new england tourist spots

New England Wanderlust

Connecticut , Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island , Vermont  ·  August 29, 2022

75 Incredible Things To Do In New England In 2024

I truly believe that New England is one of the most beautiful places in the entire world, and this list will show you exactly why! Spanning across 6 states, this region has so much to offer, and includes everything from wonderful coastal towns with dramatic ocean views, some of the best seafood of all time, gorgeous mountain views, amazing cities, quaint villages with covered bridges, world-class fall foliage and tons of history.

It’s almost overwhelming to decide what to see and do, so I’ve created a bucket list that will help you narrow down the absolute best things to do in New England. With that, let’s get into it!

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Best Things To Do In New England

Since New England is very seasonal, I’ve broken every suggestion down into categories based on the best time of year to experience that activity or destination. While most everything in this region is enjoyable year-round, there are definitely some things on my this list that are most exciting in specific seasons.

But first, here’s the ultimate list of things to do in New England that are honestly great year-round, and can definitely be done in any season.

1. Walk The Freedom Trail In Boston

Some of the most important moments in U.S. history have direct ties to locations on Boston’s Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path that runs through the city, connecting 16 historical places, buildings, churches and burial grounds.

You can easily walk the whole trail on your own, or take a guided tour with an expert to learn more about the stories behind each location. Along the path, you’ll be able to see the building where a book publisher produced The Scarlet Letter , see where the Boston Tea Party began and pass by the site of The Boston Massacre.

Fall in Boston is especially wonderful, and my favorite season to visit the city. Because of the more mild weather, this is also a great time to walk the Freedom Trail, or take an awesome guided tour.

Click here to check out an amazing guided tour of all 16 Freedom Trail landmarks!

2. Tour The Gilded Age Mansions In Newport

Once called “cottages” (if you can believe it!), these mansions are some of the most impressive estates you’ll find in all of New England, and perfectly encapsulate the history and extravagance of the Gilded Age.

There are several mansions you can tour throughout Newport, but the most popular are the Vanderbilt-owned Breakers and Marble House mansions. Once you arrive, it’s impossible to not be impressed by these stunning works of architecture.

A really great way to see the entire city of Newport, as well as The Breakers mansion, is to book a tour. This tour takes takes you to quite a few mansions in Newport, and includes a drive along Ocean Drive, one of the most scenic waterfront roads in the entire city, and also includes admission inside The Breakers mansion, the best of them all to tour.

Click here to check out this awesome Newport mansions tour!

Other posts on Newport you may find helpful:

• A Guide To Visiting Newport, RI In The Winter
• Best Things To Do In Newport In The Winter

3. Tour The Covered Bridges

One of the most iconic symbols in all of New England are the historic and charming covered bridges, and the best way to see some of them is by planning a road trip, which will take you to some beautiful parts of the countryside.

Vermont happens to be home to over 100 covered bridges, which is the most per square foot of any state in the entire U.S., making it one of the best places to plan a covered bridges tour. Click the link below for my itinerary! New Hampshire and Connecticut are also great places to plan a covered bridges road trip.

Click here to read about the best itinerary for a Vermont covered bridges tour!

4. Grab A Drink Or Dine At America’s Oldest Tavern In Newport

Yes, New England is home to the country’s oldest tavern, and you can still grab a drink at the bar and have a really nice meal there! The White Horse Tavern can be found in Newport, RI, which is an amazing coastal city to visit, and also where the Gilded Age mansions mentioned above are located.

Also known as the oldest operating restaurant in the U.S., this tavern has been serving guests since 1673. When you walk up to the red, clapboard-style Colonial building, you’ll instantly feel the history. And when you step inside, you’ll be greeted with a warm and cozy dining room that serves up incredible food and a very special experience.

5. Get Italian Food In Boston’s North End

If you’re looking to get some amazing Italian food, then a visit to Boston’s North End is something that should definitely be on your New England bucket list.

Starting in the 1860s, Italians began immigrating to this neighborhood in Boston, and by the 1920s, it was 90 percent Italian. Currently, some of the best Italian restaurants in New England can be found here. In addition to that, the North End area is incredibly charming and historic, and is worth a stroll through to appreciate the city’s history. Below is a list of the best Italian restaurants in the North End to check out:

• Mamma Maria
• Carmelina’s
• Arya Trattoria

Click here to check out my round-up of the best Boston food tours!

6. Stay At A Cozy, Historic New England Inn

New England is known for its very cozy inns, and you can pretty much find them all over. Many of them are actually some of the oldest inns in the entire country, and date back to the Civil War era. These historic buildings will be dripping with history and charm, and many of them will have beautiful fireplaces in their common spaces and guest rooms. And of course, they’ll make for an incredibly beautiful and homey getaway year-round.

Lots of inns also have amazing chefs on staff at their restaurants, and will often serve the most wonderful food during your stay (especially breakfasts).

Click here to read my post all about cozy places to stay in Vermont in the fall!

7. Shop At The L.L. Bean Flagship Campus In Freeport

It doesn’t sound like something that’s one of the top things to do in New England, but honestly, this store is awesome. And it’s much more than an entire store – it’s truly a campus.

I’ve been a fan of L.L. Bean products for years, and continue to shop from them for everything including bedding, flannel shirts, footwear, sweaters and pajamas. Their flagship campus is enormous, and has everything that’s featured on their website, and more.

They have an entire housewares store that will make you want to buy a vacation home in Maine, and their clothing section is really fun to browse. And don’t forget to snap a photo with the giant Boot at the entrance!

8. Take A Lighthouse Driving Tour

There are about 200 lighthouses in New England, and each of them provides amazing views of the coastline, history and make for awesome photos. If you’re a fan of lighthouses, one of the best things to do in the region is plan a coastal road trip that packs in as many of them as possible!

Each lighthouse in New England is distinct in its own way, and so many of them are absolutely worth visiting. Maine is home to the most lighthouses of all the New England states, with Massachusetts being a close runner-up. Be sure to click the links below for my posts on lighthouse road trips and tours in Maine and Massachusetts!

Here are some posts you may find helpful while hunting for lighthouses in New England:

• The Most Incredible New England Lighthouses To See
• The Best Lighthouse Driving Tour & Road Trip Through Maine
• Best Cape Cod Lighthouses To Visit
• How To See All 3 Nantucket Lighthouses

9. Explore The Mystic Seaport Museum

The Mystic Seaport Museum is one of the top attractions in Connecticut, and I was actually blown away by how much I loved my visit there.

So many of the exhibits are interactive, and because the entire outdoor portion of the museum is expansive and built to be an authentic maritimes New England village, it was completely immersive and so much fun. During your visit, you’re able to climb aboard three tall ships, one of which is the last wooden whaling ship left in the entire world.

Click here to book your ticket to the Mystic Seaport Museum!

Click here to read my post on all the best things to do in Mystic!

10. Shop At The Stonewall Kitchen Flagship Store In York, ME

This list isn’t completely without a trip to the Stonewall Kitchen flagship store! It started as a modest business out of a cottage selling jams, jellies and other products at a New Hampshire farmer’s market. Now, it’s one of the most recognizable New England speciality food brands that sells everything from the jams that started it all, to baking mixes, hand soaps, seasonings, and so much more.

The Stonewall Kitchen flagship store in York, ME is most definitely worth visiting, and there, you’ll find them well-stocked with everything the brand makes, including some nice gifts and a restaurant/cafe that serves really, really good food (I especially love their lobster roll and baked goods).

11. Adventure Through The White Mountains

Your New England bucket list isn’t complete until you’ve had an adventure through the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. Home to quaint towns, covered bridges, incredible hiking opportunities and vast mountain views, this is a great year-round destination that offers scenic walks in the spring and summer, amazing foliage in the fall and lots of skiing and snow activities in the winter.

During you time here, you’ll want to check out Flume Gorge , the Artist Bluff trail, Crawford and Franconia Notch State Parks, Polly’s Pancake Parlor, and all the cute little towns!

Here are some posts you may find helpful while planning a trip to the White Mountains:

• Best Things To Do In Littleton, NH
• B est Things To Do In Franconia, NH
• Best Things To Do In Lincoln, NH

12. Visit Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott’s Home

Originally built in the 1650s, this home is not only one of the oldest houses in New England, it’s also the home of legendary and celebrated author Louisa May Alcott. This is also the home she was living in when she wrote Little Women , and also where she set the book. So, if this book is one of your favorities, this is a must-see when visiting New England!

During your visit to Orchard House, you’ll also learn a lot more about the Alcott family during your visit, who were truly fascinating and inspiring people.

13. Bike Around Lake Champlain In Burlington, VT

One of the best things to do in Vermont, and the entire region, is to bike along the 8 miles of scenic pathway on the Burlington Greenway.

This path takes you along Lake Champlain to offer wonderful views during your ride, and since the path is paved, and also has separate lanes for walkers, it’s very relaxing. There’s even an option to take the Local Motion bike ferry to the Champlain Islands to continue your journey.

14. Tour The Ben & Jerry’s Factory

One of the most fun and touristy things to do in New England that’s also very much worth your time is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, VT.

Not only will you get an inside look into the ice cream factory, as well as learn about how it all started with Ben & Jerry, you’ll get to sample one of the flavors during your tour, and also walk around the Flavor Graveyard. At the Flavor Graveyard, you’ll find tombstones for all the discontinued flavors, which is a really fun walk down memory lane.

Click here to read about the best things to do in Waterbury, VT!

15. Visit The Local Breweries

If you’re a fan of locally-crafted brews, then adding a brewery road trip or tour to your New England itinerary is a must (but please drive responsively!). So many incredible breweries have come out of this region, and honestly, many of them are some of my all-time favorites, including Treehouse Brewing Company , Bissell Brothers , Fiddlehead Brewing Company and Tilted Barn Brewery .

If you’re looking to come to New England just for the brews, a great place to base yourself is Portland, Maine. There are so many awesome breweries there, and you’ll also find yourself with no shortage of amazing food.

Portland, Maine is one of the best places in New England for breweries! Click here to check out my Portland, Maine breweries guide!

16. See A Glass-Blowing Demonstration At Simon Pearce

In Quechee, VT, you’ll find the flagship Simon Pearce store, and even if glass decor isn’t your thing, you should definitely make a stop at the store to see a glass-blowing demonstration.

The best part? It’s completely free. You’ll walk away with a whole new appreciation for the skill and craft it takes just to create one glassware piece, and it’s honestly such a cool thing to witness in person. The glass blowers will even answer any questions you have while you watch them work!

Bonus Option : After your visit, you can book a lunch or dinner at the on-site restaurant, The Mill , which overlooks the waterfall and covered bridge. Travel & Leisure even named this one of the country’s most romantic restaurants!

17. Visit A Quaint Country Or General Store

There are so many charming little country and general stores in New England, and this is one of the best things to experience when you visit the region. I love these stores because you never know what you’ll find, and it’s always a unique experience popping into one.

Some of my favorites include Stowe Mercantile in Stowe, VT, Brewster General Store in Brewster, MA, and Zeb’s General Store in North Conway, NH. But honestly, pretty much any general or country store I’ve been in throughout New England has been a treat to visit.

18. Try To Spot A Moose

Maine is regarded as one of the best places in the entire U.S. to see moose, so if seeing these beautiful creatures is on your New England bucket list, you’ll want to head to the Pine Tree State!

Because Maine is home to the largest population of moose in the entire country, chances are good that you’ll have a sighting if you plan your visit accordingly. May through July, as well as the fall season, are the best times to spot them, and you’ll want to keep an eye out around dawn and dusk, when they tend to be most active.

The best chances of spotting moose are in the highlands, so you’ll want to head inland. Baxter State Park and Moosehead Lake are two of the best places to see them. And since both these locations are absolutely beautiful and worth a visit on their own, it’s a win-win.

19. Attend A Providence Waterfire Event

One of the most unique things to do in New England is a WaterFire event in Providence. What began in 1994 as a modest art installation has turned into one of the most exciting things to see in the region, and has continued ever since.

Along the Woonasquatucket River in Providence’s Waterplace Park, about 50 brazers are lit while music plays from sunset to midnight, and on a nice summer evening, it can draw crowds up to 50,000 people. And it’s no wonder that so many people come to visit, as the installation was meant to symbolize inclusivity and the importance of community.

20. Visit Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

Located in Manchester, VT, one of the best New England attractions is Hildene, which was the Lincoln family home. Now an estate that’s open to the public for tours and general admission, it’s home to insanely beautiful gardens and sweeping Vermont mountain views. It also has miles of nature trails to explore that are open year-round, and during the holiday season, the home is decked out in Victorian decor, just as it would have been when the Lincoln family lived there.

21. See Some Of The Oldest Houses In The U.S.

All over New England, you’ll find historic homes that are some of the oldest in the entire country, which is no surprise since this region is where the Mayflower landed in 1620.

Every state’s historic homes will all feature plaques with the year the house was built, and well as include the original owner’s name and occupation. One of the most fun things to do in any town you visit is to try and find the oldest house, and imagine what it must have been like to live there during that time.

22. Take In A Show In A Historic Theater

For theater lovers, one of the best things to do in New England is enjoy a show at any of the historic or prominent theaters throughout this region. The Boston Opera House is truly stunning, and home to the Boston Ballet, as well as many broadway shows. The Providence Performing Arts Center was built in 1928 and always has an exciting rotation of shows and musicals.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been putting on productions since 1933. The Boothbay Opera House has been standing since 1894, and is still a well-regarded destination for live performances.

New England Fall Bucket List

Let’s face it, fall just might be one of the best seasons to experience New England, and is well-regarded around the world as one of the best places to see fall foliage. Between the fall color, country farm stands, amazing apple orchards and enough cider donuts to go around, this is the season you probably don’t want to miss out on. Below is my list of all the must-do things in New England during foliage season.

23. Experience Salem, MA In October

Salem is world-famous for its Halloween celebrations, and a visit during the month of October should definitely be on your things to do in New England list.

Not only can you find a few filming locations from the beloved movie Hocus Pocus throughout town, Salem is also packed with incredible history that’s especially exciting to hear about during Halloween, as much of it deals with the Salem Witch Trials. There are also so many amazing ghost tours you can take in Salem, which just adds to the fun your visit in October.

Psst! I have some helpful guides including planning the perfect Salem, MA day trip , and the best time to visit Salem if you need more information 😉

24. Get Cider And Donuts At Cold Hollow Cider Mill In Vermont

One of my favorite things to do in New England is visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, VT, where you can get freshly-made cider donuts, different kinds of cider drinks, and load up your basket with all kinds of Vermont-themed goodies to bring home with you (and if that doesn’t scream fall New England bucket list, I’m not sure what does).

25. Hike The Artist Bluff Trail In New Hampshire

One of the best things to do in New England for foliage views is the Artist Bluff trail in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, and this should definitely be on your fall New England bucket list to do someday, if you haven’t already.

This trail is only 1.5 miles long, and provides incredible views of the colorful foliage across sweeping mountain vistas, as well as a bird’s eye view of Echo Lake.

26. Take A Fall Foliage Drive Or Road Trip

One of the best things to add to your New England fall bucket list is a scenic drive to admire the foliage. While you can definitely find scenic drives all over, some of the best ones to consider are:

• Kancamagus Scenic Byway – NH
• Lake Winnipesaukee Loop – NH
• Route 100 – VT
• Park Loop Road – Acadia National Park, ME
• Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway – MA
• FarmCoast – RI
• New Milford, Kent and Mount Tom State Park Loop – CT

Here are some links to my favorite road trips in New England that you may enjoy:

• My 7 Day New England Road Trip
• My Perfect New England Fall Foliage Road Trip
• My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor Road Trip

27. Find Your Way Through The Great Vermont Corn Maze

The largest corn maze in this entire region should also be on your radar when you’re planning your fall New England trip.

In Danville, VT, you can visit the Great Vermont Corn Maze , which spans over 23 acres and takes on average about 3 hours to complete. It’s worth a visit just to say you made it through!

28. Stay In A Cozy Cabin

There are so many amazing places all around New England that really make for the most perfect cozy cabin stay, but my favorites are The Berkshires and the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

One of the best things to do in New England in the fall is book a stay in a cabin in one of these areas, and enjoy a weekend of a slower lifestyle while admiring the fall foliage. Build a fire outside in the fire pit, go on a fall foliage hike and cuddle up inside with a movie. This really makes for one of the best getaways you can take in New England.

29. Go On A Ghost Tour

Because this region’s history dates back to the 1620s, there’s no shortage of ghost stories and tales of hauntings to go around. A lot of towns all over New England host ghost tours led by historians and paranormal experts, and are sure to give you at least a few chills.

Here’s a list of some of the best ghost tours in New England:

• Haunted Boston Ghost & Pub Walking Tour
• Boston Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour
• Haunted Boat Tour in Providence

Click here to read my post on other amazing New England ghost tours!

30. Take A Gondola Ride To A Mountain Summit

Between the mountain peaks of New Hampshire and Vermont, there are some really awesome gondola rides to take to experience some of the most incredible views in New England. Some of the best to experience are the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway , The White Mountain Express Gondola and the SkyRide Gondola .

31. Explore Shelburne Farms

Shelburne Farms is one of my all-time favorite places to visit in the region, and it’s especially beautiful in the fall season.

While you can technically visit in the spring and summer as well, I personally think it’s perfect during foliage season. Once owned by the Vanderbilt’s, this farmstead spans over 1300 acres, and has 10 miles of scenic walking and hiking trails offering views of Lake Champlain, vast meadows filled with sheep, and the Adirondacks. The fall foliage here is really also really stunning.

There are actually so many things to do in the fall season that I made an entire post about them. Click here to check out even more amazing fall activities in New England!

Best Things To Do In New England In The Summer

New England may have gotten a reputation for being one of the country’s top fall destinations, but it’s equally as amazing in the summer season. With endless coastline to enjoy, lots of stunning beaches and opportunities for sailing and boating tours, it truly comes alive in an exciting way during this time of the year. Here are my suggestions of all the best things to add to your New England summer bucket list.

32. Acadia National Park

I debated putting Acadia National Park in the fall section because, honestly, that’s my personal favorite time of the year to visit due to the gorgeous foliage and chillier weather (making hikes a bit more enjoyable). However, the most popular season to visit is definitely summer, and there’s a good reason for that.

Longer days means squeezing in even more incredible hikes and views, and the weather is always the nicest in July and August.

One of the bucket list things to do in Acadia is to see a sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, so be sure to add that to your list when visit!

Some posts you may find helpful when planning a trip to Acadia National Park:

• The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Best Time To Visit Acadia National Park
• Best Stops To Make Driving From Portland To Acadia

33. The Cape Cod National Seashore

One of my personal all-time favorites, and in my opinion, no New England summer bucket is is complete without a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore.

With over 40 miles of some of the most stunning coastline and beaches in Massachusetts (and honestly, this entire region), it’s one of the best things to see on any trip to the Cape. This is where you’ll find those big sand dunes, pristine beaches and likely even spot seals swimming by in the water.

34. Whale Watch Tour

Cape Cod is widely regarded as one of the top places for whale watching in the U.S., so even if you’ve done a whale watch before, it’s worth booking a tour while visiting the Cape.

My personal favorite tour is with Dolphin Fleet , which departs from MacMillan Pier in Provincetown. Tours are guided and narrated by a naturalist with expert knowledge and experience with these amazing creatures, and you’re likely to see humpbacks, minkes and sometimes even dolphins. I’ve been out with them twice, and have had amazing tour guides and experiences both times.

35. Drive Or Ride The Cog To The Tallest Peak In New England

Taking in the views from the highest mountain summit in New England is truly a memorable experience!

Mount Washington can be found in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, and there are two ways to get up there. Well, three ways if you count hiking!

But for those who want an easy way up, you can either drive (or take a tour in a van), or ride The Cog, which is the world’s first mountain railway. I personally prefer The Cog because it’s such a unique and fun experience.

If you choose to drive, it’s important to note that it can be stressful. Most people recommend booking a tour to drive you to the top if you don’t want to book a ride on The Cog.

Whichever option you choose, it’ll be more than worth it!

36. See The Most Painted Building In The Country

Rockport is one of my favorite coastal towns in New England , and it should most definitely be on your radar when visiting in the summer (or spring, fall and winter for that matter!).

One of the most charming places to visit in this lovely little town is Bearskin Neck, a shopping destination with tons of independently-owned boutiques and eateries, and is packed with character. Right off Bearskin Neck, you’ll find Motif 1, a red fishing shack that’s said to be the most painted building in the entire U.S.

Click here to read about the best things to do in Rockport!

37. Sip On A Cold Del’s Lemonade

Would you believe me if I said that Del’s Lemonade started in Naples, Italy, and was then brought to Rhode Island? Well, it’s true! The DeLucia family began making this frozen lemonade drink in Naples, and when they came to the U.S. in the turn of the century, they brought this recipe with them to Rhode Island. In the 1940, it became known as Del’s, and they’ve been serving up the same recipe ever since.

While Del’s is now franchised all over the world, visiting some of the original stores throughout New England for a refreshing frozen lemonade is one of the best things to add to your New England summer bucket list.

38. Pick-Up Freshly Cut Flowers From Farm Stands

There are so many flower farms all over New England, and since summer can go by in the blink of an eye, that means growing season here can also be pretty short. But a great way to celebrate the summer is by picking up a freshly-cut bouquet of flowers from a flower farmer.

A great one to check out is Tarrnation Flower Farm in New Hampshire. They grow harder-to-find varieties like dahlias and create especially beautiful bouquets that go far beyond what you’ll find at most grocery stores. During this time of the year, you’ll often find them at the Littleton Farmer’s Market in New Hampshire, making this a great stop to add to your White Mountains trip.

But you can find gorgeous bouquets for all all over. Just do a quick Google search when you’re visiting!

39. Visit Nantucket

If you’ve poked around my blog a bit, you may have figured out that I have a special place in my heart for Nantucket, and this little island definitely needs to be on your New England summer bucket list.

While I love everything about Cape Cod’s mainland, there’s something really special and unique about Nantucket. From the charming cobblestoned streets of downtown, to the beautiful lighthouses and the stunning beaches, it’s worth at least a day trip, or a weekend getaway if you can swing it.

Here are some of my posts on Nantucket to help you plan your trip:

• Everything you Need To Know About Taking A Nantucket Day Trip
• Best Things To Do On Nantucket & Recommendations For How Long To Stay

40. Stroll Through The Public Gardens In Boston

Created in 1839, the Boston Public Garden is the very first public botanical garden to be established in the U.S., and today, it’s still one of the best places to experience in the city. It’s truly wonderful year-round, but definitely something to add to your New England summer bucket list because of all the flowers that will be in bloom in July and August.

41. Go On A Puffin Tour In Maine

You don’t have to go to Iceland or any other far-away destination to see these cute little birds. In fact, Maine is one of the best places in the world to see them, so this should definitely be on your radar when planning your New England summer bucket list. Eastern Egg Rock, off the coast of central Maine, is home to the largest puffin colony in the state.

The tour that I did, and one that I highly recommend, is the Cap’n Fish’s Audubon Puffin Cruise from Boothbay Harbor . Not only was this cruise incredibly scenic, informative and fun, it departed right from downtown Boothbay Harbor, which is a charming little town in Maine that’s definitely worth visiting.

Click here to read my post on Boothbay Harbor, which includes details on the Puffin Tour!

