Exploring New England
New England packs extremes into a small area – from mountain wilderness to beaches that reach the horizon, from picturesque villages to pulsing cities. Start with two days on foot seeing the historic sights of Boston, then pack the car and head out to explore the rest of New England over the next seven days.
Two Days in Boston
Day 1
Take a free Boston Park Ranger walking tour of the first half of the Freedom Trail , from Faneuil Hall to the Old South Meeting House.
Join the other free ranger-led Freedom Trail tour from Faneuil Hall to the Old North Church.
Boston’s Faneuil Hall has served as a meeting hall and market since 1742.
Day 2
Start your day with Impressionism and more at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts .
Peruse the bookstores of Harvard Square , then see the Harvard Museum of Natural History . At the waterfront, visit the New England Aquarium .
Seven Days in New England
Tour scenic Lake Waramaug in the Litchfield Hills , and climb the trail to the top of Kent Falls . Later in the afternoon, spend some time exploring the historic village of Stockbridge in the Berkshires and visit the hip town of Great Barrington . For the evening, buy advance tickets for the Boston Symphony (summer only) at Tanglewood Music Center .
In the Green Mountains , visit Manchester ’s outlet stores and enjoy the breathtaking views from the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive . Tour Hildene , then drive to the stunning Lakes Region in New Hampshire.
At the resort of Weirs Beach , explore Lake Winnipesaukee on board the M/S Mount Washington . Then drive north to Lincoln to follow the Kancamagus Highway east, stopping for a hike to one of the many waterfalls. Continue east to Portland .
Lake Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake at approximately 21 miles (34 km) long.
Take a stroll around Portland’s Old Port District and enjoy a seafood lunch. Afterwards, drive to the magical Mount Desert Island and visit the lively resort town of Bar Harbor and the Abbe Museum .
Start the day by exploring the natural wonders of Cadillac Mountain , Sand Beach , and Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park. Lunch early on the lawns at Jordan Pond House . Then drive south to Cape Cod , stopping to visit the pretty town of Falmouth .
Take a break to relax on the stunning beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore . In the late afternoon, head down to colorful Provincetown to enjoy its carnival atmosphere and, later, a fine-dining al fresco meal.
Rent a bike to explore the Cape Cod Rail Trail and Nickerson State Park . In Newport , marvel at the sumptuous Gilded Age mansion The Breakers . Then admire Newport Harbor on an America’s Cup Charters cruise.