I'm glad he called out the "New England shield," the but the reasoning behind it was inaccurate. It's not that we're not open to tourists-we just appreciate honesty and hate pointless smalltalk full of pretenses.
I've never heard it called this, but it's not because of tourists. It's more a matter of the fact that nobody really has time to deal with pleasantries I think...life can be stressful (expensive, very bad weather a lot of the time, terrible traffic) and being friendly isn't a high priority. Now that I live outside of New England that's my take on "the New England shield".
I could understand some of it because- especially when someone beats around the bush or really overworks at making themselves look 'friendly'- it can come off as malicious.
I feel like New england and the northeast are the most sophisticated and cultured regions in our country. Everyone is bursting with knowledge and literary cities, architecture, history and a strong identity.
+halifaxx55 I would say that is a gross overstatement. While it does have the history, and some of best higher education in the nation, I would not say everyone is bursting with knowledge unless you are speaking about sports or walking around Cambridge. Culturally New England especially around Boston and the larger cities is very blue collar and poor. There are also plenty of uneducated nitwits for every intelligent person. But as my Texas friend says, people around here likes to pretend they are smart even if they are dumb as bricks.
Charles Schutz o.0 oh. I didn't know lol I just thought they were very burgeois, that's always just what I see on tv, everyone vacationing in Martha's vineyard and the coastal towns as well as the fancy ivy leagues and MIT, not to mention the history of boston and philly, but I guess you have a point.
+halifaxx55 Those stereotypes are created by the media and are kind of annoying. While there is some truth, it is hardly reality. Most of the cities in the region are very run down, and poor because the major industries left years ago(each large city had is own cottage industry, some were textiles, others specialized machine, though those companies did leave all their toxic waste. The Northeast is one of the most polluted areas in the country. The whole region saw a huge decline in population from 1960s through to this day. While parts of New England (mainly around Boston and Providence RI) are now seeing a resurgence with a influx of high tech jobs, many areas are still struggling. Massachusetts is home of some of the worst cities in the US Lawrence, Springfield, New Bedford, Fall River are always near the top with rampant crime and deep poverty. Go into one of those cities and its like being transported to a different country. Actually pretty much all the large cities in the region, including Boston, are terrible places to live. They are expensive, crime ridden, corrupt hellholes with few good paying jobs.The smaller cities and town are the real authentic New England and worth visiting.
The lake in Maine I used to live at, they can no longer drink it. It's gotten too bad from all of the septic tank runoff from the summer cottages that line the lake.
Jay Jackson nope, it's some of the most toxic water in the country. We've got radioactive materials in our soil since the bedrock is so close to the surface.
I’ve lived in Connecticut all of my life and this is pretty accurate. The “New England Sheild” is something that I was never aware of until recently. It’s not something that we’re conscious about, it’s just our natural way of living. As far as the food is concerned, you should know that there are two types of lobster rolls. Cold with mayonnaise, sometimes called Maine lobster roll, and warm with melted butter, also known as Connecticut style lobster rolls. But there’s more to NE food than seafood. We have the best Italian food anywhere. Check out Boston’s North End and the pizza places in New Haven CT.
We're really particular about people pronouncing our place names correctly. You'll always get that "New England shield" if you say "con-CORED" repeatedly in front of a Granite Stater. It's "CON-kerd". When in doubt in NH, always emphasize the first syllable. For the most part though you're right, get outside the cities and you'll see why NH is called the "South of the North". You'll see guns and hospitality like nowhere else in New England :)
+woltersworld I definitely agree with you, in regards to the traffic and New England. I grew up in Easton, Massachusetts 14.4 miles from Foxboro Stadium. I recently Google maped it. It is now named Gillette Stadium. I go back every summer to visit family, friends, and gorge on seafood. Especially Steamers and lobster.
Being born and raised in New England but moving to the Midwest a couple of years ago, I very much appreciated your video. I totally understand what you mean about the shield, and I honestly don’t think people realize we do it and it is not done to push people away. In my town, when someone had a death in the family, most of the town would attend the wake and or bring food to the home of the family. There is always an extra place setting or extra food for anyone who came by. Thank you for touching on that. I hope you had a wonderful visit and come on back again!
Oh, and please, personal space! Don’t touch me, don’t be a close talker, but DO ask questions - we love to help, and everyone has their favorite hidden gems they love to share. I’ll happily tell you where to get the best mussels (where the Queen of England literally has them shipped to her daily, no joke), or the best grinders, the different pizzas, where to find shad - and also scenic roads, shortcuts, great hikes, hidden beaches. We’re private folks, but seriously, we love to share and hear about where you’ve been and where you’re from.
This video made me so homesick. The fried clams, clam chowder, creme soda, maple walnut ice cream, maple sugar candy, the fall foliage etc. thanks for the look back . I have lived in Italy for 28 years now but still miss my hometown of Boston. Proud member of Red Sox Nation!
Right on Ken. It's not Con-cord it's Conk-id. Like Boscawen is not Bos-cow-en, it's Bosk-wine. A funny lot us local's. I have always appreciated both weeks of summer.
I've been enjoying your videos for a while and I've got to tell you how much I like your positive outlook on everything and the way you go beyond the stereotypes to find little bits of beauty everywhere. That kind of maturity can only come from a man who has traveled as much as you did and I appreciate you spreading that love in the world like this. Keep it up man! good luck!
I'm currently visiting New England as my first visit to the US and everybody's been super friendly, so I'm really surprised to hear about this "New England Shield". On the other hand, I'm from Scandinavia and we're kinda infamous for not being socially outgoing to strangers, so it makes sense. I find it very interesting that our nature and climate are so similar and how that seems to affect peoples social manners. After driving around in a rental car for over a week I agree with your opinions about traffic, there is always a lot more cars in the streets than we're used to back home.
