New England outdoor adventures fill your vacation with zest

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New England's outdoor adventures cover a range limited only by your taste. Some people go for mountain biking, zip lines, canopy tours, mountain coasters, and rock climbing, while other people like to take a quiet drive to a scenic overlook or watch the sun set while sipping wine on a vineyard patio. Here is a sampling of the outdoor adventures that lure vacationers and families to the charms of New England.

Alpine Adventures

41 Main Street Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-9911

You’ll experience the thrill of it all in so many ways at this outdoor adventure center

There are so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors at Alpine Adventures! Experience 300 private acres on Barron Mountain via off-road vehicles with guided Side X Side tours. Or zoom through – or over! – the trees with two heart-pumping zip line tours. Stay in the canopy on the tree-to-tree Tree Top tour or soar above it on the Sky Rider tour with higher, longer, faster lines, extreme tree platforms and sky bridges. Over at Thrillsville, take a self-guided adventure course that includes bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, zip lines and a tree house. And, finally, there’s the Off-Road tour, where you scale to the top of Barron Mountain in a six-wheel-drive vehicle that acts like a low-speed roller coaster.

Snowmobiles - Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Chamber - New Hampshire

Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 194 Twin Mountain, NH, 03595 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-245-8946

Each season has its special outdoor adventures in this vibrant mountain region

Every season brings a new set of outdoor adventures to the Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods area. The downhill skiing, of course, is spectacular at Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain and even next to the tracks of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway! There’s also cross-country skiing, tubing and snowmobiling on groomed trails. Spring is great time to break out the road, mountain, or fat bike. In the summer, there’s fishing, kayaking, and swimming in pristine rivers, lakes, and ponds. And fall means fantastic foliage on the region’s miles of scenic trails. Take a hike through a wildlife refuge and maybe even spot a moose. Whether you’re up for zip lining, an ATV tour, golfing or a gondola ride, this region really does have something for every adventurer.

Lakes Region Tourism Association

61 Laconia Road Tilton, NH, 03276 Phone: 603-286-8008 Toll-Free: 800-605-2537

Outdoor activities for all interests, all levels of experience, are everywhere in this vibrant region

Exciting outdoor activities are everywhere in the vibrant Lakes Region of New Hampshire. All sorts of lake cruises await visitors: sunset, dinner, Sunday brunch, nature, historical. They’re matched by activities on land, from hiking up mountains for thrilling views to petting the animals and family farms. Play golf, zoom around a speedway track in a go-kart or over the trees on a zip line, bike through a covered bridge or scamper through Ice Age caves and by waterfalls. In the winter, there’s downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing, sledding, skating, snowshoeing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Go camping or glamping. Check the website for outdoor festivals, concerts and other activities all four seasons of the year in the friendly towns and villages of the Lakes Region.

The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

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

Looking for adventures for all ages? Make tracks to this dinosaur-themed play park

Make tracks today to The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, a 60-acre outdoor adventure park that features over 50 life-sized dinos on 1.5 miles of pristine, easy-to-walk nature trails. Pose for a selfie under the belly of a 40-foot-tall Brachiosaurus, explore dino-filled caves, feel the vibrations of a rumbling volcano at Raptor Bay, a 7-acre lake. Other outdoor attractions include New England’s largest Splash Pad, a dinosaur-themed maze and Monty’s Playground with a variety of climbing, jumping, balancing and sliding activities. At the T-Rex Tower, climb through a crazy obstacle-filled tower, swing across on a zip line and slide down a super-slick slide. There’s also an 18-hole Old West-themed mini golf course.

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Outdoor Adventure - Maine Windjammers - Camden, ME - Photo Credit PJ Walters

Maine Windjammer Association

Sailing from Ports in Rockland and Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-807-9463

Ready for an adventure? Take to the sea for a glorious vacation aboard a windjammer

Toss your everyday routines and stresses to the wind: Book an adventure aboard one of the vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association. It’s like no other vacation you’ve experienced. Take a three-night cruise or sail for a week enjoying delicious homemade meals and the companionship of an expert crew and friendly fellow passengers. Help raise the sails, or sit on the deck and soak in the sun. Watch for porpoises, seals, bald eagles – even the occasional whale or puffin. Explore fishing villages, feast at a lobster bake on an uninhabited island, swim or paddle board – or just join in a game of Hearts around the wood stove. Vessels include 19th century schooners and more modern-day windjammers, all waiting for those seeking seafaring adventures.

