From the historic enclaves of Boston to the coastal towns of Maine, the best places to visit in New England have much to offer all year long.
Summers here are nothing short of glorious, with long, lazy afternoons by the sand dunes, while autumn brings a rush of scarlet and flame hues to the countryside foliage.
While New England may be culturally and geographically diverse, there’s a powerful sense of local identity and pride throughout the region. Many of the towns and cities here can trace their history back hundreds of years, giving them the ambiance of living museums.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect lobster roll or the most beautiful national park, here are a few stops that belong on your New England bucket list.
Camden Hills State Park, Maine
![Camden Hills State Park, Maine, one of the best places to visit in New England](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-camden-hills-state-park-maine-1024x682.jpg)
Camden Hills State Park, Maine
This 5,710-acre forested park is beautiful at any time of year, but all the more so in fall, when the oak, maple, and beech trees assume their red, gold, and yellow colors.
The park is crisscrossed with more than 30 miles of hiking trails of varying lengths and is a delight to explore, thanks to the sweeping views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay below.
The best panoramas of all are from the summit of Mount Battie, towering 780 feet above the surrounding countryside. The hike out and back takes around two hours—although you can always drive if you prefer not to walk.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine
![Flowers blooming in Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-coastal-maine-botanical-gardens-maine-1024x681.jpg)
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine
Explore more than 300 acres of lush, beautifully curated gardens, featuring plants that are both native to Maine and suited to temperate coastal conditions.
The mission of the gardens, which are the largest space of this kind in New England, is to inspire a connection between humans and nature, as well as to promote conservation.
You’ll find a butterfly house, an apiary where you can observe bees going about their daily business, and gardens devoted to rhododendrons, irises, lilies, and herbs. There’s a serene meditation space, a children’s garden, and tranquil ponds populated by fish, frogs, and dragonflies.
The sculpture trail is worth following. It features the work of regional artists and relays the message of conservation. There’s also a permanent exhibit of giant trolls carved from recycled wood.
Read: Best Things to Do With Kids in New England
Wiscasset, Maine
![Shoreline of Wiscasset, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-wiscasset-maine-1024x683.jpg)
Wiscasset, Maine
Just an hour from Portland, gorgeous Wiscasset is the quintessential Maine village, lying on the tidal waters of the Sheepscot River Estuary. The buzzing waterfront is often busy with visitors sampling the town’s famous lobster rolls, while around town you’ll find wonderful old buildings in various architectural styles.
Check out the Nickels-Sortwell House and Castle Tucker, two 19th-century federal-style mansions, and stop to look at the Lincoln County Museum and Old Jail and the Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in New England still in operation.
Browse the antique shops for which Wiscasset is famous, or shop for local pieces in the Maine Art Gallery. And don’t forget to make time to taste that famous lobster.
Owls Head Transportation Museum, Maine
![View inside Owls Head Transportation Museum, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-owls-head-transportation-museum-maine-1024x678.jpg)
Owls Head Transportation Museum, Maine Photo by Kristin Shoemaker on Flickr, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Fans of planes and automobiles will love this fascinating museum, crammed with more than 150 vintage cars, motorcycles, and even airplanes, all in operation before 1940.
One of the star attractions is a replica of the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, which made history in 1903 by achieving the first sustained airplane flight. Many of the old aircraft are lovingly maintained and kept in working order, so you could even see one take to the skies. Visitors often come across volunteers working on the old aircraft, which is the perfect chance to chat about their preservation efforts.
You can also admire vintage bicycles, old motorcycles, and wonderful old cars, including a number of Ford Model T vehicles, a 1904 Mercedes, and a magnificent Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, dating back to 1913.
Salem, Massachusetts
![Salem, one of the best places to visit in New England](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-salem-witch-house-1024x781.jpg)
Salem Witch House, Massachusetts
One of the best day trips from Boston, the once-puritanical village of Salem found fame for all the wrong reasons in 1692, when 20 villagers accused by the townspeople of witchcraft were executed. You can learn about this grisly episode in history at the Gothic Revival Salem Armory Visitor Center.
Take a walking tour of the town to learn more about the events leading up to the witch hunt, and visit the Witch House, the former residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who presided over some of the trials. Today, Salem attracts plenty of modern-day witches, psychics, and alternative thinkers, who are catered for by a number of quirky shops along Essex Street.
