Great Things To Do in New England -- Shopping, tours, food, outdoor fun, spas, culture

New England > All New England > Things to Do and See > Great Things To Do in New England

It’s nearly impossible tally the number and range of great things to do on a singles or couples or family getaway to New England. Especially when you consider the variety of places and experiences in these six states: from mountain snow sports to dune tours, big-city nightclubs to dinners on the farm. Each state – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont – has its own geography, culture, and atmosphere.
Some pleasures – like a fine spa treatment or a day on the beach -- are common to all states. Some are unique. Vermonters love their maple season; Rhode Islanders cherish their ethnic dining in Providence, the capital, and their Newport mansions. Browse the ideas below and begin exploring.

Looking for Great Things To Do in a specific state? Click here for: Connecticut • Maine • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • Rhode Island • Vermont

Barn Sunflowers - Landmark Trust USA - Dummerston, VT

The Landmark Trust USA

707 Kipling Road Dummerston, VT, 05301 Phone: 802-254-6868

Outdoor activities await the lucky lodgers who stay on this Vermont property

The outdoors is waiting for you at the 571-acre Scott Farm and the five lodging properties of Vermont’s Landmark Trust USA. Stay in Rudyard Kipling’s Naulakha manor, or a cozy farmhouse with eye-popping views, a rustic wooden sugarhouse, a cape-style brick home or a secluded carriage house and spend your days hiking, biking, bird-watching, swimming, canoeing – or picnicking in the meadow. If it isn’t right outside your door, it’s only a short drive away. Take a tour of Naulakha or head over to the Farm Market for heirloom apples and other fruits of the season. Music festivals and golf in the summer, great skiing and sledding in the winter: It all awaits you from these enchanting historic lodgings.

Heliblock Helicopter Tours

63 Tom Harvey Road Westerly, RI, 02891 Phone: 401-859-1001

Your spirits will soar when you tour the coastline in a helicopter

The sky is not the limit when it comes to HeliBlock tours, where guests see Block Island or the Westerly shoreline from the seats of a helicopter, piloted by experienced and knowledgeable guides. They’ll tell you about lighthouses, wildlife, Block Island’s Mohegan Bluff and Great Salt Pond, or Westerly’s Misquamicut Beach (and celebrity estates). Tours over North America’s only offshore wind farm are also available, as are trips that also include dinner at an island restaurant or an open-water parasailing experience. Kids of all ages are welcome, and it’s your choice on doors open or closed. Whatever you decide, you will be making memories of a lifetime as your soar over these beautiful coastal locales.

Naval War College Museum

686 Cushing Road Newport, RI, 02841 Phone: 401-841-4052

See & learn the Navy’s role in New England, and in history

Want to learn about naval activities in the Narragansett Bay area in colonial times? Or how the science of naval warfare has changed from the time of the Greeks and Romans through the Civil War, both World Wars to today? Then head to the Naval War College Museum, free and open to the public, where naval battles and strategies come to life via changing art collections, exhibits and documents. Starting Dec. 14, learn about the Navy’s role in World War I from the new exhibit, “To Win or Lose All: William S. Sims and the U.S. Navy in the First World War.”
Year round hours: Monday -Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed weekends & federal holidays. Reservations required in advance for those without base access.

Discover Quincy

Quincy Chamber of Commerce - 1400 Hancock Street, Suite 1A Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-471-1700

Variety is the spice of everyday life in this welcoming coastal city

From history to hiking, there’s tons to do in Quincy. Visit the birthplaces of two presidents at Adams National Historical Park, take in a symphony performance, learn about granite quarries or shipbuilding at user-friendly museums, dine at a clam shack or an upscale waterfront restaurant. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, the Blue Hills Reservations boasts 7,000 acres featuring paved and unpaved hiking and biking trails as well as spectacular panoramic views. Throughout the city there are places where you can go golfing, play tennis, charter a fishing boat or just cast your line off a pier. Fancy a beach? There are several to choose from, on the ocean, ponds and river, many with playgrounds.

Find your great New England winter adventure with VisitNewEngland.com! - Click here to learn more!

Mount Greylock 500x250 - Berkshires Visitors Bureau - Photo Credit Michelle Murphy

The Berkshires of Western MA

Come Create Your Own Winter Adventure

Less than three hours from New York City and Boston, the Berkshires offer culture and adventure year-round. In winter, though, it is the crystal-clear blue skies, snow-topped mountains and fields calling out for ski and snowshoe tracks that make us an ideal vacation destination. So, too, are leisurely visits to our first-class museums, meals at our many gourmet restaurants or simply finding the perfect fireplace to relax in front of at one of our cozy New England bed and breakfast. Journey here as a couple or pack up the entire family, get out & about in the Berkshires. Whether you choose to spend your time indoors or out, the Berkshire region is a welcome respite in the winter. To learn more visit us at berkshires.org or find us on Facebook at "Visit the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts".

Whitewater Rafting - Mt. Washington Valley Chamber - North Conway, NH

Mount Washington Valley

Valley boasts winter wonderland of activities, indoors and outdoors

If you’re seeking a winter wonderland for a fun-filled family getaway or a couples weekend escape, look up: to the Mount Washington Valley, New England’s snow sports playground. With seven acclaimed alpine resorts, six Nordic and snowshoe centers, indoor and outdoor skating rinks, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog-sledding and ski touring, there is literally something for everyone. You can snow-tube down a groomed snow chute, take an invigorating winter hike past frozen waterfalls, ice skate under a dome (then warm up by a rinkside campfire) or explore miles and miles of cross-country ski trails, many winding their way through the White Mountain National Forest. Inside fun ranges from resort pools and spas to brewery and distillery tours and loads of tax-free shopping.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH, 03589 Phone: 603-278-5404 Toll-Free: 800-922-8825

Climb to the clouds on New Hampshire's Cog Railway

Step aboard the Cog Railway and get ready to climb to the Northeast's highest summit, New Hampshire's Mount Washington. The three-hour trip is always an adventure. The train travels the steepest railroad tracks in North America, passing through several climate zones before reaching the top. There, on a clear day, you'll see New England spread out before you. On other days you may be above the clouds, as if you're walking about in a fairyland. There's history on the train, too. Construction of the railway was a 19th-century engineering marvel. And you won't find engines like ours anywhere else east of the Rockies. Learn all about it at our Base Station museum, where you'll also find a restaurant and gift shop. Trains run late April through November.

Milky Way Galaxy - Blake Planetarium - Plymouth, MA

W. Russell Blake Planetarium

117 Long Pond Road Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-830-4470

Plymouth planetarium provides perfect evening for star-gazers

Look up! It’s the night sky in all its glory, but can you identify the constellations? Head to the W. Russell Blake Planetarium, where you can sit back and let the experts show you how to identify planets, bright stars and constellations. In this full-dome planetarium, a brand new DigitalSky projection system provides a full-screen image that covers the room’s entire ceiling in the mysteries of the universe. While enjoying breathtaking views and spectacular surround sound, you’ll learn about astronomy and perhaps how to use a star map (you can take it home). The planetarium also has regular weekly features including a Big Bird adventure for the kids and an exploration of the natural world below the skies.

Connecticut Wine Trail

Savor your time together

Visit any of the Connecticut Wine Trail’s 26 wineries and vineyards and relax with glass in hand alongside family and friends. All destinations have a tasting room where you can sample robust reds, crisp whites and a wide variety of local fruit wines. Be sure to take a tour and enjoy the many special events held throughout the year. Spend an afternoon escaping out in nature with a glass or two of nature’s very own special nectar.

Mystic Aquarium

55 Coogan Boulevard Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-572-5955

SEA more & do more at Mystic Aquarium

Explore the depths of our ocean planet (and beyond!) like never before! Travel Mystic Aquarium’s indoor and outdoor exhibits to visit with thousands of creatures including beluga whales, African penguins, rescued seals, colorful fish and more. Be thrilled – or chilled – by the funky features of over 30 different species of amphibians in ‘frogs!’ and discover some of nature’s most bizarre underwater animals in ‘Weird & Wonderful’. Roll up your sleeves and touch a shark, stingray or even an exotic reptile before catching a complimentary Sea Lion Show. Then step in to ‘Jurassic Giants: A Dinosaur Adventure’ to encounter 12 animatronic dinosaurs. You can even get closer during an exclusive animal encounter! Plus, enjoy special events, activities and more throughout the year that make Mystic Aquarium a destination worth revisiting often. SEA more at MysticAquarium.org.

