From the rich heritage of Boston’s Freedom Trail to the natural splendor of Acadia National Park, New England offers vacationers a variety of experiences, entertainment, and opportunities for relaxation. The New England area is beautiful and packed with activities year-round, but each season has a distinct flavor. Depending on your interests and lifestyle, you may prefer to book your New England vacation rental for a particular season. Winter is ideal for skiing and snowboarding, while the summer offers gorgeous hiking and nature trails. Here’s the low-down on New England throughout the year, as well as several recommendations about the most popular things to do and see.
Visiting New England in the Summer
For a warm and sunny summer getaway without the extreme heat of other southern regions, consider visiting New England. Five of the six New England states have gorgeous Atlantic coastlines perfect for beach time. Connecticut’s Sherwood Island State Park offers a stately picnic grove, supervised swimming beach, and wide swaths of wild marsh. The long sandy beach in Ogunquit, Maine features rolling dunes and beautiful views of Nubble Lighthouse. New England delivers plenty of options for nature lovers, sunbathers, and families.
Summer is a great time to enjoy super-fresh seafood at New England’s many coastal restaurants. Try the fantastic Rhode-Island-style clam chowder at Aunt Carrie’s in Narragansett, or go for a classic lobster roll at the Oxford Creamery in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Summer is also a good time to visit the many quaint lakeside towns scattered throughout the region, such as Madison, New Hampshire on Purity Lake and Bennington, Vermont on Lake Champlain.
Visiting New England in the Fall
New England is well-known for its beautiful fall scenery, and mid-September until around the end of October provides the best time to see the show. Fall is an especially good time to take a New England road trip to view the blazing orange autumn leaves highlight the picturesque rolling hills. Head down the Mohawk Trail through the Berkshires, take a drive through Acadia National Park, or take the Green Mountain Byway through Northern Vermont. Whatever your route, book vacation rentals along to way, and take some time to explore small-town New England with its quaint shops and delicious eateries. If you love wine, the autumn harvest season is the best time to visit New England’s wineries. In addition to the standard tours and tastings, LaBelle Winery in Amherst has an onsite art gallery plus a bistro offering fabulous farm-to-fork cuisine, including specialties like apple-wine glazed salmon and cherry-bourbon duck breast. Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby, Connecticut often features live musical entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays during the harvest season, and encourages visitors to stop and listen while sipping a glass of their favorite wine.
Visiting New England in the Winter
If you love to ski or snowboard, cozy vacation rentals provide a great starting point for enjoying the many ski areas nestled in the snowy mountains of New England. Vermont and New Hampshire in particular offer spectacular skiing at Okemo Mountain, Killington, Jay Peak, Waterville Valley, and Bretton Woods. Snowshoeing is another popular activity, especially for families, and Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center in Goshen, Vermont offers over 30 miles of trails to explore. When deciding what to pack, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothing to be comfortable out of doors. Choose items that work well for layering so that it is easier to move between shopping, dining, and outdoor activities. Another winter attraction is the splendid holiday light displays and events many New England towns and cities have during late November and December. Check out the schedule of the area you hope to visit before finalizing your plans.
Find the perfect New England vacation rental on Tripping.com. Tripping.com is the world's #1 vacation rental search engine with over 10 million properties!
Visiting New England in the Spring
Spring brings fields full of blooming flowers to the New England area, and in February the maple sap begins to flow, continuing through April. Spring is also a great time for bird watchers to catch a glimpse of the diverse species flying north along the coast. If your New England vacation plans include time in the city, spring is beautiful in Boston. Baseball starts back up at Fenway Park, the Public Garden comes back to life, and the weather is comfortable for touring Cambridge Square and Boston’s many historical attractions. Other New England cities, including Providence, New Haven, and Portland also wake up at this time of year, offering tourists beautiful blooms and fun springtime festivals. If you love flowers, head to Cape Cod to see the Dexter rhododendrons at the Heritage Museums and Gardens, or opt for the Dogwood Festival at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield, Connecticut for the magnificent sight of over 30,000 dogwoods all in bloom.
When Is The Best Time to Visit New England?
If you want to fully enjoy the beaches, choose a July or August vacation time for the best weather. If viewing fall foliage at its best is at the top of your to-do list, aim for a vacation between mid-September and the end of October. If you’d like to show your family a fabulous time with holiday activities and displays, book your vacation rental between Thanksgiving and the new year. A February vacation is the best choice for winter sports with a greater chance of snow and cold plus smaller crowds than during other months. With the temperate weather of spring, you can fully enjoy the many historical cities and towns in this area, which makes a spring vacation in April or May the best time to visit New England.
Ready to go? Check out these amazing New England vacation rentals on Tripping.com.