Treasure-hunt in the autumn hills

Plenty to discover: antique, bike, and apple-pick

September 22, 2010|Hilary Nangle, Globe Correspondent

Folded into the foothills of the White Mountains, Cornish is filled with architectural gems and dotted with antiques and crafts shops. The nearby rural towns of Parsonsfield, Limerick, Newfield, Brownfield, and Hiram extend the range of a visitor’s activities. The region is especially lovely in autumn, when foliage is turning and apples are ripening.

STAY

Smack-dab downtown is the delightfully old-fashioned Cornish Inn (2 High St., Cornish, 207-625-8501, www.cornishinn.com, $75-$165), a three-story gently updated classic with a wraparound porch. Rates include a self-serve continental breakfast. Midway Country Lodging (712 South Hiram Road, Cornish, 207-625-8835, www.mainemidwaylodging.com, $79-$99) is a motel-like inn, or maybe an inn-like motel. All rooms have TV, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, microwave, and phone; some have a whirlpool, VCR, or balcony and nice mountain views. The handsome, brick, Greek Revival-style Jeremiah Mason Bed & Breakfast (40 Main St., Limerick, 207-793-4858, www.jeremiahmasonhouse.com, $50-$70 with full breakfast) retains the elegance of a bygone era. Spacious, antiques-accented rooms have chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

DINE Krista’s Restaurant

(2 Main St., Cornish, 207-625-3600, $10-$24) serves fabulous fresh fare in huge portions in its cheerful dining rooms and on a screened deck overhanging a stream. Dinner options range from burgers and salads to salmon and steak, all with a creative flourish. The menu at the Cornish Inn (2 High St., Cornish, 207-625-8501, $13-$22) changes weekly to reflect what’s locally available. Ultra-fresh seafood is served at Bay Haven Lobster Pound Two (Maple St., Cornish, 207-625-7303, $13-22), which is operated by a fishing family. Dress down and order the humongous fisherman’s platter (plan on sharing). Good food at a good price, served in a pleasant country-style dining room across from Lake Sokokis has made the Peppermill Restaurant (171 Washington St., Limerick, 207-793-2500, $8-$15) a local favorite for all meals. Heather and Gary Labbe have turned four antiques-and-treasure-filled rooms in their lovely Carpenter Gothic home into the Clipper Merchant Tea House (58 Main St., Limerick, 207-793-3500). Begin with the lavender lemonade, then opt for either lunch ($9-$13) or, even better, the indulgent high tea ($29, serves two).

DURING THE DAY

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