South Shore
The offices of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants are housed in the magnificent 1754 house of Edward Winslow, the great-grandson of Plymouth…
Must-see attractions in New England
Acadia National Park
Botany buffs will appreciate the detail of these acre-sized botanic gardens, which show 12 of Acadia's biospheres in miniature, from bog and coniferous…
Connecticut
Traditional, though quirky, Sloane-Stanley Museum is a barn full of early American tools and implements – some dating from the 17th century – lovingly…
Midcoast Maine
Perched over Rockland harbor (and sharing a building with the town's visitor center), this nifty little museum features vintage Fresnel lenses, foghorns,…
Portland
This small gallery, attached to the Maine College of Art, showcases an ever-shifting slate of modern artists, and hosts frequent readings, workshops, pop…
New Hampshire
Wolfeboro's eclectic historical museum comprises three historic buildings: the 1778 Clark family farmhouse, an 1805 one-room schoolhouse and a replica of…
Martha's Vineyard
Gallery hoppers will want to make time to visit the Eisenhauer Gallery, which represents over 40 artists and is considered one of the best on the island…
Cape Cod
The restored mill on the edge of Shawme Pond dates to 1654 and has centuries-old gears that still grind cornmeal (available to buy). Bring your camera –…
Cape Cod
Before you jump on that ferry, take a walk through the harborside HyArts District, which includes the Guyer Barn community art space and neighboring…
Providence
Providence's Rhode Island School of Design maintains several fine galleries. This one, the Sol Koffler Gallery, serves as the main exhibition space for…
Martha's Vineyard
Just south of the ferry terminal, a narrow strip of sandy beach runs unbroken for several miles, beginning with Oak Bluffs Town Beach. It's backed by the…
Cape Cod
An eminently browseable gallery showing works from locally and nationally known artists working in various media, plus a gift shop of stylish, quirky…
Cape Cod
For the warmer waters of Nantucket Sound, the long and sandy Hardings Beach is the prize. It's a good family option, and there are lifeguards, restrooms…
Nantucket
You'll find some of the most consistently surfable waves at Cisco Beach, at the end of Hummock Pond Rd. The on-site Nantucket Island Surf School can…
Nantucket
Surfside Beach, 3 miles from Nantucket Town at the end of Surfside Rd, is a top draw with the college and 20-something set. It has full facilities,…
Connecticut
Relive the days when operators threw manual switches from a control tower like this restored one, dating from 1896, to control railroad traffic on the…
South Shore
'The other rock' is an ancient landmark where Wampanoag travelers would place branches and stones as offerings in exchange for safe travels. It's about 6…
Wellfleet Historical Society Museum
Cape Cod
This museum harbors a fascinating mishmash of odds and ends, from a vintage bank-teller cage to Native American artifacts.
Martha's Vineyard
Take a nostalgic ride on this National Historic Landmark, which has been captivating kids of all ages since 1876. It's the USA's oldest continuously…
Nantucket
Jetties Beach, 1 mile northwest of town via N Beach St, is the best all-round beach close to town. It's well equipped with changing rooms, a skateboard…
Midcoast Maine
Besides having perhaps the perfect name for a Maine state park, Moose Point also boasts tide pools, a rocky coastline, groves of dark-green woods and…
Providence
The main attraction of Roger Williams Park is this zoo, which is home to more than 600 animals (including polar bears, giraffes and lemurs) and performs…
Cape Cod
Adjacent to the Cape Cod Highland Light, this museum focuses on Truro's farming and maritime past. It's packed with all sorts of vintage goodies, from…
Cape Cod
While visiting Nauset Light Beach, don't miss this curious trio of 19th-century lighthouses – they were saved from an eroding sea cliff and moved to a…
Burlington
Tours of this thriving, touristy factory demonstrate the entire teddy-bear life cycle, from designers' sketches, to stuffing and stitching, to the bear …
Rhode Island
A Charlestown-managed beach, this is a good choice for families. There are no amusements other than nature's own, but there are convenient facilities, a…
New Hampshire
Undersea videos, big aquariums and a hands-on 'touch tank' are the highlights of this small but engaging family favorite. The center hosts lots of special…
Cape Cod
The small Woods Hole Science Aquarium has little flash and dazzle, but it does have unusual sea-life specimens, local fish and the Homarus americanus (aka…
Connecticut
The association hosts at least four different public shows during the high season and rents the space for other art showings the rest of the year. Located…
New Haven
Specializing in contemporary visual arts and community outreach, Artspace runs this bright contemporary gallery and organizes the annual City-Wide Open…
Cape Cod
A Zen-like gallery with museum-quality contemporary art over two floors. On most Saturday evenings in July and August, the gallery hosts artists'…
Rhode Island
Woonsocket's eponymous falls are the largest on the Blackstone River. They have long been a source of hydropower for local industry: today they look just…
Martha's Vineyard
Master glassblowers turn sand into colorful creations at the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks. If you can stand the heat, you can watch them work their magic…
New Hampshire
One of the four harmonious Georgian buildings that make up Dartmouth Row, just east of the Dartmouth College Green. Poet Robert Frost once lived in the…
Connecticut
Inaugurated in 1944 with a gift of 154 acres from the Hazen Foundation, this park features a pretty meadow dotted with picnic tables, and offers seasonal…
Martha's Vineyard
Although it has a bit of a stuffy blue-blood air to it, Granary Gallery is a great place to see a wide range of work by local artists. The space is huge…
Cape Cod
Eastham’s landmark windmill is the oldest structure in town, although it was actually built in Plymouth (MA) in 1680. It sits in a pretty park by the side…
Cape Cod
Train buffs won't want to miss the 1910 caboose and assorted memorabilia at Chatham's original 1887 railroad depot. The Victorian building is an…
Martha's Vineyard
A mile south of the Oak Bluffs Town Beach is this popular spot, which has calm waters suitable for kids. The Edgarton-side portion of the beach is also…
New Hampshire
Built in 1840, Reed Hall is one of the four harmonious Georgian buildings that make up Dartmouth Row, just east of the Dartmouth College Green.