42. Hike To The Tallest Waterfall In Massachusetts

Bish Bash Falls in Massachusetts are the highest in the state, and one of the highest in the entire region, making this very worthy of being added to your New England summer bucket list. The hike is a fairly easy 2-mile loop that has some moderately steep parts as well, but the pay off is getting to see a beautiful waterfall, and checking another awesome site off your list.

Note : As of 2022, swimming is no longer allowed at the waterfall.

43. See The Gingerbread Cottages & Cliffs On Martha’s Vineyard

I’ve already mentioned Nantucket as a destination that should be on your New England summer bucket list, but that’s not to say that Martha’s Vineyard isn’t worth your time, because it definitely is! This Cape Cod island is packed with charm and some of the most iconic sites in the area. Two of the best things to see on the island are the Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs, and the cliffs in Aquinnah (including Gay Head lighthouse).

Martha’s Vineyard is a bit bigger than Nantucket, and requires either renting a car or relying on public transit to get around, as these two destinations are on opposite sides of the island. If you’re looking for an easy option, this tour, which takes you to both the Gingerbread Cottages and the Aquinnah Cliffs, is an amazing way to see both in a shorter amount of time.

🚐 Click here to book your Martha’s Vineyard island tour!

Here are some posts you may find helpful about Martha’s Vineyard:

• Is Nantucket Or Martha’s Vineyard Better For A Day Trip?
• The Ultimate Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide
• How To See Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
• Best Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard

44. Mohegan Bluffs On Block Island

Block Island, off the coast of Rhode island, is such an underrated place to visit. With two lighthouses, a charming downtown and amazing beaches, it’s definitely something you’ll want to add to your New England summer bucket list.

But one of the best sites to see on the island is the Mohegan Bluffs, and the dramatic staircase that leads down to the beach. The sweeping ocean views, along with the impressive cliffs, are really an incredible site to see, and makes it worth visiting the island just to see them for yourself.

Click here to read my post on the best things to do on Block Island!

45. Cool Off In A Swimming Hole

New England has so many really cool swimming hole spots that are a really fun way to cool off in the hot summer season. New Hampshire probably has the most options, and is home to really great options like Diana’s Baths, Franconia Falls and Lower Falls, but you can easily find them in every state to plan a really fun New England summer day.

46. Float Down A River In An Inner Tube

Another fun way to cool off from the summer heat is to float along a river in an inner tube. There are so many places all over New England that rent out inner tubes for a relaxing and refreshing afternoon of river tubing. Here are some of the best places around New England for river tubing:

• Deerfield River Portage – Conway, MA
• Saco River Tubing – Conway, NH
• Winooski River With Umiak Outdoor Outfitters – Stowe, VT
• Big Big On The Battenkill – Arlington, VT

47. Take A Coastal Road Trip

One of the best things to add to your New England summer bucket list is a coastal road trip. With over 5,500 miles of coastline to explore, there are so many options, and tons of incredible ocean views to take in. With Boston as a starting point, a few great options are road trips through Cape Cod and the islands, the North Shore of Massachusetts, up the coast of Maine, and through Rhode Island and Connecticut (which could include Block Island).

48. Go Blueberry Harvesting In Maine

Starting in July, one of the best things to do in Summer in Maine is blueberry picking, which is a really fun activity to have on your New England summer bucket list.

While lots of places throughout New England offer U-Pick blueberries, Maine is known for their wild blueberries, which are packed with more flavor. And since Maine is the producer of 99 percent of the entire country’s blueberries, you know you’re in the right place!

I also have a dedicated post on summer in New England! Click here to check out the best summer destinations and more things to do!

New England Winter Bucket List

Winter is a truly magical time in New England, and while it can be a long season, there’s no shortage of things to do to make it fun, exciting and super cozy. Here are all the things you’ll want to add to your New England winter bucket list.

49. See A Normal Rockwell Painting Come To Life

One of the best Christmas towns in New England is Stockbridge, MA, made famous by the Norman Rockwell Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas painting. During the town’s Christmas festival, they recreate the painting, complete with vintage cards parked on the street in the same exact locations as in the painting.

And, of course, the town was painted by the famous artist for a reason – it’s one of the most charming places in New England, so during the holiday season, you’re sure to have fun visiting the shops, restaurants and enjoying the overall atmosphere.

50. Attend One Of The Many Christmas Festivities

Stockbridge isn’t the only place to celebrate Christmas in New England, and visiting one of the best Christmas towns in this area should definitely be on your winter bucket list. There are so many quaint and charming towns that go all out for the holiday season, and put on some of the best Christmas festivals in the entire country. Curious to read about my picks for the best Christmas towns in New England? Click the link below!

I love the Christmas season in New England so much, that I have a few guides you may enjoy reading:

• Best Christmas Towns In New England
• Vermont At Christmas: Where To Go & Festive Things To Do
• Christmas In New Hampshire: All The Best Things To Do
• A Guide To The Nantucket Christmas Stroll
• Cape Cod At Christmas: Festive Ways To Enjoy The Season
• A Guide To Christmas In Kennebunkport
• Christmas In Maine: The Most Magical Things To Do

51. Hit The Slopes

New England is home to some of the best skiing in the country, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn to ski, or are already a pro and are looking to hit the slopes in this region, I highly suggest a weekend getaway to some of the best ski towns in the area. Some of the best places to look into are:

• Suicide Six – Woodstock, VT
• Spruce Peak – Stowe, VT
• Killington in VT
• Stratton Mountain in VT
• Bretton Woods in NH
• Loon Mountain in NH
• Camden Snow Bowl – Camden, ME

52. Go Snow Tubing

If you’re not into skiing, consider adding snow tubing to your New England winter bucket list! There are some pretty epic snow tubing parks throughout the region that provide the best of outdoor winter fun. Here are some places to check out:

• Nashoba Valley Tubing Park – Littleton, MA
• Killington Tubing Park – Killington, VT
• Butternut Tubing Park – Great Barrington, MA
• King Pine Tubing Park – Madison, NH
• SeaCoast Adventure – Windham, ME

53. Visit Ice Castles In New Hampshire

One of the most fun things to add to your New England winter bucket list is Ice Castles in Woodstock, NH. Each winter season, a giant ice castle is carved, and includes fountains, slides, thrones and even tunnels to explore. At night, the castle is lit with multi-colored lights for an entirely different experience. This is a true winter wonderland experience, and the only one of its kind in New England!

54. Ice Skate On Puddle Duck Pond In Portsmouth, NH

One of the most picturesque, outdoor skating rinks can be found in the coastal city of Portsmouth, NH on Puddle Duck Pond at the Strawberry Banke Museum, and will have you feeling like you’re in a snow globe in no time.

55. Cross Country Ski In Stowe

Stowe is home to a lot of firsts for skiing, including the first cross-country ski center, which is also the largest in Vermont. This ski area can be found at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, and includes over 40 miles of groomed trails for an amazing experience. The resort also offers lessons for beginners, making this one of the best places to learn cross country skiing if it’s always been on your New England winter bucket list.

You may also enjoy:

• Best Things To Do In Vermont In The Winter!
• Best New England Winter Getaways
• Best Things To Do In New Hampshire In The Winter
• Best Things To Do In Portland, Maine In The Winter
• Best Things To Do In Maine In The Winter
• Best Things To Do In Stowe, VT
• Cool Things Vermont Is Known For

New England Spring Bucket List

Spring brings so many wonderful things to do in New England, including the end of a very long winter season, beautiful blooms and the start of warmer weather. Everything begins to wake up, and you’ll begin to see the region come back to life. This is a great time to get back outside and enjoy nature, and here’s my list of the best ways to do that throughout New England.

56. Watch A Maple Syrup Harvest

With so many maple syrup farms and sugar houses all over this region, one of the best things to add to your New England spring bucket list is watching a real maple syrup harvest.

While you can also do this toward the end of winter, the best time in New England is really right at the start of spring. There will likely still be snow on the ground, and many sugar houses will demonstrate how to use the maple-syrup-on-snow method to make maple candy (which honestly, is one of the coolest things to see).

57. The Nantucket Daffodil Festival

Nantucket’s been on this list before, but let’s head back to the island in the spring season when all the daffodils around the island start to bloom, and are celebrated with the Nantucket Daffodil Festival . This event usually takes place at the end of April, and downtown will be decorated with these cheerful yellow blooms, which is the perfect way to celebrate spring.

58. Billings Museum Baby Farm Animal Celebration

In Woodstock, VT, one of the best things to add to your New England spring bucket list is a visit to Billings Farm & Museum during their Baby Farm Animal Celebration. Ring in the spring season by petting and interacting with baby chicks, goats, bunnies, calves and piglets, as well as learning how all the newborns are cared for at their farm. During the event, the farm also has food trucks for awesome lunches, and you’ll be able to plant a seedling to take home with you, and watch it bloom throughout summer.

59. See The Blooming Cherry Blossoms

New England has quite a few places to experience the blooming cherry blossoms in the spring time, one of the best things to do during this season. Some of the best places to witness these beautiful trees during their peak time are:

• Wooster Square Park – New Haven, CT
• Boston Public Gardens – Boston, MA
• Charles River Esplanade – Boston, MA
• Chocolate Mill Overlook Park – Central Falls, RI

60. Hunt For Treasures At The Brimfield Antique Show

While the Brimfield Antique Show has dates throughout the year, including during summer and fall, the first one is in May, and is a great way to go to get outside after being cooped up for the winter. Widely regarded as one of the best antique shows not only in New England, but the entire country, It’s also the largest in the U.S. With over 5,000 vendors spanning across 21 fields, this is the best place to come to find the perfect antiques for your home.

61. Pick Your Own Tulips At Wicked Tulips Flower Farm

With farms in both Connecticut and Rhode Island, one of the most fun things to do in New England in the spring is to pick your own tulips at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm . These brightly-colored flowers are a great way to say goodbye to the cold and wet winter months, and welcome the warmer days ahead.

Note : Since prime tulip time changes each year, I highly suggest signing up for their e-mail newsletters to be notified when U-Pick season begins. You can do that by clicking here . This was how I was notified, which I found easier than stalking their social media pages.

Yep, you guessed it – I have a whole post on New England in the spring, too! Click here to check out even more fun things to do in the spring!

Best Foods To Eat In New England

So many wonderful foods have come out of New England, or have been made famous by this region, no trip to the region is complete without trying them all! Here’s my list of all the best foods you have to munch on while visiting New England.

62. Lobster Roll

Definitely one of my personal favorites is the lobster roll, and my trips to New England are never complete until I’ve had one (or three). You can get great lobster rolls all over New England, and they’re usually the best the closer to the coast you get.

Did you know there are two types of New England lobster rolls? One is a cold lobster salad on a bun, and one is the Connecticut-style warm, buttered lobster roll in a bun. Both are great, but you’ll definitely want to try them both to decide for yourself.

Click here to check out my list of the best lobster rolls on Cape Cod!

63. Homemade Ice Cream

Another one of my personal favorite foods to try in New England is homemade ice cream. Now, I realize you can get homemade ice cream all over the wold, but there’s something very special about getting it here in New England. It’s almost like its own little culture, and everyone has their die-hard favorites. I happen to be partial to the ice cream shops out on Cape Cod, but you’ll find amazing places that make their own ice cream all over (and you definitely need to try as many as you can).

Click here to read my post on the best ice cream on Cape Cod & the Islands!

64. Fried Clams

Fried clams were invented right here in New England by Lawrence Woodman in Essex, MA, and you can still get them from the original restaurant called Woodman’s . On a summer day, there’s nothing quite like a big paper plate full of either fried clam strips, or whole-belly fried clams, and this is something you’ll definitely want to cross off your New England bucket list.

65. Mike’s Cannoli

I’ve touched on the Italian community in Boston bringing us some of the best Italian food in New England, and this also applies to pastries. Mike’s Pastry in Boston has become famous for their cannoli, which they started making in the North End in 1946. And now, this is regarded as one of the best things to eat when you come to the city.

66. New England Clam Chowder

I mean, New England is right in the name, so if you’ve never tried this dish before, it definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. This creamy version of Clam Chowder is said to have been invented in the region as early as the 17th century, when French settlers were looking for a way to use up all the clams that were incredibly bountiful in the water. Now, it’s a staple on most menus throughout New England.

67. Clambake Dinner

Because seafood in this region is so fresh and abundant, one of the best meals you can have in New England is a clambake dinner. Best yet, cook up an authentic one right on the beach with seaweed, which is the traditional way of having this meal. A New England Clambake typically includes a variety of seafood including lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, quahogs and scallops, and is paired with corn on the cob and sometimes roasted potatoes. You’ll find this as an option on a lot of coastal restaurant menus, and some nicer hotels will often host clambake dinner nights in the summer season.

Yes, you’re reading that right! Not pizza … Apizza , which is a special kind of pizza most popular in New Haven, CT. This pizza has a thin crust, is cooked in a coal-fired brick oven and often has a very smokey flavor, as well as a charred bottom crust – but is absolutely delicious.

69. Vermont Country Breakfast

No visit to Vermont is complete without a hearty Vermont country breakfast, and this is also one of the best meals you’re likely to have in New England. Vermont is well-known for its farm-to-table dining, and while lunches and dinners are also amazing, there’s something special about breakfast. The best breakfasts I’ve ever had in New England have mostly been in Vermont, and typically include fluffy pancakes, incredible french toast, delicious and fresh eggs, the most scrumptious muffins and pastries and of course, fresh maple syrup.

70. Whoopie Pies

While it’s still debated if Whoopie Pies were invented in Massachusetts, Maine or Pennsylvania, one thing’s for sure – you’ll find some of the best in New England. Whoopie Pies are a cream-filled cake sandwich that come in a variety of flavors, with the most popular being chocolate cakes with a vanilla cream. Maine is regarded as one of the best states to eat Whoopie Pies, and in Portland specifically, you’ll find some of the best bakeries serving up these delicious treats.

Click here to check out my list of the best whoopie pies in Maine!

71. Popovers At Jordan Pond House In Acadia National Park

Inside Acadia National Park in Maine, you’ll find the Jordan Pond House Restaurant , which has become famous for their popovers. The first servings of tea and popovers at Jordan Pond House were in 1895, and the tradition has remained ever since. It’s now a time-honored tradition to stop at this restaurant and grab lunch, tea and popovers in-between sightseeing at the park.

Romantic Things To Do In New England

There are so many year-round romantic destinations throughout New England, and many things mentioned on this list already are incredibly romantic. But if you’re looking for even more ideas, here’s my list of additional things you’ll want to add to your romantic bucket list during your visit.

72. Stay At A Luxury Resort Or Inn With A Spa

New England has some of the best luxury resorts, including mountain and coastal getaway destinations. If you’re looking to really splurge with a relaxing and romantic New England vacation to celebrate a special occasion, here are some of the best luxury resorts and inns to consider that have on-site spas, romantic rooms and on-site restaurants:

• Woodstock Inn & Resort – Woodstock, VT (one of the most charming towns in VT)
• Chatham Bars Inn – Chatham, MA (amazing ocean-front luxury resort on Cape Cod)
• The White Barn Inn – Kennebunk, ME (a truly spectacular and romantic inn)
• Cliff House Maine – Cape Neddick, ME (a gorgeous resort with incredible ocean cliff views)
• Ocean House – Westerly, RI (amazing ocean-front resort with tons of amenities)

73. Gaze At A Stunning Beach Sunset

I mentioned earlier in this post that New England has over 5,400 miles of coastline, which means you have lots of opportunities to have a romantic beach sunset night. My husband and I do this all the time when we visit the ocean in New England. We often pack up a cooler with champagne, snuggle under a blanket together and watch the sun go down, and it’s a really special things to go together that we always cherish.

There are so many beach towns in New England , so it won’t be hard to find a beautiful beach for the perfect sunset picnic.

74. Tour The Connecticut Chocolate Trail

A really fun and romantic thing to do in New England is to take a road trip through the Connecticut Chocolate Trail. Along the route, there are over 20 chocolate artisans you can can visit to sample their chocolates, and bring some home with you. Make the road trip extra romantic by booking a cozy inn, and having a romantic dinner. Save some of your chocolates for dessert and end your day pairing them with a special bottle of wine.

75. Drive Through Connecticut’s Wine Country

Another romantic Connecticut road trip is to drive through the wine country along this state’s beautiful countryside. With over 50 wineries throughout the state, you’ll have lots of options to consider, but my personal favorite area for wine tasting in Connecticut is the Mystic/Stonington region. Not only is it incredibly beautiful and scenic, you’ll also find some really charming inns to stay in for an extra special romantic evening.

You may also find these posts helpful:

• Incredible New England Resorts & Spas
• Best Day Trips In New England
• Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Portland, Maine
• The Best New England Souvenirs To Buy On Your Trip
• Best Road Trips From Boston
• Summer In New England: Best Places To Go & Things To Do!
• 60+ Things To Do In Vermont
• Best Time To Visit New England
• Gorgeous New England Islands Worth Visiting
• Best Places To Visit In New England

That’s A Wrap On The Best Things To Do In New England

Hopefully now you see why New England is such an amazing place to explore, and with this New England bucket list, you’re ready to start checking some experiences and destinations off your own personal list of goals.

Whether you’re making sure you visit Acadia National Park, are set on admiring the coastal views at the Cape Cod National Seashore, or plan to visit some of the oldest houses in the country, you’re ready to see the very best of what New England has to offer.

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Best weekend getaways in new england.

Known for its historical roots, rugged landscape, savory seafood and rich sports culture, New England is home to a variety of vacation destinations. But with so many picture-perfect towns spread from the coast to the mountains, it's hard to decide where to head for a weekend getaway. That's why U.S. News took into account sights, culture, food and more to determine the best weekend getaways in New England. Cast your vote below to help us decide next year's ranking. Considering a fall trip to New England? Read our top travel tips »

Newport, RI

Portland, me, martha's vineyard, acadia national park, kennebunkport, white mountains, block island, the berkshires, sugarloaf mountain.

Visitors heading to Newport, Rhode Island, will be treated to breathtaking coastal vistas, glamorous seaside homes and top-notch sailing. Soak up some sun at Easton's Beach, or enjoy the sound of crashing waves while strolling the scenic Cliff Walk. If you'd rather treat yourself during your trip, hit up Thames Street, a bustling strip with delicious eateries, small boutiques and historic Colonial structures. Don't forget to save time for a tour (or two) of Newport's elaborate mansions, including The Breakers and Marble House.

An ideal destination for foodies and culture hounds, Portland, Maine, is filled with award-winning restaurants, museums, breweries, art galleries, boutiques and more. Spend some time wandering the cobblestone streets of the historical Old Port, where boats line the harbor and seafood is aplenty. Or, venture southeast of the city to Cape Elizabeth to snap a picture of the iconic Portland Head Light – one of the most photographed lighthouses in America – and hike or picnic in Fort Williams Park.

A popular summertime island retreat for New Englanders and politicians alike, Martha's Vineyard appeals to all types of travelers. Fly or take the ferry from the mainland to explore the Massachusetts island's six towns and numerous beaches. Don't miss the colorful gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, the fresh seafood in the village of Menemsha or the boutiques in Vineyard Haven. While the island's eastern side is walkable, it's best to take a bus or car to the dramatic Aquinnah Cliffs on the more rugged western side.

Many pass through Bar Harbor on their way to Acadia National Park , but this charming seaside town is definitely worth a stop. Located on Maine's Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is bursting with locally owned boutiques, fresh seafood restaurants and gorgeous coastal views. Walk the scenic Shore Path for views of Frenchman Bay and multimillion-dollar mansions, or take a ride on a lobster boat to learn about the craft firsthand. While the town is popular in summer, its smaller crowds and vibrant foliage in autumn make it equally appealing during the shoulder season.

For a quintessential New England getaway, head to this Massachusetts peninsula known for its laid-back vibe. Vacationers can bask in the sun somewhere along Cape Cod National Seashore's 40 miles of sand before digging into a plate of fried clams or retreating to a quaint bed-and-breakfast . When planning your visit, keep in mind that each Cape Cod town is a little different. You'll find upscale shops in Chatham, historical landmarks in Sandwich, sky-high sand dunes in Wellfleet and a thriving LGBTQ community in Provincetown. Cape Cod's ample restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and ocean views are enough to keep you busy for days.

In the mood for an adventure? This more than 47,000-acre national park in Maine, one of the state's top attractions , is perfect for hiking, biking and rock climbing, among other outdoor activities. Your top priority should be to hike 1,530-foot-tall Cadillac Mountain – it's the first spot in the country to catch a sunrise from October to March. If you're not a fan of hiking, rent a car and make the drive along the 27-mile Park Loop Road. You'll pass the dramatic edge of Otter Cliffs and the cave at Thunder Hole, as well as other wonders visible from the road's pull-off observation areas.

The largest city in New England is fairly compact and walkable – perfect for sightseeing in just a few days. History buffs can follow the Freedom Trail to learn about the American Revolution before stopping for a beer at the historic Bell in Hand Tavern. Foodies can get a taste of Italy in the North End or indulge in some fresh oysters and clam chowder in the Seaport District. Meanwhile, fashionistas can browse the many shops on Newbury Street, and souvenir hunters can visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace. No matter your interests, your trip to Boston would not be complete without visiting Fenway Park.

Despite its small size, Nantucket has no shortage of activities. Board a ferry from Cape Cod or fly into the island's airport to enjoy a unique Massachusetts vacation. Visit Cisco Brewers for private brewery, vineyard and distillery tours, or simply enjoy the food trucks and live music. While Nantucket is a walkable island, many visitors enjoy renting bikes or mopeds to explore the area, especially tiny Siasconset Village. You'll want to also save time for watching the sunset at Madaket Beach on the island's west coast.

It doesn't get more relaxing than Kennebunkport, Maine. You can lay on sandy beaches, stroll through quaint boutiques and sample local specialties like lobster rolls, oysters and blueberry pies. There are also plenty of unique ways to see the town, including on foot during a food tour, by boat while on a lobster boat tour and by trolley with Intown Trolley. Plus, you can stop along the way to take pictures of Walker's Point – the Bush family compound. Keep your eyes peeled for other famous faces, as Kennebunkport is a popular celebrity vacation destination.

Although Stowe's small-town charm and dramatic vistas make it a beautiful destination year-round, snow lovers won't want to miss this Vermont retreat in all its winter glory. Stowe is dubbed the "Ski Capital of the East," but this New England hideaway is also ideal for snowboarding, snowshoeing and dog sledding. If you'd rather visit during the warmer months, consider hiking the Stowe Recreation Path or driving the Auto Toll Road to the top of Mount Mansfield for unbeatable views of the Adirondack Mountains. Whichever season you prefer, fans of "The Sound of Music" can't miss a visit to Stowe's Trapp Family Lodge.

If historic walking tours, charming bistros and tax-free shopping describe your ideal New England weekend, book your ticket to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, today. Take a narrated boat tour of the Isles of Shoals, or spend the day exploring Market Square, the gem of downtown Portsmouth. For a breath of fresh air, sink your toes in the sand at nearby Wallis Sands State Beach or stroll through the gardens at Prescott Park. Time your visit for summer to attend the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which transforms this beautiful green space into a vibrant outdoor performance venue.

