New England outdoor adventures fill your vacation with zest

New England > All New England > Outdoor Activities > Outdoor Adventures

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 Top 10 outdoor adventures that lure vacationers and families to the charms of New England.

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.

Campfire Treats - Briarclif Motel - Great Barrington, MA

Briarcliff Motel

Route 7 - 306 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-528-3000

Berkshires inn a great headquarters for a huge variety of outdoor adventures

Outdoor fun begins at The Briarcliff Motel and extends into the beautiful, breathtaking Berkshires. At the inn, at the foot of Monument Mountain, there are lawns suitable for volleyball, badminton and lawn darts. Hop in the car and take a short drive to every outdoor adventure you can imagine: hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, swimming and golf. There are trails perfect for mountain biking and easy cycling, nature preserves and parks where you can hike all day or do a short, relaxing loop through meadows. Go tubing down a mountain or ziplining through a forest canopy. Canoe along the shores of a pond or whoosh through river rapids. Come back to the inn to relax in your comfy room, with plush-top mattresses, wifi and refrigerator.

Visit our sister properties - Red Lion Inn - Porches Inn

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

Crab Apple Whitewater (ME)

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

Closed for 2020 - We look forward to seeing you in 2021!

You’ll get to see the great outdoors up close and personal when you sign up for a whitewater rafting adventure at Crab Apple Whitewater. Imagine zooming through Class III and IV rapids like “Three Sisters” and “Magic Falls” on the spectacular Kennebec River, passing by Maine’s woodlands and wildlife. Or conquering high-water rafting on the Dead River. Or maybe you want a calmer trip with places to float and swim. Head back to the base camp for overnight lodging, some paintball fun or maybe a walk to Moxie Falls, Maine’s highest waterfall. Or here’s an idea: Sign up for a moose safari, leaving at dusk from May through August, in search of the amazing beasts in their natural habitat.

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.

Your Vacation, Your Choice - 13 Cape and Island Resorts! Call 866-MYVACATION or click to visit our website today!

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.

Whitewater Splash 500x250 - Crab Apple Whitewater - Charlemont, MA

Crab Apple Whitewater (MA)

Route 2 Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 800-553-7238

Family Owned and Operated Whitewater Rafting Outfitter

Add whitewater rafting to your outdoor adventures this year. Crab Apple offers outings on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts and the Kennebec and Dead Rivers in Maine. You’ll enjoy full day rafting trips on mild Class 1-3 rapids or more aggressive Class 3-4 rapids. Or take a mild half-day trip in guided rafts or inflatable kayaks. Friendly and knowledgeable guides share information and stories about local history, wildlife and hydrology all with a personal touch. There’s great food and excellent equipment. Maine location includes riverside lodging, pub and heated pool. Massachusetts location sits along historic Mohawk Trail.

Bluenose Inn

90 Eden Street Bar Harbor, ME, 04609 Phone: 207-288-2665

Experience Acadia and other outdoor activities with this comfortable inn as your headquarters

When viewers of “Good Morning America” named Acadia National Park the country’s favorite place, they knew what they were talking about. And there’s no place to launch your outdoor vacation along Maine’s rugged coast, including spectacular Acadia, than The Bluenose Inn. Amazing vistas are your reward when you hike the region’s peaks. Other outdoor activities include biking on crushed-stone carriage trails, kayaking and rock climbing. Go on a boat tour, stroll through classic fishing villages or take a day trip to view Prospect Harbor Lighthouse. There’s mini golf, a sandy beach and, back at the comfortable inn, an outdoor (and indoor) pool. After you wake up in your spacious room or suite, head to the Looking Glass Restaurant for blueberry pancakes and lobster eggs Benedict.

Railroad Museum of New England

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

Enjoy the scenery from your seat on a vintage passenger car at this rail museum

Experience a ride through some of the region’s most scenic vistas aboard a vintage passenger car when you set out on a rail excursion at the Railroad Museum of New England. This not-for-profit educational and historic organization tells the story of the area’s rich rail heritage by operating scenic and historical train rides on the Naugatuck Railroad. Leaving from the historic Thomaston Station, trains travel alongside a river, through valleys and woods and over the famous Thomaston Dam. With stunning views all seasons of the year, the diesel-driven trains that are especially popular include the Easter Bunny Express, Chocolate Decadence Tour, Litchfield Hills Train, Spirit-Tasting experience, Pumpkin Patch train, Northern Lights Limited and the Santa Express.