The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Tpke. (Rt. 85) Oakdale, CT, 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367

Escape into an adventure of prehistoric proportions

Kids will jump for Jurassic joy at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, where 40-plus life-sized dinosaurs inhabit a mile and a half of pristine nature trails. You can even picnic along the trails (there are many scenic spots) if you aren’t afraid of running into the animatronic dilophosaurus or the scary therizinosaurus with the longest fingernails on Earth or the 40-foot-tall brachiosaurus. You can continue the dino theme at the manmade Raptor Bay, the obstacle-filled T. Rex Tower Playscape (complete with zip-line and giant slides), the aMAZEasaurus maze, and the Jurassic Moon Bounce. Even Splashpad, the water playground, has dinosaur water cannons. And you can dig for dino fossils at the Discovery Depot.

Southwick’s Zoo

2 Southwick Street Mendon, MA, 01756 Phone: 800-258-9182

This zoo is full of animals, adventures, activities – and so much more!

Southwick’s Zoo is really more than a zoo: It’s a zoo-plus. The plus includes a carousel, a rainforest maze, a Skyari sky ride to give you a bird’s eye view of the African Plains, a Woodland Express train ride, pony and camel rides, a place where you can mine for gems and fossils – even a two-seater zipline! And have they got animals, from lemurs and lions to snakes and sloths. Feed a parakeet in the aviary or a deer in the 35-acre deer forest, interact with pygmy goats in the petting zoo, feed a giraffe or enjoy one of several live-animal presentations and educational exhibits. Lots of dining options, from burgers and wraps to New England tavern meals.

Save The Bay

Multiple Centers & Dock Locations Providence, Newport, Westerly, RI and Fall River, MA Phone: 401-272-3540

Learning and fun go hand-in-hand at Save the Bay activities

Hands-on learning is an important part of how Save the Bay works towards its mission to protect and improve the unparalleled Narragansett Bay—but so is having fun and enjoying the beauty the Bay provides! So you might want to spy on a seal in winter on a Seal Tour or Nature Cruise (Newport, Westerly and Providence R.I.); climb aboard a narrated Lighthouse Tour in summer to observe nearly two dozen historic Rhode Island lighthouses; or stay on land to visit the beachfront Exploration Center and Aquarium, where touch tanks, interactive exhibits, and the chance to help feed some of the Bay’s critters (including sharks) put Narragansett Bay in the palm of your hand.

Historic Wethersfield

So much to see and do, indoors and out, in this historic town

Outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, shoppers and nature-lovers will all enjoy the charms and attractions of historic Wethersfield. Open historic homes range from Puritan times, through the Revolution (including the home where Washington and Rochambeau planned the Yorktown campaign) to the early 20th century. The town also has 644 acres of parkland for hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, skateboarding and swimming, among other pursuits, as well as a nature center. Main Street offers eclectic shops and galleries, and the town hosts several festivals and events, including arts and crafts fairs, a corn festival and weekly farmers’ markets. Take the country’s oldest continuously operating ferry, marvel at the giant trees in the Broad Street Green, enjoy a movie night or a town tour by lantern.

Mill Falls at the Lake

312 Daniel Webster Highway Meredith, NH, 03253 Phone: 877-574-5935

Chill out or warm up to a variety of activities at lakefront resort

Come to relax or come to play: Mill Falls at the Lake is your ideal destination either way. Kick back at the Cascade Spa, in the indoor pool or in your comfy room at one of four inviting inns. Dine at the Waterfall Cafe overlooking a tumbling 40-foot waterfall or at Lago, with its rustic Italian specialties. Or enjoy the outdoors: Hike up scenic Mount Major or along the Winnipesaukee River Trail, go winter trail biking or take a guided ice-fishing tour. In warmer weather, take a chartered boat cruise to view a Lake Winnipesaukee sunset, or get to know the lake via an aqua cycle, kayak or canoe. Don’t forget to shop at the fun-to-explore Mill Falls Marketplace.

Spirit of Boston

200 Seaport Boulevard - Commonwealth Pier Boston, MA, 02210 Phone: 617-748-1450 Toll-Free: 866-310-2469

Harbor cruise lets you see Boston from a unique – and fun – vantage point

Why not see scenic Boston from the sea? Take a Spirit of Boston cruise and check out all the sights, from the Boston Tea Party site to the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides. Two-hour lunch and three-hour dinner cruises feature fresh, buffet-style offerings served in a comfortable, climate-controlled inner deck. You can even reserve a window table to savor the city – and a cocktail. The view from the huge observation deck is breathtaking, whether it’s a mid-day look at the spectacular Zakim Memorial Bridge or a sunset panorama of a sparkling cityscape. Onboard activities include games like tabletop shuffleboard and giant Jenga. There’s also a dance floor and DJ-provided music. Look for special holiday cruises and deals.

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa

Mountain View Road Whitefield, NH, 03598 Phone: 888-260-4929

Mountain resort high on comfort & fun things to do

From its stately perch in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa offers visitors first-class comfort, personalized service, distinctive dining and lodging – and a full slate of activities. Enjoy rolling dogsled rides and mountain biking in the fall, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and golf and tennis in the summer. The resort’s small working farm invites guests to help collect eggs, visit with the goats or take a knitting class. Or, stay inside the spacious inn and take advantage of the Tower Spa (with a spectacular view from the inn’s top floor), indoor pool or game room. Luxurious guest rooms and suites take full advantage of mountain, garden or golf course views.

Foxwoods HighFlyer

350 Trolley Lane Blvd. Mashantucket, CT, 06338 Phone: 860-312-3597

Ride the skies in a zipline tour that begins on this casino’s rooftop

At Foxwoods Resort Casino, there are all types of adventures to be had, including one that begins on the rooftop! From the top of 32-story Fox Tower, 350 feet off the ground, you can embark on a zipline trip that takes you, at speeds of up to nearly 60 mph, through the Connecticut air and over the treetops to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, about a mile away. You can head back to the casino on a shuttle that leaves every 15 minutes. (A viewing shuttle leaves the casino every 15 minutes for friends and family who just want to watch.)

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508-347-3362 Toll-Free: 800-733-1830

So much to see and do in this re-created 1830s town

Step back in time – but step lively – at Old Sturbridge Village, where the 1830s come to life in 40 original buildings that form a rural New England town. But the early 19th century was a busy time, as you’ll see when you visit the blacksmith shop, or watch an oxen-driven plow in the field, or watch one of the village’s authentically costumed staff hand-dip candles or make dinner on a hearth. Activities include everything from learning a historical craft like textile-making to taking a trip in a stagecoach or, in the winter, in a horse-drawn sleigh. Holidays are magical from fireworks on the Fourth to Christmas by Candlelight in December, with a roaring bonfire and strolls around the decorated village.

Ocean Beach Park

1225 Ocean Avenue New London, CT, 06320 Phone: 860-447-3031 Toll-Free: 800-510-7263

Oh, the fun things you can do at this seaside park

Some things you can do at Ocean Beach Park: Enjoy a pristine sugar-sand beach. Take the kids to an old-fashioned amusement park on the boardwalk with a carousel and tiny trains (and the Scrambler for older “kids”). Play mini-golf. Swim in an Olympic-size pool. Work out in a health club. Go down a triple waterslide. Grab ice cream, a burger, clam fritters – or a cocktail. Play Skee-Ball in the arcade. Watch a free beach-blanket movie, catch a band or a magic show. Go on a nature walk. You can even have a wedding ceremony and reception overlooking Long Island Sound, in a gourmet banquet facility – or right on the beach.
Parking fees (includes park admission): Weekends $23, Weekdays $17, Weeknights after 6pm $8, Fireworks Evenings $10. Seasonal parking passes available. Walk-in Admission $6.

Jonathan's Ogunquit

92 Bourne Lane Ogunquit, ME, 03907 Phone: 207-646-4777

Farm-to-table dining at its best in southern Maine

At Jonathan’s Ogunquit, you can look forward to more than a wonderful, one-of-a-kind farm-to-table meal. You can also expect a one-of-a-kind experience, from tables looking out onto gorgeous gardens studded with whimsical statues to the restaurant’s entrancing 600-gallon fish tank. If you are there on a show night, you’re in for a treat. Concert series musicians have included July Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush; comedians include Paula Poundstone and the topical Capitol Steps troupe. But, mainly, it’s about the food in this casual-fine dining restaurant, where you might start with Boursin stuffed mushrooms, work your way through an entree featuring lamb raised at Jonathan’s farm and end with the legendary creme brulee.

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory & Bear Shop

6655 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT, 05482 Phone: 802-985-3001 Toll-Free: 800-829-2327

Bears, Factory Tours and Adventures – Oh, My!

