Antiques & Historic Sites–A Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip

Shopping for antiques and touring historic sites are always on my must-do list in any new location I visit, which is the case for my Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip I took this fall with my friend, Lauren.  In total, we visited more than ten historic sites and shipped home about that same number of boxes of antiques and décor.  To say we had a good time is an understatement!  If you are thinking of where to go on your next trip with your gal pals, I recommend Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine for the beauty, the history, the traditional fare, the shopping, and so much more.

 

 

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Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip Details

Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine were three states that I had never visited, so they were on my #All50StatesByTheAgeof50 Bucket List.  (After taking this trip, I have visited 35 states, and I have 15 to go.)  My friend, Lauren, had already visited these states, but she is always up for an adventure!

 

This road trip was scheduled for nine days in early fall.  We flew into and out of Burlington, Vermont, rented a car, and drove a looping route through the three states.  Our goal was to spend most of our time in Maine, but to make sure we had some stops and adventures in the other two states as well.  Our hotel splurges were in New Hampshire (to rest after a long hike) and Maine (for the views and proximity), and in true girl trip fashion, we made sure to squeeze in some dancing and a spa visit too.

 

Below is the breakdown of the trip by states:

 

Where to Visit, Shop, Stay, and Eat in Vermont

Vermont is the state where we drove on the most backroads, and I had to resist the urge to stop at every barn and old church and take a picture.  This state is gorgeous and a destination in and of itself.  Most of our adventures in Vermont consisted of apple picking and shopping, and we stayed at hotels based on their proximity to our activities.

 

 

 

• WHERE TO VISIT:

 

• • • Scott Farm Orchard for apple picking at a 571-acre farm settled in 1791.

 

• • • Morse Farm Sugar Works for seeing the sugaring process at the oldest (eight generations) maple farm in Vermont.

 

• • • Lake Champlain for stunning lake views.

 

• • • Montpelier to see the smallest state capital in the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO SHOP:

 

• • • The Vermont Country Store because their catalog was your favorite reading material when you stayed with your grandmother!

 

• • • April Cornell because Burlington, Vermont is the location of her flagship store, and you love florals, dresses, and table linens.

 

• • • Simon Pearce because hand-blown glassware makes the most beautiful tablescape and can be appreciated for generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO STAY:

 

• • • DoubleTree by Hilton to be close to the Burlington Airport.

 

• • • Holiday Inn in Brattleboro to be close to Scott Farm Orchard.

 

 

• WHERE TO EAT:

 

• • • The Friendly Toast in Burlington because it is delicious, vibey, and allergy-friendly.

 

• • • Peter Havens in Brattleboro for an upscale meal.

 

• • • Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee for local ingredients and a view of the Ottauquechee River waterfall from inside a restored 1800s mill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do in New Hamsphire

The New Hampshire portion of our Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip was not as extensive as the other portions, but our main activity in this state was quite the adventure.

 

 

We hiked Flume Gorge!  Discovered in the 1800s, this 800-foot gorge at the base of Mount Liberty is a marvel to experience.  However, do not let the “easy” labels you see describing a hike up this gorge fool you.  This is a “moderate” two-mile hike with mostly wide and smooth trails, but also it has several stairs and a significant elevation change.  If you can make it through the uphill climb in the first third, to the top of the gorge, you should be able to handle the remaining ups and downs that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Quilted Backpack   |  Baseball Hat

 

 

 

 

 

We ended the hike enjoying a class of wine and sunset views from our balcony at the Mountain View Grand Resort.  This hotel was recommended by another when our one-night stay did not qualify us for a room at theirs, but we could not have been happier with this 150-year-old resort.

 

 

 

 

During the loop back through New Hampshire, we made sure to travel across the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in the United States.  It has two spans and connects the towns of Cornish, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont.

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Visit, Shop, Stay, and Eat in Maine

Most of our Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip was spent in Maine.  We were there six of the nine days, spending most of our time in Bar Harbor and Portland but driving through Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, and more.

 

 

What to do in Bar Harbor, Maine

 

• WHERE TO VISIT:

 

• • • Bar Island for walking a low-tide gravel path to view tide pools and Bar Harbor from an island in Frenchman Bay.

 

• • • Agamont Park for beautiful sunset views of the boats in Frenchman Bay.

 

• • • Acadia National Park for touring stunning natural wonders found in this 1919-formed national park, including Thunder Hole, Otter Creek, Jordan Pond, and Bubble Pond. (TIP:  Use the Island Explorer Shuttle for a break from driving on your road trip, and if you are looking for a less crowded spot, Bubble Pond was so peaceful.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO SHOP:

 

• • • Albert Meadow Antiques because you love a variety of antiques, especially jewelry.

 

• • • Arts and Ends because silverware, table linens, and vintage Louis Vuitton are your things.

 

• • • Sea Bags because you value sustainability and want an upcycled sail bag to hold all your shopping finds, then later your beach gear.

 

• • • Argosy Gallery because you love buying local art for your home on your travels.

 

• • • Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop because it is the oldest bookstore in Maine, and you need some nightly bedtime reading material on your trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cliffs

 

 

• WHERE TO STAY: Harborside Hotel to have proximity to downtown, stunning views, and some little luxuries (valet, room service, pools, hot tubs, spa, and more).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO EAT:

 

• • • Downeast Deli in downtown because you can easily do a bagged lunch of traditional fare and hop on the Island Explorer Shuttle.