You left out 2 of the best places in NE! Newport and Cape Cod! Newport has more than just the Gilded Age mansions, it has SO much history. Cape Cod has history and beaches! Both are amazing! The worst time of year to go to NE is between Memorial and Labor Days. It's tourist season hell. The 2 months before and 2 months after are the best, lower prices, restaurants and attractions are mostly open and the weather is really mild!
No doubt. I grew up in SW CT but my parents had a place in Newport as well as a home in Duxbury, MA. I lived in Chatham when I was very young in the late 70s. Spent lots of time in the 90s in Newport, visiting family mostly between Boston and the Cape, MV, etc. Not to mention hiking Mt. Washington in NH. Live in Pittsburgh now (where I attended undergrad at CMU) and it's a great city. But I'll take New England any day!
As a Connecticutan, I can confirm that basically every town has at least 1 dead zone. Even bigger towns near the coast have them and it only gets worse the further north you go.
Six to eight months is a bit much, usually there is snow from December through March, April, October, and November can all be kind of chilly, but there is rarely snow during those months.
Here's what I love and hate about New England. I'm from Mass and live in Maine now so I know what I'm talking about. PROS: 1.Beautiful scenery, especially in the fall. There's nothing like the foliage with all the colors. We have beaches, mountains, lighthouses, historic homes, scenic small towns, and more! 2. A TON of history. This is basically the birthplace of America. There are so many historical sites and monuments. It's amazing. 3.FOOD! There are so many foods to try and some many have never heard of. Definitely a foodie land 4. It's compact (for the most part). You can easily drive from one state to another in no time, depending where you are. The New England states are smaller, so when visiting, you can see multiple places all in one trip. 5.SUMMER: I love summer in New England. Rarely does it ever get so hot that your going to die. Yes, it does get into the upper 80's and low 90's at times, but most of the time, it's fairly moderate. Be cautious as a lot of homes don't have central air conditioning. It's not needed for that long so it's not worth it to have. I use a window unit and fans when it gets warm. The beaches are pretty nice, although packed. The trees are green, and sightseeing is great this time of year. CONS: 1. THE DRIVING! This is my biggest peeve. Driving here stinks. If you aren't used to fast drivers, inconsiderate drivers, or tailgaters, BEWARE. I've driven all over the country and New England, by far, has the worst drivers I've ever seen. Traffic is terrible quite often, especially in and around Boston. Be prepared. 2. Attitude: I don't think this is really a pro or con but depending where you are from, New Englander's may seem a bit cold and rigid. I'm from Massachusetts and find people around these parts to be just downright rude, but I've also met some of the nicest people I've ever come into contact with. You won't get the friendliness or openness you would find in other places, but just give it time. We may seem standoffish at first, but once we get to know you, your golden! 3.WINTER: This can be great or this can be the bane of our existence. Here in Maine, winter seems to last from November through April. It gets cold in September and stays that way until May. Southern New England is warmer, but be prepared for temps at or below freezing for a large chunk of the year. Summer is beautiful, but you have to make it through 6 months of winter. 4.EXPENSIVE: If you plan to visit, bring money. Depending where you are, a trip to New England is going to cost you. Boston, for instance, is one of the most expensive cities not only to live, but to visit. Hotels are terribly expensive and even then, some are downright nasty. Anything on the Cape in summer will be sky high. Be prepared for a lot of costs. More so than other places. New England is a great place to live and visit. I definitely recommend making a journey to this part of the U.S. I'm sure you'll like it too.
Honestly for me I NH traffic is never that bad, except for holiday weekends during the summer/ fall when all the people from Massachusetts come up to go camping.
I lived in northern New England for 4 years. Many of these things are true and this video made me a bit nostalgic. Thanks for the memories. Waiting for you to come to Greece now!
In my New England town, in school, you have to learn French, and it is not an option. All my friends speak French and so do I because we were taught to as toddlers by our families.
It doesn't get too hot in the summer?! I've seen summer days in Western Massachusetts that were hotter on the same than it was in India. It gets HUMID!!!
Honestly? The seasonality is something I really miss here in Germany. See, we have no real summers and no real winters since about 2 years (when you live in the middle west like me). And so I think the seasonality is one of the best things in New England.... can't wait to visit :)
Born and raised as a New Englander, and I’ll never leave. Thanks for the nice, respectful review. You’ve nailed a couple good points. The New England “shield” is a real thing - it’s not that we’re not friendly, but we are certainly wary of outsiders, especially during tourist season.
I grew up in New England, but I have also lived in New York State (for college), then Minneapolis and Southern California. Each place had things I liked and disliked. I find the food better in New England than in the other places I've lived, including seafood, Italian-American and Chinese-American. As for being cold, people in New England are more reserved and formal with strangers, much like Europeans. Boston is the US city most like a European city. I was taken aback the first few times I visited the South and Texas where people are more open and friendly. I didn't expect people I interacted with casually to be so friendly. In New England, people are generally polite, but they won't engage with strangers they meet in passing in more than a superficial way. It doesn't mean they are cold or rude.
That’s the Anglo culture. English people tend to be very formal & respectful while people of Southern European decent tend to be informal & patronizing. Those are two different worlds.
Thank you so much for this video! I'm from Massachusetts (I've lived in northern England for the past 3 years now) and it was such a treat to get this glimpse back home. Thank you so much for all your videos Mark, and everyone at Woltersworld, if it wasn't for your advice I wouldn't have gone to Ghent, Belgium which is my favourite city on Earth! Can't wait for the next video!!
Amen to the bad road signs here in RI. IF they happen to have signs they're over grown with vines or trees. RI is an amazing place to visit, history, art, church festivals, beaches, hiking, Waterfire, and of course, eating. As for seafood best in the state for pretty cheap is The Crows Nest. Not many tourists, mostly locals. Glad you enjoy my neck of the woods!
