With trains leaving throughout the day, we opted to hop on the Amtrak Downeaster just after lunch and made our way to Freeport, Maine for a quick getaway. We boarded the train, loaded our luggage, and grabbed drinks in the Cafe Car before settling in for the ride ahead. We both logged onto the free on board wi-fi, and Zack tuned into his favorite podcasts while I worked on email and blog content. It was a smooth, comfortable ride the whole way with coastal views of Maine and since I wasn't driving, I got to enjoy every bit of it! The view, the wi-fi, and even a cocktail! I'll take the Amtrak Downeaster to Maine over driving any day.



Just a few hours later we arrived in Freeport and set out for our hotel. Freeport is very accessible with the outlets, hotels, and dining all steps from Freeport Station. We checked in at the Hilton Garden Inn, dropped our luggage and set out to explore the town.

We had drinks at the local tavern before checking out a couple of the outlets and making our way to dinner. We took an Uber to nearby Yarmouth, Maine for dinner at Gather, which was absolutely delicious! We loved the locally sourced ingredients and menu and ordered the Smoked Duck Rillet, Fried Chicken and Biscuit, and the Butcher's Plate Special which was a yummy Lasagna Bolognese. Every bite was delicious!


After dinner we headed back to the hotel for drinks at the bar and a quick dip in the pool before heading back to the room to watch movies and turn in for the night. The next morning we totally missed breakfast (Whoops! The free breakfast is one of the best parts of staying with Hilton!) and requested a late check out.



We checked out and had a few hours to kill before our evening train back to Boston so naturally we hit the outlets! L.L.Bean is HUGE (and open 24 hours a day/365 days a year), but there was also Banana Republic, LOFT, Oakley, J. Crew, plus some really great local spots including the Coastal Maine Popcorn Company where we stocked up on Wasabi Soy and Dill Pickle Popcorn before making our way back to Freeport Station.


You can see more photos from our Maine adventure at #ExploreMoreDriveLess. Ready to board the train to Maine?! Be sure to you share your own photos from your adventure on the Amtrak Downeaster using #ExploreMoreDriveLess and tag @amtrakdowneaster on IG and @riderail on Twitter you'll be entered for a chance to win pair of round trip tickets on the Amtrak Downeaster for your next trip! With so much to see and do along the coast of Maine, we're already planning our next Amtrak adventure!

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The Beauport is located along the water and is a large hotel with sprawling guest rooms, beach access, on site restaurant, and roof top pool. I arrived later in the evening and wanted nothing more than a bottle of wine and PJs. The Beauport had the sweetest welcome package waiting when I arrived with a cheese plate and a perfectly chilled bottle of Whispering Angel rosé. I can think of no better welcome! I flicked on the fireplace and cozied up for a quiet evening.
When I awoke the next morning, sunlight was spilling into the room and I discovered the most stunning beachfront view outside my balcony making for the perfect wake up call. I took a few minutes to enjoy coffee on the balcony (cozied up in the duvet of course) and take in the serene surroundings before ordering breakfast from room service. The price of room service at The Beauport was incredibly reasonable so I ordered two delicious entrees for myself; American Breakfast with scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast, bacon, and a delicious grilled blueberry coffee cake over greek yogurt with fresh blueberries.

Needless to say, it was an amazing morning snuggled up in bed, enjoying my favorite meal of the day, listening to the sound of the waves repeatedly crashing onto the beach. After my lazy morning I reluctantly got out of bed and made my way into the bathroom to get dressed for the day. Just like everything else at The Beauport, the bathroom was large and luxurious, with marble throughout and the cutest vanity area for hair and makeup. By far my favorite amenity was the extra large, rain style shower head and L'Occitane products! I'm pretty sure I lingered in the shower a way longer that necessary, but who could resist?!
I ventured downstairs and checked out shortly after but proceeded to spend a couple of hours enjoying a leisurely lunch (and Prosecco, of course) at The 1606 Restaurant on the second floor. I'm very much looking forward to booking another stay at The Beauport Hotel later this summer; it's the ideal hotel if you'd like to enjoy a seaside stay with waterfront views. 

