Kim's New England Travel Blog

Did you know that Six Flags New England, the region's largest theme park, operates through October? As an added incentive to visit the park between September 27 and November 2, Six Flags New England hosts its annual Halloween Fright Fest. Here's your guide to all of the thrills that await at Six Flags, plus tips on how to save money on admission to the park.

_{Darren McCollester / Getty Images}

New additions this week to Kim's New England Deal Sheet:

• Bank of America customers enjoy free admission the first weekend of each month at 10 New England museums;
• The historic Griswold Inn in Connecticut offers a special weeknight rate of just $125 for one night, $175 for two double occupancy; and
• Maine's eco-conscious Samoset Resort has a special Go Green package that includes everything from organic wine to a conservation donation in your name.

_{Griswold Inn photo © 2007 Kim Knox Beckius.}

When you visit New England in the fall, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous autumn colors. You'll also be surrounded by... fellow leaf peepers! You can "lose yourself" for a little bit, though, even amid the throngs of fall foliage groupies--at a corn maze! There are dozens of corn mazes in New England, and some of them are already open.

Before you go, cook yourself a hearty morning meal with one of these Breakfast Recipes from New England Inns.

More Family Fun: Get Ready for Fall!

• Free Fall Leaf Coloring Pages
• Get a Free Fall Leaf in the Mail
• Leaf Identification Guide
• Autumn Screensavers

_{Mega Maze photo © 2001 Kim Knox Beckius}

The Pilot Pen Tennis tournament gets underway Sunday, August 17, at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven. Although the timing of the Summer Olympics has somewhat diluted the Pilot Pen field, the tournament will still draw many of the top names in tennis to Connecticut, and you can still get tickets to see Amelie Mauresmo, Agnieszka Radwanska, Fernando Verdasco and other world-ranked tennis players compete. Pilot Pen is the final tournament in the six-week US Open Series leading into the US Open.

Also This Month...

• Boston Restaurant Week runs August 10-15 and August 17-22.
• Zucchinis fly at the Vermont State Zucchini Festival in Ludlow August 16-17.
• Celebrate Maine's state fruit at the Blueberry Festival in Machias August 15-17.
• Filene's Basement Wedding Dress Sale is August 22 in Boston.

_{Photo of 2005 Pilot Pen champion Lindsay Davenport © 2005 Kim Knox Beckius}

New additions this week to Kim's New England Deal Sheet:

• Leaf peep and moose peep with the Moose Mania package at New Hampshire's Bartlett Inn;
• Savor a five-course wine dinner and endless desserts during a one-night wine lovers' escape priced at just $219 for two at Vermont's Eddington House Inn; and
• Enjoy a two-night New Hampshire fall foliage getaway including breakfasts, a lunch, a dinner and a scenic train ride for as little as $359 per couple at Dana Place Inn.

Considering a small inn for your New England stay? Read my tips on How to Choose a New England B&B.

_{New Hampshire moose photo © 2003 Kim Knox Beckius.}

Many people planning New England trips go online to get free driving directions. But which online driving directions tools are the best and most accurate? During my travels, I've had the opportunity to field test many free driving directions services. Here's my review of six sites where you can get free driving directions online.

Poll: Which Online Driving Directions Site Do You Use?

In New England, of course, the fastest way isn't always the best way to travel from place to place. New England's country roads beckon to drivers throughout the year, but there's no more magnificent time for a drive than autumn. Here are some driving tours for exploring New England's winding highways, covered bridges and secluded spots. You'll find suggested driving tours for all six New England states, plus neighboring New York.

New England's Most Spectacular Drives

• Motoring Through Moose Alley
• One Drive, Five Covered Bridges
• Portland to Rangeley Lake
• New Hampshire's National Scenic Byway with the Tongue-Twister Name

_{Fall photo © 2001 Kim Knox Beckius.}

It's almost back-to-school time. Tie on your most comfortable sneakers, flex those shopping bag-carrying biceps and head for New England, where outlet shopping is more than a mere added vacation attraction--it's a reason to visit all by itself!

Before you go, read my tips on how to be a smart outlet shopper, so you'll know when a deal is a deal.

Extra Savings Next Weekend! Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday is August 16-17.

_{Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets photo © 2007 Kim Knox Beckius.}

New additions this week to Kim's New England Deal Sheet:

• Spend the weekend of October 10-12 in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, enjoying leaves and lobster with a three-night package priced from $297 per person;
• Plan a quick, cheap, last-minute escape to the Massachusetts North Shore this weekend with a $91 Marriott eBreak room rate at the TownePlace Suites in Danvers; and
• Save 10 percent on gourmet blueberry goodies from Maine's Stonewall Kitchen this month.

Mark Your Calendar for Another Great Deal!
Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday Weekend is August 16-17, 2008.

_{Stonewall Kitchen Company Store in York, Maine, photo © 2008 Kim Knox Beckius.}

August is peach picking season in New England, and the farm markets and grocery stores will soon display fragrant, fuzzy, juicy and delightful peaches grown locally. Whether you pick your own peaches or simply purchase them, here are two dozen recipes direct from New England that take full advantage of the flavor of fresh peaches.

More Summertime Recipes from New England

• How to Grill Lobsters
• Summer Harvest Penne Recipe, from my New England Kitchen
• Beer-Basted Cheeseburger Recipe, from Beer Works restaurants in Massachusetts
• Lavender Lemonade Recipe, from Cape Cod's Ocean Edge Resort

_{Getty Images/Bread and Butter photo.}

Summer isn't over until the first leaf falls. If you'd still like to plan a summer escape, here are a few suggestions:

• Find sun and fun at Maine's Old Orchard Beach;
• Play all day at Six Flags New England (I'll even tell you how to save money on tickets);
• Catch a concert at Tanglewood in the Berkshires;
• Delve into a mystery in New Hampshire at America's Stonehenge;
• Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Boston's Freedom Trail;
• Take the kids to America's oldest theme park, Connecticut's Lake Compounce;
• Have a memorable stay on Boston's North Shore;
• Stroll along Newport, Rhode Island's famous Cliff Walk.

_{Old Orchard Beach photo © 2004 Kim Knox Beckius.}