Ever wonder how Vermont Teddy Bears are made? Come visit us at our factory and Bear Store and see how our Bears come to life! Watch as our Bears take shape with sewing, stitching and stuffing. All tours are led by our knowledgeable Bear Ambassadors, and kids get to decode a secret Bear message along the way. End your tour with a visit to our Bear Shop where you can choose a new favorite Bear or make one of your own. All tour and store information is available on our website.

Paddys Beach Club

159 Atlantic Avenue Misquamicut, RI, 02891 Phone: 401-596-2610

A summer place for everything your summer self desires

A summer of sun, fun, and surf is upon you and Paddy’s Beach Club on Misquamicut Beach. Join the crew as the sand and waves come alive and let the prime beachfront location and expansive tented deck overlooking the ocean keep you smiling, tanned and dry. There’s seating for 350 for your next party or event and a top-notch staff and casual, fun atmosphere. Paddy’s is kid friendly and there’s always lots of parking and great events including Monday Night Trivia, Wednesday night Kids Nights, Thursday Non-profit nights July 4th Fireworks and the always popular DJ Dance Parties. Enjoy great food, drinks, and entertainment in the Tikki Beach VIP area or Ocean Lounge. Book a cabana, daybed, or chaise Lounge and just chill.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Mathews Park - 303 West Avenue Norwalk, CT, 06850 Phone: 203-899-0606

Stepping Stones Museum makes the whole world look fresh

At Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., we create an environment that inspires lifelong learning. Our museum offers engaging and educational exhibits with indoor AND outdoor experiences that give children, families and educators twice the space to discover, learn, and grow. Our Energy Lab includes hands-on exhibits that teach how the sun, the wind, the force of water, and the burning of fossil fuels produce energy. Tot Town is an imaginative world shrunk down to toddler level. Our Build It! exhibit lets children explore architectural design and construction. We've got tools they can use to pretend to finish walls, paint with brushes and rollers, apply carpeting, and more. After a visit, youngsters will see their world in a whole different way.

New Hampshire Campground Owners Association

Enjoy endless activities from New Hampshire’s campgrounds

Get away from the everyday with a visit to a New Hampshire campground. Stay in a tent, RV, cabin, cottage, lodge – even a yurt! – and enjoy activities from horseshoes and fishing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Hike, bike or take a cog railroad up a pine-scented mountain or kayak a pristine pond, river or lake. From your camping site in the woods, near the ocean or in a meadow, check out the Granite State’s historic sites, quintessential New England towns and acres upon acres of natural splendor. Visit our website for a handbook with all the details for individual parks, from whether they are pet-friendly to which ones have cottage rentals, pools, fireplaces, tennis courts, live music – or cable TV.

Battleship Cove

5 Water Street Fall River, MA, 02721 Phone: 508-678-1100 Toll-Free: 800-533-3194

A day out you won’t forget

In 1964, the citizens of Massachusetts, including over 6000 school children, banded together to save the battleship USS Massachusetts from being scrapped, and bring her to the waterfront of historic Fall River on June 12, 1965. During her dedication, the battleship’s historic significance was further recognized as she was made the official World War II Memorial for the Commonwealth and opened as a public museum. Over the years, she has been joined by the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the submarine Lionfish, PT 617 and PT 796, and the Soviet built missile corvette Hiddensee to form the largest collection of historic naval ships in the world, America’s Fleet Museum at Battleship Cove. Today, Battleship Cove stands as one of the region’s most popular attractions.

Ice Castles

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: Toll-Free: 888-407-4054

There’s magic in the air at this castle made entirely of ice

The photos you will take from deep inside Ice Castles in North Woodstock will be almost as amazing as the attraction itself. Made of solid ice, the walls 10 feet thick, the castles have enchanted visitors with their intricate designs, featuring towers that look like they are right out of “Lord of the Rings,” tunnels, caves, sculptures, fountains – and slides! Thousands of icicles are harvested and planted every day to keep the castles beautiful. And the effect is heightened at night, when LED lights frozen into the ice turn different colors, synchronized to music. You don’t have to be a fan of “Frozen” to find the whole experience magical. Remember to dress warmly, but in case that's not enough there's an on-site concession stand serving up hot chocolate and apple cider! Tickets are guaranteed to sell out each weekend - be sure to buy yours in advance on our website!

The Spa at Norwich Inn

607 West Thames Street Norwich, CT, 06360 Phone: 860-425-3500 Toll-Free: 800-275-4772

Get pampered from head to toe at this Norwich spa

If you think “spa” just means Swedish massages and a steam room, you have not experienced The Spa at Norwich Inn. With its 37 treatment rooms, the spa’s services are almost limitless, including luminous facials; hot stone, Thai and Swedish massage; tips on the latest makeup trends; and pampering for your hands and feet. (Try a milk and honey manicure or a peppermint pedicure.) Set on the inn’s 42 garden-filled acres, the spa also offers healthy cooking demonstrations, tarot card readings and a variety of fitness classes as well as an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, tennis courts and salon. And if you emerge wanting to extend your relaxation, book into one of the inn’s 49 guest rooms or suites.

Taj Boston

15 Arlington Street Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-536-5700

Rooftop Sunday Brunch with spectacular views of the Public Garden and Boston

Enjoy traditional breakfast preparations, contemporary New England cuisine, and Indian specialties, alongside a bounty of dessert items made in-house by our talented pastry team.
Every Sunday, April-November, with seatings from 10:30am - 2pm. Reservations suggested.

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks

1168 County Road Montpelier, VT, 05602 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-242-2740

Life is sweet for visitors to Vermont farm’s sugarworks

Could anything be yummier than a visit to Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in central Vermont? Open year-round, seven days a week, the sugarworks is a result of 200 years of family tradition, producing scrumptious maple syrup and other products. Visitors can hike a gentle trail to the maples, tour the sugarhouse, sit on a maple stump at the woodshed theater to watch a multimedia display and – of course! – sample some of the farm’s syrups, jams and jellies. You’ll also love the outdoor Vermont farm life museum, the country store and whimsical carved and soft-sculpture folklife characters scattered throughout the property. Don’t leave without trying sugar on snow (hot maple sugar drizzled on shaved ice) or a maple creemee.

Rough Point

680 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI, 02840 Phone: 401-847-8344

This Newport mansion & its stunning landscape are still a marvel

Take yourself back into the Gilded Age when you tour Rough Point, the oceanfront estate of philanthropist and art collector Doris Duke. When the heiress died in 1993, she left her seaside home, originally built for a Vanderbilt in 1887 in the English manorial style, to the Newport Restoration Foundation to be opened as a public museum. It is preserved as she left it, with French furniture, European art, Chinese porcelains and Flemish tapestries from her global travels. An eclectic collector, she combined her treasures with those of her family to decorate her home. Visitors may take a 75-minute guided tour or a self-guided stroll through the mansion and the magnificent formal gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Chuckster's Family Fun Park

Two Great Locations Chichester and Hooksett, NH Phone: 603-798-3555

Golf, zoom around a go-kart track or fly through the air at fun parks

You might not really hit a hole-in-one on the giant mini-golf courses at Chuckster’s two New Hampshire locations. But you’ll feel like you did after spending time at the fun-filled activity parks. In Hooksett, tackle the 18-hole Fire Tower or Cave courses then let the winner buy cones at the ice cream barn. In Chichester, if golf isn’t your thing, no worries: There’s a go-kart speedway, a tree-to-tree Aerial Adventure and a TimberClimb where you can climb 50 feet up a tree. Feeling competitive? How about Shoot Four, a basketball version of “Connect Four,” or Shoot-N-Shower (guess what happens to the loser). Or play volleyball/basketball on trampolines or jump and flip up to 18 feet on Jumpster cables. Your little ones, 2 to 8, will love the kid’s bumper boats.

Newport Vineyards

909 East Main Road (Route 138) Middletown, RI, 02842 Phone: 401-848-5161

Island serenity will grow on you during vineyard visit

Planted in 1977 on an island hill overlooking the Rhode Island Sound, Newport Vineyards has grown to include 60 vineyard acres, two restaurants and a busy tasting room. But some things, like the complex flavors of its wines and its family feeling, have never changed. Visitors can sip a Newport Merlot, Island White or Bellevue Blush in the tasting room or by the fire at Brix Restaurant. Or tour the vineyards and go behind the scenes of the wine-making process. The Aquidneck Land Trust’s Sakonnet Greenway Trail loops through the vineyard if you want to take in a morning hike (then enjoy a glass of wine in the Vineyard Cafe). Other activities include yoga, wine and cheese classes and live music.

