What to do in New England while on vacation

Best things to do in New England

Off the rip here are 10 fun things to do in New England

block island, lighthouse, coastal

1. Explore the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts
2. Take a Whale Watching Tour in Bar Harbor, Maine (try the lobster)
3. Visit the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut
4. Visit the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut
5. Go on a Lobster Boat Tour in Portland, Maine
6. Tour the Old State House in Boston, Massachusetts
7. Check out the Newport Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island
8. Visit the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut
9. Hike the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire
10. Enjoy the Fall Foliage in the Berkshires in Massachusetts

Acadia national park

This park is located in Maine. The park covers over 47,000 acres and is home to a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. The park also features a variety of historic sites, including lighthouses, mansions, and carriage roads. Visitors can also explore the park’s many lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as an abundance of wildlife.

Visit Rhode Island

Here are our top three activities in Rhode Island, yes the smallest state in the US!

1. Take a Tour of the Historic Ocean State: Rhode Island is home to some of the oldest and most historic sites in the United States. From the colonial-era mansions of Newport to the Revolutionary War sites in Providence, there are a variety of walking, driving, and sightseeing tours that bring the past to life. If you want to be in Providence or Newport there are plenty of historic buildings and mansions to visit.

2. Relax on the Beach: From the bustling shores of Narragansett to the quiet sands of Block Island, Rhode Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Pack a picnic, soak up the sun, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the Ocean State.

3. Explore Providence’s Arts and Culture Scene: From the world-renowned Rhode Island School of Design to the many galleries and art installations, Providence is a vibrant and creative city. Take a stroll through the city’s iconic neighborhoods, visit a local museum, catch a show at the historic Providence Performing Arts Center, or explore the city’s vibrant nightlife.

What to do while visiting the White Mountain national forest

1. Hiking: Explore the many trails through the White Mountain National Forest, ranging from easy to difficult.

2. Camping: Pitch a tent and spend the night in one of the many campgrounds in the forest. Enjoy the peacefulness of a night in the woods.

3. Fishing: Cast a line and see what you can catch from the various lakes, ponds, and rivers in the White Mountain National Forest.

4. Wildlife Viewing: Keep your eyes open for deer, moose, black bear, beaver, and other wildlife.

5. Scenic Drives: Enjoy the beauty of the forest from the comfort of your car. Take a drive along the Kancamagus Highway or Mount Washington Auto Road.

6. Skiing & Snowshoeing: Perfect place to hit the slopes or try snowshoeing which can be a daunting task, it might look easy but telling you from experience it isn’t as easy as it looks.

7. Nature Photography: Capture the beauty of the forest through a camera lens.

8. Boating: Rent a canoe or kayak and take to the water.

9. Horseback Riding: Explore the trails on a horseback ride.

How many days do you need to see New England?

There are six states in New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It’s not possible to see all of these states in a single day, as they are all relatively large and there is a lot to see and do in each of them. The amount of time you will need to see New England depends on your interests and how much you want to see and do. Here are some suggestions for how long you might want to spend in each state:

  • Connecticut: You could see the highlights of Connecticut in a few days, depending on what you want to do. Some of the things to see and do in Connecticut include visiting the Yale University Art Gallery, touring the Mark Twain House & Museum, and exploring the Connecticut Wine Trail.
  • Maine: Maine is a large state with a lot to see and do, so you could easily spend a week or more exploring it. Some of the things to see and do in Maine include visiting Acadia National Park, touring the Portland Museum of Art, and exploring the Portland Head Light.
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts is home to many historical and cultural attractions, so you could easily spend a week or more exploring it. Some of the things to see and do in Massachusetts include touring the Boston Common, visiting the Harvard Art Museums, and exploring the Freedom Trail.
  • New Hampshire: New Hampshire is a small state with a lot to see and do, so you could easily spend a few days exploring it. Some of the things to see and do in New Hampshire include visiting the Mount Washington Cog Railway, touring the Currier Museum of Art, and exploring the White Mountains.
  • Rhode Island: You could see the highlights of Rhode Island in a few days, depending on what you want to do. Some of the things to see and do in Rhode Island include touring the Providence Performing Arts Center, visiting the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and exploring the Cliff Walk.
  • Vermont: Vermont is a small state with a lot to see and do, so you could easily spend a few days exploring it. Some of the things to see and do in Vermont include touring the Shelburne Museum, visiting the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, and exploring the Green Mountains.

In total, you could easily spend at least a week or more exploring New England, depending on your interests and how much you want to see and do. Also, it depends on your budget.

The five largest cities in New England (by population) are:

  1. Boston, Massachusetts – population of approximately 694,583
  2. Worcester, Massachusetts – population of approximately 184,508
  3. Providence, Rhode Island – population of approximately 179,154
  4. Bridgeport, Connecticut – population of approximately 147,586
  5. New Haven, Connecticut – population of approximately 130,660

Zoos in New England

  • Franklin Park Zoo – Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this zoo is home to more than 220 species of animals and is known for its focus on conservation and sustainability.
  • Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo – Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, this zoo is home to more than 300 animals and is known for its focus on conservation and education.
  • Maine Wildlife Park – Located in Gray, Maine, this park is home to a variety of native animals and is known for its educational programs and conservation efforts.
  • Stone Zoo – Located in Stoneham, Massachusetts, this zoo is home to more than 160 species of animals and is known for its conservation and education programs.

Roger Williams Park zoo

Roger Williams Park Zoo is a zoo located in Providence, Rhode Island. It is home to more than 160 species of animals, including lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, reptiles, and birds. The zoo is open to the public and offers a variety of educational programs, conservation efforts, and special events. It is a popular attraction in the region and is known for its efforts to provide high-quality care for its animals and promote conservation.

Top three hiking trails in New England

New England is home to many beautiful trails, ranging from short, easy walks to long, challenging backcountry routes. Here are three popular hiking trails in the region:

  1. Appalachian Trail – This iconic trail stretches more than 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, passing through six states in the New England region. The trail is known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain and is popular with thru-hikers who attempt to hike the entire length of the trail in one season.
  2. White Mountains National Forest – Located in New Hampshire, this national forest is home to many popular hiking trails, including the Presidential Range, which includes Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States. The forest is known for its rugged terrain and beautiful views and is popular with hikers of all skill levels.
  3. Acadia National Park – Located in Maine, this national park is home to many beautiful hiking trails, including the popular Cadillac Mountain Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park is known for its diverse terrain, which includes forests, mountains, and coastal areas, and is a popular destination for hikers.

On the East coast, One of our favorite activities, when we were in New Hampshire, was the Conway scenic railroad ride. As you know, New Hampshire is beautiful as it is, but this railroad ride was something else. The windows were opened during the trip and the fresh air going through the train was top-notch. It started and ended in the gift shop 🙂

Conclusion:

If you are on New England Coast and would like a vacation, hopefully, we have given you a few ideas on what to expect so you can enjoy New England’s history.

 

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Hi! I’m Margaret!

A passionate home cook and food lover who loves nothing more than sharing my favourite recipes with the world.

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