Newburyport, MA– How come I didn’t stumble across this gem of a town sooner? Wow, is NewburyPort gorgeous or what. I love the cobblestone sidewalks, cute shops, cafes and trendy yet elegant restaurant choices. The town is right on the water and is a historic seaport. A ton of historic events happened here, as in, the first Tea Party rebellion to oppose the British Tea Tax. Cool stuff. It’s a really cozy place with REALLY nice homes and colonial style buildings. It is one of the most New England feeling beach towns on the North Shore. You will fall in love. If you are looking for a cutesy history lesson, check out the Custom House Maritime Museum. This is where government officials hung out and facilitated trade agreements almost two centuries ago and still stands today as a maritime museum with cool exhibits on ship building and maritime art. Also, check out the Oldies Marketplace, where you can sift through neat and reasonably priced antiques in a huge barn right on the water and NewburyPort Harbor lighthouse on Plum Island right down the road. Plum Island is exquisite.

For great coffee that warms the soul, head to Souffles in Market Square. It has the prettiest interior and the Chai Latte with almond milk is divine. The pastries, muffins and biscotti looked delicious. For yummy cocktails, try Ceia Kitchen + Bar and the sister restaurant, Brine, if you are craving seafood. The Sea Scallops and Clam & Pork Chowder are a must.

Before heading out, take a drive through the residential areas bordering the downtown. The homes are beautiful, traditional yet all quite unique. Pick out your dream house(s).

Cambridge, MA– I freaking love the hipster, grungy, laid back, yet sophisticated vibe Cambridge gives off when I run its streets, drive its streets and just roam around. It’s a cool spot with great (rarely overrated) bars, music venues and neat landmarks. For example, Harvard University. Cool landmark. It has a stunning campus and is home to Harvard yard. You must walk through and snap pics or have an afternoon picnic here. It’s pretty.

All of the Squares in Cambridge are worth visiting and have some fantastic restaurants, bars and neat shops. My favorite squares include Inman, Harvard and Central in that order. Inman has a really hipster vibe, Harvard is just jam backed with restaurants, bars, theatres and music venues like Club Passim and Sinclaire, which are both great venues that host local talent and offer a cheap and fun night out. Central is just grungy but homey in a way, and it’s within walking distance of Live Alive, the best vegan spot ever, and is home to Brick and Mortar, one of my favorite places to grab cocktails. Also, check out the Middle East for up and coming local artists and bands in Central and Ryles in Inman if you are into jazz brunch or Latin and salsa night. Cool, cool spot.  Come in the fall or early Summer time before its blazing hot outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Alive// Cambridge 

Harwich, MA– This is such a cozy town to visit. No matter the season, this is a relaxing and perfect getaway spot. It will be a quick trip, but check out the First Crush Winery. Take a tour and taste some local wine.  Also, take a ride to Wequassett Resort and Wychmere. And, if you can afford it, stay at the Wequassett. If you love Wychmere, come back and have your wedding here. If you are not rolling in cash, just drive down and check these two spots out. Both offer spectacular water views and are really great romantic spots to grab a fancy cocktail in the warmer weather. Bank Street Beach is packed but a good spot to catch some rays if you are visiting in the warmer months and Red River Beach is less crowded for doing the same.

I love the super chic and small town shops here too. The downtown is so small town I can’t handle it. It makes me all warm inside. Sativa is the BEST shop for the newest and trendiest jewelry, clothing, home goods and accessories.   You won’t leave the shop without buying something and falling in love with everything, so be prepared. Some other local spots that can be found on the main drag of route 28 that I enjoy, include the Land Ho, Hot Stove and the Port for cocktails and Ember and Cape Sea Grille for dinner. Ember has fabulous pizza and Cape Sea Grille is a cozy restaurant that screams Cape Cod. They use local ingredients and the freshest seafood around. Splurge and have the lobster, scallop and shrimp pasta.

I love cozy Harwich and I know anyone who checks it out will love it too.

 

 

 

 

View driving into Wychmere // Harwich, MA

Worcester, MA– This city has potential and is totally up and coming or already trending. I’m not quite sure which one it is. Either way, there are some COOL spots to check out in Worcester right now, especially food wise. First Compton Collective. I stumbled across this gem because I co-own a polish pierogi business and applied to be a vendor in the Canal District Winter Farmers Market which is held every Saturday in the basement of the Crompton Collective. We were invited into the farmers market so I have been hanging here often. The building is so freaking neat and looks as if it used to be a factory of some sort. It has a very industrial vibe which is my favorite type of vibe right now. The farmers market is awesome and features a bunch of local vendors selling home-made coffee, fresh vegetables and fruit, specialty lotions, handmade whoopie pies and pierogi of course.

Crompton Collective itself is an antique and consignment shop full of unique items made my local artists and craftsman and vintage items that can literally only be found here. The shop is designed beautifully and you can spend hours in here, scoping out all of the eclectic pieces of art, furniture, jewelry and home goods. Upstairs, Birch Tree Bread Company offers homemade bread that is to die for and uses the bread to make a bunch of yummy breakfast and lunch items. Check out this dining spot. The restaurant/café’s interior is something else and they offer live music on the weekends. It’s very charming.

I love the specialty stores Worcester has to offer as well.  Golemo’s Polish Market is an old fashioned authentic Eastern European meat shop and reminds me of my grandfather’s polish store out in Feeding Hills, MA. This place is awesome. The European Bakery is steps away and sells Polish and Jewish baked goods and breads. Check both of these spots out. Millbury Street has some really old fashioned yet intriguing stores that you just want to poke your head into. My next food stop in Worcester though, will be Smokestack Urban Barbeque. It just looks like the BBQ would be to die for. If you’ve been, please let me know what you think.