Summer Activities in New England
1. Take a hike
If you’re fit for a big-time challenge, visit Mount Katahdin in Maine, or Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Or opt for a gentler route that still rewards you with great views: Mount Battie in Maine, Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire, and Mount Olga in Vermont.
2. Walk the historic Freedom Trail in Boston
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile, red-lined route that leads you to 16 historically significant sites in Boston – each one an authentic treasure. Explore museums and meetinghouses, churches, and burying grounds. Learn about the brave and determined people who shaped the U.S., and see the places where the American Revolution began.
3. Watch a baseball game
Baseball, called “America’s favorite pastime,” is played across the region. You can catch a Major League game in Boston, where the Red Sox play at historic Fenway Park, or root for a Minor League team, such as the Portland Sea Dogs in Maine.
4. Visit the beach
New England has hundreds of miles of coastline that includes rocky shores and sandy beaches. Popular beaches include Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut, the 40-mile Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, and Old Orchard Beach in Maine, which hosts weekly fireworks.
5. Tour Newport’s historic mansions
Located in Rhode Island, these homes once belonged to America’s wealthiest, most influential families. All 11 incredible mansions offer a glimpse into some of the finest achievements in American architecture, decorative arts, and landscape design.
6. Sample small-town scenery and treats in Vermont
The uncommon combination of ice cream, apple cider, and cheese can be found in picturesque Waterbury, Vermont. Nestled in the Green Mountains, Waterbury is home to the famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and the Cabot Annex Store, where you’ll find dozens of Vermont cheeses.
7. Fill up at a farmers market
Farmers markets come alive during the summer months, when you can buy all types of fresh vegetables, flowers, locally made foods, and even artwork. Popular stops include the South End Farmers Market in Boston and the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market in Connecticut.
8. Be dazzled by fire on the water
WaterFire turns Providence, Rhode Island, into a mesmerizing art installation, as thousands of onlookers stroll the riverfront to watch more than 80 bonfires lit on vessels traveling along the river. The free event occurs several times throughout the summer.
9. Take a rafting trip in Maine
Maine’s Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers offer some of the finest whitewater rafting in the country. You can enjoy a rollercoaster of whitewater while paddling up and over the steep, standing waves, or relax and take in the pristine scenery with a leisurely float trip.
10. Volunteer in your local community
Whether you prefer to walk the dogs at an animal shelter, serve food at a soup kitchen, or plant a tree with a conservation group, there are many ways to volunteer in your local community. You’ll find plenty of other opportunities at networkforgood.org/volunteer/ or volunteermatch.org/. Be sure to tag #cieegivingback when you post your photos!
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