By Ed Karvoski Jr.
Contributing Writer
For nearly 20 years, frequenters of the Hudson Senior Center read a column titled “Marie’s Trips” in its monthly newsletter. Recently retired as the center’s administrative assistant, Marie Esteves agreed to share some of her favorite day trips she had organized. Her major suggestion is to look for destinations throughout New England with multiple activities.
She strongly recommends the Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant in Newport, R.I. Patrons can enjoy a buffet, a comedic play and a cabaret show – all in one visit. Afternoon and evening packages are available.
“You get two shows in one and they’re really excellent,” Esteves raved.
For her first day trip in retirement, Esteves took her chances at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Conn. It was always the center’s most popular day trip, which she scheduled at least three times a year. She received feedback that Foxwoods was preferred over the other two New England gambling casinos because of its high-paying bingo, brighter rooms and easier access to smoke-free areas.
“They’d all come back the next day and ask when they can go to Foxwoods again,” she relayed.
The Boston Duck Tours offers a narrated excursion of the city’s most popular landmarks. For approximately 80-minutes, sightseers are transported by land and by the Charles River for views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Tours depart from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Prudential Center.
“I’m looking forward to going on the Duck Tours again with my family,” Esteves noted.
Among the journeys she organized for lobster lovers was a day trip to Kennebunkport, Maine. A narrated tour on the Intown Trolley provides a glimpse of the town’s history, ranging from its early settlers to the summer home of former President George H.W. Bush.
Esteves noted that their cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston was enjoyable thanks to the personable wait staff. Cruising year-round from the historic Seaport District, the Spirit of Boston offers lunch, dinner, cocktail and various themed voyages.
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury, which will mark its 300th anniversary in 2016, is the hub of several circa-1700s historic attractions. Among the other sites on a walking tour are the Grist Mill, Redstone Schoolhouse and Martha-Mary Chapel.
When Esteves and others from the center sailed with Boston Harbor Cruises they visited the Boston Light, the first light station established on the North American continent, and the last in the United States to become automated. Other historic destinations include cruises to the USS Constitution, Boston Tea Party and Old North Church.
Martha’s Vineyard can be toured by various forms of transportation including aerial, biking, hiking, kayaking, sailing, sightseeing bus and walking. Visitors can learn more about the island’s history, art and culture at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Esteves organized a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. At the time, a special exhibit displayed gowns of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Special exhibits are scheduled periodically.
Consistent with her advice to consider day trips with multiple offerings, Esteves highly recommends the Rail & Sail, which begins and ends in Meredith, N.H. The full day adventure includes a train ride aboard the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad along with a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington. Visitors also get a chance to shop in the lakeside village of Weirs Beach.
“It’s always fun to get away for the day,” Esteves said.
