The Ultimate New England Bucket List: The Best Places to Visit in New England
New England is one of the most beautiful parts of the United States, but I may be biased since I live there! It has six beautiful states and offers fun things to do year-round.
Many people travel to New England in the fall to experience the vibrant foliage, but it is the perfect destination for any season! The winter has snow-capped mountains, skiing, and snowshoeing, the spring has beautiful waterfalls and wildflowers, and the summer offers the best time to hike.
Since there are many things to add to a New England bucket list, this guide will focus on the best places to visit and the best things to do year-round. Since I grew up exploring everything the Northeast offers, I created this guide to help you create the ultimate New England bucket list!
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New England Bucket List in Vermont
Stowe
Stowe is one of the most scenic places in Vermont and should be on every New England bucket list! Stowe is one of the most beautiful towns in Vermont and offers many things to do year-round.
You can enjoy hiking its many trails, waterfall chasing, skiing, or staying in a cozy cabin. Even if you do not enjoy hiking or skiing, you can still take in the stunning views from a scenic drive through Smugglers’ Notch. You will fall in love with this picturesque town!
Stowe bucket list:
Stowe Mountain Resort
Smuggerls’ Notch State Park
Mount Mansfield
Waterbury Center State Park
Gold Brook Covered Bridge
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
Burlington
Burlington is a beautiful city in Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain and is one of the best places to visit in New England for a getaway year-round! Summer and fall are the most popular seasons because the weather is warm, and the activities are endless. You can eat delicious food, explore the Church Street Marketplace, boat on Lake Champlain, or hike on its trails.
If you want to visit in the winter, Burlington is close to many ski resorts, offering many winter activities. Also, Vermont has the most breweries per capita in the United States, so Burlington is the best place to visit in New England for beer lovers.
Burlington bucket list:
Church Street Marketplace
Waterfront Park
Red Rocks Park
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Spirit of Ethan Allen Lake Champlain Cruise
Manchester
One of the most quaint and beautiful towns in Vermont is Manchester. Manchester is a quintessential New England town perfect for a getaway. It is a popular destination for many in the fall because of its vibrant foliage, but it offers many things to do year-round.
No matter what time of year you visit, you can spend your days exploring stunning churches, delicious restaurants, fun breweries, and hiking trails! Manchester will quickly become one of your favorite places in New England towns to visit.
Manchester bucket list:
Mount Equinox
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Equinox Valley Nursery
Lye Brook Falls
Southern Vermont Arts Center
New England Bucket List in New Hampshire
White Mountains
If visiting some of the most beautiful mountains in New England is on your bucket list, the White Mountains is the place for you! The White Mountains has almost 800,000 acres of beautiful mountains in New Hampshire and has fun activities year-round!
You can drive to the top of Mount Washington, hike one of its many trails, chase its beautiful waterfalls, and ski at one of its resorts. The White Mountains is one of the best places to visit in New England, and you will quickly realize why it should be on every bucket list!
White Mountains bucket list:
Mount Washington Auto Road
Kancamagus Highway
Conway Scenic Railroad
Ice Castles
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
Loon Mountain Resort
Lake Winnipesaukee
The Lakes Region in New Hampshire is home to the most beautiful lakes in the state and should be on every New England bucket list! You can enjoy boating, hiking, and eating delicious food. And the best part? It is a perfect place to visit year-round!
The summer and fall are the busiest times in Meredith because it is a paradise for boaters. Winter is a quieter season but still offers many things to do! No matter what season you visit Lake Winnipesaukee, you will love your time there!
Lake Winnipesaukee bucket list:
Weirs Beach
Endicott Rock State Historic Site
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
M/S Mount Washington Scenic Tour Cruise
Mount Major
Gunstock Mountain
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a beautiful city along the New Hampshire coastline, and although it is small, it offers many fun activities! You can walk through its downtown, explore the USS Albacore Museum, relax on a nearby beach, or hike in Odiorne Point State Park. Portsmouth also has many delicious restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food with ocean views!
