When I lost my job in May, I was devastated. But I would be lying if I said that there wasn’t a sense of freedom associated with it as well. I could now do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, right? Well, not quite. During these unprecedented times traveling, shopping, working out, and eating at restaurants wasn’t exactly something you could do here in New York. And for most of it, I was even too nervous too.
July and August gave me the opportunity to safely start integrating these normal things back into my life. But travel outside my comfort of Tom’s family home on the North Fork, Long Island was still another story.
An overnight stay in Massachusetts – Salem, MA & Lexington, MA
When I was invited to an overnight stay at the Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, Massachusetts I jumped at the opportunity. Only three hours away from Westchester County, I knew this would be the perfect trip to kick off the Fall season. And since Lexington is only about thirty minutes from Salem, Massachusetts we started the morning there.
First Stop Salem, MA
Departing lower Westchester County at 6:30 a.m. hitting very minimal traffic if any, we arrived in Salem, Massachusetts at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and it was calm and quiet. I traveled with my photographer and friend, Riley McCarthy who grew up in the area so she made sure I saw all the best parts of Salem!
What to do, where to eat
- Red’s Sandwich Shop – located in the historic London Coffee House building in downtown Salem, MA. I had chocolate chip pancake and it was larger than life (and definitely larger than my head)! Indoor and outdoor seating available.
- Caramel Patisserie – A delicious french bakery, don’t leave Salem without a box of their macarons. They truly change the game.
- Front Street Coffee House – Offering coffee, juice, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, salads & baked goods, this coffee shop is a perfect midday break spot while exploring.
- Hex Old World Witchery – Of the many witchy, spooky shops in Salem, Massachusetts I have to say I liked this one best. Complete with a witches altar where you can leave a message to your loved ones who have passed on, to their full line of witches herbal supplements, tart cards, voodoo dolls, candles they had it all.
- Newbury Comics – A literal step back into the 80s/90s, Newbury Comics has tons of vinyl records, music, and pop culture goodies. I almost bought a vintage Jack Skellington figurine, almost.
- J Mode – I loved this little (not Halloween themed) boutique, with everyday clothing and accessories. I found an amazing recycled newspaper bag there!
- Flatbread Pizza – We didn’t end up eating lunch while we were in Salem, but Riley swears by Flatbread!
- Witch History Museum – We didn’t have time for the tour, but I did grab a few items from their gift shop! They cover not only what happened to witches in Salem but all 34 towns and villages of Essex County.
Next up, Lexington, MA
We spent the remainder of our day and night in Lexington, Massachusetts.
What to see and what to do
- Wilson Farm – The best variety of pumpkins I have ever seen, along with a delicious farmer’s market and bakery. Definitely grab the apple cider donuts!
There are a number of amazing historic landmarks see in Lexington including:
- Ride along the 11-mile rail-trail, Minuteman Bikeway (The Inn at Hastings Park has a number of bikes on-site you can borrow!)
- Check out the Minute Man National Historical Park, and visitor center,
- Munroe Tavern, which the British Redcoats took over on their retreat back to Boston (and where George Washington once dined!).
- Visit Lexington Common (where the American Revolution started) and so much more.
The Inn at Hastings Park
With 22 guest rooms and complimentary access to their Volvo cars for self-guided excursions, the Inn at Hastings Park makes travel easy. Along with bicycle racks and bicycles, access to the local pool, fitness facility, yoga, golf, and tennis. This boutique inn is the perfect New England getaway in a historic set of buildings.
“Built in 1888, the Main House was home to a descendant of one of Lexington’s first families, who settled the town in the 1600s. The second is the Isaac Mulliken House, named in honor of the spirited politician who lived there in the mid-nineteenth century. The third building at The Inn is the Barn, which served as Mulliken’s original carpentry shop.”
The Whispering Angel Culinary Garden at the Inn at Hastings Park
Enjoy private dining around a wood farm table, Whispering Angel wine pairing, and a culinary class in this beautiful fenced-in space right behind the main house.
We were lucky enough to do both! Inn owner Trisha Pérez Kennealy (who studied both pastry and cuisine, at Grand Diplôme at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in London), taught our class. And you can expect Trisha or a member of the Inn’s culinary team to teach you too!
During this interactive experience, Chef Trisha shared the basics of cutting chicken, the importance of seasoning, how to welcome large groups of friends and family into your how without anxiety along with how we could integrate fresh local produce.
Following this, we learned about each of Whispering Angel’s wines and how they paired with each course. It was an open floor for questions and it got us all talking about traditions, family, and how to congregate around food. It was truly a magical and unforgettable experience.
You can also grab a bite at the Inn’s own Town Meeting Bistro! With close relationships with local farmers, you can always expect fresh seasonal dishes here!
If you’re looking for a fun Fall overnight Stay in Massachusetts I highly recommend the Inn at Hastings Park! If you plan to check out anything included in this post I would love to know about it in the comments!
