You are here: Home | North America | USA | 6 New England Attractions You Shouldn't Miss
Guest post by: Kacey Mya | September 18, 2020
As you plan your next regional vacation, you'll probably find plenty to see and do around the country. You might experience everything in a small city over a short weekend trip, but visiting a place like New England requires a bit more time.
The expansive, historic section of the country has everything from seaside views to mountain getaways. Next time you pack your vacation bags, check out these six can't-miss New England attractions. It's the ultimate first-timer's bucket list for those who don't want to leave home without an entertainment roadmap in hand.
You can always visit tourist attractions, but local festivals and fairs only happen during specific times of the year. Check out your destination for unique events you can only experience in that town or state. The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire is a great place to start. Every May, you can step into medieval life with archery, live shows, and more.
Or, maybe the Nantucket Book Festival is more of your style. Drive through Massachusetts during June and meet your favorite authors or collaborate with other writers. There are also fall activities like Massachusetts' Applefest at Wachusett Mountain. Local musicians set the scene while you enter a pie-eating contest, pick apples, and try food from family-owned food trucks.
There's no way to visit New England without getting lost in some of its preserved historical wonders. The Elms is a famous Rhode Island mansion that once housed a coal-mining family who shaped the entire coal industry. You could also , a two-and-a-half-mile tour with numerous American Revolution landmarks.
First opened in 1912, Fenway Park is a must-see monumental Boston attraction. In 2012, historians added it to the National Register of Historic Places because it became the oldest sports venue of any professional team. Catch a Red Sox game, enjoy classic baseball food and take plenty of pictures of the park that made history.
Not a sports fan? You can still treasure the visit if you're a movie buff. The location played a starring role in numerous films. "The Town," "Moneyball" and "Good Will Hunting" are just a few famous movies that featured Fenway as part of their plotlines. Walk in the footsteps of your favorite stars as you visit Boston.
If you asked most New Englanders what makes their part of the country famous, the answer would likely be a tie between the region's history and its numerous ghost sightings. It's an area known for widespread hauntings, like at the Dead Ship of Harpswell.
Between decadent lobster dinners and relaxing walks on the coastline, tour the haunted Casco Bay, where the Dash used to sail by on a nonexistent wind. It sank during the War of 1812, but no one ever found the crew or the wreckage. Many locals refuse to walk by the bay at dusk, in case the Dash passes by searching for a place to dock.
Adventurers at heart will love visiting the Cape Cod National Seashore. Single hikers, couples looking for a romantic backdrop, and even families make it a yearly vacation spot. Regional activities await you, like picking wild cranberries or observing the wildlife that thrives around the area. Follow a park ranger on a guided canoe tour to paddle through the seashore and learn about it.
Visitors can also climb the Nauset Lighthouse, which is down the road from the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Initially built in 1875, it operated until 1950 under the care of a single family. Check the calendar for fun kids' activities, which will keep the whole family busy at this national park destination.
Craft breweries always reflect the region and culture around them, so you'll surely find something new if you sample a few while you're on vacation. The Foolproof Brewing Company in Rhode Island is a reflection of this because they serve the Shuckolate chocolate-oyster stout, which is a classic New England food mixed with a dessert flavor.
Look up breweries with limited-edition beers so you can experience one-of-a-kind tastings. Foam Brewers in Burlington, Vt., has a rotating seasonal selection of beer with select cheese and charcuterie arrangements. If you miss this brewery, don't count on trying their beer at home. They famously refuse to sell to stores, which is only one of many reasons to put them near the top of your shortlist of vacation ideas.
Make sure you don't miss these New England attractions the next time you leave home. Start planning your trip to find the best seasonal events, locations, and breweries, so you don't leave town without making memories you'll treasure forever.
Back to overview
Hi there!
We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.