CAPE COD: PEPPER HOUSE INN. Circa 1793. Elegant and charming. Outstanding hospitality, scrumptious breakfasts. Walk to beach, Brewster restaurants and shops. 888-896-2062; www.pepperhouseinn.com

CAPE PLAYHOUSE -- AMERICA'S OLDEST PROFESSIONAL SUMMER THEATER. Wonderful shows and the Children's Theater is a must! 820 Rte. 6A, Dennis, MA 02638. 877-385-3911; www.capeplayhouse.com 1996,1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 2007A

EAST WIND INN, TENANTS HARBOR, ME. Historic seaside inn located at water's edge in a tranquil village on a rural peninsula. Fine dining. Great location to explore Midcoast. Here's the Real Maine. 800-241-8439; www.eastwindinn.com

GODDARD MANSION B&B, Claremont, NH. Delightful 18-room, 1900s English manor. Tranquil mountain views. Romantic getaways. Brochure. 800-736-0603. E-mail info@goddardmansion.com or visit: www.goddardmansion.com

HAWK INN & MOUNTAIN RESORT 1,200 pristine acres in the heart of the Green Mountains, between Killington and Okemo, Hawk is one of the most peaceful and unspoiled resorts in the world. Four seasons of activities: archery, biking, cross-country skiing, fly fishing, heated indoor/outdoor pool, hiking, horseback riding, ice skating, marina, nearby golf and alpine skiing, snowshoeing, spa and salon, tennis. Plus enjoy fireside dining on the Black River at The River Tavern. "Where privacy is the ultimate luxury." 800-685-HAWK; www.hawkresort.com 1996 L

HYANNISPORT: SIMMONS HOMESTEAD. An 1820 B&B inn. Fourteen rooms with baths, full breakfast, wine hours, bikes, and billiards. Sports Car Museum. 800-637-1649; www.simmonshomesteadinn.com

SANDWICH GLASS MUSEUM is home to outstanding 6,000-piece collection of 1825-88 Sandwich glass. Unique museum gift shop; glassblowing demonstrations; multimedia theater presentation daily. April-December daily 9:30-5; February-March Wednesday-Sunday 9:30-4; $4.75, ages 6-14 $1. 508-888-0251; www.sandwichglassmuseum.org 1996, 1997, 2000, 2004 A

STURBRIDGE COUNTRY INN. Historic inn; all rooms/suites feature a fireplace and whirlpool bath. Located in the heart of Sturbridge, MA. One hour from Boston. Old Sturbridge package from $139/night. Reservations and information: 508-347-5503; www.sturbridgecountryinn.com 1996 B

WESTERN MAINE MOUNTAINS/LAKE. Large modern cabins on Kennebago Lake in the heart of the Rangeley Mountains. Three hearty meals per day. Enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, nature hikes, and abundant wildlife. Pets welcome. Grant's Kennebago Camps: "One of the best places to stay in New England." -- Yankee Magazine. 800-633-4815; www.grantscamps.com 1996 L

THE GRISWOLD INN. A 1776 landmark: art-filled dining rooms, award-winning tap room, stunning wine bar, and charming guest accommodations. 860-767-1776. www.griswoldinn.com 1996, 1997, 1998 B

BARKER CHARACTER, COMIC, and CARTOON MUSEUM, Route 10, Cheshire, CT. Free admission; more than 80,000 toys for viewing only. Open Saturday only 11-5. 203-699-3822; www.barkeranimation.com A 2005

ATLANTIC EYRIE LODGE: 55 ocean-view rooms. Close to Acadia National Park, ME. Pool. Open May to mid-October. Free continental breakfast. Guest computer in lobby. Online reservations: 800-HABU-VUE. E-mail: info@AtlanticEyrieLodge.com. Web site: www.AtlanticEyrieLodge.com

MAKE ROMANTIC MEMORIES that last a lifetime at The Captain Lord Mansion, Kennebunkport, ME. Imagine your next luxurious bed-and-breakfast vacation! Phone: 800-522-3141. E-mail: innkeeper@captainlord.com. Web site: www.captainlord.com 1997, 1998

TIDES INN BY THE SEA & BELVIDERE VICTORIAN BAR. Spectacular views, sandy beach, great food and drink. 1899 Shingle-style cottage rooms. Genteel rustication, ocean-view condo suites. Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, ME 04046. Call 207-967-3757, e-mail info@TidesInnbytheSea.com, or visit: www.TidesInnbytheSea.com

AARON BURBANK'S WINDFALL HOUSE, historic Sandwich Village, Cape Cod. An 1818 B&B Inn with six comfortable, affordable bedchambers and antique and period furnishings. WiFi, A/C, cable TV. Walk to all local attractions. Exceptional chef-prepared full breakfast. 877-594-6325; www.windfallhouse.com 2004 B

THE HEART OF CAMBRIDGE: Irving House, two blocks from Harvard Yard. Rates include breakfast, parking, Internet, books. 617-547-4600; www.irvinghouse.com 1997 B

CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH, Rose’s Wharf, Main St., Gloucester, MA. We are the founders and most experienced whale-watch company on Cape Ann, since 1979. Home of the Whale Conservation Institute. Research staff led by world-famous Dr. Roger Payne, host of In the Company of Whales. Sail aboard the Hurricane, the largest and fastest whale-watch vessel north of Boston. Sightings guaranteed! 800-877-5110; www.seethewhales.com 2003 A

ON THE OCEAN AT HAMPTON BEACH. D.W.'s Oceanside Inn boasts rooms that you dream about. Full breakfast at individual tables. Mobil-rated ***. Voted 2005 New Hampshire Innkeepers of the Year. Weekly housekeeping units off-site for families. Call 866-OCEANSIDE; www.oceansideinn.com 2002 L

THE INN AT SMITH COVE. An elegant, four-season inn on Lake Winnipesaukee. Private baths, boat docks, and cottages available. Phone: 603-293-1111. Fax: 603-293-7660. www.innatsmithcove.com

THE FORT AT NO. 4 LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM. The past comes alive at this authentically reconstructed 1740s settlement in Charlestown, NH. Guided tours, demonstrations of hearth cooking, musket firings, military drills, and much more! 603-826-5700; www.fortat4.org 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 A

RUGGLES MINE, Grafton, NH 03240. Oldest mica beryl mine in the U.S. Fantastic views. Mineral collecting permitted. Fun for all ages. Unique gift shop and mineral displays. 603-523-4275; www.rugglesmine.com 1996, 1997, 2000 A

C.C. LEDBETTER B&B, 326 Benefit St. Experience the Providence buzz! Near great restaurants, art galleries, and WaterFire. Phone and fax: 401-351-4699. 2002 B

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO. UNBELIEVABLY CLOSE: This ideal family day-trip brings you unbelievably close to wildlife, nature, and each other. Home to more than 150 species, including elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, snow leopards, moon bears, gibbons, and more. Don’t miss the new “Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom” exhibit! Open year round, located off I-95 in Providence. Call 401-785-3510 or visit: ww.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004 A

BLITHEWOLD MANSION, GARDENS & ARBORETUM. New England's finest seaside garden estate, with an English-style manor house and 33 acres of manicured lawns, magnificent trees, and outstanding gardens overlooking Narragansett Bay. 401-253-2707; www.blithewold.org 1996, 2000, 2002 A

GOVERNOR BRADFORD HOUSE. A country inn (1745) at Mount Hope Farm (1680) in Bristol, RI; National Register of Historic Places site. Eleven guest rooms, private baths; 200-plus acres of fields and woodlands overlooking Mount Hope and Narragansett Bay. 401-254-9300; www.MountHopeFarm.com 2005 B

NEWPORT DINNER TRAIN, 19 America’s Cup Ave., Newport, RI. Travel scenic Narragansett Bay while you enjoy black-tie wait service and excellent cuisine. Luncheons, dinners, murder mysteries, and special events. Reservations required. 800-398-7427; www.newportdinnertrain.com 2001 A

ROUGH POINT. Heiress Doris Duke’s Newport home features a remarkable collection of Flemish tapestries, Chinese ceramics, and European art. 2008 special exhibit "Zoo in the House: Animals in the Doris Duke Art Collection" includes works by Barye, Dupre, and Audubon as well as from the Tang Dynasty. See our ad on page 156. 401-849-7300; www.newportrestoration.org

LIBERTY HILL FARM. Kids, cows, and kittens! Your friends and family will love a visit to our award-winning Vermont dairy farm. Delightful meals and lodging provide energy for an abundant variety of activities and relaxation. Surrounded by fields, mountains, and a flowing river. Featured in Gourmet, Family Fun, and Yankee Magazine. 802-767-3926; www.libertyhillfarm.com 2001 L

LONG COVE COTTAGES, Tenants Harbor, ME. Ocean view. Two bedrooms, fully equipped. $595-$695 per week, May-October. 207-372-8994; www.longcovecottages.com

ATLANTIC BIRCHES INN, Old Orchard Beach, ME. A romantic 1903 Victorian and 1920 cottage. Ten rooms, private bathrooms. Continental breakfast, heated pool, A/C, free WiFi, walk to the beach. Phone: 888-934-5295. E-mail: info@atlanticbirches.com or Web site: www.atlanticbirches.com

MANSION HOUSE INN, Health Club & Spa. 9 Main St., Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA 02568. Affordable luxury in a magical place. Water views, indoor pool, free full breakfast, health club, Zephrus Restaurant. 800-332-4112; www.mvmansionhouse.com B

ANTHONY'S TOWNHOUSE. Circa 1890 guest house. Turn-of-the-century restored brownstone on historic Beacon Street. Family-operated for more than 60 years. Subway at our doorstep. Ten minutes to downtown Boston. 617-566-3972; www.anthonystownhouse.com

APPLEGATE INN. A 1920s Georgian mansion on six acres. Baby-grand piano, pool, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, candlelit breakfast. Across from a golf and tennis club. Near all Berkshire attractions. Rental cottage available. 800-691-9012; www.applegateinn.com