New England Quilt Tour

"Indian Summer for Quilters"

Day 1
Boston MA

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Credit: New York Times

Tour members arrive at Boston Logan Int’l Airport in the early afternoon. Take a short taxi ride to your downtown hotel, The Boxer Hotel. The hotel is conveniently located within a 5-minute walk of the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and the waterfront.

Meet your tour escort at “Finch” located in the hotel this evening for a get acquainted drink and to meet your travel companions.

Dinner is suggested at one of the many superb restaurants located within easy walking distance   from your hotel.

Day 2
Boston MA

Boott Cotton Mill Museum
Boott Cotton Mill Museum

Jlpapple (Own work)/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Your local tour guide will join you in the lobby for a walking tour through historic Boston along the “Freedom Trail”. You will see 16 historically significant sites such as Boston Common and Paul Revere House.

The remainder of the day is free to explore historical Boston on your own. (B)

Day 3
Boston - Lowell, MA - Hampton NH

The Cape Neddick Lighthouse
The Cape Neddick Lighthouse

Breakfast in the hotel. You have the morning free. Grab a quick lunch before checking out of the hotel around noon and depart for the short trip to Lowell, Ma. known for its heritage connected to the textile industry. Proceed to the “New England Quilt Museum.” Enjoy a guided tour of the museum by a docent, followed by a quilting workshop with a professional quilter.

Next is a tour through Lowell National Historical Park, commemorating Lowell’s role in the American Industrial Revolution. Visit the Boott Cotton Mill Museum, including a 1920s weave room containing 88 looms operating with the help of belts, shafts and pulleys – self guided. Depart for the charming village of Hampton, New Hampshire. Your accommodations for the next two nights will be at Lamie’s Inn, a traditional New England Inn known for its cozy atmosphere and warm hospitality.

Meet for drinks at “The Old Salt” followed by a festive Welcome Dinner. (B)

Day 4
Hampton NH - Cape Neddick ME - Portsmouth NH - Hampton NH

Keepsake QuiltingCredit: Google Maps

Breakfast buffet from 7:30-8:30 in the “Old Salt”. Depart for Portsmouth, NH a delightful city on the ocean, driving along the scenic ocean Route 1A. Arrive in the Portsmouth downtown harbor area a busy and colorful area perfect for browsing and shopping. Visit Portsmouth Fabric Company, one of the largest and most unique fabric and quilt stores in New England.  Lunch is suggested at The Oar House Restaurant.  After lunch enjoy a short walking tour of old Portsmouth.

Next take the short drive to Cape Neddick, Maine to view The Cape Neddick Lighthouse that stands on Nubble Island about 100 yards (91 m) off Cape Neddick Point. Depart Cape Neddick for your last stop today – the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge for a refreshing walk along the saltwater marshlands, a wonderful experience during the fall foliage season. Return to Lamies Inn for the 2nd night. (B)

 

 

 

Day 5
Hampton NH - Canterbury NH - Henniker NH - Burlington VT

Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works
Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works

Credit: The Morse Farm (Facebook)

Early departure from Hampton for Canterbury Shaker Village (NH). A guided tour will explain how the Shakers lived a nearly monastic lifestyle that stressed pacifism, communal ownership, celibacy, gender equality, industriousness and plain, simple living. You will see 25 restored, original buildings and learn how the Shakers lived, worked and worshiped.

Continue on your journey to the village of Henniker for a visit to Quilted Threads, called a “Quilter’s Dream.” Within the walls of a converted farm house and barn – shoppers find the most carefully selected materials for all their quilting needs. After your visit its a must to see the beautiful covered bridge in Henniker for photos.  Continue to Burlington VT and check in to the Holiday Inn Express for the next two nights. (B)

 

 

 

Day 6
Burlington VT - Shelburne VT - Burlington VT

Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury Shaker Village

Breakfast at hotel then depart for a “Quilt Store Hop”.  The first stop is at “Yankee Pride Quilts” in Exxex Junction then on to “Stonehurst Quilting” located in Colchester, VT.

Continue on to Shelburne, VT and arrive at lunch time at the Shelburne Museum. You can have lunch at the museums cafe where you can order sandwiches, soups and snacks.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Shelburne Museum’s large complex of galleries and 25 historic structures spread over 45 acres. The museum’s quilt collection is known internationally for its exceptional artistic quality.This visit is one of the highlights of your tour. After visiting the quilt gallery continue on to explore the many other collections the museum has to offer; a textile gallery; hooked rugs, fabrics; embroidery and American Folk Art. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Express. (B)

 

 

 

Day 7
Burlington VT - Montpelier VT - Ogunquit, ME

Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit, Maine

Depart for Montpelier, a picturesque New England town and the capital of Vermont. Upon arrival in Montpelier  you visit with “A Quilters Garden” for a short class or demonstration and shopping!   Lunch in downtown Montpelier. Next visit the Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works where you will see a video on  how maple syrup is processed and then enjoy the free samples in the store.

The final phase of today’s journey takes us east towards Portsmouth and to the Atlantic Ocean. Arrive in Ogunquit and check in for your last two nights at the Admirals Inn. The inn is just steps from the shops, restaurants the rocky coastline and “the beach” which have made the area a famous vacation destination.   (B)

 

Day 8
Ogunquit ME

Perkins Cove - Ogunquit, Maine
Perkins Cove – Ogunquit, Maine

Breakfast on your own..just a short walk (7 minutes) to the center of Ogunquit.  We recommend breakfast at the “Village Food Market.”

Your last day in New England to spend as you wish in beautiful picturesque Ogunquit. Any tour should be well balanced to include ample leisure time for shopping or a walk on the beach. Today you’ll want to explore this cozy, ocean-side village whose streets are lined with white clapboard cottages and picket fences. Shore Road leads to Perkins Cove, a quaint working harbor with a footbridge spanning its entrance. Perkins Cove offers specialty shops, waterfront restaurants and art galleries. “The Front Porch Piano Bar and Restaurant” is a good choice for dinner this evening,

Day 9
Ogunquit - Boston MA - Home

Today our journey ends . Depart  beautiful Ogunquit  after breakfast and checkout for the Boston International Airport and your flight home. We offer hotel accommodations for guests wanting to extend their stay in Boston.