The Huffington Post Features New England’s “Weird, Wacky & Wonderful” Spots

The Huffington Post is one of the internet’s most trusted sources for everything from news, politics and entertainment, to the more offbeat subsets of life. This weekend they featured some of New England’s wackiest claims to fame, focusing on Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine.

In Rhode Island they recommended a visit to Matunuck Oyster Farm, in South Kingstown. Owner Perry Raso is more than just a humble fisherman, he is also a Master in Aquaculture. Raso is such a trusted source that he’s been written up in publications as prestigious as National Geographic. The 1.5-hour tour is narrated by Raso and brings you by motorized platform boat around Potter Pond, where he and his employees harvest over a million oysters each year.

Huff Po found lots to admire in Vermont, including the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, which features an albino animal display of “red” fox, deer, squirrel, porcupine, woodchuck – and even a live albino California King Snake. They also recommend a visit to the studio and gallery of famous “I Hate Cats” cartoonist, Skip Morrow.

Then there’s the Shelburne Museum near Burlington with one of the most unique assemblages of buildings, boats and bridges in one place, including the 220 ft. sidewheel steamboat, the Ticonderoga. And, of course, no tour of Vermont would be complete without a visit to Dog Mountain, featuring the only known Dog Chapel in the world.

Heading on up to southern Maine, the blog mentions the beautiful beaches, mysterious grave sites, and the Saco Museum, which sheds light on some of the state’s darker historical aspects – including its strong connection to the KKK.

As for the rest of the Pine Tree State, Huff Po recommends the massive LL Bean home store in Freeport, and a visit to the eclectic Boothbay Railway Village to view such treasures as nudie saltshakers, 1920 “Mechanical Parables” – tiny dynamic tin figures that traveled with carnival sideshows – a rare narrow-gauge model train diorama, and a still-in-use 1800’s Town Hall.

Read the full article here to see if any of your favorite spots earned honorable mentions!