Life takes you down many paths, but my favorite one leads me to here. Spend an hour in untouched Sandwich, Massachusetts and take in the scenes of nature, you will quickly wonder how we live in such a material world.
CAPE COD, MA
A letter to my kids begins here. Cape Cod has always been our special place to reconnect with ourselves, the earth, the ocean, and with each other. Just as the moon has a certain dance pushing and pulling the tide, I hope you, my children, will always feel my encouragement pushing and my undying love pulling. Everything in life has a dance and it can certainly give you some hard kicks, but it's important to push it right back. Allow the Cape to be your grounding force, feel the sand conform to your particular foot as you walk it. Allow the salty mist replenish your exhausted sweet faces and look it straight in the eye. Remember all the hopeful souls that first stepped foot on her land and recognize you are meant to be there, as a symbol of their advantageous spirit. Let the wind take you to new heights and allow any fear to simply filter through. With that comes tremendous growth, strength, and confidence. You will need all of these things!
In your innocent eyes, Cape Cod is merely a place to run with a pail & shovel and eat at every ice cream shop in sight, and that is exactly what you should see! There will be a time when you wish to define a Cape that is your own version and you will choose what to explore with your future children. I hope you are reminded by the traditions we have instilled in you, and always feel the tide kissing your toes. When the sand gets pulled out from under you, keep dancing along until you find a new footing. Mom & Dad will always be with you in mind, body and spirit walking you through all of life's journeys big and small.
FOOD LOVERS GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND ICE CREAM
Even though the calendar and the weather is giving us all whiplash, it is, after all, Ice Cream Season! We have done expansive tasting all around New England searching for superior places to get these cool treats. Some locations we simply adore because of their longevity, kind of like, taking a trip to grandma's house. And some locations had an organic yet sophisticated appeal utilizing the finest local ingredients. No matter your northeast destination, use our handy guide on where to score gastronomic happiness like a boss!
1. Honeycomb Creamery - Small batch craft ice cream made in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The entire menu is from scratch and locally sourced. Their flavors are born from their own creative imaginations. Honeycomb Creamery made our list not only for incredible taste but their excitement factor! They're unique;
By keeping their batches of ice cream small, each scoop and each pint is different from the next. Here is a sampling of their Classic Flavors, can you only imagine what their specialty flavors must consist of? Milk Chocolate Stracciatella, Malted Vanilla, Salted Caramel Crackle, Honey & Oats, Coffee Toffee. Honeycomb Creamery offers something for everyone from taste inspiring Vegan recipes to pastries and house made waffle cones, and we have to mention their expertly crafted coffee drinks and frappes. 1702 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2. Four Seas - A family favorite of ours for many generations. Diners can take a cone to go or sit on stools at the counter in the dining room enjoying old-fashioned ice cream sundaes, sodas, frappes (the New England word for “milkshake”- a real milkshake is just milk with syrup, shaken) and other sweet treats. Four Seas specializes in flavors that harken back to the good old days but are just as delicious as ever – and they’re always made with the freshest ingredients and local fruits.
For decades, they have been serving the Cape’s favorite flavors like fresh peach, black raspberry, cookie dough, peanut butter chocolate chip and coffee, as well as a few they originated, such as chip chocolate – created with melted chocolate that solidifies when it hits the frozen ice cream – and penuche pecan, an old-fashioned brown sugar flavor based on a special New England recipe. They also serve homemade sandwiches including their extremely popular lobster salad sandwich. Four Seas has been winning national and local competitions for decades, and has been named in the top ten ice creams in the country by several national publications. It's no wonder why the Kennedy's frequented this local favorite. 360 South Main Street, Centerville Massachusetts.
