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Travel
Plan your subsequent New England tour.
With a brand new yr comes new alternatives for journey, and New England is chockfull of worthy locations.
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Here’s why Afar says ‘we’re flocking to Boston in 2026’
We requested the journey and tourism workplaces of the six New England states for the must-see cities and cities throughout the area in 2026 and why. What follows are their suggestions.
Massachusetts
It shall be a “momentous” yr for the town of Boston, in accordance with Meet Boston, with occasions celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the arrival of the Tall Ships, and extra. What’s extra, the town’s inaugural Frostival will carry a Ferris Wheel to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Boston not too long ago turned a Michelin Guide metropolis.
Foxborough shall be “at the center of the soccer universe in 2026,” in accordance with the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT), when seven World Cup video games, together with 1 / 4 remaining, are performed between June 13 and July 9. Teams from England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Morocco, Norway, and Scotland are scheduled to compete.
This Berkshires city is the place the commemoration of the Henry Knox Noble Trail of Artillery kicks off on Jan. 10, a part of the celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, famous MOTT. While there, guests can discover the outlets and eating places downtown, stroll the Housatonic River Walk, and take a look at the new W.E.B. Du Bois sculpture.
Author Elin Hildebrand’s novel “The Five Star Weekend,” set on the island, is shining a highlight on Nantucket this yr as a restricted sequence of the identical title staring Jennifer Garner drops, famous MOTT. What’s extra, guests can store and dine on the island’s historic Main Street and take a look at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, Museum of African American History, Nantucket Historical Society, and extra.
This seaside city on the northern tip of Cape Cod is “a purely magical place,” in accordance with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. It’s recognized for its pure magnificence, eating places, artwork galleries, nightlife, and LGBTQ group. Relax on considered one of two Cape Cod National Seashore seashores — Herring Cove Beach and Race Point Beach — or climb the 116 steps to the highest of the Pilgrim Monument.
Everyone is aware of this metropolis hosts a world-renowned Halloween competition each October, and this yr it should additionally have fun its quadricentennial. The metropolis will commemorate greater than 400 years of historical past whereas acknowledging the preexisting indigenous group, in accordance with MOTT, and occasions will embrace a Heritage Days Parade this summer time.
New Hampshire
For deep Revolutionary War historical past, head to Charlestown alongside the Connecticut River, in accordance with the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD), and don’t miss The Fort No. 4, an open-air dwelling historical past museum. It’s additionally price trying out Morningslide Flight Park, the place guests can go zip lining, hold gliding, paragliding, and extra.
New Hampshire’s quickest rising metropolis provides walkability, nice eating, and plenty of historical past, in accordance with DTTD. Visitors can discover a revitalized downtown, try a thriving arts scene, and luxuriate in waterfront entry on the Cocheco River.
As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of signing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s a good time to go to the American Independence Museum in Exeter, in accordance with DTTD. Exeter has a wealthy colonial historical past and a picturesque downtown with eating places and outlets alongside the Squamscott River.
The mountain-town vibe is robust right here on this White Mountains location, in accordance with DTTD, and the city’s energetic Main Street is billed as “NH’s most iconic Main Street.” Visitors also can go mountain climbing, biking, and discover the Littleton Riverwalk.
Maine
Bath, a designated national Main Street community, is understood for its heritage of shipbuilding and historic downtown full of retailers, eating places and galleries, in accordance with the Maine Office of Tourism (MOT). Visitors also can try the Maine Maritime Museum, with its life-sized sculpture of the ‘Wyoming,’ the most important crusing ship inbuilt North America.
There’s a lot to take pleasure in on this picturesque seaside city, together with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (full with five hidden trolls), Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, and the annual Windjammer Days competition, in accordance with MOT. Don’t overlook to take a look at the Boothbay Harbor Region Sculpture Trail, a year-round, walkable public artwork exhibit.
