Ultimate New England Travel Guide
Tucked away in the northeast corner of the United States is a cluster of 6 small states known as New England. This region, which includes Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut, is one of the most historic and culturally rich areas of the country.
New England has some amazing destinations and while each state has its own distinct charm, all offer a bounty of natural beauty, stunning fall foliage and an array of fun and exciting activities.
About This Guide
In this guide, we explore what makes New England such a special place to visit and all it has to offer. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, historical landmarks, or unique local experiences, this guide will help you plan the perfect trip.
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To learn more about each state and the best places to visit, check out Which New England State is Best to Visit?
Why Visit New England?
New England is a special place to visit and people all over the world come to see what our little region has to offer all year long.
What makes New England such a popular destination? There are so many reasons to love New England! Here are just a few of the things that you will experience when you visit this incredible region.
Its Rich History
As the oldest region of the United States, New England is steeped in history.
From the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620, to the infamous Salem Witch trials of the 17th century, along with the pivotal role it played in the American Revolution, New England has an amazing story to tell.
Each state has their own personality and incredible history which makes them what they are today. When you come to New England, you will surely get your history lesson while you are here.
Charming Towns
From its urban cities to the picturesque towns and lively seaports, New England is a delight for all.
Explore cities like Boston, Providence or Portland for a bit of city excitement, wander around seaside towns with cute boutiques, cafes and art galleries or step back in time as you travel the many back-roads, past white steeple churches, over covered bridges and along miles of farmland.
Fresh Seafood
With the Atlantic Ocean bordering the majority of the region, seafood is a prime attraction for visitors of New England.
Enjoy some incredible lobster, perfectly fried clams or some famous creamy clam chowder. There are so many options for tasting the freshest seafood at every turn, from tiny seafood shacks, to oceanfront restaurants and fine dining establishments.
Stunning Autumn Foliage
Each year, towards the end of September through early-October, the leaves on the trees transform into a kaleidoscope of bright yellows, oranges and reds in each and every New England state.
It is absolutely stunning to see this transformation of the landscape and it’s the highlight of the autumn season, along with the crisp air and fall flavors of pumpkin spice and apple crisp. Fall in New England is an absolute wonder.
Beautiful Beaches
With over 500 miles of coastline, New England has plenty of options for enjoying the sun, sand and surf. Beaches vary in style with some offering a relaxed atmosphere while others have exciting boardwalks, seaside amusement parks, shopping and music events. You are sure to find one that fits your mood.
What Are the Most Popular Places to Visit?
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is renowned for its rich history and is the most diverse of the six states, offering a unique mix of historical sites, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences.
- Boston, known as the birthplace of the American Revolution, is packed with historical sites and the famed Freedom Trail where you can explore pivotal landmarks like Paul Revere’s House and the Boston Tea Party site. It is also home to a variety of world-class museums.
- Cape Cod is a popular summer destination with its stunning white sand beaches and nearby islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
- In the western part of the state, the Berkshires are great for hiking and art lovers, while Salem, on the North Shore, is famed for its witch trials.
Maine
Maine is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors.
- Its rocky coastlines and iconic lighthouses, like Portland Head Light and Nubble Light, make it a photographer’s dream.
- Acadia National Park is one of the most popular spots, where you can hike up Cadillac Mountain and be the first in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
- Coastal towns like Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Portland offer great restaurants, cute shops, and stunning ocean views.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is all about adventure and exploring the outdoors.
New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” reflects the state’s independent spirit and relaxed vibe.
- The White Mountains is a top destination, where you can hike, ski, or even drive up Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast.
- North Conway and the Kancamagus Highway are popular for hiking, scenic drives, and leaf-peeping in the fall.
- Lake Winnipesaukee offers a relaxing escape for boating and summer fun, while quaint towns like Portsmouth offer history, shopping, and coastal charm.
Vermont
Vermont is known for its green mountains, maple syrup, and charming small towns dotted with white stepple churches.
- Its small towns, such as Stowe and Woodstock, offer quintessential New England charm, complete with old-fashion general stores, farm-to-table dining, and artisan crafts.