Narragansett Brewery: A Rhode Island original, this 125 year old brewery recently partnered with The Guild to bring the brewery back to it's roots in Rhode Island. We sampled flights at the bar that included their newest It's About Time IPA before touring the brewery and getting a peek at their canning facility. Be sure to snag one of their sweet tee's before you leave-- my favorite Crush It Like Quint tee is almost always sold out.  



Durk's BBQ: The Texas gal in me was doing backflips when they said we were going for BBQ for dinner. And not just any BBQ, but smoked, Texas style BBQ complete with the best cornbread I've ever had and an impressive 100+ bottle selection of Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye. Ever since our visit I've been trying to find the time to hop in the car and make the drive to Providence for burnt ends and corn bread.



The Eddy: We ended the night at one of Providence's best craft cocktail bars, The Eddy. This intimate bar serves up some amazing drinks alongside light fare. Among my favorite was the easy-drinking Gin Gin Mule (St. Terrior Gin, ginger, mint, lime) but we enjoyed sipping on several of their incredible craft cocktails before calling it a night and heading back to Boston. Next time we visit, The Eddy will be our first stop!

When my guest and I arrived we easily found the Getaway site and made our way to our tiny house. Each sleeps 2-4 and our site even had a little loft sleeper above the bathroom. After we settled in and unloaded the Toyota 4-Runner, we sat down and kind of stared at each other for a minute, settling into the unfamiliarity of life without wifi, TV, and mirrors.

Yep, Getaway calls mirrors 'analog selfies' so don't expect to get a glimpse of yourself throughout the stay. They do have a two burner plate, pots and pans and a few dishes, a radio and bluetooth speaker, as well as playing cards, a book of card games, and a mini commissary with snacks for purchase like pasta and sauce, soup, beef jerky, Jiffy Pop, pour over coffee, and the like. Outside, each site has a fire ring, firewood and starter, a picnic table, and Adirondack chairs, making it simple to start a fire and cozy up with a bottle of wine for a few hours.




We spent the evening our arrival listening to music, drinking wine, and playing cards. I taught my guest how to play Speed and needless to say, I won every time. We talked into the hours of the early morning, and eventually fell asleep in the cozy queen size bed beside the giant glass window over looking the woods and a small stream. We woke up and drove into the nearest town for breakfast and then headed back for a lazy day napping and lounging around (our tiny house had a really cool Yogibo swing perfect for relaxing). Eventually, I caved and watched Pulp Fiction on my iPhone before we went out for a walk in the woods before sunset and then enjoyed another evening of shooting the shit by the fire.




I was bummed when we finally had to pack up and head back to reality in Boston. Two nights in the woods of New Hampshire just wasn't enough. Next time we will definitely stay and unplug a little longer. It's funny how quickly you adjust to a slower pace of life, even if you feel like the hustle and bustle of the city really serves you like I do, it felt really good to unplug, reset, refresh, and Getaway. 

On the agenda for the weekend? Unplugging, lots of lobster, and lots of sunshine and trees. On the drive up to Camden we stopped in Portland at the Portland Lobster Company for our first lobster roll of the weekend. It was over a pound of fresh, clean lobster meat stuffed into a lettuce lined bun and it was amazing. After stuffing ourselves we got back on the road and headed towards our final destination in Camden.


Located just a couple miles from Camden Hills State Park is Lark's Whitehall Inn. In line with other Lark Hotel locations this locally owned boutique hotel serves a home-cooked breakfast as well as dinner at their on-site restaurant, Pig + Poet. We checked in, changed our clothes and headed to Pig + Poet for happy hour. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying Pig + Poets epic clam chowder and cocktails before heading into town and exploring the local nightlife.


The next day was all about kicking back and relaxing. I woke up and decided to go for a run, so I put on my gear and just started running. That's when I discovered the hotel's close proximity to Camden Hills State Park; it just kind of snuck up on me and after heading down a trail for a few minutes I found myself standing on the rocky coast of Maine staring out into the seemingly endless coastline. It was a picture perfect moment. After my run I headed back to the hotel, changed, and took a walk into town. A downpour ensued, so I took the opportunity to head back to my room, laze around and watch Forensic Files for the rest of the afternoon. If only it had been nice enough to play shuffle board in the backyard!