3. Walpole Creamery - For this cow to cone treat, the milk and maple syrup is sourced from nearby farms. One of their most famous flavors, Real Maple Walnut, was featured in Yankee Magazine Where to Eat, Stay and Play issue. Proud to be named among the Best of New England super scoops! “From Cow to Cone” What does it mean? More than a slogan, this is what makes their ice cream truly unique. Walpole Creamery crafts its own proprietary Sweet Cream base mix using only fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free milk from Elm Island right in Walpole, NH, and fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free cream from Vermont. Their 100% pure New Hampshire maple syrup comes from Twin Spruce Farm also in Walpole. Using only natural flavors and ingredients, Walpole is classified as an all-natural product in Whole Foods stores. Their Super Premium ice cream also qualifies for the Vermont Non-GMO Standards. The Walpole Parlor, 532 Main Street on Route 12 next to the Walpole Wash N Dry. Keene Café 149 Main Street Keene, New Hampshire.
4. Bedford Farms - Since 1880 - Does longevity and history have a taste? We think so! Located in historic New England towns - Bedford, Burlington and Concord, Massachusetts - Bedford Farms offers over 60 flavors of fresh made, locally sourced ice cream, frozen yogurt and soft serve. Enjoy your scoops knowing that your great grandparents most likely enjoyed the same exact recipe. Something this time tested and tried and true, must be doing something right! 18 North Road, Bedford, 19 Third Avenue, Burlington, 68 Thoreau Street, Concord, Massachusetts.
5. Milk Craft CT - Famous for their proprietory (and totally rad) Bubblecone, Milk Craft also offers other vessels to house your scoops such as the Creameebun, and Scoops 1,2,3. All their flavors are from the best local ingredients and all natural whenever possible.
Milkcraft small batch creamery began with an inspiration from a stroll down a via in Capri, Italy. Their goal has been to create ice cream from scratch and express their passion for artisinal flavors. "It is very important to us to develop relationships with local farmers in pursuit of the purest all natural ingredients." They freeze every scoop to order with food grade Liquid Nitrogen, which creates smaller ice crystals when freezing, and results in the smoothest possible ice cream. Their caramelized HONG KONG style waffles are made from scratch to order, and hot CREAMEE buns are made fresh daily, along with artisan toppings. Two locations 1215 Post Rd, Fairfield, Connecticut, 967 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, Connecticut.
6. Rococo - Seek out unusual artisanal flavors at this woman-owned and operated business in Kennebunkport Maine. Rococo Ice Cream has become a favorite stop among the local community of Southern Maine and their guests from around the globe. Lauren Guptill, a 10th generation Mainer, continues to compose inventive flavors that expand upon global culinary trends with a desire to introduce visitors to flavor profiles from every corner of the world. She draws inspiration from the spice markets of North Africa, to the villages in the French Alps, to the bustling barrios of South America. Rococo ice cream is made in Maine yet inspired by travel. Having a vast global palette to draw up new flavors, Lauren is excited about the future of Rococo Ice Cream as she explores new neighborhoods of the world for flavor inspiration. In her free time, she is working on her first recipe book, in the hopes of inspiring both amateur ice-cream eaters along with connoisseurs to bring a little more art, culture and flavor into everyone’s favorite summertime treat. Our favorite part of this whole thing? Delivery!!! Join the pint program and have Rococo at your doorstep. 6 Spring Street Kennebunkport, Maine
7. Canteen is a locally owned and operated modern snack bar "take out" joint that specializes in fried chicken and creemees but they also do so much more. Local, wholesome, creative and prepared in house. Canteen is located in the Village Square Shopping Center, Waitsfield near Mehuron's -Just a few minutes from Sugarbush Resort. Wildly known for their signature Vermont Soft Serve, to take a video glimpse inside this hip stand click here. 5121 Main Street, Waitsfield, Vermont.
8. Mt Desert Island Ice Cream - Mainers sure know their blueberries so it's obvious they would be the experts when it comes their signature fruit getting the starring role. Try the Blueberry Sour Cream Strudel! Mt.Desert Island Ice Cream aka MDII was voted Best Ice Cream in Maine with it's artisanal small-batch ice cream thoughtfully sourced with forward-thinking flavors. Former President Barrack Obama has even been seen indulging in one of MDII's daring flavors. Three locations and more on the way! Be sure to check their website before your visit, the Portland location is the only one currently open. MDII also has a fun Instagram presence @mdiicecream. 325 Main Street, Bar Harbor, 7 Firefly Lane, 51 Exchange Street, Portland, Maine
If you think it's perfectly normal to plan a road trip solely based around ice cream, then you are our kind of people! Here at New England & Me, we believe life is a lot like ice cream, enjoy it before it melts!