I'm a lifelong Rhode Islander and I have to agree with your assessment of our road signs. They are atrocious, it's almost like we assume everyone knows where to go. the condition of our roads is terrible too, pot holes everywhere. But it is a beautiful state to live in.
It's 3-4 months of winter. It'd seem like 6-8 months if you were from the south. Winter is November to mid-March. Winter=40°or lower. Sometimes 45°. It depends on the wind.
Wow! You are so very lucky that you get to visit all these amazing places in the world! I cannot wait until I am older and I can travel all around the world. Amazing videos & keep up the amazing work! Best of wishes from Minnesota!
When you said “I’m talking about you Rhode Island”, for a second I thought he really was talking about me!! I’m from/living in Rhode Island, as well as my ancestry going back to Roger Williams, the founder.
The biggest problem with my home region of New England is all the non new Englanders forgetting that we are 6 distinct states. Each one has pros and cons that differ from it’s cousins. New Hampshire and Vermont are very similar but Maine and Rhode Island are berry different culturally. The broadest you could really catigorize with somewhat like cultures is northern New England (being Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine) and southern New England (being Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island). A very large portion of the vastly different experiences and understandings of New England are from people who only know what Boston or Newport or Bar Harbor are like and then assuming the rest of New England is like that. It’d be like going to Chicago and thinking this represents “the mid west”.
You're really lucky that you get to travel a lot. You really get a good view of places all over the world! I've recently started watching your videos; I thought they were really good, so I subscribed to your channel! :D
Agree with local and “CON-kid” pronunciation😀 Secondly, MORE Mrs. Wolters and your adorable kiddos! Love your vlog. I’m a “CON-kid” NH resident and hope sometime you do a spot in Cape Ann, MA. Summer there is my retreat whether downtown Rockport or Long Beach. Keep up the greatest gift you can give your kids, travel and a loving family!😀
Thanks for the tips. In August we come to new Engeland for a three week holiday and so do's and don'ts are very welcome. Greetings from MIddelburg The Netherlands
Something I would add that is great about New England, particularly southern New England, is the access. In MA and CT in particular, you're never more than a few hours from Boston and NYC. VT, NH, and ME are also within driving distance of Montreal and Quebec City in Canada. It's something that I have really learned to appreciate, having grown up in the Midwest.
Avoid 95 and you'll find you like New England even more! Take the Merritt Parkway through CT to 91N to 84E to the MASS PIKE E. Then, take 3 from Boston towards the Cape & RI. Prettier, less stressful route if you are looking to visit Boston, Cape Cod & RI. Or go north out if MA on 91 or 93 to explore the mountains of NH & VT. I suggest a camping/hiking excursion up to Gorham, NH & Mount Washington (take Tuckerman Ravine trail to Boott Spurr Link to Boott Spurr to Alpine Garden up the cone to 6,288').
Love your videos sir ;) Great energy ;) And very informative too:) I can never go to such places. I'm visually impaired, but, I can watch your vids and just get a sense of adventure with the energy you put into your vids. Thanks for sharing !! =)
I love that you love it here! Massachusetts is my home and everything you said is true! It's great to see the major tourist spots but then better to go off the beaten path and explore a town or two for a day. The New England states are pretty close to each other so you can easily see a few states in one day if you prefer. Tip: look for groupons and specials on meals.
The phrase is "winter isn't the only thing cold in New England." I love summer in Maine,.... both days of it.... I was born and raised in Maine and when I moved to Florida I was shocked at how friendly folk were and it was sunny every day.
I've always been intrigued by the nautical charm of New England. Hopefully I can visit it soon. The four perfect seasons there means there's a reason to visit at the very least four different times. I wanna enjoy Cape Cod in summer, see Vermont in Autumn, see a winter snowfall in Boston, drive through the Connecticut countryside in the spring.
I spent 3 months in Cape Cod, MA last summer as an exchange student and I approve all the facts. Boston is so nice town. Local beers were pretty good but I still prefer our Czech beers. Greetings from your favourite Český Krumlov.
An hour north of Boston on the N.H. coast is the small city of Portsmouth. A great walking town with that almost European old school feel. And between Portsmouth and Kittery Maine which is just across the River, you have world class dining. The same can be said for for the micro brews.
Idk, I live in New Hampshire and I don't think the traffic is too bad. Around the cities and the seacoast area, yes. But up around the White Mountains isn't bad at all. Btw, Connecticut sucks, but the rest of New England is alright.
Living in Northern Maine my whole life had spoiled me. Your neighbors always made sure you were okay, snow blower broken? Call your neighbor and they'll be over soon. Moving away has been tough and made me miss the community feeling of Maine. Yes there is a can do attitude of pulling yourself up in Maine but if you are in need someone will be right there.
To be honest, as a lifelong Mainer, the tourists we have the most problems with are the most are other New Englanders. Ask any real local, shopkeeper, waiter/waitress and they’ll tell you the rudest people around here are the ‘I’M ON VACATION’ tourists from surrounding states. It’s kind of an inside joke. Anytime we see someone driving like an idiot, or being a rude, disrespectful jerk... we say ‘Must be a Masshole’. Overall, we’re friendly people but the farther away you’re from, the nicer we are.
Hey Mark, if you haven't already been, make sure to visit New Haven next time you are in Connecticut. Despite what the media may say it's actually a wonderful city with fantastic culture and architecture and some of the most amazing food in the northeast. (New Haven style pizza is better than New York....hehehe). Love your videos! Keep up the great work! Cheers.
Living in SouthTexas...I have always wanted to visit New England. I love this video and the scenery of N.E., and all the sea food. I originally found you on UA-cam while I was planning our Quebec trip for next summer.....and we plan to eat lots of poutine. Lol
It's not just we have four seasons, it's that they don't come and end on time! A couple of years ago we have four feet of snow, and last year it was 50 degrees in January. We never get snow until mid January, and when we do get snow, the cold and snow stays until (sometimes) April. Last week it was 70 degrees, and this week it was 40. If you are coming to New England, just come in the summer. It's the only weather you can count on.