Visit North Central Massachusetts

1000 Route 2 West (between Exits 103 & 102) Lancaster, MA, 01523 Phone: 978-534-2302

A wide variety of active fun adventures await you in North Central Massachusetts

From horse drawn sleighs to snowshoeing, winter fun in North Central Mass goes well beyond the ski slopes of Wachusett Mountain. Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton. Sleighs are guided by one or two horses (yes, with bells on) glide across paths blanketed in fresh snow -- experience the feeling of gliding through the frosty air in a magical winter landscape. (If there’s not enough snow, you can ride in a large wagon). Enjoy hot chocolate by the wood stove after your 30-minute ride. Then it’s time to go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or winter hiking. Glide along 13-plus miles of trails in the Brooks Woodland Preserve in Petersham, where you’ll explore an undisturbed forest of towering red oaks, hemlocks and white pine as well as old stone walls from early 19th-century farmsteads.

Bar Harbor B&B Association

Various Locations Bar Harbor, ME, 04609 Phone:

Launch your great Bar Harbor explorations from the breakfast table at a cozy inn

Let a hearty, home-cooked breakfast at one of the Bar Harbor Bed and Breakfast Association’s 18 inns start your outdoor adventures in Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park awaits, with miles of scenic hiking trails and carriage roads for biking (and the sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain is amazing). If you want a water adventure, there’s kayaking, canoeing, and cruises aboard four-masted schooners. Take an excursion to see lighthouses, whales – and puffins! Go golfing, sit back and enjoy an outdoor concert or stroll through the town’s many boutiques and galleries. You’ll find outside dining everywhere, so don’t forget this is lobster roll territory. End your day at your inn, in a hot tub or with a cocktail by a toasty fire pit.

Destination Plymouth Brewster Gardens Plymuth MA Credit Kindra Clineff

See Plymouth

4 North Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-747-0100 Toll-Free: 800-872-1620

Plymouth has it all for lovers of the great outdoors

With its active waterfront, miles of trails and acres of parks, the Plymouth area is a must for those who treasure their time outdoors. Go for a whale watch, take a fast-ferry to Provincetown or cruise the harbor in a classic paddleboat. Step aboard the Mayflower II, go on a walking historical tour (or evening ghost tour!), picnic by a grist mill or let the kids play on a beachside splash pad. Go kayaking, canoeing, fishing or swimming in a pond, play a round of golf or take in an outdoor concert or play. Check out miles of biking and hiking trails in a state forest, go bird-watching on a barrier beach or watch a dugout canoe being made at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Please call 1.800.USA.1620, or visit our website to learn more about these activities and others to prepare for your trip to Plymouth.

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King Pine Ski Area in East Madison, NH - Discover a Winter Wonderland! Click Here to Learn More.

Polar Caves

705 Rumney Route 25 Rumney, NH Phone: 603-536-1888

Put on your explorer gear and prepare to duck and shimmy through Ice Age caves

Time to be an explorer! Head to the Polar Caves and prepare to make all kinds of discoveries. Formed during the last Ice Age, the nine granite caves consist of granite boulders that formed passageways – and it’s those passageways, with the modern addition of boardwalks and stairs, that you’ll duck, squeeze and shimmy through. Can you get yourself through the slim crevasse of the Lemon Squeeze, or walk the narrow Devil’s Turnpike path? Can you touch the last of winter’s ice in the middle of the summer at the Ice Cave? When you’re done exploring, visit the animal park, with several fallow deer and ducks, all of which love kids bearing corn you can buy at the park. For hungry humans, there’s a picnic area.

Canoes at the Ready - Androscoggin Valley Chamber - Berlin, NH

Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce

961 Main Street Berlin, NH, 03570 Phone: 603-228-0836

If your spirit is adventurous, bring it along on your vacation in this outdoor playground

Bring your adventurous spirit, and your love of the great outdoors, to Androscoggin Valley, where the north side of Mount Washington meets the Upper Androscoggin River. That means there are all sorts of water activities, from kayaking, fishing (including fly and ice fishing), white-water rafting and canoeing to jumping into the perfect pristine swimming hole. In the winter, the skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dogsledding are fantastic. In the autumn, you can’t beat this scenic region’s hiking and biking trails. From moose tours to zip lines and rope courses, from ATV tours to golfing and camping, the valley has it all. And after your day in the great outdoors, there are comfortable inns and resorts, and a variety of first-rate restaurants, perfect for unwinding.

Morningside Flight Park

357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH, 03603 Phone: 603-542-4416

Adventure park pleasures from fishing to paragliding

Soar above the earth in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley at an outdoor activity park that offers a huge range of activities and services. Discover the thrill of a lifetime in hang gliding and paragliding, guided by folks with 30 years of experience in flight instruction. Lessons are offered to people of all skill levels and ages. Enjoy zip-lining and canopy tours, laser tag, fishing, swimming and kayaking. At a cozy campground surrounded by old-growth forest you can pitch your own tent or move into a set-up platform tent with full- or queen-size beds. The campground has many play and housekeeping features: fire pits, playing fields, picnic areas, a community kitchen, restrooms and bathhouse. You’re within easy reach of Boston, Hartford, Montreal, and New York.