Whether you're looking for a quiet mountain hideaway or an activity-filled weekend, potential abounds in the White Mountains. Designated as a protected national forest, the White Mountains cover parts of New Hampshire and Maine. Take the scenic route along the Kancamagus Highway, and consider stopping at a campground along the way. If you're visiting in summer, hike, drive or take the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of its namesake for spectacular views. In winter, shred powder on some of the best ski slopes in New England before curling up with a cup of hot cocoa at a bed-and-breakfast.

Walk any direction on Block Island and you'll end up at a free public beach. This oasis off the southern coast of Rhode Island features 17 miles of shoreline, as well as old-fashioned cottages and two historical lighthouses. Take in sweeping ocean views from Mohegan Bluffs, or look for animals at Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. If you want an adrenaline rush, try snorkeling in the island's crystal-clear waters, biking around its picturesque perimeter or hiking its Clayhead Trail. A quick ferry ride from the mainland will take you to Block Island, making it an easy weekend retreat.

The rolling mountains of the Berkshires attract everyone from artists to nature lovers to city dwellers looking for an escape. This region of western Massachusetts has long been a culture and history hub. Charming towns like Great Barrington and North Adams draw visitors with their quaint main streets and historic homes. The town of Lenox is home to the famous Tanglewood concert venue, while the town of Pittsfield boasts many theaters and art galleries. You'll find a variety of festivals to attend in summer, vivid foliage in fall and plenty of skiing in winter.

Situated in western Maine's Carrabassett Valley, Sugarloaf Mountain has a lot to offer travelers looking for an exciting weekend getaway in New England. In winter, enjoy a range of cold-weather activities – including cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing and more – at the mountain's namesake ski resort. In summer, take advantage of the warmer temperatures by mountain biking, zip lining or hiking sections of the famous Appalachian Trail.

About 20 miles northeast of Boston, this Massachusetts town is best known for the witch trials of the late 17th century, which you can learn all about on a historical walking tour. For an even bigger dose of local culture, visit in October when the town hosts Halloween-themed events all month long. You'd also be remiss to skip top sights like the Peabody Essex Museum and The House of the Seven Gables, the setting of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel of the same name.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

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21 Best Places to Visit in New England

Quaint small towns, beautiful beaches, adorable lighthouses, and even a few fabulous cities: there are plenty of reasons to visit New England, and it certainly helps that the list of incredible places to visit in New England is never-ending!

A couple of years ago, we passed a delightful summer living in Boston , and though we tried hard to also hit up as many of the best places to visit in New England as possible outside of Boston, we had a very  hard time tearing ourselves away from what is now one of our favorite American cities.

As a result, our personal list of places to see in New England is still incredibly long.

We teamed up with several other travel bloggers to create this New England bucket list–we would love to visit each and every one of these spots in New England, and hopefully, we’ll get to see more of them soon!

Table of Contents

Connecticut

Massachusetts, new hampshire, rhode island.

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From Margie of DQ Family Travel

Middletown, Connecticut is absolutely one of the best places to visit in New England. It is located closer to the interior part of the state, but not too far off from Hartford. The best time of year to visit would have to be during the fall foliage time of October. 

There are plenty of  things to do in Middletown, CT if you’re visiting for a day or even a weekend. Wesleyan University is located right downtown and boasts gorgeous architectural buildings. A drive through this university is a must-do when you’re in the area.

The downtown of Middletown has spectacular restaurants and breweries too. Some local favorites include Conspiracy, Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, and Celtic Cavern. If you’re visiting with younger kids, KidCity museum is the perfect stop for some family fun.

A great place to stay right in downtown is the Inn at Middletown, which has a restaurant right on-site and is in walking distance to all the restaurants and shops. Just a few minutes outside of the downtown area is Wadsworth State Park which has a beautiful waterfall and some short hiking trails.

Not too far away is another favorite, Lyman Orchards. They sell farm fresh produce, apple cider, and if you’re in town in the Fall, you can go apple picking.

Connecticut is a great state to visit any time of year, but if you happen to be driving around New England, a stop in Middletown is worthwhile. 

Where to Stay in Middletown

• The Inn: With elegant décor complete with an on-site pool and hot tub, this is a great choice in Middletown

From Marcie of Marcie in Mommyland

If you are looking for a quaint New England town full of independent shops and restaurants, but where you can still get your Starbucks fix, head to Portland, Maine!

It’s an easy train ride from Boston or you can fly into their airport, and I’d suggest visiting Portland in late Spring and Summer to take advantage of all the fun seasonal activities, like the lobster boats, and to enjoy touring Portland by foot or bicycle.

One of the coolest things to do in Portland is to ride a vintage fire truck while learning about Portland’s incredible history. You’ll even get to wear authentic fire coats and do a few fun photo ops!

And, of course, we can’t talk about the best places to visit in New England without mentioning the lighthouses!

In Portland, you’ll find lots of gorgeous lighthouses including Portland Head Light. This is one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses. Plus, you can visit Bug Light, one of the smallest lighthouses!

Beyond lighthouses, Portland, Maine is also a huge food town and was named the 2018 Restaurant City of the Year from Bon Appetit magazine.

For one thing, they have lobster everything . I’m talking about lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster mac and cheese, etc.

They also have tons of local breweries, fabulous global cuisine, and pizza topped with mashed potatoes (it’s incredible!). Instead of just eating at a couple of the restaurants, take a  Maine Foodie Tour   so you can sample from 6 different iconic Portland Maine eateries!

Portland, Maine really is New England’s biggest small town and is definitely worth a stop on any New England road trip !

Where to Stay in Portland

• The Francis: This hotel is a historic landmark in the Bramhall neighborhood, near the Art District, and has a fabulous on-site spa. Perfect for a weekend relaxing.
• Best Bower: Simple, clean, and classic with all the cozy luxuries you could wish for from your weekend trip.

Acadia National Park

From Jennifer of National Park Obsessed

Acadia National Park is the only National Park in New England.  Located in Maine on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula.  Acadia holds a special place in New England’s heart. The Acadia is famed for its fall leaf colors , its rocky seashore, and its spectacular sunrises.  The park offers visitors a wide range of activities.

During your visit to Acadia, get up one morning and drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain and enjoy the sunrise over the ocean.  This spot is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. This activity is very popular and the parking lot at Cadillac often fills before sunrise.  Plan on being at the summit at least an hour before sunrise.  

After sunrise, head down off the mountain and find a parking spot along one of the park’s shuttle routes. Acadia is very crowded and parking is very limited.  Use the free shuttle bus to get to the trailheads and to explore the way overlooks.  

There are many different hiking trails to choose from at all skill levels.  Experienced hikers who aren’t afraid of height might like the Beehive. While other hikers might enjoy a stroll on the carriage routes or a hike around Jordon Pond. 

Acadia can be visited year-round but winter access is limited and many places are snowshoe or cross-country ski only.  The park is busiest from June to October. The summer temperatures draw people in for outdoor recreation and fall brings people for fall leaf viewing. 

Where to Stay in Acadia National Park

• Acadia Inn: Within 1 mile of the park and with its own nature trail that extends into the park this is the perfect spot to base yourself in Bay Harbor near the park.
• Bar Harbor Grand Hotel: Another great option in Bay Harbor is this palatial manor hotel with a swimming pool and hot tub.

From Chelsea of Pack More Into Life

Bar Harbor and neighboring Acadia National Park are two destinations that are easy to fall in love with.

Bar Harbor is located in eastern Maine on Mt. Desert Island. It is a coastal town with quaint shops, lobster boats, beautiful homes and B&B’s to enjoy restful nights with delicious homemade breakfasts.

Acadia National Park is a short 5-minute drive from Bar Harbor and features ocean paths, tidal pools, cliff climbs with massive boulders, horse-drawn carriage rides and Cadillac Mountain where you can be the first person in the US to enjoy the sun peeking over the edge of the earth in all its stunning glory!

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are especially beautiful in the summer and early fall when the temperatures are moderate and all the trails are open. The town bustles with festivals, tours, and outdoor activities. I recommend making a reservation in advance for the best waterfront Resorts/Inns and B&B’s. 

Be sure to spend at least a few days to enjoy all the best of the area–aim for at least four full days.

You’ll want two to spend exploring Acadia and enjoying the variety of hikes, ranger programs (the stargazing is stunning), popovers at Jordan Pond House, and catching a sunrise or sunset. Then another day in Bar Harbor where you’ll delight with lobster rolls, blueberry ice cream (so good!), fun shops, an oceanside path, and walking across the sand bar to Bar Harbor Island at low tide. Your final day is spent exploring the surrounding areas of Southwest Harbor with a private sailboat ride, seeing the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and strolling through the Gardens. 

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

• As suggested for Acadia National Park, the Acadia Inn and Bar Harbor Grand Hotel are great options in Bar Harbor.

From Toccara of Forget Someday

Ogunquit, Maine is a tiny town nestled along the coast, just under an hour south of Portland. But don’t be quick to underestimate this less than 5-square mile ‘beautiful place by the sea’ (translation of the name Ogunquit, provided by the Abenaki tribe). The town of Ogunquit offers much to see, do, and eat, you’ll need more than just a few days to discover it all.

What the town may be most well known for is its coastal walk, The Marginal Way. It’s one of New England’s best-paved seaside strolls and is fully accessible welcoming strollers and wheelchair users. The easy walk is just over one mile starting at Ogunquit Beach and ending at Perkins Cove, another one of Ogunquit’s main attractions. Perkins Cove is a fishing community turned artisan village now housing galleries, boutique shops, and seafood restaurants.

Ogunquit boasts several miles of expansive beaches that become jam-packed in the summer months. In the off-season, walkers and beachcombers continue to stroll the seashore in a less crowded and more serene atmosphere.

Something that sets Ogunquit apart is that you will not find a single chain restaurant in town. All dining options are unique and delicious! Check out Amore Breakfast for breakfast, Village Food Market for lunch, and one of the many seafood restaurants for an indulgent dinner! And absolutely do not miss a stop off at Bread and Roses Bakery downtown for a delectable whoopie pie you will continue to dream about long after your visit to Ogunquit! 

Where to Stay in Ogunquit

• Ogunquit Hotel and Suites : With a huge stunning pool and hot tub, this is the perfect beachside hotel for your stay in Ogunquit.
• Grasshopper Inn: Just 400m from the beach with bright and fresh accommodations, you are perfectly placed here.

Boothbay Harbor

From Julie of Wandering Sunsets

Boothbay Harbor is an adorable coastal town in Maine and the perfect spot for a relaxing summer weekend in New England.

Boothbay is a little bit of a local secret: even at the height of summer, the town doesn’t typically get as crowded as the rest of Maine. With a myriad of delicious oceanfront restaurants, Boothbay Harbor is seafood galore!

Grab a basket of crispy fried clams or freshly steamed lobster and enjoy your dinner watching the sunset by the harbor.

Boothbay is also a great destination for a family trip. The town is very walkable with many cute shops and cafes. Kids will love the old-school ice cream and candy stands lining the streets!

There are tons of things you can do from Boothbay Harbor. Hop on one of the boat excursions to see seals, whales, and puffins.

A boat ride is the best way to explore the Maine rugged coastline, with its many lighthouses and rocky islands. If you prefer to go on a road trip, take the scenic route to Ocean Point and have a picnic on the rocks at sunset. Another highlight of the region is the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, where you can stroll through beautiful floral plantings, pretty waterfalls, and fountains, and enjoy sweeping scenic views.

If you’re looking for an active vacation, Boothbay Harbor is home to many nature trails, world-class sea kayaking, and a beautiful golf course! Finally, you can take a ferry trip to Monhegan Island, which is a small wooded island with many hiking trails to discover.

I f you are looking to experience the highlight of a Maine summer without too many crowds, the picturesque town of Boothbay Harbor is the perfect destination.

Where to Stay in Boothbay Harbor

• Harbor House Inn: A great classic Maine property and a wonderful option for your trip. Book a room with a seating area and relax by the open fire each evening.
• Harbour Towne Inn: Located on the waterfront with spacious rooms and pretty views over the marina.

From Dhara of It’s Not About the Miles

The quintessential New England city, Boston is a must-visit if you love American history!

Boston was settled by the Puritans from England as far back as 1630! It is the site of many important events in the times leading up to America’s independence, from the Boston Tea Party to Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battle of Bunker Hill. It’s awesome to walk around the city and savor so many landmark events.

But Boston isn’t all about the past. It’s a vibrant, gorgeous, walkable city, with a stunning skyline, lots of great architecture blending the old and the new, and tons of fun things to do. Take a walk through the Boston Common. Walk a part or all of the Freedom Trail.   Spend an afternoon in the Boston Public Garden , walking among the flowers or enjoying a swan boat ride. Head to the top of the Skywalk Observatory for panoramic 360-degree views.

Leave room in your itinerary for water activities. A harbor cruise is a perfect way to take in the beauty of Boston from the ocean. Or enjoy a Charles River Boat Tour. And if you’re a foodie, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Boston. From food trucks to fine dining, Boston has loads of great places to eat.

Boston makes for the perfect city break any time of year, but I especially enjoy visiting in the spring and the fall, when temperatures are pleasant. In the fall, of course, you’ll be treated to spectacular displays of leaf color. In the spring, blooming trees and bulb displays liven up the city.

If you’re looking for places to visit in New England, be sure to put Boston at the top of your list. You’ll have a blast in Beantown, guaranteed!

Where to Stay in Boston

• Found Hotel Boston Common: This boutique hotel in the Theatre District is perfect for exploring Boston. Rooms are bright and comfortable, and there is access to public transport a short walk from the hotel.
• Revere Hotel Boston Common: Also in the Theatre District and close to Boston Common is this stylish hotel with a stunning rooftop terrace and bar, perfect for afternoon drinks. Rooms are spacious and have a coffee machine for those of you who need coffee the moment you wake up.

From Jodi of Family Travel Magazine

Often associated with Halloween, there are lots of   things to do in Salem MA beyond the month of October, and it’s one of the best places to visit in New England year-round. 

Start your visit with the  Salem Heritage Trail , a self-guided walking tour around the city that is marked with a red line on the sidewalks. It will take you by many of the most popular attractions in the city.

History and literature buffs will love the House of Seven Gables, which was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel. Guests visiting the house will also be able to see Hawthorne’s birthplace.

There are also many different guided walking tours, including ghost tours. Some of these are family-friendly, but you’ll want to check in advance.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located in the center of town and offers kid-friendly exhibits along with maritime and Asian art.

If you are visiting during the month of October, you’ll truly get to the experience the Witch City. There are activities offered throughout the city, including costume contests, a parade, and a street fair. Many of the Salem Witch Trial attractions, like the Salem Witch Museum, are open year-round. If you visit in October, however, you’ll find the lines to be much longer.

The waterfront location of Salem means that you’ll be able to take advantage of water activities, including boat tours. There are several restaurants located on the water as well. As you walk, explore the entire area, beyond just the witch trial and Halloween attractions. 

Where to Stay in Salem

• The Coach House: With stunning spacious rooms and well-located to explore the town this is a great luxury option for your stay in Salem.
• The Merchant: Another fabulous option in Salem is this historic building with wood beam details, deep bathtubs, and luxurious decor.

Cranberry Bogs

From James of Travel Collecting

One of the best places to visit in New England is a cranberry bog in the fall. 

Cranberries can be dry or wet harvested.  The wet harvesting involves flooding fields with a couple of feet of water and creating “cranberry bogs”.  The fruit is then shaken off the vines and floats to the surface, making it easy to harvest by vacuuming it up and into the back of waiting trucks.  This is not only a fascinating process to watch, but it also creates entire fields of bright red floating berries, which are incredibly picturesque. 

There are several cranberry bogs in Massachusetts that have harvest viewing tours, including Stone Bridge Farm and Spring Rain Farm (both by appointment only). 

One of them, Bensons Pond Farm, even offers the opportunity to be a cranberry farmer for a day (or at least an hour or so).  You get into waders and step into a flooded field, surrounded by floating cranberries, and help sweep them into the vacuum.  This is a unique experience that few people get to try. 

Even if you don’t want to don waders and be a farmer, watching the harvest and taking great photos is well worth it. 

There are several cranberry farms scattered around New England that offer tours of the bog in harvest season (late September to early November), as well as the opportunity to buy fresh cranberries and other cranberry products directly from the farm.  Read more about experiencing a cranberry bog in Massachusetts and get links to the farms here . 

From Amy of New England With Love

Rockport, MA is certainly one of the best places to visit in New England, and it still remains somewhat of a hidden gem!

This art colony situated on the tip of Cape Ann is picturesque seaside New England at its best. Photo opportunities are everywhere you look in Rockport, from the much-photographed and pained fish shed known as ‘Motif No. 1’ to the cozily clustered boutiques and art galleries lining Bearskin Neck. 

This is a wonderful place for a relaxing getaway, especially for couples. Wander through the galleries of local artisans, peruse the unique boutique shops, and then walk along the beach. Everything for a great vacation is right here–no matter what your taste, you’re bound to find plenty of cool things to do in Rockport !

Getting out on the water is a great addition to your trip to Rockport. Whale-watching trips are offered seasonally out of nearby Gloucester, or you can hire kayaks for more personal water exploration.

If staying on dry land is more your thing, don’t miss the beautiful nature walks at Halibut Point. 

Where to Stay in Rockport

• Emerson Inn: Set overlooking the water this is the perfect place to wake up in a comfortable luxurious bed to views of the ocean.
• The Cove: Relax on the huge terrace overlooking the ocean at this Rockport inn. Rooms are as beachy as you could wish for in this lovely location.

Williamstown

By Suzanne Fluhr of Boomeresque

Williamstown calls itself “The Village Beautiful”, and is well worth a visit just for the beauty of its location in the extreme northwest corner of Massachusetts. It is nestled among the rolling Berkshire Mountains and is the home of Williams College.

Williamstown is a quintessential New England college town, complete with a white Congregational church on the college green.

Williamstown is a four-season destination. Each fall, visitors are dazzled as the leaves burst into their New England autumnal colors. Outdoor recreation is popular in Williamstown which is a good base for both downhill and cross country skiers. Williams College welcomes golfers to its beautiful 100 acre Taconic Golf Club course in the spring, summer and fall. Hiking in the beautiful, but not too challenging, Berkshire Mountains is also popular with Williamstown visitors.

Williamstown abounds with cultural institutions not often found in and near such a small town. It is home to 2 world-class museums: the Clark Art Institute with a notable Impressionist collection, and the Williams College Museum of Art. Summer brings the 8-week long Williamstown Summer Theater Festival, a draw for renowned thespians and directors.

The Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art is just east of Williamstown in North Adams. In southern Berkshire County, you can visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge which is also the summer home of the Boston Symphony at the Tanglewood Estate. The Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival is in nearby Beckett, Massachusetts.

Williamstown has more hotel and bed & breakfast inn rooms than might be expected. However, check the Williams College calendar to avoid dates when room demand is high due to college events.

Where to Stay in Williamstown

• The Williams Inn: This historic hotel is a stunning choice right in the center of town. Rooms are spacious and decorated with no detail spared.
• Maple Terrace Motel: Another great option is this motel with mountain views and charming features throughout.

Cape Cod Area

From Sarah of Travels of Sarah Fay

Cape Cod, or the Cape as locals refer to it, is the perfect escape for those looking for the perfect weekend getaway in New England. The region has been home to many looking to escape the rat race of everyday America. It is a region that follows the entire Route 6 from the Cape Cod Canal Rail bridge to the tip of the Cape, Provincetown (scroll down for more on that!). Time seems like it stands still as you explore villages, backroads, and old town main streets that are reminiscent of an era long gone.

The Cape offers many opportunities, such as exploring the 40 mile stretch of beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Here you can bike on miles of trails, walk along boardwalks like Grays Board walk in Yarmouth over protected marshlands, and experience some of the best birdwatching in the USA.

Historically, Cape Cod was known for its’ seafaring Captains that would hunt for whales and today tourists can still go on a boat for some whale watching. In Cape Cod could you see big blue whales, great white sharks, and seals at the same time not too far from shore.

After a tiring day at the beach or exploring one of Cape Cod’s 14 historical lighthouses, head to Wellfleet’s Drive-In Movie theater for some real nostalgia. The historic drive-in theater is one of the last operating ones of its kind. Cape Cod is one of the only places where you can really enjoy, relax, and not worry about what you will do next, you live in the moment. 

Provincetown

From Aga of Traveling with Aga

Provincetown is a seaside town at the tip of Cape Cod, the most popular summer destination in New England. Out of all the towns on the Cape, it’s the most vibrant and colorful. This charming fishing village has a lot to offer, from the beautiful beaches, amazing food to vibrant nightlife and some of the best people-watching.

P-town, as locals call it, prides itself on being a very welcoming place. For years it’s been favored by artist and LBGTQ community, that choose P-town as their summer destination.

While taking a day trip to P-town is possible, this quaint Massachusetts town deserves at least a couple of days to see all that it has to offer, which is plenty. The heart of Provincetown is Commercial Street, lined with quirky stores, galleries, and restaurants.

One of my favorite things to do in town is biking up and down the streets, before heading down the bike path through the dunes, which are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The landscape is truly unique and it’s a nice break from all the commotion of Commercial Street.

Being on the Massachusetts shoreline, Provincetown has great beaches, Herring Cove and Race Point being among the favorites. The latter, with its famous historic lighthouse, is perfect not just for relaxing on the beach, but also for spotting some wildlife. Keep an eye out for sea lions, that can often be seen close to the shore.

There are a couple of ways you can get to Provincetown from Boston. The fastest and most enjoyable way is taking the highspeed ferry, that reaches P-town in just 90 minutes. Driving is another option, but keep in mind that weekend summer traffic heading to Cape Cod is brutal. The standard 3 hours it usually takes, turns into 5 or more. Unless you are able to travel on weekdays, avoid driving and choose the ferry instead.

Where to Stay in Provincetown

• AWOL Hotel Provincetown: Just 1 mile from the beach and with a lovely outdoor swimming pool this is a great hotel in Cape Cod. The terrace is a beautiful place to relax after exploring the area.
• Anchor Inn Beach House: With antique-style furnishings, huge windows, and comfortable beds, this is a classic Cape Cod hotel and well worth the stay.

White Mountain National Forest

From Richa of My Ticklefeet

The White Mountain National Forest area is quite big and you can easily spend an entire weekend exploring this region. You will definitely need a car to drive around the forest to access the scenic spots. Although spring and summer are great seasons to visit this region, in my opinion, fall is the best time to be here. New England is famous for its fall colors and White Mountain National Forest is the place to visit in   New Hampshire in autumn .

Within the White Mountain region, be sure not miss highlights like the White Mountain Cog Railway, which will take you to the top of the White Mountain summit by steam train, stunning Kancamagus Highway, beautiful Echo lake, or Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.

Definitely be sure to include Flume Gorge of your list of places to visit in New England. The granite walls in Flume Gorge are formations from the Jurassic times which have passed the test of Ice Age. There is a short 20 minutes boardwalk hike which will take you up, close, and around these gorge walls. 

Where to Stay in White Mountain National Forest

• Noble House Inn: This pretty Inn is perfect for your trip, with private balconies in each room, lovely gardens, and just 200m from the beach.
• Merrill Farm Inn: Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by lush forests and granite mountain peaks, this B&B is moments from all the lovely activities in the area.

Portsmouth is one of New Hampshire’s top destinations. If you need a great day trip from Boston, this is a wonderful option, as it’s just over an hour’s drive away. 