He's absolutely right about the New England character. Its often perceived as unfriendly at first, but remember you are an outsider and people have no reason to welcome you like you're a long lost cousin. Small talk isn't what a lot of them are going to be wanting to do. But they are unfailingly helpful (chivalry is alive and well) if you need any kind of assistance. They just might not do it with a smile. And if you do succeed in popping that cork off the bottle so to speak, you might have a hard time getting it back in :) One can go from stranger to pal very quickly. So try acting a little grumpy and don't shy away from using expletives when you talk because truth be told, they will quickly warm to that (and smile at you for the first time, maybe :)) And then sit back and get ready to be entertained. They are among the most sophisticated people in the US, but they just might not sound like it at first!
As someone who moved to Maine from Michigan, to me, it almost felt like a smugness or a “ im better than you” . Now being the Midwest, people would bend over backwards for you. Now on the other hand, since I’ve been here for 12 years, that smugness has gone and people ( well most people ) are awesome.
I can't speak for bigger places like Boston but I used to work customer service in a small tourist town in Maine. Personally I think a big part of the tourist aversion comes from feeling claustrophobic. I think we're ranked 40th in population or something like that so when the roads and restaurants start to fill up we turn into teenagers that have to share our room when family visits.
I'm glad he called out the "New England shield," the but the reasoning behind it was inaccurate. It's not that we're not open to tourists-we just appreciate honesty and hate pointless smalltalk full of pretenses.
Thanks for the insider insight. Merry Christmas!
I've never heard it called this, but it's not because of tourists. It's more a matter of the fact that nobody really has time to deal with pleasantries I think...life can be stressful (expensive, very bad weather a lot of the time, terrible traffic) and being friendly isn't a high priority. Now that I live outside of New England that's my take on "the New England shield".
I'm from New England and honestly, I'm just afraid to talk to tourists. I have nothing against them but that's just how I am.
I could understand some of it because- especially when someone beats around the bush or really overworks at making themselves look 'friendly'- it can come off as malicious.
nah, we're just a bitter ppl because we have to deal the the horrid ass winters here
I feel like New england and the northeast are the most sophisticated and cultured regions in our country. Everyone is bursting with knowledge and literary cities, architecture, history and a strong identity.
+halifaxx55 I would say that is a gross overstatement. While it does have the history, and some of best higher education in the nation, I would not say everyone is bursting with knowledge unless you are speaking about sports or walking around Cambridge. Culturally New England especially around Boston and the larger cities is very blue collar and poor. There are also plenty of uneducated nitwits for every intelligent person. But as my Texas friend says, people around here likes to pretend they are smart even if they are dumb as bricks.
Charles Schutz o.0 oh. I didn't know lol I just thought they were very burgeois, that's always just what I see on tv, everyone vacationing in Martha's vineyard and the coastal towns as well as the fancy ivy leagues and MIT, not to mention the history of boston and philly, but I guess you have a point.
+halifaxx55 Those stereotypes are created by the media and are kind of annoying. While there is some truth, it is hardly reality. Most of the cities in the region are very run down, and poor because the major industries left years ago(each large city had is own cottage industry, some were textiles, others specialized machine, though those companies did leave all their toxic waste. The Northeast is one of the most polluted areas in the country. The whole region saw a huge decline in population from 1960s through to this day. While parts of New England (mainly around Boston and Providence RI) are now seeing a resurgence with a influx of high tech jobs, many areas are still struggling. Massachusetts is home of some of the worst cities in the US Lawrence, Springfield, New Bedford, Fall River are always near the top with rampant crime and deep poverty. Go into one of those cities and its like being transported to a different country. Actually pretty much all the large cities in the region, including Boston, are terrible places to live. They are expensive, crime ridden, corrupt hellholes with few good paying jobs.The smaller cities and town are the real authentic New England and worth visiting.
Charles Schutz oh I see, well I still want to go and see, I've lived in Texas and California, so I know run down haha I can handle those.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
One overlooked thing about New England is air quality and water quality. Both are top notch.
It depends on where you are. If your in Urban Areas it will be terrible
The lake in Maine I used to live at, they can no longer drink it. It's gotten too bad from all of the septic tank runoff from the summer cottages that line the lake.
Jay Jackson nope, it's some of the most toxic water in the country. We've got radioactive materials in our soil since the bedrock is so close to the surface.
Boston air is pretty good
Yeah, New Hampshire and Maine are the most forested states in the country! Something like 80-90% forest!
I’ve lived in Connecticut all of my life and this is pretty accurate. The “New England Sheild” is something that I was never aware of until recently. It’s not something that we’re conscious about, it’s just our natural way of living.
As far as the food is concerned, you should know that there are two types of lobster rolls. Cold with mayonnaise, sometimes called Maine lobster roll, and warm with melted butter, also known as Connecticut style lobster rolls. But there’s more to NE food than seafood. We have the best Italian food anywhere. Check out Boston’s North End and the pizza places in New Haven CT.
Proud to be from New England
Yeah
We're really particular about people pronouncing our place names correctly. You'll always get that "New England shield" if you say "con-CORED" repeatedly in front of a Granite Stater. It's "CON-kerd". When in doubt in NH, always emphasize the first syllable. For the most part though you're right, get outside the cities and you'll see why NH is called the "South of the North". You'll see guns and hospitality like nowhere else in New England :)
I totally agree with this especially the guns and hospitality😂😂😂 another commonly mispronounced city in NH is BUR-lin instead of Ber-Lin
How about non natives bastardizing names like Worcester, Leominster, and Leicester.
every tourist season I hear "Bang-Ger" dozens of times
The way he kept saying Concord was like nails on a chalk board....cringe.