Portsmouth bucket list:
USS Albacore Museum
Prescott Park
Strawberry Banke Museum
Fort Stark State Historic Site
Odiorne Point State Park
New England Bucket List in Maine
Portland
Portland is a beautiful city along the coast of Maine and has many things to do, including delicious restaurants, cute shops, beautiful beaches, and stunning lighthouses. You can walk through Old Port, take a boat ride to a nearby island, or explore the iconic Portland Head Light. And if eating a delicious lobster roll is on your New England bucket list, you have many places to choose from, including The Highroller Lobster Company and Becky's Diner!
Portland bucket list:
Portland Head Light
Portland Museum of Art
Peaks Island
Bug Light
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Two Lights State Park
Eat lobster rolls
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor is home to the only national park in New England, Acadia National Park. One of the best things about Acadia National Park is it has something for everyone! You can hike, relax on a beach, or enjoy delicious seafood.
Acadia National Park is among the most-visited national parks in the United States, and it is always crowded, especially during summer and fall. I recommend starting your days early to avoid most crowds and explore the must-see attractions before most people enter the park. You will quickly fall in love with everything Acadia National Park offers and realize why it is on every New England bucket list!
Acadia National Park bucket list:
Cadillac Mountain
Schooner Head Overlook
Sand Beach
Otter Cliff
Jordan Pond
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Camden
Camden is a stunning coastal town in Midcoast Maine on Penobscot Bay that should be on every New England bucket list! The beautiful town offers many things to do year-round and is the perfect spot for a getaway every season.
You can enjoy shopping in its downtown, sail on a cruise, hike in Camden Hills State Park, or relax by the ocean. If you visit in the winter, you can also ski at the Camden Snow Bowl! When you visit Camden, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best places to visit in New England!
Camden bucket list:
Camden Hills State Park
Megunticook Falls
Camden Harbor Cruises
Beech Hill Preserve
Ragged Mountain Preserve
Laite Memorial Beach
Rangeley
Rangeley is a stunning area of Northern Maine surrounded by beautiful forests, mountains, and six lakes! There are many things to do in Rangeley year-round, so you can visit the beautiful area in any season and have many outdoor activities available.
From paddling on the shores of Rangeley Lake, hiking Bald Mountain, skiing on Saddleback Mountain, or enjoying a scenic drive, there are many things to do in Rangeley, Maine, for everyone! Rangeley should be on every New England bucket list for year-round fun!
Rangeley bucket list:
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lake State Park
Bald Mountain
Saddleback Mountain
Snowmobile
Smalls Falls
New England Bucket List in Massachusetts
Boston
Boston is the largest city in New England and has something to do for everyone! You can spend a lifetime exploring everything Boston offers, but you can see the highlights in a few days.
You can walk through history on the Freedom Trail, eat at delicious restaurants in the North End, explore the Boston Common and Public Garden, and enjoy ocean views in Seaport. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxed or lively city getaway, Boston is the perfect place to visit in New England!
Boston bucket list:
Boston Common and Public Garden
New England Aquarium
Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace
Boston Duck Tour
The Freedom Trail
Berkshires
Did you know Massachusetts has mountains and waterfalls? Often people forget that Massachusetts is home to stunning outdoor areas, like the Berkshires! The Berkshires are in western Massachusetts and is the perfect place to visit if you want to escape the city. It offers many things to do year-round, including hiking trails, ski resorts, and museums. It is the perfect place to visit in New England to enjoy a peaceful getaway!
Berkshires bucket list:
Mount Greylock
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Wahconah Falls State Park
Bash Bish Falls State Park
Natural Bridge State Park
Normal Rockwell Museum
Martha’s Vineyard
Did you know New England has islands you can visit? Martha’s Vineyard is a stunning 20-mile-long island off the south coast of Cape Code and is the perfect place for a weekend trip, especially in the warmer months.
The island is one of the most stunning places in Massachusetts, in my opinion, because of its beautiful beaches and cliffs. You will fall in love with the island as soon as you step foot on it! You can enjoy relaxing by the ocean, exploring Gay Head Light, or hiking to Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook.
