Plan fun New England vacations if you yearn for a relaxing drive through breathtaking fall foliage, the simplicity of a cobblestone street, or the warm, soft sand beneath your feet. With a little planning, you are bound to discover New England vacations that fit your historical, cultural or family friendly needs.
Massachusetts
Best known for the historic city of Boston, Massachusetts offers a little of everything during your New England family vacation. Boston is the heart of America's revolutionary history. You can experience the city's historic landmarks along the Freedom Trail, take in the beauty of the flora and fauna in the Public Garden or cheer along with Red Sox fans at Fenway Park. Head to the North End for delicious Italian cuisine or to Boston's harbor to visit the penguins at the New England Aquarium.
If you're planning your family vacation in New England during the summer months, visit Cape Cod for some of the best beaches and seafood in the state. Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket offer visitors quaint shops, art galleries and homemade ice cream shops that are sure to beat the heat on those warm summer days.
A drive to the western side of Massachusetts brings you to the home of arts festivals, relaxing spas and an amazing view of the Berkshire Mountains.
New Hampshire
If you are planning a getaway during the fall, the White Mountain region in New Hampshire is a great New England vacation spot. The Kancamagus Highway is considered one of New England's best scenic drives, providing a superb opportunity to snap photos during the foliage season.
The state is a nature lover's haven with about 84% of the state covered by forest, over 300 lakes and a myriad of animal species. A New England fall vacation is not complete without a visit to Mount Washington State Park, home to the tallest mountain peak in the Northeast.
If you are intrigued by archeological phenomena, head to America's Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire. The odd rock formations and hidden caves have puzzled researchers and visitors alike for decades.
Connecticut
A New England getaway must include a visit to Connecticut's Mystic Seaport. Walk through the recreated 19th century coastal village and view the collection of ships and maritime exhibits at the museum. Want to learn how to sail? Sign up for one of the sailing programs geared towards students of any experience level.
If you're visiting New England without the kids, head to an adult's paradise at Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods or the MGM Grand. You never have to leave as the casinos offer a great selection of gambling, concerts, shopping and restaurants in one location.
Maine
Enjoying a delicious lobster is essential to any New England vacation. Portland is the hub of cultural and historic Maine attractions and sits along Casco Bay, the gateway to the area's historic forts and lighthouses. Visit one of the local seafood eateries for authentic Maine lobster.
Nature lovers will enjoy the DownEast and Acadia regions, where they can visit Acadia National Park for hiking and wildlife spying. Never seen a moose? Head to the Maine Highlands for a glimpse at the most plentiful collection of moose and deer in Maine.
Rhode Island
The Narragansett Bay is a water lover's dream with plenty of opportunities to boat, sail, fish, canoe, seal watch and swim. Head to Newport's Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile pathway along the water's edge, where you get the most breathtaking views of the ocean below and the area's legendary mansions. Peruse the local artisan shops, art galleries and local eateries along Newport's Thames Street.
Vermont
Home to maple sugaring, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company and covered bridges, Vermont is New England's farming state. Spy farm animals at a dairy farm, taste a new flavor at the Ben & Jerry's Factory or learn how to make your own maple sugar at one of Vermont's many sugar houses.
If you are planning a New England vacation during the winter, Vermont has some of the best skiing opportunities. Bring the family to Killington to brush up on their snowboarding skills or skiing moves.
 | The Boston Freedom Trail winds for 2.5 miles through downtown, the North End, and into Charlestown. In theory - and this is extremely flexible, depending on your interests and habits - it's probably a 4-hour excursion to cover the whole trail....but that can be compressed or expanded as you like. You can do it all in one day or visit individual sites over a span of years! |
For some reason, Prescott pushed on to a lower hill closer to Boston, Breed's Hill, and dug in there under the cover of darkness. Whatever the reason for his decision, he created two centuries of confusion, since the Battle of Bunker Hill didn't actually take place on Bunker Hill, but on Breed's. |
Plimoth Planation is dedicated to recapturing the actual conditions of the first Thanksgiving. The interpreters are schooled in the behavior, dress, manner and worldview of the colonists and native peoples, speak in the authentic dialects of the people they represent and will converse with visitors about their daily lives. |
The one must-see site for anyone in the vicinity of eastern New England is "Old Ironsides," the 207 year old Navy frigate officially named U.S.S. Constitution. |
In 1876, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts opened in an ornate brick-and-terracotta building in Boston's Copley Square. Thirty-three years later it moved to its present granite edifice on Huntington Avenue. Today the museum attracts about one million visitors each year, drawn by both its 350,000-object collection and the special exhibitions it holds each year of art objects on loan from sister museums all over the planet. |
