Finding a place to call your own

New England is an idyllic destination for anyone who loves fall colors. Autumn in New England is something every nature lover should experience at least once in their life. But where to go? Connecticut is crowded. Vermont? Perhaps too clichéd for getting “swept away.”

For a destination worthy of a romance novel experience, I would like to suggest Portland, Maine. Not too far off the beaten track to take you off the grid, Portland is a small and friendly coastal city surrounded by Maine’s natural beauty. Founded as a fishing village, Portland is now a city of about 66,000 residents. Today it is very much a tourist destination but one that epitomizes all that Americans love about New England.

Getting there

Portland’s small but easily negotiable airport makes it a destination accessible to anyone. For couples looking to experience modern romance, The Francis is a historic hotel with recently renovated rooms. There is an on-site spa and a restaurant featuring New England-influenced cuisine.

Discover Cape Elizabeth

If leafing is your goal, a day trip to Cape Elizabeth should be on your itinerary. Allow yourselves a moment of role play as the hero and heroine of a historical romance, kissing at the foot of iconic Two Lights lighthouse. Pack a picnic to enjoy at Crescent Beach State Park for a true autumn in New England experience.

Take a romantic stroll

Or if you’re more of a lazy leafer, plan a stroll at Portland’s Eastern Promanade. This sixty-eight acre waterfront park offers plenty of quiet nooks for sneaking a kiss and snapping a selfie with a background of glowing autumnal reds and golds.

Hit a clam shack

You cannot leave without a visit to a New England clam shack. Bob’s Clam Hut Portland offers every manner of fried seafood your heart could possibly desire. And though your arteries may cringe, the crispy mounds of fried clams, oysters and shrimp will truly indoctrinate you in the New England way of life.

And if you just want to create a little autumn in New England at home, try this recipe for a better-than-a-lobster-roll lobster sandwich.

Don’t forget the Maine Tourmaline

And if you’re heart desires a keepsake to remember your Autumn in New England forever, consider a stop at Cross Jewelers, a local shop specializing in pieces made with Maine Tourmaline. True, this stone generally features shades of pink or green, not the burnt sienna and crimson of fall foliage. But there is no other way to seal this perfect vacation than with a kiss–and a glittering chunk of this local rock.

When you get home, be sure to make Apple Pie Martinis for yourself and your lover as you reminisce about your romantic, autumn vacation.

For more information

For more help in planning your autumnal getaway in Portland, Maine, check out VisitPortland.com.

Photo of The Francis Hotel by Irvin Serrano