For dinner we headed back to Pig + Poet, this time for oysters and charcuterie. It was a gorgeous evening and many guests were enjoying glasses of wine by the outdoor fire place. I thought we were a little late in the season heading to Maine in mid-September, but it was the perfect time to visit. It wasn't very hard to find vacancies at local hotels, it wasn't too hot, and all the shops and local restaurants are still open and buzzing with visitors.

The next day I snapped a few blog photos before enjoying breakfast in the dining room and packing up the RAV-4 for the drive back to Maine. On the way back we stopped at Red's Eats for even more lobster. This famous lobster shack was no joke; we waited in line for almost two hours to enjoy one of the largest, freshest lobster rolls I've ever enjoyed. We ordered two giant lobster rolls, a pint of fried clams, fried shrimp, onion rings and it was nearly $100.  If you ask me, it was worth it and every minute we spent waiting in line, standing in direct sun in 80 degree heat!



Following our three hour detour we hit the road and headed back to Boston, ending our weekend getaway. It was just what I needed to recharge for the week ahead. If you haven't had your end-of-summer-getaway, Whitehall is open through the end of October and the weather is still very temperate. Plus you get the best of both worlds; lobster rolls and stunning foliage!

Mirbeau Inn & Spa: Less than 50 miles from Boston lies Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Plymouth, MA. Enjoy a relaxing lunch on their outdoor terrace, take a dip in the outdoor whirlpool, or book a massage or facial at their luxurious spa. They also offer fitness classes and is located on the 18th hole of the Pinehills Golf Club, if you prefer to spend the day on the green.


Six Flags New England: Just 97 miles from Boston is Six Flags New England! I've been heading to Six Flags for almost 10 years now and have previously purchased season passes. I always get a kick out of exploring the park, eating fried Oreos and funnel cake, and floating along the Lazy River on hot summer days. Whether you're going with the family, a group of friends, or your significant other it's fun for everyone.

Style-Wire: How old were you when you discovered your passion for dance?
Kelsey Zimmerer: I began jazz and ballet classes at age 2, and since then have had many experiences that have strengthened my love of dance. In third grade when I started to take hip hop class, performing in my town's Nutcracker Ballet for 9 years, competing with my dance team in high school and college, and venturing into dancing at football and basketball games have all been such unique and inspiring opportunities that remind me why I love dancing and performing so much. That's to say I don't really have an "ah-ha" moment of when I realized my passion for dance, but I've had many opportunities that pushed me to grow as a dancer and made it a part of who I am.

SW: You stuck to the books for college and majored in Journalism at NEU, how did that affect your dedication to dance? 
KZ: I've always had a busy schedule between dance and school plus other extracurriculars, and for me college was no different. I've found that having a busy schedule helps me to stay focused. Sometimes it was a lot to juggle, but it's helped me work on my time management skills and taught me to pursue goals in multiple areas of my life.

SW: When you graduated did you feel pressure to venture into the "real world" and pursue a more typical career path or was dancing always in the cards for you? 
KZ: When I graduated from Northeastern I actually did pursue a career in marketing and still work at that job currently. I knew that I wanted to keep dancing after college but realized it's not the only passion I have and it's not easy to make a full time career out of dance. I also enjoy being creative, fashion and retail, photography and travel and wanted a career path that could include all of those interests (or at least some of them)!

SW: When did the possibility of auditioning to be a Patriots cheerleader come about? 
KZ: Two of my coaches for the NU Dance Team at Northeastern were professional dancers in Boston, one for the Boston Celtics and the other for the New England Patriots. Having them as coaches and seeing their amazing experiences up close made me realize maybe I could do that too, but truthfully always thought it was way out of my league. At the end of my senior year, my coach who was a Patriots Cheerleader told me all about the audition process and kept assuring me that it was deffinitely something I could do. After about 4 months post-grad, I knew that even though having some free time was nice, I really missed being on a dance team and performing for sports fans. That's when I decided I needed to audition to be a Patriot's Cheerleader.

SW: What was your rehearsal and training routine like leading up to the audition? 
KZ: I began preparing in November for the auditions in March. I focused most of my energy towards my physical fitness, my nutrition, and continuing to work on my dance technique. For me this included a lot of morning workouts and barre classes, learning how to eat a cleaner diet, and a ton of dance classes. As auditions got closer I started doing the workout program, BMAX, that our team trainer Andy Berler created and I researched everything I could about the team and the audition process.

