Quality Food and Drink NearU
Fall is in full swing now. And so far this year, we’ve become aware of just how many things you can “pumpkin spice.” Today, we’re walking you through some of our favorite fall spots to spend a day outside of Boston.
For a full day trip out of Boston and into in the hills of Western Mass, visit Echo Hill Orchards & Winery. If you are looking for a place to chase the leaves changing colors this is your spot. If you are looking for world-class wine then maybe take a trip to Napa.
The vibes at Echo Hill are a 10/10, A it’s located at the top of a rolling hill, and there is foliage as far as the eye can see. Like any good farm you can take a hayride around the property, or grab a bag to pick-your-own apples.
On top of having wine, they also make their own moonshine which we enjoyed quite a bit. Their apple pie, peach cobbler and blueberry moonshine were liquid desserts.
Tree House is slowly but surely taking over Massachusetts. Charlton is their HQ location, but they have also opened locations in Deerfield, Cape Cod, and most recently, they purchased a golf course in Tewksbury. All locations are worth a visit, but in the fall their flagship spot is our go-to for a number of reasons besides (of course) their world-class beer.
This place is the Willy Wonka’s of breweries. There are two bars and over 70 different beers on tap at a time. The brewery is located on a hill and there are tons of outdoor seats on top of it that give you unparalleled views of the changing foliage. There are also miles upon miles of hiking trails all on the property, so you don’t have to feel bad about that dessert stout you have.
Beyond just the beer, they are also a distillery and offer craft cocktails as well as slushy drinks. Burying the lede here is their beer. When it starts to get cool out, something just hits different when drinking an indulgent dessert stout.
With 70 beers on tap there is something here for everyone, although Tree House’s bread-and-butter is hazy IPAs and stouts. They have a core coffee stout which is essentially drinking a thick cold brew. From this base stout they have a number of ever-changing variants, like versions with Oreos, chocolate truffles, and maple syrup. You can also expect over-the-top dessert stouts including one of our favorites “Moment Of Clarity” which tastes like pancakes covered in maple syrup.
Less than an hour from Boston, we can’t think of a better way to spend a fall afternoon. If you are really feeling it you could even go to both Echo Hill and Tree House in one trip!
If you are looking for the ideal day date spot that isn’t too far from Boston, but still feels like a total escape, look no further than Lookout Farm.
Over the years, Lookout Farm has expanded beyond just a pick-your-own fruit farm. There is now a full, year-round taproom that features all of their own beers and ciders, a killer brunch, a BBQ pit, and a huge field in order to enjoy all of the above with beautiful views of rolling hills.
If you aren’t looking to pick a bag full of apples that will eventually just sit on your countertop, you can still enjoy the walking paths around the property, as they provide many great photo-ops.