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Shelburnite t1_j26hv4a wrote

Don't knock the Appalachian mountains plenty of great terrain out the western half of the state.

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techorules t1_j26j587 wrote

Agree with this. Obviously you should enjoy the ocean. But don’t sleep on Western and Central Mass as they are beautiful as well. Explore Mass and New England. While outside Mass, the NH White Mountains are spectacular year round.

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26jl7e wrote

I’m going to be in the Haverhill area and heard that New Hampshire is a wonderful place to visit. As someone who’s never lived that close to the ocean, I can’t wait to be able to drive a short distance to see it even if it’ll be a tad cold.

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bellairecourt t1_j26x0n1 wrote

Going to the beach in winter is underrated, especially when the waves are pumping.

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Animallover4321 t1_j26l44u wrote

I love the beach in April & October it’s cold but it’s also incredibly peaceful. I bitch about needing to drive an hour but it’s totally worth it.

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arch_at_large t1_j279u55 wrote

Come to Lowell for some nice downtown restaurants. Essex also has some great seafood places. But overall lot of history here. I just like driving and walking through main streets of different towns.

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sjashe t1_j289it9 wrote

as well as the National Historic Park, canals, mill museum, historic graveyards (catch the tour by Richard Howe).

Concord MA for the Old North Bridge, Walden Pond, Lexington and Concord for the historic museums and Battle Road (especially on April 19)

Groton and Townsend for fascinating Graveyards (Groton was one of the original townships).

Parker's Maple Barn just over the border in Mason, NH (home of Johnie appleseed)

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04_R32 t1_j27bikl wrote

Check out Portsmouth, Newburyport, and Plum Island reservation.

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ratiofarm t1_j28lsar wrote

One key point you should know is that things here are much, much closer than they are where you’re from. It only takes 3.5 hours to drive from the coast to Western Mass. And there’s so much to explore all throughout New England and upstate NY. As a historian and curious person, I think you’ll really love it here!

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angelcobra t1_j29hefp wrote

Not sure if anyone pointed this out but it’s “HAY-vrill” and not “have err ill”.

(Massholes, please correct me is this is wrong. Don’t let me do this in public!)

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26iq9c wrote

I am looking forward to the greenery and beauty and would love to explore the trails and peaks out there. Are there any particular areas of the Appalachians that strike you as the best experience?

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ImProbablyHiking t1_j26k1uf wrote

Easy proximity to the white mountains in New Hampshire. Other than the smokies, the best mountains on the east coast. Some views are just as striking than ones in the west, just different.

You gotta do the Franconia ridge. Or the full pemi loop if you are into backpacking.

Source: my username

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26na0i wrote

I would love to get more experience with backpacking I’ve done the Ruby Crest in Nevada and getting really into the deep of the mountains sounds like a fun experience.

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Lord-Eddard t1_j26sfrh wrote

I posted above but check out Baxter State Park if you have a few days or more for backpacking and can drive 4-5 hours. Katahdin can hang with a lot of the big bois out west. Trust me it’s worth the time and effort.

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ImProbablyHiking t1_j28s5jq wrote

Gotta do the knife’s edge trail!

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Lord-Eddard t1_j291isc wrote

Your user name checks out lol. The knife edge is the most epic hike I’ve ever done.

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Shelburnite t1_j26jldl wrote

My Greylock is my fave place for a day hike. May not be Massachusetts but if you go north to the white mountains it's some of the bets hiking this side of the country but go prepared.

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LionClean8758 t1_j26p08f wrote

https://newhampshireway.com/nh-48-4000-footers/

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26pgyu wrote

I would absolutely hike 48 peaks to get a patch and a dinner .

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LionClean8758 t1_j26qqbg wrote

I believe it's one of those things where if you're doing it, you end up finding a great local community and naturally have something to talk about with each other. Just be safe! There's lots of news right now about inexperienced solo hikers taking on more than they could handle.

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legalpretzel t1_j26yx2i wrote

Even experienced hikers get into trouble because the weather systems in the whites can be extremely unpredictable at times.

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techorules t1_j276imq wrote

Just make sure you take the Whites seriously. Too many people don’t respect them and even when you do the conditions can change quickly and things can get a bit sketchy. Amazing up there though. Easily my favorite place on this planet.

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Shelburnite t1_j27dyml wrote

i did that between 2012 and 2016. got a lot of hiking in and saw a lot of the out of the way peaks.

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idiotintheburbs t1_j29r0ta wrote

The part of the Appalachian mountains in MA is called The Berkshires. In New Hampshire, they are the White Mountains. In Vermont, Green Mountains. I have never heard of them referred to as Appalachian - probably because the Appalachian mountains technically span from Newfoundland, Canada to Alabama. Not trying to be a nerdy stickler, just sharing the popular terms here.

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_j26opqb wrote

In Idaho they call those "hills." Seriously. Google some pics of the Sawtooths.

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26pdt7 wrote

No the Sawtooths are my favorite part of the state, scrambling up to Thompson Peak was a lot of fun. Yeah the foothills and Owhyees are really just hills.

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_j26pks3 wrote

Appalachians are also much, much, much older so they are more...well rounded one could say. And far shorter.

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pastywhiterunner OP t1_j26pujz wrote

Right it’s hard to compare mountains that are almost half a billion years as opposed to one’s that are less than 100 million.

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individual_328 t1_j26vyx6 wrote

The Rockies are of course more majestic and stunning to look at, but I think the Appalachians are a more pleasant place to hang out. It's just a completely different vibe. The former is imposing, the latter is welcoming.

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