After living on the east coast for a year now, I took a solo road trip from Boston, MA to Princeton NJ to go to a friend’s birthday party. It gave me a chance to explore parts of New England I hadn’t seen yet, like coastal Connecticut.

Road trip stop #1: The Blueberry Muffin in Kingston, MA

Located about an hour outside Boston, The Blueberry Muffin is the kind of cafe where you feel like everyone is a regular. The staff greeted almost everyone by name, asked about people’s families and personal lives, and were warm and welcoming to those they didn’t know.

I was lucky to stop by on a weekday, when the line for a table didn’t snake out the door. I sat at the counter with several other solo diners and ordered one blueberry pancake and a side of biscuits and gravy, starting my road trip with an all-carb breakfast.

The biscuits and gravy were even better than I imagined. Four savory biscuits, stacked on end like books on a shelf, covered in flavorful sausage gravy. It was a meal in itself; I couldn’t believe this was considered a “side.” I’m not usually a fan of pancakes, but I’m happy I made an exception for this humongous pancake on a large plate, studded with fat blueberries, with a circular dollop of butter on top that melted into every bite.

If this cafe were closer to the city, I’d eat here all the time. I’ll definitely be returning for the signature blueberry muffin and other baked goods from the pastry case.

Road trip stop #2: The Book Barn in Niantic, CT

The Book Barn has been on my bucket list for a while, thanks to this article. Less of a “bookstore” than a small village in itself, The Book Barn consists of multiple small sheds and stands lined with used books.

Each stand has a theme.

I entered The Book Barn through the “secret entrance”, marked by this Alice in Wonderland sign:

And because it is a barn, yes, there are farm animals. Among the book stands and small bookshops, there’s an enclosed pen containing two resident goats.

A large chess set sits in the middle of it all.

I could have spent all day perusing the shelves, but soon enough, it was time to hit the road again.

Road trip stop #3: Guilford Lobster Pound in Guilford, CT

I originally only planned to stop in Guilford because of Guilford Lobster Pound, thanks to Eater. But after driving through the picturesque town of Guilford, with its cute shop-lined streets and large green space in the middle of downtown, I wanted to spend a whole weekend here.

Due to the odd hour, Guilford Lobster Pound was empty when I arrived, but filled up quickly. A hot lobster roll slathered in butter is only $24, a deal after coming from Boston, and it comes with marina views for a quintessential New England summer lobster experience.

It’s cash only, so come prepared (there’s an ATM inside if needed).

Road trip stop #4: Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette in Hopewell, NJ

Aunt Chubby’s, formerly called Chubby’s Luncheonette, is a breakfast and lunch staple in this small town in New Jersey. Though the name has changed, the restaurant has a rich history in Hopewell. According to the website, after its namesake Aunt Chubby’s passing, her nieces remodeled and reopened the place as Aunt Chubby’s.

Aunt Chubby’s is an example of food with a mission, done well. The Chubby’s Project is a nonprofit dedicated to food justice and building connections in the Hopewell community. They run a lunch program and food pantry to serve the community and help those in need.

Their aim to create a full circle of connection is evident within the restaurant, too.  Sitting at the counter, I could see into the kitchen and talk with the folks who were preparing the food, making coffee, serving food, and bussing tables. The staff were so friendly and kind. I’m happy to say that although I was one of the few people dining alone, I didn’t feel out of place here. One staff member asked about the book I was reading, and no one rushed me to leave after eating.

I ordered the breakfast taco plate and a buttermilk biscuit on the side. Although they weren’t Austin-style Tex-Mex breakfast tacos, they hit the spot, with eggs, cheese, black beans, and tomatoes, accompanied by a house ranchero sauce. The biscuit, with layers stacked so high that they toppled over during baking, was warm, comforting, and very filling.

I returned the next day to grab a pastry to go. Another neighborhood place that I would return to again and again.

Road trip stop #5: St. Michael’s Farm Preserve in Hopewell, NJ

Before the final drive to Princeton, I stopped by St. Michael’s Farm Preserve (in part to walk off my breakfast). It was a stunning spring day; the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and my skin felt the sun’s rays for the first time in months.

This nature preserve contains about 400 acres of preserved land, accommodating both farming and public recreation at the same time. It’s obvious that some of this land is clearly reserved for farming, complete with grazing animals, but nature trails that are open to the public span the whole park, offering walking paths for families, kids on bikes, and dogs on leashes. 

Taking one of the paths deeper into the park, I passed a red barn and tractor, a creek, and many open fields. Although it’s only a couple blocks from the downtown area, this nature preserve felt a world away, with sweeping views across green meadows.

All in all, a successful road trip!