Martha’s Vineyard bucket list:
Gay Head Light
Aquinnah Cliffs
Mytoi Japanese Garden
East Chop Lighthouse
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Long Point Beach
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is often on every New England summer bucket list! Cape Cod is a stunning peninsula in Massachusetts with over 130 beaches, some of which are among the most beautiful beaches in the northeast!
Provincetown is a lively part of Cape Cod and is perfect if you want a combination of beautiful beaches and fun nightlife. But no matter where you stay, you can enjoy its stunning beaches! You can also enjoy other non-beach things, like the Nauset Lighthouse, Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, and Heritage Museums & Gardens.
Cape Cod bucket list:
Coast Guard Beach
Heritage Museums & Gardens
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
Race Point Lighthouse
Nauset Lighthouse
Race Point Beach
Nickerson State Park
New England Bucket List in Rhode Island
Newport
Newport is a stunning city near the ocean and holds so much history. One of the best things to do year-round is to explore the Newport Mansions and walk through the Gilded Age. Many of the mansions are museums that you can explore inside, too!
If you want to enjoy a scenic walk near the Newport Mansions, you can walk the 3.5-mile cliff walk along the ocean. If you are looking for a unique experience in the winter, you can get cozy in one of the igloos at Gurney’s, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks! Newport should be on every New England bucket list!
Newport bucket list:
The Breakers
Marble House
Rosecliff
Cliff Walk
Fort Adams State Park
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Brenton Point State Park
Block Island
Are you looking for another island to visit in New England? Block Island is 7-mile long island off the coast of Rhode Island that is perfect for a summer trip! The island has many beautiful beaches to relax on and offers outdoor activities, including hiking, sailing, fishing, and bicycling. Although it is a small island, it will become one of your favorite places to visit in New England!
Block Island bucket list:
South East Lighthouse
Mohegan Bluffs
Mansion Beach
Ballard’s Beach
Clayhead Nature Trail
Providence
Providence is another small city that holds a lot of history. Providence was one of the first places in the United States to industrialize, and you can walk through the city's history. There are also many museums and zoos to explore, including the RISD Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Providence Children’s Museum!
If you would rather spend your time outdoors, you can spend your weekend exploring Roger Williams Park, Prospect Terrace, and Waterplace Park. Providence is an underrated place to visit in New England!
Providence bucket list:
Waterplace Park
Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park Zoo
WaterFire
RISD Museum
India Point Park
New England Bucket List in Connecticut
Mystic
If you are looking for another small city near the ocean in New England, Mystic is perfect for you! Mystic was known as a shipbuilding center, and now it is known for being a scenic New England city. Because it is a small city, it tends to be less crowded than others, but it does not lack things to do!
You can explore the downtown area, walk in the Mystic Seaport, and visit the Mystic Aquarium. Mystic is one of the best places to visit in New England if you want to explore a city with quintessential New England charm!
Mystic bucket list:
Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Museum of Art
Williams Beach Park
Mystic River Park
Litchfield
Litchfield is one of the most beautiful residential areas in the United States and is a great place to enjoy a getaway year-round. You can walk around the small downtown, ski at Mohawk Mountain, see a play at Warner Theatre, or hike nearby trails at Kent Falls State Park! The small, picturesque town will quickly become one of your favorite places to visit in New England!
Litchfield bucket list:
Mohawk Mountain
Mt Tom State Park
Topsmead State Forest
Black Rock State Park
Sunset Meadow Vineyards
Kent Falls State Park
Hartford
Although Hartford is a small city in New England, it does not lack things to do! Similarly to Boston, it is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States, offering beautiful historic buildings to explore, including Connecticut’s Old State House, Henry Whitfield State Museum, and Connecticut State Capitol.
It also has a mix of stunning modern buildings! If you would rather spend your time outdoors, you can explore the Bushnell Park Foundation and Elizabeth Park Conservancy. Hartford is an underrated place to have on a New England bucket list!
Harford bucket list:
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Connecticut Science Center
Connecticut’s Old State House
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
Great River Park
If you are looking for the best places to visit in New England, this guide is the perfect starting point! It has everything you need to know about what to put on a New England bucket list!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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