Here you can enjoy the waterfront of the Southern NH coast, all while exploring a charming and historic city. Portsmouth has a cute downtown that embodies what most would imagine of New England. Here you’ll find great shopping and cafes set next to white-steepled churches.  

In recent years, the Seacoast region has experienced a massive boom in the food industry, with terrific restaurants popping up constantly. There are many of these to be experienced downtown, including Cure, Black Trumpet, Moxy, and Row 34. 

History lovers will want to stop by the Strawbery Banke Museum, an outdoor museum that showcases preserved historical buildings. Don’t miss Book & Bar, a bookstore-meets-coffee-shop- and-bar built for bibliophiles and housed in an old post office. 

The best time of year to visit Portsmouth is in December. The town comes alive at Christmastime and is known as one of the best Christmas destinations in the country, largely in part to its lively and popular Vintage Christmas celebration, which takes place city-wide every year. 

Where to Stay in Portsmouth

• Ale House Inn: Located in a historic building that once housed a brewery, and with a complimentary bike hire this is a great choice for your weekend in Portsmouth.
• The Hotel Portsmouth: Located in Downtown Portsmouth this charming Victorian manor house has spacious rooms and is a short walk to all the amenities.

From Brianne of A Traveling Life

Newport, Rhode Island, has long been the summer playground of New England’s rich and famous – it’s where wealthy families started building grand mansions in the mid-1850s, and on September 12, 1953, it’s where John F. Kennedy married Jackie Bouvier.

There’s still plenty of fun to be had in Newport today, and it remains one of the best places to see in New England. When the weather is warm, you can relax on one of its two beautiful beaches – First Beach and Second Beach. The Cliff Walk is also a very popular activity – the 3.5-mile trail provides stunning ocean views.

Newport is also the site of many sporting and entertainment events throughout the year, including the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival as well as boat races, tennis, and polo tournaments. 

Given Newport’s rich sailing history, one of the best ways to experience Newport is on the water, so consider taking a spin on a sightseeing cruise. However, if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can check out one of its museums like the International Tennis Hall of Fame or National Museum of American Illustration, or tour one of its many historic homes like the Breakers or the Isaac Bell House. 

The streets of downtown Newport are packed with gift shops, antique stores and art galleries, as well as cafes, bars, and restaurants to suit every taste and budget – from diners to ocean-front fine dining and everything in between. Needless to say, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood in Newport!

Where to Stay in Newport

• Ivy Lodge: Stay in a classic mansion house complete with a turret and gothic woodwork. In the heart of Newport Mansion District and less than a mile from Newport Harbor, all rooms also have fireplaces for the ultimate romantic weekend evenings.
• America’s Cup Inn: Set along cobblestones street with gaslights, and decorated with colonial period furnishings, this is a classic New England B&B. Rooms have 4-poster mahogany beds or antique wicker furnishings.

Block Island

From Anisa of Two Traveling Texans

Block Island is a small island 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, and it’s one of the best places to visit in New England in the summer.   While it may not be the easiest place to get to (it’s best to take a ferry to Block Island) the journey is worth it!

The beaches are pristine and some are ideal for clamming or fishing.  If you are serious about fishing, you can charter a fishing boat.

Seafood lovers will have plenty of choices at the different restaurants on the island.  Lobster lovers will be in heaven because it is relatively cheap! Additionally, for a small island, the nightlife is lively and there are plenty of bars to choose from. Shoppers will enjoy the boutique shops that are perfect for finding unique gifts.  

There are also plenty of trails for hiking or biking.  Keep an eye out for hundreds of glass balls that are randomly hidden across Block Island as part of the Glass Float Project. You can also visit the two historic lighthouses on the island and take in the stunning views from the cliffs.

With all that Block Island has to offer, you will want to spend at least a night or two.  National Hotel is an excellent place to stay, and is located right in the middle of the town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.  Plus, the hotel’s restaurant, The Tap & Grille, serves up absolutely delicious food!

Where to Stay in Block Island

• The Sullivan House: Located in New Shoreham, a few steps from Fred Benson Town Beach this is a lovely classic hotel for your stay in Block Island.
• Atlantic Inn: This historic hotel is a superb option with huge gardens as well as an onsite restaurant and bar.

From Jamie of The Daily Adventures of Me

Often cited as the prettiest small town in America, Woodstock is quintessential New England.

Vermont is the artsiest of the New England states, full of studios and farms producing local ingredients and all of that can be accessed from the town of Woodstock–and you absolutely can’t go wrong by spending a perfect fall weekend in Woodstock, Vermont .

A whole day can be spent in the historic downtown Woodstock exploring the shops, town green, covered bridge and one of the prettiest libraries in New England. There is even an old-fashioned country store that feels like a classic slice of Americana.

Just a short drive from town you can explore the Quechee River Gorge, a yummy farmer’s market or the artist studio of Simon Pearce. 

There is skiing nearby, but fall is the best time to visit Woodstock where you can see New England’s vibrant colors against the mountains, farms and stone walls of Woodstock.  

Where to Stay in Woodstock

• The Village Inn: Furnished with period pieces and serving an amazing breakfast each morning this is a great choice.
• The Shire: This riverfront property is a lovely option with huge rooms with pretty private balconies and a great onsite restaurant

From Tara of Back Road Ramblers

Vermont’s largest city is home to just 42,000 residents, but it provides the perfect mix of urban and outdoor living.

Burlington is perched on the shores of Lake Champlain and has been named the healthiest city in the United States many times over. Not only is Burlington beautiful, but it also boasts a great mix of art and culture, farm-to-table restaurants, beautiful walking trails, and unique shopping. 

Vermont is fun to visit all through the year, but there are so many things to do in Burlington in the summer . For starters, the Burlington bike path is one of the prettiest in the country, hugging the shore of Lake Champlain for eight miles and connecting numerous parks and beaches. While you’re pedaling the bike path, be sure to keep your eye on the lake for Champ, an iconic lake monster who was first spotted in 1819. 

For great dining, shopping, or just people watching, head up the hill to the Church Street Marketplace. This is a pedestrian-only street full of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, murals, sculptures, and outdoor seating. It is one of the best places to grab a bite and relax outdoors, and it’s very dog and child-friendly.

As the sun starts to set, make your way back to the waterfront, either to Oaklege Park or North Beach to watch the sun sink behind the Adirondack Mountains across the lake. Both parks have great beaches and walking trails to accompany the spectacular views. 

Where to Stay in Burlington, Vermont

• Green Mountain Suites: The perfect spot for a classic cozy Vermont trip with open fireplaces, fluffy blankets, and an onsite hot tub.
• Blind Tiger: Another gorgeous luxury option is this hotel with a stunning private garden and comfortable rooms.

From Rob & Ann of Travel Latte

One of New England’s truly iconic, can’t-miss destinations is Stowe, Northern Vermont’s hub for ski resorts, mountain hiking, and temptations for all of your senses.

Popular ski resorts Smuggler’s Notch and Stowe Mountain made the village famous, but Stowe is a true all-season destination, and one of the best places to visit in New England year-round.

In the warmer months, climbing and hiking trails ascend Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and run throughout the Mount Mansfield State Forest, and Stowe Land Trust’s Pinnacle Meadows. Those same trails are Stowe’s main attraction during the fall, when Leaf Peeping is in full swing. Not a hiker? See the colors from above on the Stowe Mountain Gondola.

Most people don’t know that Stowe has an adventure for your tastebuds, too! A drive down Route 100 starts with a crafted cup from Vermont Artisan Coffee. The next stop is Cold Hollow Cider Mill to watch (and taste) fresh cider being pressed and grab a coveted hot Apple Cider Donut. Better yet, grab two before heading down the road to Waterbury Center to stock up at local chocolatier Lake Champlain Chocolate, and Smuggler’s Notch Distillery factory stores.

Next, pull into the original Ben & Jerry’s factory for a tour and samples! The 30-minute tour ends in the Flavoroom with free samples. The good news is, you can take the tour as many times as you’d like! The road ends in Waterbury, the birthplace of Green Mountain Coffee, for another tasty cup.

Finally, indulge your Sound of Music fandom at the Trapp Family Lodge, founded by the family made famous by the movie. The historic lodge offers outdoor adventures including horseback and mountain bike riding on the family’s private land. Indoors, enjoy yoga and spa treatments while surrounded by Trapp Family memorabilia. Be sure to visit the Trapp Brewery and Bierhall, too, for original brews, tasty pub food, and amazing views.

Where to Stay in Stowe

• Trapp Family Lodge : If you are interested in booking here for the winter season, make sure you book way in advance, as the rooms go fast! It is a local hotspot and for a good reason, it is the perfect place for your winter in Vermont.
• Green Mountain Inn : Another fabulous option is this inn which looks like an Inn from a holiday movie. Cute, cozy, and comforting, just what you want from a trip to Vermont!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “21 Best Places to Visit in New England”

You missed many wonderful places in Northwestern, Connecticut. Kent, Cornwall, Salisbury (Lime Rock), Litchfield, Collinsville and more. There are wonderful galleries, beautiful foliage, skiing, lakes, falls, rivers, theatre, performing arts, fabulous restaurants, B&B, cozy inns and so much more.

Essex, CT….must see!

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Discover New England (DNE) is a regional destination marketing organization founded in 1992 by the six New England state tourism offices. DNE is a nonprofit (501c6) association dedicated to promoting travel to and within the member states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Discover New England provides cooperative marketing opportunities to reach the global market and attract more international visitors. It works with travel trade professionals (travel agents, tour operators and receptive operators) to showcase New England and book more business, while providing our regional tourism businesses with the tools they need to competitively market themselves internationally.

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From historic villages to cutting-edge galleries, verdant mountains to granite shores, clam shacks to covered bridges, New England's scenic and cultural treasures are unparalleled.

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Fenway Park

Kenmore Square & Fenway

Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest operating baseball park in the country. As such, the park has many quirks that make for a…

Harvard University

America's oldest college, Harvard University is one of the country's most prestigious universities. It was originally founded in Harvard Yard in 1636 by…

Shelburne Museum

The extraordinary 45-acre Shelburne Museum, nine miles south of Burlington, showcases 100,000 priceless artifacts, from America and abroad.

Southern Vermont

The ancestral home of Mary and Robert Lincoln, who was the son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, 412- acre Hildene is a working farm, museum and…

Museum of Science

The educational playground that is the Museum of Science has more than 600 interactive exhibits. Favorites include the world’s largest lightning-bolt…

Wadsworth Atheneum

Connecticut

In 2015 the nation's oldest public art museum completed a five-year, $33-million renovation, renewing 32 galleries and 15 public spaces. The Wadsworth…

Baxter State Park

North Maine Woods

One of Maine's most stunning protected areas, Baxter State Park is a verdant wilderness encompassing nearly 210,000 acres. Some 215 miles of trails draw…

Plimoth Plantation

South Shore

Three miles south of Plymouth center, Plimoth Plantation authentically re-creates the Pilgrims’ settlement in its primary exhibit, entitled 1627 English…

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Where to Go in New England

SD › Best Places in New England Updated: November 13, 2021 By Santorini Dave

Beachfront homes and the Pilgrim Monument in the Cape Cod village of Provincetown, Massachusetts.

• Where to Stay in Boston
• Where to Stay in Portland, ME

The Best Areas to Stay in New England

New England is the historic corner of America, crammed with picture-perfect villages with colonial churches, tranquil greens, and clapboard homes. Almost every town has a house museum dating from the 17th or 18th century, and this is where the Revolutionary War started in 1775. Today there’s a lot more to enjoy, from a gorgeous coastline of craggy headlands, sandy beaches, and islands to a rugged hinterland of mountains, dense forests, and rolling hills.

If you can only go to one state then visit Vermont or New Hampshire (they are the most quintessential having the most to see and do in the smallest area).

Best New England Destinations for Couples and Honeymoon : Martha’s Vineyard • Newport, RI Best New England Destinations for Kids and Families : Boston • Lakes Region, NH • Coastal Maine Best New England Destination for Nightlife : Boston Best New England Destination for Beaches : Cape Cod Best New England Destinations for Food : Boston • Rhode Island • Portland, ME • Portsmouth, NH Best New England Destination for Hiking : White Mountains, NH

New England – The Highlights

10 best cities in new england.

• Concord, NH

10 Best Beaches in New England

• Ballston Beach, Cape Cod (MA)
• Norton Point Beach/South Beach, Martha’s Vineyard (MA)
• Cisco Beach, Nantucket (MA)
• Block Island State Beach (RI)
• Mothers Beach, Kennebunk (ME)
• Goose Rocks Beach (ME)
• Sandy Point State Reservation (MA)
• Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester (MA)
• Popham Beach (ME)
• Nauset Beach (MA)

10 Best Vacation Spots in New England

• White Mountains, NH
• Green Mountains, VT
• The Berkshires
• Martha’s Vineyard
• Kennebunkport
• Acadia National Park
• Lake Winnipesaukee

10 Best Craft Breweries in New England

• Center Street Brewing Company, Wallingford (CT)
• Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, Portland (ME)
• Tox Brewing Company, New London (CT)
• Burlington Beer Company (VT)
• Austin Street Brewery, Portland (ME)
• Providence Brewing Company (RI)
• Article Fifteen Brewing, Weymouth (MA)
• Great Awakening Brewing Co, Westfield (MA)
• Granite Roots Brewing (NH)
• Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton (NH)

9 Best Food Destinations in New England

• Boston (clam chowder, Boston baked beans, Boston cream pie, Italian food)
• Coastal Maine (lobster, clambakes, clam rolls)
• New Bedford, MA (Portuguese food)
• Cape Cod (fried clam bellies)
• Berkshires (sugar shacks)
• Newhaven, CT (pizza)
• Rhode Island (coffee milk, frozen lemonade, doughboys, coffee cabinet, hot wieners)
• Vermont (cheddar cheese, apple cider/doughnuts, gravy fries/poutine, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream)
• Hartford, CT (Polish and old-school Italian)

10 Best small towns in New England

• Provincetown, MA
• Stockbridge, MA
• Shelburne Falls, MA
• Bennington, VT
• Grafton, VT
• Wolfeboro, NH
• Damariscotta, ME
• Eastport, ME

New England Travel Itinerary

It’s easy to plan a travel itinerary for New England based around Boston’s Logan International Airport, where renting a car is convenient and (relatively) good value. From here, there really are no bad itineraries – in the fall, especially, the whole of New England blazes with color, and in the summer there’s plenty to do and see inland and along the coast. Boston is worth at least a couple of days for first-timers, but after that, make time for the small towns, villages, lonely beaches, and mountains that make this such a special region.

• New England Itinerary for 7 days : 2 days in Boston, 2 days in the Berkshires, 3 days in Vermont OR 2 days in Boston, 2 days in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, 2 days in the White Mountains, 1 day in Portland, ME OR 2 days in Boston, 3 days in Cape Cod, 2 days in Rhode Island.
• New England Itinerary for 10 days : 2 days in Boston, 2 days in the Lakes Region, 2 days in the White Mountains, 4 days in Vermont OR 2 days in Boston, 2 days in Cape Cod, 2 days in Nantucket, 3 days in Martha’s Vineyard.
• New England Itinerary for 14 days : 2 days in Boston, 2 days in the Berkshires, 3 days in Vermont, 2 days in the White Mountains, 2 days in the Lakes Region, 1 day in Portsmouth, NH, 2 days in coastal Maine & Portland OR 2 days in Cape Cod, 2 days in Nantucket, 1 day in Portsmouth, NH, 2 days in the Lakes Region, 2 days in the White Mountains, 1 day in Portland, ME, 4 days travelling coastal Maine along US-1.

The 30 Best Places to Visit in New England

1. boston, ma.

The region’s biggest city and the de facto capital of New England, Boston is one of the nation’s most fascinating destinations, rich in historic sights, art museums, restaurants, and family-friendly attractions that could easily fill a week of sightseeing. Boston Common remains the city’s historic heart; from here the Freedom Trail links all the major sights associated with the Revolutionary War. Highlights include the Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall , and Quincy Market . Kids especially love the New England Aquarium , Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum , Children’s Museum , and the Museum of Science . The city’s artistic gems include the Institute of Contemporary Art , Museum of Fine Arts , and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum . Beacon Hill, Boston’s poshest neighborhood, is also one of the most pleasant to explore on foot. Its narrow, cobbled streets are lit by original gas lamps and lined with gorgeous 19th-century townhouses. The Black Heritage Trail is here, as is the Massachusetts State House . The North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood, features authentic bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. The atmospheric clapboard home of Paul Revere , where he slipped out on his famous ride in 1775, is still standing in the North End, as is Old North Church , where two lanterns were hung to warn Charlestown militia (“one if by land, two if by sea”). Across in Charlestown itself is the USS Constitution , the celebrated ship known as “Old Ironsides”, and the Bunker Hill Monument . TD Garden is home to the Boston Celtics and the Bruins; Gillette Stadium hosts the New England Patriots; and legendary Fenway Park is where the Red Sox hold court. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum stands south of the city on Columbia Point.

2. Portland, ME

Maine’s cultural and commercial center, Portland makes for a pleasant city break, with several worthwhile museums, indie boutiques, fine restaurants, and plenty of high-quality craft breweries – Allagash Brewery and the Bissell Brothers Brewing Company , both on the outskirts of town, are our favorites. Other highlights include the charming Old Port district, the Portland Museum of Art , historic Victoria Mansion , and the Portland Observatory . Just offshore, Casco Bay’s Calendar Islands offer hiking trails, beaches, and historic sites.

3. Cape Cod, MA

This long, hook-shaped peninsula is one of the nation’s most popular summer destinations, studded with clam shacks, beautifully preserved colonial villages, and lined with wild, untouched beaches protected within the Cape Cod National Seashore . At its northern tip lies Provincetown , featuring its own fine beaches, art galleries, tasty seafood, and a thriving LGBT scene; it also contains the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum and a smattering of Portuguese culture thanks to its historic fishing community. Though the roads and coastline of Cap Cod can be congested in the peak summer months, book ahead and it’s relatively easy to find a quiet strand, village green, or local café. Beyond Provincetown and the beaches, the biggest attractions are the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum , charting this history of the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge , and the Cape Playhouse .

4. Acadia National Park, ME

Encompassing much of Mount Desert Island off Maine’s Atlantic coast (connected to the mainland by causeway), this stunning wilderness park is pitted with mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife, from seals and beavers to bald eagles. The main gateway is the elegant 19th-century resort town of Bar Harbor , crammed with hotels and holiday stores. The 27-mile Park Loop Road system offers a taster of the park by car from here, taking in the Wild Gardens of Acadia , Sand Beach, and Thunder Cave. It’s also worth venturing over to the western side of Somes Sound to visit picturesque Bass Harbor Head Light and the famous lobster pounds of Southwest Harbor. We also love the most isolated section of the park on Isle au Haut , only accessible by boat, known for its rugged hiking trails, marshes, bogs, and freshwater Long Pond.

5. Nantucket, MA

The “Little Gray Lady” is one of America’s most famous and romantic destinations, set in the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles off the shores of Massachusetts. Once a major whaling port (part inspiration for Moby Dick), Nantucket today is known for its wild beaches, fresh seafood, and its rich seafaring legacy, reflected in a clutch of maritime museums and the grand gray clapboard and weathered shingle homes that stud the cobbled main settlement, Nantucket Town. The island is perfect for exploring by bike – the best ride follows Polpis Road east to the rose-smothered cottages of Siasconset (aka “Sconset”).

6. The Coastal Route (Hwy-1, Maine)

Highway US-1 in Maine takes in some of the most scenic parts New England’s Atlantic coast, a rugged series of headlands and historic fishing ports beginning with Kittery on the Piscataqua River (and New Hampshire border). There’s a lot to see off the highway – it could easily take a couple of weeks to do it justice. Driving north, our favorite stops are Ogunquit Beach , the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge , and Kennebunkport , before cutting through the city of Portland. From here the highway runs northeast through several historic towns and the shopping outlet hotspot of Freeport before following the coast of Penobscot Bay from Rockland to Acadia National Park.

7. The Berkshires, MA

Much of western Massachusetts is taken up by the Berkshires, a hilly region of small towns and charming villages best known for its world-class arts festivals and cache of historic mansions. It’s especially popular during the summer festival season and in the fall, when the woods and forests are smothered in color. Highlights include Tanglewood, summer quarters of the Boston Symphony Orchestra ; the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge; the Mount , home of writer Edith Wharton; and Hancock Shaker Village , five miles west of Pittsfield. To the north, in Williamstown and North Adams, The Clark and stunning MASS MoCA respectively are world-class art galleries. In addition to the Tanglewood concert series, there’s the Berkshire Theatre Festival , contemporary dance at Jacob’s Pillow , Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival .

8. Martha’s Vineyard

The largest New England island, Martha’s Vineyard offers a lot more variety than Nantucket. It contains several different communities, each with its own identity. Edgartown features brightly painted Colonial clapboard homes and gardens, while Vineyard Haven is the main port, crammed with stores. Oak Bluffs is best known for its gingerbread cottages. Elsewhere there are small beaches, hills, farms, and wild, undeveloped moorland. The island can get congested in the summer, but it’s usually easy to find a secluded corner.

9. Newport, RI

Set in a beautiful waterside location on Aquidneck Island, Newport boomed in the 19th century as a summer resort for the Astors, Vanderbilts, and America’s various Gilded Age millionaires. Today it remains a popular yachting destination, with lots of enticing beaches in the summer and the historic Point district crammed with Colonial-era homes, though it’s best known for the fabulous mansions built in its heyday. Most of them are open to visit and are loaded with antiques, marble, and precious art, and are more like European palaces than summer homes. The Breakers is must-see, easily the grandest mansion, built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1895. Rosecliff , completed seven years later for Nevada silver heiress “Tessie” Fair Oelrichs, was designed by famous architect Stanford White in the style of the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Belcourt Castle (aka “Belcourt of Newport”) is another favorite, designed by Robert Morris Hunt and completed in 1894.

10. Portsmouth, NH

This small but sophisticated port city on the New Hampshire coast combines a ton of history and colonial remnants with gourmet restaurants and superb craft breweries, its small center easily traversed on foot. The principal attraction is the Strawbery Banke Museum , a living museum of over 30 historic houses and wooden buildings dating back to the colonial period. There’s also several historic homes to explore in town, notably the Moffatt-Ladd House and John Paul Jones House , home of America’s first great naval commander.

11. Lake Winnipesaukee & the Lakes Region, NH

Just south of the White Mountains, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is smothered in forests, ponds, and beautiful stretches of blue water, home to thousands of loons, eagles, and all sorts of wildlife. The biggest lake and the central attraction is Lake Winnipesaukee, best appreciated on a boat ride. The lake is surrounded by historic resort towns, the best of which is Wolfeboro . Weirs Beach , on the congested western shore is a more family-friendly resort town, home to adventure parks and watersports. Looming high above the northern side of the lake, don’t miss the Castle in the Clouds , a beautiful mountain top estate built in 1913 and open to visitors. Further north, Squam Lake is a tranquil stretch of water surrounded by small villages and towns.

