New England Has 2 Of The Most Charming Lake Towns

Sure, we have miles and miles of sensational coastlines here in the northeast. However, in a recent feature by Daily Passport, New England lake towns received accolades.

Specifically, two of the six prettiest lake towns spotlighted in the feature are right here in the New England region. Just in time for summer trips to begin, lake areas offer a great alternative to coastal areas.

"Indeed, with their recreational activities, thriving artisan communities, access to wildlife, and overall tranquil vibes, it’s difficult to find the negative side of a lakeside retreat," Daily Passport explained.

Lake life is often associated with being more rustic with treelined streets and tight-knit communities. Often, this entails you staying at a house where a simple walk down the hill, through the woods, or through the backyard brings you right to the side of the lake. Here, you are likely to be greeted by some docks to swim or fish off of and a view across to the other side that you can never get enough of.

Our first stop is Rangeley, Maine. This is the most northern spot in the country listed in the feature. Rangeley is just under 10 square miles and covers 6,300 acres. This cold water lake reaches a maximum depth of 149 feet.

"Rangeley Lake is a popular fishing hub for trout and salmon in the summer and a base for many avid skiers and snowboarders seeking fresh powder at Saddleback Mountain in the winter," Daily Passport said.

Then, if you drive a little over three hours south, you will cross state lines and arrive at Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. This was actually the first great lake town to be mentioned, as it is on Lake Winnipesaukee. This is a much larger body of water as it is 72 square miles. This is equivalent to just under 45,000 miles.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire and one of the most popular summer destinations in New England. With the White Mountains nearby, you have double the amount of fun at your disposal. You can go for a nice long hike and then cool off swimming in the lake.

Furthermore Lake Winnipesaukee is only approximately 135 miles from Boston, so if you time the drive correctly, you can be sitting lakeside in under two hours.

As a father of four, my mornings are always a bit hectic. I enjoy being an early bird; however, I rarely have the time to prep a good breakfast. Therefore, I was quite thrilled to see that Tasting Table recognized three New England restaurants for having the best breakfast sandwiches in the country. I'm always looking for a good quick breakfast.

A morning in my world usually consists of a sunrise workout, followed by a scramble to get myself and the kids out of the house. Then I embark on an hour-long drive to the office. On the weekends, it's taking one of my kids to their sports game. Let's focus on the latter for a moment.

While I am more lenient on my breakfast choice (a banana or shake will do), I insist upon a healthy start for the little guys. Driving them all around New England on weekends requires a few drive-thru meals that you eat in the car. My preference is for the kids to have something substantial, with a protein they enjoy. A breakfast sandwich is often the choice.

The perfect breakfast sandwich should follow three simple rules. It's quick, both to order and make. It's fresh (not a microwaved egg slab pulled out of plastic). Finally, it's a balanced hand-held item that is not too heavy, processed or sugar-filled.

When trekking through interstates and unfamiliar towns at sunrise, it's easy to settle upon the quickest Dunkin' Donuts. Now, there are some other options that you (and I) should know about. These three New England restaurants ranking among the best breakfast sandwiches in the country.

Before we get into the list, it is necessary to give one other shout-out. The Portland, Oregon establishment named by Tasting Table has both the best restaurant and sandwich name. The "Yolko Ono" by Fried Egg I'm In Love.

Sofra Bakery and Café in Cambridge, MA, is the first stop. Tasting Table calls out "Geno's Egg Sandwich." This is a brioche bun filled with egg topped with halloumi cheese, feta butter, tomato concasse, and spicy green cilantro.

Next, we hop on 95 North and pull into the Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Here the selected breakfast sandwich is called the "Egg Simit." It's the healthiest of the three choices based on pure ingredients. This sandwich consists of egg, hummus, beat pistachio spread, feta, and spinach on a sesame simit.

I actually had a very hard time securing a quick bacon, egg, and cheese this past spring while in Maine for a lacrosse tournament. Now I know I need to go to a coffee shop next time. Tandem Coffee has something so good, it doesn't even need a clever name. "The Breakfast Sandwich" is simply egg, American cheese, and smoked paprika. However, when you rest it upon a homemade buttermilk biscuit, you reach a new level.