15 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in New England - 2019

I didn't know I could get a coffee from the original Dunkin Donuts

Head over to Quincy, Mass and grab a coffee and a donut from the first ever Dunkin Donuts which opened in 1950. Coffee cost only ten cents at the time.

While this shop has been renovated many times since 1950, it was retro renovated in 2011 it to make it look like the original.

The shop is located at 543 Southern Artery

There is no drive thru.

PHOTO: Clayton Smalley/Wikipedia 

I didn't know I could visit the oldest state capitol building still being Used 

The New Hampshire State House, located in Concord is the oldest state capitol building in which legislature still meets in is original chambers. 

The building was completed in 1819 with additions made in 1866 and 1910. 

Click here for information on tours. 

PHOTO: AlexiusHoratius/Wikipedia

I didn't know I could go to the oldest summer theatre in the country

Take a ride to Cape Cod and visit the oldest summer theatre in the country, Cape Playhouse. Cape Playhouse was first opened in 1927 by Raymond Moore. 

The theatre has been home to some of the biggest stars to ever grace a stage like Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart amongst others. 

Click here for a complete listing of shows and tickets. 

PHOTO: Cape Playhouse/Website

I Didn't Know I Could See How Maple Syrup is Made 

Vermont has the most maple trees in all of the New England states and produces more than 500,000 gallons of maple syrup each year. 

At Sugarbush Farm, in Woodstock. you can see where and how the maple sap is collected and is turned into maple syrup. Take a walk through the woods to see the sugar maples, see how spouts are drilled and check out the huge evaporator where the sap is boiled. 

Be sure to stop in the sampling room before you go. 

Click here for more information. 

PHOTO: Dvortygirl/Wikipedia 

I Didn't Know I Could See a Core Memory Unit From First Ever Computer 

The first computer, Whirlwind I, was developed at MIT during the Cold War era for use by the U.S. Navy. 

While the computer itself is in a museum in California, a core memory unit of the computer is on display at the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham. 

Click here for more information. 

PHOTO: Dpbsmith/ Wikipedia

I didn't know I could stay overnight at a lighthouse

Not a hotel, not an inn but a lighthouse.You can stay over night or for an entire week at the Rose Island Lighthouse located at 365 Thames Street in Newport. 

Click here for more information

PHOTO: Kenneth C. Zirkel/Wikipedia

I didn't know I could visit Author's Ridge at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery 

Head to Concord, Massachusetts and then to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where you will find "Author's Ridge."

Author's Ridge marks the final resting place of legendary writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Louisa May Alcott. 

Read more here

PHOTO: Bikeable/Wikipedia 

I didn't know I could visit the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Vermont

Head to Vermont and take a 30 minute guided tour through Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory. 

The tour is a fun and educational experience for all ages as you learn the magic of making arguably the best ice cream anywhere. 

The factory is open year round and kids under 12 are FREE. 

Click here to book your tour.

PHOTO: Jereme Rauckman/Flickr Commons

I didn't know I could visit the site of Paul Revere's midnight ride

Old North Church, located on Salem Street, is Boston's oldest surviving church, and it's also the place where Paul Revere gave the signal that the "British were coming," on April 18, 1775.

Once he gave the signal, two lanterns were raised high, meaning that they were coming by sea to Lexington and Concord, not land. 

This event began the American Revolution. 

For more information, click here. 

PHOTO: Paul Revere/Wikipedia 

I didn't know I could tour the Teddy Bear Factory in Vermont 

Who doesn't love Teddy Bears? Assuming that you do, plan a trip to Vermont and take a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and see how the bears are made.

Tours run seven days a week and children under 12 are FREE. The tours take about an hour and 15 minutes. 

For more information, click here.

PHOTO: Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

I didn't know I could sleep aboard a Maine Windjammer Fleet 

Head to Maine and sleep aboard a National Landmark, the Maine Windjammer Fleet. 

Go on a three, four or six day cruise and get closer than ever before to wildlife like whales, eagles and porpoises while you see some of the best coastal scenery that North America has to offer. 

Read More here. 

PHOTO: Maine Windjammer Association

I didn't know I could stick my hand in a Whales Mouth at Mystic Aquarium 

Ever thought about sticking your hand in a whales mouth? Probably not, but you can do so at Mystic Aquarium, located at 55 Coogan Boulevard in Mystic, Connecticut.

This opportunity comes courtesy of Mystic's Baluga encounter program, which runs may through October. 

Click here for more information

PHOTO: Mystic Aquarium

I didn't know I could shop at the L.L. Bean Flagship store at 3 a.m. 

Need to do some shopping? Head to Freeport Maine and shop at the L.L. Bean Flagship store whenever you want. Literally, it's open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. 

In fact, the store took the locks off the doors in 1951. 

3 a.m., 4 a.m. earlier, later, whenever you want to go, the store is open. 

Read more here. 

PHOTO: Lisevans/Wikipedia 

I didn't know I could use a Mercedes Benz convertible at Ocean House

If you are staying at the Ocean House, you have the opportunity to use one of four Mercedes-Benz convertibles, no charge. Once you have the car, you can pretty much do and go where you want to go, Newport, Mystic or other places worth cruising to. 

You can take a car from either 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. to midnight. 

Cars are available on a first come, first serve basis. 

Click here to read more

PHOTO: Kotaro Negawa/ Wikipedia 

I didn't know I could touch two President's tombs in New England

Head to Quincy, Massachusetts and visit the United First Parish church, located on 1306 Hancock street.

The church offers the opportunity to visit the final resting places of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Venture down into the crypt and touch the tombs. 

Read More here. 

PHOTO: Daderot/Wikipedia