My family always went to Florida or Ocean City Maryland for our vacations so I’d never been to New England. Our friends Kerry and Kyle got married in Portland a couple of weekends ago so Ben and I decided to do a quick New England tour. We hit Portland, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island and Mystic, Connecticut. It was a very busy weekend!

I was so disappointed to see the fog when we drove up to the lighthouse, but I got some pretty sweet pictures because of the fog.

The next couple of pictures were taken in Portland. Benny is a wonderful husband and carries my camera bag as much as possible to save my shoulders… even when I use my pink Kelly Moore bag. He’s a keeper 🙂

I just loved all the architectural details and colors in Portland.

I don’t want to post too many pictures since I wasn’t the photographer at Kerry + Kyle’s wedding, but I had to post just a couple. Kerry is beautiful and the two of them together are so cute!

Some of my Penn State girls! Love them so much!!

The photographer had left and I just couldn’t help myself 🙂

On that Sunday we went to Boston and we did A LOT!

They were handing out samples of clam chowder and lobster bisque at Quincy Market. I don’t like seafood and had never tried either so I figured what the heck I’m in New England, it’s free and it’s only a little sample. Turns out it wasn’t too bad, mostly creamy!

We mostly followed the Freedom Trail that goes all around Boston and hits the major sites.

Old churches have a special place in my heart in general, but I really love when they have a significant history. Old North is known for when two lanterns were hung in the church’s steeple during the Revolutionary War to signal that the British were coming by sea. You may remember learning the phrase “One if by land, two if by sea,” in your history class.

The pews had the high walls around them because it was believed that the time in church was personal and private so each family had their own enclosed pew. The higher the status of the family the closer to the pulpit their pew would be.

It’s also the oldest church building in Boston and still holds weekly services.

We also stopped at Paul Revere’s house, I really loved the stain glass.

Near North Church there is the Printing Office of Edes & Gill where a functional 18 century printing press is displayed.

The graphic designer in me loved the printing press. I really wanted to get in there and play with it.

I have a thing for anchors, I love how they look and the stability and security they represent. Since we were around a lot of water that weekend I saw and took a lot of pictures of anchors 🙂 This one was near the USS Constitution Museum.

Halfway through our day I was getting pretty tired and needed a little pick me up! Chocolate and caramel gelato was the perfect cure!

It was still spring in New England so the tulips were out!

I wanted to tour the Boston Tea Party ships, but it was too late in the evening.

On Monday we continued our tour and went to Newport, Rhode Island. Turns out we have a fort there, Fort Adams! 🙂

There’s a cliff walk that goes all along the cliffs and water, but we decided to just drive some of it and stop for a couple of pictures.

It was a tad bit windy.

Then we went down into the town of Newport. So beautiful and picture perfect!

There were so many cute little stores and outdoor restaurants.

Like I said, I love anchors.

On our way back to New York we stopped at Mystic, Connecticut. I was pretty worn out and shopped out from Newport so we mainly walked around the harbor.

I loved the dog on the boat!

I know nothing about sailing, but I really do love nautical touches!

One last anchor.

Whew, I’m now realizing how much we did in one weekend and I’m sure we still missed so much!