Getaways in Historic and Peaceful Hancock Village in New Hampshire

Looking for a historic and quiet place to visit for a New Hampshire Getaway and within easy driving distance of southern New England cities? Then look no further than Hancock in the Monadnock region of southern New Hampshire.

The history facts are Hancock was settled in 1764 and incorporated in 1779. The town has the distinction of almost every building on Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its Meetinghouse building is home to one of Paul Revere’s bells which still chimes out on the hour every day.

The village itself has the historic buildings to view, a general store, café, and the Hancock Inn.

The Hancock Inn is the state’s oldest original inn still in operation and began offering accommodations and meals to travelers in 1789. Today you can rest your head in one the period-decorated unique rooms and be up early for a hearty breakfast or finish the day with their signature Shaker Cranberry Pot Roast and dessert in the dining room.

Activities and attractions close to the village include skiing at Crotched Mountain, hiking on Mount Monadnock – the most climbed mountain in N. America – the Shaker Village at Canterbury, the Harris Center for outstanding nature walks, and if antiquing is on your agenda the surrounding villages offer a patchwork of shops to browse.

Mount Monadnock is no picnic to climb but providing you’re in reasonable condition and take your time it is accessible to just about anybody. There is a network of trails to the summit, and I usually take the White Cross Trail as there are fewer hikers on it and the trail offers outstanding views on the ascent. The summit is bare and offers expansive views of the Green Mountains to the west and the White Mountains to the north.

Still on the theme of outdoors if climbing a mountain isn’t on your must-do list then consider visiting the Harris Center and taking the modest 4-mile walk to Skatutakee Mountain as it passes through a forest of pine and maples and along streams of wildflowers and woods with songbirds. You'll also find wild blueberries along the trail. Close to the Harris Center are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at Spoonwood Pond and Willard Pond.

Northern New England’s premier Shaker village to visit is the Canterbury Shaker Village. It contains 25 restored and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings to experience by self-guided or organized tours. At one time over 300 people was part of this historic Shaker community set in a tranquil and scenic area of the Granite state. The village is open for visitors from early May to end of the fall season.

This region is often overlooked as a getaway destination for New Hampshire, but now you know about one its gems in Hancock Village and its practicularly in your backyard if you live in Massachusetts.

For more ideas and suggestions for a weekend away see my New Hampshire getaways guide here.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Editor
New England Vacation Online Guide

Review of “No Name” Restaurant on Fish Pier in Boston

“No Name” Restaurant is housed in a non-descript building on Fish Pier just a block down from the World Trade Center in Boston. It had a reputation for good fish for a good price but indifferent service. Here’s my take after a recent visit.

I have not been to “No Name” for many years and the last time I went there was a huge line to get into what to me was a rowdy restaurant with everything screaming cheap except you got good fish stacked high on a plate and you left feeling you got your monies worth. My memories were it was not a pick for a special occasion meal or an intimate atmosphere.

I had promised the family a visit during the summer after we went on a harbor cruise and they mentioned “No Name” restaurant on Fish Pier and I thought – hey, we should do that as a family. And so last weekend I dragged them into Boston for a family treat.

“No Name” restaurant has become somewhat of a tourist trap – maybe it always was – but based on my recent return visit this trap isn’t the best fish deal in town anymore. And I'm sad I feel that way about any restaurant. In these times I'd much prefer to sing the praises of a New Engalnd business.

Most of our party had fish for the meal, and one had lobster. I remember the menu as being stark, however, since my last visit they have added “broiled” rather than just “fried” to the styles they serve – a welcome move to those watching their fat intake.

Frankly, the food was bland and they even managed to cook the salmon to the point it was tasteless. The lobster was not juicy and my scallops were a more than a bit on the teeny side.

Food wise I’m afraid it gets low marks from me.

How about the price? For a family of five and including tip I dropped $118 – about the same as eating at most of our local restaurants and even Legal Seafood would’ve been only slightly higher. So for costs it gets below average.

Despite the reputation for service we had a friendly and attentive waiter – although the place was not that busy. But he brought us extra side dishes, checked-in regularly and was chatty, so they score high on service from me.

Parking at the restaurant is on Fish Pier itself and you won’t find a fancy website or lots of advertising or marketing. “No Name” relies on word of mouth and so the decline of the food at this restaurant doesn’t auger well for its long-term future.

Overall “No Name” is not high on my list of restaurants to return to anytime soon – the great value fish meals that compensated for the spartan and somewhat dreary interior is not there anymore and so the primary value proposition for me has disappeared.

Though it disappoints me to say my advice is to spend your money at a Legal Seafood or a McCormick and Schmick’s Boston restaurant and even though it will cost you more you’ll be more satisfied with the food, service, and atmosphere… and that’s just about everything isn’t it?

“No Name” is in not far from the Boston Harbor waterfront area and other major attractions, and if you’d like more ideas and suggestions if you decide to visit then check out our Boston Vacations Guide here.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Destinations Guide