 

• • • Stewman’s Lobster Pound by the bay because you want to see the lobster pots in action and enjoy a fresh seafood meal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do in Portland, Maine

 

• WHERE TO VISIT:

 

• • • Old Port for strolling along cobblestone streets, shopping, and viewing the bay from this popular historic district.

 

• • • Portland Schooner Co. for taking a two-hour sail aboard a historic windjammer on Casco Bay. (TIP:  Dress warm and BYOB.)

 

• • • Portland Head Light for seeing Maine’s oldest lighthouse, first lit in 1791.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO SHOP:

 

• • • Viand Mercantile because you love mixing old and new home décor.

 

• • • Blanche + Mimi because you love buying unique, new and vintage, gifts for friends and family.

 

• • • Attos Estate Jewelry because you love finding a jeweler who carries quality, high-end, vintage and antique pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO STAY: Portland Harbor Hotel to have proximity to the Old Port Historic District, walkability, and complementary water, coffee, and snacks on every hall.

 

 

 

 

• WHERE TO EAT:

 

• • • Scales for a late-night upscale meal near a misty dock.

 

• • • Duckfat for the Belgian-style fries and 100-year-old recipe of wild cherry phosphate.

 

• • • Henry’s Public House for the tastiest simple salad and oysters, live music by the talented King Kyote or others, and moody décor inspiration.

 

• • • Standard Baking Co. for fresh breads and pastries made using decades old traditional baking practices.

 

• • • Gorgeous Gelato for a sweet treat, even for the vegan in your group!

 

• • • Grippy Tannins for a wine tasting, including a blueberry sparkling wine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Noteworthy Maine Stops

 

• Root Down Market in New Sharon, Maine for a quick and enjoyable roadside lunch, including a salad with a delicious Maine blueberry vinegarette.

 

• Old Creamery Art & Antique Mall in Ellsworth, Maine for a multi-dealer antique shopping experience.

 

• The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, Maine for a quality lobster roll.

 

• The Wedding Cake House in Kennebunkport, Maine for your own photograph of the “most photographed house in Maine.”

 

• Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport, Maine for a view of the Bush family’s summer estate retreat.

 

• Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine for a short walk and view of the little lighthouse on the path.

 

• The Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick for breathtaking views of a late 1800s lighthouse and the sweetest Victorian keeper’s house.

 

• The York Antiques Gallery in York, Maine for an unbelievable, high quality, three-story, antique shopping experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Posts, Pages, and Sources

• My go-to resources for planning trips and travel are VRBO and Trip Advisor.

 

• If you are in the process of searching for luggage and travel gear, I own and love these items for getting to and from my destinations:

• • • Large Bancroft Backpack,
    • Large Miramar Weekender,
    • Hanging Travel Organizer, and
    • Medium Cosmetic Bag.

 

• If you are looking for more travel inspiration, check out these posts:

• • • Napa to Seattle—A Two-Week Road Trip,
    • San Antonio and Austin Girls Trip—Where To Stay, Eat, and Visit,
    • My Vintage Pickin’ Spring Market Finds, and
    • What I Bought at Vintage Pickin’.

 

My Antique, Vintage, and Decor Finds

Both Lauren and I found some unique pieces on our travels.  Because of the space available in our luggage, we asked a few stores to ship items to us.  A lot of the décor-centered stores in the larger towns did this, but only one antique store shipped.

 

 

The solution we found, and would utilize again on future trips, was to go to the local post office and ship our finds home.  We bought boxes, wrapped the fragile items with bubble wrap, and stuffed our dirty clothes around them for extra transport protection.  Yes, dirty clothes!  This freed up space in our suitcases as we continued the trip.

 

Here is a look at the antique, vintage, and décor items I found:

 

Antique Wooden Candlesticks  |  Plaster Bust  |  Cast Iron Doorstop from The York Antique Gallery

 

Placemats  |  Napkins  |  Hotel Silver Domes from Blanche + Mimi

 

Napkins from The Vermont Country Store

 

 

Wire Stocking  |  Antique Gold Beaded Necklace from Albert Meadow Antiques

 

 

Antique Pearl Ring from Attos Estate Jewelry

 

Champagne Buckets  |  Ice Bucket  |  Doilies  |  Toothpick Holder from Viand Mercantile

 

Whiskey Glasses for the mister from Simon Pearce

 

 

Final Thoughts on Planning a Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip

This Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Girls’ Trip was an absolute blast.  The activities of antiquing and visiting historic sites is right up my alley, and I could see myself going back to these states to do more of that.

 

If I could change anything about the trip, I would have added more time for exploring Montpelier.  The town looked adorable as we drove through, but I wish we had a day to explore there.  Of course, more time to go antiquing would have been nice as well!

 

What stops do you have questions about? What are you left wondering about this area?  If you have traveled to this area of the country, what was your favorite activity?

 

 

 

 

Hopefully, if you are planning a Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Trip, this list of attractions and activities helps you plan an epic one.  If you end up in any of these states and try any of these spots, let me know—comment below or tag me on Instagram @inheritedandco.  And especially, if you have been inspired to take up the #All50StatesByTheAgeOf50 goal, please reach out and tell me about your adventures!

 

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Happy Travels!