With its breathtaking shoreline, quaint villages, scenic mountains and glorious lakes, New England offers a cornucopia of summer delights for everyone from beach bums to history fans and outdoor fanatics. Cross the border from New York and you’ll find everything you’ll need for summertime dreams come true.
Captivating Connecticut has it all, from the beautiful hills of Litchfield to the pretty seaport towns of the Long Island Sound.
Try out a lazy day of tubing on the Farmington River, take the kids on a dinosaur expedition at the popular Peabody Museum in New Haven or explore life in a turn-of-the century whaling town at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
A wealth of beaches and state parks line the shoreline including historic Ocean Beach in New London where old timey arcades, an historic boardwalk and a wide swathe of sand lure young and old alike. Stop in pretty towns like Essex, Old Saybrook and quaint little Stonington village on your way to Rhode Island.
Little Rhody is deservedly famous for its stunning stretch of sandy coastline winding up from popular family vacation haven Westerly, just over the Connecticut border, through Charlestown, Narragansett and glamorous Newport.
Take the kids to Misquamicut State Beach for super surf, family friendly eateries, outdoor movies and motels right on the sand, or head to more upscale Watch Hill, once known as Little Newport, where quaint shops, two beautiful beaches (bay and ocean) and some of the best ice cream in the state await.
Afterwards, head to historic Newport where a necklace of magnificent mansions unwind along the breathtaking Cliff Walk, and the waterfront is a glorious tangle of upscale shops, galleries and restaurants.
Summer in Massachusetts is synonymous with Cape Cod, where a dazzling string of pretty coastal villages wind up to the spellbinding dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Spend the weekend at a charming little bed and breakfast just a short stroll from the beach, dine alfresco on same-day-fresh seafood and savor a sunset cocktail at a friendly local café.
Biking, swimming, sailing, horseback riding and surfing are all part of a day’s play at the Cape. History and museum buffs should definitely make a detour to Boston, where attractions like the Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offer a fine culture break from days of sun, sand and home-made ice cream.
New Hampshire, with its verdant hills, awe-inspiring mountains and crystalline lakes is a real mecca for hikers, climbers, campers and white water rafters. Home to numerous sleepaway summer camps, this beautiful state offers a wealth of summertime treats.
Savor lunch on the verandah of an historic grand hotel, get a unique perspective on White Mountains scenery on the historic Cog Railroad, experience the magnificent vistas of the Kangamangus highway or head off to a day of kiddie delights at Story Land, a New England family tradition.
Vermont, known mainly as a super ski destination, is really a four-season playground. Before the leaf peepers descend in the fall, summer in Vermont is chock full of activities, especially at the ski resorts, where zip lines, gondolas and mountainside slides turn a winter wonderland into a spectacular summer holiday destination.
Whether you crave the romance of a rugged coastline or the solitude of miles of unspoiled wilderness, Maine is the perfect spot for summertime adventure. Quaint beach towns like Kennebunkport and Booth Bay Harbor offer a classic Maine seaside experience, while adventurers will want to explore the granite and spruce islands of Arcadia National Park or hike Mount Katadhin, end point of the Appalachian Trail.
Whatever roads through historic New England you choose this summer, you’re bound to find outdoor adventure, seaside delights, historic wonders and plenty of fun in the sun.
If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.