Power your own Zip Line & Rafting Adventure at Zoar Outdoor - Just 3.5 hours from New York City and 2 hours from Boston!

Morningside Flight Park - Enjoy the exhiliration of tandem hang gliding today!

Inns Along the Coast - 9 Welcoming Inns along Maine's scenic coastline.

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).

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

Black Hawk Sportfishing

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

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. Snacks and soda are provided, but you can bring your own food and beverages. There are seats for all 49 passengers and a lovely little main salon down below. The exquisite Argia also is available for groups and classes who want to know about the ecology of the sea (and handle some of its creatures) and for private charters.

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. The exquisite Argia is available May 1st through mid-October for private charters.

Foxwoods HighFlyer

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

Zip through the skies from the rooftop of this Connecticut casino

Talk about getting up close and personal with Mother Nature: From the rooftop of the famous Foxwoods Resort Casino – that’s 350 feet, or 32 stories, atop Fox Tower – you can take an exhilarating mile-long zipline tour that sends you soaring through the air, above the trees, reaching speeds of almost 60 mph, finishing up at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes to take you back to the casino, and a viewing shuttle for family and friends also leaves the casino every 15 minutes.

Loon Mountain Resort

60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-6281 Toll-Free: 800-229-5666

Zips, giant climbing web, log jam maze fill a day with action

New Hampshire’s longest scenic gondola skyride to the mountain top is just the start of the action at Loon Mountain. Ride a snow tube down for the excitement that awaits at the base. Trvel a zipline across the Pemigewasset River and into the Aerial Forest Adventure Park. Scale a rock wall, rent a bike, navigate the LogJam Maze, or climb a 30-foot-tall spider web. Young kids will love the bounce house and fun inflatable games at Bunyan’s Bouncin’ Backyard. While you’re at the summit, visit glacial caves and walk a scenic nature trail. Grab lunch or a snack at the Summit Café, which serves up great food and some of the best views of the White Mountains in all of New England.

Summer Dog Sled Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft Jefferson New Hampshire

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft NH

32 Valley Road Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-545-4533

This outdoor adventure places you behind a team of sled dogs

Take a break from those YouTube videos of Alaskan dog sled races. Plan your personal Iditarod race with Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The company is primarily a refuge for rescued dogs, and the animals help support the business and each other by offering year-round dog sled rides (in summer, held on mountains trails on wheeled dog carts). Rides are up-close and personal; meet the happy canines who will be powering your wild ride in the mountains! During the warm seasons, Raft NH, an arm of Muddy Paw, offers river rafting adventures for guests above age 6, led by a licensed Maine guide.

Weekapaug Inn

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

Nature inspires many of the fun activities (and provides the fabulous views) at this waterfront resort

Nature surrounds and inspires everything at the Weekapaug Inn, which overlooks Quonochontaug Pond on Rhode Island’s scenic shore. That’s why the inn has a resident naturalist, who’ll answer questions and lead you on guided beach walks and boating excursions. Water activities at the inn range from kayaking and sailing to swimming, fishing, crabbing – or just enjoying the sun from underneath your umbrella at the inn’s private beach. There’s also a pool with a spectacular view. Away from the water, you can play bocce or horseshoes on the expansive lawn, go exploring on one of the inn’s bicycles or arrange to play croquet or squash at a nearby sister inn. Area outdoor attractions include tennis and golf, and riding the famous Flying Horse carousel.

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

Sunset Fishing - New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Lakes Region Tourism Association

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

In the Lakes Region, your adventurous side will want to come out and play

No one celebrates the outdoors quite like New Hampshire's Lakes Region. With the area’s bounty of mountains and lakes, you have your choice in the winter of ski resorts, a hundred miles of snowmobile trails – and Santa’s Village, of course. In the sunshine seasons, choose from scenic gondola rides, ziplines through forests, great fishing, hundreds of miles of hiking trails through jaw-dropping scenery, boat cruises across crystal-clear Lake Winnipesaukee and several water parks. Pump up that adrenaline with rock and ice climbing, skydiving or exploring glacial caves. Or take it down a notch with golf, a walk through Shaker village gardens or a cog railroad ride up Mt. Washington. From moose tours to mountain biking, this area has it all.

