Sponsored by Visit New Bern At its core is a picture-perfect riverfront laced with wide, inviting sidewalks. Walking them feels easy and familiar, yet thrilling. Whether you’re heading out on the water, following a trail of architectural wonders, or diving into the lively arts and culinary scenes, the current of this city sweeps you off your feet fast. If it all sounds like something out of a storybook, well, North Carolina’s second-oldest city is the setting for four novels by New Bern’s own Nicholas Sparks. You may know him as the acclaimed author of The Notebook, which inspired a romantic ..read more

This is the first menu of sandwich recipes I’ve ever created, and it presented an interesting challenge: What makes a sandwich worthy of a written recipe? A PB&J is hardly a recipe. Who wants a grilled cheese in summer? In the end, my goal was to create summer sandwich recipes that were worth a little effort, but easy enough to make in 30 minutes or less. And I wanted them to feel familiar, but with a twist. These recipes ask you to make just one or two things. A batch of bacon for the bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato sandwich. A Green Goddess dressing for the chicken salad. Some sweet ..read more

2024 Best of Connecticut: The Classics CONNECTICUT CLASSIC DINING BURGER STAND Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburgers, Meriden Connecticut is about the only place in the world where steamed cheeseburgers are found, and Ted’s is the ultimate place to try one. This modest eatery has a few booths and several stools inside, with a couple of picnic tables out front. Check out the stainless-steel steam boxes behind the counter: one for burgers, the other for gooey cheese. After several minutes in the heat, beef and cheese are united on a hard roll. So simple. So good. tedsrestaurant.com Plan Your Perfect Summ ..read more

“Black flies, no-see-ums, deer flies, gnats and mosquitoes were instituted by the devil to force people to live in cities where he could get at them better….” —Ernest Hemingway Hemingway wrote that line in 1920, but the Pilgrims could have related. They sent a letter to their London sponsors in 1623 reporting they were “much annoyed by mosquitoes” and hoping to relocate their settlement. Lots of so-called solutions were tried over the years, but things like sweetgrass necklaces and bear fat salves never really caught on. Trekking through Maine in the 1850s, Henry David Thoreau used an ointmen ..read more

The magic of exploring a place on two wheels instead of four comes into full focus on Vermont’s Island Line Trail, a bike ride that’s a lesson in the art of going slow. Sure, you could cover this relatively flat, relatively easy distance in a couple of hours, but why? This is a journey made for meandering and stopping. And then stopping again. The views, after all, include both Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, not to mention sailboats, lighthouses, and killer sunsets. And the sights are as varied as the terrain. You’re in a city. You’re on a paved path. You’re on an island. You’re ..read more

To someone who has never visited Shelburne Museum: Forget what you think a museum is. Instead, imagine driving a winding country road. Encountering sights both stunning and unexpected, you want to stop around every curve. You planned to go for an hour or two, but—not wanting to miss anything—you keep driving. And in the end, you’re sorry when it’s time to turn for home. That is what exploring Shelburne Museum’s campus of awe-inspiring art and history feels like. Founded in the town of Shelburne in 1947, the museum is the singular creation of Electra Havemeyer Webb, who was driven to ..read more

2024 Best of Rhode Island: The Classics RHODE ISLAND CLASSIC DINING DINER Jigger’s Diner, East Greenwich Shoehorned between larger buildings on East Greenwich’s scenic Main Street, this baby-blue Worcester diner car has been lovingly restored. All-day-breakfast and lunch dishes here have distinctly Rhode Island touches. Try the cornmeal johnnycakes or one of the dozen-each versions of eggs Benedict and omelets. Meaty torpedo sandwiches are daily lunchtime specials, along with healthy salads. Rhode Island coffee milk is the beverage of choice. jiggersdiner.com Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventur ..read more

2024 Best of Massachusetts: The Classics MASSACHUSETTS CLASSIC DINING BYOB RESTAURANT Black-Eyed Susan’s, Nantucket The glass rental fee is steep, so BYOG in addition to toting your favorite bottle of vino to this island restaurant, beloved for more than 30 years. Devotees who spent all of 2022 fearing for the intimate eatery’s life were delighted to reclaim their patio tables and stools overlooking the open kitchen when experienced new owners (Orla and Michael LaScola of The Proprietors) reopened the doors last summer. Chef Todd Edwards is back in the saddle, resurrecting favorites like ..read more

2024 Best of Maine: The Classics MAINE CLASSIC DINING FARM-TO-TABLE Chase’s Daily, Belfast A family farm since the early 1970s, Chase’s Daily added a restaurant in 2000. Recently, it transitioned from full-service to a seasonal counter-service spot. But much of the market/eatery’s charm is that it continually evolves, adding soft-serve ice cream, brewing a new hot sauce, streamlining the menu, pooling tips for fairer pay. The Chase family reminds us that with change comes opportunity (and Friday pizza nights). chasesdaily.me Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New Englan ..read more

2024 Best of Vermont: The Classics VERMONT CLASSIC DINING BISTRO Leunig’s Bistro, Burlington An Édith Piaf song in the Church Street Marketplace? It’s wafting out from Burlington’s little bit of Paris. Onion soup, foie gras, salade Niçoise, beef bourguignon, and steak frites—all the French comfort classics are here, along with American cuisine with a continental flair and an emphasis on Vermont cheeses. Tables spill out onto the brick walk, bringing bistro charm en plein air. leunigsbistro.com Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New England Summer Guide! Email(Required ..read more