6 Fun Destinations For Your New England Vacation

6 Ideas For A New England Trip

Name	Description
Ives Concert Park	Concert venue in Danbury, Connecticut that hosts classical and modern music, Shakespeare plays, chamber music, children's events, jazz, and more
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival	August event in Maine with music, crafts, farm tours, activities for kids, and plenty of blueberries
White Mountains	New Hampshire destination for downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, and summer family activities like hiking and zip lines
Literary North	Hosts a variety of events and activities for book lovers throughout Vermont and New Hampshire
Lyman Orchards	Scenic farm in Middlefield, CT with orchards, golf courses, and a historic homestead
New Bedford, Massachusetts	Filled with history, America's #1 fishing port offers parks, trails, museums, a zoo, and lots of great seafood

A Breathtaking View of the White Mountains

Timeline of Massachusetts History

1620: Pilgrims arrive and establish a settlement
1630: A group of Puritans, led by John Winthrop, establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony
1632: Boston named capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony
1634: Boston Common is first public park in America
1636: Harvard College established
1639: First Post Office in U.S. established in Boston
1692: Salem witch trials
1756 - 1763: The Seven Years War
1773: Boston Tea Party
1775: First battle of American Revolution fought at Lexington and Concord
1776: Declaration off Independence is signed
1780: John Hancock is first elected governor
1783: Treaty of Paris is signed
1786-1787: Shays' Rebellion
1788: Massachusetts admitted to the Union
1796: John Adams elected president
1820: Maine separates from Massachusetts
1826: First American railroad built in Quincy
1840: Typewriter invented by Charles Thurber in Worcester
1845: First sewing machine made by Elias Howe in Boston
1876: First telephone demonstrated by Alexander Graham Bell in Boston
1877: Helen Magill White of Boston University becomes the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in the U.S.
1891: Dr. James Naismith invents basketball
1919: The Great Molasses Flood
1925: Edith Nourse Rogers becomes the first woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives
1960: John F. Kennedy, born in 1917 in Brookline, elected 35th president
1985: Harvard University celebrates 350th anniversary
2003: In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Supreme Judicial Court rules that the state must legally recognize same-sex marriages
2006: Legislature enacts first plan in the U.S. for Massachusetts citizens to receive universal health insurance coverage

Apple Cannons at Lyman Orchards

In Depth

With a rich history and plenty of scenic spots, New England is an excellent vacation destination for anyone interested in a unique slice of Americana. From whaling towns to ski resorts, travelers of every type can find something they love. In no particular order, here a 6 New England destinations that will add variety to your next trip.

First up at #1 we have Ives Concert Park in Danbury, Connecticut. Named for famed composer Charles Edward Ives, this venue is a lush oasis that hosts both classical music and modern performances. Situated on 40 wooded acres with a pond, gardens, and public hiking trails, the Ives Concert Park is located on the campus of Western Connecticut State University.

Hosting more than 65,000 guests every year, the Ives Concert Park boosts tourism in the Greater Danbury region. Their events showcase a wide variety of performance types, including Shakespeare plays, chamber music, children's events, jazz music, as well as Caribbean and Irish performances. Whether you choose to stand near the stage or lounge on the lawn, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a show at Ives Concert Park.

Their events showcase a wide variety of performance types, including Shakespeare plays, chamber music, children's events, jazz music, as well as Caribbean and Irish performances.

Next up at #2 we have the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival in Down East Maine. Running for one weekend every August, this festival celebrates the harvest of the powerful little fruit that the area is famous for. Attractions include a musical comedy, booths filled with crafts, music, a 5 mile run, and of course, plenty of blueberries.

In addition to introducing visitors to a local tradition, the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival also brings new folks to the beautiful Machias Valley region. Part of Maine's rugged coast, this area boasts scenic lighthouses, hiking trails, and kayak friendly waterways. Enjoy a stay at a local hotel, or check out one of the area's many camping sites.

Our pick for #3 takes us to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. No matter what time of year you visit, this scenic area has plenty to offer. During the warmer months, visitors can challenge themselves with long hikes, ride up the mountains with tramways and railways, and zip line their way through forests and valleys. Water parks and other amusement parks make this a family friendly spot.

During the warmer months, visitors can challenge themselves with long hikes, ride up the mountains with tramways and railways, and zip line their way through forests and valleys.

During the winter, the White Mountains are a ski enthusiast's paradise. Boasting some of the closest major ski resorts to the Boston area, the mountains offer sweeping views of the region and its lakeside attractions. Visitors can enjoy downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, and even roller coasters.

At #4 we have Literary North, a group that promotes literary events taking place in Vermont and New Hampshire. What started as an online calendar of bookish events has expanded into a community organization that unites book lovers. They host a variety of activities, including the Mud Season Salon, Poetry & Pie, the Lady Sings the Blues Book Group, and the Slow Club Book Club.

Book lovers coming to the region for a short visit can check out Literary North's event calendar to see a list of readings, book signings, workshops, and more. If you happen to be in town for one of their signature events, you'll be able to enjoy everything from storytelling to music and affordable cocktails. Also be sure to check out some of the region's many independent bookstores.

Book lovers coming to the region for a short visit can check out Literary North's event calendar to see a list of readings, book signings, workshops, and more.

Next up at #5 we have Lyman Orchards, a scenic farm dating back to 1741. Located in Middlefield Connecticut, the 1,100 acres of land offers a market and bakery, orchards on which you can pick your own fruit, a historic homestead, and three separate golf courses.

Looking over the Connecticut River, Lyman Orchards was founded by colonial farmers John and Hope Lyman. It has remained in the family for ten generations, and has grown into a major attraction for those seeking an escape from urban life. Preservation of the land is a central part of the orchard's heritage. They grow over one hundred varieties of fruit, and take pride in utilizing agricultural methods and leading edge technologies that promote environmentally friendly growing practices.

Last but not least at #6 we have the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. This vibrant and culturally rich city is located on the seafront and boasts the title of America's #1 fishing port. From its historic downtown district to one of the country's oldest zoos, New Bedford is filled with attractions for the whole family.

From its historic downtown district to one of the country's oldest zoos, New Bedford is filled with attractions for the whole family.

New Bedford's rich history can be felt and explored while checking out the city's historic shops and museums. Beginning in the 1780's, it became a major whaling port with worldwide reputation. It even inspired Herman Melville's famous novel Moby Dick. It also has a history as a booming nineteenth century textile town.