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Thanksgiving in New England

21 years ago

We want to get away for several days and stay in a nice Inn and have a great Thanksgiving dinner. Looking for somewhere in eastern part of NH, MA or CT, accessible from Rt. 395. Any suggestions?

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Comments (8)

dwyerkg
21 years ago
Plimouth Plantaion in Plymouth Mass . Where it all started
ctsuvgal
21 years ago
Try Sturbridge Village in MA
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I have little use for Sunset in the NE, though it is extremely useful with the west and Southwest. The best book I have run across for timing in our area is the 1977 book Crockett’s Victory Garden by James Underwood Crockett. You can get it used online. You do have to ignore everything he says about pesticides (shudder) but he gardened in MA and has timing down well. It is organized by month. There was also a flower garden book, but I haven’t used it. https://www.amazon.com/Crocketts-Victory-Garden-Underwood-Crockett/dp/0316161217 https://www.amazon.com/Crocketts-Flower-Garden-Underwood-Crockett/dp/0316161330/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/137-0558906-5334416?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0316161330&pd_rd_r=d139634d-a49b-4918-a211-7881fb0b5c03&pd_rd_w=D2cGI&pd_rd_wg=q0T45&pf_rd_p=3edd75bb-e36e-488e-b666-80dd1a52c658&pf_rd_r=PJZCK8KEHYSFENCWCE6C&psc=1&refRID=PJZCK8KEHYSFENCWCE6C There are some really nice garden resources in the Boston area such as Garden in the Woods and its parent organization, the Native Plant Trust for natives; and for woody plants, the Arnold Arboretum and the Mount Auburn Cemetery. https://www.nativeplanttrust.org https://www.arboretum.harvard.edu https://mountauburn.org/blooms-at-mount-auburn/
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Another whose husband just told me yesterday he thinks a scaled down day/meal will be nicer for everyone LOL. I hosted Thanksgiving for many years and we usually had at least 15 and often closer to 25 for the meal. I didn't make elaborate recipes but I did make BIG batches: five pounds of Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes, couple dozen deviled eggs, 12-15 pounds of turkey breast and so on. People would bring lots of desserts, appetizers etc. I'd get out the good linens, dishes and silverware and try to make it as festive as possible. Those were good celebrations but oh my the work, and effort, and clean up....ooof. I was always exhausted by the time we finished cleaning up and went to bed that evening. As time has marched on, kids grew up and moved out, sadly some elderly relatives are deceased and now the turkey day gathering is both smaller and composed of lighter appetites than back in our heyday. There are only around 10 of us now so we may gather at my dad's house as it is central for everyone who still lives locally. He's 86 and gets pretty overwhelmed with gatherings even when he doesn't have to DO anything per se so that's another good reason to scale down in quantity and variety. A simple Thanksgiving menu of turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy is fine. A vegetable or two, a dessert or two and we are good to go. Looking forward to it actually, it is all about the gathering and the love as many of you have wisely pointed out. Less fussing and more family time is a good recipe!
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cattknap
21 years ago
Suzie - we just got back to California on Sunday Morning (October 13) - spent 15 days in New England. We stayed at some awesome places. I would recommend the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vt. - it is absolutely the most perfect New England town we visited - and we spent time in 5 states. The service and ambience of the Inn and the town was fabulous. The Inn has outstanding restaurants and the food was delicious. In fact two weeks ago I had the best gourmet turkey dinner there. There are a lot of things to do and see in Woodstock - Billings Farm and the Rockefeller mansion for two - covered bridges - a lovely river that flows through town, upscape shops, gorgeous 18th and 19th century homes, beautiful park, etc.
ChrisMary
21 years ago
Plimouth Plantation is great at Thanksgiving time. Takes you back to the time of the Pilgrims...period costumes and actors. However, it isn't even close to to Rt 395. Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge Mass is wonderful too. Quaint village..period costumes and actors...great food. Sturbridge is off the Mass Pike and easily accessible from Rt. 395...and there are a number of lovely B&B's up that way. You could venture down to Mystic Connecticut also. There is the Mystic Seaport which has a terrific restaurant (not sure if they are open Thanksgiving or not) plus, Mystic has alot of quaint B&B's...I'd highly recommend the Mystic Inn. Mystic is about 15 mins off Rt 395...easy, scenic drive. Close to the casinos if you care to loose some money - never met anyone who wins!! :) Hope this helps!! Enjoy!!
tublu
21 years ago
plimouth plantation and sturbridge village are both interesting but not really authentic. i mean they are almost thanksgiving shows put on for the tourists. but they are interesting.

i second the suggestion for the woodstock inn in woodstock vt. easily one of the most gorgeous and lovely inns i have ever been to--and in a really intertesting area too. its elegant, understated, warm, very very new england. fires crackling, walks around town commons and the white steepled church, tromping through woods--its just gorgeous.
lpolk
21 years ago
I've been to Woodstock Inn for thanksgiving too! It was fabulous! But not really convenient to the area you mention.
cattknap
21 years ago
Okay, how about the Litchfield Inn in Litchfield, CT. Very nice and a scenic little town. Or, the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich, Mass (Cape Cod) (we stayed there on our recent trip - very nice), or one of the many lovely inns on Nantucket. Another good one - The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Mass (the Berkshires) - very cozy place and Stockbridge is a fun place. We also stayed at the Lenox Hotel in Boston - beautiful rooms, great food.
Cathleen
blincoln
21 years ago
In SW Conn. there is a beautiful inn in a picture-postcard perfect New England town - Ridgefield. You'd think it were a Hollywood set, but it is genuine and beautiful. We stayed at the West Lane Inn http://www.westlaneinn.com/ on Rte 35 a few years ago. It's within walking distance of the center, where there are cafes, diners and even an elegant Italian restaurant. There is also gentle hiking in a nice state park over the border a few miles into NY.

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