Best Columbus Day weekend ideas?

by philg

Folks:

I’m looking for good Columbus Day weekend ideas for here in New England. Apple picking does not count. Hiking and biking are too obvious.

If someone asked me what to do I would tend to say “helicopter tour over the foliage”. A friend is going to stay in a lighthouse (now bed and breakfast) on an island off the coast of Maine (see http://whiteheadlightstation.org ; click top of page for Columbus Day package). If the weather is bad, maybe the Ellsworth Kelly show at the MFA (open on Mondays, unlike a lot of museums)?

Who has better ideas?

6 thoughts on “Best Columbus Day weekend ideas?”

  2. Cape Ann: Gloucester, Rockport, Halibut Point Park.

    Gloucester is a working man’s port. Loads of history. Great ethnic food. A beautiful harbor walk and park. And my favorite, a leisurely walk along the working docks where the fishing boats tie up.

    Rockport can be a tad buzzy, but classic New England where the 18th century is only a few coats of paint away.

    If you’ve never been, Halibut Point Park is must see. Walk the quarry rim. Then out to the far point. Look at the rocks below and think of their age and the pounding they’ve seen over the epochs. Now look up at the horizon. You feel you can almost see Portugal. Memorable, especially at sunrise.

    You don’t know how lucky you are to live in New England unless you’ve lived in Omaha. Four-hundred miles in any direction before you get out of corn.

  3. I second the recommendation for Halibut Point, a lovely spot for an
    oceanside stroll with spectacular views. The small parking lot fills
    up so go early or go late in the afternoon for sunset.

    For a more ambitious weekend ocean adventure, I suggest Acadia
    National Park, Bar Harbor ME. With 45 miles of carriage roads both in
    the woods and along the ocean, it is perfect for cycling especially
    for an old guy with a small passenger on board and pets are
    permitted.

    http://www.nps.gov/acad/

  4. @Beau, I dunno; it’s Canadian Thanksgiving up there. Hopefully the red light district gets a day off.

  6. Fly to Burlington, Vermont, see leaves, pick apples, go to the paper cutting exhibit at the Shelburne Museum and walk around the rest of the museum.

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