Bluefish Girls 500x250 - Black Hawk Party Boat - Niantic, CT

Blackhawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from the Niantic Bay Marina Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

Book a fishing or sightseeing cruise and enjoy the fun of being out on the water

The great outdoors doesn’t get any greater than when you’re experiencing it from the deck of a party boat. At Blackhawk Sportfishing, you can have the fun of reeling in porgy in early May, fluke and bluefish in the summer, sea bass in the fall. Bring your own gear or rent a rod and reel on the boat. Keep your fish (for a small fee, the crew will fillet and clean them for you) or have them tossed back – or donated to a food bank. Not up for a fishing cruise? Blackhawk also offers sunset and nature cruises as well as seal and eagle watches. Bring your own cooler (beer is OK if it’s not in bottles) or buy burgers, dogs and snacks onboard.

Distinctive Inns of New England

Luxurious Accommodations throughout New England , CT Phone:

Explore all New England has to offer from the comforts of your charming inn

Each part of New England has its special charms for outdoor-lovers, and the 9 independently-owned members of Distinctive Inns of New England are pleased to serve as your headquarters to enjoy everything from whale-watch cruises off the coast to hiking the mountains of the interior. Plan a golf getaway, a schooner sailing package, a wildlife tour or a skiing vacation. Go ziplining through forests, swimming in a pond or ice-climbing in the mountains. Member inns have a variety of outdoor adventure packages and are the perfect place to come home to after your busy day for a cup of tea, a glass of wine, a swim in the pool, a massage or a nap in your beautifully decorated, well-appointed room.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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

Explore the Connecticut River Valley from a rail bike, train car or riverboat deck

Experience the Connecticut River Valley up close and personal on a rail bike, from a restored rail car or from the open deck of a Mississippi-style riverboat at Exxon Steam Train & Riverboat. April through June, you can pedal a two- or four-seat rail bike on tracks that take you through the valley’s scenic terrain. An 8-mile round trip is over moderate terrain from Essex Station to Old Saybrook; a 9-mile trip is slightly more difficult, to Chester. Train excursions, including a seasonal open air car, roll through the valley and can take you right to Deep River Landing, where you can board the 70-foot Becky Thatcher riverboat for a 1 1/4-hour cruise on the Connecticut River. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.

Save The Bay

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

Hikes, seal and lighthouse tours among outdoor activities at this education center

On land or sea, there are plenty of outdoor adventures for visitors to the year-round Save The Bay locations in Providence and Newport. At the Bay Center in Providence, the grounds—featuring walking trails, shoreline access, and, seasonally, a fishing platform, and kayak launch—are open from sunrise to sunset. Just outside the doors of their Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport, you can take a stroll on Newport’s only ocean-facing beach. June-October, Save The Bay offers full-day lighthouse tours, and then, from October-April, you can hop onboard a Seal Tour in historic Newport Harbor.
Boat tours depart from Newport, Westerly, and Providence RI.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

37 Corey Road -- Route 43 Hancock, MA, 01237 Phone: 413-738-5500 Toll-Free: 800-882-8859

Visit this resort any season of the year and see why the outdoors is even greater than you imagined

Come see why lovers of the great outdoors return season after season to the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. Some love to rush down the 3,600 twisting, turning feet of the alpine coaster, others want to arc high into the sky on the giant swing. At the Aerial Adventure Park, 74 exhilarating elements including zip lines and rope bridges present fun challenges. A chair lift ride takes you to the top of the mountain, with breathtaking valley and mountain views. There are several hiking and snowshoeing trails for all levels of ability. And, of course, the skiing and snowboarding at the resort, with top-notch snowmaking capabilities, are incredible, with three snowboarding terrains and 45 skiing and snowboarding trails covering over 167 acres.

Cannon Mountain

Franconia Notch State Park Franconia, NH, 03580 Phone: 603-823-8800

Tramway rides, hiking, biking, fishing: There’s lots to do on and around this mountain resort

Hop aboard the aerial tramway – the nation’s first – at Cannon Mountain and in under 10 minutes you’ll be marveling at the view from the 4,080-foot summit. On a clear day, you can see the mountains of four states – and Canada. There’s a 360-degree observation deck, scenic walking paths and cafe. Around the mountain are a variety of fun activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including the famous Flume Gorge with cascading waterfalls and covered bridges, rock-climbing at Cannon Cliffs, hiking and biking along the 8.8-mile Recreation Path and fishing in Echo Lake and Profile Lake, both stocked with trout. Camp on one of 97 wooded tent sites at Lafayette Place Campground or bring the RV to Cannon Mountain RV Park on the north shore of Echo Lake.

