100 Things to do in New England
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. Enjoy a hike in New Hampshire’s White Mountain region
The White Mountains is a fantastic year-round adventure oasis. Most notably, the state is home to Mt. Washington, the highest peak (6288 ft) in the Northeast. Driving the Mt. Washington Auto Road is the best way to experience panoramic views of the area. The spring and summer months are a great time to lace up your hiking boots and explore the variety of trails found within the White Mountains National Forest. In the winter, skiing is a popular pastime with 10 alpine skiing resorts and 5 Nordic skiing options. Bretton Woods, one of the largest Nordic centers in the US, is an excellent option for beginning cross country skiers (I love the scenery here!).
Location: Mt Washington Auto Road: Rt 16, Greens Grant, Gorham, NH 03581, Bretton Woods: 99 Ski Area Rd. Bretton Woods, NH 03575
12. Bike along Cape Cod’s beautiful Rail Trail
Cape Cod is home to a stunning bike trail that follows the ~20 mile path of a former railroad track. It is one of the nicest rail trails I’ve ever come across. I love that this route is tree-lined for the entire distance; being surrounded by such beauty really keeps you motivated to finish. The lush forest is so attractive – really nature at its’ best. In addition, the route is well-marked and not as crowded as other bike paths in the state. Treat yourself to ice cream treat at Hot Sparrow Chocolate (conveniently along the route) before completing the return route. For those who love seafood, there is a local gem called Cobies along the route which was rated one of the best clam shacks in New England.
Location: Rt. 134 South Dennis, MA 02660
13. Take a sightseeing cruise around Newport Harbor
Taking a guided cruise is the best way to learn about Newport’s rich history, while also enjoying the magnificent view. Mike and I took a cruise with Gansett, an excellent, affordable option which is centrally located in touristy Bowen’s Wharf. The 90 minute cruises, offered in the morning, afternoon, and evening, all include a complimentary Rhode Island treat. Our tour guide was entertaining and we also learned many new historical tidbits about the area. You are sure to leave with a better knowledge of Newport, and of course amazing photos of the coast!
Location: 31 Bowens Wharf Newport, RI 02840
14. Plan a weekend getaway to the Mohegan Sun
Connecticut’s beautiful 5 star resort and casino is one of the largest in the US. The interior design is absolutely gorgeous (be sure to check out the 55-foot tall Taughannock Falls of Tuscany and the gorgeous 3 story Chihuly crystal sculpture located in the shopping area) as is the picturesque location on The Thames River.
Not only is the setting beautiful, but you have your choice of over a dozen restaurants, a handful of bars and nightclubs, and an entire section devoted to shopping. In terms of gaming, Mohegan Sun is home to a beautiful poker room, 5500 slots, and over 325 table games. While you are in town, make sure to check out the event schedule at the Mohegan Sun Arena, which is ranked as one of the best in the world. In addition, the Wolf Den provides free entertainment by some of today’s top performers. For those looking for a relaxing getaway, you will want to check out Elemis Spa, a 22,000 square foot luxury spa. I took many daytrips here (it was about a 1.5 hour drive from where I lived).
My favorite places here are:
- Tuscany: Upscale Italian restaurant with a beautiful al fresco dining area
- Lansdowne: Irish pub with a fun lively setting. I love the Seafood Pot Pie and Mac and Cheese
- The General Store: Beautiful place to pick up old-fashioned knick knacks. I found the most gorgeous Christmas snowglobe here.
Location: 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382
15. Tour the allegedly haunted Lizzie Borden House
Fall River is best known for the Lizzie Borden murder trial, in which 33 year old Lizzie was accused and later acquitted of murdering her parents with an axe. Many claim that Lizzie still haunts the original residence, and numerous tourists have claimed to have spotted her face in the 2nd floor window. I am a huge fan of anything supernatural and purposely seek out attractions like this. Ive seen every episode of Ghost Adventures and wouldn’t mind trying my hand at using EMF equipment. So did I feel any ghostly presence? Let’s just say that I stood by the AC and enjoying the cold air (it was a 95 degree day outside), only to have the tour guide tell me that the AC is broken. Cold air is supposed to be a sign of supernatural presence. Pretty scary!
Your friendly, entertaining tour guide will take you through the entire house, while explaining the trial in detail. Best of all, your tour guide will share mysterious paranormal encounters throughout the years. And, if you can handle it (we were told that many guests leave before the night is over), why not stay overnight in one of Massachusetts most haunted places?
Location: 230 2nd St, Fall River, MA 02721
16. Hike the Skyline Trail at Blue Hills Reservation
For a great view of Boston and the surrounding hills, head over to Blue Hills Reservation, an enormous 7000 acre park in Milton (just 20 minutes outside of Boston). The Skyline Trail is a very steep 7 mile climb, however, the views are magnificent. Another interesting sight you will come across is the oldest weather observatory in the US: Blue Hills Observatory, established in 1885. Tip: this is long, hard hike. I recommend a hydration backpack to ensure you have enough water. This will also give you plenty of pockets for storing essentials. On a side note, this park is really gorgeous during the fall season. They used to offer scenic chiarlift rides – not sure if they still do, but definitely look into it.
Location: 695 Hillside St Milton, MA 02186
17. Climb to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument
Bunker Hill, one of the 16 historic sights on Boston’s Freedom Trail, also offers some of the best viewpoints of the city from its’ observatory. After a challenging 294 step climb to the top, you will be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the skyline and surrounding landscapes. The tiring uphill climb is well worth the trek for the once-in-a-lifetime views. Plus, it’s free!
What a view!
Location: Monument Sq, Charlestown, MA 02129
18. Spend a warm summer day relaxing at Second Beach
Sachuest Beach, aka Second Beach, is my favorite beach in Rhode Island for swimming or relaxing. The sand is so soft and clean, the waves are light, and the views are tremendous. This scenic beach is located just down the road from another great attraction, Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. I recommend a refreshing morning hike at Sachuest, followed by a relaxing afternoon at the beach! I don’t think I’ve ever visited this beach on sunny day, but regardless, it’s a beautiful natural place.
Location: Sachuest Point Rd. RI 02842
19. Test out ghost hunting equipment on the Plymouth Night Tour
As soon as Halloween rolls around, I check for any ghost tours and other haunted attractions wherever I live or travel. I love the season and anything really to do with ghosts. I came across this wonderful ghost tour in Plymouth (the Night Tour) where I got to tour some of the city’s oldest and most haunted attractions. Being located in such a spooky old area makes any ghost tour 100 times better. We got to use real ghost hunting equipment in Burial Hill cemetery and the Spooner House (2 haunted hotspots in Massachusetts), with the aid of paranormal investigators. Each tour guests get to use their own EMF meters which detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields.
This tour is a blast: entertaining, educational, and spooky all at the same time! Plan for a tour during Halloween season or any time of the year that you are looking for a Ghost Adventures-esque experience.
Location: 120 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360
20. Take an old-fashioned sleigh ride at Nestlenook Farms
What could be better than a snowy sleigh ride while surrounded by New Hampshire’s stunning White Mountains? Nestlenook Farms offers horse drawn sleigh rides that take you around their beautiful wintry New Hampshire resort. The setting is perfect: snow capped mountains, ice skaters gliding by on the Victorian rink, and beautiful chime music. I felt like I was in a Hallmark made-for-TV Christmas movie as we traveled along the isolated winter wonderland with the beautiful White Mountains in the background. I definitely recommend and overnight stay (or even just a daytrip) if you are a fan of winter sports and activities.
Location: 66 Dinsmore Rd, Jackson, NH 03846