@@guidethelight3707It's Ban-Gore, Goddammit.
I thought that the bad audio was on purpose to really emphasize the bad cell coverage.
FIRST!!!! ;) Love to you all! Enjoy a bit of St. Patrick's fun with our 5 Love & Hate New England Video.
+woltersworld I definitely agree with you, in regards to the traffic and New England. I grew up in Easton, Massachusetts 14.4 miles from Foxboro Stadium. I recently Google maped it. It is now named Gillette Stadium. I go back every summer to visit family, friends, and gorge on seafood. Especially Steamers and lobster.
Please stop saying con-cord. It is pronounced the same as conquered.
Being born and raised in New England but moving to the Midwest a couple of years ago, I very much appreciated your video. I totally understand what you mean about the shield, and I honestly don’t think people realize we do it and it is not done to push people away. In my town, when someone had a death in the family, most of the town would attend the wake and or bring food to the home of the family. There is always an extra place setting or extra food for anyone who came by. Thank you for touching on that. I hope you had a wonderful visit and come on back again!
Oh, and please, personal space! Don’t touch me, don’t be a close talker, but DO ask questions - we love to help, and everyone has their favorite hidden gems they love to share. I’ll happily tell you where to get the best mussels (where the Queen of England literally has them shipped to her daily, no joke), or the best grinders, the different pizzas, where to find shad - and also scenic roads, shortcuts, great hikes, hidden beaches. We’re private folks, but seriously, we love to share and hear about where you’ve been and where you’re from.
Best thing about New England is the driving, perfect place to take a nap :)
This video made me so homesick. The fried clams, clam chowder, creme soda, maple walnut ice cream, maple sugar candy, the fall foliage etc. thanks for the look back . I have lived in Italy for 28 years now but still miss my hometown of Boston. Proud member of Red Sox Nation!
Right on Ken. It's not Con-cord it's Conk-id. Like Boscawen is not Bos-cow-en, it's Bosk-wine. A funny lot us local's. I have always appreciated both weeks of summer.
I've been enjoying your videos for a while and I've got to tell you how much I like your positive outlook on everything and the way you go beyond the stereotypes to find little bits of beauty everywhere. That kind of maturity can only come from a man who has traveled as much as you did and I appreciate you spreading that love in the world like this. Keep it up man! good luck!
Thanks Bita! We try to help everyone travel better. And it means a lot to get comments like yours. Thank you! Great travels to you my friend!
Yes!
I'm currently visiting New England as my first visit to the US and everybody's been super friendly, so I'm really surprised to hear about this "New England Shield". On the other hand, I'm from Scandinavia and we're kinda infamous for not being socially outgoing to strangers, so it makes sense. I find it very interesting that our nature and climate are so similar and how that seems to affect peoples social manners. After driving around in a rental car for over a week I agree with your opinions about traffic, there is always a lot more cars in the streets than we're used to back home.
My family is from NE and I have spent time in Sweden. When it comes to cold and rude Scandinavia rules.
Strawberry bank in portsmouth, new hampshire is the best representation of the history of the colonies. Check it out sometime.
You left out 2 of the best places in NE! Newport and Cape Cod! Newport has more than just the Gilded Age mansions, it has SO much history. Cape Cod has history and beaches! Both are amazing! The worst time of year to go to NE is between Memorial and Labor Days. It's tourist season hell. The 2 months before and 2 months after are the best, lower prices, restaurants and attractions are mostly open and the weather is really mild!
Ms V23 5
One of my best memories of high school was a trip to Newport. We went around touring playing in the water and getting ice cream. I'd highly recommend.
No doubt. I grew up in SW CT but my parents had a place in Newport as well as a home in Duxbury, MA. I lived in Chatham when I was very young in the late 70s. Spent lots of time in the 90s in Newport, visiting family mostly between Boston and the Cape, MV, etc. Not to mention hiking Mt. Washington in NH. Live in Pittsburgh now (where I attended undergrad at CMU) and it's a great city. But I'll take New England any day!
The cape cod part really ticked me off, as I'm from MA
I've lived in southern Maine my whole life and I've NEVER heard it called south Maine. It's southern Maine. FYI.
Down East? You hear that one?
@@GodIHateYouKenny Maine AKA Eastern New England. That's what I call it.
@@BeckettSong gotcha. Love Kittery!
I always found funny that they call the Lewiston/Auburn area “Central Maine” when it’s still quite south
As a Connecticutan, I can confirm that basically every town has at least 1 dead zone. Even bigger towns near the coast have them and it only gets worse the further north you go.
New Canaan in the house! Grew up there. Not current resident. Miss it.
Glastonbury’s dead zone is hard to think of
Hey,you forgot about the Massachusrttes Northshore too,Salem & Marblehead area alot of Navel history&witchcraft!!!♡♡♡♡
He pretty much forgot everything
Six to eight months is a bit much, usually there is snow from December through March, April, October, and November can all be kind of chilly, but there is rarely snow during those months.
Here's what I love and hate about New England. I'm from Mass and live in Maine now so I know what I'm talking about.
PROS:
1.Beautiful scenery, especially in the fall. There's nothing like the foliage with all the colors. We have beaches, mountains, lighthouses, historic homes, scenic small towns, and more!
2. A TON of history. This is basically the birthplace of America. There are so many historical sites and monuments. It's amazing.
3.FOOD! There are so many foods to try and some many have never heard of. Definitely a foodie land
4. It's compact (for the most part). You can easily drive from one state to another in no time, depending where you are. The New England states are smaller, so when visiting, you can see multiple places all in one trip.
