New England Road Trip

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Public Gardens in the Fall, Boston, MA Photographic Print

New England is centralized by the city of Boston, which serves as the hub for the six states, but has several other major cities and destinations. In Connecticut, the capitol of Hartford is in the epicenter of the state, while interesting architecture and the famous Yale University can be found further south in New Haven. Further along I-95, you'll find Providence, which has excellent Italian restaurants, fascinating animals at the Roger Williams Zoo, and a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner. To the south, Newport, Rhode Island is home to some of the most beautiful mansions in the world. Many of these mansions belonged to well known wealthy families like the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and the Astors. To the east, the former whaling capitol of the world, New Bedford, has deep historical roots and preserved cobblestone roads.

Farther north are the I-90 cities of Worcester and Springfield, with Vermont's mountain city of Rutland to the north. Burlington, Vermont is the largest city in the state and offers gorgeous views of Lake Champlain. New Hampshire's cities are relatively small, but does have Manchester and Portsmouth to the south. Maine's Portland is an old style city with charming shops, churches, and incredible views of the seaport.

The seasons are what drive New England and set it apart from much of the rest of the country. Unlike anywhere else in the country, the northeast experiences four distinct seasons, with rough, snowy winters, mild, rainy springs, scorching hot and humid summers, and dry, colorful autumns. The constant change is what makes the area so unique, and each season has its own set of activities and events to embrace the ushering in of the time of year. Fall festivals, summer fireworks, spring cleanups, and winter skiing will give you an idea of what makes New England home to over 7 million people.

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Rocky Coast of Isle Au Haut, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA Photographic Print
Thousands of islands are located just offshore of every state, Vermont included, in New England. Some you've probably heard of, like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Block Island, but the area has many equally impressive destinations to choose from like Monomy Island, Plum Island, and Isle au Haut. Here's a list of some of the premiere island destinations:

Thimble Islands
Cruise along the Thimble Islands of Connecticut aboard Captain Bob's tours and private charters!

Block Island
Rhode Island's most famous island, filled with giant bluffs and sandy beaches.

Nantucket
One of the most pristine and protected areas of Massachusetts, Nantucket is a giant tourist destination for MA residents and far away tourists.

Martha's Vineyard
Find charming villages, lighthouses, sand and surf at Martha's Vineyard, located south of Wood's Hole, MA.

Monomoy Island
Monomoy Island is located south of Chatham, MA, and has no human inhabitants. It is however, home to migrating birds and gray seals.

Plum Island
On the north shore of Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border is Plum Island. Lighthouses, restaurants, and the wide expanses of salt marshes are subject to occasional visits by migrating Snowy Owls and the Piping Plover.

Boston Harbor Islands
It's a National Park designated area consisting of many small islands containing lighthouses, old historic forts, and beautiful views of the city.

Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island contains the amazing sites of Acadia National Park.

Isle au Haut
Right outside of Isle au Haut is Acadia National Park, both of which are on scenic Penobscot Bay.

Monhegan Island
Halfway up the coast of Maine is Monhegan Island, ten miles from the coast, and only accessible via boat.

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Newport Blues Art Print, Newport Bridge in a still fog.

Newport
Newport might just be the nicest place in New England along the coast. The striking rocky cliffs are decorated with mansions, old and new, along Bellevue Drive and Ocean Drive (a trip you'll never forget).

Roger Williams Zoo
Roger Williams Zoo in Providence has an eclectic range of animal species, all kept within a relatively small distance. This makes the zoo easy to visit in just a half day or less (come early on the weekends especially however).

Sakonnet Vineyards
Sakonnet Point, opposite Newport, is located in Little Compton Rhode Island. A leisurely drive down this peninsula will lead to this remote winery offering wines grown right on the coast, an unexpected treat in this part of New England.

Rhode Island Beaches
Rhode Island isn't renowned for their beaches, but that's because they're a well-kept secret. Secret's out now, they're some of the best in New England.

Jamestown Rhode Island (Conanicut Island)
The small island of Conanicut is west of Newport, linked by the famous Newport Bridge. It's small, but rural and untouched, with grazing sheep, a small village center, lighthouses, windmills, parks, and views of the city across the Narragansett Bay.

Federal Hill
Federal Hill boasts some of the best Italian restaurants in the northeast, gallery shopping and nightlife in downtown Providence.

Brenton Point State Park
Brenton Point State Park defines Rhode Island and Newport. It's the tip of Narragansett Bay, always a bit cooler than the mainland, and just minutes from downtown Newport. Stop and watch the boats drift by, bring a kite to fly on the windy rocks, or search around for marine life in the tidal pools that the crashing waves leave behind daily.

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Driftwood on the Beach with a Lighthouse in the Background, Block Island, Rhode Island Photographic Print

Block Island

To the west of Martha's Vineyard, east of Long Island, lies Block Island. High cliffs and inaccessibility preserve its uniqueness and Rhode Island charm. The island can be reached by ferry, but should be booked far in advance during the summer.

Blackstone River Bikeway
The Blackstone River Valley is experiencing a big resurgence and a massive undertaking in the form of the newly constructed Blackstone River Bikeway. This beautiful area winds through hills, rivers, small towns, and connects the 2nd and 3rd largest cities of New England, Worcester and Providence. 10 miles of the path are complete, and construction is ongoing.

Here's an excellent list of more things to do in Rhode Island.

Rockport, Massachusetts, USA Premium Photographic Print

Masachusetts will take you across the winding backroads of the Berkshires, down to the rolling dunes of Cape Cod, and up to the rocky shores of Rockport all within a few hours drive of each other. The state has great charm and historical significance. The roots of America are planted deeply into towns like Lexington, Concord, and Plymouth, while the capitol of Boston serves as the financial hub of all of New England and the state of Massachusetts.

Boston
Travel to the economic, social, and cultural center of New England to experience the museums, islands, villages, and libraries this world renowned city has to offer.

Quabbin Reservoir
This area is set aside as a giant drinking water supply for Massachusetts, serving over 2 million people, but also has incredible hiking around the reservoir.

Cape Cod
Cape Cod is the key attraction of Massachusetts, with millions heading to the island-like peninsula every year. Starting with Bourne and ending in Provincetown, every town has its own charm. This page will give you some of the best places to visit on the Cape.

The South Shore of Massachusetts
The South Shore, that is, towns south of Boston and north of Cape Cod, offer beautiful beaches in Nantasket, Duxbury, and Plymouth. Follow Route 3A to stay along the coastal towns, and visit favorites like Marshfield, Scituate, Hingham, and Cohasset.

Rockport
This seaside village on the coast of Cape Anne is an artist's colony and fisherman's town, with beautiful aged buildings, restaurants and lighthouses on the rocky shore.

The Berkshires
Mountainside towns like Lenox, Lee, and Williamstown make the Berkshires an interesting road trip destination in Massachusetts, with historic museums, rolling hills, and colorful mountains.

My personal favorite spot in Massachusetts: The unspoiled beaches of Cape Cod are some of the best in the country. Towns like Chatham, Harwich, and the shoreside villages of Nauset give the greatest example of "cape life."

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Rental Cottages Along a Cape Cod Beach
Photographic Print

New England is best seen by car, and on your road travels, you'll come across the big chain hotels as well as some small bed and breakfasts and inns. Use your own judgement, along with TripAdvisor.com to tell you where the best places might be. Most people prefer to experience New England for what it is, and you can't really get that feeling by staying at some of the bigger chain hotels. There are some exceptions where the big chains have acquired historical buildings, but for the most part, the best places are those small B&B's, inns, and cottages.