America's Stonehenge

105 Haverhill Road Salem, NH, 03079 Phone: 603-893-8300

Ponder the mysteries of ancient North American history

You don’t need to travel to Great Britain to see those marvelous megaliths and ceremonial meeting places of ancient peoples. Similar wonders exist at America’s Stonehenge in coastal New Hampshire. A maze of manmade chambers, walls and gathering sites, it begs the question: Was this all assembled by an ancient Native American culture or by migrant Europeans? The self-guided Stonehenge trail (after a 10-minute introductory video) is about a half-mile, although the property includes 105 acres of trails, perfect for winter snowshoeing (in January and February, you can snowshoe by candlelight and warm up later with hot chocolate). Kids can participate in a simulated archaeological dig at the learning center, and there are plenty of picnic areas. Oh, and seven alpacas.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

A Connecticut River adventure by train and boat

Gather family and friends for a sightseeing adventure aboard the only steam train and riverboat connection in the United States! This 2½-hour narrated journey explores the nature and beauty of the Connecticut River Valley, designated as one of “the last great places on Earth” by The Nature Conservancy. View historic sites such as Gillette Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House. Excursions begin and end at the historic 1892 Essex station. Rain or shine.

Castle in The Clouds

Route 171 - 455 Old Mountain Road Moultonborough, NH, 03254 Phone: 603-476-5900

Get above it all by touring this mountaintop castle

Let your spirit soar at Castle in the Clouds, the enchanting mountaintop estate built in 1913-14. Marvel at the Arts and Crafts architecture, the astonishing views from every room, the vintage apparel in the closets and the innovations of the day (central vacuuming and an intercom among them). Stroll through gardens and meadows. Stop by Shannon Pond to watch huge rainbow trout jump for food from special fish-feeders. Dine at the Carriage House Restaurant and visit the art gallery or hike past waterfalls on the 28 miles of trails. Kids can use period tools in the mansion kitchen or practice letter-writing in the guest room. Don’t miss Christmas at the mansion, with music, an artisan fair, carriage and sleigh rides.

Worcester Art Museum

55 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA, 01609 Phone: 508-799-4406

Spend a picture-perfect day at this interactive art museum

This central Massachusetts museum is considered one of the finest mid-sized museums in the country. Follow history’s path through 50 centuries of the world’s antiquities, paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, decorative arts, arms and armor. December 2018 brings aninteractive art installation that will infuse the winter season with brilliant light and color during the Museum’s Holidays at WAM programming. lumina is a floor-to-ceiling dynamic canvas; animated images of works from WAM’s collection are projected onto hanging strips of illuminated silk. Visitors walk into the silk strips and become part of the shimmering color and light. Other Holidays at WAM events include concerts in the glorious Renaissance Court by the Salisbury Singers on December 9 and the Merrimack Valley Ringers hand bell choir on December 16. Also, come enjoy Brick by Brick: A Community Castle Exhibit through February 1, Zip Tours of the museum on Saturdays; December Tours of “The Ten” American Painters, and art workshops.

Franklin Park Zoo

One Franklin Park Road Boston, MA, 02121 Phone: 617-541-5466

Warning: The best of the beasts roam at this Boston-area zoo

It’s all happening at the Franklin Park Zoo, where you can wander from one exotic environment to another, each one filled with interesting animals. There’s the Kalahari Kingdom, where lions roam (and roar); the Outback Trail that kangaroos, kiwis and kookaburras call home; the woodsy Tiger Tales; the grassy Giraffe Savannah; and the Tropical Rain Forest (gorillas and hippos!). Plan to attend a zookeeper chat or watch animals being fed, visit the Franklin Farm to get to know goats and chicks, take a train or carousel ride; or go wild on the zoo playground. And don’t miss the new Children’s Zoo to play next to the red pandas. Family fare is offered at the Giddy-Up Grill, Kalahari Kitchen, or bring a picnic.

Coastal Maine Photo Tours

407 Main Street Rockland, ME, 04841 Phone: 207-594-1224

A great way to explore coastal Maine, and beyond, while upgrading your photography skills

What a fun way to see spectacular sites at Maine’s coast & mountains – and improve your photography skills at the same time. With Coastal Maine Photo Tours, participants of all ages and all skill levels (and all types of cameras) are welcome. Trips include half-day photo walks, passing through quaint fishing villages, to one-day photo tours of Maine Gardens; Lighthouses and Lobsters; Vinalhaven Island (including a scenic ferry ride and exploration of the island’s rocky coastline and working harbor); Pemaquid Point Lighthouse at sunset; and a Great Schooner Race Photo Adventure where you can take pictures of the largest annual gathering of traditional schooners in America. There’s also a week-long foliage excursion in October in the mountains of western Maine. Tours are led by longtime local fine-art photographer Dee Peppe.

Bike Race - Mount Washington Auto Road - Gorham, NH

Mt. Washington Auto Road

Route 16, Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

So much to explore on the Highest Peak in the Northeast

Due to its remarkable location, weather and history, the Mt. Washington Auto Road is unlike any other driving experience in the Eastern United States. A trip on Mt. Washington Auto Road is a one-of-a-kind experience offering ever-changing weather extremes, panoramic views and the opportunity to pass through four distinct climate zones as you climb to the highest peak in the Northeast. The constantly-changing weather adds to the allure and mystique of the famous peak, often allowing visitors to experience high winds and dramatic cloud formations. No matter the weather, the entire family will love all there is to do on the legendary Auto Road.

Connecticut River Museum

67 Main Street, Steamboat Dock Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-8269

Lots to see, but even more to do, at this river museum on Essex Harbor

Learn about the Connecticut River – or sail on it! – when you visit the Connecticut River Museum, on park-like grounds overlooking scenic and historic Essex Harbor. There’s plenty to see, from models of yachts, nautical paintings and history exhibits to the tools used in early fishing, hunting and trapping to a vertical, three-floor river mural that goes up a staircase. And there’s the model of the Turtle, the Revolutionary War submarine. But there’s also so much to do: rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and paddle the river’s coves right outside the museum’s doorsteps, go on a a winter wildlife eagle cruise to see bald eagles, or cruise aboard the Onrust, a replica of a 1614 Dutch sailing ship.

Whitewater Fun 500x250 - Crab Apple Whitewater - The Forks, ME

Crab Apple Whitewater (ME)

3 Lake Moxie Road The Forks, ME, 04985 Phone: 800-553-7238

Adventures for every level of whitewater rafter – plus paintball and moose safaris

Adventure awaits on the Kennebec and Dead rivers when you arrive at Crab Apple Whitewater’s base lodge. After breakfast, head to the rivers for world-class whitewater and breathtaking scenery. Some trips are guided, for families and beginners (lots of time for floating and swimming); others challenge rapids like the Class IV-V “Poplar Hill Falls.” Some come with riverside snacks; others with cookouts. Stay overnight at the lodge (in bunk-style rooms or suites with Jacuzzi tubs), play some night-time paintball in one of several custom courses, climb to Maine’s highest waterfall or just relax by the pool. For another kind of adventure, there’s the moose safari, from May through August, leaving at dusk in search of the gentle giants.

Pickering Farm Quilt Shop celebrates country primitive

Penny quilts? Yes, you quilting people know what that means, and, if you don’t they are a fun way to begin quilting and making unique gifts for yourself and friends. Pickering Farm Quilt Shop at 19 Fitzwilliam Road in Richmond is in an 18th century restored barn. You will find 3000 bolts of 100 percent cotton, notions and supplies of all kinds, and hundreds of antique reproduction fabrics from 1780 to the 1930s. Also: wool for penny rugs, books and patterns, and a fabulous gift line. Fun and inspiring! Open year round Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 603-239-7550

Take Your Kids on a Stag Hunt – from the 6th Century BC

A bear and stag hunt from the 6th century BC portrayed in a giant floor mosaic. How hard would it be to get kids involved in games and explorations of this piece of artwork, speaking to them across 26 centuries? This glorious mosaic floor, excavated from a home in Antioch that was destroyed by an earthquake in 526 AD, is a centerpiece exhibit at Worcester Art Museum in Worcester and also the topic of a Family Guide exploration. A brochure invites kids to count animals and sketch the mosaic. Can you think of a better way to get your kids loving art and history?

