MASSACHUSETTS - Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

A day trip through the lovely country side of Nantucket can get a spirited boost with a stop at the family -operated Cisco Brewers, Nantucket Vineyard, and Triple Eight Distillery . In addition to its flagship product, Triple Eight Vodka, the distillery produces Triple Eight Orange Vodka, Hurricane Rum, Gale Force Gin and Notch (“not scotch”) single malt whiskey. Combining old world techniques with state of the art technology, the vineyard’s wine selections include delicious vintages that you won't find anywhere else. The owners encourage visitors to their operation, at 5 and 7 Bartlett Farm Road. Open daily, with tours by appointment. Phone: 508-325-5929.

Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks at 683 State Road in West Tisbury was founded in 1992 as a studio where glassblowers could develop their skills, create glasswork, and build a life around glassblowing. Now, it is also a retail store and gallery, where visitors can watch the process of glass blowing and purchase unique glass artwork to keep. Open daily April to December and weekends January to April. If you want to watch glass blowing be sure to call ahead before visiting. Glass blowing is inactive at least one day a week during a routine glass cooking day. Phone: 508-693-6026.

The Trustees of the Reservations, which maintains and operates many wonderful historic properties in Massachusetts, is helping parents to get the kids outdoors on cool explorations through its new Quest Detective game. Start by finding the Quest maps at each of the properties or download and print them yourself. At the end of each Quest, you’ll find a hidden box with a stamp for your Quest Detective booklet. Quest Detective booklets are available at the 12 sites. Check out these awesome quests around Massachusetts:
Griffin's Perch Quest on the Crane Estate in Ipswich; Pinnacle Quest at Appleton Farms in Hamilton; Hermit's Haven Quest and Sweetbay Swamp Quest at Ravenswood Park in Gloucester; Over the Bridge & Through the Years at Bird Park in Walpole; Eleanor's Quest at the Bradley Estate in Canton; East Over Quest at the East Over Reservation in Rochester; Menemsha Hills Quest on Martha's Vineyard; Downtown Holyoke Quest at Holyoke; Bart's Cobble Quest in Sheffield; and Mission House Mohican Quest in Stockbridge.

Nantucket Bookworks at 25 Broad Street in Nantucket, declares that its mission is “surprise and delight visitors.” This is a full-service, general interest bookstore selling new books, with a small selection of out-of-print Nantucket titles. There is an extensive children's room, card room, young adult section, and Nantucket Book section. Also, you never know what kind of eclectic sidelines might wind up in the store. The store sells and accepts ABA gift cards, good for use at more than 200 participating independent bookstores across the country. Open daily, year-round. Hours vary seasonally. Phone: 508-228-4000