- With over 100 covered bridges and countless quiet country roads, Vermont feels like a postcard come to life.
- Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, sits next to Lake Champlain and has great shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
Vermont is the perfect getaway to experience the small town charm with excellent skiing and foliage.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it’s big on charm.
- Newport, once the “Sailing Capital of the World”, is a top destination with its historic Gilded Age mansions and scenic Cliff Walk along the coast.
- Providence has a thriving arts scene and a foodie culture that’s been gaining national attention.
- Block Island is a lesser-known gem, perfect for a quiet beach retreat or a day of biking and exploring.
Connecticut
Connecticut offers a mix of coastal charm and cultural sophistication, with a blend of rural towns and metropolitan areas.
- Mystic is one of the most popular places to visit in Connecticut. This town is known for its seaport and famous Mystic Aquarium.
- Hartford, the state capital, is home to the Mark Twain House and the Connecticut shoreline has charming towns like Old Saybrook and Essex.
To learn more about each New England State and all it has to offer check out Which New England State is Best to Visit?
What are the Best Things to Do in New England?
In New England, finding something fun to do is easy – the hard part is figuring out what to do first!
Each state has so much to see and do – it is truly a destination for everyone.
Outdoor enthusiasts have endless options to explore with thousands of acres of forests, state parks, and nature reserves. Whether it’s hiking in Vermont’s Green Mountains, biking in Acadia National Park, camping in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, or exploring Cape Cod National Seashore, there’s something for everyone. These protected areas offer activities year-round, from canoeing and bird watching to snowshoeing in winter, making New England a perfect destination for nature lovers.
Foodies will be in heaven sampling the region’s famous iconic foods like famous fried clams, lobster, clam chowder, Indian pudding and Boston baked beans.
History buffs will be eager to learn about the region’s past with all of the historic sites and monuments.
Culture vultures will be impressed by the diverse theater performances and assortment of museums showcasing everything from contemporary art, classic masterpieces, historical artifacts and fun pop culture.
Beach bums have plenty of options for enjoying the sun, sand and surf with over 500 miles of shorelines along beaches, lakes and rivers.
Boating enthusiasts can explore the waters with a variety of cruises, sail boating or by renting a canoe or kayak.
Music lovers will find a venue for almost any style of music including classical symphonies, jazz and folk festivals and rhythm and blues. There are plenty of outdoor concerts and other options to listen to live music.
Wine and beer connoisseurs will be in awe when visiting all the vineyards to sample great wine and the breweries to try some world-class craft beer.
Adventurer seekers will find 48 4000+ foot summits to climb in New Hampshire, 14,000+ miles of snowmobiling trails in Maine and an abundance of black diamond trails to conquer on the ski slopes.
Bargain Hunters will be thrilled to find deals at all the factory outlets and antique shops while hard-core shoppers can shop til they drop at the city malls and marketplaces. If you are in Boston, take some time to do some window shopping at the upscale boutiques and shops on Newbury Street. Don’t miss the famous Brimfield Antique show in Brimfield, MA which takes place in May, July and September during the iconic Brimfield Antique Flea Market.
When is the best time to visit New England?
One of the best things about New England is we get to enjoy 4 distinct seasons and each one brings its own uniqueness. The best time to visit will depend on what you want to do.
Fall
Fall is by far the pinnacle time to visit New England with the crisp air and stunning colors of the autumn leaves peaking from the end of September through mid-October.
This is a perfect time to go leaf peeping or enjoy other outdoor activities. You’ll also find plenty of fall festivals at farms throughout the region where you can pick pumpkins, make your way out of a corn maze, or go apple picking where you can sample some famous apple cider donuts.
Summer
New England really comes alive during the summer months with countless outdoor activities throughout the region such as concerts, fairs, festivals and Farmers’ markets. With the warmer weather, its the perfect time to get out on the water whether its a whale watch, boat cruise, kayaking or a white water rafting trip.
Being the birthplace of America, the Fourth of July is a very popular time to visit and there are lots of celebrations around the region with Boston’s festivities at the top of the list.
