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Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate New England Summer Guide

[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,pinterest,google,mail,print,more” sharebtn_style=”icon” counters=0 style=”icon” point_type=”simple”] Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate New England Summer Guide Table Of Contents: New England Summer Vacations New England Summer Adventures New England Summer Flavors NEW ENGLAND SUMMER VACATIONS 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England We picked the 10 prettiest coastal towns in New England, from Down East harbors to Victorian […]

By Yankee Magazine|Mar 31 2019| Print icon

Ultimate New England Summer Guide

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Ultimate New England Summer GuideYankee Magazine’s Ultimate New England Summer Guide

Table Of Contents: New England Summer Vacations New England Summer Adventures New England Summer Flavors

NEW ENGLAND SUMMER VACATIONS

10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

We picked the 10 prettiest coastal towns in New England, from Down East harbors to Victorian island resorts. These New England coastal towns are perfect for your next daytrip or weekend getaway. Have a look and see if you don’t agree.
Cape Porpoise Pier

Cape Porpoise Pier and Harbor in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Credit: Brenda Darroch
Cape Porpoise Pier and Harbor in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Credit: Brenda Darroch Kennebunkport, Maine Often named one the best coastal towns in Maine, Kennebunkport has it all. The Kennebunk River adds even more waterline charm to the small shops, elegant ship captains’ homes, and fishing ports of this vibrant Southern Maine town of 3,474.
Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine

Credit: Courtesy of Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Bar Harbor, Maine
Credit: Courtesy of Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Bar Harbor, Maine Some Maine coastal towns have an unfair advantage. Perched on Mount Desert Island at the gateway to Acadia National Park, this historic resort town still resonates with the Victorian splendor of bygone days, not to mention the backdrop of Cadillac Mountain.
New Castle, New Hampshire

New Castle, New Hampshire

Credit: Courtesy of Portsmouth Kayak Adventures
New Castle, New Hampshire
Credit: Courtesy of Portsmouth Kayak Adventures New Castle, New Hampshire One of the loveliest New Hampshire coastal towns, this town of 968 residents at the mouth of the Piscataqua River is made up entirely of islands. The Victorian charm of the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel makes the setting even lovelier.
best new england coastal towns camden

Camden, Maine

Credit: Flickr/Jeff Rosen
Camden, Maine
Credit: Flickr/Jeff Rosen Camden, Maine The self-dubbed “Jewel of the Coast” is a well-deserved moniker, and this Mid-Coast harbor town of 4,823 on Penobscot Bay is tucked where mountains reach down to the sea.
Aerial view of an ocean coastline with buildings and green lawns, where waves crash against the rocky shore.

Newport, Rhode Island

Credit: Onne van der Wal
Newport, Rhode Island
Credit: Onne van der Wal
Newport, Rhode Island Spectacular at every turn, from broad, sandy beaches to deep harbors bristling with schooners, racing yachts, and pleasure craft; from cozy Colonial taverns to opulent Gilded Age mansions. For a unique view, don’t miss the twinkling span of the Pell Bridge just after twilight.
Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

New Shoreham, Rhode Island | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

Credit: Courtesy of Block Island Tourism Council
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Credit: Courtesy of Block Island Tourism Council
New Shoreham, Rhode Island All of verdant, windswept Block Island, just 13 miles off Rhode Island’s southern coast, is technically New Shoreham, but it’s the Victorian harbor-front that makes landing here forever captivating. Set aside time to admire the granite-blocked Southeast Lighthouse, perched at on one of the island’s iconic bluffs.
Rockport, Massachusetts

Rockport, MA | 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

Credit: Carol Warner
Rockport, MA | 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England
Credit: Carol Warner
Rockport, Massachusetts Artists love Massachusetts coastal towns, and Rockport in particular. Painters turned this fishing village into an art colony for a reason—it’s an inspiration. Perched at the tip of Cape Ann, there are rugged shorelines, hidden coves, and a bustling, historic village. Don’t miss Motif No. 1, the most painted building in the world.
Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

Stonington Borough, Connecticut | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England

Credit: Courtesy of Ingrid Feddersen
Stonington Borough, Connecticut
Credit: Courtesy of Ingrid Feddersen
Stonington Borough, Connecticut Connecticut coastal towns don’t always get the attention they so justly deserve. This delightful village of fewer than 1,000 residents boasts a wealth of 18th-19th-century buildings on its own narrow peninsula that juts into Fisher’s Island Sound and Little Narragansett Bay, with views in all directions. If you like to explore on foot, you can enjoy the self-guided walking tour available at the Old Lighthouse Museum.
best new england coastal towns oak bluffs

Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard

Credit: Alyson Horrocks
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard
Credit: Alyson Horrocks
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts The brightly colored gingerbread Victorian cottages make this laid-back enclave on Martha’s Vineyard a true New England confection. And on one night each summer, the cottages lights up with Chinese lanterns, making it likely the loveliest place on earth. Oak Bluffs is also home to the nation’s oldest platform carousel and the foodie-favorite Back Door Donuts.
Provincetown, Massachusetts

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Credit: Juan Pisani, i.c.e. photography
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Credit: Juan Pisani, i.c.e. photography
Provincetown, Massachusetts Set at the outermost tip of Cape Cod, surrounded by water on three sides and backed by vast sand dunes on the fourth, Provincetown is a colorful gem that’s drawn artists and writers for generations. Get a bird’s eye view from the top of the Pilgrim Monument, or check out P-town’s famous sand dunes with Art’s Dune Tours.

Best Camping in New England

While backyard camping never goes out of style, sometimes it’s fun to pack up the tent, lawn chairs, and cooler and head for the great outdoors. Our picks for best camping spots in New England include recent winners from our annual “Best of New England” Editors’ Choice Awards, but they’re just a fraction of the many wonderful campgrounds, both large and small, throughout New England.
Best Camping in New England

Best Camping in New England

Credit: Pixabay
Best Camping in New England
Credit: Pixabay
Connecticut Campgrounds Bear Creek Campground – Bristol, CT A day at Lake Compounce, America’s oldest amusement park, is doubly fun when you’re just a short tram ride away from marshmallow toasting and movie nights at the park’s on-site campground. Bring your own tent or RV, or rent a cabin or handcrafted tipi—with electricity. Charlie Brown Campground – Eastford, CT Located on the Natchaug River, less than 40 miles from Hartford, Charlie Brown Campground offers the perfect family camping experience with 85 tent and RV sites, plus sports fields, nature trails, a playground, and recreation hall. Maine Campgrounds Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve – Oquossoc, ME When you want to really escape, make a reservation, then grab a tent and canoe and head for this 400-acre preserve, with primitive sites dotting the shoreline and islands of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Mount Blue State Park – Weld, ME A notable bargain, this 8,000-acre expanse has it all. Swimming, camping, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking, ATV-riding, ranger-led day activities, and evening amphitheater programs are spread over two sections, separated by Webb Lake, in the shadow of 3,187-foot Mount Blue. Recompense Shore – Freeport, ME Part of the Wolfe’s Neck Farm foundation in Freeport, Maine, this eco-sensitive, low-key campground with three miles of tidal frontage on Casco Bay caters to tenters, although a few sites have hookups. Massachusetts Campgrounds Barton’s Cove Camping & Paddlesports – Gill, MA Just west of the French King Bridge on the Mohawk Trail, this rustic campground in woodsy conservation land specializes in tent camping, letting vehicles into the campground only to unload and pack up. The associated paddlesports operation rents canoes and kayaks for exploring the spacious cove. Salisbury Beach State Reservation – Salisbury, MA Nature lovers may swarm to the Merrimack River every summer, but setting up a tent on its banks here all but guarantees you won’t feel cramped. With almost 500 sites, access to a 3.8-mile stretch of beach (complete with seal sightings), and conveniences like RV hookups and renovated bathrooms, campers here come away feeling as if they’ve spent their time communing with nature instead of just their neighbors. The campground doesn’t sit right on the water, but it’s within walking distance of Salisbury Beach, a four-mile strand of dunes and white sand beach, with plenty of room to spread out. Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground – Vineyard Haven, MA The dappled shade of the campsites on the island’s sole campground creates an air of summer idyll for tenters and RV drivers alike. For full immersion in the outdoor experience, bring a bike and pedal everywhere on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard. Also available: a few one- and two-bedroom cabins to rent. Bourne Scenic Park – Bourne, MA Families have been coming to this woodsy enclave for idylls on the Cape Cod Canal in the shadow of the Bourne Bridge for more than 50 years. Two in-ground pools offer freshwater swimming, and saltwater beaches are only a short bike ride away. Catch dinner by fishing off the rocks. Normandy Farms RV Resort – Foxborough, MA Even city slickers could become converts to camping at this RV resort with bike park, fitness center, fishing pond, 18-hole disc-golf course, sauna, Jacuzzi, four swimming pools, and wellness center with massage treatments. Bring your own RV (or even a tent). Sites range from most basic (no services) to premium (water, septic, cable, high-amperage electric). Peddocks Island – Boston, MA Turkic nomads from the Central Asian steppes probably never pitched camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, but their signature structure–the yurt–is available on Peddocks Island, which has potable water (but no showers) and ruins of Fort Andrews. Tully Lake Campground – Royalston, MA Formed by a flood-control dam, 200-acre Tully Lake and the surrounding woodlands have become a recreational gem for the North Quabbin region. Even non-campers can access hiking and mountain-biking trails, rent canoes and kayaks, and join the free ranger programs. If you haven’t tried disc golf, this is a good place to start. Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground – Florida, MA Vehicle and tent campers may choose between open orchard locations and private wooded spots at this state forest in the Berkshires. Trails range from an easy hike to Bog Pond, with its abundant wildlife and carnivorous plants, to a 3.5-mile round-trip hike to the 50-foot drop of Tannery Falls. New Hampshire Campgrounds Northern Waters Outfitters – Errol, NH Take a long, deep breath, check your 9-to-5 routine, and jump off the map. The wild beauty of Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge is yours for the paddling, with Northern Waters Outfitters offering canoe camping at several wilderness sites, including near its base camp and school. Canoe the refuge by day; sleep under the stars at night. Or sign up for instruction in kayak touring and whitewater rafting, plus pontoon-boat wildlife tours. White Lake State Park – Tamworth, NH New Hampshire has plenty of reasons to thank the glaciers, but White Lake ranks high, with some of the best swimming in the White Mountains, a wide and sandy beach, big playgrounds, and a family campground. Our Yankee lake critic says, “I’m a total lake snob. I can’t swim in most lakes. This one I could.” Rhode Island Campgrounds George Washington Memorial Camping Area – Chepachet, RI This no-frills, never-crowded campground sprawls over 100 wooded acres (part of the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area) and features a lake for swimming and kayaking, a walking trail, and plenty of peace and quiet. Fishermen’s State Park and Campground – Narragansett, RI Love coastal camping? Fishermen’s State Park is located less than 2 miles from four state beaches. Spend the day in the surf, and then head back to enjoy modern amenities for both tent and RV sites, plus fun activities like basketball and tennis courts. Newport is also just 15 minutes away. Vermont Campgrounds Smugglers’ Notch State Park – Stowe, VT Straddling a sharply ascending corkscrew of a road sentineled by 1,000-foot cliffs, one of Vermont’s most popular parks draws hikers, campers, and those who simply want to navigate the notch by car, narrowly squeezing through towering boulders. The Long Trail crosses the road at one point, and even those who are hiking-averse may be tempted to stroll the quarter-mile path to spectacular Bingham Falls. Campbell’s Bay Campground – West Swanton, VT Canoeing and kayaking are popular pastimes at this Lake Champlain complex bordering a 7,500-acre wildlife refuge, but fishing reigns supreme. The lakefront cottages offer basic but comfortable accommodations; boat rentals are available. North Beach Campground – Burlington, VT Although sites are small, this campground in bustling Burlington, Vermont, overlooking Lake Champlain is just a short hop to town via the adjacent bike path.

10 Best New England Seaside Inns

Summer and seaside inns go together like lobsters and melted butter. In other words, now is the time to pick your summer escape, grab your sunglasses, sunscreen, and the novel you’re dying to finish, and book a getaway. Here are 10 of the very best seaside inns in New England, from Cape Cod to Down East.
A wooden porch with white columns overlooking the ocean, featuring rocking chairs, wicker seating, and ceiling lights under a pale green roof.

Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Credit: Ocean House
Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Credit: Ocean House
Ocean House | Watch Hill, RI A resplendent Victorian grande dame that got considerably grander with its 2010 renovation, Ocean House is peak luxury in Rhode Island’s laid-back but nonetheless exclusive summer enclave. There’s a resident croquet pro (book a lesson), and the resort’s OH! Spa is world-class.
Favorite Provincetown Hotels

The Red Inn | Favorite Provincetown Hotels

Credit: Courtesy of the Red Inn
The Red Inn | Favorite Provincetown Hotels
Credit: Courtesy of the Red Inn
The Red Inn | Provincetown, MA Painted sassy red and set right on the water (the slender beach disappears at high tide), this outpost on the far end of Cape Cod has hosted presidents, celebrities, and lucky pilgrims since 1915. Upscale but very friendly, and not-to-miss sunsets from those bleached white Adirondack chairs dotting the deck.   The Beach Plum Inn and Restaurant | Menemsha, MA What may recommend this gorgeous little inn with just 11 rooms overlooking Menemsha Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard is that it’s likely you can’t get cell service here. Let the romance begin, with private patios, cozy hammocks, country-French décor and a stunning destination restaurant.
Tides Beach Club, Kennebunkport, Maine
Tides Beach Club, Kennebunkport, Maine
The Tides Beach Club | Kennebunkport, ME It’s hard to decide what to love most at this upscale/casual boutique inn: the broad, breeze-loving porch, the view of Goose Rocks Beach right across the road, great local catch at TBC’s house restaurant, or an in-house stand-up-paddling instructor (who also teaches beach fitness). The best part? You’ve got all weekend to debate it. Bass Rocks Ocean Inn | Gloucester, MA An easy reach from Boston, the rugged shores of Cape Ann feel surprisingly distant. Face the bracing Atlantic and Thacher Island’s twin lighthouses from all 51 rooms of this classic seaside inn (the 1897 Stacy House’s king suites crown them all). A billiards table, darts, and warm cookies every afternoon are old-fashioned delights.
white elephant nantucket

The White Elephant Inn – Nantucket, MA

Credit: White Elephant Inn
The White Elephant Inn – Nantucket, MA
Credit: White Elephant Inn
The White Elephant Inn | Nantucket, MA Sophisticated, impeccably designed, and an easy stroll to the bustling fun of Nantucket Harbor, the rooms and suites in the Hotel building or any of the Village residences are pure luxury. Don’t miss the afternoon port and cheese tastings, and cocktails at the property’s Brant Point Grill are a seaside must.
Exploring Prouts Neck in Scarborough, Maine

The Black Point Inn

Credit: Annie Graves
The Black Point Inn
Credit: Annie Graves
Black Point Inn | Scarborough, ME This historic grey-shingled inn set on Winslow Homer’s beloved Prouts Neck is a deluxe getaway from May through October, and pulls out all the stops with a summer special for four-night stays that includes either a complimentary sail on a vintage, Maine-built schooner or lobstering expedition on Casco Bay. The Claremont Hotel | Southwest Harbor, ME At the mouth of the only fjord on the East Coast (Somes Sound), this historic retreat has retained the charms of bygone days: a clay tennis court and two tournament-class croquet courts, rowboats, rush-seated rockers on the porch, and a serenading pianist at cocktail hour. Consider coming for August’s Croquet Classic.
10 Best Seaside Inns in New England

Blue, Plum Island, MA | 10 Best Seaside Inns in New England

Credit: Aimee Seavey
Blue, Plum Island, MA | 10 Best Seaside Inns in New England
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Blue, the Inn on the Beach | Plum Island, Newbury, MA This stylish getaway on Massachusetts’s North Shore is set among sand dunes and sparkles like a lapis lazuli gemstone. With a quiet South Beach vibe and nautical look, rooms and cottages include fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and Jacuzzis. Inn at Stonington | Stonington Borough, CT Historic and romantic in equal measure, this 18-room inn occupies a charming Connecticut colonial village full of great antiquing, gallery-hopping, and dining. Watch for the only fishing fleet left in the state to pass by your waterfront-view windows, with the freshest catch of the day.

NEW ENGLAND SUMMER ADVENTURES

10 Best Summer Road Trips in New England

Dreaming about a New England road trip? This region was practically made for summer road trips. We’ve got great back roads, fascinating small towns, endless natural splendor, and the ability to hit several states in one day (if that’s your thing). Grab your sunglasses, buckle up, and check out these ten tremendous rambles that we think qualify as the best summer road trips in New England.
best road trips

Get ready for a summer road trip!