SW: How did you feel when you found out you made the team?! 
KZ:  I was overwhelmed with joy! The audition process was 6 weeks long and started with nearly 500 women auditioning for an eventual 34 spots on the squad. When the team was finally announced at the last day of bootcamp in April, I could not believe it when my name was called. It was such a dream come true.

SW: As an athlete on to go, nutrition is key- what are some of your favorite spots for a quick meal in the Boston area? 
KZ: Nutrition is very important, both to look and feel your best and to stay healthy with such a busy schedule! I work downtown so I frequent B.Good and Sweetgreen for lunch all the time, and I can't wait for Dig Inn to open soon. I'm also a huge fan of Life Alive in Central Square Cambridge. Their bowls are so nutritious and savory at the same time.

SW: What's does a typical work day look like for you? 
KZ: Most weekdays I try to get my workout in before work because I like the energy and sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning. Then I head to work for the day in Downtown Boston where I do brand marketing and product merchandising for a local start-up. I typically practice dances and cheers or go to team practice at Gillette in the evening. After that I come home, hang out with my boyfriend and my roommates, cook dinner and meals for the next day, and go to bed! If I'm lucky I get to sneak in a few episodes of New Girl or Friends at night to wind down.

SW: When you're not working or rehearsing what's your favorite neighborhood to explore? KZ: My favorite neighborhood has to be the South End because of all the amazing locally owned shops and restaurants and the true neighborhood vibe. However, lately I've been spending more time in Beacon Hill and Central Square and am having a lot of fun finding my new favorite cafes and hangouts!

Since Wink + Nod is known first and foremost for their cocktails and talented mixologists I started there and ordered their Far East Cocktail before diving into the Little Owl Tavern's menu. Sochu, sparkling sake, yuzu-ginger shrub, and sesame lychee combine for a smooth drink thats suitable for anyone who loves sparkling wines or cocktails. First up was a couple of their small plates; Tuna Crudo with with citrus, chiles, green onion, and upland cress and the Crispy Eggplant Carpaccio with lily-yogurt, tomato chutney, sweet peas, parmesan. I loved the crudo-- I'm a crudo lover and this was among the most flavorful I've ever had.


When it was time to order main dishes I had my eye on the Lobster Bolognese. Made with squid ink pappardelle, oven roasted romatoes, chiles, pea puree, and mint this was a refreshing take on an Italian classic. Every bite was delicious! So often squid ink pastas are often a part of saltier dishes, but I loved it in place of a traditional pasta in this particular dish. We also put in an order for the special; Pan Smoked Mussels in garlic white wine broth, tomatoes, and herbs (not pictured). And for dessert; Grilled Italian Pound Cake with orange & amaretto glazed polenta cake, berries, whipped mascarpone, and Butterscotch Budino di Pane with warm banana-walnut compote, vanilla ice cream. Decadent, sweet, and delicious to say the least!



I know, I know, you're probably bummed you miss this limited run menu, but the next is already settling into the kitchen at Wink + Nod quite nicely! KAKI LIMA, consisting of Chef Retno Pratiwi and Managing Partner Peter Gelling, have worked to craft an Indonesian inspired menu with array of shareable apps and delicacies to create a culinary experience not be missed.

I totally fell in love with this little coastal town; It's full of old world charm and rich in history. From the historical Newport Mansions to niche museums like the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Audrian Auto Museum, there's something for everyone to explore. We arrived early Saturday afternoon and headed to The Breakers, the largest of the famed Newport Mansions for their new boiler room tour and a tour of the main home. You're probably thinking, "boiler room tour? Boring." But it was actually one of the most interesting tours I've been on! It's quite amazing what the early owners do the home were able to accomplish with the technology they had available, and how long those systems were in use (some until the late 1990s!).