Insider Tip: While the months of July and August tend to be the warmest to enjoy swimming, boating and other water activities, you may still find the water in the ocean and lakes to be a a bit chilly, especially in the northern regions.
Winter
Winter is a chance to hit the slopes and experience some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the east. Not up for downhill skiing? Explore the many trails by snowmobile or cross-country skis. For those not interested in playing in the snow, there are still plenty of indoor activities to keep you busy this time of year.
The holidays in New England are absolutely beautiful with displays of tree lightings and festival of lights in many towns. Many of the mansions and historic houses are also beautifully decorated for the season and available for touring, with some even hosting gingerbread house competitions.
Spring
Spring brings maple syrup, blooming flowers and the melting of all the snow up in the mountains to bring much needed water to the lakes and rivers for summer water activities. Get out to one of the maple farms and see how maple syrup is made or check out the spring blooms all over the region.
Depending on the season, Spring skiing may be an option or you can learn how to tap a maple tree at one of the many maple farms.
If you are visiting over Patriot’s Day, you can even cheer on the runners along the Boston Marathon route.
What is New England’s Weather Like?
Anyone who lives in New England will tell you that the weather can be quite unpredictable. While there are average temperatures published, you really need to plan for anything. It is not uncommon to have a 20-30 degree temperature difference in the same day or within the same week.
It can be 80-90 degrees during the day and then plummet to the 50s or 60s overnight. We have had blizzards in April and heat waves in November. As the local saying goes “Only in New England” is the consensus when it comes to our weather – so be prepared.
Typical Weather in New England
Each season usually does have its distinct climate with the southernmost points being a bit warmer than the more northern areas.
Spring in New England can still be chilly, with average night time lows in the 20s and highs reaching mid-60s as it gets closer to summer. Known to locals as “Mud Season”, this time of year tends to be a bit rainy and muddy so plan to bring a raincoat, umbrella and some rain boots. You may want to have some indoor activities planned as well.
Summer temperatures can reach into the 90’s and can be hot and humid. Typically, it will be a little cooler the farther north you go with July and August typically being the hottest months. Don’t forget the sunscreen if you plan to be in the sun and always bring a sweater or sweatshirt as temperatures tend to fall at night or near the water. Mosquitoes and ticks can be an issue when outdoors so make sure you have bug spray.
Fall has the perfect crisp air which warrants a lightweight jacket for your leaf-peeping activities. If we are lucky, we may get what is called “Indian Summer” where there is a warm stretch around the end of October or early November. If you are planning on hiking at any elevation, be sure to pack extra layers as weather can change drastically. November can also be wet so be careful not to slip on the falling leaves and plan for early snow – you just never know.
Winter can be quite frigid from December through February with a good amount of snow accumulating, especially in the northern regions. A warm coat, hat and gloves and a good pair of waterproof or insulated boots are a must if you plan to spend time outdoors.
What is a Nor’easter?
New England can also have its share of severe weather at times. It is famous for its Nor’easters which are storms known to bring howling winds and deep snow – especially up north which helps to make great conditions on the ski slopes. These storms may occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April.
Mount Washington is also notorious for having some of the worst weather on the planet with the strongest winds ever recorded happening on this peak. If you plan to visit the summit be sure to check the weather and plan accordingly.
Facts about New England’s Geography
At 71,988 square miles, New England is roughly the size of the State of Washington. Maine, the largest state, takes up half of that area. The states are fairly small so it is easy to travel between them with many destinations just a few hours apart. Rhode Island is the smallest state at only 1,545 square miles.
The region is bordered by Canada in the North and North East and by the state of New York to the West and South. Its extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean stretches from Connecticut to northern Maine.
While the region is small, it has very diverse landscapes and ecosystems including its jagged rocky coastline along the east coast, mountains, sandy beaches, extensive salt marshes, dense forests, cranberry bogs and numerous lakes and rivers.
- The Appalachian Mountains run through Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine with almost 700 miles of trails.