12. Burlington and Lake Champlain, VT

Stretching some 150 miles between Vermont and New York state, Lake Champlain is one of New England’s greatest natural features, a magnet for kayaking, boating and cycling enthusiasts (it’s lined with enticing bike trails). The lake is anchored by Burlington , a fun French Canadian-influenced city known for its 19th-century architecture, brewpubs, the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain , and Lake Champlain Chocolates . The University of Vermont campus contains the Robert Hull Fleming Museum of Art , while the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum lies in the northern outskirts, commemorating the celebrated Revolutionary War hero. The northern end of the lake is dominated by the rustic Champlain Islands , home of Saint Anne’s Shrine , while the southern stretch is guarded by Mount Independence , a significant Revolutionary War fortress.

13. Shelburne Museum, VT

Though it lies just outside Burlington, this vast open-air museum deserves to be highlighted on its own – it takes at least a full day to do it justice. Covering some 45 acres, it can be roughly described as a grand collection of Americana, with more than 30 buildings and 18th-century clapboard houses, most transported here from other parts of New England. Highlights include the giant McClure Round Barn and carousel, the Circus Building (housing exhibits on historic American circus troupes), the Ticonderoga, a steam paddlewheeler, a once working lighthouse, the 1785 Stagecoach Inn, and a vast collection of art displayed in the Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building and Webb Gallery.

14. Mount Washington & the White Mountains, NH

The rugged White Mountains of New Hampshire are a year-round destination, studded with ski resorts in the winter (notably Waterville Valley , Jackson , and Loon Mountain ), and offering superb hiking, biking, and scenic drives in the summer. Towering above it all is Mount Washington, New England’s highest peak (at 6,288ft), accessible by car (Mount Washington Auto Road), on foot, or by the famous Mount Washington Cog Railway . The Kancamagus Highway between Lincoln and Conway is one of he most scenic routes across the mountains, while the best hiking trails can be found in and around Franconia Notch (a “notch” is the local name for high pass), Crawford Notch , and Pinkham Notch , along the eastern base of Mount Washington.

15. Hartford, CT

One of New England’s most surprising destinations, Hartford is traditionally known as the “Insurance Capital of the World,” as well as being Connecticut’s state capital, but it also boasts a rich cache of cultural attractions. The Mark Twain House and Museum preserves the legacy of America’s greatest writer, while the Wadsworth Atheneum displays a fabulous collection of art. The newer Connecticut Science Center is an innovative family-friendly museum crammed with interactive exhibits. There’s also the Old State House , and the Museum of Connecticut History , where the original 1662 Connecticut Royal Charter is kept. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (next door to the Mark Twain museum) serves as a memorial to the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, the book that turned many white Americans against slavery in the 1850s.

16. Stowe, VT

Stowe is Vermont’s quintessential ski destination, the slopes and mountains of Stowe Mountain Resort set above a beautiful 19th-century village. It’s also known for being the final home of the Von Trapp family, inspiration for The Sound of Music (the Trapp Family Lodge is a popular hotel here). Historic Stowe village and the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum lie along Rte-100 (Main St), while Rte-108 (Mountain Rd) leads up to the ski areas (lined with malls and restaurants), and on through the pass known as Smugglers’ Notch. The highest mountain in Vermont is also here, 4,395-foot Mount Mansfield – it’s possible to drive up the Toll Road to Mt Mansfield Peak Visitor Center for sensational views.

17. Lexington and Concord, MA

The Revolutionary War began in 1775 in the small towns of Lexington and Concord, just outside Boston, essential stops today for anyone interested in the history of the United States. There’s enough to see here to fill several days of sightseeing. Both towns have visitor centers, monuments, and museums dedicated to the battles fought here and the minutemen who sent the British soldiers scurrying back to Boston. In Concord there’s a replica of North Bridge and the absorbing Concord Museum . Lexington contains the patriots’ headquarters at the Buckman Tavern , triangular Battle Green where the first bloody encounter took place, and the National Heritage Museum . In between the two towns, the Minute Man National Historical Park preserves the old Battle Road on which the British forces were pushed back. Non-war related attractions include Orchard House , the home of author Louisa May Alcott, and Wayside , the house where fellow writer Nathaniel Hawthorne lived. There’s also Ralph Waldo Emerson House , residence of the famous essayist and poet.

18. Emily Dickinson Museum, MA

One of America’s most beloved poets grew up and lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, for most of her life. Today the Emily Dickinson Museum preserves The Homestead, her birthplace and family home, as well as The Evergreens next door, home of her brother Austin and his wife Susan Gilbert, Emily’s childhood friend. Tours of both houses feature enthusiastic guides and lots of anecdotes about the famously reclusive poet, as well as some personal effects and the desk where her poems were found after her death. Dickinson’s grave lies in the nearby West Cemetery, behind Pleasant Street.

19. Monhegan Island, ME

A tiny island in the Atlantic, some ten miles off the coast of Maine (but easily reached by ferry in summer), Monhegan seems frozen in time, known for its rustic village inns, lobster and clam shacks, the 1824 Monhegan Island Lighthouse , and its 17 miles of paths along granite cliffs.

20. Cambridge & Harvard, MA

Two of the world’s most famous universities are based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from Boston. Founded in 1636, the historic halls and libraries of Harvard University are laid out around Harvard Yard, with nearby Harvard Square the center of town life in Cambridge itself. Impressionists and Picasso drawings hold court at the university’s Fogg Art Museum , while German Expressionists and Bauhaus artists take center stage at the Busch-Reisinger Museum . If art doesn’t appeal, opt for the massive dinosaur fossils at the Harvard Museum of Natural History , or take in the chilled-out cafés and bars of Cambridge itself. A couple of miles southeast of Harvard lies the sprawling campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , the most revered engineering and science university in the world. The campus is home to Frank Gehry’s whimsical Stata Center (2004), a crazy concoction of tilting columns, shimmering metal, and curved walls. MIT Museum has a number of suitably high-tech displays including an entrancing hologram collection and working robots such as the 1993 version of the “sociable” robot, Kismet, which uses human-like facial expressions.

21. New Haven and Yale University, CT

One of Connecticut’s oldest colonies, the lively city of New Haven is best known as the home of Yale University’s leafy campus. Highlights here include the Louis Kahn-designed Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery (which is free), plus Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History , home to a jaw-dropping collection of dinosaur fossils. The city of New Haven itself contains Chapel Street , crammed with bookshops, boutiques, cafés, and student bars, while the Italian District boasts some of the best restaurants in the region; New Haven is famous for its pizza, with Pepe’s (founded in 1925 by Italian-born Frank Pepe), Sally’s Apizza (founded by Frank’s nephew Salvatore Consiglio in 1938), and Modern Apizza (1934) the most celebrated joints.

22. Salem, MA

Salem, just north of Boston, is a great family-friendly destination, with a rich maritime history and of course plenty of attractions cashing in on the famous witch trials that took place here in 1692. Older kids will enjoy the kitschy witch-related sights; the best are the Salem Witch Museum , the atmospheric Witch House , and the Witch Dungeon Museum . The most interesting attraction in Salem is actually the Peabody Essex Museum , a massive art gallery with a collection that’s especially good for Asian artifacts and culture. Much of Salem’s historic waterfront is protected within the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and includes the House of the Seven Gables , an old mansion made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s eponymous novel.

23. Litchfield Hills, CT

This rustic corner of northwest Connecticut is peppered with scenic villages, gentle waterfalls, and pine and maple woods. The region is anchored by the small town of Litchfield, known for its traditional Town Green , elegant clapboard homes and Historic District ; picture-perfect Washington ; the antique haven of Woodbury; pretty Lake Waramaug ; and the country town of Kent , an artists colony and home to Kent Falls State Park . Other attractions include the historic covered bridge at West Cornwall and the Yale Summer School of Music in Norfolk.

24. Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour, VT

Humble Waterbury Center is headquarters to the wildly popular Ben and Jerry’s ice cream empire, which was established in Vermont back in 1978. Factory tours of the still surprisingly low-key operation also include a short film and a free scoop of the flavor of the day. The gift shop and ice cream counter outside sell all the usual flavors as well as some specials. Waterbury Center is also home to other worthwhile stops such as the Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Smugglers’ Notch Distillery .

25. Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA

Springfield’s main claim to fame is as the home of basketball. It was here in 1891 that Canadian-born James Naismith invented the modern game, commemorated at the entertaining Basketball Hall of Fame. Set inside a giant dome, it’s crammed with interactive games (including a virtual hoop game and a rebound machine) and exhibits (including one dedicated to Michael Jordan), as well as the Hall of Fame itself, where new players are enshrined every year.

26. Worcester Art Museum, MA

One of the greatest art museums in the region is tucked away in Worcester, some 45 miles west of Boston. Its precious collections include a 12th-century Romanesque chapter house shipped over from France, the Roman Antioch Mosaics, and paintings ranging from the early Italian renaissance to El Greco, Rembrandt, Goya, Monet, and Gauguin. There’s also a substantial cache of American art and a vast collection of Qing dynasty Chinese jade.

27. Canterbury Shaker Village

This museum of Shaker life makes for an intriguing day-trip, a living memorial to the community founded here in 1792. It’s one of the most complete Shaker villages preserved in the US, with all the main buildings intact and plenty of information about the Shakers, an 18th-century Christian sect.

28. Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, NH

Set just outside the small village of Cornish, this site preserves the studios and gardens of celebrated 19th-century sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (creator of the Shaw Memorial in Boston and the General William T. Sherman Monument in New York City). He lived and worked here between 1885 and 1907.

29. Queechee Gorge, VT

Protected within Queechee State Park, this 165-foot tree-lined, narrow gorge is one of Vermont’s primary natural wonders. Most visitors view the gorge from the bridge that takes US-4 across the Ottauquechee River, but hiking trails also fan out from the nearby park information center. It’s especially scenic in the fall, when the surrounding forests burst with color.

30. The Long Trail, VT

Vermont is an especially good target for hikers, with the 272-mile Long Trail being one of the most challenging treks in the region (it follows the Appalachian Trail for much of its length). The trail runs along the ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont border to Québec, taking in some of the tallest mountains in the state such as Camel’s Hump (4,083ft) and Mount Mansfield (4,393ft). Most hikers take 25 to 30 days to complete the entire trail, but it’s relatively easy to access for day hikes.

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Hidden Gems in New England: 15 Secret Places to Visit

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What are the best places to visit in New England ? While there are many popular and well-known destinations for a New England vacation , some of the finest spots are those that are lesser-known. These are the hidden gems in New England. Today, the secret’s out: these off-the-beaten-path destinations are little known vacation spots you’ll want to visit ASAP. 

We asked several fellow travel lovers to share their favorite New England hidden gems, and they delivered! We’ve added our own picks for unique things to do in New England, too. Have you been to any of these spots?

PS: These make great New England road trip stops!

Hidden Gems in New England

Wilmington, vermont.

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol, Rhode Island is a historic town located on the bay in the smallest state in the nation.  While not near as popular as Providence or Newport , Bristol has a wide array of things to do for people with varying interests.

Most notably, Bristol is the location of the oldest Fourth of July parade in the entire country!  The first celebration took place in Bristol in 1777!  That being said, July is a wonderful time to go to Bristol to truly appreciate both nature and the town’s extravagant festivities.

There are a number of mansions, similar to those in Newport (but without the crowds!) to tour and indulge in the local history. 

If you’re a nature buff, there are also parks to explore – try Colt State Park for the town beach, playgrounds for the kids, as well as yoga classes and walking paths.

Being a port town, be sure to check out Herreshoff Maritime Museum for exhibits on sailing and America’s Cup tournament.

If you happen to find yourself in the smallest state in the U.S., be sure to include Bristol in your itinerary for an off-the-beaten path experience.

-Contributed by Jade Laurenza, The Migrant Yogi

Camden, Maine

Concord, Massachusetts

A thirty-minute drive outside of Boston could bring you to Concord, MA , a town that is home to American history, arts, and multiple nature retreats.

To begin your journey, head to Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived for 2 years. The 61-acre pond is an oasis surrounded by trees and serves as a cooling respite in summer months. Thoreau and his buddy Ralph Waldo Emerson often walked on a nearby footpath that leads to the pond, now known as Emerson-Thoreau Amble. Another literary giant, Louisa May Alcott grew up in this town and her home, Orchard House, is also open to visitors.

It may be a coincidence, but right next to the abodes of these writers are two natural sights that are worth half a day’s time. Minute Man Historical National Park and the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge are both great options for those who enjoy history, nature, and birdwatching.

Only ten minutes away, in the nearby town of Lincoln is the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, a one of its kind park displaying contemporary art and sculptures. All of these attractions make spending a day or two in Concord, MA more than worth the while. 

-Contributed by Bharat and Supriya, Fun Travelog

Middletown, Rhode Island

You might think of Middletown as a tourist location and you would be right for the most part. The summer has an influx of people filling up its two beaches, Second and Third.

Being so close to world-renowned Newport, there definitely is a lot of traffic in the summer. There are however some pretty amazing spots that aren’t as bustling and especially wonderful during the off-season. Sachuest Wildlife Refuge is one. I’ve lived in Rhode Island most of my life and never knew it was there until this year!

It’s a great family area to see the coastline, learn about local marine life or enjoy an easy, beautiful hike. Even though the grounds aren’t so large, you feel far removed from the action when you are here.

For the bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, the Normand Bird Sanctuary is another great hiking location close by to Sachuest not to be missed.

You should visit Sweet Berry Farm while in town. It offers fresh produce, a market place with prepared foods and made to order goods to dine in or take home. You can’t beat the freshness and quality of the food here. It is top-notch. If you like Middle Eastern food, grab a bite at International Pocket Cafe, it never lets my tastebuds down. While in Middletown, you can go to Newport Vineyards to relax at the winery or watch a polo match outside. 

-Contributed by Crystal Young, Kid Friendly New England

Bennington, Vermont

Bennington is a true hidden gem in Vermont. Located in the southwestern region of the state, Bennington is nestled in a beautiful valley and is filled with lots of important history.

For adventure lovers, I highly recommend taking a hike up to either the white rocks or Bald Mountain. This hike is almost 11 miles round trip, but it is  so  worth it because the views are incredibly rewarding.

The downtown area is also very unique. There are a lot of local shops and no name-brand businesses are allowed in Bennington’s downtown. Be sure to stop at the Village Chocolate Shoppe and the Bennington Bookshop, two of my favorites.

Lastly, if you love history, go up to the Bennington Battle Monument , which was put in place to commemorate the Battle of Bennington which was fought during the Revolutionary War. It only costs $5 for adults to climb/take an elevator to the top and $1 for children!

-Contributed by Krystianna Pietrzak, Volumes & Voyages

Jackson, New Hampshire

-Contributed by Kelsey Converse

Menemsha, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Castine, Maine

Castine, Maine is a beautiful seaside village located on a peninsula in Penobscot Bay. It is also one of the oldest communities in Maine with a history dating back to the 1600s. It is very off-the-beaten-path but you should absolutely add this quaint little town to your New England Itinerary. You will love the mid-19th-century homes in the city center that will bring you back in time.

Castine is the perfect place to unwind as it is extremely quiet. This doesn’t mean there is nothing to do and you will enjoy all the activities it has to offer. Spend a beach day on Backshore Beach or Wadsworth Cove, you can also kayak in the peninsula, rent a boat or just go hiking in Witherle Woods.

There are also a lot of things to do in Castine city center, from visiting historical landmarks such as Fort George and Fort Madisson to enjoying the main street or one of the restaurants, especially Pentagoet Inn, located in a 19th-century Inn.

-Contributed by Lucile Hernandez Rodriguez

Greenville, Maine

You can explore the Lily Bay State Park, bike to the top of Mount Kineo, do whitewater rafting , and ride around the lake in a 1914 steamboat. For fishing enthusiasts, fly fishing and lake fishing are always an option. And if you go in winter, you can do cross-country skiing and ice fishing. You can even see a dog sledding race. You can take advantage of sightseeing flights on seaplanes offered by several companies. They take off and land on Moosehead Lake. You can visit the Moosehead Marine Museum to learn the history of steamboating on Maine’s biggest lake.

-Contributed by Deb Pati, The Visa Project

Deer Isle, Maine

Deer Isle, Maine is one the best Maine hidden gems when it comes to coastal towns . It’s both a small town and the name of a charming island in Penobscot Bay is laid back. Deer Isle is full of unspoiled nature reserves and is a paradise for all outdoor travellers. Even in peak-season, the island is low-key and quaint with a friendly, rustic, small-town feel.

One of the best attractions are Deer Isle’s calm waters which are perfect for even an inexperienced kayaker. There are several options for renting equipment if you don’t have your own and even guided kayaking excursions can be booked on the island. Driftwood Kayak is an excellent resource for either and they have a range of itineraries for different skill levels.

Once you’re back in town from hiking the nature reserves or kayaking around the island, there’s plenty to entertain you. Popular Stonington Opera House Arts is a historic community venue for performances, art shows and even trivia nights. The town also has local vendors selling homemade products like Nelly’s Jams and Jellies. In Deer Isle, you can’t help but fall in love with the simple downeast Maine way of life.

-Contributed by Derek and Mike, Robe Trotting

Editor’s Picks for Hidden Gems of New England

Woodstock, connecticut.

Tucked away in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, Woodstock CT seems to fly under the radar of beautiful New England destinations. This tiny town is home to some neat attractions like historic Roseland Cottage and Loos Center for the Arts , and there’s even a winery and brewery there, too!

If you’re looking for New England vacation spots where you can get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life and take things nice and slow, Woodstock CT is it. It’s also home to the gorgeous Inn at Woodstock Hill , so if you’re looking for the perfect place for your next romantic getaway, definitely consider this beautiful spot!

Littleton, New Hampshire

Somehow this little (couldn’t resist!) town in New Hampshire remains one of the best kept secret vacation spots! Littleton is sometimes referred to as the Glad Town because it was home to the author of the Pollyanna books. A statue of Pollyanna welcomes tourists downtown, its arms flung wide and a welcoming smile emblazoned on her face; if you’re looking for small town charm off the beaten path, Littleton has it!

There are beautiful hiking trails, a classic New England covered bridge, the quintessential Main Street USA experience, and more, including a historic hotel that is the perfect place to rest your head after a day spent exploring the little hidden gem of Littleton!

Off the Beaten Path New England Things to Do

Stay (and work) at a vermont farm.

Fat Sheep Farm in Hartland Vermont offers an incredible real-life New England farm experience by renting out their lovely cabins to those looking to have a unique experience in Vermont! You can help feed the animals, milk the sheep, collect eggs from the chickens, and more during  your sampling of life at a New England farm. You can read more about our experience here, Fat Sheep Farm: The Perfect Vermont Farm Stay . This is definitely one of the top hidden family vacation spots and experiences, too, so if you’re looking for unique things to do in New England with kids, add this to the list!

Stay in a Historic Gingerbread House Tower in the Berkshires

There are so many unique places to stay in New England, with vacation rentals , bed and breakfasts , c ozy cabins , and luxury hotels that offer just about every kind of experience a person could want, but sometimes you come across a place that is so intriguing that it gets added to the Must Visit in New England list right off the bat! That’s the historic Gingerbread House Tower in Lee, offering a true fairy tale stay in one of the most beautiful hidden places in Massachusetts!

• 19 New England Flower Fields, Farms, and Gardens You Will Love!
• 15 Cathedrals and Churches in New England Worth Visiting

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20 Best Weekend Getaways in New England

From charming small towns to mountain escapes, these are the best places in New England for a weekend trip.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

With prettier-than-a-picture countrysides, cliff-lined coasts under the watchful beams of centuries-old lighthouses, and countless small towns to stumble upon, New England is a region that merits a lifetime of getaways, weekend or otherwise. Whether you’re looking for a quick escape from the city or a romantic trip, here are 20 of the best weekend getaways in New England.

Block Island, Rhode Island

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With its towering bluffs, plains filled with native shrubs, and grand Victorian-style hotel , Block Island looks like it could really be in England. The cedar-shingled saltbox houses are what clue you back to the fact that we’re in New England, not some wind-swept corner of the U.K. Located 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, this quintessential seaside getaway is just as much about cruising down country lanes and walking through open heathland as it is visiting the beach.

Mad River Valley, Vermont

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Below the famous Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas, the Mad River Valley is a particularly pretty nook of Vermont. And that’s on top of a surprisingly glam history (Sugarbush was once dubbed “Mascara Mountain” by Vogue due to all the fashionable model types frequenting its slopes). The skiing’s still good around these parts, but there’s also fun off-the-slopes stuff like mountain biking, farm stand shopping, and summer concerts.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

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Reverence for this 50-square-mile fleck off the coast of Massachusetts runs deep, especially when it comes to summer getaways. But forget the cars and chain restaurants that clog your typical beach scene. Instead, hop on a bike or island shuttle to visit historic lighthouses (the still-in-use Brant Point dates back to 1746!), grand homes built for whaling captains, and laid-back beaches. Refuel every few hours with a lobster roll or perfectly prepared bay scallops before spending the night at a waterfront resort like the White Elephant Nantucket .

Newport, Rhode Island

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Fans of HBO’s Gilded Age owe themselves a trip to Newport, the summer vacay spot of choice for the late-19th-century elite. Take a stroll down the Cliff Walk to see Newport’s lavish mansions on one side and the Atlantic Ocean crashing against rocks on the other. The 3.5-mile path works up an appetite, so you’ll be ready to feast like a Vanderbilt: do the (BYOB!) brunch at Cru Cafe or go big with lobster mac ‘n’ cheese at local landmark, Brick Alley Pub.

Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

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City folk looking for a slow pace and gorgeous scenic views find lots (and lots) to love in Sugar Hill. The sight of brilliant fall colors or fields blanketed in deep purple lupines — set against New Hampshire’s rugged White Mountains — is like a massage for your optic nerves. At Harman’s Cheese & Country Store, scoop up crackers and a hunk of aged cheddar to stash in your pack before hiking to Bridal Veil Falls (via the family-friendly Coppermine Trail) or summiting Mount Lafayette (Skookumchuck Trail is a toughie, but it’s well rated by hikers). 

Camden, Maine

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Often called one of the most beautiful small towns in the U.S. , Camden is a popular filming location for TV shows and Hollywood films. After enjoying a big bowl of haddock chowder on the harbor, peep the handsome Queen Anne-style houses in the historic district or make your way up to the top of Mount Battie, where the view inspired Maine native Edna St. Vincent Millay to write one of her finest poems. And remember, it’s not a trip to Maine without some quality antiquing: peruse the treasures inside Antiques at 10 Mechanic.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

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Think of it this way: getting there is half the fun. Sure, the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, sister island to Nantucket, can be a bit of a test for landlubbers, but once you disembark, you’ll find a treasure trove of seaside villages, bike paths, and A+ lobster rolls. First stop: Waterside Market, where yummy breakfast sandwiches are served all day (or opt for lobster salad on brioche straight out of the gate), then grab a cab or bike over to Oak Bluffs for beach time and frozen drinks at Nancy’s. Spend a day in pristine little Edgartown, with its indie shops (Edgartown Books is a real treat, as is the hidden cafe behind it), raw bars, Greek Revival mansions, and charming boutique hotels like Faraway Martha's Vineyard .

Lakes Region, New Hampshire

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Woods, rocky summits, and hundreds of lakes and ponds set the scene for this ridiculously pretty area surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. Set in the White Mountain foothills, the region seduces leaf-peepers, walkers, boaters, cyclists, and off-roaders in search of abundant outdoor activities.

It’d be a shame not to get on the water in the warmer months, so hop aboard one of M/S Mount Washington ’s daily scenic cruises for a mimosa and postcard-worthy views of the surrounding mountains. Hikers have 28 miles of trails to explore at Castle in the Clouds and boundless views to enjoy at the top of Belknap Mountain, the highest peak in the area.

