There won't be a red carpet or little golden statues, but the inaugural New England Travel Readers' Choice Awards will recognize the region's best and most memorable places and experiences and give the hard-working innkeepers, snow groomers, chefs, brew masters, event planners and other hospitality and tourism industry professionals behind them the right to swagger throughout 2012. Like all of About.com's Readers' Choice Awards, these honors provide travelers with an opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. Whether you live in New England or have only visited this six-state region, your votes will help others discover the best New England has to offer.
Vote for Your Favorite New England Places and Experiences
Hundreds of nominations were submitted for the 2012 New England Travel Readers' Choice Awards, and now it's time for the five finalists in each category to compete for your votes. Readers can vote once each day from February 22 through March 21, 2012 for their top picks in each of the eight award categories below. Readers' Choice Award winners will be announced on March 30, 2012.
And the finalists are...
And the finalists are...
Favorite New England B&B/Inn
© 2011 Kim Knox Beckius
Just like snowflakes, no two New England B&Bs are alike. And therein lies their charm and allure for many travelers. Discover the distinctive qualities that helped five New England inns emerge as the finalists in this hotly contested category, then cast your vote for your favorite New England inn or B&B.
Favorite New England Family Resort/Hotel
© 2001 Kim Knox Beckius
Family-friendly resorts and hotels beckon to New England travelers with their array of recreational amenities, accommodations options and scenic locales. You'll find family resorts by the sea, in the mountains and lakeside among the five finalists for Readers' Choice honors. Cast your vote once each day to make sure your favorite family destination comes out on top.
Best Place to View New England Fall Foliage
Photo courtesy of Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.
Once you've experienced autumn in New England, you understand completely why the region is overrun with leaf peepers from late September through October! Fall foliage season is the region's busiest tourism season, and there are both tried and true destinations for enjoying scenic views and lesser known places with equally splendid autumn landscapes. Learn a bit about why the five finalists in this category have unparalleled autumn appeal, then weigh in by voting for your favorite leaf peeping place.
Best New England Ski Resort
Media photo courtesy of Killington
What makes a ski resort the best? Great snow conditions and exhilarating trails for all abilities--sure! But think about mountainside amenities, atmosphere, instructional offerings and the après-ski scene, too, when you vote for one of these five finalists for the Readers' Choice Award for Best New England Ski Resort.
Favorite Place to Eat Lobster in New England
© 2011 Kim Knox Beckius
It is completely possible to eat lobster for breakfast, lunch and dinner when you're traveling in New England... or even to belly up to an all-you-can-eat lobster buffet. Some say you haven't tasted lobster until you've eaten it "in the rough" at a lobster pound on the Maine coast. Others prefer their lobster all piled up on a bun or beautifully plated in an elegant restaurant. The finalists for "best lobster" reflect the range of lobster dining experiences. Now, it's time for lobster lovers to weigh in with their votes on which lobster spot is tops.
Best New England Brewery/Brewpub
© 2009 Kim Knox Beckius
The Pilgrims didn't spend all of their time planting corn and hunting turkeys. They also labored to make beer. And New England breweries large and small still make distinctive brews that you'll find on tap during your travels. Which brewery rates top honors? Will it be a household name or a craft brewery that deserves accolades? Both are among the finalists, and your votes determine which brewery or brewpub claims best in New England honors.
Best Annual Festival/Event in New England
© 2010 Kim Knox Beckius
When you live in New England, it's impossible to be bored. There are simply too many excellent events happening in the region, season after season. The finalists in this category are all cherished annual traditions, and your votes will determine which is named the 2012 event that's simply not to be missed.
Favorite New England Attraction, Activity or Tour
© 1999 Kim Knox Beckius
