We had a drink and snack at Mercy Tavern in Salem, Massachusetts.
Menu:
Frozen cocktails:
Truffle fries:
Refreshing.
exploring
Attractions and other places we visit.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
We visited the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts. It was the first National Historic Site in the US, established March 17, 1938.
The Salem Armory Visitor Center:
Custom House:
A couple of neighboring buildings in the park:
Waterfront:
Light:
Salem Witch Museum
We visited the Salem Witch Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, a somewhat cheesy but interesting presentation of the history of witch trials in Salem, in an old church.
The main presentation has a narration with lights highlighting scenes arranged around the room:
The second presentation is a bunch of exhibits on the history of witchcraft:
Examples of witch hunts though history, with fear, trigger, and scapegoat examples:
Gift store:
Witchside Tavern
We had lunch at Witchside Tavern in Salem, Massachusetts, with appropriately witch-y themed decor:
Menu:
Our lunch:
Pretty tasty.
Bull N’ Claw
We had dinner at Bull N’ Claw in Wells, Maine, as Jenn wanted to experience a classic Maine lobster dinner.
Menu:
Chowder:
Lobster dinner:
Fish and chips:
Jenn with her lobster dinner:
It was an experience… that she didn’t feel a need to repeat.
Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light
We kinda visited Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine.
I say kinda as we went into the park, but the parking wasn’t cooperating, so we just left again.
An interactive map of the park:
Entrance sign:
Portland Head Light, dimly visible in the marine layer haze:
That’s about it. Would have been nice to explore more, but sometimes it doesn’t work out.
Woodstock, Vermont
We drove through Woodstock, Vermont on a rainy afternoon.
An interactive map of the town:
Welcome to Woodstock (unrelated to the famous music festival, that was originally going to be in Woodstock, New York):
We headed out of town, looking for a place to stop for dinner, and came across the Long Trail Brewing Pub:
A nice creekside view:
And tasty food:
Then we headed back to Woodstock; here’s another covered bridge:
And another:
We would have liked to spend more time exploring the town, but had to make do with a quick drive through.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
We briefly visited the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, Vermont.
Billings Farm visitor center, which serves as the visitor center for the NHP when its one is closed, as it was when we visited:
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion:
Info sign:
Pool:
The mansion again:
An interesting place.
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
We visited Ben & Jerry’s original factory for their guided tour.
Starting the tour:
Unfortunately they didn’t allow photos during the tour, despite their site saying “there are plenty of photos ops”, perhaps because they weren’t manufacturing during our tour; it was a cleaning cycle.
Afterwards, a taste of ice cream:
While that would be interesting, the flavor we tried was actually:
Examples:
Available here:
Gift store:
Back outside:
The Flavor Graveyard of retired flavors:
A fun experience, though a little disappointing that they weren’t manufacturing at the time.
King Arthur Baking Company
We stopped by King Arthur Baking Company in Norwich, Vermont for a brief visit, snack, and shopping.
Nice outdoor seating options:
The cafe:
The store:
Our swag:
Just a quick visit.