For all boaters and lovers of things nautical, here is a New England Getaway that should not be missed.  From September 16^th to the 19^th, Newport, Rhode Island becomes the center of the yacht world with the fantastic Newport International Boat Show.  Newport has historically been the summer home of the New York Yacht Club, which defended the America’s Cup throughout most of the history of this great racing challenge.  On these few days in September of each year, the entire waterfront area in the heart of Newport is transformed into a gallery of boats, boating supplies and products for every size boat, from dinghy to mega-yacht.  The boat show is an in-the-water affair, with every conceivable boat and yacht on display for your visit.  Manufacturers from around the world are present to show off their newest designs and to get you interested in their boats.  This show clearly takes over Newport with sailors and boaters alike enjoying everything that this amazing place has to offer.  Food, wine and drinks are available at dockside from the many restaurants and bars that are located right on the harbor.  For anyone interested in boating, sailing and yachts, this is a must see!

So make your reservations now to attend this great boat show.  One of the best things about Newport, other than the fabulous mansions that you can also visit while you are there, is the fact that one of our Distinctive Inns, Cliffside Inn, is right in the middle of it all.  Located right nearby the fabulous Newport Cliff Walk, Cliffside Inn is the perfect place to stay while you enjoy Newport and the boat show.  So don’t hesitate, make your reservations now.  This event fills up all of Newport very quickly.  See you on the water!

The Camden Windjammer Festival takes place every year on Labor Day Weekend, and is a real celebration of this beautiful harbor on the Coast of Maine.   Billed as the place where the mountains meet the sea, this is a really spectacular spot to enjoy a late summer getaway. 

The Windjammer Festival celebrates the great sailing schooners which are a part of Camden’s maritime history.  The Maine Windjammer Fleet sails into the picturesque harbor and all of the ships are available for visits.  The festival itself is in the waterfront parking lot right behind all of the shops and restaurants of Camden and in the waterfront park overlooking the Harbor.  The Festival is replete with many exhibitions and performances throughout the Labor Day Weekend.  Schooner rides are available throughout the period, and many of the shops have specials for just this festival.  All of the restaurants gear up for this very popular weekend.

This Windjammer Festival is truly a celebration for this seaside community, and should be on everyone’s list of things to do and see in Maine this summer.  Luckily, one of our fantastic Distinctive Inns, the Camden Maine Stay Inn, is located right in the heart of Camden in the High Street Historic District, just a few blocks from this Festival.  So make your reservations as soon as possible, because both Camden and the Inn will fill up quickly.  Best of all, enjoy the Windjammers, as they are a spectacular treasure of Maine!

For those of you who like modern, contemporary art, here is a museum visit that you should definitely schedule this summer or fall.  Like MOMA, its larger counterpart in New York City, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (“MoCA”) is a pleasure to visit in any season.  Located in North Adams, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshires, this museum is a joy to all of the senses.  The exhibits change frequently and include not only visual art, but music and tactile experiences which are clearly designed to be stimulating and thought-provoking. 

With respect to the current exhibit of the work of Petah Coyne (see above) Sebastian Smee from The Globe loved the show saying, “MASS MoCA, the most consistently stimulating museum devoted to contemporary art in New England, has space to burn, making it the ideal place to show this kind of work. I admired the fearlessness of her aesthetic, which is the absolute antithesis of minimalist cool.” Read the rest of the review.

Also at the MoCA is a fantastic exhibit of recent photographs by artist/actor Leonard Nemoy, along with many other shows, concerts and presentations.  Visit the MoCA website for more information and a calendar of events.

The greatest thing about visiting the MoCA is that it is located right in the middle of two of our great Distinctive Inns, Deerfield Inn and Gateways Inn.  It is a wonderful, scenic drive from either locations to the MoCA.  Combine your museum visit with a relaxing stay at either Inn and also enjoy the fabulous dining experience that either can offer.  So don’t hesitate to call either inn to schedule your visit this summer or fall.