26 locations to go in New England in 2026
Journey
Plan your subsequent New England tour.
With a brand new yr comes new alternatives for journey, and New England is chockfull of worthy locations.
We requested the journey and tourism places of work 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 is going to be a “momentous” yr for town of Boston, in line 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, town’s inaugural Frostival will convey a Ferris Wheel to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Boston lately turned a Michelin Information metropolis.
Foxborough will probably be “on the heart of the soccer universe in 2026,” in line with the Massachusetts Workplace of Journey & Tourism (MOTT), when seven World Cup video games, together with 1 / 4 last, are performed between June 13 and July 9. Groups 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 Path of Artillery kicks off on Jan. 10, a part of the celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, famous MOTT. Whereas there, guests can discover the outlets and eating places downtown, stroll the Housatonic River Stroll, and take a look at the new W.E.B. Du Bois sculpture.
Writer Elin Hildebrand’s novel “The 5 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 Fundamental Road and take a look at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, Museum of African American Historical past, Nantucket Historic Society, and extra.
This seaside city on the northern tip of Cape Cod is “a purely magical place,” in line with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. It’s recognized for its pure magnificence, eating places, artwork galleries, nightlife, and LGBTQ group. Chill out on considered one of two Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore seashores — Herring Cove Seaside and Race Level Seaside — or climb the 116 steps to the highest of the Pilgrim Monument.
Everybody is aware of this metropolis hosts a world-renowned Halloween competition each October, and this yr it would additionally rejoice its quadricentennial. The town will commemorate greater than 400 years of historical past whereas acknowledging the preexisting indigenous group, in line with MOTT, and occasions will embody a Heritage Days Parade this summer time.
New Hampshire
For deep Revolutionary Struggle historical past, head to Charlestown alongside the Connecticut River, in line with the New Hampshire Division of Journey and Tourism Improvement (DTTD), and don’t miss The Fort No. 4, an open-air dwelling historical past museum. It’s additionally price testing Morningslide Flight Park, the place guests can go zip lining, dangle gliding, paragliding, and extra.
New Hampshire’s quickest rising metropolis affords walkability, nice eating, and many historical past, in line with DTTD. Guests can discover a revitalized downtown, try a thriving arts scene, and revel 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 line 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 line with DTTD, and the city’s energetic Fundamental Road is billed as “NH’s most iconic Fundamental Road.” Guests may go mountaineering, biking, and discover the Littleton Riverwalk.
Maine
Bathtub, a designated nationwide Fundamental Road group, is thought for its heritage of shipbuilding and historic downtown full of outlets, eating places and galleries, in line with the Maine Workplace of Tourism (MOT). Guests may try the Maine Maritime Museum, with its life-sized sculpture of the ‘Wyoming,’ the most important crusing ship in-built North America.
There’s a lot to take pleasure in on this picturesque seaside city, together with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (full with 5 hidden trolls), Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, and the annual Windjammer Days competition, in line with MOT. Don’t overlook to take a look at the Boothbay Harbor Area Sculpture Path, a year-round, walkable public artwork exhibit.
This city on Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest lake, affords loads of out of doors adventures, in line with MOT. Guests 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 line with MOT. Guests can discover its downtown, in addition to the Colby School Museum of Artwork and Quarry Highway Trails.
Vermont
This city, on the foot of Mount Equinox, has a wealthy U.S. historical past and a people-powered arts scene, in line with the Vermont Division of Tourism & Advertising (VDTM). An growth on the Southern Vermont Arts Heart in 2026 will embody an exhibition house, 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. Guests can cruise the lake on the Northern Star, bike the Beebe Spur Rail Path, and take a look at the city’s annual Kingdom Swim, in line with VDTM.
Guests in Windsor are handled to the historic Cornish-Windsor Lined Bridge, the longest two-span coated bridge within the U.S, says VDTM. Additionally, Artisans Park affords native outlets, brewers, eating places, and a labyrinth and sculpture backyard set on 14 acres.
Consideration foodies: this northern Vermont metropolis on the Winooski River (also referred to as the Onion River) has a number of eating decisions in a small walkable space and is called a foodie haven, in line with VDTM. A brand new resort downtown, the 115-room Sugar Home Lodge, 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 line with Go to Rhode Island, and affords historic lighthouses, sandy seashores, and charming village outlets. Guests can take photos of the Mohegan Bluffs and Southeast Lighthouse, eat at beachy seafood shacks, and keep in boutique motels.
The quaint village in Glocester, the primary in Rhode Island on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, has a walkable major avenue with vintage outlets and preserved structure. After exploring the historic websites and scenic river trails, guests can settle in at Tavern on Fundamental, which Go to Rhode Island calls a beloved spot recognized for its traditional consolation meals and welcoming ambiance.
The state’s capital is filled with vibrant neighborhoods, historic structure, and year-round occasions, in line with Go to Rhode Island. Spots price testing embody the RISD Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the free downtown public artwork set up WaterFire.
This vacation spot is ideal for seashore days, birding, and small-town exploration, in line with Go to Rhode Island, and guests will discover a number of the state’s most lovely coastal surroundings right here. Eat at The Café or River Bar whereas purchasing downtown and discover the Napatree Level Conservation Space earlier than settling in on the 5-star Weekapaug Inn or the centrally positioned Margin Road Inn.
Connecticut
These picturesque cities within the northwest nook of the state make for an ideal getaway, in line with the Connecticut Workplace of Tourism (COT). Go to the West Cornwall Lined 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 time vacation spot,” in line with COT, the place there’s loads to do yr spherical. Go to 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 Lengthy Island Sound blends historical past, tradition, and culinary excellence, in line with COT. Guests can try the legendary coal‑fired “apizza” spots Trendy Apizza and Frank Pepe’s, eat at at Gioia Café & Bar, and keep at The Examine at Yale and Lodge Marcel.
Positioned 5 miles west of downtown Hartford, West Hartford has a lot to supply, together with busy West Hartford Heart filled with boutique outlets, cafes, and eating places, and Blue Again Sq., which has luxurious purchasing, cinemas, and energetic nightlife, in line with COT.
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