Bear Rock Adventures

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

Embrace your inner trailblazer with family-friendly ATV rides with Bear Rock Adventures s

Discover the Great North Woods’ jaw-dropping vistas, diverse landscapes and wildlife from the back of a Polaris ATV or side-by-side with Bear Rock Adventures. Pick your adventure with customized itineraries, perfect for families and thrill-seekers alike, and explore over 1,000 miles of Ride the Wilds interconnected trails on half, full, or multi-day excursions. Bear Rock Adventures provides a safe, turnkey way to ATV with the latest gear including safety helmets and goggles, cutting-edge GPS and Bluetooth technology as well as storage compartments for your riding gear, maps, picnic lunches and selfie sticks to capture the ultimate memory.

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 10 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.

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks

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

See VT Farm Life on a Walk Through Woods and Maple Groves

Vermont is a place of outdoor people and farm life, but if you also like shopping, local history, and unique crafts, you will find all of these on your visit to Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier. Burr Morse, the eighth generation of a family that has farmed this maple grove, greets visitors with tours of the sugarhouse, multimedia displays at a theater in a woodshed, a museum of Vermont farm life, and a country store with plenty of maple treats, gifts, and one-of-a-kind crafts to carry or mail back home. A gentle trail leads right to the “sugarbush” (maple grove). The trail is inhabited by fun folk characters carved by Morse. Sugaring season is February to April, but this theater of Vermont outdoor life is open year-round.

Beardsley Zoo

1875 Noble Avenue Bridgeport, CT, 06610 Phone: 203-394-6565

Spend a day outside with the more than 300 animals in this Conn. zoo

The outdoors is even greater when it means getting the opportunity to see nature’s creatures. At the Beardsley Zoo, there are more than 300 of those creatures, from tigers and anteaters, miniature horses and wolves, to howler monkeys, caimans, snowy owls, bald eagles, red pandas and bison. Special themed scavenger hunts and local hikes will keep you on your toes, as will a variety of specialized programs for tots to teens. Enjoy dining al fresco at the Picnic Grove, or get a bite to eat at the Peacock Cafe. The zoo has strollers and wheelchairs for rent and also features a rainforest building and, to top off your perfect day, a colorful carousel.

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

The Preserve Club and Residences

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

Dream locations for fly-fishing for all levels at this majestic nature preserve, resort

It’s not surprising that a spacious, serene outdoors-centric retreat like The Preserve Club & Residences would have great fishing. The resort’s pristine acres include 10 meticulously maintained fly-fishing ponds, the largest of which covers 10 acres. The ponds are stocked with healthy populations of trout and bass, to inspire and challenge even the most dedicated of anglers. The Preserve also abuts a watershed, a fly-fishing dream destination. Lessons and equipment are available at the impressive Sporting Shoppe. The resort also has reciprocal relationships with area saltwater and ocean fishing companies for those seeking day trips for striped bass or bottom fish around Narragansett Bay (an excursion particularly enjoyed by kids). Extend your fishing vacation at one of several luxurious lodging options.

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.

Great Glen Trails

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

Outdoor adventure for summer and winter explorers

Four-season adventure awaits your family at Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch. In warmer months, head out on scenic trails for a hike, a run, or bike ride through the majestic White Mountains. Join a guided bird watching tour or paddling trip on the Androscoggin River. In winter, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the way to get around on a trail system of easy and rolling terrain. Skiers of all abilities can find their own level of activity, challenge, and fun. Trails are groomed with both double tracks and a skating lane and run through the forests at the base of Mount Washington. Or you can jump onto the SnowCoach and tour the mountain in winter from a comfortable seat. Outdoor fun for all tastes!

Glen House

979 NH Route 16 Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone:

Adventures around every corner, every season, at this mountain resort

There really is an outdoor adventure everywhere you look in the Mt. Washington Valley area, and there’s no better place to start the fun than the Glen House, a 68-room resort with panoramic views of the White Mountains. From your luxurious room at this four-season resort, you can plan your skiing, snowshoeing or skating adventure in the winter, fat biking or hiking in the spring, a tour or self-drive up the amazing Mt. Washington Auto Road in the summer and hiking in spectacular foliage in the fall. At the base of the Auto Road, which reaches more than a mile into the sky, is Great Glen Trails, with guided kayaking and whitewater tours as well as biking trails.