Bubbles in the Berkshires

Blantyre , a Relais & Châteaux property nestled near Lenox in the scenic Berkshires, is now hosting a year-round Champagne salon inspired by Dom Pérignon. The salon will offer select Dom Pérignon varietals in indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests can enjoy inventive drinks and fresh fare throughout the year in the Cloister, a secluded garden patio that features a clever tin-to-table menu with an upscale twist on caviar. Inside, guests can seek refuge at La Cave, a sleek underground hideaway next to Blantyre’s acclaimed wine cellar, adorned with original brick and marble stone walls. Elegant! The new Champagne Salon is open Fridays to Sundays, 3 to 11 p.m. 844-881-0104.

All Clear for Tubing in Southern Vermont

Vermont is heavily blessed with everything and anything to do with snow sports, and that includes snow tubing, the fast-growing snow sport, with the virtue of being do-able and enjoy-able by almost anyone. Magic Mountain, at 495 Magic Mountain Access Road in Londonderry and Mount Snow, at Pisgah Road in West Dover, both in the southern region of the state, offer plenty of snow tubing. Magic has its Alakazam Tubing Park, open weekends and school vacation periods. At Mount Snow, tubing is done in the wonderfully named Mixing Bowl. Open daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and on holidays. Enjoy a thrilling ride down and then relax as the Magic Carpet whisks you back to the top.

Sleigh Ride Days at Taylor Farm

The 180-year-old Taylor Farm at 825 Route 11 in Londonderry is a dairy operation, but in winter the farm family welcomes guests for sleigh rides through the snow-covered Vermont countryside. The farm’s two sleights are box-style, accommodating up to 10 people, and pulled by Belgian draft horses. Blankets are provided for everyone. Sleigh rides are offered on the hour during the weekends and last about 45 minutes. Part of the ride is a stop at a shed where you can enjoy cider and roast marshmallows over a fire,. Before the ride, you can even put together a lunch of bread, cheese and dessert picnic from the farm store. Reservations: 802-824-5690.

The Old Country Store; Old History Stage

You can buy treats and trinkets of all kinds at the Old Country Store on Whittier Hwy. in Moultonborough. And if you have all your senses tuned up, you might feel the stories of long ago in this place, built in 1781 on land given to Jonathan Moulton for his service during the Revolutionary War. The place also has served as a library and a post office and has hosted town meetings. Today, go there for candles, toys, shoes, local products, kitchenware, and penny candy, with a pickle barrel, maple syrup, and a good dose of John Deere merchandise. Kids will love it. 603-476-5750

Merck Forest Snaps in Winter

Located on top of Rupert Mountain, off Route 315 in Rupert, Merck Forest and Farmland Center is thousands of acres of open land available for hikes and other activities. Parts of the property are actively farmed, with concentration on organic, sustainable agriculture. Make no mistake about it: this place jumps with events and things to do in the winter. For snow-bound romance, couples can rent a cabin for a romantic weekend getaway or just spend a day or afternoon doing hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing on the many well-managed trails. There will be plenty of hardy people out, doing the same. Wonderful views -- and spectacular sunsets – are in store.

Discover Vermont’s Back Roads, Year-Round

Climb aboard a comfortable van to tour the back roads of the Shires region of Vermont with expert guidance. Backroad Discovery Tours is a guided tour service based in Manchester. A local guide will show you the sights: mountain and valley vistas, country roads, a visit to a woodworking factory and retail kitchen store, and the oldest marble quarry in the country. Taste and buy Vermont-made cheese and maple products. Reservations are required. Tours usually depart from 21 Bonnet Street in Manchester Center. Winter/spring tours are offered November to February and in early May. 802-362-4997.

Serene, Elegant Pottery and Gifts for the Home

Woodstock’s Farmhouse Pottery, at 1837 West Woodstock Road, is a retail store and studio where gorgeous and useful ceramic art is created right in front of fascinated visitors. Each piece is wheel-thrown and crafted from stoneware and hand dipped in a scratch-resistant and organic milk glaze. Many elegant items, including cookware and tableware, home décor and even clothing, are made with fine materials, incorporating restrained beauty and simplicity. Gift registry, too! Open year, round, daily.

Come to a Ski Town; Stay Indoors

You don’t need to be an athlete or even a skier to enjoy Vermont’s beautiful ski towns in the winter. Take, for instance, the Okemo Valley region and the town of Ludlow. Sure, you can ski or snowboard all day at Okemo or Magic Mountain is you like, or we indoor people can enjoy dining, wine tasting, shopping, spa luxuries, art, and fun with kids at the hospitable Artisans Park in the neighboring towns of Chester, Windsor, Proctorsville, Plymouth Notch, and Grafton. There’s plenty to do off the slopes.

Snowmobiling in the Great North Woods

The towns of Pittsburgh, Colebrook, Lisbon and others in the Great North Woods come alive with snowmobilers in the winter, offering lodges, shops, and hundreds of groomed trails to explore. In the northernmost town in NH, the snow begins to fly around mid-December, blanketing the trails and offering beautiful expansive vistas. Find guidance and expertise from the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and the Colebrook Ski-Bees snowmobile Club . The Lisbon Stump Jumpers will host a vintage snowmobile race on February 11, 2017.

Masterpieces of Cartoon Art in Greenwich

Starting January 26, 2019, the Bruce Museum at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich will display more than 100 original works of cartoon art, including comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons, magazine cartoons, caricature, illustration and animation. The artwork is on loan from The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. The pieces on display will include an early editorial cartoon by the legendary political cartoonist Thomas Nast, a spectacular Prince Valiant Sunday page by Hal Foster, and a witty New Yorker gag by Peter Arno, as well as classic Peanuts, Doonesbury, and Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. Pictured here is Prince Valiant by Hal Foster 1951 © King Features Syndicate, Inc. Open daily except Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sleigh Rides on a Real Working Farm

Adams Family Farm at 15 Higley Hill Road in Wilmington offers its big draft horses and sleighs are at your service during the snow season for sleigh rides that travel through a maple sugar lot, across the ridge of the mountain and to a log cabin back in the woods. Learn about Vermont history and the farm’s own history along the way. At the log cabin, ease up to the wood stoves, enjoy hot chocolate, and try out a real player piano. The trip takes about 90 minutes. Daytime and evening rides available by reservation, usually from December to early March. 802-464-3762

River Rafting Can Be Wild and Wonderful

The Forks is best known as Maine’s mecca for whitewater rafting. Located where the Dead and Kennebec Rivers meet, it is the starting point for experiencing the heart stopping rolls and punches dealt by the state’s mightiest rivers. Numerous guiding companies are located in The Forks, and many have expanded their services to include guided ATV tours, mountain biking treks, rock climbing, and snowshoeing trips. The Forks is a year-round destination for hunters and anglers, but come winter, the snowmobilers arrive. With more than 100 miles of interconnected trails in the region, sledding becomes the preferred method of transportation once the snow begins to fall. The Forks Area Chamber of Commerce can help you find all the resources you need. 207-663-2121.

Bridge of Flowers Is Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen

The Bridge of Flowers was once a decrepit railroad bridge, before it fell into the hands to local gardeners. They draped the bridge in living gardens of flowers, shrubs, and trees that delight people from spring to fall. It’s a walk through a gorgeous garden above a rushing river with a lovely town on the side. The bridge is in Shelburne Falls, off Route 2 (the Mohawk Trail). It spans the Deerfield River and connects the towns of Shelburne and Buckland.

An Extraordinary Garden Experience

Seven Arrows Farm at 346 Oakhill Avenue in Seekonk is not your typical farm. During three decades , the farm is the product of owners/growers Judy and Michel’s mutual passion for plants, gardening, and all things green. Here you can stroll through the gardens and the uncommon plant nursery, find a remedy or a gift at the farm’s extensive herb shop, visit with the chickens and goats, seek counsel from one of the farm’s knowledgeable staff members, or simply relax with a book from the farm’s library or in the sunny tea room. Hours: Open year-round; call for spring and summer hours. 508-399-7860.

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center in Maine

Track the Great Blue Heron to Scarborough Marsh

The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center at 92 Pine Point Road in Scarborough is an endlessly interesting place to explore an ever-changing salt marsh and estuary. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife manages the estuary, and provides all the information you need to explore the marsh on walking trails or by canoe (you can rent them). The center offers guided walks, canoe tours, exhibits, a nature trail, and a Maine Audubon Nature Store. Come see eye-to-eye with egrets, herons, glossy ibis and many stunning shorebirds. Open May to September. 207-883-5100

Beautiful Oasis in the City

Bushnell Park on Trinity Street in Hartford is a wonderful public sanctuary that merits a full-day visit. The park is home to a carousel that dates from 1914 – the golden age of these structures that combine artistry, magic, and simple fun. For people who love the artistry of nature, Bushnell Park is an urban arboretum of rare and native trees. Visitors can pick up a brochure and take a self-guided walk of magnificent trees from many parts of the world. The park also has beautiful fountains, statues, a pond, and a performance pavilion. The park offers free tours of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch and hosts many public events. Open: May to mid-October. Phone: 860-232-6710.

