit to this restaurant at the edge of the famous Cribstone Bridge, is a MUST!
Cook's Lobster & Ale HouseCook's Lobster & Ale House
You must make this nice walking trail part of your itinerary for the week. It is a simple trail that scales the edge of a rocky shore, with massive waves.
Giant's Stairs Trail (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
One of the only Cribstone bridges int he world. A little scary to drive over the first time you visit, but so unbelievably beautiful.
Bailey Island Bridge
a GREAT place to grab a quick lunch for the beach. Their pizza is amazing, and they make great sandwiches. I swear by their chicken salad for summer picnics.
Bailey Island General Store | Bailey Island ME
We stayed in this cottage for a week in July 2023, for my daughters high school graduation. Such a sweet place, right on the water.
Blue Heron
The Lands End Gift Shop, is literally just that. You find it by following the road all the way to the end. Like the REAL end. Get any closer, and your car is in the water. It is a wonderful gift shop with anything you could ever want, plus the best f...
Lands End Gift shop | Bailey Island ME
this preserve is a great place to be, in all seasons. In the summer, there is a beach. You can sometimes swim there, other times it is posted to have bacteria, because it just gets very warm. On those days, dont worry. You can still comb the beach fo...
Mackerel Cove
a nice website to browse and find outdoor activities in the region.
Home - Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
a very upscale restaurant on the Harpswell peninsula. This is where the local kids go for dinner before prom, and also many celebrities have dined here.
Dolphin Marina & Restaurant
If cottage pink and fantastic ice cream is your vibe...come on down to Pammy's while visiting Harpswell. Such a sweet location, right near a local swimming hole. Pammy herself is always there, ready to serve you with a smile.
Pammy's Ice Cream Parlor | East Harpswell ME
my all time favorite place to go swimming in this area. It is free. Plenty of parking. Porta potty on site. Watch the tides, the beach is best as the tide is going out. Lots of small tidal pools to explore. Water is very warm, and very clean. It's oc...
Mitchell Field - Harpswell, Maine
Live music on this gazebo all summer long!
Bandstand by the Sea
The place to come for super fresh delicious fried clams. and other things too of course.
Erica's Seafood, Inc.
do not sleep on this market! You will find some AMAZING food here. Plus cheap gas, and quick beach food too.
Uncle Pete’s Community Market | East Harpswell ME
cute tiny coffee shop. delicious food and great customer service
Instagram (@ittybittycoffeeshop)
New owners took over the old Vegetable Corner in Harpswell, bringing new life to an old building that everyone loved. Please stop in and say hi, you wont be dissapointed, and you certainly will not leave empty handed and hungry!
Harpswell Corner Market
an absolutely stunning inn by the sea on Lookout Point in HArpswell.
THE HARPSWELL INN
one of my top 5 food trucks in the state of Maine. The location could quite possibly make this TOP number 1! Great food.
Morses | East Harpswell ME
the place to go for everythings newsworthy in the Harpswell region.
The Harpswell Anchor
a stunning restaurant with an equally stunning menu!