Schooner Heritage - Maine Windjammers - Camden, ME - Photo Credit Don Sichler

Maine Windjammer Association

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

Seagoing adventure is yours aboard one of windjammer group’s elegant ships

Your adventure at sea begins aboard one of the sailing schooners in the Maine Windjammer Association. Take a three-, four- or six-day cruise and know what it means to totally relax while cruising into charming fishing villages, enjoying a lobster bake on an unspoiled island or diving into waters off Maine’s coast for an invigorating swim. Observe wildlife from porpoises, puffins, seals (and occasional whales) to eagles and great herons. Enjoy down-home Downeast cooking and camaraderie. Take the helm, help set or furl a sail – or just sit on deck and watch one of Maine’s famous red sunsets. Ships accommodate from 16 to 40 guests in modern, comfortable quarters.

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.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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

Ride the rails, ply the river at this delightful combo attraction

You are more than riding the rails when you board one of the vintage coaches of the Essex Steam Train. Because after a leisurely ride through the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley, past ponds, waterfalls and meadows, you are escorted onto the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a cruise past rocky shorelines, the Goodspeed Opera House and the Haddam Swing Bridge. Both forms of transport get you up close and personal to flora and fauna, from eagles and blue herons to the eye-popping colors of autumn leaves. Special excursions include a dinner train, sunset cruises, caboose weekends and the popular North Pole Express. Or, take a locomotive out for a spin in a “Hand on the Throttle” session. Please check our website regularly for 2020 schedules and updates.

Historic Wethersfield

The outdoors really is great at various venues in this charming town

Are you an active adventure-seeker, or looking for something on the quiet side? Historic Wethersfield has you covered. A heritage trail bike ride will take you past historic homes and working farms, or head down to the 1860 Reservoir for fishing and canoeing. Mill Woods Park has a skate park; bocce, tennis and basketball courts and a swimming pond, and Wintergreen Woods offers walking trails through 110 acres of forest and wetlands. Visit a nature center for a meadow stroll where you might spy an eagle, or walk through colonial gardens. Historical society walking tours let you see more about the town’s origins. (It was founded in 1633-34). Don’t forget ice skating, swimming, farmers’ markets and shopping along Main Street.

Raft NH

196 Main Street Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-545-4533

Guided rafting adventures a perfect day on the river in the Great North Woods of N.H.

You can take a walk to be part of the great outdoors: Or you can go whitewater rafting! At Raft NH, you will be up close and personal with the Androscoggin River – the section below the Pontook Dam – when you sign up for the Class II river runs. This laid-back day on the river means rafters from ages 6 and up can experience sections of milder rapids and calmer water, perfect for a swim. Class II trips are geared toward families and whitewater beginners, but everyone will enjoy their day in the White Mountains and Great North Woods of northern New Hampshire. The rafting adventure includes a guide, safety gear, comfort gear, a small snack and transportation to and from the raft base in Gorham.

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.

Spring Golf Course - Mt. Washington Valley Chamber - North Conway, NH

Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

It really is a great outdoors in this varied mountain valley region

The great outdoors is even greater than that in the Mount Washington Valley region, starting with the best skiing, downhill and cross-country, in the East as well as amazing ice castles and glacial caves to visit. Hiking trails through meadows and up spectacular mountains, ziplining, rock-climbing, moose tours, ropes courses. mountain coasters and every form of boating are all waiting for you. Walk to waterfalls, across wooden bridges and through gorgeous towns and villages. Explore water parks, family farms, indoor and outdoor skating rinks (learn to curl!), golf courses, fairs, festivals and farmers markets. And here’s an added adventure: The distances between these great outdoor activities for the whole family? Short, short, short, making your trip fun, fun, fun.

Paddling - The Preserve Club & Residences - Richmond, RI

The Preserve Club and Residences

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

An almost endless list of outdoor activities at this resort designed for adventure-lovers

The menu of exhilarating outdoor activities at The Preserve Club & Residences is almost endless. On pristine acres of fields, ponds, hilltops and woodlands, the resort features world-class sporting clays courses, a championship golf course, zip lining over and across 250-foot elevation drops, kayaking and canoeing in crystal-clear waterways, fly-fishing in ponds stocked with trout and bass, miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as well as hiking and mountain biking, a grass and two clay tennis courts, a custom-designed rock-climbing wall and opportunities for horse-back riding, pheasant hunting, archery, ice skating – and amazing star-gazing. Accommodations, from well-appointed glamping tents to luxurious cabins and suites, match the outdoor amenities.

