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.
61. Look for seaglass on Jamestown Island
I first heard about Jamestown from a boat tour guide in Newport. We learned that you could spend the day here enjoying scenic beaches, taking a whale watching cruise, and enjoying local cuisine. The island’s many beaches are often ranked as the best in Rhode Island for collecting sea- glass. In fact, cobalt blue glass (one of the rarest colors) is often found. Unfortunately, Mike and I only found standard white, green, and brown pieces, but it was a fun experience nonetheless and we enjoyed the laid-back vibe.
Location: Jamestown, RI 02835
62. Stop by for a friendly drink “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”
Boston is home to Cheers, a pub widely popular from the 1990’s TV sitcom. The original Cheers is located on Beacon Street, while a replica is found in popular tourist hotspot Faneuil Hall. Bull & Finch Pub was the original name of the Beacon Street location, until it was renamed in 1992. Mike and I visited the original location. The food was super pricey, but I loved the ambiance. I watched Cheers pretty regularly back in the day (and sometimes just stopped for a minute while flipping to listen to the fantastic theme song).
Although exterior shots of the bar were used for filming, the interior was not used at all, and the bar does not replicate that seen in the TV show. The vibe is still super cozy and it really feels like somewhere “where everybody knows your name.” If you are looking for a replica of the TV show, head over to the Faneuil Hall location where the inside has been built to resemble that shown on the TV program.
Location: 84 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 (Beacon Hill location) & 1 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109 (Faneuil Hall location). UPDATE: The Faneuil Hall location is now closed.
63. Take a fall foliage chairlift ride
Many ski resorts offer scenic fall color lift rides as soon as the hues begin to change. Blue Hills ski area in Milton offers scenic chairlift rides every October. On selected dates, you can take a ride to the top of the hill and enjoy the beautiful views. Once on top you can choose amongst various hikes, including the short walk over to the Elliott observation tower for colorful views of the hills and a bonus view of the Boston skyline from afar. Check the Blue Hills website for this year’s dates.
Update: I am not sure if this park still offers rides (it’s best to check with the office). Wachusett Mountain is an alternative that will cost a bit more. And of course, many ski resorts in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire offer rides this time of year.
Location: 4001 Washington St, Canton, MA 02021
64. Explore nature at Buttonwood Park Zoo
This small zoo in New Bedford is worthy of a visit for the well-maintained grounds and up close views of the animals. It’s a great place to get out for a bit of exercise – you will find a walking path around the zoo and a small scenic pond. This friendly zoo hosts various events throughout the year, including Holiday ZOOboolie and Boo at the Zoo. While it is much smaller than neighboring Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, admission is cheaper and crowds basically non existent!
Location: 425 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA 02740
65. Shop, Dine, and Sightsee in Downtown Camden, Maine
Camden, located in Mid-coast Maine, is one of the most beautiful towns in the US. The quaint downtown area is perfect for a summer stroll. Great local restaurants and shops, pretty landscaping, and coastal views make for a very enjoyable afternoon. Tip: Have lunch at Camden Deli and make sure to sit on the rooftop terrace: you will be treated with stunning views and great food! I love that they offer so many great wraps including numerous veggie options. Lots of great touristy shops where you can pick up knick knacks, Christmas gifts, and little decor pieces for around the house.
Location: Main St, Camden, ME 04843
66. Tour the Mayflower replica
Along Plymouth’s historic waterfront, you will find a replica of the Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth back in 1620. For a fee, you are able to tour the inside of the ship and hear stories about the Pilgrims (complete with actors in period costume).
Additional information on the Mayflower tours
Location: Water Street Plymouth MA, 02362
67. Enjoy a nature stroll at Massasoit State Park
This heavily forested Southeastern Massachusetts park is perfect for a summer hike. It’s not as big as some of the other state parks in the area, however, the trails provide decent views of ponds and cranberry bogs. You will also find plenty of shady areas for an afternoon picnic. Overall, I find this a great place to relax away from more touristy destinations closer to Boston. While living in Bristol County, I often made a quick drive over here mid week to enjoy a break from the stuffy gym.
Location: 1361 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton, MA 02718
68. Bike along Cape Cod’s Province Lands Trail
Cape Cod’s scenic Province Lands Trail, a 5.25 mile long loop, is a great way to explore the beautiful scenery in the area, especially the dunes. If you bike a bit further you can visit Race Point Beach, which is consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the US. I have always been fascinated by sand dunes, so I loved the scenery on this trail. It really stands out from most other trails in Massachusetts, which are gorgeous, but typically all offer the same forested scenery.
Location: Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA 02657
69. Plan a summer day at Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln Woods State Park is home to a covered bridge, offering beautiful photography opportunities during the summer and fall foliage seasons. The small park features hiking and horseback riding trails, in addition to a freshwater lake, which is perfect for summer swimming. Eastern Mountain Sports Kayak School offers rentals and lessons for those interested in getting out onto the water. It’s a great place to enjoy recreation anytime of the year due to the beautiful and quaint setting.
Location: 2 Manchester Print Works Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865
70. Take a scenic nature walk at Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge
Boyden Wildlife Refuge, a volunteer run sanctuary, is one of the nicer places to take a peaceful walk in Southeast Massachusetts. It’s a great place for photography due to the scenic location on Taunton’s Three Mile River. Also a fantastic place to birdwatch so bring your binoculars! The trails are all really short here (and there are only a few total), so I would recommend this one more to the birdwatchers out there.
Location: 1298 Cohannet Street, Taunton, MA