After visiting The Breakers we checked into the hotel and went in search of an early dinner. I was craving a burger so after an extensive Google search I settled on MISSION. Named one of the best burgers in Newport, it did not disappoint! While the burger was smaller than I'd have liked, the cool plastic dinosaur they gave us to mark our table was a fun touch and the mini bottles of Minionetto Prosecco eventually won me over. After we grabbed a few snacks from the grocery store and headed back to the hotel to snuggle up and catch up on my favorite shows on the giant smart TV in our room. Yet another reason I love staying at Lark, they're so hip to technology! Our room had smart TV, Apple TV, and they gave us an iPad upon check in to research and explore the area.


Sunday morning we woke up to a beautiful breakfast spread of breakfast greens salad, soft boiled eggs, overnight oats, pastries, and an assortment of juices and coffee. Did I mention I loveeee Lark breakfast? I'm always so inspired after leaving the table! So much so, I recreated the breakfast salad they served us with kiwi, grapes, green apples, spinach, and mint. After breakfast we took a few photos around the property and then headed to explore the Cliff Walk and into town to explore some of the shops. If you're traveling during the off-season like I was, you'll find that many of the shops are seasonal or closed on Sunday and Monday which was such a bummer, but I did happen upon Farmesthetics, an all natural skin care brand and spa in the heart of Newport. I loved the vibe and decor of the shop and was excited to learn their products are available at Follain in the Boston area.



We wandered around Bellevue Avenue for a bit before deciding to hit one of the museums. We only had about an hour until both the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Audrian Auto Museum were closing so we had to pick one. I'll never know what we missed out on at the Tennis Hall of Fame but I think the Audrian was the right choice! We happened to be there on the last day of the current exhibit, so we had the rare pleasure of watching them remove the vintage vehicles. All of the vehicles are in operational condition and many of them were to be driven directly to their warehouse! The most valuable, rare cars are simply placed in neutral and rolled onto a trailer so as not to increase their mileage. And right before the last of the cars were rolled out, they asked me if I'd like to sit in one of the vintage Rolls Royce. Uhm, WOULD I EVER! It was certainly the highlight of the day.

After resting my feet at the hotel for a bit we went out in search of dinner. Nearly everyone who we spoke to before the trip highly recommended Diego's and I had a killer craving for enchiladas so we ventured to the wharf. There was a bit of a wait so we killed some time at the arcade and it was so much fun paying video games, trying to compete with each other in air hockey, racing games, and skee ball. I redeemed the tickets we won for a mood ring and a bunch of candy, of course. Then it was off to dinner! Diego's was great and their off season specials are even better. I was tempted by the Sunday special for two but really had my heart set on those enchiladas!

Once dinner was over, it was one last sleep at Gilded, one more delightful breakfast, and back on the road to the bean-- and straight to work at 1p.m. later that day! I loved driving this 2017 Mazda3 on our trip; it was a smooth ride the whole way, had amazing fuel efficiency, and I'm seriously consider purchasing one for myself when the time comes. A quick trip but I absolutely loved this little off-season visit to Newport! If you're thinking about visiting check out Discover Newport for the latest happenings in town!

We kicked off this particular Sunday brunch with the Brunch Tower, a two-tiered seafood platter with shrimp cocktail, a selection of raw oysters and clams, and the crudo of the day. If you're crazy about raw seafood, this is the tower for you! It's the perfect serving for two, so if you're brunching with larger group you'll want to order a second or some additional sides like their Rotating Sweet Breads or Mini Lobster Rolls.


After crushing that Brunch Tower we ordered a few entrees to share; the TBE (tomato, burrata, and poached eggs), Steak & Eggs, and the Waffle of the Day (topped with strawberries, powdered sugar, and candied walnuts). The TBE is a great lighter menu option but seeing as I came from spin class at The Handle Bar, the waffle was what really hit the spot. Anthony loved the Steak & Eggs, especially since it was served with toast made from Iggy's fresh, local breads. Alongside our meals we ordered a couple of cocktails, a traditional mimosa of course, and Il Molo's signature brunch craft cocktail, the Pisco Bacon & Eggs with Pisco, egg white, lime, sugar, and bacon crumble.


I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu on future visits, we didn't get a taste of the Lobster Benedict, Smoked Salmon Toast, or Daily Hash (which I hear often comes loaded with lobster!). If you find yourself wandering the streets of the North End on the weekends you can enjoy brunch at Il Molo on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm.