We've got 10 great vacations within 50 miles 

By Charlene Arsenault, Noah R. Bombard, Colin Novick, Lester W. Paquin, Chet Williamson and Scott Zoback

Something old is something new

Baseball cards found in an antique store in Putnam, Conn.

The best antiques shopping in the country is only half an hour away

They call it “The Quiet Corner,” that northeast region of Connecticut just over the border from Webster. It earned its name because it’s — well, quiet. No casinos, no flash and dash — just a wonderful place to live and work, with so-called “typical” New England diversions. These include comfortable restaurants, art galleries, bed & breakfast establishments, house museums and farmers’ markets.

And, of course, antiques.

Perhaps more than any other section of the country, this “corner” of Connecticut features more antiques dealers and retailers per capita than anywhere else.

At the center of the antiques phenomena is the town of Putnam. If you’re into antiques and collectibles of all kinds — from furniture to china to paintings, jewelry, toys, books, clothing, architectural elements and, yes, clocks — Putnam’s the place for you. You can literally walk from storefront to storefront, and behind each door you’ll find a myriad of early items guaranteed to satisfy the most particular dealer or collector. Most of these antiques emporia feature many dealers and retailers under one roof, so you get the benefit of an enormous selection in a very limited amount of space.

Putnam is an antique lover’s dream. You can easily spend a day, a weekend or even a week there, exploring all the nooks and crannies of literally hundreds of reputable dealers. Fine arts, antiques and furnishings, American primitives, Depression glass, the Arts & Crafts movement, Art Deco accents and everything else in between is right there.

And another great thing about the place is, it’s surrounded by hotels, motels and bed & breakfast establishments if you decide to make your day trip last a little longer.

Editor’s tips: Following is a partial list of businesses in the Putnam Antiques District. Two words of caution: Many of these businesses are closed on Mondays. And, given the active nature of today’s economy, please call ahead to make sure these places are still in operation.

Basket case

Taking off at the Green River Festival.

The Green River Festival marries the magic of live music and hot air balloons

When it started, the Green River Festival was a lot of balloons with a little bit of music. Now, it’s got a lot of music — good, national stuff, too — and still has those colorful, eye-popping hot-air balloons streaming above the sounds to make it one of the more unique events around.

You need only head out Route 2 West to Greenfield.

Now going on 22 years, it features such live acts as Jimmy Vaughan, Lucinda Williams and Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys. Acts link continuously on the stage throughout Friday evening and Saturday (and there is even a kick-off show the Thursday prior at Energy Park).

“We bring in a dozen or so internationally known music acts in many different genres of American roots music, from folk, blues, bluegrass, Cajun, swing, country and more,” says Jim Olsen, musical director for the festival.

And still, you can hop in and take a ride in one of the balloons — of which there are about 12 or so each year. They take off from the college, and are scheduled for various times from Friday through Sunday. Flights take off as close to 6 o’clock (both a.m. and p.m.) as possible, and generally range from about 45 minutes to an hour. Anyone who has done it has either been scared out of their mind, or says it’s the best thing they’ve ever experienced. The greenriverfestival.com site includes a comprehensive list of accommodations in Franklin County, including bed and breakfasts, hotels and campgrounds. This gorgeous area, which includes attractions ranging from museums and covered bridges to waterfalls and the Mohawk Trail, isn’t far from the glacial potholes in Shelburne and Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield.

Editor’s tip: Barton Cove Campground, located on Route 2 in Gill, is a nice place to set up camp nearby (well, fairly close). Tucked along the Connecticut River on a peninsula, this very wooded, family campground (which has a few group sites available) sports around 30 sites, kayak and canoe rentals and a nature trail (which goes by an abandoned dinosaur footprint quarry). Call 413-863-9300 for that one.

On the road to Lowell

Feeling the music at the Lowell Folk Festival.

You went on vacation where?!

A vacation in Lowell? Are you kidding? Consider these three items alone: The Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell’s National Historical Park and The Lowell Spinners.

Recommendation: Take five days — say Thursday through Monday — and fill your itinerary with as strong a lineup of activities as you’ll find anywhere. For instance, let’s say you book your mini-week around the folk festival, which is July 25-27, build around it visits to the ballpark, tours of town and/or a short ride to the ocean.

On Thursday night check out a Spinners baseball game. They are home with a 7:05 p.m. start. The Red Sox Class A affiliate is one of the best buys and highest quality in minor league baseball. The old cliché of “see the future stars today” certainly rings true here.

Come Friday afternoon, you might want to spend time walking around town. Lowell’s National Park is known as one of the greatest tributes to the Industrial Revolution and the textile industry that boomed in New England in the 19th century. The rehabilitated mill buildings are further complemented by 21/2 miles of trolley tracks, canal boat tours, and several museums.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday you should reserve for the 22nd annual Lowell Folk Festival, easily one of the best in the country. In addition to featuring six stages of traditional ethnic music, this free festival presents authentic crafts demonstrations, ethnic foods, art and children’s activities. A partial list of this year’s performers includes: Rosie Ledet and The Zydeco Playboys, The Skatallies (Jamaican Ska), Pilon Batuko (Cape Verdean funana), Helder Moutinho (Portuguese fado) and Penpa Tsering (traditional Tibetan Music). For more see: www.lowellfolkfestival.org.

On Monday you might want to just tool around town. There are a ton of museums, cultural, and recreational attractions that await visitors in downtown Lowell.

Biking vacation

Planning the rendezvous.

Two wheels are better than four

Want to avoid paying gas prices for a week of vacation, but want to get the full New England experience?

The answer is obvious: Bike.

A number of companies focus on fall foliage, or Northern New England bike tours, but Sutton-based Cycle New England runs a variety of tours through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, ranging from the three-day $330 trip through Pomfret and Woodstock, Conn. to the six-day $835 journey through the Blackstone River Valley.

Trips can either be self-guided or guided group tours, and can be tailored to anything from families with young children to experienced bikers.

All trips include stays in area B&Bs, luggage transfers, maps and itineraries for the trips. Breakfasts are generally included while lunches and dinners are generally on your own; the company includes suggestions of where to grab other meals. Bike rentals, car transfers and other options are available, although they suggest you use your own bikes when possible.

The water, fire and food of Providence 

An outdoor festival in Providence.

Worcester and Providence may be rivals for “who’s the second-largest city in New England,” but the Rhode Island capital beats us when it comes to being a summer destination. It’s all about the water. They are surrounded by it.

Besides the fact that the city is only half an hour away and much easier to get to, now that the 146 Connector is complete, Providence beckons on many fronts. “It’s a quick ride to the beach from Providence. So you stay here and go down to the beach for a day,” says Lynne McCormack, director of Art, Culture and Tourism for the city.

Food is always first on the itinerary list — regardless of the season — when visiting Providence. Here are a few suggested getaway packages, specifically prepared around dining:

Taste of Providence

Mighty Sam McClain performs at Sound Session.

The hype reads: “Steaks are high with this luxurious package. Explore Providence and sample some of the city’s most popular restaurants, Mill’s Tavern, Raphael Bar Risto, or the fabulous Ruth’s Chris Steak House.” These packages include two nights’ lodging in the best available room (based on double occupancy) and two $100 gift certificates to your choice of two restaurants.

• Christopher Dodge House at State House Inn, 11 West Park St., Providence. Call 401-351-6111.

• Mowry-Nicholson House Inn at State House Inn, 57 Brownell St., Providence. Call 401-351-6111.

Prices and dates vary at each.

The arts

“Art holds the power to create a shared cultural language,” says David Cicilline, the mayor of Providence.

He and the city communicate that language by presenting the best in arts and cultural entertainment in world-class venues. Consider these particular highlights:

• Sound Session, a “multi-stage, genre-defying event,” featuring such headliners as The Hot Tamale Brass Band, The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble and The Branches Pan Groove Steel Band, to name a few. See: providencesoundsession.com.

• Created in 1994, WaterFire Providence continues to be a main attraction to the city. In fact, the award-winning sculpture created by Barnaby Evans and installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, has been praised by locals and visitors alike as both a powerful work of art and moving symbol of the Providence Renaissance. Special events happen throughout summer. See: waterfire.org.

• At Roger Williams Park Zoo is the very popular Butterfly Conservation Initiative. In an effort to bring these “flying flowers” back from the brink of extinction, the Park/Zoo is working with other zoos and environmental organizations across the country to give butterflies a fighting chance. Catch them on display now. See: rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.

• One last recommendation is the 12th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival, Aug. 5 to 10. See film-festival.org/2008Festival.php.

Northampton: All that in one town?

Culture meets nature

We hate the phrase “there’s something for everyone,” it’s so cliché. The more we dug into the bustling little town of Northampton, though, the more we were blown away by the sheer diversity of things to do and stuff to see. We’re talking arts, culture, nightlife, outdoor recreation, music -- far too much to list here.

The summer is a great time to visit this picturesque town with its eclectic mix of downtown shops, outdoor dining and New England charm. Several popular music venues keep a steady stream of well-knowns parading through town all summer and there’s live entertainment all week in dozens of restaurants, clubs and bars. There’s an outdoor performing arts theater, too. If you want to get somewhere cool, there are also several fine museums.

Northampton has a reputation for tolerance of multiple lifestyles. Bi, gay and transgendered folks are at home here with a thriving social scene, but it’s by no means exclusive. You’ll find hetero couples, families and young and old alike here. OK, if you’re a gay-hating Klan member looking to rally some forces you’re probably going to be on the out. Sorry.

As for affordability, you can go on the cheap or in all-out style. There are a number of historic inns, hotels and bed and breakfast options as well as some more affordable motels and campgrounds, too.

I’ve already been to Boston

But have you been to the Harbor islands?

The easy answer for a Worcester-
area short-haul vacation is Boston: it’s close enough that it won’t break the vacation budget (save yourself the cost of a meal by avoiding the toll roads in) and it’s varied. Romantics/history nuts/families/culture fiends/outdoorsmen/whatever — it’s all there for everyone.

But here’s an opportunity to turn a new page on that seemingly all-too-familiar location. Try the Boston Harbor islands. You can get to the islands by ferry for $14 per adult, or $42 per family, or you can rent a kayak and get there on your own. Once on the islands, there are historic forts, lighthouses, bird watching, fishing — the good nature stuff, but all cheap. And a campsite will run you about $8 per night for a group of four with a $9.25 reservation fee. Total cost for a two-night camping vacation in the middle of picturesque Boston Harbor? $67.25, including transportation.

And if you’re in Boston, check out these other free options: The Freedom Trail, the Black Heritage Trail, Wednesday afternoon/nights at the Museum of Fine Arts, Thursday nights at the Institute of Contemporary Art, brewery tours at Sam Adams or Harpoon, walks around Newbury Street, Faneuil Hall, Harvard Square or the North End, free 4th of July fireworks — the list goes on.

Get Wells soon

The idyllic Wells State Park.

Wells State Park surrounds Sturbridge stuff

If you block out the fact that you’re “that close” to Route 20 and all the amenities that exist on it, it’s pretty easy to shed the idea that you’re not too far from home at Wells State Park in Sturbridge, off Route 49. A pristine, 1,400-acre woodland park, the place has more than 60 sites. And most of these sites are good ones. It’s not like when you head to an unknown park up North, for instance, and pull in to find the site you booked months in advance is actually the grassy lot behind the “teen center” and laundry room. Nope, Wells State Park is gorgeous camping with scenic rocks and other earthy beauty settled along Walker Pond. Go boating, fishing, hiking or take horses along the trails — of which there are more than 10. Visit mass.gov./dcr/parks/central/well.htm for more information, including downloadable trail maps.

There are plenty more attractions, shops and events listed on www.sturbridge.org.

Picks by Wendy Fox of the Department of Conservation and Recreation include the Streeter Point Recreation Area on Route 20 in Stubridge, as it is gorgeous and offers swimming, fishing and boating on the East Brimfield Reservoir. Also, Brimfield State Forest offers swimming, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and mountain-biking. Spencer State Forest, which isn’t far away, has canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, horseback riding and swimming. “Sturbridge has all sorts of things,” she says, “from Old Sturbridge Village to restaurants to old inns and lovely countryside.”

Fox adds that if you visit mass.gov/dcr/ and click on “find a park,” there are many other nice spots to go near Wells.

And the living is easy

Cabin plus lake equals relaxation

Resorts and motels in touristy areas all have one thing in common: You’re bumping elbows with a lot of other vacationers. Not so in a cabin on a lake.

Finding a lakeside cabin or property rental isn’t easy. You’ll have to do some serious Internet combing, but if you land the right one, it combines the best of that summer getaway feeling without really getting all that far away. In fact, a quick search on the ’net revealed several cabin and summer cottage rentals in and around Worcester County. North Pond in Upton, Lake Hamilton in Holland and our own Lake Quinsigamond were among those we found — although if you already live on Lake Quinsigamond you’ve got to be pretty darn bored with your house to rent your neighbor’s.

Looking for the neighborhood Outback?

The Trustees of Reservations campground at Tully Lake

An adventure vacation nearby

Trekking to Glacier and the Badlands looking expensive this year? “Tully” is the local name you need to learn. Tully is an incredible confluence of outdoor adventures in our backyard, just to the north of the Quabbin.

The Tully area is dominated by Tully Lake and Tully Mountain. Tent camping, backpacking, long-distance trail hiking, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, day walks, vistas, and mountain biking all await.

Tully Lake is a visually impressive Army Corps of Engineers 200-acre flood-control lake in Royalston with canoeing and kayaking permitted around the shoreline and small islands. Folks often pull their canoe up on one of the small islands and swim from there for the day. Tully Lake permits fishing and has a recent disc golf course.

The Trustees of Reservations run a campground of 35 tent campsites along the lake. Campsites are $28 a night for waterfront and $24 a night non-waterfront.

The Trustees rent canoes and kayaks with life-jackets by the hour (four hours for $35) and the day ($60).

For mountain bikers, Tully has a dedicated seven-mile mountain bike network of trails to explore.

For day-hikers, hikers and backpackers, there is a wide range of options. The Tully Trail itself is a 22-mile hiking trail through the forests around the Quabbin with ridgelines and waterfalls along the way. There are no fees and pets are OK.