- Mt. Washington is the highest Mountain peak at 6228 feet.
- Lake Champlain is the largest lake bordering Vermont, New York and Quebec, Canada
- The Connecticut River is the longest river, running 407 miles from northeast New Hampshire to Connecticut.
- The Great Marsh, the largest Salt Marsh in New England, extends along the east coast from Gloucester to New Hampshire providing a natural flood barrier to inland towns and a haven for wildlife.
- Massachusetts is one of only five states in the US that have cranberry bogs and is the 2nd largest supplier of cranberries.
Getting to and Around New England
The best way to get to New England will depend on where you are coming from and your preferred mode of transportation.
Air Travel
If you’re traveling from a distant location, flying into one of the major international airports in New England would be the best option. From there, you can rent a car, take a shuttle, or use public transportation to reach your final destination.
Massachusetts: Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, MA is the largest and busiest airport in New England. Nearly all major airlines fly into Boston and it is considered the hub of New England.
Connecticut: Bradley International Airport (BDL) is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and is convenient to Hartford. It is a smaller airport with 11 airlines providing service out of the airport. Bradley International Airport is New England’s second-busiest airfield after Logan Airport and was ranked No. 6 as the nation’s best airports by Conde Nast Traveler reader.
Rhode Island: T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Warwick, Rhode Island is conveniently located 6 miles south of Providence, the state’s capital and largest city. The airport primarily serves the Providence area, as well as many sections of Southern Massachusetts.
Maine: Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Portland, Maine should not be confused with Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon. Fly into Portland (PWM) if you’re planning to focus your trip in Maine or Northern New Hampshire.
Vermont: Burlington International Airport (BTV) in South Burlington, VT is best if you’ll be visiting Vermont and flying in on an airline that uses this airport as a hub. Otherwise, you may not have a non-stop flight.
New Hampshire: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport located in Manchester, New Hampshire is about 50 miles northwest of Boston. This airport is a good alternative to flying into busy Logan Airport if you are looking to avoid the crowds. Fares may be cheaper than flying in and out of Boston as well.
Train Travel
Amtrak provides train service to several cities in the Northeast, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, and Portland. The Downeaster runs daily round-trips between Boston, MA and Brunswick, ME with stops in popular places such Portland and Old Orchard Beach, ME. The Northeast Regional line has service to cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut and travels as far south as Virginia.
Bus Travel
While bus travel may take longer than flying or taking the train, it can be a budget-friendly option, especially for shorter distances. Several bus companies, such as Greyhound and Megabus, offer affordable transportation to various cities in New England.
While it is possible to travel between the larger cities of New England by bus and train, you will be very limited in what you will be able to do and see once you get there. If you will be traveling between states or outside of the main cities (Boston, Providence or Portland), you will definitely need a car.
Car Travel
When visiting New England, having a car is essential for exploring the region’s diverse landscapes and attractions. While cities like Boston or Providence may have good public transportation, many of New England’s best destinations, like rural towns and coastal areas, are spread out and not easily accessible by train or bus. Driving gives you the flexibility to take scenic routes, like Vermont’s winding roads through covered bridges or New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway during fall foliage season.
Tips for Traveling in New England
New England is well-connected by interstate highways so it is fairly easy to travel to neighboring states and regions, however, there are some things to keep in mind if you will be driving.
Cell Service is Unreliable: Keep a paper map or directions in the car! Don’t depend on your GPS as service in some locations is unreliable or non-existent.
Don’t Drive in Boston…unless you absolutely have to. GPS service is also unreliable in the Boston tunnels so know your exit before entering.
Round-a-bout Etiquette – When you enter a traffic rotary (roundabout), you must yield to cars already in the circle as you enter. Once you’re in the circle, then you have the right of way over cars entering the circle.
Right on Red – Unless there is a sign posted that says “No Turn on Red” you can take a right turn at a red light after you make a complete stop. If you are unsure, you can wait but fellow travelers will surely beep to let you know you can go.
Have you been to New England? What is your favorite place to visit?
Learn more about each New England State and the most popular places to visit.
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