5.SUMMER: I love summer in New England. Rarely does it ever get so hot that your going to die. Yes, it does get into the upper 80's and low 90's at times, but most of the time, it's fairly moderate. Be cautious as a lot of homes don't have central air conditioning. It's not needed for that long so it's not worth it to have. I use a window unit and fans when it gets warm. The beaches are pretty nice, although packed. The trees are green, and sightseeing is great this time of year.
CONS:
1. THE DRIVING! This is my biggest peeve. Driving here stinks. If you aren't used to fast drivers, inconsiderate drivers, or tailgaters, BEWARE. I've driven all over the country and New England, by far, has the worst drivers I've ever seen. Traffic is terrible quite often, especially in and around Boston. Be prepared.
2. Attitude: I don't think this is really a pro or con but depending where you are from, New Englander's may seem a bit cold and rigid. I'm from Massachusetts and find people around these parts to be just downright rude, but I've also met some of the nicest people I've ever come into contact with. You won't get the friendliness or openness you would find in other places, but just give it time. We may seem standoffish at first, but once we get to know you, your golden!
3.WINTER: This can be great or this can be the bane of our existence. Here in Maine, winter seems to last from November through April. It gets cold in September and stays that way until May. Southern New England is warmer, but be prepared for temps at or below freezing for a large chunk of the year. Summer is beautiful, but you have to make it through 6 months of winter.
4.EXPENSIVE: If you plan to visit, bring money. Depending where you are, a trip to New England is going to cost you. Boston, for instance, is one of the most expensive cities not only to live, but to visit. Hotels are terribly expensive and even then, some are downright nasty. Anything on the Cape in summer will be sky high. Be prepared for a lot of costs. More so than other places.
New England is a great place to live and visit. I definitely recommend making a journey to this part of the U.S. I'm sure you'll like it too.
@@cristiantalero96 no...stay where you are
Honestly for me I NH traffic is never that bad, except for holiday weekends during the summer/ fall when all the people from Massachusetts come up to go camping.
100% true! I live in Lexington, MA
I lived in northern New England for 4 years. Many of these things are true and this video made me a bit nostalgic. Thanks for the memories. Waiting for you to come to Greece now!
There's quite a high percentage of French speakers in New England.
Mostly Vermont and it's not a "quite high percentage"
In my New England town, in school, you have to learn French, and it is not an option. All my friends speak French and so do I because we were taught to as toddlers by our families.
Enythingz Where are you from? I'm from Cape Cod and I have never heard someone speak French here.
Nathan Metcalf I am from Massachusetts.
Aroostook County, Maine.
It doesn't get too hot in the summer?! I've seen summer days in Western Massachusetts that were hotter on the same than it was in India. It gets HUMID!!!
Honestly? The seasonality is something I really miss here in Germany. See, we have no real summers and no real winters since about 2 years (when you live in the middle west like me). And so I think the seasonality is one of the best things in New England.... can't wait to visit :)
Born and raised as a New Englander, and I’ll never leave. Thanks for the nice, respectful review. You’ve nailed a couple good points. The New England “shield” is a real thing - it’s not that we’re not friendly, but we are certainly wary of outsiders, especially during tourist season.
I grew up in New England, but I have also lived in New York State (for college), then Minneapolis and Southern California. Each place had things I liked and disliked. I find the food better in New England than in the other places I've lived, including seafood, Italian-American and Chinese-American. As for being cold, people in New England are more reserved and formal with strangers, much like Europeans. Boston is the US city most like a European city. I was taken aback the first few times I visited the South and Texas where people are more open and friendly. I didn't expect people I interacted with casually to be so friendly. In New England, people are generally polite, but they won't engage with strangers they meet in passing in more than a superficial way. It doesn't mean they are cold or rude.
That’s the Anglo culture. English people tend to be very formal & respectful while people of Southern European decent tend to be informal & patronizing. Those are two different worlds.
Hate #4---I actually love it.
I used to ski all the time so I'm one of those weirdoes that actually likes snow and winter.
Thank you so much for this video! I'm from Massachusetts (I've lived in northern England for the past 3 years now) and it was such a treat to get this glimpse back home. Thank you so much for all your videos Mark, and everyone at Woltersworld, if it wasn't for your advice I wouldn't have gone to Ghent, Belgium which is my favourite city on Earth! Can't wait for the next video!!
Thank you painter. Glad we could introduce you to Ghent!
Yesss, I adore your traveling videos bc they're so spot on and informative. Keep it up dude👍
Amen to the bad road signs here in RI. IF they happen to have signs they're over grown with vines or trees. RI is an amazing place to visit, history, art, church festivals, beaches, hiking, Waterfire, and of course, eating. As for seafood best in the state for pretty cheap is The Crows Nest. Not many tourists, mostly locals. Glad you enjoy my neck of the woods!
I'm a lifelong Rhode Islander and I have to agree with your assessment of our road signs. They are atrocious, it's almost like we assume everyone knows where to go. the condition of our roads is terrible too, pot holes everywhere. But it is a beautiful state to live in.
Seriously, what is with the road signs in rhode island? my wife about killed me when we were driving there :) but yes it is gorgeous there.
Rhode Island is NOTORIOUS for poor public planning and corruption.
pashastookie im a Rhody toooo!
North providence ✋🏽
Just seeing this video now, but I absolutely love it. Great job! I’m from New England and go to college in AZ. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss it.
Btw in Vermont "soft serve" (as in ice cream) is called a "cream-ee"
skittlebeape best kind being the “maple” smoothie!
It's 3-4 months of winter. It'd seem like 6-8 months if you were from the south. Winter is November to mid-March. Winter=40°or lower. Sometimes 45°. It depends on the wind.
Love your channel! Greetings from New Brunswick, Canada!
Wow! You are so very lucky that you get to visit all these amazing places in the world! I cannot wait until I am older and I can travel all around the world. Amazing videos & keep up the amazing work! Best of wishes from Minnesota!
