Boston & New England

Best time to visit New England

New England is very much a four-season destination that is every bit as good to visit in winter (December-February) as it is at other times of the year. The six states of New England are just as inviting and charming when everything is covered by snow, if not more so. And for skiers and snowboarders, there are dozens of mountain resorts across the region, offering tremendous facilities and long winter seasons.

In summer (June-August) you can expect warm weather, long days and plenty of outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and boating. But there is the potential for high heat and humidity.

Autumn (September-November) in New England is famous for it's stunning foliage and with cooler temperatures it is the perfect time for outdoor activities. However there can be big crowds, especially during peak foliage season (mid-September to mid-October).

In spring (April-May) there will be mild temperatures, some beautiful wildflowers and fewer crowds. It is important to note some attractions may not be open yet and there is the potential for rain.

Ultimately, the best time to visit New England is the time that works best for you.

Discover New England

Most New England holidays start in Boston. History comes alive in the Massachusetts city famous for the 1773 tea party in which American colonists dumped crates of British tea in the harbour and helped spark the American Revolution. It can be explored on foot, notably along the historic Freedom Trail. Beyond Boston to the north lies Salem, famous for its witch trials, while to the south are Plymouth, where the pilgrim forefathers first arrived and founded new colonies, the beautiful Cape Cod peninsula and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The rolling Berkshire Hills in the state’s far west are home to the famous Tanglewood Music Festival, theatres, and art institutions.

Rhode Island is bound to the sea, and its maritime heritage is no more evident than in places such as Bristol’s harbour or the riverwalk in Providence. Connecticut mixes its seafaring past at places such as Mystic Seaport with wineries, the traditions of Yale University and Mark Twain’s home city, Hartford. The pretty, clapboard-filled villages of New Hampshire and Vermont bustle with visitors during the fall foliage season but are a joy to discover in other seasons. Lose yourself in the 768,000 acres of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest or Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. But take time out for a trip to the summit of New England’s highest mountain, mighty Mt Washington, on the world’s oldest cog railway. Don’t forget a tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory, complete with free samples, in the Vermont town of Waterbury.

In Maine, follow the rugged coastline and visit charming fishing communities where you can feast on lobsters and other seafood fresh off the trawlers, tour stunning Acadia National Park and hike in true wilderness along the northernmost section of the celebrated Apalachian Trail to its finish on Maine’s tallest mountain, Mt Katahdin.

Things to do on holiday in New England

Fall foliage

New England puts on one of the best displays of mother nature’s dazzling fall foliage phenomenon, its mountains and valleys swathed with trees crowned by yellow, gold, crimson, and every hue in between. The show starts in the north and on higher elevations around mid-September, reaching its crescendo by early or mid-October as the colourfest moves ever southwards, before giving way to winter’s sombre tones. You can take guided tours or drive yourself on scenic loops but if planning to stay en route, secure it well in advance as accommodation in rural areas is limited and quickly books up.

Plymouth

Around an hour south of Boston is Plymouth where the pilgrims landed in 1620 aboard the famous Mayflower. Whilst visiting Plymouth make sure to climb aboard the Mayflower II a full-scale production of the original ship where you can learn about why the men, women and children decided to make the challenging journey across the Atlantic and how they survived and lived onboard. Plymouth Rock commemorates the arrival of the pilgrims and for a fun and interesting insight of the lives of the pilgrims visit Plimouth Patuxet, an authentic recreated pilgrim village. Learn how the Pilgrims lived and worked in the 1620’s, see their houses and gardens and talk to the authentic characters who play the pilgrims who will utterly charm you.

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Things to do on holiday in New England

Ski New England’s slopes

Pack your skis or snowboard if you head to New England in winter. The region offers great downhill trails on its mountain ski resorts, notably in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire and including well-known names such as Stowe, Killington, Sugarloaf and Sunday River in addition to hidden gems like Okemo and Jay Peak. The season can start as early as late October and last until the beginning of May. There are also many miles of backcountry trails where you can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

Mystic Seaport

New England’s maritime heritage is celebrated in Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport, where you can explore the 19th century seafaring village that is preserved as a living history museum. Interpretive displays bring to life the 60 historic buildings, a shipyard and boats including the world’s last surviving wooden whaling ship, the Charles W Morgan, which was launched in 1841 and is America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. Mystic Aquarium is where you find New England’s only beluga whales.

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Things to do on holiday in New England

Stroll around Boston

With the cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings of its historic heart, Boston has a European feel. But New England’s largest city is all-American, and the key events that led to America breaking away from Britain happened here. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long red line in the pavement along which you can see 16 of the USA’s most iconic buildings and historic sites. Walk on your own or on a tour with a costumed guide, past sites including the Old State House, Old Meeting House, Paul Revere House, Boston Common, USS Constitution and Faneuil Hall, where the adjacent Marketplace is a fruit and veg market with shops, restaurants and stalls that was the inspiration for London’s Covent Garden.

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