America's Stonehenge

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

Mysteries abound at this incredible seacoast site

The forests near Salem, NH are home to this remarkable maze of rocks, stone chambers, and megaliths that may have been left by ancient visitors. But who were they? The question has stymied scholars for generations. The megalith filled pine woods eerily appear to be similar to those built throughout Great Britain by Druid priests. Adding to the mystery is the fact that you'll find megaliths of the same type scattered around New England. This site is one of the largest collections not on private property and not off limits to visitors. Visit the museum and enjoy the orientation film and gift shop that offers books with more information. In winter months the one-hundred-plus acres are also great for snowshoeing.

Watch Hill Inn

38-44 Bay Street Watch Hill, RI, 02891 Phone: 877-394-8903

Make this seaport inn your headquarters for a host of fun outside activities and adventures

Whether your approach to the great outdoors is a seaside stroll or an exhilarating salt pond sail, you won’t be disappointed with your vacation at the Watch Hill Inn. Located in the heart of a bustling seaport village, it’s a short stroll to shops, waterside walks and a popular, historic carousel. Guests also have access to the attractions at the nearby Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn, including a private beach with boating options and cabana service, guided nature walks, fishing, swimming, biking lawn games including croquet and shuffleboard and children’s activities. In the area, you can visit a cider mill, family farms, a zoo, Mystic Seaport, an aquarium and gorgeous gardens. You can also go golfing, horseback riding or whale-watching.

Visit our sister properties - Ocean House Resort - Weekapaug Inn

Bear Rock Adventures

545 Beach Road Pittsburg, NH, 03592 Phone: Toll-Free: 866-663-9777

Heed the call of your inner trailblazer by renting an ATV or snowmobile at Bear Rock

Is your inner trailblazer calling? Then head to Bear Rock Adventures, where they know the woods of northern New Hampshire like the back of their hands! Whether you want to explore “The Wilds,” the 1,000-plus miles of interconnected trails in northern New Hampshire, from the seat of a brand new Polaris ATV or snowmobile, Bear Rock has a customized itinerary perfect for you. Take a guided or unguided tour and zip past secluded waterways, through pastoral valleys and meadows and up to the tops of mountains with breathtaking vistas. The trips are for all experience levels, and all your safety gear is provided. Rent for a few hours or add in an overnight option, either at the Bear Rock Lodge or a mountaintop glamping site.

American Heritage Museum

568 Main Street Hudson, MA, 01749 Phone: 978-562-9182

Learn to drive a tank under the auspices of the American Heritage Museum

The museum is now open! Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5pm. Advance ticketing is preferred - Please call or visit our website.

If you’re amazed at the collection of tanks assembled at the American Heritage Museum in Stowe, prepare to be doubly amazed at the museum’s tank training grounds in Hudson, where you can actually learn to drive one. The Tank Driving Experience Program lets you feel what it was like to drive an M24 Chaffee Light Tank, used in World War II and Korea, or the famous M4 Sherman Medium Tank, the workhorse of the Army during World War II. Instructors will lead you through basic procedures and driving skills in a one- or two-hour program, then you will be ready to drive the tank. At the end of the immersive program, you’ll have a greater appreciation for what went into maneuvering these metal beasts.

Historic Wethersfield

Historic town’s many parks, trails, heritage tours make for a great day in the great outdoors

Historic Wethersfield has more to celebrate than its heritage: It also has a number of parks and other places sure to please every outdoor enthusiast. At Mill Woods Park, you can hike wooded trails, explore wildflower meadows or enjoy the skate park, beach, outdoor swimming pool, bocce courts and pond skating and fishing. Standish Park has tennis courts and a wheelchair-friendly playground; Wintergreen Woods features 110 acres with scenic nature trails. The Heritage Way Bike Trail meanders 10 miles through parks and woods, and the 3-mile Heritage Walk takes you past the Cove Warehouse Maritime Museum, through meadows and past the Ancient Burying Ground. Launch your boat at the Cove, fish at the reservoir or go sledding at Farms Village Park.

Snowbaording - Mt. Washington Valley Chamber - North Conway, NH - Photo Credit Dan Houde & Wiseguy Creative

Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

Something exciting is waiting for all outdoor-lovers in this vibrant valley region

Plan your next adventure in Mt. Washington Valley, where excitement can be found around every corner. Hike among the 770,000 acres of the White Mountains National Forest or through a wildlife sanctuary. Bike on paved paths or up mountains. In the winter, go skiing, tubing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling then come back to your resort’s s’mores by the fire. In the summer, cool off in a mountain stream or waterfall, kayak or canoe down a river or go water-skiing in a lake. Play golf or tennis, take a ride on a scenic railway, or take the kids to enchanting Story Land or Santa’s Village. From zip lining and rock climbing to outdoor concerts and festivals, this region welcomes all who love the great outdoors. Click above to visit our website or call our friendly concierge at 800-337-3563 for more info on first class lodging and exciting events to plan your next adventure!

