05 Jun Best Summer Activities in New England

Best Summer Activities in New England

The New England region is known for its four distinct seasons, but nothing is quite as special as summer in New England. The warm weather, the beaches, the mountains, the water sports, the stunning sunsets—you haven’t lived until you’ve gotten a taste of a New England summer.

With a great selection of states and so much going on during the summer months, what do you want to experience first? Check out some of the best summer activities in New England and book your trip with affordable accommodations from our inventory of luxury rental deals.

Visit the Beaches in Massachusetts

When visiting Massachusetts in the summer, it is likely you’ll be headed down to the gorgeous beaches and quaint towns of the Cape Cod region. While the traffic to this destination can be challenging at best, the reward is well worth the wait.

Additionally, once you get to the Cape Cod area, there are plenty of free things to do. Besides sunning yourself on the golden shores, you can climb the Scargo Tower and take in the views, bike along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, tour the Cape Cod Chip Factory, hike Fort Hill Trail along Nauset March, and so much more.

Tour Lighthouses in Maine

The coast of Maine is a truly spectacular vacation destination. The small towns feature great restaurants, quaint boutiques, art galleries, and unique entertainment venues. Maine is also known for its gorgeous and historic lighthouses that are you are able to visit and tour during your trip.

West Quoddy Head Light is one of the most famous in the area, sitting on the easternmost point of the contiguous United States. If you visit in September, you and your family can explore more than two dozen historic lights during the Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Climb the staircases to look out the lens, or simply walk around the grounds outside the lighthouse.

Check Out the Waterfire Show in Rhode Island

Providence is one of the top destinations in Rhode Island with a quirky city vibe featuring many restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops to make for a fun, small-scale city experience. Providence is also host to the annual Waterfire Show.

This stunning event runs from the end of May through November, but the warm summer months are ideal for taking in this spectacle. This was created by the award-winning sculptor, Barnaby Evans, and features 100 bonfires ablaze just about the surface of the three rivers that wind through the middle of downtown Providence in Waterplace Park. The display also features artwork, music, and religious symbolic sculptures. It’s truly a magical sight that all ages will love.

Attend the Seafood Festival in New Hampshire

No visit to New Hampshire in the summer is complete without a trip to the Hampton Beach boardwalk. One of the most beautiful and clean beaches in the US also features shops, fried dough, restaurants, bars, and live entertainment. But the most exciting time to visit this famed boardwalk is during the annual Seafood Festival.

The festival takes place during the first week of September, falling on September 6-8 for 2019. Live entertainment, fireworks, and craft booths are just some of the draws to the boardwalk, but the real star is the copious amounts of fresh seafood available to indulge in. Lobster rolls, steamers, clam chowder, fried seafood, and so much more can be found along with plenty of cold locals brews to wash it all down with. It’s no surprise that this is one of the top summer activities in New England.