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
Anyone who frequents the island of Nantucket can verify that the Daffodil Festival in the end of April, signifies the unofficial launch of the picnic season. Historic facades festooned with yellow 'daffys' and assorted Nantucket baskets, and a festive parade of color, give it almost a Kentucky Derby vibe. Our visit began at the tail of the auspicious event but never the less, it still had the energy and excitement abound. Bakeries and chocolate shops even offered commemorative daffodil delectables. Meticulous window boxes beg for your attention along the cobblestone path, but never to be out shadowed by the equally intrguing window displays.
Journeying to the island, the first thing waving us in, is the Brant Point Lighthouse dressed in her seasonal Daffodil ring. After disembarking from the Grey Lady and following the colonial stone street up four blocks, we landed at 76 Main, by Lark Hotels. Lark Hotels embrace the locations they are in - but in playful, unexpected ways. Think "sense of place" with imagination and a touch of mischief. As their guests, we were invited to experience modern luxury in the heart of this iconic destination. To feel the pull of a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today's amenities. To find attentive service when you want it, and privacy when you don't. This tony design-driven boutique Nantucket hotel is located in the town's premier landmark neighborhood. A desired address with modern, tailored rooms and a secluded and spacious courtyard. 76 Main feels like the upscale home of a Nantucket BFF (only bigger with loads of cool amenities).
The aroma of morning breakfast in my opinion, is the best form of a wake up call. Freshly brewed Nantucket Blend coffee mixed with a hint of warm toast equals an instant good mood. 76 Main has an attention to detail that's unmatched when making healthy offerings look indulgent and whimsical. Try the mashed pea and radish toast or the yogurt with fig and chia seeds. And even prettier, the individually plated whale tales perched upon the freshest fruit. Finally a breakfast offering that not only looks delicious but feels good, even better, someone else made it!
Rent a jeep and drive to Great Point. Let some air out of those tires and drive right onto the dunes. Of course, the rental car company will tell you not to… but since when do you listen to authority!? The sunrise is especially glorious. Make Madaket Beach on the opposite end of the island your go-to for the best sunset in all of New England. There is a sense of wilderness with it's untouched terrain and sand covered roadways. Even the effects of hard winters alter the landscape while protecting it's ever ardent natural beauty. Pushing our Jeep to the limits of sand driving, we paused to dance in the light of the 'golden hour'. Our faces warm with orange glow, our hair salty and windblown, the cooler air drifting in, the ending of a perfect day.
Because 76 Main is my new brilliant BFF, they already anticipate my craving for freshly baked cookies before bedtime, guaranteed sweet dreams with that under your pillow. I get the feeling here that the convivial staff members totally get me.
Delicious Eats & Notable Stops
- Petticoat Row Bakery located at 38 Centre Street.
- Fusaro's Homemade Italian Food located at 17 Old South Road
- Nantucket Looms at 51 Main Street, Luxury handwoven gifts, home decor and unique gifts.
- Parchment Fine papers, stationery & gifts. 11 Washington Street.
- The Downyflake Donut serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and of course DONUTS!
- The Whaling Museum located at 15 Broad Street
- Cisco Brewers Serving craft beer & wine at 5 Bartlett Farm Road. Check their events page before heading over to make the most out of your experience. They also offer shuttle service on the weekends.
Travelers have long flocked to the island of Nantucket for rest and relaxation just off the mainland. The epitome of charm, Nantucket town’s cobblestone streets, world-class restaurants, whaling museum, high-end shops and historic buildings are just a start. Together they truly make Nantucket sing.