Weekapaug Inn

25 Spray Rock Road Westerly, RI, 02891 Phone: 877-394-8902

Pondside location and spacious grounds yield a variety of activities at this inviting inn

If you love being able to enjoy the great outdoors while staying at an award-winning inn, you’ll want to book one of the 33 classic rooms or spacious suites in the Weekapaug Inn. With its location on the Rhode Island shoreline overlooking Quonochontaug Pond, with the Atlantic just beyond, the inn offers a variety of water-based activities, from kayaking, sailing, paddle-boarding and fishing to boating excursions, beach walks with a resident naturalist and swimming. An attendant at the Bathhouse will set up your chairs and umbrella. The historic inn also has shuffleboard and bocce courts and a saline lap pool with jetted tub. In the evening, after dining on the restaurant’s farm-to-table fare, make s’mores by the fire pit and gaze at the stars.

Visit our sister properties - Ocean House Resort - Watch Hill Inn

Railroad Museum of New England

242 East Main Street Thomaston, CT, 06787 Phone: 860-283-7245

Admire the scenery of the Litchfield Hills as you rumble past in a vintage train

Explore the great outdoors from the comfort of your seat in a coach, first-class or lounge car, part of a vintage train leaving from the Railroad Museum of New England. Scenic tours follow the Naugatuck River, through inviting woodlands and over the famed Thomaston Dam, with panoramic views of the river valley. The scenery outside, as you travel past trees and over bridges, is as compelling as the interiors of train cars, styled from their appropriate era of travel. There are special excursions during the winter holidays and Eastertime, a trip to a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch and foliage tours in the fall, and a day trip to Torrington for shopping and dining in the summer. Back at Thomaston Station, check out the steam and diesel locomotives and cabooses.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

1712 Lost River Road -- Route 112W North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8031

See the powerful forces of nature at work when you tour a lost river and glacial caves

Marvel at the forces of Mother Nature when you tour the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in Kinsman Notch, a land of spectacular beauty. Walk a mile of boardwalk through the gorge as it winds its way along the Lost River, showing you jagged rock walls, gigantic boulders, cascading waterfalls and 11 glacial boulder caves whose formation began about 300 million years ago. Discover the Forest Adventure Trail, treehouse and suspension bridge or get a bird’s-eye view of the forest from the Giant Bird Nest. Pan for gemstones, shark’s teeth and fossils at the Lost River Mining Company. Or take an evening guided lantern tour when the caves are lit by lanterns and the boardwalks by headlamps. The tour ends with s’mores around a campfire.

Town of Bethlehem

White Mountains town makes a great headquarters for a variety of outdoor adventures

It’s hard to think of a place where the great outdoors is as great as it is in Bethlehem, N.H., making it the perfect headquarters for your adventures. Ski or snowboard down the slopes at one of six nearby mountains or hit the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking on endless area trails in Bethlehem and its charming neighboring towns. There’s also a network of snowmobile trails that take you right into town for lunch! In the warmer weather, enjoy hiking and biking on our extensive trail network or scenic roads, tennis, basketball – and swimming in the town pool and our pristine rivers. Bethlehem also boasts two exceptional 18-hole golf courses, designed by the legendary Donald Ross. Outdoor activities in the area include the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the Flume Gorge, Santa’s Village and Story Land.

Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Sail into the past aboard the Mystic-based schooner Argia

Aboard the 81-foot sailing vessel Argia, a modern replica of a 19th century packet schooner, you can travel back into the past – gliding by history-rich Mystic, helping the crew hoist and trim the sails – or just enjoy the view of islands, lighthouses and scenic coastlines from the vessel’s spacious wooden deck. The Coast Guard licensed schooner sails protected waters during the day and, for those seeking the romance of the sea at twilight, at sunset. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine (or order snacks from us when you book) to make this excursion truly memorable. There are seats for all 49 passengers and a lovely little main salon down below.

Scenic RailRiders

188 Sewalls Falls Road Concord, NH, 03301 Phone: 603-931-1700

Get on track with some spectacular sightseeing when you pedal along the rails

Get close to nature and ride the rails in comfort when you book a trip with Scenic RailRiders, the pedal-powered scenic railroad company. Settle into one of the company’s custom-made, two- or four-seat Rail-Bikes and take to the rails! The trip along the Northern Railroad’s abandoned tracks takes you along the Merrimack River, past farmland and woods and over bridges. Kids are welcome (child seats can be buckled into the vehicles), and safety is paramount, with seatbelts and redundant disc brakes. It’s a leisurely trip, a little over six miles and under two hours, with just one slight uphill grade. Those who can’t pedal can sit back and enjoy the ride! Bikes have small baskets for your camera, phone and water bottle.

