The 25 Best Small Towns in New England
Ready to trade the commute for a true sense of community? These 25 picks for the best small towns in New England deliver a master class in the good life.
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Kloter Farms: Where Backyard Dreams Become Reality
For New Englanders looking to create outdoor spaces with all-season appeal, the quest begins in Ellington, Connecticut.
By Yankee Custom EditorsTravel
Celebrate America 250 at 11 North of Boston Events
Make plans now to attend spirited events celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.
By Laurie Bain Wilson
April in New England: Top Events and Travel Deals
Updated for 2026! Discover the hottest things to do this April in New England, plus travel deals and opportunities to meet our Yankee team on the road.
By Kim Knox Beckius
Boundless Summer Fun at The Lodge at Spruce Peak
Find adventure, connect with family, and make lasting memories in the Green Mountains.
By Yankee Custom Editors
Best Spring Events in New England | Updated For 2026
Ready to welcome spring? Here’s a sampling of the best spring events in New England, from flowers and farms to antiques and a river filled with rubber ducks.
By Yankee Magazine
Visit Maine | Untamed, and Unforgettable
On Maine’s Bold Coast Trail, nature’s wild beauty leads the way.
By Yankee Custom EditorsFood
9 Favorite Oyster Recipes
From Yankee classics to New American twists, this collection of oyster recipes offers a variety of ways to bake, fry, grill, and stew the favored shellfish.
By Yankee Editors
12 Favorite Brunch Recipes
A sampling of our favorite brunch recipes, from fluffy waffles and blueberry Dutch baby to sour cream coffee cake and rosemary biscuit eggs Benedict.
By Cathryn McCann
10 New England Cookbooks to Read (and Cook From) Now
Here are 10 New England cookbooks to help launch a new chapter in your home cooking adventures.
By Amy Traverso
Best in Show | 5 Favorite Recipes from 10 Seasons of “Weekends with Yankee”
To celebrate a milestone anniversary, Weekends with Yankee host Amy Traverso brings back five of her favorite recipes from across the show’s 10 delicious seasons.
By Amy Traverso
Groundswell Café’s Tomato Tartines
These easy-to-make tomato tartines are a great example of the food at Groundswell Café in Tiverton, Rhode Island, where seasonal flavors are served with French flair.
By Yankee Magazine
Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese
A bubbling layer of mozzarella and Parmesan makes this spinach and artichoke mac and cheese gloriously golden.
By Yankee MagazineLiving
Kloter Farms: Where Backyard Dreams Become Reality
For New Englanders looking to create outdoor spaces with all-season appeal, the quest begins in Ellington, Connecticut.
New England Victorian Gingerbread Houses: The Story Behind the Region’s Most Ornate Style
Discover how the exuberant New England Victorian gingerbread style, made famous at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, became its most whimsical architectural tradition.
Frances Palmer’s Life with Flowers
Drawing equally from her garden and her studio, Connecticut ceramic artist Frances Palmer conjures up floral masterpieces.
Made in New England | Steele Canvas Basket Corp.
For more than 100 years, the Massachusetts-based Steele Canvas has been cranking out sturdy baskets and bags that last—and look good.
The Fantastic Forager: How Rhode Island Artist David M. Bird Turns Acorns Into “Becorns” Art
Harvesting materials and inspiration from the woods near his Rhode Island home, Becorns creator David M. Bird captures otherworldly images of wonder.
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SUBSCRIBE TODAYNew England 101
Where is New England?
Tucked into the northeast corner of the United States, New England is a region of tall mountains, rich farmland, salty seacoasts, and everything in between. Steeped in history and full of spirit, New England is home to some of the nation’s most popular cultural attractions, parks, universities, and sports teams. Four distinct seasons and the perfect assortment of big cities and small towns make New England a favorite travel destination.
What are the New England States?
New England is made up of six beautiful and diverse states. In the northeast corner is Maine. Next to Maine, on its western border, is New Hampshire. On the other side of New Hampshire is Vermont. Beneath New Hampshire and Vermont is Massachusetts, and beneath Massachusetts are little Rhode Island to the southeast and Connecticut to the south.
Map of New England
Guide to the New England States
Connecticut
Connecticut is the southernmost of the New England states, making it the closest to New York City. Nicknamed “the Nutmeg State,” it’s known for its old money, red chowder, the insurance capital of Hartford, superior thin-crust New Haven pizza, and the fictional Gilmore Girls town of Stars Hollow.
Maine
The largest of the New England states, Maine is also one of the most popular among tourists. Nicknamed “the Pine Tree State” and “Vacationland,” it’s known for its thick forests, rocky coastline, wild blueberries, scenic lighthouses, lobster boats, and mega-author Stephen King.
Massachusetts
Thanks to the bustling hub of Boston and a rich colonial history, Massachusetts is the most frequently visited of the New England states. Nicknamed “the Bay State,” it’s known for its top-notch universities, baked beans, clam chowder, Cape Cod’s summer paradise, Plymouth Rock, and the Kennedys.
New Hampshire
Bearing a kick-butt state motto (“Live Free or Die”), New Hampshire is the rebel of the New England states. Nicknamed “the Granite State,” it’s known for its primary-season political clout, White Mountains (including Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast), Adam Sandler, and Lake Winnipesaukee.
Rhode Island
This isn’t just the smallest of the New England states—it’s the smallest state in America. Nicknamed “the Ocean State,” Rhode Island is known for its 400 miles of coastline, Newport mansions, johnnycakes, and Brown University.
Vermont
Vermont is famous for its progressive, environmental vibe. Nicknamed “the Green Mountain State,” it’s also known for its ski mountains, craft beer, dairy farms, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and Champy, the mythical Lake Champlain water monster.