Northwest Park & Nature Center in windsor CT

Year-Round Fun in Nature and a Coffeehouse, Too

Located on Lang Road in Windsor, Northwest Park & Nature Center is a 473-acre recreational facility that has the virtue of staying open and lively throughout the year. There is a nature center, 12 miles of trails to enjoy during the winter and summer, maple sugaring, a Coffee House Concert Series that brings live music to listeners, and more. Annual events include Country Fair, pancake breakfasts, maple sugaring demonstrations, owl prowls, holiday wreath-making workshop and other forms of fun for all ages. Nice outdoor activities for parents and kids. Phone: 860-285-1886

bish bash fall in mount washington state prk in ma

You Gotta Love the Name

Visit the most-photographed waterfall in Massachusetts at Bash Bish Falls. Located next to the Mount Washington State Forest, Bash Bish Falls tumbles through gorges and a hemlock ravine forest, and then drops about 60 feet into a sparkling pool. The park is open from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and access is free. The falls is located next to the 4,169-acre Mount Washington State Forest, adjoining New York's 5,000 acre Taconic State Park.

Go Wild in the Mountains

With a name that includes Seacoast Fun Park, Crazy Apes Adventure Trails and Zip Park , and Snow Park, you know that this attraction, at 932 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Maine, is for people who like vigorous play. Seacoast Fun Park offers lots of activities April through October, including the adrenaline-pumping Sky Swing and more. The Crazy Apes section has tree top trails where you can zip, climb, and trek through the trees. The zip lines tour is an exhilarating ride down some major zips. Snow tubing happens in winter. 207-892-5829

Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association in Nantucket

Star Gazing From Nantucket

Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association at 59 Milk Street Extension Nantucket is open for public viewing year round, and for frequent special astronomical events. Climb a ladder to the eyepiece of a fine, old telescope and sample the sights of the distant heavens. Public hours are longer in the summer and more abbreviated in the winter, so check the calendar on the observatory’s website. Star-gazing nights are held regularly, and posted on the calendar. Remember, observing is weather dependent, so check the skies or call ahead. 508-228-9273.

Back Road Brewery & Winery Tours in Vermont

Good Things Are Brewing Along Vermont’s Back Roads

A day with Back Road Brewery & Winery Tours is your chance to wander the back roads of Vermont with an experienced guide and to stop and sip at several of the state’s craft breweries or wineries. The Northern Tours travels Route 7 and starts at Middlebury’s Otter Creek Brewery. The alternate Eastern Tour uses Route 4 and begins in Bridgewater at Long Trail Ale. The day closes with dinner. The tour company picks up customers in the Rutland/Ludlow/Killington area (subject to advance reservations). Held daily; please book in advance. Phone: 802-446-3131

Patriots Place and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA

Gillette Stadium Celebrates the Patriots

Patriot Place , off Route 1 in Foxboro, includes Gillette Stadium, home of the champion New England Patriots football team, but there is much more to the Place than football alone. The property includes 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment, along with a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the Patriots. Major retailers include Bass Pro Shops store, with everything and outdoorsman or outdoorswoman could desire. Dining runs the gamut from basic burgers to seafood to a gourmet bistro. 508-203-2100.

dinosaur museums in western Massachusetts

Fossils Fuel Curiosity at Dino Museums

Dinosaur history and folklore are alive and roaring in the Pioneer Valley region. A day or more of exploration awaits dino fans of all persuasions. The Nash Dinosaur Track Site and Rock Shop in South Hadley displays the largest number of dinosaur tracks in the region. Nearby, the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College in Amherst has impressive exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals, and other geologic specimens. Visitors to Dinosaur Hall in the the Springfield Science Museum in Springfield are riveted by the life-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Interactive exhibits at Dinosaur Hall include actual fossils of dinosaur tracks which can be touched and a cast of a huge sauropod footprint for children to climb into. Information: 413-755-1346.

Paddling the Charles

The Charles River west of Boston is a welcoming place for kayakers and canoeists. Several nature preserves are run by the Trustees of Reservations along this 20-mile paddling route. Put in at Cedariver, a former farm, in Millis, which has a state-run boat launch.
Downstream is Shattuck Reservation, which is old pasture land, with nice views and trails. Next, watch for Bridge Island Meadows, accessible only when the water is flowing in Bogastow Brook.
Take out can be at Charles River Peninsula in Needham, with access to a state-run boat launch. 508-785-0339.

Find Food Adventure with New Haven Food & Drink Tours

Most of us know that New Haven is famous for its original and authentic pizza, but there is so much more for your palate to enjoy there. Taste of New Haven Food & Drink Tours hosts culinary walking culinary tours of this delightful, historic city. Experienced tour guides lead guests on tours with names and themes like Theater District, Canal Quarter, Goatville, Wooster Square, Pizza and Pints Bike, New Haven Symphony, Latin American Tapas, Pizza Lovers, Live To Eat, Theater District, Latin American Tapas, and On 9. Tours usually last 3 to 4 hours, although the Pizza Lovers Tour and the Pizza & Pints Bike Tour are 6 to 7 hours. Gift certificate available for a unique present. You also may book a private tour! Call and check the website for 203-710-3710.

Absolute Bliss: A Day Along the Wine Trail

Connecticut’s mild climate makes the state a fruitful place for growing grapes, and the state’s wine-making industry has bloomed in the past three decades. A delightful way to sample Connecticut vintages is to take a drive along the Connecticut Wine Trail , a route that bypasses 15 vineyards (and some beautiful countryside). The trail consists of two sections, in the eastern and the western parts of the state. Blue highway signs mark the trail and the state produces a colorful brochure. Connecticut's wineries produce a wide variety of wines, ciders, and fruit wines. All the wineries have tasting rooms and all offer at least one tour daily. Many host festive special events. Call ahead for tour schedules. 860-267-1399.

Connecticut's Chocolate Trails

Every scenic drive in Connecticut is just a little bit better when you travel with some tasty bites of fine chocolate.? Chocolate is an internationally adored food, and Connecticut's chocolatiers will show you why -- if you're not a chocaholic already! Connecticut's Chocolate Trails include lots of delectable treasures all over the state. From handmade holiday chocolates, to freshly-made exotic deliciousness, this list of chocolatiers is a must-taste New England tradition. Just follow the map!

Driving You to Drink in Portland

Some observers of American life declare that the existence of a lot of craft breweries is a sign of a city’s soulfulness. In any case, the Maine Brew Bus based at 111 Commercial Street in Portland scheduled and private tours of breweries in Portland and southern Maine. The tours give you a behind-the-scenes look at Maine's craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides and a non-drinking driver. All tours include a snack or meal and trivia games. New tour is Birds on Tap: a guided tour of bird watching and beer-sipping. 207-200-9111.

Boothe Memorial Park and Museum Stratford ct

Boothe Memorial Park Is Entertaining All Year

Boothe Memorial Park & Museum on Main Street in Stratford sits on an idyllic, 32-acre site in the north end of Stratford by the Housatonic River, which was the estate of the Boothe family for many generations. There are many architecturally unique buildings and attractions on the grounds as well as a new, handicapped-accessible playground with two climbing walls. The annual Great Pumpkin Festival is a huge attraction in the fall, while outdoor concerts and Shakespearean plays beckon visitors in the spring and summer. Tours of the historic buildings are seasonal (May - October). The park is open and free of charge year round. 203-381-2046.

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center on Lake Champlain in Burlington vt

Fun with a Water Monster at Champ Lane

Champ Lane, a new and brilliant play space for kids age 6 and younger, opened in February 2016 at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center on Lake Champlain in Burlington. In addition to a fabulous indoor tree house (move over, Tarzan), Champ Lane has a deluxe water table, puppet theater, multilevel boat, play café, and mini French market named after Marché Atwater in Montréal. A book nook offers space for quiet reading, nursing and relaxing. There's also a classroom and lab that will be used to teach about animals and scientific inquiry. Fun for every style of kid. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 802-864-1848.

Wadsworth Presents a Mixture of Art and Entertainment

The marvelous Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford is a grand place to visit, particularly after the mid-decade overhall of the galleries. Permanent and changing exhibits are always worth a fresh visit. This museum leads the way in providing events and entertainments to showcase and enhance exhibits. These may include films, talks, live music, even Sunday brunches. There’s always something to enjoy. 860-278-2670.

