I don’t know about others, but I feel that I couldn't have made a better choice for my first trip to the United States than New England, a region so steeped in history that it’s regarded as the ‘birthplace’ of the U.S., as this is where European colonists first landed when they discovered America. New England encompasses six of the founding states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island, and aside from its many historical landmarks, it is also known across the country for its culinary treasures: New England boasts some of the most beloved and cherished dishes in traditional American cuisine!
It’s no surprise, given the region's diverse landscape: with its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and mountains whose winding roads reminded me a lot of the scenery in Romania, New England has the potential to offer something for everyone—if explored with an open heart.
And that’s exactly what I aimed to do: to explore America beyond the prejudices and clichés associated with fast food. Thus, I discovered, amidst many road trips on winding highways, a surprising land filled with stories and friendly people.
As for gastronomy, New England clam chowder, Maine lobster roll, Boston baked beans, and especially USDA prime steak were all on my must-try list—so each day spent there brought a new discovery. Therefore, fair warning: this will be a long article—if you don’t like stories, you can close it now; you’ve already formed an impression of New England. But if you’re a storyteller at heart, keep reading. You might just enjoy it and end up with a smile at the end of the article.
First Impressions. Plymouth, Portsmouth, Newport, Manchester—at first glance, it looks like England, but it’s not England. It’s New England. Many small towns, especially those along the coast, with their old, traditional inns, remind European visitors of British style. “There’s a reason why it’s called New England,” an American would reply.
Yet, at the same time, if someone were to blindfold you and ask you to guess where you are, it would be impossible to miss: from the coast to the mountain tops, you’ll see enough flags to remind you that you are in the United States of America.
As for the cottages, in New England, they captivate you at first sight. Most are white, made of weathered wood, with porches and well-kept green lawns, typically maintained with meticulous care, harmoniously lining a landscape that feels oddly familiar. Ah, yes. In American movies.
The distances between them may seem vast, but soon you begin to discover that everything is bigger in America: cars, houses, roads, and portion sizes. However, the distances between people are not; they are incredibly communicative and don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with you wherever you are: in line at the supermarket, at a restaurant, at a gas station, in an elevator, or in a hotel lobby. It’s another cultural difference for us Europeans, for whom the first lesson learned in childhood is not to talk to strangers. This only made the exploration even more enjoyable, from sea to mountain. But let’s take them one at a time: the sea, the mountain, the food.
THE SEA. The coastal landscapes of New England are primarily marked by a flat terrain and are distinguished by the unique style of houses lining the shore. There is so much to tell—I am, after all, a declared sea person—but since I fear this article might turn into a Balzacian novel, I will briefly mention just a few places that I particularly enjoyed:
✔️Kennebunk Port (in Maine) – perhaps also because it was the first stop on my entire American journey, which began with a lobster harvesting cruise and, of course, with the first in the long series of lobster rolls I tried in New England.
✔️Black Point Inn, Scarborough (also in Maine) – one of the oldest and most elegant grand hotels on the coast, featuring a superb view from the restaurant terrace overlooking the beach and ocean.
✔️York Harbour Inn (also in Maine) – I only made a brief stop here, but York is the kind of place that blends green hills, blue sea, and elegant white houses, making it impossible not to pause here, even if just for a little while.
✔️Hampton Beach (New Hampshire) – an expansive beach as far as the eye can see, home to the largest seagulls I’ve ever seen. They inspired me to buy a sweatshirt there with the state motto, "Live free or die."
✔️Rockport, Massachusetts – the coastal town I loved the most among all those visited: a mix of art galleries, artist studios, handmade shops, an abundance of fresh lobsters, and friendly, smiling people, with a coastal landscape that looks like something out of paintings (perhaps that’s what inspired many here to become artists?). Rockport is also home to Motif No. 1, widely known as the most painted building in America. In Rockport, I experienced both rain and sunshine, in that exact order, which only added to the charm of my visit—Rockport is undoubtedly a town you fall in love with at first sight.
THE MOUNTAIN. As I mentioned, the mountainous region of New England often reminded me of the mountainous landscapes back home, including bears wandering onto the roads and Decebal carved into the mountain—except in the American version, it's called The Old Man of the Mountains and is located in Franconia, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the face of the Old Man of the Mountains, sculpted by nature in the rocks, literally fell off: in 2003, due to severe winters in the area, what appeared to be the face of the old stone figure broke away from the mountain, but the locals still remember him fondly.
The mountainous area, just like the coastal one, attracts many tourists in all seasons: Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States, making the entire area a paradise for those passionate about skiing and winter sports or hiking and camping during the summer. In autumn, the mountainous region is breathtakingly beautiful, especially in New Hampshire and Vermont, where tourists from all over the country come to witness what is known as ‘Fall foliage,’ the phenomenon of leaves turning rusty as summer transitions to fall. I only caught the timid beginning of this phenomenon, which fully displays its splendor in September and October. But I saw many other wonderful sights, of which I will share my favorites below:
My absolute favorite in the mountainous area was a place called Tall Timber Lodge, located in Pittsburg, New Hampshire’s North Country, not far from the Canadian border. The place combines the tranquility of sometimes weak cell service with the charm of cabins that feel straight out of a story. In the evening, you can enjoy a dinner of snails, duck, and good wine by candlelight in the lodge’s well-known restaurant, and in the morning, sip your coffee by the lake while the only sound is that of swimming ducks, adding to the magic of the place.
Mount Washington Resort (New Hampshire), one of the grand hotels from the early 20th century, which also houses an old speakeasy from the Prohibition era.
North Conway and its surroundings, with the scenic train (a sort of “Mocăniță”) that departs from there, taking tourists on a discovery experience of the region. I didn’t ride the North Conway Scenic Railroad, but I caught it in action. 🙂
The roads, some of them spectacular like a rollercoaster, are a delight for photographers, bikers, and travelers in general—Kangamangus Highway is one of the most famous in the country, especially for its autumn foliage (which, again, I regret not having witnessed!).
THE FOOD. Among all the roads, it was only natural that food would play an important role in my journey through New England. And New England did not disappoint! Here’s what I tried and enjoyed:
New England clam chowder (or, in the local accent, chowda), a creamy clam soup specific to the region, both hearty and flavorful, which I didn’t hesitate to try every chance I got. My absolute favorite was one with clams, potatoes, and a touch of bacon, served, in keeping with tradition, alongside oyster crackers.
New England lobster roll (or, in the local accent, lobsta) – I sampled this repeatedly, as it was the theme of the entire journey.
Maine mussels – large and meaty, but above all, incredibly fresh.
The famous Boston baked beans, with the traditional version of hot dogs & beans.
Fish & chips (when in New England…).
I saved American beef for last because I felt it deserved special mention: tender, juicy, organic, straight from farms where the animals roam freely on pastures, American beef is at the top of my list of must-try ingredients. It impressed me in every form I tried, from classic burgers to the so-called Delmonico steaks. USDA prime truly deserves its reputation. 🙂
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