After months of hunkering down beneath snow and ice, summer time and early fall in New England really feel like a collective sigh. Households flock to the northeast’s lake cities and coastal villages for quintessential New England holidays that go all-in on the regional allure. There’s loads of room for lengthy, lazy seashore days, climbing up cliffs alongside protected seashores and savoring these short-but-sweet months earlier than temperatures plunge as soon as extra.
Don’t miss these seaside villages and coastal cities in your subsequent New England household getaway.
Bar Harbor, Maine
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House to Acadia Nationwide Park, tiny Bar Harbor is the right start line for any household getaway to Maine. With family-friendly and accessible trails just like the Ocean Path (the place you possibly can gaze into the depths of the mighty Thunder Gap) and the 45 miles of scenic carriage roads to bike, there’s one thing for everybody.
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Cease at Jordan Pond Home for top tea and popovers earlier than taking a hike up the Bubbles, a straightforward 830-foot peak. Or take a drive up Cadillac Mountain for the primary glimpse of dawn wherever on the east coast – reservations required from mid-Could to mid-October – or for the extra intrepid amongst you, hike up in time for breakfast.
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Camden, Maine
Midcoast Maine is among the prettiest spots for a New England trip. And at simply 1½ hours from Portland, it makes for an excellent day journey vacation spot. Camden Hills State Park, house to 780-foot Mt. Battie, is the place to start out. The short-but-scenic hike offers you an excellent take a look at Penobscot Bay, among the best crusing spots alongside the coast. Don’t miss lunch on the award-winning Lengthy Grain restaurant (presently serving takeout solely) and high it off with River Duck’s Ice Cream for dessert.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is a basic Maine seashore vacation spot for a motive. Households and four-legged mates can spend the complete day hanging out at Gooch’s Seashore or Goose Rocks Seashore. In case you’re bored with seashore time, discover the quirky Seashore Trolley Museum, which showcases the historical past of buses, trains and cars from round america. Don’t overlook to order forward for beach-ready lunches from the favored Clam Shack, a Kennebunkport establishment.
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From Kennebunkport, head up the remainder of southern Maine’s charming Route 1. Spend a day at Outdated Orchard Seashore or in close by Ogunquit (it’s among the best household seashore holidays in the complete nation) for extra nice views, charming vintage retailers and scrumptious lobster rolls.
Rye, New Hampshire
New Hampshire solely has 18 miles of Atlantic shoreline, however the Granite State positive makes it rely. For households on the lookout for a seashore possibility solely an hour away from Boston, Rye is a good alternative. With a set of oceanfront state parks with playgrounds and picnic tables – Wallis Sands, Odiorne Level and Rye Harbor – you’ve a lot to select from.
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At Odiorne Level, cease in on the Seacoast Science Middle to study in regards to the marine ecosystem, from whales to guided tide pooling excursions and an indoor contact tank.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Historic Portsmouth is the right New England trip gateway to discover New Hampshire’s seacoast. The port city affords loads of scrumptious eats alongside Market Road and Congress Road that overlook the harbor. Step again in time with a tour of the Strawbery Banke Museum, the location of the primary Portsmouth settlement; or the united statesAlbacore, a decommissioned naval submarine. Most weekends, you’ll discover reside music or leisure oceanside at Prescott Park.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Use Newburyport as your house base to discover Massachusetts’ historic North Shore. With a extra relaxed really feel than close by Rockport or Salem, you’ll discover reside music down on the waterfront, cute cobblestone streets, a walkable downtown and nice meals.
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The North Shore is thought for its roast beef sandwiches (with ocean views, no much less!) and also you’ll discover among the greatest at Port Metropolis Sandwich Co. or Black Cow.
Chatham, Massachusetts
Locals name Cape Cod “the Cape,” and for quintessential New England holidays on the Cape, begin with cute-as-a-button Chatham. Situated within the “elbow” of the Cape, you’ll discover among the greatest family-friendly seashores within the Northeast at Lighthouse Seashore (house to the Chatham Mild), Hardings Seashore and Ridgevale Seashore. Take a break from the seashore with strolling trails on the Monomoy Nationwide Wildlife Refuge or study monsters of the deep on the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Shark Middle.
Newport, Rhode Island
Step into the world of gilded mansions and Gatsby-style glamour in Newport, Rhode Island. However the city is far more than excursions of the Breakers or the Elms. Go mansion-spotting by strolling the scenic 3.5-mile Cliff Stroll or drive into city for the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame. In case you have budding music lovers within the household, don’t miss the annual Jazz Competition or Folks Competition, which each happen each summer time.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
You possibly can’t beat Narragansett Seashore for a calming day, but it surely’s not the one possibility in case you’re headed to Narragansett. Stroll alongside the cliffs to the Level Judith Lighthouse for some nice views. Catch the ferry to Block Island, which presently runs about each two hours , to discover the seven-mile lengthy spit of land simply off the coast for a day journey. For dinner, cease at among the best clam shacks in New England, Monahan’s Clam Shack by the Sea.
Mystic, Connecticut
Located between the Mystic River and the Atlantic, Mystic is house to the right mixture of basic seaside actions like crusing and seashore days alongside nice studying alternatives for the household. Spend a day wandering across the sprawling Mystic Seaport Museum, which recreates a Nineteenth-century fishing village right down to the workshops of the rigger and different shipbuilding tradesmen. Or say hello to sea lions, stingrays and different wildlife on the Mystic Aquarium (advance reservations required).
Madison, Connecticut
Hang around at Hammonasset Seashore State Park or Meigs Level Nature Middle within the basic seashore city of Madison, Connecticut. Stroll the historic Madison Inexperienced district for a glimpse of colonial structure (on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations). For the e book lovers, seize your subsequent nice trip binge learn at RJ Julia Booksellers, one of many high unbiased bookstores (and the cutest!) within the nation.
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