20 Activities to do in New England this Year

Jan 14

Written By Lindsey

Your New England Adventure Checklist

1 - Walk the Bass Hole Boardwalk (Grays Beach, Yarmouth, MA)

Take a walk along this 0.5-mile out-and-back boardwalk, stretching over a scenic marsh. You will find an observation deck at the end with wooden benches, where you can sit and enjoy the views.

2 - Explore Historic Gillette Castle (East Haddam, CT)

A 14,000-square-foot stone castle built in 1919 by William Gillette (actor famed for his play adaptation of Sherlock Holmes). Located on over 100 acres; great views!

3 - Take a Lighthouse Cruise (Portland, ME)

Join a narrated sunset lighthouse cruise with Portland Discovery Tours. Pass historic lighthouses and sailboats while learning about Portland’s rich history.
For a full list of activities to do in the Portland area and where to stay, check out my blog post, “7 Must-Do Activities in Portland, Maine.”

4 - Smell the Roses at Elizabeth Park (West Hartford, CT)

Home to the oldest municipal rose garden in the United States, Elizabeth Park Conservancy, (opened in 1897), featuring over 15,000 rose bushes and 800 varieties. Visit mid-June to early July for peak blooms; free to visit.

5 - Pedal a Rail Bike (Portsmouth, RI)

Pedal your way along 6 miles of coastal railway tracks with Rail Explorers. Pass by the topiary gardens, golf courses, and take in all the waterfront views.

6 - Swim in the Dorset Marble Quarry (Dorset, VT)

Take a refreshing dip in the U.S.’s first marble quarry, active from 1785 to the 1920s. Open daily from May to October.

7 - Ride the Cog Railway to Mount Washington’s Summit (Mount Washington, NH)

Board the world’s first mountain-climbing railway to reach the highest peak in the Northeast. You’ll see lots of gorgeous views on ride up on the Cog Railway and views at the top are especially spectacular.

8 - Visit Naumkeag in Summer (Stockbridge, MA)

One of my absolute favorite Trustees’s properties to visit in any season, but I especially love summer here. Naumkeag is a 44-room historic Gilded Age style home in the Berkshires, located on 48-acres with gardens and mountain views. Take a house tour, stroll through the gardens, relax on the porch.

9- Ride the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster (Charlemont, MA)

Experience 3,870 feet of downhill thrills with drops, 360-degree turns, and scenic views at Berkshire East Mountain Resort.

10 - Attend Gardens Aglow (Boothbay, ME)

A must visit winter lights show at Coastal Maine Botanic Gardens featuring over 750,000 lights and giant trolls.

11 - Drive up the Tallest Mountain in Massachusetts (Mount Greylock, Adams, MA)

Drive the road (or hike) to the top of Mount Greylock. Climb the Veterans War Memorial Tower for a 360-degree view.
For a full list of activities to do in nearby North Adams and Williamstown, check out my blog posts, “Exploring North Adams in the Berkshires” and “A Historic Stay at the Guest House at Field Farm.”

12 - Pick Tulips at Wicked Tulips (Preston, CT)

Head to Wicked Tulips flower farm to find row after row of uniquely vibrant tulips. Choose from three U-pick tulip locations: Preston, CT; Johnston, RI; and Exeter, RI.

13 - Visit the Oldest Lighthouse in Maine (Cape Elizabeth, ME)

Explore Portland Head Light, located in Fort Williams Park. This lighthouse was first lit on January 10, 1791.
For a full list of activities to do in the Portland area and where to stay, check out my blog post, “7 Must-Do Activities in Portland, Maine.”

14 - Hike to Vermont’s Tallest Waterfall (Stowe, VT)

Moss Glen Falls is the tallest waterfall in Vermont, standing at 85 feet! Enjoy a 20-minute hike, mostly on a scenic boardwalk.
For a full list of activities to do in Stowe and where to stay, check out my “Stowe, Vermont Travel Guide.”

15 - See Nubble Lighthouse by Boat (Ogunquit to York, ME)

Get an up-close look at the Nubble Lighthouse with a trip on Finestkind Scenic Cruises, sailing from Perkins Cove in Ogunquit.

16 - Explore World’s End (Hingham, MA)

A 251-acre park maintained by The Trustees, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and originally intended to be a residential subdivision.

17 - Visit the Oldest Topiary Garden in the United States (Portsmouth, RI)

Explore the oldest and northernmost topiary garden in the U.S., featuring 80 topiary animals, along with gardens and scenic coastal views.

18 - Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee (Weirs Beach, NH)

Step aboard the historic M/S Mount Washington for a 2.5-hour narrated scenic cruise from Weirs Beach to Wolfeboro (and back).
For a full list of activities to do in the New Hampshire Lakes region and where to stay, check out my “Lake Winnipesaukee Travel Guide.”

19 - Drive the Kancamagus Highway (NH)

The perfect fall drive along a 34.5-mile scenic byway from Lincoln to Conway. Enjoy scenic stops along the way, including waterfalls and mountain views.