When you said “I’m talking about you Rhode Island”, for a second I thought he really was talking about me!! I’m from/living in Rhode Island, as well as my ancestry going back to Roger Williams, the founder.
I'm from Maine, and I think this video is spot on. Nice job!
Good old downtown Concord market days! I grew up about 45 minutes from Concord on a farm! NH is beautiful but not for everyone.
The biggest problem with my home region of New England is all the non new Englanders forgetting that we are 6 distinct states. Each one has pros and cons that differ from it’s cousins. New Hampshire and Vermont are very similar but Maine and Rhode Island are berry different culturally. The broadest you could really catigorize with somewhat like cultures is northern New England (being Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine) and southern New England (being Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island). A very large portion of the vastly different experiences and understandings of New England are from people who only know what Boston or Newport or Bar Harbor are like and then assuming the rest of New England is like that. It’d be like going to Chicago and thinking this represents “the mid west”.
So true. I live in Maine and going to Rhode Island feels way different
You're awesome!!!!! We love New England always. Yes, yo are wicked pissah :)
loved the video , from new England ,great advice you should add something for newport ri
Moved to Hartford since April!!! Great times!!!!! It is true what he says!!
You MUST see North Conway! It’s the highlight of New Hampshire!! Thanks for covering my corner of the world!
You're really lucky that you get to travel a lot. You really get a good view of places all over the world! I've recently started watching your videos; I thought they were really good, so I subscribed to your channel! :D
Thank you for subscribing! We really appreciate it!
woltersworld I don't know if you would be able to answer this; but if you could pick one place. What would probably be your favourite place to travel?
Agree with local and “CON-kid” pronunciation😀
Secondly, MORE Mrs. Wolters and your adorable kiddos! Love your vlog. I’m a “CON-kid” NH resident and hope sometime you do a spot in Cape Ann, MA. Summer there is my retreat whether downtown Rockport or Long Beach. Keep up the greatest gift you can give your kids, travel and a loving family!😀
"CON-kerd"
Thanks for the tips. In August we come to new Engeland for a three week holiday and so do's and don'ts are very welcome. Greetings from MIddelburg The Netherlands
+Marjan Saija we enjoyed it. Maine is my favorite part. Love the coast line.
ever thought about visiting Rhode island check out Providence RI water fire or Newport RI see the beaches or the mansion or block island
angel morales also alley's doughnuts nothing beats a good doughnut
I love my little rhodie
Yes RI is cool
Something I would add that is great about New England, particularly southern New England, is the access. In MA and CT in particular, you're never more than a few hours from Boston and NYC. VT, NH, and ME are also within driving distance of Montreal and Quebec City in Canada. It's something that I have really learned to appreciate, having grown up in the Midwest.
All of this is so true 😂😂😈😈 love it here!! And it's pronounced con-curd
+Tj Dwyer
Plz explain?
Tj Dwyer
About Boston like do you mean in area?
Because Plymouth is the biggest by area
+Tj Dwyer Boston is biggest by population at least
Actually, Pittsburg, NH is one of the largest cities by area in the nation.
*****
Stika, AK?
Avoid 95 and you'll find you like New England even more! Take the Merritt Parkway through CT to 91N to 84E to the MASS PIKE E. Then, take 3 from Boston towards the Cape & RI. Prettier, less stressful route if you are looking to visit Boston, Cape Cod & RI. Or go north out if MA on 91 or 93 to explore the mountains of NH & VT. I suggest a camping/hiking excursion up to Gorham, NH & Mount Washington (take Tuckerman Ravine trail to Boott Spurr Link to Boott Spurr to Alpine Garden up the cone to 6,288').
Helpful information looking forward to visit this beautiful place & am welcoming you to Lebanon am sure you'll enjoy the city and FOOD :)
Would love to visit Lebanon with the family one day. looks amazing
Cool vids. Well done! We truly loved it.
The lakes in New England are amazing. I spent every summer spent swimming in ossipee lake and it's crystal clear water. Winnipesaukee is great too.
Love your videos sir ;) Great energy ;) And very informative too:) I can never go to such places. I'm visually impaired, but, I can watch your vids and just get a sense of adventure with the energy you put into your vids. Thanks for sharing !! =)
Awesome! Thank you!
After seeing Concord in your videos I think I'm going to add it to my 6 month US/Canada road trip now!
Mystic is so cool I grew up near there!
So excited to see this video because I'm from New England! :D
hope you liked the video!
I live in Massachusetts and my ancestors came here in 1632! We love it here and just stay!
I love that you love it here! Massachusetts is my home and everything you said is true! It's great to see the major tourist spots but then better to go off the beaten path and explore a town or two for a day. The New England states are pretty close to each other so you can easily see a few states in one day if you prefer. Tip: look for groupons and specials on meals.
Outstanding video Mark. New England is so beautiful, diverse and interesting. You nailed it.
Thanks Tosh!
Great video! Your family is gorgeous! I cannot wait to tour New England :-)
Pssst! It's KAWN-kurd... I'm happy to see so many other New Englanders commenting on your video--being friendly! New Hampshirite here
The phrase is "winter isn't the only thing cold in New England." I love summer in Maine,.... both days of it.... I was born and raised in Maine and when I moved to Florida I was shocked at how friendly folk were and it was sunny every day.
Props to you my freind well explained ne to many places to see you should check out Rhode Island ,Hampton beach nh and yes definitely Boston
New England is more than Boston. 95...as long as you bypass Boston and Providence, it is not bad. The seasons, not bad, at all, even winter.
I've always been intrigued by the nautical charm of New England. Hopefully I can visit it soon. The four perfect seasons there means there's a reason to visit at the very least four different times. I wanna enjoy Cape Cod in summer, see Vermont in Autumn, see a winter snowfall in Boston, drive through the Connecticut countryside in the spring.
