This year for my birthday trip, I did a road trip up the New England coast and then explored Nova Scotia. This was the best birthday trip so far. Half of the trip I did on my own this was actually quite awesome. Traveling by yourself is probably the coolest thing I've ever done and I can't wait to do it again. Although I'm thinking next year, I'll visit Chicago and would love a travel buddy!
I started my trip off by attending one of my good friend's weddings. This was near Hartford, Connecticut. Beautiful wedding and bride! I had a fantastic time and best part, there was a doughnut wall!
After the wedding, I picked my best friend up from the airport to join me on half of my birthday excursion.
Day 1, leave Connecticut and head over to Cape Cod, Ma. I've heard this is one of the most beautiful places to visit during the summer. We drove through Rhode Island which I blinked and that was over and got to Cape Cod in about two hours. We got to see the coast which is so different than the beaches I'm used to but I loved it. We saw a few lighthouses but sadly couldn't climb any of them. Seeing the Cape Cod Chip lighthouse was one of my favorites. Yes we brought the bag of chips with us. After exploring the area all afternoon, we decided to head up to Boston. Although the way we stumbled upon Plymouth Rock and the Reserve. Usually the Reserve is closed by the time we got there but an event was going on so we got lucky. Then we stopped by Plymouth Rock which was the cutest little town. We saw the "imfamous" Rock which I thought would be bigger. Later we arrived in Boston and we stayed at one of the brand new Marriott's right in downtown and the view was beyond amazing.
The first day in Boston we toured the town of Salem, home of the witch trials and where they shot some of the movie, Hocus Pocus. Another precious little town with plenty to photograph. We did the Witch Dungeon Museum which was ok nothing super exciting. Honestly I wouldn't even bother with this if you visit..maybe try the other museums. Then we saw the house they used in Hocus Pocus and again, it's much smaller in person. We talked to the old couple sitting on the front porch and asked about the movie being filmed there. They saw they have owned the house for 54 years. They were...interesting. We then headed back into the city to see Harvard University and a drive by of Fenway Park. Then dinner in Little Italy. I have to say I was not impressed with the food....Manhattan is better but Mike's Pastries were delicious.
Day 2 of Boston we did some tourist stuff...seeing Faneuil Hall, Boston Tea Party, Beacon Hill and the Public Garden. I absolutely loved Boston! There will be another trip there for sure.
My best friend had to fly back home for work and because she doesn't have a passport. The rest of the trip I did on my own. After dropping her off at the Boston airport, I headed north up to Hampton Beach, NH. Once again, cutest little coastal town. I stayed at this cute little Inn with such a homie vibe.
The next day I drove up the coast towards Portland, ME. The northern coast is gorgeous and I loved seeing landscapes I've never seen before. Growing up in North Carolina, all I knew was Carolina beaches. Then when I moved to California, I got to see completely different coastlines and now living in Florida more of different beaches. I'm so happy I have been able to see most of the country's coastlines.
I stayed in Portland that night at a gorgeous waterfront hotel. I was upgraded to a corner suite and best hotel room I've ever stayed in. I didn't even want to leave to explore the city or get food. I just wanted to hang out in this beautiful suite. The shower was the best part though! I have a photo! That night I went exploring downtown Portland and had dinner at a restaurant called David's. I ordered a lobster roll because I can't do a New England road trip without trying lobster. This was the first time trying lobster and it was ok....the chewy texture was not my thing.
The next day I got up earlyish.... to see some of Portland's lighthouses before heading over to the boat shuttle. I saw more of downtown and two lighthouses...again couldn't climb either. Then I drove over to the Cat Ferry that takes you to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Took awhile to load the boat because you can being cars on. The boat ride took about 5.5 hours and it did not have wifi! And the food was awful but best way to get to Canada. I got to Nova Scotia around 10 because we left Portland late. Took a long time to upload the boat and get through customs. I didn't leave customs until about 1130 and had a three hour drive to Halifax. I got to the hotel in Halifax at 230 in the morning. I was exhausted.
I had the entire next day to explore the southern coast of Nova Scotia. First stop was Peggy's Cove. One of the most beautiful sites! I love how the lighthouse sits on massive rocks that lead down into the ocean. Just seeing how different everything was was amazing. The roads are different, the houses, even the color of the architecture. I loved it. I had lunch at Peggy's Cove and my server said she just got back from a vacation in Siesta Key. Crazy small world.
Then I headed down the coast to more little towns and seeing incredible views. I got back to Yarmouth to see one more lighthouse before going to the hotel. The boat left at 8am the next day to head back to Portland. Then I went straight to the airport. Took 19 hours to get home...super long day.
This was a spectacular trip and even though I was gone for 9 days, it wasn't enough. I'm going to make another trip to Boston for sure and I would also love to see the north side of Nova Scotia one day. The best part was traveling alone. It was amazing! This will be a hard trip to top but like I said next year is Chicago, the next year is a pacific northwest road trip into Vancouver. Then I'm spending my 30th birthday in Iceland. So much to look forward to but for now, here are all the photos from this trip!
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