Where the Flowers Go Wild

Garden in the Woods at 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham is the botanic garden of the New England Wild Flower Society. Fifteen hundred native plants live throughout the gardens, along with two miles of paths meander under a canopy of trees past a pond, a wooded bog, springs, and a brook. You can come for guided tours and for classes and other educational opportunities. Bring or buy a boxed lunch for a picnic and browse the Garden Shop, with a charming selection of native plants, books, tools, gifts, and snacks. Check out the family programs, too. 508-877-7630.

Starry Nights at Acadia

Spend a night under the stars at Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, and everything will come into perspective. The night sky is an endless source of entertainment and beauty, and the clear, dark Maine sky allows stargazers a breathtaking view of constellations. The Seawall Campground picnic area near Manset is an almost magically scenic stargazing spot: See the Milky Way and ocean meet. Discover the brightest stars in the sky, the "hidden" location of hundreds of black holes, and Messier 13, the famous faraway destination of a human attempt at intergalactic contact. Bring your best telescope, or get a rotating star map from the Acadia gift shop.

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center in Gardner Maine

Comedy, Music, Gravity Daring: Johnson Hall's Got It

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center presents a wide range of artist programs -- live music series, children’s events, outdoor performances in the park and more -- in the historic Johnson Hall Performing Arts building (1864) at 280 Water Street in downtown Gardiner, Maine. The Hall – Maine’s oldest opera hall -- celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016, a sign that it knows and serves its audience. 207-582-7144.

Small Engineering Gems

This region of New Hampshire is wealthy with covered bridges. We have a tender spot for the puckishly named Blow Me Down Bridge in Cornish. The most famous of the region’s bridges is the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States. Shutterbugs: try the interesting viewing challenges on both the New Hampshire and Vermont ends of the bridge.

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester MA

Broad Meadow Offers Woods, Streams, and Marshes

Within the 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary at 414 Massasoit Road in Worcester, visitors can hike, cross-country ski, watch birds, look for butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. The center has a large 3-D model of the sanctuary and a huge map of the Blackstone River watershed. Nature gifts, children’s books, field guides, are available at the center, which also serves as a visitor site for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Trails are open daily, dawn to dusk. Phone: 508-753-6087.

History, Horticulture, and Hiking in One

The Fells at the John Hay National Wildlife Refuge was the summer retreat for Secretary of State John M. Hay, archaeologist Clarence Hay, and nature writer John Hay. The 164-acre estate at 456 Route 103A in Newbury includes historic houses that are open for tours during the summer and hiking trails along Lake Sunapee that are open year-round. The big draw for visitors is the magnificent gardens: a 100-foot perennial border, a formal rose terrace, a Japanese water lily pool, and a walled secret garden. Phone: 603-763-4789.

The Flower of Connecticut Parks

Known widely for its magnificent large rose garden, comprising about 15,000 bushes, Elizabeth Park at the corner of Prospect and Asylum avenues in Hartford encompasses 102 acres and boasts many garden areas, pathways, greenhouses, lawns, a picnic grove, a pond and recreation areas. Because of its gardens, it has been called the, “Flower of New England Parks.” The rose garden is the heart and soul of the park . Keep an eye on the park’s website for special events like the annual Rose Show, garden tours, and live music.

Beers by Hill Farmstead Brewery in Hillsboro vt

Farm-Made Beers Generate National Excitement

A farm-based beer brewer that is quickly developing a national reputation for unique beers is found waaay up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, near the town of Greensboro. Beers by Hill Farmstead Brewery , at 403 Hill Road, are hand-crafted and the outcome of years of experience and education. The brewery is based on farmland in use by a family for 220 years. The retail shop, open Wednesdays to Saturdays, noon-5 p.m., is the only place the beer is regularly available. Twelve beers on draft are available at any given time, in 2-liter and 750-ml, bottles. These folks are serious about hand-crafted beers; they even host a Festival of Farmhouse Ales in August.

The Stonehenge Is a Spooky Exploration

America’s Stonehenge, at 105 Haverhill Road in Salem, is a large wooded property filled with mazes of man-made chambers, walls, and ceremonial meeting places, probably more than 4,000 years old. Like Stonehenge in England, America's Stonehenge was built by ancient people well versed in astronomy and stone construction. It has been determined that the site is an accurate astronomical calendar. For the rest of us, America’s Stonehedge is a fun place to explore and marvel, even in the winter. Snowshoeing trails wind through 105 acres of woodlands filled with wildlife. The property is open for snowshoeing daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and snow shoes are available for rent. 603-893-8300.

See the Insides and Hear the History of U.S. Submarines

Located in the home region of Electric Boat, builder of nuclear submarines, the Submarine Force Museum at 1 Crystal Lake Road in Groton, operated by the U.S. Navy, displays a giant collection of submarine artifacts, documents and photographs, depicting the entire history of the U.S. submarine force history. The "silent service" – you may be stunned to learn – begins with the “Turtle,” used in the Revolutionary War, continuing through to the Ohio- and Virginia-class submarines. The museum presents various fun scavenger hunts and self-guided tours. Truly fascinating! Open year-round, except for a week of maintenance in spring and fall (call ahead). 860-694-3174.

History Along a River Trail

New Hampshire Heritage Trail is a 230-mile walking trail across New Hampshire from Massachusetts to Canada. Plymouth’s portion of the Heritage Trail, a 5.6-mile loop with 16 points of interest, begins at the Railroad Depot, constructed in 1909 for the Boston and Maine Railroad. Other highlights are a cottage where Robert Frost lived while teaching at Plymouth Normal School and Silver Cultural Arts Center, once a stop on the underground railroad. Park at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center on Green Street. The trail begins north of the Senior Center, past the District Courthouse. Follow the brown Heritage Trail directional signs. 603- 536-1001.

'I Went to the Woods...'

Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond in Concord from 1845 to 1847 and his experience there provided the material for his book “Walden.” Because of this legacy, Walden Pond is considered the birthplace of the conservation movement. Interpreters at Walden Pond State Reservation , 915 Walden Street in Concord provide tours and educational programs. The pond is open for swimming and people may visit a replica of Thoreau’s one-room cabin. A 2680-acre wooded area -- great for strolling, nature viewing, picnicking, and reflection -- surrounds the reservation. The property has a gift shop, bookstore and gallery. Phone: 978 369-3254

Wood Island Lighthouse tours off Biddeford maine

Insider View of a Historic Lighthouse

Friends of the Wood Island Lighthouse Offers tours to the lighthouse in July and August (weather permitting). This historic lighthouse, built in 1808, is a picturesque keeper's house connected to the stone tower. Wood Island is an uninhabited island at the mouth of the Saco River off the coast of Biddeford. Tours are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 2-August 22, 2016. Reserve your tour on the lighthouse website and reserve your trip aboard the Lightrunner to traverse the mile from Biddeford Pool to the island. 207-200-4552.

Immerse Yourself in Bird Life at Sachuest Point

At 240 acres, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown is important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds. Nature- and bird lovers know this rocky peninsula as the place to see colorful harlequin ducks, loons, eiders, gannets, and, in winter, snowy owls. A walk on the three miles of trails around Sachuest Point reveals several habitats, including salt marshlands and steep rocky shorelines around the perimeter. Elevated observation platforms along the trails provide unobstructed views. The visitor center is an ideal way to begin or end a trail walk; creative exhibits tell you all about the land and creatures you will be traversing. You can get a permit for nighttime fishing. Trail map. Brochure.

Acadia Beauty Along a Loopy Drive

Acadia Byway travels through Acadia National Park and the historic villages of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island. Along this route, the rugged Maine coast and old-growth forests remain much as they were when the island was described by Samuel de Champlain in 1604. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are among the most beautiful places in New England. Travelers can bike on miles of interconnected carriage roads. This byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, then follows the park loop road thereafter. Visitors looking to avoid summer traffic can enjoy the Acadia Byway aboard the free Island Explorer buses .

World’s End in Hingham-photo by Trustees of Reservations

Out in the Woods, in Sight of Boston

For a romantic walk in a leafy woods, visit World’s End in Hingham, a nature preserve tucked into the end of a curve of shoreline that sweeps southeast from Boston. Rolling hills and rocky shorelines offer views of the Boston skyline, while tree-lined carriage paths make delightful walking trails. The 251-acre landscape includes rocky shores, broad hillsides, and open fields bracketed by woodlands. The property is ideal for walking, picnicking, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or simply enjoying the outdoors. It is managed by the admirable Trustees of the Reservations, and open to the public for walking year-round.