BadgerCheese94 you forgot about Rhode Island
Cape Cod and Nantucket is the best. P'Town on Cape Cod is a lot of fun!
The clam shack in Kennebunkport my home town
Wonderful Video, thank you. Greetings from Cologne, Germany :)
you are very welcome :) thanks for watching and commenting!
I lived in NE all my life, he is spot on in this video... mostly
I spent 3 months in Cape Cod, MA last summer as an exchange student and I approve all the facts. Boston is so nice town. Local beers were pretty good but I still prefer our Czech beers. Greetings from your favourite Český Krumlov.
Thank you!
An hour north of Boston on the N.H. coast is the small city of Portsmouth. A great walking town with that almost European old school feel. And between Portsmouth and Kittery Maine which is just across the River, you have world class dining. The same can be said for for the micro brews.
I love New England! Providence, Boston, Cape Cod, the sea food... Nice video!
Thanks Johara!
Idk, I live in New Hampshire and I don't think the traffic is too bad. Around the cities and the seacoast area, yes. But up around the White Mountains isn't bad at all. Btw, Connecticut sucks, but the rest of New England is alright.
Traffic in New Englad is nothing compared to SoCal. Also, SoCal is more expensive. We're pretty rich here.
Great video Mark! I live in Maine! It's such an amazing place to live!
I can believe it. So beautiful in Maine
OK... so New England is awesome. Go to the NH White Mtns. Rt 302 and the Kangamangus Highway. So many places to hike and incredible scenery.
Living in Northern Maine my whole life had spoiled me. Your neighbors always made sure you were okay, snow blower broken? Call your neighbor and they'll be over soon. Moving away has been tough and made me miss the community feeling of Maine. Yes there is a can do attitude of pulling yourself up in Maine but if you are in need someone will be right there.
Hey hey we got good service up here in Nh.But it just started like 3 years ago.
Great to know. I am going this summer.
To be honest, as a lifelong Mainer, the tourists we have the most problems with are the most are other New Englanders. Ask any real local, shopkeeper, waiter/waitress and they’ll tell you the rudest people around here are the ‘I’M ON VACATION’ tourists from surrounding states. It’s kind of an inside joke. Anytime we see someone driving like an idiot, or being a rude, disrespectful jerk... we say ‘Must be a Masshole’.
Overall, we’re friendly people but the farther away you’re from, the nicer we are.
Never been to rural New England. Thanks for opening my eyes on this place.
worth checking out.
Portland,Maine is freaking awesome
Hey Mark, if you haven't already been, make sure to visit New Haven next time you are in Connecticut. Despite what the media may say it's actually a wonderful city with fantastic culture and architecture and some of the most amazing food in the northeast. (New Haven style pizza is better than New York....hehehe). Love your videos! Keep up the great work! Cheers.
My hometown is Nova Trento in Brazil.And New England gave us Mary Baker Eddy!!!
Watching this in 2022 and the whole cellphone coverage issue seems sooooo outdated!
Living in SouthTexas...I have always wanted to visit New England. I love this video and the scenery of N.E., and all the sea food.
I originally found you on UA-cam while I was planning our Quebec trip for next summer.....and we plan to eat lots of poutine. Lol
Glad I could introduce someone to Poutine :)
What's Poutine?
The Time-Lapsers fries and cheese curds with gravy
Love your videos! Greets vom Austria!
Danke Max!
Interesting places where many people live tend to be expensive.
I went to Salem to see some witch burnings and it was awesome.
It's very rare for us to have a white christmas. Most of the snow comes in late January, and melts in July.
That's true now, but it didn't used to be :P
I remember it snowing by Halloween a lot of years, but now we don't have as much, as you say
It's not just we have four seasons, it's that they don't come and end on time! A couple of years ago we have four feet of snow, and last year it was 50 degrees in January. We never get snow until mid January, and when we do get snow, the cold and snow stays until (sometimes) April. Last week it was 70 degrees, and this week it was 40. If you are coming to New England, just come in the summer. It's the only weather you can count on.
dancin' Outfits Not really, it snows in summer once in a while. Of course, the joke in Vermont is that some days you can see all 4 seasons.
He's absolutely right about the New England character. Its often perceived as unfriendly at first, but remember you are an outsider and people have no reason to welcome you like you're a long lost cousin. Small talk isn't what a lot of them are going to be wanting to do. But they are unfailingly helpful (chivalry is alive and well) if you need any kind of assistance. They just might not do it with a smile. And if you do succeed in popping that cork off the bottle so to speak, you might have a hard time getting it back in :) One can go from stranger to pal very quickly. So try acting a little grumpy and don't shy away from using expletives when you talk because truth be told, they will quickly warm to that (and smile at you for the first time, maybe :)) And then sit back and get ready to be entertained. They are among the most sophisticated people in the US, but they just might not sound like it at first!
As someone who moved to Maine from Michigan, to me, it almost felt like a smugness or a “ im better than you” . Now being the Midwest, people would bend over backwards for you. Now on the other hand, since I’ve been here for 12 years, that smugness has gone and people ( well most people ) are awesome.
I can't speak for bigger places like Boston but I used to work customer service in a small tourist town in Maine. Personally I think a big part of the tourist aversion comes from feeling claustrophobic. I think we're ranked 40th in population or something like that so when the roads and restaurants start to fill up we turn into teenagers that have to share our room when family visits.
You had me at beer! I love trying the local brews need to come up to NE!
Vermont beer... alchemist or something like that is really good.
in summer and fall it depends where you are
Ogunquit, Maine- a little bit of crowded places
North Conway- not really crowded
Boston- crowded
on my bucket list to see new england in the fall and stay at a b&b. have wanted to do that since 5th grade when i did a report on vermont.
its really great. well worth the trip and the money