The state of Maine has long been known as “The Vacation State” or “Vacationland”, and for good reason. It is a wonderful destination for travelers, and one that I have visited almost every single year for as long as I can remember. In an upcoming post I am going to share some memories of past Maine trips; but for today I’m going to guide you towards some of the great stops I’ve made on the way there. I hope it will serve as food for thought as you venture to these easternmost states in the USA.
Being from Long Island, NY the choice for getting out of Dodge is a no-brainer. Head east and bypass the ugly traffic one never fails to encounter in metropolitan New York. (If you’re coming from points north or west of New York City then you can skip down a couple of paragraphs and join us in New London on the Connecticut shore).
Heading east away from my Northport, NY home I start the trip on the north fork; one of the few places left on Long Island where one can actually enjoy a nice ride without encountering our legendary horrific traffic conditions. Pick up Sound Avenue (known to the locals as “The North Road”) and take it all the way to the very end at Orient Point.
Along this scenic route you will traverse miles of scenic farmlands and vineyards while enjoying occasional waterviews of Long Island Sound and The Peconic Bays. I usually find myself leaving home by first light and rarely, if ever, encounter any eastbound traffic. On those mornings when I feel like having breakfast my “go to” stop is the Country Corner Cafe in Southold.
This is a very motorcycle-friendly eatery with a wonderful menu featuring tons of locally-sourced produce and creative breakfast offerings. This establishment is the destination of the annual New Year’s Day ride of the Long Island BMW Riders Club and we’re all on a first name basis with the owners and most of their staff.
Leaving the cafe it’s just a short 12 mile run out to the ferry terminal at Orient Point, NY. Here you will board the ferry bound for New London, CT. Traveling by motorcycle I have never had to make a crossing reservation. They always find a way to squeeze on a bike (or ten) after the other vehicles have boarded. If you’re traveling in an automobile or RV be sure to make a reservation with Cross Sound Ferry. You can easily do this online.
When you arrive in New London, CT you’ll be right alongside I-95, the longest north-south interstate in the United States. It runs from Houlton, Maine to Miami, Florida, a total distance of over 1,900 miles; connecting every major city on the east coast. From here you can choose numerous different routes to Maine with a variety of attractions to be experienced along the way. I’ll discuss a number of the places I’ve visited over the years, but the choice of stops to enjoy will be left to you, based upon your personal preferences.
Just five miles away from the ferry terminal you will find The Naval Submarine Base on the Thames River at New Groton, CT. Known as “The Home of the US Submarine Force” this venue warmly welcomes visitors. The last time I visited there was no charge for admission, though contributions are suggested. The world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, “Nautilus”, is on site and visitors can freely tour the craft. Check the current status of this attraction before making the trip. It was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is scheduled to reopen on May 26, 2022.
Ten miles further east off I-95 you will come to the historic village of Mystic, CT. This village is home to the USA’s leading maritime museum; which is considered to be one of the finest in the world. Also in town you will find the Mystic Aquarium, tourist attractions of every conceivable type, lodging for all tastes and budgets, and some of the finest seafood restaurants anywhere. It is no wonder that Mystic is a major family tourist destination.
Got something a little more decadent in mind? Less than ten miles north you will find Foxwoods Resort and Casino, located on the reservation of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. This world class venue, tucked away virtually out-of-sight in eastern Connecticut, rivals any establishment in Las Vegas; boasting 2,500 hotel rooms, six casinos, more than 30 restaurants and upwards of 70 shops (including The Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods).
A little known gem on the Foxwoods property is The Two Trees Inn. Located just minutes from the main hotel towers at Foxwoods, Two Trees offers almost 300 rooms and suites in a much more relaxed environment. The on-premises restaurant is spectacular and, with a conventional parking lot, is much more motorcycle-friendly than the main complex. It welcomes your pets and has its own swimming pool and tavern. It’s a quiet refuge from the glamour and glitz of the main complex; yet is just minutes away via the complimentary shuttle bus service that runs around the clock. I’ve stayed here twice and I love it!