Stamford Museum and Nature Center Stamford CT

Family Fun on the Farm (Planetarium Included)

The folks who run Stamford Museum and Nature Center at 39 Scofieldtown Road Stamford have a genius gene for making farm life, the outdoors, nature and the sky a fascinating adventure for young children and families. The science and nature attraction is on a 118-acre site and it encompasses a working farm, hiking trails, picnic area, a playground, art galleries, and a planetarium with observatory and regularly scheduled events describing the heavens above. Many special seasonal events and things to do for families include maple harvest, Easter egg hunts, and fall activities. Property includes the Bendel Mansion & Galleries. Open all year, with hours change seasonally. Phone: 203-322-1646.

The Minuteman Bikeway in Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge. MA

Burn Some Energy Along This Historic Trail

The Minuteman Bikeway, also called America's Revolutionary Rail-Trail, passes through the historic area where the American Revolution began in April 1775. Built on an inactive railroad, the Bikeway has become a treasured resource, used by residents and visitors from near and far. Connecting to the Alewife “T” Station in Cambridge, the bikeway provides an easy way for bicyclists and pedestrians -- and, in the winter, skiiers -- to travel. The bikeway passes through Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge. Bikeway map.

Island Explorer bus through Acadain National park

Explore the Island, Then Explore the Park

There is much beauty to see at Acadia Nation Park. A good way to start is to get an overview of the whole landscape by jumping aboard the Island Explorer bus. This is not a tour – it is public transportation for the park and neighboring villages that runs from late May to Columbus Day. Take a bit of time to ride the bus with others going about their daily lives or on vacation. You’ll get a glimpse of what you may want to see more deeply, and know exactly how to get back there later. "A wonderful service. Best way to get around. Fun to ride," said a visitor from Texas. 207-667-5796

Artists of Needle and Loom, Take Note

Dorr Mill Store at 22 Hale Street in Guild, is a national center for wool and has had manufactured an extensive line of 100 percent wool for the time-honored crafts of traditional rug hooking, braiding and quilting. Dorr produces white and natural wools for those who wish to dye their own colors, thousands of yards of woolen textures and solids, and a full line of accessories and the latest patterns from noted designers. Fiber artists find Dorr’s wide selection of fabric designs, textures, wools, and blends irresistible. Open year-round. 800-846-3677.

Drive and Nibble; Drive and Sip

There’s no reason to be craving fine chocolate, cheese, or wine on a visit to the Granite State. The state’s tourism and farming people have creating a marvelously helpful and also beautiful brochure -- available as a pdf -- of New Hampshire’s Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Trails . A simple and useful map heading the brochure is followed up by detailed listings of wineries, vineyards, cheese makers and chocolatiers. Drive and taste, drive and nibble, year-round. Fall brings bright foliage but all the seasons have great visuals from the car.

Dip a Paddle Into Wild Beauty

Get that kayak into new and interesting waters! Managers of the Crane Wildlife Refuge off of Argilla Road in Essex invite kayakers to put theif boats into the water and paddle in and around this glorious salt marsh it is easy to land on or adjacent to the dock on Long Island 9see map).Explore the beauty and tranquility of the island refuge, which is maintained to provide habitat for wildlife and to preserve the property in its natural state. 978-356-4351

Hanover Region Is Full of Interesting Things to See and Do

Hanover is home to Dartmouth College and it has a fun business district of good, casual dining and cool shopping for books, clothing, and art. If you love fine furnishings, Simon Pearce in Hanover designs elegant glassware, handcrafted by artisans. The old and respected League of New Hampshire Craftsmen has a retail gallery in Hanover. Saint Gaudens National Historical Site in Cornish will school you in the work of one of America’s greatest sculptors. Theater is live at the 800-seat, historic Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon. Regional artists display work at Gilded Edge, a gallery in Lebanon. The Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield welcomes you to explore a society of people living a unique and low-tech way of life for hundreds of years.

Artist Colony Is Vibrant in Gloucester

Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester is the oldest working art colony in the country, and has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 150 years. Today the area is still home to many working artists and to galleries showing paintings in all media, as well as batik, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and fine gifts. A convenient walking tour of Rocky Neck, along East Main Street, includes information about three dozen galleries and studios on the Neck. A new book about the artists and history of the region, titled Rocky Neck Art Colony 1850-1950, by Judith Curtis, is available. 978-515-7004.

Historic Trades in Action in Deerfield

Crafts people will demonstrate dressmaking, shoemaking, medical care, basketmaking, gun smithing, cabinet making, coopering pottery making and even gravestone carving as these essential skills were done in places like Deerfield. See schedule for specific demos, offered on weekends from October 3 to December 12, 2015. Fun for the kids, too. 413-774-5581.

Hope Street and wickenden Street in Providence RI

Hope for Fun & Interesting Encounters

To enjoy a relaxed and interesting view into Providence’s boulevard society, take a stroll along Hope Street on the city’s East Side. The street moves among the properties of Brown University and it is dotted with fun eateries. Hope connects with Wickenden Street , also a near walk with plenty of cool shops and a sidewalk society that loves to sit, sip, and walk the world go by. Lots of nice shops of Wickenden, purveying goods from fish for you aquarium to art supplies. Denizens of the Brown University community will be kicking about too. Neat walks in all seasons.

Holyoke Heritage State Park in Holyoke MA

Come See Holyoke’s Historic Carousel

Holyoke Heritage State Park at 221 Appleton Street in Holyoke is a compact city park on the edge of the Connecticut River. Most important for people who love carousels, the park has a handmade merry-go-round dating from the early 1900s, the golden age of American carousels, many carved by immigrant craftsmen. The carousel was installed in 1929 at its first home, a former trolley park in the city, and it is open to riders. The Children’s Museum and the Volleyball Hall of Fame also are located within the park. The park is a sweet place to relax and have a picnic overlooking Holyoke's three canals and a row of historic mill buildings. 413-534-1723.

Plants Transformed into Artwork

Snug Harbor Farm, open year-round at 87 Western Avenue in Kennebunk, is a beauty of a place for sophisticated gardeners, with a special emphasis on topiaries and beautifully potted arrangements. The farm offers unique garden accessories and arrangements with a flavor of old European courtyards. There is always something unusual to find in the greenhouses or The Shop. The farm's topiaries are grown in handmade terra cotta vases and bowls and stone planters. Instruction is offered, along with special seasonal events, like the Haunted Barn at Halloween and classes at Christmas in wreath making and boxwood topiaries. Phone: 207-967-2414.

The Governor’s House at 100 Main Street in Hyde Park Vt-credit-shutterstock

Tea Served in High Style, or Take-and-Make

Tea is served in high style and sold in glorious variety at two unique locations in northern Vermont. The Governor’s House at 100 Main Street in Hyde Park is an elegant bed-and-breakfast inn that serves tea in all appropriate high style on Thursday and Sunday afternoons (other times by pre-arrangement). The cream tea menu consists of warm freshly-made scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Relax and indulge! (802-888-6888)
Dobra Tea , in Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace, welcomes you for quiet refreshment and hard-to-find teas from remote places like India, China, and Japan. This Bohemian tea room also serves light foods and desserts. Taste and decide what to take home, The tea room also sells artisan tea serving ware. Wonderful for gifts. (802-951-2424)

Bees, Hawks, and Other Wild Sights

The Audubon Center at 613 Riversvile Road in Greenwich, CT, offers indoor and outdoor attractions and fun by people who are experts on nature and wildlife. The 295-acre sanctuary has miles of trails near a hardwood forest, fields, a lake, streams and ponds, stone walls, and homestead buildings. If the weather invites you indoors, the Kimberlin Nature Education Center building has Kiernan Hall Nature Art Gallery with its wildlife viewing window and honey bee hive exhibit, and a Nature Gift Store. 203-869-5272

Meet Vermont's Covered Bridges

Few structures in America combine architectural ingenuity, economic necessity, and romantic idealism better than the covered bridge. Covered bridges flourished in the United States in the 19th century. Pennsylvania has the greatest number of covered bridges, and Vermont, with about 104 covered bridges, has the highest number relative to the state’s size. In Southern Vermont, some highlights of the many covered bridges include the Bridge at the Green (Arlington Bridge) in Arlington and the Henry / Burt Bridge in Bennington, which is a short distance from the rebuilt Paper Mill Bridge and the Silk Bridge. Covered bridges offer a wonderful opportunity to stop, take pictures, dip your feet in the river, and even to picnic.