Woodstock, Vermont

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Dotted with old covered bridges, quaint cafes, and Victorian homes, Woodstock is the epitome of an idyllic New England town. At Billings Farm and Museum, say hi to the Jersey cows and draft horses, enjoy a maple sundae, and grab some smoked cheddar to go (it’ll make a tasty trail snack). Prue and Paul fans: Hop over to the neighboring town of Norwich to channel your inner Great British Baking Show contestant with a pie- and-tart-making class at King Arthur Baking Company.

Great Barrington, Massachusetts

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Part of the Berkshires, Great Barrington looks straight out of a Louisa May Alcott novel. Everywhere you look are storybook old buildings now housing bakeries, upscale grocers, and farm-to-fork restaurants. (During the holidays, the town looks like the real-life version of a snow globe.) See what’s going on at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, a 1905 theater hosting everything from classic flicks to big-name bands.

Bar Harbor, Maine

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Once upon a time (in the late 1800s), Bar Harbor was a summer oasis for the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Astors, and other VIP members of society looking to beat the heat. The appeal of this place takes no imagination; Bar Harbor is a quaint small town on Frenchman Bay and a gateway to Acadia National Park. Take a warm-up stroll along Bar Harbor’s shore path before diving into moody Acadia, where rocky shores and 150 miles of hiking trails await.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Drive about an hour north of Boston, and you’ll find the darling town of Portsmouth. Kick off a walking tour at Market Square, hit the Portsmouth Harbor Trail, and dedicate a couple of hours to Strawbery Banke Museum — an outdoor museum with historic structures and costumed actors bringing three centuries of history to life. Reward yourself with the oyster happy hour and a cold local Smuttynose at Row 34 before moving on to dinner at Black Trumpet, a bistro and wine bar.

North Adams, Massachusetts

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Art lovers have streamed into North Adams since 1999 when Mass MoCA opened in a previously abandoned 19th-century mill. Bed down at the art-filled Hotel Downstreet or The Porches Inn, a series of Victorian homes that once housed textile workers. The draws of this small Berkshires city don’t end with Sol Lewitt’s wall drawings and Michael Oatman’s installation art, on view at Mass MoCA. Outdoor options include seeing the continent’s only natural white marble arch at Natural Bridge State Park and hiking Mount Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts. 

Westerly, Rhode Island

Westerly may not have quite the vacay clout as Newport or the Vineyard, yet the coastal town balloons in the summer with beachgoers looking to hit Narragansett Bay and Misquamicut State Beach. For a quintessential New England weekend getaway, spend at least an afternoon in the ocean-view neighborhood of Watch Hill, visiting its 1850s lighthouse and walking along the pristine beach at the Napatree Point Conservation Area.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Journey to the farthest-flung tip of Cape Cod, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the area’s best stretches of sand, cool boutiques and art galleries, and an enchantingly funky and bohemian vibe. This LGBTQ-friendly town has something for every mood, whether it’s drag karaoke, dance parties, and pub crawls that strike your fancy or catching the sunset on Herring Cove Beach.

Jackson and North Conway, New Hampshire

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These sister towns in New Hampshire’s pretty Mount Washington Valley make a popular getaway, thanks to their waterfall hikes, scenic drives, small-town shopping scene (Schartner Farms has a drive-up, honor-system jam stand — how cute is that?), and big-box outlets. 

On the highway between the two towns is Sunrise Shack, an old-school drive-in restaurant that's now a roadside staple for truly enormous breakfasts. After a summer swim at Echo Lake State Park or a challenging hike on Mount Chocorua, indulge in the biggest cone you’ve ever seen at Trails End Ice Cream.

Mystic, Connecticut

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History lovers looking for a fun-filled weekend getaway in New England will likely love this former shipbuilding hub. The Mystic Seaport Museum is a fascinating jumping-off point, with its million-plus artifacts depicting the town’s nautical life — you can even test out your sea legs on vessels like the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship that remains in the world today.

Appreciate the Long Island Sound and Fisher’s Island views at Bluff Point State Park and feast on some of the best seafood around at Oyster Club. Our perfect meal? Smoky Rhode Island clam chowder, dashi-buttery roasted oysters, and the homemade bucatini.

Montpelier, Vermont

Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains, the country’s smallest state capital by population brims with opportunities for nature activities, from hiking up the 4,000-foot peak of Camel’s Hump to whitewater rafting on the Winooski River. Of course, no trip to this neck of the woods is complete without a taste of what it does best. At Morse Farm's and Bragg Farms' maple sugar houses, you can sample the Vermont specialty in the form of maple cookies, kettle corn, or “creemee” (Vermontese for soft serve).

Kennebunkport, Maine

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Like Mystic, Kennebunkport boomed as a shipbuilding hub during New England’s maritime heyday. The coastal town’s nautical vibe lives on, with glossy Italian-built yachts bobbing in the harbor and authentic schooners sailing toward the Atlantic. Kennebunkport swells in the summertime with New Englanders flocking to its beaches, but the town’s boutiques, cafes, and art galleries have year-round appeal.

Litchfield, Connecticut

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Litchfield is a small town that more than carries its weight on the history, charm, and scenic beauty fronts. This picture-book spot in rural western Connecticut (birthplace of Revolutionary leader Ethan Allen and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe) has an oak-shaded town green and hundreds of historic buildings. The vast Topsmead State Forest is a favorite area for hiking and picnicking and was originally the summer estate (complete with a Cotswold-style cottage and formal gardens) of banking heiress Edith Morton Chase.

Plan Your Trip To Colonial New England

Early american settlement and revolutionary fervor.

The history of the American colonies is thick with names from New England, including many places people can visit now: battle sites, graveyards, and homes of writers, thinkers, and heroes. In Plymouth, MA , you can see Plymouth Rock and tour a replica of the Mayflower . Boston’s Freedom Trail -- an urban walking trail -- touches churches & meeting houses where the American Revolution was ignited. Newport, RI , looks much like it did as a trading center in the 1700s. Every New England state has sites from the era before the United States came to be.

Massachusetts

Greater Boston & Cambridge Area:

The Freedom Trail in Boston, MA :  

USS Constitution – “Old Ironsides” in Charlestown, MA :  

The first view of the USS Constitution , docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, MA, is truly a thrill. At the USS Constitution Museum , only a few steps from the ship, galleries take visitors on a 200-year voyage into the heart of the New England colonies. See how sailors climbed masts 200 feet in the air & learn how the ship earned its nickname. During summer, the Constitution takes short cruises in Boston Harbor .

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace in Boston, MA :  

Often referred to as "the Cradle of Liberty," Faneuil Hall hosted America's first Town Meeting, where the Sons of Liberty proclaimed their dissent against royal oppression. This imposing building is open daily, hosting historical talks every 30 minutes. Next door is Quincy Market , an indoor-outdoor mall with dozens of gift shops, wonderful food stalls and restaurants, and a front seat to free street music and street theater.

Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill :  

The African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School on Beacon Hill , located in the old heart of Boston, MA's African American community, remain a showcase of black community life & history. Once a church, a school, and a meeting hall, the African Meeting House is open to the public. The Abiel Smith School , the nation's first public school for African American children, houses a first-class exhibit space and the museum store.

Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket:

Nantucket whaling museum :  .

The workings of the early (1600-1800) whaling industry is on display at the Nantucket Whaling Museum on Broad Street. Nantucket, MA became a part of the Bay Colony of Massachusetts in 1692 and very soon Nantucketers began to organize whaling expeditions in small boats to pursue the right whales that passed nearby on annual migrations. Deep-sea whaling began around 1715. It built towns and sea captains’ fortune, and inspired classics like Melville's Moby Dick . Open seasonally.

North of Boston, Merrimack Valley & Cape Ann:

Salem witch museum :  .

The Salem witch hunts and witch trials of 1692 lasted less than a year, but the terrifying phenomenon of group panic has a lasting hold on our imaginations. At the Salem Witch Museum , visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration. On the lighter side, Salem, MA is fun to visit in October, when dozens of light-hearted, Halloween-themed entertainments.

Minute Man National Historical Park in Lexington, Lincoln, & Concord, MA :  

On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution began at Lexington & Concord, MA with a clash of arms known as "the shot heard round the world." At Minute Man National Historical Park, visitors re-live the opening battle of the American Revolution at the battlefields and through exhibits. The park is 22 miles from Boston within the towns of Lexington, Lincoln , & Concord, MA. Plan a visit for Patriot's Day, in mid-April. The day includes a fantastic reenactment at the Lexington Green, parades of Minute Men and Redcoats, and demonstrations at North Bridge and Battle Road .

The Concord Museum :  

Concord, MA was home of the most original thinkers and writers of the American literary Renaissance. The Concord Museum is the one place where all of Concord, MA's past is brought to life through a historical collection including the famed Revere Lantern , literary treasures such as Emerson's study and Thoreau's desk , Concord-made clocks, silver & furniture, all in self-touring galleries with hands-on activities for kids.

South of Boston / Plymouth Area:

Plimoth patuxet museums in plymouth, ma :  .

Plimoth Patuxet , a living history community & museum, describes the native Wampanoag and Colonial English peoples of 17th-century Plymouth, MA . Known in colonial times as Plimoth Plantation , its four major exhibits are the Wampanoag home site, the 1627 English Village, and the Crafts Center, and the Mayflower II , a reproduction of the original Mayflower . The Wampanoag home site explores the story of one 17th-century Native American and his culture. The 1627 English Village is a re-creation of the town built by English colonists. At the Crafts Center , artisans reproduce household and farm objects of the time.

Alden Historic Site in Duxbury, MA :

John Alden and Priscilla Mullins Alden, travelers aboard the Mayflower , settled and raised their 10 children in the town of Duxbury. Their home still exists at the Alden Historic Site . Priscilla Mullins Alden is arguably the best known Pilgrim woman because of the poem “The Courtship of Miles Standish,” written by their descendant, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow . The poem’s memorable phrase, "Speak for yourself, John," placed the Aldens solidly into American lore.

Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, MA :  

The park and national monument has several sites: the birthplaces of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams ; Peacefield , including the home to four generations of the Adams family from 1720 to 1927 ; and the Stone Library , which contains more than 14,000 volumes. This family of accomplished Americans comes to life through these exhibits.

Connecticut

Greater Hartford & Central Conn.:

Historic Wethersfield, CT :

Founded in 1634, Wethersfield is Connecticut’s "Most Auncient Towne". Its public spaces preserve houses, churches, and businesses used since the 17th century. Most of these places are beautiful, and they tell stories of the area and its people, back through the times of Native Americans, The Wethersfield Heritage Walk is a three-mile guided by exhibit kiosks and wayside panels through Main Street The Cove, and Broad Street Green. Interpretive markers tell stories of Native American Wangunks, settlers, farmers, ship builders, sea captains, slaves, soldiers, seed merchants, patriots, diplomats, and prisoners. Interesting spots in the area include the Ancient Burying Ground, with a stone dating to 1648 and lots of stonework by a stone carvers. First Church graces the center of the village. The town has many historic homes, such as the Webb Deane Stevens Museums; a museum and an art academy, and a nature center. Notable public gardens include the Webb House Colonial Revival Garden, the Heritage Herb Garden, and the Weston Rose Garden. If you love shopping and dining, there is much to choose from. The Shopkeepers Guide is a useful companion.

Mystic Country & Eastern CT:

Stonington borough – stonington :.

Stonington Borough , a tiny seaside village within the Town of Stonington, extends along a narrow peninsula into Fisher’s Island Sound. Colonial-period houses and traditional churches are packed tightly together, and many buildings on the main street house fine little antiques and jewelry shops. Restaurants are small and friendly, and they include a famous seafood restaurant overhanging the harbor, with lots of boat traffic to watch. In season, window boxes overflow with flowers and decorative flags flap everywhere. The Borough has a yacht club, boatyard, and two commercial marinas. The Borough has the last remaining commercial fleet in Connecticut, harvesting its well-known "Bomster" scallops and flounder. The town’s Portuguese fishing traditions are on display at the Blessing of the Fleet festival each summer at the Town Dock. Fine historic sites are the Old Lighthouse Museum at the very end of the peninsula, and the home of Capt. Nathaniel B. Palmer, who discoverer Antarctica in the winter of 1820-1821. Both are open to the public (seasonal hours).

Nathan Hale Homestead – Coventry :

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," declared Captain Nathan Hale moments before the British hanged him as a spy in 1776. Hale, a school teacher, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Continental Army in 1775. A year later he volunteered to go behind British lines on Long Island to gather military intelligence needed by General George Washington. But the British captured Hale and executed him. He was 21. Hale was born and spent most of his life on this 400-acre farm, the Nathan Hale Homestead . Its furnishings include several Hale family possessions. Open seasonally.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center – Ledyard :

The high-tech Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, the world's largest Native American museum, offers experiences for young and old, from life-size dioramas that transport visitors into the past to changing exhibits and live performances of contemporary arts. Four acres of permanent exhibits depict 18,000 years of Native and natural history, while two libraries offer materials on the histories and cultures of all Native peoples of the continent. Open year-round.

Ancient Burying Ground - New London :

The "Ye Antientest" Burying Ground in New London could be an art museum from standpoint of the craftsmanship of early gravestone carvers. Each headstone is a work of art; experts can identify individual carvers. In his book on the topic, James Slater wrote, "of all Connecticut's burying grounds, this may contain the greatest variety of different carving schools. New London was an ancient port and reasonably wealthy. Stones were certainly shipped by sea from Newport and the Boston area and down the Connecticut and Thames rivers."

Custom House Maritime Museum – New London :

Built in 1833, the Custom House remains the oldest operating custom house in the nation. Robert Mills, America's first federal architect, who also executed the Washington Monument, the United States Treasury Building, and other significant government structures, designed the building. A classic Greek Revival granite building, the front doors are made from wood from the USS Constitution. In 1839, U.S. Customs played an important role in the early steps to freedom of Africans brought to New London with the slave ship Amistad. Open April through December, daily, 1-5 p.m. except Mondays; January through March, by appointment.

New Haven & Central Shoreline region:

Yale university – new haven :.

This world-class university of the American Ivy Leagues began as a proposal the 1640s by clergymen seeking to propagate in the New World an institution of advanced liberal learning, A charter was granted in 1701 and the renamed “Yale College” went on to survive the American Revolution. Today, any visitors can enjoy the university’s history, art, and magnificent architecture through a number of campus tours . Highlights are the art museums and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, home of the Gutenberg Bible.

Crypt at First Church of Christ (Center Church on the Green) - New Haven :

This burying ground, with gravestones dated from 1687 to 1812, is a true crypt, containing historic figures as well as many unnamed souls. Center Church was built in 1812-1814 over part of an early Colonial cemetery, thereby entombing and protecting the burying ground. The crypt contains the remains of 137 identified people, but hundreds more are believed to lie here. Headstones are elaborate and artistic, displaying funerary art of the 17th to 19th centuries and serving as a record for local historians. The oldest dated stone is for Sarah Rutherford Trowbridge, who died 1687. Slightly later, Sarah Whiting (1669-1726) was described on her headstone as the "faithful, virtuous and weary … painful mother of eight children."

Litchfield & Northwest CT region:

Institute for american indian studies - washington :.

Education and preservation of the American Indian cultures is the mission of the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington. Visitors are treated to Native artifacts and art, an indoor longhouse, a simulated archaeological site, trails, a replica of a 17th-century Algonkian village, and a fine gift shop. The institute's primary exhibit, As We Tell Our Stories, is divided into seven sections about Native culture: land, exchange, clay, corn living spaces, deer, manitou, and ways of war.

Rhode Island

Newport & East Bay region:

Touro Synagogue – Newport :

Touro Synagogue, founded in 1763 in Newport, is the first synagogue in America, with the second-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. The Georgian-influenced building is situated on an angle within the property allowing worshipers standing in prayer before the Holy Ark to face east toward Jerusalem. The synagogue chamber contains 12 Ionic columns representing the tribes of ancient Israel and each made from a single tree. Five massive brass candelabra hang from the ceiling. Tours are offered; call ahead for information.

Museum of Newport History – Newport :

Newport is dense with artifacts of the Colonial period, and much of it is out in plain sight today, in the narrow streets, clapboard houses, and historic churches and wharves. At the Museum of Newport History, visitors can see James Franklin’s printing press, the figurehead from the yacht Aloha, Colonial silver, objects of daily life and more. The town’s history, beginning in the 1600s, runs the gamut from slavers, shipping magnates, and pirates to yachtsmen and Gilded Age plutocrats. The museum's operator, the Newport Historical Society, also offers lots of interesting walking tours of the town, year-round. Museum open year-round; call ahead for hours.

Trinity Church – Newport :

The beautiful and historic Trinity Church, located in Queen Anne Square, is the oldest Episcopal parish in Rhode Island. The building was completed in 1726, its design based on London churches design by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century. George Washington worshiped there, and the organ was tested by George Frederick Handel before being sent from England. The church contains Tiffany stained-glass windows and the only three-tiered, wine glass pulpit in America. The building was enlarged in 1764, but otherwise retains its original character with box pews.

Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House – Newport :

Built in 1697 and now the oldest house in Newport, the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House was owned by a succession of community leaders, including Martin Howard Jr., a prominent Loyalist during the American Revolution, who was hanged in effigy on in 1765 for his Tory sentiments. The house expanded over generations from its original single room on each side of a central chimney and garret on top. The house reflected the tastes and aspirations of a thriving seaport town. Each change to the building is based upon the tastes of the owner and his family, Quaker themes, and the architectural influences of a commercial and cosmopolitan center.

God's Little Acre: America’s Colonial African Cemetery – Newport :

The African slave trade and Newport share common origins. Newport, one of the most prosperous of Colonial American ports, saw unprecedented growth throughout the 18th century from the export and trade of rum, spermaceti candles, and slaves. By the beginning of the American Revolution, Newport had a large Free African community. Today, Newport is home to a historically significant burial ground that the African American community commonly called God's Little Acre. This burial area on Farewell Street has some of the oldest markers of free Africans and slaves dating back to the late 1600s.

Great Friends Meeting House – Newport :

The Great Friends Meeting House, built in 1699, was where Quakers from throughout New England gathered to pray and discuss the issues of the day, including war, slavery, and women's rights. This is the oldest surviving house of worship in Newport. Quakers dominated the political, social, and economic life of the town into the 18th century, and their plain style of living was reflected in Newport's architecture, decorative arts and early landscape.

The Colony House – Newport :

The Newport Colony House, dating from 1739, was a government meeting place and the site of celebrations, the Stamp Act riot, reading of the Declaration of Independence, and more. Many important events associated with the shaping of the United States occurred at the Colony House. In 1761, the death of George II and the ascension of George III were announced from the balcony. In 1766, citizens of Newport celebrated the repeal of the Stamp Act in the Colony House. On July 20, 1776, Major John Handy read the Declaration of Independence from the front steps. During the British occupation of Newport from 1776 to 1779, the Colony House was used as a barracks.

Providence & Warwick region:

Benefit street – providence :.

Here is a walking tour that is beneficial to both the mind and the senses. A walk along Benefit Street, carved high into a ridge along Providence's East Side overlooking downtown, is a memorable stroll among immaculately preserved Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian-style houses. The Providence Preservation Society distributes maps with self-guided walking tours and the Rhode Island Historical Society conducts walks in the summer.

The First Baptist Church in America - Providence :

The First Baptist Church in America was founded in 1638 in Providence by William Vincent Carpenter and Roger Williams, who had established Rhode Island's first permanent settlement at Providence in 1636. The present church building, also called the Meeting House, was built in 1774-1775. The architecture is a blend of English Georgian and the traditional New England meetinghouse. The Georgian aspects include the exterior portico and steeple, the Palladian window behind the pulpit, the fluted Tuscan columns, the groined arches in the balcony, and the split pediments over the doors. Guided tours are available Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; self-guided tours may be done all year. There is also a guided tour each Sunday after the worship service. Tour booklets are available in several languages. There is a small gift shop with postcards, note cards, and books.

Brown University – Providence :

Spread across many acres of property on College Hill, part of the East Side overlooking downtown Providence, Brown University is a pleasure to visit. Travelers enjoy strolling the streets and gazing at the elegant Colonial, Federalist, and Victorian buildings of the neighborhood. The epicenter of the university is College Green, but its buildings then spread out through a neighborhood of elegant mansions. The neighborhood has lots of green spaces to sit and enjoy the passing academic world. The restaurants and shops of Thayer Street, which passes through the campus, offer lots of variety in ethnic foods, casual foods, and youthful shopping. The neighbor has an old-time, arty movie theater with a small foyer and a single screen. The university publishes a helpful map and guide for a tour of the campus.

New Hampshire

Seacoast, NH region:

Strawbery Banke Museum - Portsmouth :

Visitors to Strawbery Banke experience and imagine how people lived and worked in this typical American neighborhood from the late l7th to the mid-20th century, through restored houses, featured exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and interpretive programs. In 1630, Englishmen sailing up the Piscataqua River were impressed by the thick growth of wild berries along the west bank, chose that spot for settlement and named it Strawbery Banke. The site became an important colonial commercial center & Portsmouth became a trading town and the leading port north of Boston. Today, this living history museum hosts events year 'round, like hearthside dinners, historical crafts and traditions; and a wonderful Candlelight Stroll at Christmas.

John Paul Jones House – Portsmouth :

The Portsmouth Historical Society cares for a diverse collection of furniture, paintings, ceramics, costumes, and maritime artifacts at the John Paul Jones House on Middle Street, which was built in 1758 for a sea captain and merchant. (John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the American Revolution, spent time in Portsmouth in 1777 and 1781-82. He is believed to have rented a room in this house during 1777). Portsmouth was well known as a center for the furniture trade in the 18th and 19th centuries and the society displays some exceptional examples of Portsmouth craftsmanship. The collection also includes portraits, glass ceramics, China trade wares, textiles, clothing, needlework and kitchenware.

Northern Vermont:

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum – Vergennes :

Native Americans were living in the Champlain Valley 11,000 years before the arrival of Europeans; the Champlain Valley has played an important role in North American history because it is a water corridor from the St. Lawrence Valley and the heart of the North American continent. The lake has served as a highway for of communication, commerce, technology, and war. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum brings history to life through exhibits of historic boats (schooners, steamboats, and wooden boats) and shipwrecks; stories of exploration and the many peoples who have lived here; and studies of the natural history of the lake, above and below the surface, Theirs is a full-scale working Revolutionary War gunboat replica and much more.

Ethan Allen Homestead – Burlington :

Only a short drive from downtown Burlington, the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum offers hands-on history, spectacular scenery, and riverside picnic areas and walks. The Homestead provides a genuine slice of 18th century life, and an intimate look at Vermont's most colorful founder. Ethan Allen, who has become a folk hero in Vermont, was an unusually flamboyant backwoodsman-turned-statesman from Connecticut and one of the early inhabitants of Burlington. He is best known for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War and his leadership of the Green Mountain Boys. The museum and house are open on a limited basis during the warm months, but the grounds are always open from sunrise to sunset.

Southern Vermont:

Bennington battle monument - bennington :.