This city on Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest lake, provides loads of out of doors adventures, in accordance with MOT. Visitors can experience the final remaining steamboat in Maine, The Katahdin (which is precisely prefer it was in 1914), hike up Mount Kineo, go on a moose safari; discover Lily Bay State Park; and extra.
A spot recognized for its small-town appeal, vibrant arts scene, and rising meals tradition, Waterville is a vacation spot for artwork lovers, historical past buffs, and foodies, in accordance with MOT. Visitors can discover its downtown, in addition to the Colby College Museum of Art and Quarry Road Trails.
Vermont
This city, on the foot of Mount Equinox, has a wealthy U.S. historical past and a people-powered arts scene, in accordance with the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing (VDTM). An enlargement on the Southern Vermont Arts Center in 2026 will embrace an exhibition area, extra patio eating, a two-story architectural murals, and extra.
Newport, in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, is on the shores of Lake Memphremagog and close to the Canadian border. Visitors can cruise the lake on the Northern Star, bike the Beebe Spur Rail Trail, and take a look at the city’s annual Kingdom Swim, in accordance with VDTM.
Visitors in Windsor are handled to the historic Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, the longest two-span coated bridge within the U.S, says VDTM. Also, Artisans Park provides native outlets, brewers, eating places, and a labyrinth and sculpture backyard set on 14 acres.
Attention foodies: this northern Vermont metropolis on the Winooski River (often known as the Onion River) has a lot of eating selections in a small walkable space and is called a foodie haven, in accordance with VDTM. A brand new resort downtown, the 115-room Sugar House Hotel, will open in 2026 and have a restaurant and rooftop bar.
Rhode Island
This summer time getaway is the epitome of timeless coastal appeal, in accordance with Visit Rhode Island, and provides historic lighthouses, sandy seashores, and charming village outlets. Visitors can take footage of the Mohegan Bluffs and Southeast Lighthouse, eat at beachy seafood shacks, and keep in boutique lodges.
The quaint village in Glocester, the primary in Rhode Island on the National Register of Historic Places, has a walkable main street with vintage outlets and preserved structure. After exploring the historic websites and scenic river trails, guests can settle in at Tavern on Main, which Visit Rhode Island calls a beloved spot recognized for its basic consolation meals and welcoming environment.
The state’s capital is stuffed with vibrant neighborhoods, historic structure, and year-round occasions, in accordance with Visit Rhode Island. Spots price trying out embrace the RISD Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the free downtown public artwork set up WaterFire.
This vacation spot is ideal for seaside days, birding, and small-town exploration, in accordance with Visit Rhode Island, and guests will discover a few of the state’s most stunning coastal surroundings right here. Eat at The Café or River Bar whereas procuring downtown and discover the Napatree Point Conservation Area earlier than settling in on the 5-star Weekapaug Inn or the centrally positioned Margin Street Inn.
Connecticut
These picturesque cities within the northwest nook of the state make for an ideal getaway, in accordance with the Connecticut Office of Tourism (COT). Visit the West Cornwall Covered Bridge, stroll the quaint streets of the Litchfield Historic District, discover the waterfalls at Kent Falls State Park, and extra.
Spend time in Connecticut’s “staple seaside summer destination,” in accordance with COT, the place there’s a lot to do yr spherical. Visit the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport Museum, wander Olde Mistick Village, and seize a slice at Mystic Pizza (the identical that impressed the 1988 film of the identical title).
This vibrant metropolis on the shores of Long Island Sound blends historical past, tradition, and culinary excellence, in accordance with COT. Visitors can try the legendary coal‑fired “apizza” spots Modern Apizza and Frank Pepe’s, eat at at Gioia Café & Bar, and keep at The Study at Yale and Hotel Marcel.
Located 5 miles west of downtown Hartford, West Hartford has a lot to supply, together with busy West Hartford Center stuffed with boutique outlets, cafes, and eating places, and Blue Back Square, which has luxurious procuring, cinemas, and energetic nightlife, in accordance with COT.
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This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2026/01/09/26-places-to-go-in-new-england-in-2026/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
