Must-see attractions in New England

  • VINS Nature Center

    Vermont

    This science center near Quechee houses two dozen species of raptors, ranging from the tiny, 3oz saw-whet owl to the mighty bald eagle. The birds that end…

  • Topsmead State Forest

    Connecticut

    This forest was once the estate of Edith Morton Chase. You can visit her grand Tudor-style summer home, complete with its original furnishings (free…

  • Main Library

    Portland

    The main branch of the Portland Public Library is located within the 83,000-sq-ft Baxter Building, an architectural gem that cleverly utilizes vast glass…

  • Stage Fort Park

    Massachusetts

    There are two lovely, small beaches at Stage Fort Park: the picturesque Half-Moon Beach and the more remote Cressy’s Beach. The latter is a bit of a trek…

  • Gray's Beach

    Cape Cod

    Gray's Beach, also known as Bass Hole, is no prize for swimming, but a terrific 0.25-mile-long boardwalk extends over a tidal marsh and creek, offering a…

  • Shark Center Chatham

    Cape Cod

    Stop here for the lowdown on one of the Cape's most intriguing summer residents: the great white shark. Interactive exhibits and videos aimed at kids and…

  • John Brown House Museum

    Providence

    The ruddy-brick John Brown House, built in 1786 atop College Hill, now houses yet another impressive Rhode Island local history museum. This one is…

  • Ethan Allen Homestead

    Burlington

    American Revolution hero Ethan Allen lived in this 18th-century colonial homestead, 1 mile north of Burlington on VT 127. Be sure to take the guided tour …

  • Mashpee Wampanoag Museum

    Cape Cod

    Learn about the history and culture of some of the Cape's original inhabitants at the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum. It's a small space, with just a few…

  • Hopkins Vineyard

    Connecticut

    On the northern shore of Lake Waramaug, Hopkins Vineyard produces eminently drinkable wines from predominantly French American hybrid grapes. Come for…

  • Bowdoin College Museum of Art

    Midcoast Maine

    Set in a 19th-century building with a dramatic glass entrance pavilion, this campus art museum is small but impressive. The 20,000-piece collection is…

  • Melville Academy Museum

    New Hampshire

    Housed in Jaffrey's first high school, which opened in 1833, this museum spotlights local luminaries like novelist Willa Cather. You'll also find a…

  • Sharpe Hill

    Connecticut

    Arguably Connecticut's finest vineyard: Sharpe Hill's wines have been awarded over 250 international medals. Take a walk through the vines before sitting…

  • Sears Island

    Midcoast Maine

    You can (and should) explore Sears Island on foot. This uninhabited, 940-acre conservation area is connected by causeway to the mainland north of…

  • Champlain Orchards

    Vermont

    This century-old orchard 16 miles southwest of Middlebury sells sweet and hard cider year-round, with pick-your-own cherries, peaches, plums and berries…

  • Cushing House Museum & Garden

    Massachusetts

    This 21-room Federal home is decked out with fine furnishings and decorative pieces from the region. Collections of portraits, silver, needlework, toys…

  • Mills Gallery

    South End & Chinatown

    Besides several performance spaces, the main venue for visual arts at the Boston Center for the Arts is the Mills Gallery, which hosts cutting-edge art…

  • White Lake State Park

    New Hampshire

    Twenty-two miles northeast of Meredith off NH 16, you'll find some of New Hampshire's finest swimming in White Lake, a pristine glacial lake whose origins…

  • Scarborough State Beach

    Rhode Island

    Scarborough (sometimes written as 'Scarboro') is considered by many to be the best beach in the state. A massive, castle-like pavilion, extensively…

  • Roger W Wheeler State Beach

    Rhode Island

    Locally known as Sand Hill Cove, the Roger W Wheeler State Beach, just south of Galilee, is the best spot for families with small children. Not only does…

  • Stephen Hopkins House

    Providence

    On Providence's Benefit St, the 1708 Stephen Hopkins House, named for the 10-time governor and Declaration of Independence signer, was rescued in the…

  • The Breakers' Stable & Carriage House

    Newport

    Designed by Richard Morris Hunt of The Breakers' fame, this carriage house and former stables, which belong to their eponymous mansion, now house a museum…

  • Lourdes of Litchfield

    Connecticut

    Whether you’re seeking enlightenment or just a peaceful stroll on wooded paths, this beautiful fieldstone replica of the Grotto Lourdes in France,…

  • Myles Standish State Forest

    South Shore

    About 6 miles south of Plymouth, this 16,000-acre park is the largest public recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. It contains 13 miles of biking…

  • 1667 Jabez Howland House

    South Shore

    This is the only house in Plymouth that was home to a known Mayflower passenger. John Howland lived here with his wife, Elizabeth Tilley, and their son…

  • Narragansett Town Beach

    Rhode Island

    This mile-long stretch of beach tends to be crowded because it's an easy walk from Narragansett Pier. It's popular with surfers thanks to its soft curling…

  • Martha's Vineyard Museum

    Martha's Vineyard

    This well-done museum has a fascinating collection of whaling paraphernalia and scrimshaw, and puts the history of Martha's Vineyard into context. Don't…

  • Polly Hill Arboretum

    Martha's Vineyard

    This 60-acre refuge celebrates woodlands and wildflower meadows, and is particularly pretty in the fall. The visitor center is open from 9:30am to 4pm…

  • Norman Bird Sanctuary

    Newport

    Established in 1949, this beautiful nature sanctuary occupies a 325-acre site with over 7 miles of groomed walking trails. It was established to protect…

  • Peabody Museum of Natural History

    New Haven

    It's hard not to be fascinated by this vast collection of animal, vegetable and mineral specimens, including wildlife dioramas, meteorites and minerals…

  • Sandwich Glass Museum

    Cape Cod

    Sandwich glass, now prized by collectors, had its heyday in the 19th century, and this heritage is artfully displayed in this excellent, sprawling museum…

  • Nauset Light

    Cape Cod

    Nauset Light is a picturesque red-and-white lighthouse guarding the shoreline at the Nauset Light Beach. Look familiar? You may have seen it on all the…

  • Seagull Beach

    Cape Cod

    Long and wide Seagull Beach, off South Sea Ave from MA 28, is the town's best south-side beach. The scenic approach to the beach runs alongside a tidal…

  • Flying Horses Carousel

    Rhode Island

    This antique merry-go-round has been in this location since 1883. It boasts a unique design: its horses are suspended on chains so that they really do …

  • Mount Sunapee State Park

    New Hampshire

    Lake Sunapee is a worthwhile detour any time of year, but especially in summer when you can enjoy the wide sandy beach and pleasant grassy lawns of Mount…

  • Westport Historical Society

    Connecticut

    The Westport Historical Society organizes local walks and guided tours based on a historical theme. The once-a-year Hidden Garden tour is a green-thumber…

  • Children's Museum of New Hampshire

    New Hampshire

    Just 12 miles north of Portsmouth, this children's museum teaches and entertains, with interactive exhibits like the Dino Detective (where kids can be a…

  • Block Island Historical Society

    Rhode Island

    This excellent local history society runs a compact but top-notch museum covering all things Block Island. If you're around on a Tuesday, don't miss one…

  • Newport Museum of Art

    Newport

    This vibrant city art museum has a permanent collection of around 2600 artworks focusing on American and contemporary art from the 18th century to the…

  • Linekin & Burley Preserves

    Midcoast Maine

    These two adjacent protected spaces encompass some 140 acres of forested Maine prettiness, situated on a windy stretch of lovely, gravel-studded…