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Pinehills Golf Club: Nicklaus Course- Plymouth, MA
Without a doubt, Pinehills Golf Club is home to two of the best public courses in Massachusetts. For those who want to get beat up, go for the Jones. For a fun day, play the Nicklaus. Designed by Jack Jr. in 2002, the much acclaimed course features somewhat difficult greens paired with forgiving fairways. Carved out of a dense pine forest, on land contoured by glacial activity, the overall feel is secluded and private. Visit the adjacent Mirbeau resort for an excellent lunch in their garden, or the nearby Rye Tavern (1792), located on the oldest road in the United States.
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Scituate Light- Scituate, MA
There is something incredibly lonesome about a lighthouse. Located in the most inhospitable places, they exist to warn of danger. Add stormy seas, and there are few things more moody and dramatic. Dating to 1811, Scituate Light is no exception. Although removed from service over a century ago, the photogenic octagonal tower with a green lantern room still attracts attention. Although only occasionally open for tours, the exterior is accessible to the public.
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The Mount- Lenox, MA
We all have our personal pilgrimages; places you just have to visit, regardless how impractical. Places that need to be experienced as well as seen, for which you feel a deep connection. Beyond bucket list, if one were inclined to use that ridiculously trite term. For me, my love of Edith Wharton brought me to The Mount. It was every bit as fabulous as her novels. Completed in 1902, The Mount was designed by Edith Wharton herself, with architectural assistance from Ogden Codman, Jr. and Francis L.V. Hoppin. Although inspired by the English Country Estate Belton House, Edith’s design also incorporates classic Italian and French architectural details. In the spirit…
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Naumkeag- Stockbridge, MA
I admit it, Gilded Age mansions make me giddy. I have yet to visit one I haven’t loved. I am awed by the prolific use of high end materials, and details that could never be duplicated or afforded today. Egregious wealth made possible by monopolies, used to create showcase homes, which were obscenely called cottages. Naumkeag, however, manages to distinguish itself from other properties of this era; in addition to being amazing architecturally, and including a world class garden, it still contains its original furnishings. Donated to The Trustees completely intact, it is a wonderful trip to the rarefied past. Designed by the renowned architect Stanford White in 1884, the…
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The Red Lion Inn- Stockbridge, MA
There are only a handful of hotels in the United States that date back to the 1700s. Chances are, if you stumble upon one, it will be in New England. Perhaps one of the most well known is The Red Lion Inn. Possibly the most quintessential historic inn in the country, it certainly has everything you would expect to find in an old hostelry. Impossibly charming, it has all the hallmarks of a building that has grown organically over time, including an interesting floor plan, sloping floors, and an antique collection that rivals the contents of many museums. The original inn dates back to 1773, when Silas and Anna Bingham…
