| Why
Travel to New England?
The
founding pilgrim fathers landed in the region so history here precedes
the 18th C, which is rare in the USA and Boston - perhaps the most
'English' city in the USA - has a lot of cultural clout.
The area is generally intellectual, boasting Harvard, Yale, and
MIT among its educational establishments.
The coastiline is mostly scenic with many quaint towns and
hearty fresh seafood dishes, though modern malls plague this area
too.
Autumn [Fall] is particularly attractive in this well
forested zone.
Downside:
Just like the rest of the north east coast, the weather in the winter
can be atrocious and at other times changeable - a little too like
it's namesake, England.
When
to Travel to New England:
Best: May-October [esp. Oct for fall colours]
Worst: November-March [cold].
'In
the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds
of weather inside of twenty-four hours', Mark Twain
Main Attractions:
Massachussets***
Boston
is a real culture king, plus the big three islands of the coast
make this the region's top state.
Boston***
the force of independence from British rule,
revolution began here in 1775 and ended with independence in 1776,
a classy city with an ivy league university, more
info
Cape
Cod**
the
state's hooked peninsula is one of its biggest tourist destinations,
with extensive beaches and historic towns plus two big tourist friendly
islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket off its southern coast.
Top spots include upbeat and arty Provincetown with good nearby
beaches where the pilgrims first trod on this continent.
Wellfleet, also arty, is famous for its oysters [a New England staple],
with many pretty beaches and wildlife areas to be found along the
seashore, good for hiking and biking.
Martha's Vineyard* like the mainland
cousin above, a top seaside region.
There are three main towns, but the most attractive and classy is
Edgartown with its historic 17th/19th C buildings, good beaches,
nearby hiking and biking.
Nantucket* the least developed part
of the peninsula, the island is very pretty and has only one real
town, Nantucket - ideal for relaxed hiking, cycling and beach going.
Berkshire Hills* a hilly summer retreat
in the west of the state with several worthwhile historic towns.
Highlights are Lenox - with a good selection of performing arts
during the summer, Stockbridge for the Norman Rockwell museum and
Williamstown with its huge MassMoCA modern arts gallery and Clark
Art Institute.
Plymouth* the Pilgrim fathers decided
to stay here in 1620, so see the replica of the Mayflower ship and
the 17thC style plantation.
Salem* traditional houses, Peabody
Essex Museum and spooky 17th Century witch trials.
Maine**
Offers
both an extensive and beautiful coastline scattered with picturesque
towns and swathes of inland wilderness.
Coast
and Islands** [for sailing***] the highlights of the touristy southern coast
are small historic Kennebuck with 18th/19th C buildings and the
city of Portland.
Further along the coast gets more rugged and has fewer tourists;
try the beautiful Pemaquid Peninsula, Monhegan Island for pleasant
walking and superb views, Camden for sailors, and the Acadia National
Park for excellent scenery to hike and bike through.
Inland Wilderness* [for rafting***] the main outdoor attractions are hiking in the Baxter State Park,
excellent rafting in the Kennebec River, and hiking and skiing around
the popular town of Bethel.
Rhode
Island*
The smallest state in the USA, so easy to explore. Big yacht money
hangs out here.
Newport**
[for yachting***] wealthy New Yorkers have made this an exclusive area, with several
impressive mansions open to the public, a Museum of Yachting and
three first class music festivals in the summer: Classical, then
Folk, then Jazz.
Also good surf on the Atlantic coastline.
Block Island* tiny but very
scenic and popular for day hiking and biking.
New
Hampshire*
White Mountains* in the northern part of the state there are
plenty of recreation opportunities throughout the White Mountains
National Forest, particularly hiking. Highlights are Mt Washington
and the Franconia Notch Gorge featuring the 'Old Man of the Mountain'
likeness.
Portsmouth* one
of the settlements founded in 1623, the Strawbery Banke Museum offers
a view of old times while several historic houses are open to the
public.
Vermont*
History once again tops the bill here, though
it also makes the most of its more mountainous features.
Burlington* cultural highlight of the state, with the extensive Shelburne Museum
displaying arts and crafts exhibits in historic buildings and a
working traditional farm.
Bennington* the Bennington Museum makes the town a worthwhile visit, with a
huge collection of Americana.
Green Mountains* Killington and Stowe
in the Green Mountains, are two of the state's premiere ski resorts,
otherwise the usual mountain hiking possibilities.
Connecticut
The
inland and coastal regions of the state offer few must see attractions,
but those with special interests will find a couple of gems.
New
Haven* the attraction here is the Yale University for its splendid historic
campus, the Yale Center for British Art, plus the Yale University
Art Gallery. Otherwise keep it as a day trip from New York.
Mystic* a historic seaport featuring
the Mystic Seaport Museum with dozens of historic buildings and
seagoing vessels.
Major
Festivals and Events:
July, Newport Music [Classical] Festival, Mansions,
Newport, Rhode Island.
August, Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, Fort
Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island.
Recreational
Activities:
Sailing: the best place in the USA for coastal scenery is Maine - a couple
of hundred miles long, but several thousand if you follow the wobbly
bits.
Hiking: lots of lakes, forests,
relatively easy going mountains and a beautiful coastline make for
some excellent hikes, especially the Appalachian Trail.
Related
pages:
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