iGetNewEngland // The Spirit of New England Travel and Life

Just off the Boat to Santarpio’s Pizza in Boston

by Suzy Guese

Santarpio’s Pizza may have cheesy billboards scattered along Boston’s freeways, but its feel is far from commercial. Walking into the understated pizzeria, groups of old men entering are not speaking English. Italian is the language of dinner chatter at Santarpio’s, boding well for its food’s reputation.

Inducted into the Boston Hall of Fame and a winner of a few mouthfuls of Best of Boston awards, Santarpio’s does not look like a trophy winner. Located just off the freeway in east Boston, Santarpio’s exterior has a no frills appearance. A mud colored sign complete with a typical looking pizza maker holding a pie, guides drivers and street wanderers through its simple white door.

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A Weekend in Northampton, Massachusetts

by Courtney Iseman

Looking for something a little more relaxing than the big city, but a little less boring than the county? Northampton, Massachusetts is a small town that’s laid-back and easygoing, but with lots to do and a hip, artsy vibe. Whether you’re a vinyl junkie, an environmentalist, a new mom and dad with kids in tow, or a retired stockbroker, Northampton has something for you.

The first thing to do in Northampton is the thing you’ll want to do the most: take a stroll through town and see what’s around, and enjoy the variety of shops the town has to offer. Make sure you stop into Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium at 141 Main Street, a chocolate wonderland packed with different treats everywhere you look. If you’re overwhelmed with the choices, go for the chocolate covered marzipan – you won’t be sorry.

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Strolling through the North River Wildlife Sanctuary Set to the Music of Hundreds of Birds

by Suzy Guese

The south shore landscapes of Massachusetts are normally explored by two modes of transportation, car or boat. By parking the car and docking the boat, walkers can get back to New England nature and explore the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.

Settled in the 1630s, the town of Marshfield lays the setting for the North River Wildlife Sanctuary, coming to fruition when Civil War era descendant Elizabeth Killam Rodgers donated the land to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the largest conservation organization in New England.

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The Mohawk Trail

by Courtney Iseman

A highway stretching from the New York/Massachusetts border to the Connecticut River, the Mohawk Trail is one of New England’s relatively hidden gems. Instead of the usual New England destinations, give this journey a try. It has something for everyone – literally, from art to hiking. A perfect family adventure in all seasons, the Mohawk Trail is really in its glory during the fall, when the foliage is stunning. There are many stops to hit on the trail, so you’d better get going

First stop: Williamstown, right near the New York/Massachusetts border. Williamstown is your quintessential cozy New England town, and makes for a relaxing stroll with plenty to see. Browse through the Williams College Museum of Art, and rack up those culture points on the Trail. The museum has a strong focus on 17th and 18th century art. If 19th century French is more your style, Williamstown still has you covered with the Sterling and Francine Clarke Art Institute.

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East Coast Grill in Cambridge Sorts out Casual Fine Dining

by Suzy Guese

Most restaurants with exposed kitchens serve fries in a plastic burger basket. The quality of food is normally sub par and the menus have pictures of every item available just in case diners need a visual. The East Coast Grill in Cambridge may have that exposed open kitchen diners can stare at during dinner, but the menus do not come with pictures and the food is far from sub par.

Opened in August 1985, the motto here is casual fine dining. Most restaurants with this tagline seem to be in a state of confusion, not knowing if the wait staff should wear button up crisp white shirts with ties while serving barbecued pork sandwiches. East Coast Grill has sorted out the confusion and its popularity proves just that.

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Berkshire Spotlight: Great Barrington

by Sarah Silbert

Located 135 miles west of Boston, Great Barrington is a quaint town in the Housatonic River Valley. With a location near the Stockbridge, Lee, and Pittsfield, Great Barrington is well connected to the famous arts and outdoors of this region of Massachusetts. (The village of Housatonic is known for its small but respected artist community, and the Norman Rockwell Museum is down the road in Stockbridge.

Visitors passing through the area will no doubt want to check out Tanglewood—the Stockbridge-Lee venue famous for its summer concert series, and the Beartown State Forest, which briefly intersects with the Appalachian Trail. Arlo Guthrie fans should plan a trip to Alice’s Restaurant in nearby Stockbridge: it’s the very place named in his 18-minute song.

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