Wow! All this and we haven’t traveled more than 15 miles from the ferry dock. Let’s get back on the road. Forty five miles east you will find Narragansett Bay and the seaside city of Newport, Rhode Island. It is a popular summer resort community, famous for its historic mansions and America’s Cup sailing event. Though not my idea of the perfect road trip destination, I did wander through the area on a trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts a few years back.
I rode along the Historic Ocean Drive and caught glimpses of the world-renowned oceanfront mansions; but, to be perfectly honest, my main reason for visiting Newport was to ride my motorcycle over the 400 foot tall, roller coaster-like Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge. It was fun, but not worth getting stuck in the New York City type traffic I encountered on the Newport side. Heading to Newport? I can’t help with much information on this destination. You’ll need to do your due diligence elsewhere.
In lieu of the eastern run to Newport I normally head north out of Connecticut to East Providence, Rhode Island for a quick stop at a favorite eatery. The Italian Corner, located on Boyd Avenue, right off a ramp to I-195, is a “go to” stop for me when passing through this part of the country. I heard of this establishment on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives” program and have to agree with host, Guy Fieri’s, take on this joint. It is out of bounds!!! The Brasato roast beef sandwich is to die for and is one of the few bread temptations I will succumb to.
Fifty five miles north of roast beef heaven you roll into Boston, Massachusetts. Again I will assert that I rarely visit any big cities (I get enough of that at home) so I don’t have much to offer in way of recommendations here. I did rendezvous here with a dear friend a few years back and got to experience The Black Rose; arguably Boston’s premier Irish Pub. The traditional Irish offerings on the menu were delicious and the number and variety of beers on draught was impressive. Another highlight of the trip into the city: Riding on interstate I-90 right past Fenway Park’s infamous left field wall, The Green Monster.
On your way out of Boston one can visit Gloucester, Massachusetts some forty miles north and east of the city. This important historical center of the Atlantic shipbuilding and fishing industries, first settled around 1600, has become more famous in recent years due to the filming, and widespread distribution of the motion picture, The Perfect Storm; and the cable reality television series, Wicked Tuna. Take a picture by the sailor’s memorial, enjoy some fresh seafood at any one of dozens of local establishments and continue your travels on route 1 northbound.
Thirty five miles later you will cross the state line and roll into Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. This seaside resort town is reminiscent of the Jersey Shore, Rehoboth Beach and Virginia Beach. The main thoroughfare runs right alongside The Atlantic Ocean and is lined with arcades, amusement parks, souvenir shops, eateries and pubs. Noteworthy in Hampton Beach is The Casino Ballroom; a large concert venue. I had the pleasure of seeing legendary blues artist, B.B. King, perform here on one of my visits.
The choices of lodging in town ranges from basic efficiency motel units to the upscale accommodations offered at The Ashworth By The Sea Hotel. The Ashworth offers a covered parking area beneath the building which was most welcome on my last visit to town. I will never, ever forget that trip; as it was the only time in nearly four decades of riding that I got completely shut down by Mother Nature. A huge nor’easter rolled in off The Atlantic Ocean bringing with it 60 MPH winds and 10 inches of rain in a single day! My girlfriend and I spent the day in our room watching reruns of Rocky movies before retiring to the Ashworth’s fine restaurant for an amazing lobster dinner. After dinner was spent at their fine bar consuming far too many cognacs for my own good. The next morning we woke to clear blue skies, the brisk back flow winds of the previous day’s storm and a none-too-welcome hangover for the ride north into Maine; the state which will be the subject of a post to follow.
Where have you visited in your travels about the northeast United States? Leave a note in the comments below or consider contributing your travel stories and photographs to this forum. Use the contact form to get in touch with us. Be sure to bookmark this site in your browser and subscribe to Roadcraft USA to receive breaking news and special offers.
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