Ice Castles

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

Dazzling displays mean you’ll crown these artful ice castles top winter attractions

Add some sparkle to your winter with a visit to the breathtaking Ice Castles, a magical masterpiece of ice thrones, sculptures, tunnels, slides and fountains. Walk along the enchanted forest path, admiring the hand-carved sculptures that seem to glow from within with their embedded LED lights. Or, better yet, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride (for groups up to 12 people) through the award-winning attraction. Set to open in early January, the winter wonderland features the work of ice artisans who grow and harvest up to 10,000 icicles a day. All in all, about 20 million pounds of ice go into creating the magical ambiance, aided by music and multicolored lights (and special fire shows on Friday and Saturday nights).

Autumn Boat River - Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, MA

Old Sturbridge Inn & Reeder Family Lodges

369 Main Street Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 774-304-1011

Let this outdoor living history museum help you launch your 1830s adventure

Old Sturbridge Village is open! Advanced ticketing required is required. Please visit our updated policies & procedures before reserving your visit.

Begin your 19th century adventure at Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor living history museum in the Northeast. Go back in time to a New England rural village, circa 1830, as you stroll by shops, schoolhouses, a cider mill, printing office, bank and other historic homes and buildings. Costumed historians demonstrate everything from how the sawmill operated and how cooking was accomplished to how shoes (human and horse) were made. Many displays are currently outside. At the farm, animals – sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys – await your visit. There are gardens to admire, covered bridges to enjoy, and nature trails offer walks through pastures, woodland and along the banks of the Quinebaug River.

Great Glen Trails

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

If it’s an outdoor sport and you have fun doing it, they have it at this mountain center

Hike, kayak, ski, snowshoe, bike: If it’s an outdoor sport and it’s fun, they have it at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, just 25 minutes north of North Conway at the base of Mt. Washington. With 28 miles of scenic trails, you can bike past meadows, hike into the woods and past rivers, or, in the winter, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The center’s kayaking options include wildlife tours, whitewater kayaking on the Androscoggin River and sunset paddles. Winter means zooming down an old-fashioned hill in a snow tube and fat biking through the snow. Summer means taking in a whitewater kayaking clinic or participating in a hiking/running series. See why the center is a multiple-year TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner.

Discover Quincy

Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center - 1250 Hancock Street Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-471-1700

Revel in this city’s history, recreation spots and natural surroundings

With 27 miles of coastline, including 11 beautiful beaches and miles of trails bordering rivers and marshes, Quincy is all about the outdoors. But there’s plenty of fun away from the water, too, since the city also boasts 52 parks, three golf courses, baseball fields, tennis and bocce courts, bike and jogging trails and a plethora of picnic places. Launch your boat off the public ramp at Houghs Neck Maritime Center, pitch your umbrella on spacious Wollaston Beach, go birding or rock-climbing at Blue Hills Reservation or check out the Boston skyline from the Neponset River Walk. Even the city’s history is outdoors, including a Native American campsite at Moswetuset Hummock and the site where Abigail Adams watched the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Fly Fishing - The Preserve Club & Residences - Richmond, RI

The Preserve Club and Residences

87 Kingstown Road Richmond, RI, 02898 Phone: 401-539-4653

List of exciting outdoor adventures is almost endless at this world-class resort

Four seasons of exciting outdoor adventures: The Preserve Sporting Club and Residences was built for exactly that. Set on 3,500 acres surrounded by thousands more acres of protected land, the resort’s list of activities is almost endless, from hiking, biking and zip lining to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. Go on a riding tour from the Equestrian Center, climb a rock wall, learn how to fly-fish in a pond stocked with trout or bass. Golf on an award-winning 18-hole executive course, go hunting for pheasant or quail, swim in the pool, play croquet or tennis or sit by the fire in the Scotch & Cigar Safari Tent experience! And don’t forget to relax in the on-site spa.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

1 Skimobile Road North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-786-6754

Summer at this ski resort means great hiking, chairlift rides, mountain biking

What can you do in the summer at a ski resort? Lots! At Cranmore Mountain Resort, take a seven-minute four-passenger chairlift ride to the top of the mountain. Then gaze out in awe at stunning views of Mt. Washington and its valley from 2,000 feet up. Grab lunch, snacks, a hot dog, ice cream or Bavarian pretzel at the historic Meister Hut. Then board the Skimobile Express Quad for a scenic chairlift ride back to the base area. Or, hike a half-mile loop around the summit with amazing views. (Want something longer? Take the 2-mile Black Cap Connector Trail.) The resort also has a family-friendly, lift-serviced downhill mountain bike park, with terrain for all ability levels, group lessons and rental bikes and gear.