Watch Hill Inn

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

Those seeking outdoor adventures and activities will find this seaside inn a perfect headquarters

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a full range of activities when they stay at the spacious Watch Hill Inn, in the heart of a picture-perfect seaside village. The village itself hosts a famous carousel, a lighthouse and museum, sandy beaches and the hidden ruins of an old battle fort. And the inn’s two nearby sister resorts – Ocean House and the Weekapaug Inn – have a host of activities, from sailing, boating excursions, surfing lessons, fishing and nature tours to croquet and squash, biking and all the delights of a private white-sand beach with cabana service. Farther afield you’ll find family amusement parks including The Dinosaur Place, golf, tennis, nature centers, a cider mill, vineyards, hiking and biking trails and the Mystic Seaport.

Visit our sister properties - Ocean House Resort - Weekapaug Inn

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

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

Outdoor adventures at every turn at this scenic resort in the Northern Berkshires

There’s an outdoor adventure everywhere you turn at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in the beautiful Berkshires. There’s great skiing for all abilities, of course, on 45 trails, three exciting snowboarding parks and a network of snowshoeing trails. At the Mountain Adventure Park, there’s an alpine roller coaster and alpine slide (you control the speed for each), a giant swing, rock-climbing wall, Euro Bungy Trampoline and Kid Climb ropes course. Over at the Aerial Adventure Park, nestled in the forests surrounding the resort, is a self-guided elevated ropes course through the trees, complete with rope bridges, swinging logs, zip lines and cargo nets. Plenty of places to eat at this scenic resort, or just to relax with a cocktail or craft brew.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Massachusetts -- Minuteman Bikeway

The Minuteman Bikeway passes through the historic area where the American Revolution began in April 1775. Built by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on an inactive railroad, the trail is often used by local residents as a convenient, eco-friendly way for commuters to reach train stations. The path is 12 feet wide, plowed in the winter time, and includes lots of stops for refreshments and/or restrooms at Depot Park in Bedford, the Lexington Visitor’s Center, Alewife Station, and nearby business districts along the bikeway. Trail access in Bedford is available at the intersection of South Road and Loomis Street (exit 31B from I-95); at Lexington Center and Arlington Center, and at the Alewife T-Station.

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.

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.

Essex Steam Train and riverboat Essex CT

Connecticut -- Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT Phone: 860-767-0103

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat's two-and-a-half -hour journey begins at the historic Essex Station for a narrated round trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches at 20 mph through the towns of Deep River and Chester. At Deep River Landing, passengers board the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a cruise along the Connecticut River. The deep water, coves, inlets, marshes, wildlife, and rocky shoreline are breathtaking. Upon Becky's return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes passengers for the return trip to Essex Station. Trips conducted mid-May to late October.

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.

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.

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.

Jiminy Peak Adventure Park Massachusetts

Massachusetts -- Jiminy Peak’s Adventure Park

37 Corey Road Hancock, MA Phone: 413-738-5500

In winter, Jiminy Peak is the place to ski and snowboard. In summer, it turns into the Mountain Adventure Park, filled with rides and challenges for people who can’t turn down a dare. Among the hair-raising activities are an aerial forest ropes course consisting of five elevated courses; a mountain coaster, consisting of thousands of feet of twisting, turning fun through the woods; an Alpine super slide; a rock climbing wall with automatic belay lines and beginner, intermediate, and expert routes; a Euro-bungy trampoline with swivel harnesses; a zip ride, mountain Segway tours; mountain biking, and – for the sedentary adventurer, scenic tram rides to the summit on a six-passenger chairlift.

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.

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.

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.

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.

VERMONT – Historic 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 most covered bridges, and Vermont, with about 104, has the most for its size. Individual inventiveness played an important role in the proliferation of covered bridges. As the industry grew, builders experimented and adapted each other’s designs in hopes of building stronger bridges with the fewest materials. Covered bridges grew in popularity in the early 20th century and became subjects for artists and advertisers. It is easy to design your own covered bridge driving tour.

New Hampshire -- Conway Scenic Railroad

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.

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.

New England outdoor adventures fill your vacation with zest

You May Also Like...

Family Activities

Zip Lines

Great Sunsets

Monthly Newsletter Subscription