Credit: Flickr/MA Office of Tourism
Get ready for a summer road trip!
Credit: Flickr/MA Office of Tourism
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway | Maine This New England road trip will have you going to go from Mexico to Madrid, Maine-style, on ME routes 17 and 4 as they traverse the pristine lakes and mountains of this wild section of northern New England. Don’t miss the panorama at the Height of Land pullout, and keep an eye peeled the whole way for moose, bear, and bobcats. Distance: 50 miles.
A paved road curves to the left, bordered by dense green trees and a stone pathway on the right, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park, Maine.
Mount Desert Island Loop | Acadia National Park, Maine Make charming Bar Harbor your base, and take a relaxed circumnavigation of Acadia National Park via the Mount Desert Island Loop Road. This rugged, spectacular island is the second largest in the New England. Bring a picnic, and make time for the Hulls Cove Visitors Center. Distance: 27 miles round-trip.
brown's lobster seabrook nh

Brown’s Lobster Pound has been serving up fresh boiled lobster for more than 50 years.

Credit: Aimee Tucker
Brown’s Lobster Pound has been serving up fresh boiled lobster for more than 50 years.
Credit: Aimee Tucker
Coastal Crossing | New Hampshire Here’s a short, summer delight of a New England road trip—take in the length of the New Hampshire coastline, from Seabrook Beach to Portsmouth in a breezy half-day. It’s only 18 miles, but full of great places to stop, including funky Hampton Beach, Fort Constitution, and charming New Castle, home of the elegant Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. Distance: 18 miles. Green Mountain Ribbon | Vermont Vermont’s Route 100 is a road-tripper’s dream: long, straight, and flanked the entire way by the beautiful Green Mountains. While the road runs the entire north-south length of the state, a great section begins in Ludlow and ends in Waterbury. Must-stop: the charming villages of neighboring Warren and Waitsfield. Distance: 90 miles. Alpine Drama | Vermont With this New England road trip, you’ll think you’re in the Alps, as VT108 climbs steeply from Stowe toward Smugglers’ Notch in the Green Mountains, tightening into a blacktop corkscrew past boulders and cliffs. Get ready to have your breath taken, and Instagram all those photos on the other side, over a meal in tiny Jeffersonville. Distance: 18 miles.
bridge of flowers

The Bridge of Flowers can be found along the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts.

Credit: Aimee Seavey
The Bridge of Flowers can be found along the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Mohawk Trail | Massachusetts Famous at foliage time, but equally splendid in the summer, this historic scenic highway winds along northern Massachusetts via MA2, among the rolling hills of the Berkshires, combining art museums like Mass MoCA with classic roadside Americana (like the Shelburne Fall “Big Indian”) and great vistas. Distance: 63 miles. Housatonic Valley | Connecticut On this New England road trip, following Route 7 along the Housatonic River from New Milford to Canaan reveals the green beauty of Western Connecticut. There’s a covered bridge and waterfalls. Distance: 35 miles. The Quiet Corner | Connecticut Travel back in history for bucolic tranquility on quiet CT169 from Old Norwich to Woodstock, meandering past colonial homesteads and stone walls, farmers’ fields and quaint town greens. Distance: 40 miles.
Narragansett, Rhode Island

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Credit: Flickr/Jed Scattergood
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Credit: Flickr/Jed Scattergood
Shore of Dreams | Rhode Island The perfect New England road trip for beach lovers, this route follows US 1 from RI’s funky surf town of Narragansett along Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to historic Westerly (and veranda cocktails at Ocean House). With beaches this good, this might take you a week. Distance: 25 miles. Kingly Cape Cod | Massachusetts Winding, historic, green and dotted with extraordinary vistas out to Cape Cod Bay, this glorious trip along MA6A, or the Old King’s Highway, is a showcase of New England village life from Sandwich to Orleans. Plus, great book shopping and antiquing. Distance: 34 miles.

10 Best Summer Seafood Festivals

From lobster and clams to chowder and quahogs, New Englanders have been enjoying—and celebrating—the gifts of the sea for a good long time, and our seafood fascination shows no signs of wavering. Whether you like your lobster in a roll or straight from a steaming pot, whether you like your chowder thick and creamy or thin and red, New England has a party hat reserved just for you. The following are 10 of the best summer seafood festivals in New England.
Best Summer Seafood Festivals in New England

Seafood festivals are a way of life in New England. And why not? Some of the best in the world happen right here.

Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Seafood festivals are a way of life in New England. And why not? Some of the best in the world happen right here.
Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Event lineups and schedules are subject to change. We recommend you call or check online for the most up-to-date information before making plans. Newport Oyster Festival Newport, RI | May 18-20, 2018 For one weekend each May, Bowen’s Wharf stakes a claim as the epicenter of the oyster universe with this event aimed at celebrating and raising awareness of the state’s aquaculture industry and its workers. With more than a dozen growers serving up distinctive oysters from locations around the state, you’ll become an expert at detecting the variations in no time.
Best Summer Seafood Festivals in New England

At the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, chowder was a big item.

Credit: Michelle Aldredge
At the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, chowder was a big item.
Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Portsmouth Chowder Festival Portsmouth, NH | June 2, 2018 For more than three decades, this oldest and largest chowder festival in New England has drawn chefs from across New England to beautiful waterfront Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH, each June. Bring your appetite. More than 500 gallons of chowder—clam, fish, corn and a few surprises—will be served. Can you try them all? Yarmouth Clam Festival Yarmouth, ME | July 20-22, 2018 This July tradition has been going strong for more than half a century, and is one of the most popular seafood festivals in New England. There are parades and fireworks and other goings on, of course, but at the heart of it all is the golden goodness of the fried clam. Those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty may want to put their skills to the test in the prestigious clam shucking competition. Maine Lobster Festival Rockland, ME | August 1-5, 2018 When it was started in 1947, it was hoped that this festival would invigorate postwar Maine tourism. With more than 30,000 hungry visitors consuming some 20,000 pounds of lobster last year, it seems that mission has been accomplished and then some. It’s easy to see why lobster-lovers name this the very best of New England’s many seafood festivals.
Best Summer Seafood Festivals in New England

Lob-stah!

Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Lob-stah!
Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Milford Oyster Festival Milford, CT | August 18, 2018 With 19 varieties of oysters originating from eight different states, you’ll find more oyster options here than at any other festival in the country. As a full lineup of bands takes the stage at Fowler Park, you’ll be shucking and eating to your heart’s content. Charlestown Seafood Festival Charlestown, RI | August 3-5, 2018 From lobsters, steamers, and chowder to fish and chips, clam cakes, and a raw bar, the whole spectrum of the Ocean State’s sea harvest is on delicious display in Ninigret Park, along with a wide variety of arts and crafts, amusement rides, a car show, a kite exhibition, and more.
Best Summer Seafood Festivals in New England

Some festival vendors really get into the spirit of the event.

Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Some festival vendors really get into the spirit of the event.
Credit: Michelle Aldredge
Eastport Salmon & Seafood Festival Eastport, ME | Labor Day Weekend 2018 Celebrate autumn on Maine’s Passamaquoddy Bay with a weekend of activities including trolley tours of historic Eastport, a street dance, a craft show and more. Everything builds toward the main event, the Sunday salmon BBQ dinner devoured under a big tent overlooking the bay. Rhode Island Seafood Festival Providence, RI | September 8-9, 2018 Started in 2011, this popular fest is one of the new kids on the block. Enjoy India Point Park’s gorgeous bay views and give summer a grand send off as you sway to the music and sample some extraordinary offerings from the state’s best seafood restaurants. It just doesn’t get much better.

…and some visitors even more so!

Credit: Michelle Aldredge
…and some visitors even more so!
Credit: Michelle Aldredge

Best Scenic Hikes in the White Mountains

Heading to the Whites in search of stunning views? Our list of picks for the Best Scenic Hikes in the White Mountains is a good place to start.
A mountain ridge at sunset with rocky terrain in the foreground, leading to a peak surrounded by distant, misty mountains and a colorful sky.