![Downtown view of Salem, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-salem-view-1024x768.jpg)
Salem, Massachusetts
Witchcraft aside, Salem is a fascinating town with a proud seafaring history; fans of old ships will love the replica clipper ship Friendship of Salem, moored at Derby Wharf.
The town has a buzzing art scene, too, from the open-air Punto Urban Art Museum, showcasing street art on large-scale murals, to the Peabody Essex Museum. This impressive museum houses Asian art brought back to Salem by the ships of the East India Marine Society, founded here in the late 18th century.
Quincy Market, Boston, Massachusetts
![Busy street including Quincy Market in Boston](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-quincy-market-boston-massachusetts-1024x683.jpg)
Quincy Market in Boston, Massachusetts
Since 1826, this bustling market hall has held a special place in Bostonian life. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar overhaul in the 20th century, Quincy Market has retained its historic character, yet feels up to the challenge of serving the modern-day public.
The main reason to come here is, of course, the food, which is served by 35 stalls lining the colonnaded interior hall, as well as 18 full-service restaurants. Don’t leave without enjoying a bowl of New England’s favorite fish soup at Boston Chowder Co.
Boston Harbor Islands, Massachusetts
![Lighthouse in Boston Harbor Islands, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-boston-harbor-islands-massachusetts-1024x683.jpg)
Boston Harbor Islands, Massachusetts
First-time visitors to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park often find themselves agog that this pristine patch of nature can exist steps from the center of one of the busiest metropolitan areas on the East Coast.
Consisting of 34 small islands and peninsulas, the protected area is a breath of fresh sea air. Pack a picnic, hop on the ferry, and explore this pretty archipelago to learn more about Native American stories and military history.
Portland Head Light, Portland, Maine
![Lighthouse of Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-portland-head-light-portland-maine-1024x767.jpg)
Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine
Natural splendor awaits anyone willing to venture to Fort Williams State Park, located a 15-minute drive outside of Portland.
The whole 90 acres of unspoiled greenery centers around The Portland Head Light, which bears the distinction of being both the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine and the most photographed lighthouse in the entire country.
Read: Best Beaches in Portland, Maine
New England Aquarium, Boston, Massachusetts
![Exterior of New England Aquarium, Boston, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-new-england-aquarium-boston-massachusetts-1024x683.jpg)
New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts
For families and animal lovers of all ages, the New England Aquarium is a must-visit attraction located right in the city center.
Even before entering the building, visitors are greeted with the sight of California sea lions and northern fur seals swimming, feeding, and dozing in a 42,000-gallon open air harbor.
Once inside, make a beeline for the Giant Ocean Tank, a massive permanent installation containing 200,000 gallons of saltwater in a cylindrical tank stretching several stories high.
Back when it first opened in 1970, it bore the distinction of being the largest cylindrical tank in the world. As you walk up the adjacent spiral rampway, you’ll spot sea turtles, moray eels, and bonnethead sharks swimming lazily among the corals.
![View inside New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-new-england-aquarium-boston-massachusetts-interior-1024x683.jpg)
New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts
Another essential exhibit is the impressive artificial rock island and attached pool that is home to dozens of rockhopper penguins and African penguins.
Kids in particular will adore watching these athletic birds zooming through the water. Keep an eye on the feeding schedule for a chance to spy the little ones in action.
North End, Boston, Massachusetts
![Colorful buildings in North End in Boston, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-north-end-boston-massachusetts-1024x683.jpg)
North End in Boston, Massachusetts
It doesn’t get much more charming than Boston’s North End, the city’s oldest residential neighborhood of winding cobblestone streets crammed with restaurants, bakeries, and bars.
Although the area is famous for its Italian-American community, it’s also played host to waves of Jewish and Irish immigrants since European colonists first settled in the area in the early 17th century, all of whom have left their mark on the area.
![Cannoli from Mike’s Pastry](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-north-end-boston-massachusetts-mikes-pastry-cannoli-1024x683.jpg)
Cannoli from Mike’s Pastry Photo by alison fayre on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Today, the North End has more than 100 eateries crowded into a small area. Among the most iconic spots to hit are Mike’s Pastry, which has been serving impeccable cannoli and rainbow cookies to generations of Bostonians, and Caffé Vittoria, which has been pouring perfect espressos to go with their decadent tiramisu since 1929.