Built in the late 1880s, this monument is a dedication to the famous Battle of Bennington that took place during the Revolutionary war in 1777. Here the American Colonists maintained a store of weapons and food, which British General Burgoyne needed to restock his troops. The monument is a 306-foot-tall stone obelisk north of VT Rte 9, about 4 miles east of the New York border. An elevator takes visitors to the observation floor for spectacular views of Bennington and three states. A diorama and several interpretive exhibits are on the ground floor. A gift shop specializes in historical items relating to the Battle of Bennington and Vermont.

South Coast, ME region:

The Museums of Old York – York :

Museums of Old York is nine historic buildings, including a Colonial tavern, an old jail, an estate filled with antiques, and a warehouse that once belonged to patriot John Hancock. Also on the site are a nature preserve, museum shop, contemporary art gallery, and restored gardens. Visitors experience more than 300 years of New England heritage and hear tales of sea captains and their families, jailers, prisoners, and others. Also on display are beautiful decorative objects and antiques, including the only complete set of 18th-century American crewelwork bed curtains known to exist. Museum buildings include the John Hancock Warehouse, Jefferds' Tavern, the Old Gaol, the Old Schoolhouse, the George Marshall Store, and others.Open June to Columbus Day, daily except Sundays. The museums host many seasonal and special events that bring history to life for adults and kids.

Acadia/Bar Harbor, ME region:

Abbe museum – bar harbor :.

The Abbe Museum opened in 1928 as a trailside museum at Sieur de Monts Spring. Its mission is to interpret the history and lives of the Wabanaki Indian tribe through exhibitions, events, archaeology field schools, and craft workshops. By the 1990s the Abbe's museum at Sieur de Monts Spring had become inadequate to house the growing collections, changing exhibitions, and research. In September, 2001, the museum moved in a new, larger space in downtown Bar Harbor. Among the permanent exhibitions is Wabanaki: People of the Dawn.

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The 14 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast

By Alex Erdekian and Jamie Spain

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

From Maine to Florida , the East Coast is home to some beautiful stretches of coastline, amazing views, and of course, remarkable beach towns. Whether you're looking for a summer hotspot full of excitement and entertainment and brimming with crowds, or want to escape to a quieter small town this season, the shores on the East Coast have a little something for everyone. From charming, historic New England towns to tropical Southern getaways, there is so much to explore this summer.

There are 14 states that make up this stretch of the US, and each one has its own atmosphere, climate, and culture. From Cape Cod to the Florida Keys , the Atlantic Seaboard is home to a wide variety of vacation destinations. Here are 14 of the best East Coast beach towns in the US.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Bar Harbor, ME

Bar Harbor, Maine

Much of Maine's Mt. Desert Island is covered by Acadia National Park —home to climbs like Cadillac Mountain and a sophisticated system of carriage roads financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. But on the island's northeast corner, charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right. Skirting Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor began drawing visitors as far back as the mid-19th century when some of the Hudson River School, a group of artists that included the likes of Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, were taken with Maine's Down East landscapes. Still picturesque, Bar Harbor is now a full-fledged tourist town with a bustling main street, whale-watching tours, and of course, easy access to Acadia.

Where to stay in Bar Harbor:

• For a quirky stay: Queen Anne's Revenge Inn and Suites
• For romance: West Street Hotel
• For a private cottage: Beachy three-bedroom rental

Rockport, MA

Rockport, Massachusetts

The North Shore, a group of towns in Greater Boston, is a culturally important swath of Massachusetts. The coastal region is known for its excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Many a good film has been filmed here as well, such as Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island and Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester-by-the-Sea . There are many towns worth visiting, but Rockport is a favorite among travelers. Forty miles north of Boston, the town has a can't-miss natural gem in Halibut Point State Park, from which visitors can spot Maine in the distance 80 miles away. Rockport is also beloved by art history buffs: it is home to Motif Number 1, a fishing shack with the superlative “the most-often painted building in America.” It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character. (And it didn’t hurt that the light hit it just so.) A replica was built promptly following the historic Blizzard of 1978, which destroyed the original. Gray Malin photographed it for his recent project on Boston .

Where to stay in Rockport:

• For cozy vibes: Coastal studio loft
• For a seaside view: Waterfront apartment overlooking a private beach

Oak Bluffs, MA

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Ferries deliver day trippers to this little Martha’s Vineyard town daily and the colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a storybook. Visitors walk straight off their boats into Ocean Park, a circular green overlooking the sea, encircled by said houses, with a frothy, delicate gazebo sitting in the center. Oak Bluffs has a long history of welcoming Black visitors, and today it is home to the annual African-American Film Festival .

CNT Editors

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Where to stay in Oak Bluffs and Martha's Vineyard:

• For a historic stay: Faraway Martha's Vineyard
• For an eclectic experience: Four-bedroom Victorian beach house
• For a camp-inspired spot: Summercamp

Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

This popular peninsula in Massachusetts is a vacation hotspot for good reason. While it really heats up during the summer, it's a beautiful destination year-round, and is brimming with history (head to nearby Plymouth to see where the Mayflower docked). Not only does it offer the best New England summer atmosphere, it's also home to exciting activities and small town summer charm. Here, you can spot wildlife, like whales ( Cape Cod is near their migration path) and seals, indulge in delicious seafood, and enjoy miles upon miles of sandy coastline. The Upper Cape is best for families, the Mid-Cape is perfect for escaping the crowds, and the Lower Cape is home to great luxury hotels .

Where to stay in Cape Cod:

• For New England luxury: Chatham Bars Inn
• For a historic stay: The Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
• For seaside access: Cozy one-bedroom cottage

Newport, RI

Newport, Rhode Island

Like Oak Bluffs, Newport is a beach town known for its houses, though a very different sort. Ten enormous, historic mansions—once the summer homes of the Vanderbilts, Nevada silver heiresses, and other Westerners of unimaginable wealth—remain standing along the famous cliff walk. Today however, they are museums. The most famous two are The Breakers and Rosecliff. The Newport mansions famously earned the ire of writer Joan Didion, who wrote in her essay The Seacoast of Despair, “To stand in the dining room of ‘The Breakers’ is to imagine fleeing it, pleading migraine.” Today, in lieu of the Great Gatsby -esque lawn parties of yore where swans roamed the grounds, Newport attracts visitors of all stripes for events such as the Newport Folk Festival.

Where to stay in Newport:

• For Gilded Age fans: Gardiner House Newport
• For grandeur: The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection

Montauk, NY

Montauk, New York

The final stop on the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is appropriately known as the End. Due to strong winds, rough surf, and ample preserved land, it really does feel like the edge of the world, here. (Although some residents of Long Island’s furthest out town argue that if you really think about it, it’s actually the Beginning.) Montauk feels more remote and low-key than its luxurious, sceney Hamptons counterparts. Every visit to Montauk should include a stop at the Montauk Point Light House, which was commissioned by President George Washington in 1796. It is still operating, and the panoramic views from the top are out of this world.

Where to stay in Montauk:

• For barefoot luxury: Marram Montauk
• For a private beach: Gurney's Montauk
• For St. Tropez vibes: Solé East Resort

Cape May, NJ

Cape May, New Jersey

The site of pink triple-decker Victorian homes and a lively, festive promenade that exists as a beach town ideal in America's collective imagination, Cape May is the sort of dreamy summer destination one associates with trails of melted ice cream dotting the hot pavement and Fourth of July picnics. National Geographic also labeled Cape May as the World's Best Destination for Birding , writing, “The narrow peninsula at Cape May acts as a bird funnel, bringing in songbirds during their spring and fall migrations. At dawn on a good day, legendary Higbee Beach offers front-row seats to a feathered fashion show… With a little luck, you can see 20 species of warblers, each in its own colorful costume.” Sign us up.

Where to stay in Cape May:

• For picturesque looks: One-bedroom cottage with a hot tub
• For classic luxury: The Virginia Hotel

Chincoteague, VA

Chincoteague, Virginia

You won't find bustling boardwalks, sleek hotels, or grids of cars with clunky bike racks trapped in traffic in Chincoteague. This coastal town is all about the wildlife—specifically its wild horses . Visitors flock to the island annually for the Pony Penning that has been held since 1925. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department holds the event, and it consists of a pony swim—in which the animals cross the Assateague Channel—and a pony auction. No one really knows how this population of horses came to be, though there are competing theories. Some say they are descendants of Spanish horses shipwrecked en route to Peru in the 17th century. Others claim they were left long ago by pirates. Still others say they are runaways from mainland farmers. The quaint beauty of Chincoteague includes trails for hiking, beaches, and a red and white lighthouse. For the best pony views, cross over on a bike to the Maryland side of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

Where to stay in Chincoteague:

• For beachy decor: Three-bedroom with a balcony
• For sunset views: Bay-facing cottage on the water

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, Maryland

There is no place quite like the Chesapeake Bay . Step foot here and breathe in the saltwater air, indulge in delicious seafood, and enjoy the gorgeous beaches. The seaside resort town of Ocean City offers fun for the whole family—stroll down the boardwalk and taste the saltwater taffy to start, then take your pick of activities for all ages: surfing, fishing, and kayaking included. If you're looking for something a little less busy, the nearby small town of Berlin (just a 15-minute drive away) is great for a quick trip or overnight stay to avoid the crowds, but will take you away from the gorgeous shoreline. A little farther away is the historic small town of St. Michaels , worth a visit just to explore the history and see the picturesque neighborhood on the water.

Where to stay in Ocean City:

• For a view: Condo with bayside access
• For a midtown stay: Condo near restaurants, bars, and entertainment

Nags Head, NC

Nags Head, North Carolina

Nags Head is a beach town on the Outer Banks , a group of barrier islands and spits sandwiched between mainland North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean. It's known for its sand dunes in Jockey Ridge State Park, which comprise the tallest true sand dune system on the East Coast. Hundreds of shipwrecks nearby—caused by the region's shifting sands and heavily trafficked waters—have given the surrounding waters the moniker “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and the nearby USS Huron is a popular scuba dive site.

Where to stay in Nags Head and the Outer Banks:

• For a beachfront retreat: Sanderling Resort
• For a five-minute walk to the water: Coastal boho home
• For panoramic ocean views: Triple-tiered vacation home

Pawley's Island, SC

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Pawleys Island is so small that its year-round population hovers around 100 people. It was first settled in the 1500s, making it one of the oldest beach towns in the US. With that amount of history, there is, of course, a ghost story to go with it: There have been sightings of the Gray Man, a ghost whose appearance is said to warn of hurricanes as he paces up and down the beach, dating to a 19th-century storm. Summer options on Pawleys Island that are not at all spooky—besides flopping around on the beach—include golf, fishing, walking sculpture-filled gardens, and feasting on Lowcountry cuisine like She Crab soup.

Where to stay in Pawleys Island:

• For a beachy condo: Two-bedroom townhouse
• For a breathtaking view: Marshfront property near the beach

Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

While it's not too far from the aforementioned Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach will feel worlds away from the slow, small-town atmosphere of the other quaint town. This popular summer destination boasts bigger crowds than its neighbor, and has a wide assortment of entertainment, dining, nightlife, and activities available. Aside from the deliciously warm weather and miles of beaches to traverse, Myrtle Beach is also home to a great many golf courses, amusement parks, water parks, and an iconic boardwalk with a massive 187-foot-tall Ferris Wheel.

Where to stay in Myrtle Beach:

• For golf lovers: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes
• For seclusion: Island Vista Resort

Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island, Georgia

Just a short drive from Savannah , Georgia, this coastal community is in the perfect spot for a day trip . Even during the summer, some parts of it manage to maintain that small-town vibe and don't get unbearably crowded, boasting an assortment of adorable ice cream and coffee shops, long stretches of sandy beaches, and great waterfront access. There's a little something for everyone from families to couples— South Beach is better for those who want a little excitement in their atmosphere, whereas North Beach is a bit more quiet and contained. I've found it particularly great for families (having traveled here with a multigenerational group ages 1-68), and recommend the kitschy Original Crab Shack for a memorable meal.

Where to stay in Tybee Island:

• For a private pool and hot tub: Three-bedroom bungalow
• For couples: Historic cottage with complimentary golf cart, bikes, and kayaks

Siesta Key, FL

Siesta Key, Florida

While we love the beach towns listed above, the only part of the East Coast that has a true tropical climate is the lower half of Florida. Naturally, the beaches in this area are very beautiful. We want to laud Siesta Key in particular for its fine sand, which comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made up almost entirely of cool and reflective quartz, its waterfront dining and drinking, and its excellence for water sports like parasailing. The three beaches to visit on Siesta Key are Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach.

Where to stay in Siesta Key:

• For a lush condo: Beachfront stay on Siesta Beach
• For a private pool: Tropical three-bedroom home

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These Are The 14 Most Beautiful Places To Live In New England

• North Windham, Maine offers a quiet and picturesque place to live with lakes, nature parks, and a close-knit community. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average.
• Merrimack, New Hampshire is a family-friendly town with parks, forests, and excellent amenities. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average but lower than the state average.
• Cranston, Rhode Island is an excellent place to live with historic buildings, beautiful neighborhoods, and convenient modern conveniences. The cost of living is higher than the national average.

Nestled in the northeastern corner of the United States, New England is a region renowned for its idyllic landscapes, rich history, and outdoor escapades. However, the many charming small towns in New England are particularly celebrated, especially among people looking to move and live somewhere more beautiful and peaceful. From the rugged coastline of Maine to the majestic mountains of Vermont, New England offers a tapestry of natural beauty and cultural treasures that make it a dream destination to call home.

It's time to uncover some of the most beautiful places in New England to live, where one can immerse themselves in picturesque surroundings, embrace a close-knit community, and experience the breathtaking landscape of this beautiful region. So, get ready to be captivated by the allure of New England's finest gems.

UPDATE: 2023/11/29 21:39 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Beautiful Places To Live In New England

Living in New England offers a wide range of alternatives, from big cities to historic towns and coastal villages to beautiful neighborhoods. So, for those thinking about relocating to this area, we've added four more of the best places to live in New England to this list.

Related: Quaint & Scenic: 10 Most Charming Towns In New England

North Windham, Maine

Small-town atmosphere, lakes, nature parks, and great amenities for residents.

For those looking for a quiet place to move, North Windham, Maine, is certainly the best place to live in New England. Sebago Lake, several lovely nature parks, a strong sense of community, a small-town atmosphere, and a variety of outdoor activities make this hamlet the perfect place for anyone who prefers quiet settings to big cities.

Surrounded by incredible landscapes, it offers outdoor activities, including boating and hiking. The proximity to Portland provides urban advantages while still retaining a peaceful, scenic lifestyle. The cost of living in North Windham, Maine, is 12.5 percent greater than the national average , and the monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,780, which is 24.5 percent more than the $1,430 national average.

• Facilities available in North Windham: Windham Public Schools, North Windham Union Church, Sebago Lake State Park, Windham Parks and Recreation Department, Windham Indoor Shooting Range, Windham Historical Society, Windham Country Club, Windham Public Library

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Parks, forests, quaint neighborhoods, and excellent family amenities.

Situated along the Merrimack River, Merrimack, New Hampshire, is a lovely place in New England that offers picturesque scenery, parks, forests, and quaint neighborhoods. The town is a family paradise since it places a high priority on education and offers top-notch educational facilities along with a variety of recreational activities.

Merrimack has an average cost of living of $2440 , which is 10.7% more than the national average and 4.6% less than the average for New Hampshire. In Merrimack, the monthly rental cost of a two-bedroom apartment is $2,120, which is 48.3% more than the $1,430 national average and 28.3% more than the $1,520 state average. So, ideally, this town is a great place to live for families.

• Facilities available in Merrimack: Merrimack School District facilities, Local parks for outdoor recreation, Medical facilities and clinics, Local stores and shopping centers, Dining options within the community, Access to local roads and highways.

Cranston, Rhode Island

Historic buildings, recreation, pretty neighborhoods, and modern conveniences.

Cranston, Rhode Island, is an excellent place to live in New England, considering that it offers beautiful neighborhoods, historic buildings, modern conveniences, and facilities for recreation, healthcare, and education. Being close to beautiful parks like Roger Williams Park provides leisure opportunities, unspoiled nature, and a variety of cultural events, plus local attractions and activities in Cranston provide much-needed fun and entertainment.

At $2250, the average cost of living in Cranston is 8.8% higher than the national average and 3.3 percent higher than that of Rhode Island. Additionally, renting a two-bedroom apartment in Cranston costs $1,580 per month, which is $10.5 percent more expensive than the $1,430 national average and 9.5 percent more expensive than the $1,430 state average.

• Facilities available in Cranston: Parks and Recreation Areas, Schools and Educational Institutions, Healthcare Facilities, Shopping Centers and Malls, Diverse Dining Options, Libraries, Cultural and Entertainment Venues, Public Transportation Services, Community Centers, Sports and Fitness Facilities

Bristol, Rhode Island

A close-knit port community with colonial homes and great bars and restaurants for social butterflies.

Bristol, Rhode Island, is a lovely city with lots of outdoor activity, a close-knit community, charming coastal architecture, and plenty of historic buildings. The abundance of eateries, coffee shops, and bars provides its residents with an excellent social life. The town's scenic port, tree-lined streets, and well-preserved colonial homes all contribute to its appealing appearance. Residents take pleasure in waterfront activities, picturesque coastline views, and a thriving sailing culture.

Bristol's average cost of living is $2234 , which is 5.5% less than the state of Rhode Island's average and 18.7% more than the national average. Additionally, a two-bedroom apartment in Bristol rents for $1,550 a month, which is 8.4% more expensive than the $1,430 national average and 7.7% more expensive than the $1,430 state average. Overall, Bristol is among the best places in Rhode Island to call home.

• Facilities available in Bristol: Colt State Park, Roger Williams University, Bristol Harbor, Parks, Mansions, Bristol Town Beach, Bristol Yacht Club, Downtown Bristol Shops and Restaurants, Community Center

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

One of the oldest towns in the us with green spaces, festivals, and river scenery.

Situated on the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a historic coastal city in Rockingham County, dating back to 1623, making it one of the oldest towns in the United States. There are also beautiful parks and green spaces throughout the city, which feature flower gardens, outdoor concerts, and festivals throughout the year.

The average cost of living for a family of four without rent in Paramount is $2617, which is 30% more than the national average, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the world. However, the rent cost may vary for the specific area, ranging anything between $2000 to $2600 for a 2-bedroom apartment.

• Facilities available in Portsmouth: Educational Institutes, Healthcare Facilities, Recreational Venues, Shopping Centers, and Dining Facilities

Portland, Maine

Historic old port district with cobblestone streets, 19th-century architecture, and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene.

Situated on the southern coast of Maine, Portland is a vibrant coastal city in Cumberland County . The heart of Portland is its historic Old Port district. This waterfront area is lined with cobblestone streets, restored 19th-century buildings, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene known for its unique shops, boutiques, galleries, and acclaimed restaurants serving fresh seafood.

The city is surrounded by the stunning Casco Bay, dotted with over 200 islands home to several picturesque lighthouses, and offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, and exploring picturesque coastal landscapes. The average cost of living for a 4-member family in the city is $2912 without rent which is almost 15% higher than the national average.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment may range from $1800 to $2000, depending upon the location of the property.

• Facilities available in Portland: Public Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure, Shopping and Dinning Facilities, Hospitals, and Clinics

Burlington, Vermont

A small-town-like city on lake champlain bursting with natural beauty, recreation, and the arts.

Burlington, Vermont, is a picturesque city in Chittenden County on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, known for its natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and lively downtown, offering a unique blend of outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and small-town charm.

The city's downtown area is anchored by the Church Street Marketplace, a vibrant pedestrian-only street filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and street performers. The living expenditure in the city is about $2,593 for a family of four with additional charges of $1,500 to $2,000 for rent, making it 16% higher than the national average.

• Facilities available in Burlington: Higher Education Institutes, CCTA Public Bus Service, Airport, Healthcare Clinics and Facilities, and Recreational Spaces and Park

Related: Embrace The Bloom: 10 Of New England's Best Spring Destinations For Nature Lovers

Newport, Rhode Island

A historic coastal city with a scenic harbor, sailing culture, and gilded age mansions.

Newport, Rhode Island, is among the best places in New England to live; it's a historic coastal city in Newport County, home to scenic coastal landscapes and vibrant sailing culture. The city's picturesque harbor is a hub for sailing and boating enthusiasts allowing visitors to take harbor tours, charter sailboats, or simply stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the scenic views.

The downtown area of the city is known for its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and lively atmosphere. Also, Newport is renowned for its collection of opulent mansions built during the Gilded Age, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a glimpse into the grandeur of the era.

Newport is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, with the cost of living being 125% higher than the national average. The living expenses for a four-member family can range between $4500 to $5000 with rent, depending upon one's accommodation preferences.

• Facilities available in Newport: International Airport, Higher Education Institute, Medical Facilities, Roads and Infrastructure, Shopping, and Recreational Venues

Northampton, Massachusetts

Progressive culture, natural beauty, a vibrant arts scene, and historic architecture.

Northampton, Massachusetts, is a charming town in Hampshire County and is one of the best places to live in New England. Located in the western part of the state, it's known for its progressive culture, vibrant arts scene, and natural beauty.

The downtown area of the city is a vibrant hub lined with a diverse array of locally owned shops, boutiques, bookstores, cafes, and restaurants. The town's pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and historic architecture make it a pleasant place to live and wander.

Despite the incredible old town architecture and various urban luxuries, the cost of living in Northampton is higher than most other cities in the state, with the rent and utilities for an average household costing almost $2,200, making it 22% more than the national average.

• Facilities available in Northampton: PVTA Bus Service, Farmers Market, Healthcare Facilities, Higher Education Institutes, Shopping Centers, Restaurants, and Recreational Areas

Camden, Maine

Outdoor recreation and scenic sights bless this charming harbor town.

Camden, Maine, is a picturesque coastal town located in Knox County that offers a charming harbor, scenic landscapes, and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a popular destination for tourists and residents of the place. The town's harbor is the focal point of Camden, offering beautiful views of sailboats, yachts, and fishing vessels.

The town is among the most beautiful towns in New England to live in, but it's particularly famous for its winter offering, boasting a world-class ski area offering a range of winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding.

The cost of living in the area is about $39,700 a year, including rent, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. It is almost the same as the national average, making Camden an affordable option to live in New England.

• Facilities available in Camden: Higher Education Institutes, Healthcare Clinics, Parks and Outdoor Venues, Public Transportation and Sports Facilities

Due to its proximity to the ocean, Camden can experience rapid weather changes, including the formation of dense fog that may reduce visibility, disrupting the usual pace of life, particularly near the harbor and coastal areas. So, the weather is an important thing to consider before settling in here.

Hanover, New Hampshire

Located on the connecticut river banks, home to dartmouth college and outdoor recreation.

Hanover, New Hampshire , is a picturesque town in Grafton County along the Connecticut River. It is home to Dartmouth College, one of the oldest and most respected institutions of higher education in the United States.

The city is situated on the banks of the Connecticut River, providing residents with beautiful river views and recreational opportunities, including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and scenic boat tours, making it one of the best New England towns to live in.

The living standard in Hanover is better than most of the cities in New Hampshire, with an affordable cost of living of approximately $37,000 which is lower than the average living cost in New Hampshire and the national average.

• Facilities available in Hanover: Higher Education Institutes, Healthcare Centers, Shopping Centers, Restaurants, Outdoor Recreation Spaces, and Public Transport

Related: These Are 10 Of The Most Beautiful Ocean Overlooks You Can Find In New England

Stowe, Vermont

A popular tourist town in the green mountains with world-class skiing.