Rhode Island -- Ninigret Pond Refuge

Refuge Headquarters, 50 Bend Road Charlestown, RI Phone:

From fishing, to hiking, to photography, Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge has it all. The section of the refuge south of Route 1 is surrounded on three sides by Ninigret Pond, a large salt pond with a dramatic breachway opening to the ocean. At the east entrance, there is a kayak/canoe launch area -- a convenient place to get out on Ninigret Pond and see the refuge from the duck's point of view! The northern section of the refuge, where the Kettle Pond Visitor Center is located, is more forested upland. Watchaug Pond is only a short distance down easy trails from the Visitor Center. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy nature in any way that feels good to you.

New Hampshire -- Saint-Gaudens Historic Site

139 Saint Gaudens Road Cornish, NH Phone: 603-675-2175

A visit to this national park is a walk through a beautiful, serene property that was home to one of America’s greatest sculptors. Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), created over 150 works of art, from exquisitely carved cameos to heroic-size public monuments. Works such as the "Standing Lincoln" monument and the Shaw Memorial, continue to inspire people today and his design for the 1907 Twenty Dollar Gold Piece, is considered America's most beautiful coin. At this historic site you can see 100 of his artworks in the galleries and on the grounds, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage. Enjoy summer concerts, explore nature trails, and admire the magnificent views.

Connecticut -- Connecticut Wine Trail

Follow the trail of the vine as it winds through some of the most picturesque towns in Connecticut. The Connecticut Wine Trail is a unique collection of Twenty Four Vineyards, each ready to welcome you with hospitality and exceptional award winning wines. The trail is divided into two sections, East and West. To fully enjoy the Wine Trail, plan a few weekends to experience all that each winery has to offer. We invite you to explore this site and see where the trail leads you. You'll find more than just great wine.

Green Animals Topiary Garden Portsmouth RI

Rhode Islan -- Green Animals Topiary Garden

Corys Lane Portsmouth, RI Phone: 401-847-1000

This garden, a collection of intricate topiaries, is a special delight for children. This small country estate in Portsmouth evolved into a topiary garden under the care of father-and-son superintendents during most of the 20th century. There are more than 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including animals and birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs, sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. Today, Green Animals remains as a rare example of a self-sufficient estate combining formal topiaries, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and a Victorian house overlooking Narragansett Bay. Open seasonally; call ahead for public hours.

New Hampshire -- Sabbaday Falls

Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area, Route 112 Waterville, NH Phone:

Sabbaday Brook , on the Kancamagus Pass, drops 40 feet in an unusual and scenic form. The water drops eight feet into a small emerald green pothole. The outlet of the pothole is a slide resulting in a 20-foot horsetail into a tight gorge where it makes a ninety degree turn to the right. The final drop is a 12-foot slide into a deep teal trough that opens into a pale jade green pool below. Walkways, bridges, and stairs make this an easy and safe place to explore. To find it: Sabbaday Falls is the focal point of the Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area, a well marked locale on Route 112, about 11 miles east of Kancamagus Pass, about 3.4 miles west of the Jigger Johnson Campground and about 17 miles west of Conway.

MASSACHUSETTS -- Cape Cod Railroad

Remember when you boarded a train there was a sense of adventure, and getting there was all the fun! Travel back in time to the golden age of railroad travel as you are treated to some of the Cape's unspoiled and hidden beauty, accessible only by the railways. Make a whistle stop in Sandwich -- the Cape's oldest and most charming town -- or ride on through on this two-hour scenic route. Traverse some of the Cape's most picturesque countryside including quaint villages, unspoiled woodlands, sand dunes, cranberry bogs, salt marshes, and the famous Cape Cod Canal.

Conway Scenic Railroad - North Conway, NH

New Hampshire -- Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251 Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

With help from the Conway Scenic Railroad, you can enjoy a ride on vintage trains traveling over historic tracks in the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains. On the Valley Train, you’ll journey on historic rail routes from the 1874 train station in North Conway Village to either Conway or Bartlett and back again. On the Notch Train, you’ll travel on what was once the Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid in the 1870s. Enjoy some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as you travel through spectacular Crawford Notch – past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas – en route to Crawford and Fabyan stations. Fun for all ages.

MAINE -- Maine Botanical Garden

132 Botanical Gardens Drive Boothbay, ME, 04537 Phone: 207-633-4333

This magnificent collection of gardens, fronted by an airy, spacious welcome center, does more artist work with plants, sculpture, stone, ponds, and fountains than you can imagine. Gardens and meandering walks – including an endearing children’s garden – are a delight to all kinds of visitors – even people who might not consider themselves garden buffs. The names of the garden offer some clues: children’s garden, garden of the five senses, rhododendron & perennial garden, great lawn & ledge garden, kitchen garden, hillside garden, forest pond, meditation garden, shoreland trail, and rose & perennial garden. Best news: the garden is open daily, year-round.