Franconia Ridge

Credit: Jim Salge
Franconia Ridge
Credit: Jim Salge
Mount Eisenhower There’s nothing easy about a New Hampshire 4,000-footer, but the taxing trek up 4,760-foot Eisenhower in Chandlers Purchase generally offers fine footing before the steep push to its flat, bald crown; the awe-inspiring view takes in fellow outlying Presidential Range jewels. J. Rayner Edmands’ careful trail design has withstood countless steps since 1909, helping hikers to reach the sweeping panorama.  Edmands Path & Mount Eisenhower Loop, 6.6 miles  round trip. Trailhead on Mount Clinton Road, Crawfords Purchase, NH. Welch & Dickey Mountains A splendid loop connects these two low-lying mountains near Waterville Valley, featuring Mad River Valley vistas, mostly forgiving hiking, and incredible ledges. There’s some rock scrambling, but the eye candy is worth it. Welch-Dickey Loop Trail, 4.4 miles. Trailhead 6 miles east on Route 49 from I-93 Exit 28; turn left on Upper Mad River Road and right on Orris Road, Waterville Valley, NH. Mount Willard The hike to the ledges of this small Willey Range peak in Crawford Notch serves up an eagle’s-eye view of a U-shaped valley. The trek leaves a lofty neighborhood—including the source of the Saco River, a train depot, and the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center—and ends at an open perch showcasing the towering Webster Cliffs, historic Willey Slide, and more. Mount Willard Trail, 3.2 miles round trip. Trailhead on Route 302, about 8 miles south of junction Routes 302/3, Crawford Notch State Park, Harts Location, NH.
Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Credit: Taylor Thomas
Franconia Ridge
Credit: Taylor Thomas
Franconia Ridge Arduous and wonderful, the traverse over Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette is a classic high-wire circuit, with a healthy share of the trip above treeline. Simply, it showcases the glory of the White Mountains. Be cognizant of exposure to weather. Old Bridle Path, Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge, and Greenleaf Trails, 9 miles. Trailhead at Lafayette Place Campground exit off Franconia Notch Parkway (I-93), Franconia/Lincoln, NH. Mount Chocorua With a multitude of exacting trail choices, paths lead to the bare 3,500-foot summit in Albany and its superb stage showcasing the vastness of the Whites and beyond. A wonderful vantage point to see Mount Washington and the unspoiled Sandwich Range Wilderness. Champney Falls Trail, 7.6 miles round trip. Trailhead about 10 miles west on Kancamagus Highway from junction Routes 112/16, Albany, NH.

NEW ENGLAND SUMMER FLAVORS

10 Best Lobster Rolls in New England

Made with chunks of lobster meat, drizzled with butter or tossed with mayo, served on a buttery, griddled, top-split hot dog roll, the New England lobster roll is arguably the summertime sandwich of choice. Food and travel writer Mike Urban, author of Lobster Shacks: A Road-Trip Guide to New England’s Best Lobster Joints (Countryman Press, 2012) names the 10 best lobster rolls in New England.
best lobster rolls

With tail, claw, and knuckle meat from a 1+/-pound lobster, the lobster roll at Red’s Eats is bigger than most and may be had with mayo, warm butter, neither, or both.

Credit: Brenda Darroch
With tail, claw, and knuckle meat from a 1+/-pound lobster, the lobster roll at Red’s Eats is bigger than most and may be had with mayo, warm butter, neither, or both.
Credit: Brenda Darroch
Red’s Eats | Wiscasset, Maine If you can handle the hour-plus wait in line on the sidewalk along busy U.S. Route 1, your sweet reward will be a magnificent lobster roll that’s known far and wide as one of the best lobster rolls in Maine. With tail, claw, and knuckle meat from a 1+/-pound lobster, this roll is bigger than most and may be had with mayo, warm butter, neither, or both. Five Island Lobster Company | Georgetown, Maine This shack is perfectly positioned on the town dock to receive a steady flow of super-fresh lobster from the cold, deep waters of nearby Sheepscot Bay. The lobster is fresh-picked throughout the day, tossed with a bit of mayo, and served in a toasted, buttered, split-top bun lined with a leafy piece of lettuce. Cold rolls only are served here; no butter.
best lobster rolls

The Clam Shack’s deceptively simple lobster roll on a fresh-baked hamburger roll is as good as lobster rolls get.

Credit: Brenda Darroch
The Clam Shack’s deceptively simple lobster roll on a fresh-baked hamburger roll is as good as lobster rolls get.
Credit: Brenda Darroch
The Clam Shack | Kennebunk, Maine This is the best lobster roll in the six-state region. Owner Steve Kingston’s meticulous use of fresh-daily, soft shell lobsters and chilling each handpicked order on ice creates a freshness of flavor unmatched anywhere. Served on toasted, buttered hamburger-style buns from a local bakery, the Clam Shack’s cold-meat rolls may be had with mayonnaise or warm butter. This is one of the best lobster rolls, by which all others should be measured.
best lobster rolls

Each roll at the Lobster Pool is hand-mixed for just the right amount of mayo on the meat.

