In just a few days many American’s will be sitting down around a table and carving a turkey, and generally putting on weight and watching a game of American Football…and the Thanksgiving Parade in New York City.

Last Thanksgiving I wrote about visiting Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth and breaking bread with a pilgrim if you were looking to get into the history of the holiday. This year I thought I’d do something completely different…

Black Friday in New England!

This is the Friday after Thanksgiving when shoppers go out in droves to start their holiday season buying. This is one of the most important days in the retail calendar as it’s a barometer merchants use to decide what kind of profits they can make for the year. Many retailers make the bulk of their profits during the traditional Christmas season.

New Englanders love a bargain even when on vacation or a getaway. Many of the factory outlet stores are located close to popular New England vacation attractions. And so for my Blog entry today I’m going to highlight a few that combine a wonderful shopping experience with stunning destinations, and provide further resource if these are not enough or close by for you.

North Conway, New Hampshire

Surrounded by the stunning White Mountains and within striking distance of Mount Washington is the village of North Conway. North Conway is a summer vacation town and winter sports location. But it also has a shoppers delight in outlet stores, and in particular Settlers Green ensures you won’t leave empty-handed… or with much cash in your wallet or purse.

At this time of the year it’ll be decorated for the season and a little colder than Boston!

Route 16 takes you through the town and where all the stores are located. This is a town that closes early for eating so don’t leave the hunger pains unattended for too long, or you’ll be eating snack food in a gas station.

North Conway is deep in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and from Boston it’s a 90 minute drive along Route 95 and then Route 16.

Kittery Outlets, Maine

This tends to be one of the more popular shopping destinations this time of year as it’s a short hop from Boston, and full of designer and discount stores. Over 120 are within a short walking distance. Kittery has a good mixture of apparel and stores like Brookstones and specialty shops.

Back over the border in Portsmouth, New Hampshire are the Isles of Shoals and Strawberry Banke Museum, and further north in Maine at York Beach is the famous and well-photographed Nubble Lighthouse.

Kittery Outlets is in Maine on coastal Route 1. Take 95N from Boston and you’ll be there in less than an hour.

Freeport, Maine

Freeport in Maine is famous as the home of L.L. Bean. L.L. Bean is an experience and open 24-hours 365 days a year, and one of the major draws in scenic the Casco Bay area of Southern Coastal Maine. But Freeport has a lot more than just L.L. Bean in town. You’ll find over 170 designer outlets, and plenty café and eateries up and down the main drag.

Nearby attractions include the strange “Desert of Maine” – and hiking trails through Mast Landing Sanctuary – owned by the Maine Audubon Society – and Wolfe’s Neck Farm one of the most scenic coastal farms in Maine. The hiking trails are close to the town. Freeport is a 15 minute drive north of Portland on Route 295.

For a larger listing of shopping delight in the region check out my New England factory outlet stores section by clicking here.

Next week discover how a town attracts thousands of visitors every Christmas season to buy something for just a few cents.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director,
New England vacation Guide

Related posts:

1. Black History Month in New England
2. Friday Night Fright at the Mount in the Berkshires