Stowe, Vermont, offers a wealth to do and see and is one of the most beautiful small towns in New England to live in. It's a picturesque town nestled in the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. The highlight of the town is Stowe Mountain Resort which features well-groomed slopes, diverse terrain, and breathtaking mountain views.

Additionally, Stowe Village is another notable attraction in the town, featuring quintessential New England architecture, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes, offering a welcoming and charming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

The cost of living for an average couple in Stowe is around $57000 a year, including all the utilities, groceries, rent, and transportation expenses. It is almost the same as the average living expenditure for the state of Vermont but higher than the national average for its reputation of being a popular tourist destination all year round.

• Facilities available in Stowe: Farmer Market, Public Library, Shopping Centers, Outdoor Recreation Spaces, Medical Facilities

Related: Which New England State Should You Travel To For Leaf Peeping this Fall?

Mystic, Connecticut

A historic maritime town with a scenic waterfront and quaint downtown area.

Mystic, Connecticut, is a charming coastal town in New London County, Connecticut. With its rich maritime history, scenic waterfront, and a range of cultural attractions, Mystic has become a popular destination to live and visit for its blend of history, natural beauty, and New England charm.

One of the best things to do in Mystic is to explore its downtown area, which boasts a quaint small-town charm with historic buildings and restaurants lined with colorful flower boxes, boasting a lively atmosphere.

Despite not having good public transport and educational facilities, the average living cost for a single adult in Mystic is $42,000 a year, almost the same as the average in the state but slightly higher than the national average, with the major chunk spent on rent, making almost $15,000 for a year.

• Facilities available in Mystic: Luxury Entertainment Venues, Medical Facilities, Outdoor Recreation Venues, Shopping District, and Restaurants

Woodstock, Vermont

A scenic green mountains village with historic buildings and natural beauty.

Woodstock, Vermont, is another one of the best towns in New England to live in; it's a picturesque town in Windsor County, in the heart of the Green Mountains, popular for its quaint New England charm, historic architecture, and natural beauty.

Woodstock's downtown area is a postcard-perfect New England village featuring beautifully preserved historic buildings, charming shops, art galleries, and restaurants, lined with tree-shaded streets, boasting a welcoming atmosphere and making it one of the best towns to live in New England.

The average cost of living for a family of four in Woodstock is over $91,000 a year, which is less than in other parts of Vermont but slightly greater than the average expenditure of similar households in the country.

• Facilities available in Woodstock: Library, Community Center, Public Transport, Schools, Healthcare Facilities, Shopping Centers, Outdoor Recreation Spaces and Restaurants

• 6 Most Affordable Towns to Retire in New Hampshire

For years, New Hampshire has remained an opportune destination for those entering their golden years. With its natural beauty, low taxes, rich culture, and reasonable cost of living, the Granite State offers retirees an enviable lifestyle without breaking the bank. Several small locations across its modest territory prove to be the perfect setting for outgoing seniors. From mountain communities to seacoast villages, this beautiful New England state is home to charming hamlets where pensioners can stretch their savings.

Though many areas have witnessed rising real estate prices in recent years, some locales still present excellent value for money. If you are searching for an affordable yet highly livable place after calling time on your career, consider the following towns to retire in New Hampshire. Each allows residents to enjoy scenic outdoor recreation, small-town charm, and cultural activities on a modest fixed income.

Woodstock is a densely forested town with a population of less than 1,500 residents. This means plenty of outdoor opportunities for retirees in idyllic nature areas. Some of the top spots for lovers of open spaces include the riverfront Cascade Park, where a serene and isolated environment allows you to enjoy quality alone time. A visit to the White Mountains Visitor Centers equips seniors with all the information they need for a wonderful adventure when immersing in Woodstock's sprawling wilderness.

The quiet town center is home to a friendly mix of businesses that allow for cordial interactions with other members of the community. At Fadden's General Store, seniors can meet happy faces and establish close friendships while shopping for all their household needs. Finally, a home median price of $207,500 puts Woodstock's real estate value below the state average.

Another hidden gem in New Hampshire's White Mountain region, Whitefield charms fresh pensioners with a stunning outdoor scenery, punctuated with lush forested surroundings and picturesque mountain views. This small community promises ardent outdoorsmen immersive adventures in sites like the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. Retirees can get lost in the great outdoors by taking advantage of wild hiking, camping, and animal-viewing adventures. However, one of the best ways to fully appreciate the sheer natural beauty surrounding Whitefield is to take an aerial tour with Vertical Ventures Aviation for a bird's eye perspective of the town.

Away from the sprawling outdoors, the Weathervane Theater presents residents with the ultimate indoor alternative. This family-friendly venue stages entertaining stage performances, inviting the public to celebrate and support local arts. Furthermore, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport, which makes it easy for retirees to travel to neighboring towns. Investing in a property in this town costs an average of $467,000.

Known for being the hometown of Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, Newport charms fresh pensioners with idyllic natural surroundings, diverse recreational opportunities, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Outdoorsy retirees can choose from a selection of pursuits for quality time in the open spaces, including sightseeing and swimming at the breathtaking Pollard Mill Falls or a relaxed game of golf on the lush grounds of Newport Golf Club. The Corbin Covered Bridge is an interesting spot for history lovers in Newport. Straddling the Sugar River, the historic wooden structure offers a rare look at New England's covered bridge architecture.

Elsewhere, the Newport Opera House is an excellent stop for culture vultures, bringing together locals to enjoy various performance art productions in a friendly social setting. Senior citizens do not have to leave town to find quality medical care thanks to the Newport Health Center, which has diligently served the community since 1873. Lastly, a home median selling value of $237,500, makes Newport one of the cheapest places to retire in New Hampshire.

The quaint community of Bethlehem invites senior citizens to spend their retirement years in a laidback rural setting and among a friendly fold. It boasts beautiful natural landscapes, punctuated with the dense foliage of the Strawberry Hill and Cushman state forests, which also means endless adventures in the wild. Several golf courses, including the Maple Wood Golf Course, serve as an excellent way for seniors to explore the outdoors while having fun in a world-class venue.

Strolling through downtown, you will discover a vibrant corridor with a charming mix of businesses. Residents here conveniently shop for their groceries and household needs at the Bethlehem Village Store, whereas the Colonial Theater screens family-friendly movies in a rustic venue, which is among the country's oldest operating movie theaters. Meanwhile, a tour of the Bethlehem Heritage Society provides an interesting look into the culture and history of the town. For aspiring homeowners, it takes around $405,000 to raise the local median home listing price.

This picturesque alpine community in New Hampshire's White Mountains spoils residents with year-round recreations curated for all seasons. Winter-loving retirees will be intrigued by SledVentures Snowmobile Rentals, which organizes exciting guided excursions into the snow-covered wilderness for friends and families. On warmer days, Franconia Notch State Park serves as the major hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, and more. The park is especially irresistible in the fall when the changing leaves transform it into a magical scenery.

Back in town, a bustling restaurant and bar scene ensures seniors have a selection of hangouts where they can meet peers and socialize over a cold beer or a warm plate. Black Mountain Burger Co. stands out for its laid-back vibe and friendly employees. A couple of health facilities in the town, including Mid-state Health Center, provide crucial services to ensure retirees are always in their best physical form. Finally, the local median housing value is a price-friendly $449,900.

There is a unique charm about lakeside communities like Ossipee that makes them a choice destination for retirement living. They have a relaxed setting with breathtaking water views, best exemplified by the beautiful shores of Ossipee Lake. Senior citizens can spend quality alone time meditating in the gentle lake breeze or take advantage of various aquatic recreations, ranging from fishing and boating to paddleboarding. Away from the water, Constitution Park provides essential public amenities that encourage physical activity among seniors, such as ball fields, tennis courts, and a dog park.

Meanwhile, those with a taste for collecting antique treasures can explore unique finds at White Mtns Antique Gallery & Estate Services for their indoor pursuits. The local community makes a commendable effort to care for its senior citizens with several assisted living communities, including Ossipee Concerned Citizens. For pensioners planning to stay in their own homes upon settling in Ossipee, the average property value here is $417,500.

Final Thought

Whether you are looking for a small-town New England charm with rich cultural attractions or scenic outdoor recreation amid rural surroundings, these towns deliver highly livable environments to retire in New Hampshire on a budget. Their combination of natural beauty, cultural amenities, healthcare resources, and reasonable costs of living make them top choices for those hoping to stretch their fixed incomes in a place with excellent quality of life. It is easy to see why the Granite State continues to be a prime yet low-cost destination to enjoy scenic vistas, community ties, and all the joys of active retirement.

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Money latest: Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture - the items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune

Gumtree's most popular items include rare stamps, Gameboys and Pokemon cards. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment or submit a consumer dispute or money problem in the box.

Monday 29 April 2024 16:59, UK

• Three of UK's biggest lenders up mortgage rates
• Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021
• Higher food prices and shortages warning - as new Brexit checks begin this week
• People on disability benefits could receive vouchers rather than cash

Essential reads

• Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture: The items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune
• Money Problem : 'A company isn't abiding by written warranty for dodgy building work - what can I do?'  
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?

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The cost of bread, biscuits and beer could increase this year due to the impact of the unusually wet autumn and winter on UK harvests.

Research suggests that production of wheat, oats, barley and oilseed rape could drop by four million tonnes (17.5%) compared with 2023.

The wet weather has resulted in lower levels of planting, while flooding and storms over winter caused farmers more losses.

The predictions come just as the rate of price increases on many food items begins to slow as inflation falls.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) analysed forecasts from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) and government yield data.

It found a "real risk" of beer, biscuits and bread becoming more expensive if the poor harvest increases costs for producers, according to its lead analyst Tom Lancaster.

Beer prices could be affected because the wet weather is still disrupting the planting of spring crops such as barley, the ECIU said.

And potatoes might also see a price hike in the coming months, with growers warning of a major shortage in the autumn due to persistent wet weather.

Read the full story here ...

By Emily Mee , Money team

When I think about the toys of my childhood - my pink Barbie car, my Gameboy Micro, my collection of Pokemon cards - I can't tell you where they went. 

Maybe they were shipped off to a charity shop at some point... Or perhaps they're in the attic? 

While my hot pink Gameboy Micro is lost to the void of time (or a cardboard box somewhere in my mum's house), other versions of it are selling on eBay for £100 or more. 

And there are Pokemon cards selling for anything from a tenner to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

It's possible you also have items at home that are a collector's dream. 

Gumtree says its collectables category is already proving to be a "hotbed of activity" this year, with listings up 22% in 2024 so far. 

Its most popular items include rare stamps, coins, war memorabilia and Pokemon cards. 

Spring is often the most popular time for buying and selling collectibles, with demand spiking in March and April. 

We've enlisted the help of TV presenter and collectables expert Tracy Martin to give an idea of what could make you an easy buck. 

Old toys making a 'retro comeback'

Tracy explains that while trends change, vintage toys tend to stand the test of time. 

"Toys are always going to be popular because they tap into nostalgia, our childhood memories," she says, explaining that adults like to buy the toys they used to have. 

Perhaps you were into cars, and you've got some old diecast vehicles from Matchbox, Corgi or Dinky Toys. 

A quick look on toy auction site Vectis.co.uk shows a Corgi Toys "James Bond" Aston Martin estimated to sell for between £600 to £700 - while others are likely to fetch £50 to £60. 

Sindy dolls are also particularly sought after - particularly those from the 1960s - and Barbie dolls from the 1990s too. 

Pokemon cards have seen a "massive surge", Tracy says, with people paying "thousands and thousands of pounds" for good unopened sets. 

She's even seen examples of people paying £16,000 upwards. 

Another up-and-coming market is games consoles, such as Gameboys, vintage consoles and PlayStations, which are making a "retro comeback".

What else could earn you some cash?

Tracy says there's currently a surge in people wanting to buy "mid century" furniture, which is dated to roughly 1945 to 1965 and typically uses clean lines and has a timeless feel. 

Vintage Danish furniture is sought after, particularly tables and chairs with good designer names such as Wegner, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen.

Prices range from the low hundreds into the thousands.

People will also look out for vintage framed prints by artists such as Tretchikoff, J.H. Lynch and Shabner - these can range in price from £50 upwards to a few hundred pounds plus. 

Vintage clothes, handbags and shoes can fetch a good price - but you can also invest in modern pieces. 

Tracy suggests looking out for good classic designs with high-end designer names such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. 

Modern designers such as Irregular Choice, Vendula and Lulu Guinness are also collected. 

Collaborations with designers and celebrities can do well as they're often limited edition. 

For example, Tracy says the H&M x Paco Rabanne maxi silver sequin dress retailed at £279.99 last year but now sells for in excess of £600. 

When it comes to shoes, "the quirkier the design the better" - so look out for brands such as Irregular Choice and Joe Browns. 

Converse and Dr Martens collaborations also do well, depending on the design and condition, as well as Adidas and Nike limited edition trainers. 

What's the best way to sell?  

Tracy recommends to always research before selling your items, as they might perform better on different platforms and you can also get an idea of how much they sell for. 

For example, Vinted can be a good place to sell clothes and shoes, while other items might be better suited for sale on Gumtree, eBay or Etsy. 

Tracy's favourite way to sell is through auction - especially if there are specialist sales. 

Vectis is one of the biggest and most popular for toy selling. 

Interests in different periods and items can go up and down, but for the time being vintage pieces from the 1980s and 90s are popular. 

How much you'll be able to get from an item often takes into account its rarity, condition, whether it reflects a period in time, and if it's got a good name behind it. 

You never know - you might be sitting on a treasure trove. 

Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021, according to new data from Zoopla .

The biggest impact of rising interest rates has been in southern England where house prices are higher.

Across the South West, South East and East of England, the annual mortgage cost for an average home is £5,000 higher than previously. This rises to £7,500 in London.

But the universal uptick in mortgage costs has been less pronounced in other parts of the UK, with the North East seeing a £2,350 increase.

In a bid to tackle inflation, the Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.1% in December 2021 to a 16-year high of 5.25% now.

The Zoopla research looked at the average home buyer taking out a 70% loan-to-value mortgage.

This week seems to be starting where last week left off - with three major lenders announcing further hikes in mortgage rates.

Amid uncertainty of the timing of interest rate cuts from the Bank of England  this year, swap rates (which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend) have been rising in recent weeks.

Financial markets currently see two rate cuts by the Bank of England this year.

We've reported on a string of rate bumps from the high street over the last 10 days, and this morning NatWest, Santander and Nationwide moved.

In its second hikes announcement in less than a week, NatWest laid out increases across its full range of residential and buy-to-let fixed deals of up to 0.22%.

Santander, meanwhile, announced increases for both fixed and tracker deals across their residential and buy-to-let products - up to 0.25%.

The same hikes are being imposed for a range of Nationwide deals.

All of these will kick in tomorrow.

Amit Patel, adviser at Trinity Finance, told Newspage it was "not a great start to the week". 

"This is not good news for borrowers," he said.

Where will the base rate go this year?

The majority of the bets, according to LSEG data, are on the first cut coming in August (previously this was June) and the second in December.

This would take Bank rate from the current level of 5.25% to 4.75%.

Disabled people could receive vouchers instead of monthly payments under proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The changes could see people being provided with either one-off grants for specific costs such as home adaptation, or being directed to "alternative means of support" rather than financial support.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is set to announce plans today to overhaul the way disability benefits work.

In a Green Paper due to be published alongside Mr Stride's statement to the Commons, ministers will set out plans to reform Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the main disability benefit, through changes to eligibility criteria and assessments.

The plans also include proposals to "move away from a fixed cash benefit system", meaning people with some conditions, such as depression and anxiety, will no longer receive regular payments but rather get improved access to treatment if their condition does not involve extra costs.

Speaking to Sky News earlier, Mr Stride said: "I want us to have a grown-up, sensible conversation about a benefit called PIP that has not been reviewed in over a decade.

"And I want to ask the question, is it fit for purpose given the world that we're in today, in which mental health issues sadly present more of an issue than they did a decade ago."

By James Sillars , business reporter

A fresh high for the FTSE 100 to start the week.

The index of leading shares in London was 0.5% up at 8,179 in early dealing.

The gains were led by miners and financial stocks.

Dragging on the performance were some consumer-facing brands including JD Sports and Flutter Entertainment.

One other development of note to mention is that stubbornly high oil price.

A barrel of Brent crude is currently trading almost 1% down on the day.

But it remains at $88 a barrel.

The market has been pulled by various forces this month, with hopes of a rebound in demand in China among them.

The latest decline is said to reflect peace talks being held between Israel and Hamas.

A demand for smaller homes has driven growth in UK property prices early in 2024, according to research by Halifax.

Data from the bank's house price index suggests annual property price growth hit 1.9% in February this year - a significant rise from -4.1% just three months prior.

That equates to a rise in prices of £5,318 over the past year.

It follows interest rates stabilising, Halifax says, after a sharp rise over the past two years which squeezed mortgage affordability.

A key driver behind rising prices, Halifax says, has been first-time buyers, who made up 53% of all homes bought with a mortgage in 2023 - the highest proportion since 1995.

And it's smaller homes that have recorded the biggest increases in price growth in the early part of this year - with buyers adjusting their expectations to compensate for higher borrowing costs.

Flats and terraced houses made up 57% of all homes purchased by first-time buyers last year.

This varies by region - for example, in London, flats and terraced homes accounted for 90% of all first-time buyer purchases.

Challenges remain

However, Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax mortgages, said "it's important not to gloss over the challenges" facing the UK housing market, given the "impact of higher interest rates on mortgage affordability" and "continued lack of supply of new homes".

"But scratch beneath the surface and there is a more nuanced story, one which shows that demand for different property types in different parts of the country can vary hugely," she added.

"As interest rates have stabilised and buyers adjust to the new economic reality of owning a home, one way to compensate for higher borrowing costs is to target smaller properties.

"This is especially true among first-time buyers, who have proven to be resilient over recent years, and now account for the largest proportion of homes purchased with a mortgage in almost 30 years."

Every Monday we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

I had a company coat the exterior of my house with a rubberised paint product in November 2022. The original cost was £3,280 - though there was a discount. This came with a written 10-year warranty. The product started to fail after five months (peeling off). I first contacted them one year ago, on 3 April 2023, and the company keeps fobbing me off, blaming bad weather for not resolving issues. They don't come round when they say they will. What can I do? Robert Anderson, 77, Scotland

We asked consumer disputes expert Scott Dixon, from complaintsresolver.co.uk , to pick up this one...

This falls under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which states that any faults found within the first six months are considered to have been there at the point of purchase (or in this case, application).

You are entitled to one free repair under S49 Consumer Rights Act 2015 which states that every contract to supply a service is to be treated as including a term that the trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill.

Traders can only have one crack at the same fault - if that fails, you are entitled to a refund/replacement.

You have two options: make a warranty claim/pursue a remedy under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

How did you pay for it? If you paid (even just the deposit) by credit card, you can make a S75 claim against the credit card provider who is jointly liable under S75 Consumer Credit Act 1974.

If the trader is unwilling to remedy it, seek at least three quotes from other traders to price putting the job right. You can get another trader to remedy the job and invoice the original trader for the work. 

I know what you're thinking: what happens if they refuse to pay?

Options and next steps

If all else fails... You could take your case to the small claims court if it was England, or follow Simple Procedure in Scotland .

Before you file a claim, send screenshots to the company of the court papers setting your case out and demanding a refund within seven days. Tell the company that if they fail to do so, you will lodge a claim via Simple Procedure.

It is a relatively easy, inexpensive route and is designed for disputes such as this. Court fees are based on the amount of money you want to claim.

This may resolve the dispute. If it does not, you can proceed and file the small claim papers online.

Another option is to file for their bankruptcy as a creditor, which is free. It effectively freezes their bank accounts and credit lines and locks their business down until it is resolved. You can find an SD1 form to do this here . 

I have done this before and it works like a charm. You need to send any documents by recorded delivery. This is a last resort if you cannot resolve your dispute.

I would also report this firm to Trading Standards. Ensure that you point out that they are deliberately selling products and carrying out defective work without due care and skill, which is fraudulent and illegal. You have proof of this so make sure you provide it.

Finally, leave reviews online too.

Money team note : We got in touch with the company involved, who said they had agreed to recoat the building at no cost but that dry days were needed before and after to fit the product in line with the manufacturer's guidelines. They said they had contacted Mr Anderson last week. We decided not to name the company as it is a small business - but we'll follow up this case in summer.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about.  Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via - and please leave your contact details as we cannot follow up consumer disputes without them.

• The form above - make sure you leave a phone number or email address

Britons could face higher food prices, and even empty supermarket shelves, as new post-Brexit border fees are introduced this week, industry figures have warned.

A maximum charge of £145 will apply on imports of plant and animal products, such as cheese and fish, entering the UK through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from Tuesday.

"The fundamental change is huge to the nation's food supply," Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), told the Money blog when we first covered this story in January.

"I would certainly expect to see price rises because these costs simply couldn't be absorbed by the industry."

James Barnes, chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, said this month that the policy "feels like it is constructed on the back of an envelope at best" and that the charges would "undoubtedly increase costs" and increase the likelihood of empty shelves in supermarkets.

He said as well as higher prices and a more limited variety of products available in UK shops and restaurants, "we now might begin to observe a decline of EU businesses trading into the UK, simply because they have been priced out".

The new rules explained

The new rules, known as the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), are intended to protect biosecurity by imposing controls on plant and animal products considered a "medium" risk. These include five categories of cut flowers, cheese and other dairy produce, chilled and frozen meat, and fish.

From 31 January, each shipment had to be accompanied by a health certificate, provided by a local vet in the case of animal produce, and, from Tuesday, shipments will be subject to physical checks at the British border.

There is also the prospect of delays caused by inspections of faulty paperwork, which could derail supply chains that rely entirely on fast turnaround of goods.

The policy has been delayed multiple times and earlier this month the Financial Times reported that the government would not "turn on" the checks this week because border systems were not fully ready. The government said this was not true - but indicated they would initially focus on higher-risk products.

The fee will be charged per type of product imported, and will vary from £10 to £29 depending on the risk products present. It will be capped at £145 for mixed consignments.

A government spokesperson said this was "within and at the bottom end of the range which we consulted with industry on".

They added: "The charge is designed to recover the costs of operating our world-class border facilities where essential biosecurity checks will protect our food supply, farmers and environment against costly disease outbreaks entering the UK through the short straits."

The fees will not apply to goods brought into the UK for personal use, the government said.

EU business 'could stop trading with UK'

Marc Forgione, director general of the Institute of Export and International Trade (IEIT), said there was another risk beyond price rises and potential shrinkflation.

He told the Money blog earlier this year: "There is also a concern that has been raised with me by some UK-based businesses that their suppliers in the EU will frankly take a view that it's too complicated to deal with these changes and withdraw from the market."

Mr Forgione said that over time the UK will have "the most efficient border in the world", due to digitisation and the BTOM's assessment of goods based on risk, but it will create friction for EU businesses where there was none.

What has the government said?

A spokesperson told us when we first covered this story in January: "We remain committed to delivering the most advanced border in the world.

"The changes we're bringing in will help keep the UK safe, while protecting our food supply chains and our agricultural sector from disease outbreaks that would cause significant economic harm."

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