Talk about an enduring family business. Woodman’s of Essex in Essex, Massachusetts, is well into its fifth generation of Woodman family ownership, and this well-known dine-in-the-rough seafood eatery shows no signs of slowing down. This 1999 painting by Christopher Gurshin tells much of the Woodman’s of Essex story. Photo Credit : Mike Urban Ever since Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman fried up his first batch of shucked, soft-shell clams on July 3, 1916, Woodman’s of Essex has been a major player on the New England seafood scene. Situated on a causeway between bends in the Essex River on Route 133 ..read more

Sponsored by Meet Boston Late on a July afternoon in the Seaport, a cool breeze off Boston Harbor carries the scents of salt and summer. Patrons sip Aperol spritzes on the restaurant patios that dot this up-and-coming neighborhood. A yoga class unfolds on the Lawn on D, a grassy park with a view of sailboats gliding by. As evening comes on, party lights glimmer over courtyards. It all feels so … coastal. And yet here are all the joys of being in a big city: world-class art and culture, buzzy metropolitan energy, and dining options that range from Mexican birria tacos to lobster rolls to upsca ..read more

Sponsored by Mass Farmers Markets If you want to discover the true flavor of Massachusetts, start by exploring its many farmers markets. From Boston to the Berkshires, you’ll find more than 200 of them, and their growing abundance speaks to the fact that these markets are more than just showcases of prime fruits and vegetables. Today’s Massachusetts farmers markets are a rich display of all things raised, harvested, or made locally—from baked goods to seafood, handcrafted gifts to holistic body care. In addition to agricultural staples like produce and dairy, Massachusetts farmers market ..read more

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism From the moment the Mayflower dropped anchor off Cape Cod up to the present day, Massachusetts has been a home for trailblazers. Its famous “firsts” in everything from recreation to civil rights have helped shape the nation and influence the world. And while its Revolutionary War sites may take center stage as America’s 250th approaches in 2026, the Bay State is filled with places to explore how its farsighted thinkers and doers have left their mark. Founded in 1634 and spanning 50 acres, Boston Common is the oldest public par ..read more

As food editor of Yankee and co-host of Weekends with Yankee, it’s my job to travel around New England trying all the great food that our region has to offer. In this regular column, I’ll share my favorite discoveries, from New England-made products to cheap eats to fine dining meals. Come along for the food crawl! The Best Things Our Food Editor Ate (and Drank) This May I have a lot of New England travel coming up—stay tuned!—but other than a trip to New York, I stayed close to Boston this month. And I ate well. 1. Beef Birria Tacos at Borrachito Tacqueria & Spirits in Boston Hand-presse ..read more

Begins JUNE 1 Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New England Summer Guide! Email(Required) Prescott Park Arts Festival Portsmouth’s annual party by the Piscataqua kicks off with a chowder fest—just a taste of what’s to come between now and September in an unforgettable 50th anniversary season of concerts, movies, live theater, and more. Portsmouth, NH Begins JUNE 1 Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New England Summer Guide! Email(Required) Newport International Polo Series Held on Saturdays through September, this horsey tradition hits th ..read more

You could drive past the entrance to Hogpen Hill Farms in Woodbury, Connecticut, a thousand times and never guess that it held 234 wavy acres seeded with a crop found nowhere else on earth. Some specimens are more than 30 feet tall. They’re all the product of Edward Tufte’s fertile mind, skilled hands, and contemplative eyes. Plant yourself beneath an 84-foot-long sculpture of a vintage Airstream, taillights aglow, held aloft on a beam so high that it appears poised to launch into the stratosphere. Marvel at massive rock compilations more intricate than Stonehenge. Wander through a bambo ..read more

History buffs rejoice! As one of the first areas populated by European settlers during the early 17th century, New England is a region teeming with historic sites and museums that showcase its heritage. Planning a visit and want to get your history on? Here are 25 of the best historic sites and museums in New England. 1. Plimoth Patuxet Museums | Plymouth, MA Upward of a million visitors flood into Plymouth every year to experience firsthand what life was like in one of America’s first colonies, and for good reason. Plimoth Patuxet provides an immersive, 360-degree view of history thanks to i ..read more

Do you remember the elation of the last day of school? Here in New England, June lobs up plenty of opportunities to feel the same child-like sense of exuberance, whether you’re enjoying simple pleasures like picking your own strawberries or biking Vermont’s Island Line Trail. As I look at my calendar for June, I’m astounded by the choices I’ll need to make. How are there so many enticing events happening simultaneously? I’m going to drop a few that are tugging at me below to help you sort your own June weekends, and perhaps we’ll bump into each other as I’m traveling throughout New England th ..read more

When it comes to gardening these days, any desire I may have to put something into the ground is quickly drowned out by the demands of work and parenthood. I buy those pretty seed packets…but never plant them. I research plans for a pollinator garden…but never buy the supplies. I want to grow my own vegetables…but shopping at the local farm stand is faster (and hey, it lets me support my neighbor farmers!). Basically, I have the interest but not the time. So what’s a busy garden lover to do? Turn to the Internet, naturally. After searching for “garden classes near me,” I waved good-bye to my ..read more