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.
31. Visit a unique horror wax museum
You can’t get much better than a horror themed wax museum! Horror fans and Salem Halloween visitors will love this dedication to the best horror movie characters, both past and present. As a fan of both horror and wax museums, I loved it. Freddy Krueger, Jason, Pennywise from It, and so many more lifelike creatures of the night can be found lurking inside. Of course, Winifred from Hocus Pocus makes an appearance. Did you know that scenes from the 90’s cult classic were actually filmed in Salem?
Bonus: During the month of October, the museum is transformed into a creepy haunted house. I would really love too visit the haunted house one day, although it would be pretty scary seeing all those wax figures, especially after watching House of Wax (a great movie if you haven’t seen it).
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery tickets
Location: 285 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
32. Explore the restaurants and shops on Newport’s historic Thames Street
Newport’s historic street is one of the oldest in the state of Rhode Island. Today, it is home to the most popular restaurants and shops in the city. Mamma Luisa Italian is a great local Italian choice. I really love their ravioli. During the summer months, this area is bustling with both tourists and locals. Whether you are seeking a lively pub, a quaint local shop, or a great lunch, Thames St. is where to find it!
Location: Thames St Newport, RI 02840
33. Explore the largest collection of battleships at Battleship Cove
Fall River is home to the world’s largest collection of naval ships. At Battleship Cove, you will be able to tour both the insides and outsides of the USS Massachusetts, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the USS Lionfish, Hidensee, and PT boats. As an added bonus, you will be treated to scenic views of the Taunton River and the Charles M. Braga Bridge. Tip: park your car in Fall Heritage State Park and take the mile long stroll along the river: this is where the best views and of the USS Massachusetts can be found. I lucked out and visited on a free local day.
Location: 5 Water St, Fall River, MA 02721
34. Cheer on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden
Besides being a historical hotspot, Boston is also famous for being one of America’s top sport cities. Locals are very dedicated to their teams. Personally, I am a big Patriots fan despite living in Chicago, although I have always been a Bulls fan. Nevertheless, we attended a few Celtics game for fun while living in the area. While many tourists flock over to Fenway for a Red Sox game, too many never consider the other major team in town! Loyal Celtics fans pack the Garden each season to cheer on their beloved team. Get ready to experience a fun game, packed with a lively, decked out crowd! I enjoyed the hometown pride and passionate fans.
Location: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114
35. Ice skate at gorgeous Boston Common
During the winter months, Boston’s Frog Pond is transformed into a winter wonderland. You can enjoy a skating session with the beautiful cityscape in the background, along with holiday music and lights. The setting is perfect for a holiday date or fun filled family afternoon. I love that they hold skating competitions here.
As a bonus, the rink is within walking distance to many attractions, as well as great restaurants and coffeehouses. The entire downtown looks pretty magical this time of year. I spent 2 Christmas Eves skating and walking over to the giant Christmas tree.
Location: 131 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111
36. Take a ride along Newport’s scenic 10 Mile Drive
Newport’s popular Ten Mile Drive offers gorgeous views of the ocean, mansions, and serene green New England landscapes. The drive is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time. It will only take up a small fraction of your day, so it can easily be incorporated into your trip itinerary. There are plenty of places to get out and enjoy the views. I recommend taking the drive during the summer months for the freshest, greenest views. While it is not the best thing to do in town (I prefer Cliffwalk), it’s a great add on.
Location: 367 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI 02840
37. Ski & stay in a woodsy lodge in Vermont
Vermont is beautiful anytime of the year, especially during fall foliage and the snowy winter seasons. The state frequently rates as one of the best for skiing, and Dover is no exception. During the winter months, treat yourself to a ski getaway at Mt. Snow Resort, which offers snowmaking on 80 trails. Mt. Snow is the only North American resort which uses a 6 passenger bubble chairlift. Festive events and special promotions are offered throughout the year.
Not a skier? Don’t worry there are plenty of other great activities to partake in, including: tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, guided snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, and dog sledding. After your adventures, be sure to check out the various dining, shopping, and spa treatments at Nature Spa. The West Dover scenic overlook is also a must see on any trip. In terms of lodging, Kitzhof Inn is a great choice, with cozy lodging, great amenities, and a free shuttle to the resort.
Location: Mt. Snow Resort is located at 39 Mount Snow Rd. West Dover, VT 05356, Kitzhof Inn is located at 332 Vermont 100, West Dover, VT 05356.
38. Treat yourself to an Italian dinner in Boston’s North End neighborhood
Boston’s oldest residential community is well known for its’ Italian heritage and abundance of quality Italian restaurants. The neighborhood is packed with restaurant after restaurant. I found one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the country here, Giacomo’s. I love their pumpkin ravioli and Mike loves their lobster ravioli. To date, this is the best pumpkin tortellini I have tasted in my life. We love this place so much that we have taken out-of-state visitors here multiple times.
Location: Hanover St Boston, MA 02113
39. Stroll around Boston Public Garden
This gorgeous, tranquil garden is located adjacent to Boston Common. It is beautiful any season, especially during the summer when the leaves return and flowers are in bloom. Don’t rule out a winter visit either; the park is beautiful when covered with snow. I love visiting on an isolated winter day and watching the hockey players. Movie buffs will be interested to know that the famous Good Will Hunting bench scene filmed here (more on that later).
Location: 69 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
40. Take a Harvard University tour
Harvard is one of the hardest colleges to get into with an acceptance rate of just 4%. This alone makes it intriguing. Did you know that Harvard University offers free tours to the public? Each weekday, you can sign up for a 1 hour student led tour through historic Harvard Yard. During the tour, you will learn interesting tidbits about the history of the school along with a current student’s perspective on campus life. This interesting tour is sure to satisfy prospective students, history buffs, and anyone else that appreciates beautiful architecture. I loved learning about the statue of 3 lies (take the tour and you will find out what it stands for).
Location: 1350 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138