Massachusetts -- Walk the Freedom Trail

A leisurely walk through a world-class, history-rich city with many designated stops at fascinating places, from an old cemetery to classic, elegant churches. All this, along with educational value, enough space and variety for active kids, plenty of snacking opps along the way. Boston's Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile trail connecting 16 of the country's most significant historic sites linked to the American Revolution. Between April and November, you can take a 90-minute walking tour along the trail with a lively and informative 18th century costumed guide. Stop include The Boston Common, The State House,Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House The Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Bunker Hill Monument, and the USS Constitution.

Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park Bar Harbor Maine

MAINE -- Carriage Roads of Acadia

Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads, the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., weave around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park. Rockefeller wanted to travel via horse and carriage into the heart of Mount Desert Island. His construction from 1913 to 1940 resulted in roads with sweeping vistas and close-up views of the landscape. Rather than flattening hillsides to accommodate the roads, breast walls and retaining walls were built to preserve the line of hillsides and save trees. Rockefeller aligned the roads to follow the contours of the land and to take advantage of scenic views. It is a beautiful drive. Here is a map by the National Park Service.

Bromley’s Summer Sun & Fun Park Bromley Mountain VT

Vermont -- Bromley Mountain Thrill Zone

3984 Vermont Route 11 Peru, VT Phone: 802-824-5522

Bromley’s Summer Sun & Fun Park offers more warm-weather thrills (if not chills) than you can count. Alpine Slide is a triple-track and 2/3 of a mile in length with banked turns and straightaways, rollers and drops; the climbing wall has is multi-faced real-rock with different levels of challenges; the trampoline thing lets you slip into the harness and take trampolining to new heights; space bikes pedal into orbit; the zip line is basically 100 feet of "Yee-Ha!" on a super strong steel cable. The giant swing produces 3Gs of gravitational force. Coming in July 2012, the new Aerial Adventure Park allows you to walk in the treetops.

Thaxter garden on the Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire

New Hampshire -- Thaxter’s Garden on Isles of Shoals

Depart from Gregg Marine Research Complex, 29 Wentworth Road New Castle, NH Phone:

Portsmouth-born author Celia Laighton Thaxter (1835-1894) grew up in the Isles of Shoals, including Appledore and Star islands, offshore between New Hampshire and Kittery Point, Maine. Her poems first appeared in The Atlantic Monthly and she became one of America's favorite authors in the late 1800s. Images of her famous garden return, again and again, in the oil paintings by Childe Hassam. Tours of the garden and Appledore Island are offered by Shoals Marine Lab aboard the research vessel Challenger. This is an island without paved roads, vehicles or amenities, so visitors (age 18 and older) should be prepared to spend the day hiking on rough terrain. The rewards are great.

Whale Watching Tours in Bar Harbor, Maine - Outdoor Adventures

MAINE -- Bar Harbor Whale Watch Tours

1 West Street Bar Harbor, ME Phone: 207-288-2386

Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. offers several distinct whale watching, sightseeing, light house and nature trips that sail daily throughout the summer. Come witness the awe inspiring beauty of the magnificent mammals of the sea. The Gulf of Maine is home to humpback, finback, and Minke whales. Because of the catamaran's speed visitors arrive at and cover lots of whale-watching territory. The boat’s galley is open during the voyage with food and beverages, including beer and wine.

Rhode Island -- Cliff Walk's Rocky Shores

Start at 117 Memorial Blvd. Newport, RI Phone:

The Newport Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile winding path along Newport’s shoreline with breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay and the rocky coves below. The walk runs from Bailey's Beach to First Beach, with public access points at Bellevue Avenue, Ledge Road, Marine Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Webster Street, and Narragansett Avenue. The walk skirts the edges of some of the city’s mansions, including Beechwood, Rosecliff, Marble House, The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Rough Point. Much of the walk is easy paved paths but some parts have unpaved sections and rugged paths. Best section for viewing with limited time is Narragansett Avenue to Ruggles Avenue.

Art’s Dune Tours Provincetown Cape Cod MA

Massachusetts -- Art’s Dune Tours

4 Standish Street Provincetown, MA Phone: 800-894-1951

For three generations, the family-run Art’s Dune Tours has been taking spellbound visitors on tours of the dunes of the Provincelands, a marvelous, otherworldly place of sky, sea, dune grass, and wind-sculpted dunes. On the tours, you will travel through the majestic dunes where your guide points out the dune shacks where famous artists and writers lived and found inspiration. You will pass the remains of the Peaked Hill Life Saving Station and learn how life savers enacted their heroic efforts to save the lives of thousands from shipwrecks. Access by the public to the dunes is limited, so this is the way to see this marvelous landscape.

New England outdoor adventures fill your vacation with zest

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