![Platter of oysters from Neptune Oyster](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-north-end-boston-massachusetts-neptune-oyster-1024x684.jpg)
Neptune Oyster Photo by Jules Morgan on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Another one to try is Neptune Oyster, which has managed to remain one of the hottest dining spots in town for the better part of two decades.
Every day from 11 a.m., locals sidle up to the bar for superlative oysters, along with sustainably sourced New England seafood like Rockport mackerel, Massachusetts Bay bluefin tuna, and Acadian redfish.
Read: One Day In Boston: What To See & Do
Kennebunkport, Maine
![Quaint town of Kennebunkport](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-kennebunkport-maine-1024x767.jpg)
Kennebunkport, Maine
Maine has no shortage of quaint coastal towns, but even among these, Kennebunkport stands out for its sandy beach, well-preserved architecture, and quintessentially New England charm.
Starting around the 18th century, affluent sea captains sailing into this port town began to put down roots and build stately mansions, many of which can still be seen today.
![Street view of Kennebunkport, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-kennebunkport-maine-view-1024x683.jpg)
Kennebunkport, Maine
Go for a stroll through the downtown area, stopping in art galleries and cafés whenever the mood strikes.
Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
![Street in Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-beacon-hill-boston-massachusetts-1024x683.jpg)
Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts
Long considered one of Boston’s toniest neighborhoods, Beacon Hill is resplendent in red-brick, Federalist Era-townhouses.
The flickering gas lamps and abundance of trees and climbing ivy give it an especially stately character. It’s the perfect place for a laid-back afternoon of people-watching and browsing the boutique shops.
Beacon Hill also happens to be home to some of the most coveted tables in Boston. Swing by Toscano’s for one of the best plates of pasta in town—the rigatoni norcina, with black truffle cream and house-made sausage, is particularly good—for lunch or an aperitivo.
Rockland Harbor Trail, Rockland, Maine
![Rockland Harbor Trail in Rockland, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-rockland-harbor-trail-rockland-maine-1024x683.jpg)
Rockland Harbor Trail in Rockland, Maine
One of the best things to do in Rockland is to trek all or part of the town’s eponymous route. This five-mile trail starts in the center of Rockland and runs right along the coastline for the entirety of its length.
![Facade of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-rockland-harbor-trail-rockland-maine-rockland-breakwater-lighthouse-1024x683.jpg)
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse in Rockland, Maine
The scenic route culminates in a walk along a breakwater all the way out to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which has illuminated the way for sailors since it was established in 1902.
After admiring the lighthouse itself, swing by the Maine Lighthouse Museum, which offers fascinating insights into the lives of the solitary men and women who have manned these beacons over the generations.
Portland, Maine
![Aerial view of Downtown Portland, Maine](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-portland-maine-downtown-1024x681.jpg)
Downtown Portland, Maine
Over the last two decades, Portland has developed one of the most dynamic culinary scenes in the United States.
Once considered a partially de-industrialized shipping port, the city now boasts a lively and eminently charming walkable downtown packed with cafés, bars, and James Beard Award-winning eateries, and is one of the best places to visit in New England if you love food.
Spend an afternoon walking along the waterfront, then stop for a glass of bubbly along with a selection of any of the dozen varieties of Maine-harvested oysters.
![Exterior of Standard Baking Co.](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-portland-maine-standard-baking-co.-1024x768.jpg)
Standard Baking Co. Photo by Rebecca Siegel on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Anyone with a penchant for pastries will swoon for the bakeries in Portland. The morning buns at Standard Baking Co., Alison Pray and Matt James’ bakery below their revered Fore Street Restaurant, are every bit as good as they say.
Over at Two Fat Cats Bakery, your go-to order should include a couple of whoopie pies, the tender-crumbed cake sandwiches beloved by Mainers, as well as a thick slice of one of their legendary pies.
The latter rotate throughout the year depending on what’s in-season, but the Black & Blue, made with wild Maine blueberries, blackberries, and ginger, is always available.
![Person holding Holy Donut](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-portland-maine-holy-donut-768x1024.jpg)
Holy Donut
Finally, don’t miss the chance to snack on one of the lighter-than-air potato doughnuts at Holy Donut, which come in innovative flavors like sweet potato coffee cake and maple bacon.
Read: Best Breweries in Portland, Maine
![Skyline of Boston](https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/content/uploads/2022/12/best-places-to-visit-in-new-england-boston-cta-1024x683.jpg)
Boston
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