Credit: Mike Urban
Each roll at the Lobster Pool is hand-mixed for just the right amount of mayo on the meat.
Credit: Mike Urban
The Lobster Pool | Rockport, Massachusetts Nestled in a quiet corner of Cape Ann, this pretty little spot serves up the best lobster roll between Boston and the New Hampshire border. Each roll at the Pool is made to order with generous chunks of lobster mixed in a small bowl with mayo, then placed atop a crunchy leaf of lettuce and wedged into a toasted, buttered split-top bun. Butter may be substituted for mayo, on request. The Pool’s lobsters are procured fresh daily from a supplier in neighboring Gloucester, then cooked up and hand-picked at the Pool throughout the day. Lobster Landing | Clinton, Connecticut Owners Enea and Cathie Bacci have put a unique Italian spin on their hot, buttered lobster roll at this quaint, dilapidated shack next to the Clinton town harbor. Instead of making their lobster rolls with split-top hot dog buns, they load their warm, buttered lobster meat into hefty Italian grinder rolls that have been toasted on a standard-issue, propane-fired backyard barbecue grill. The result is a warm, buttery, crispy-crunchy lobster roll that pleases in both quantity and quality.
best lobster rolls

Take a walk on the wild side with Rye Harbor Lobster Pound’s hot lobster roll in a butter-and-sherry sauce.

Credit: Aimee Tucker
Take a walk on the wild side with Rye Harbor Lobster Pound’s hot lobster roll in a butter-and-sherry sauce.
Credit: Aimee Tucker
Rye Harbor Lobster Pound | Rye Harbor, New Hampshire Down by the town dock in Rye Harbor is a tiny, sunny shack that serves some of the most innovative lobster dishes anywhere in New England. From Lobster Gazpacho to Lobster Pizza, there’s plenty to try here. Don’t miss the hot lobster roll with the meat bathed in a warm butter-and-sherry sauce and served on a buttered split-top bun that’s toasted on a plug-in griddle. There’s also a cold roll with mayo, a touch of celery, and a hint of lemon.    The Friendly Fisherman | North Eastham, Massachusetts On a relatively tame stretch of U.S. Route 6 about 20 miles south of Provincetown sits the Friendly Fisherman, a quaint seafood market with a tree-shaded seafood shack attached to it. This place serves up an honest, genuine cold lobster roll with five ounces of meat, a touch of mayo, a crispy leaf of lettuce, and a mightily burdened split-top, buttered, toasted hot dog bun.  Big chunks of claw meat always appear on top of the roll for presentation’s sake—and what a presentation it is. Cold rolls only are served here; butter may be mixed in, upon request.
best lobster rolls

The Lobster Roll Platter at Anthony’s Seafood satisfies the keenest of lobster cravings.

Credit: Mike Urban
The Lobster Roll Platter at Anthony’s Seafood satisfies the keenest of lobster cravings.
Credit: Mike Urban
Anthony’s Seafood | Middletown, Rhode Island This warehouse-like seafood market on a commercial strip north of Newport masks a wonderful eatery that serves up a heaping, six-ounce lobster roll that comes with fries, coleslaw, and a pickle for a belt-busting plate of lobster-roll goodness. The picked-fresh-daily lobster meat is tossed with a bit of mayo and lightly sprinkled with white pepper. The price tag is higher than most, but the extra cost is well worth it. Quoddy Bay Lobster | Eastport, Maine This small seafood market and lobster shack is about as far northeast as you can go in the United States. Owned by a local lobstering family, Quoddy Bay Lobster is blessed with its location astride the deepest, coldest port and waters on the Eastern seaboard, perfect for propagating big, tasty lobsters. Their cold-only lobster roll comes plain or with mayo, Miracle Whip, or drizzled butter. They recently added a jumbo 8-ounce lobster roll on an 8-inch bun to the menu.
best lobster rolls

With its distinctive mound of lobster on a toasted burger roll, Abbott’s serves one of the best warm, buttered lobster rolls anywhere.

Credit: Mike Urban
With its distinctive mound of lobster on a toasted burger roll, Abbott’s serves one of the best warm, buttered lobster rolls anywhere.
Credit: Mike Urban
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough | Noank, Connecticut This venerable institution of lobster goodness also recently added an item to their menu: the OMG Lobster Roll—seven ounces of warm, buttered lobster meat stacked like a cone between two toasted, buttered hamburger buns–with a long toothpick through the center to hold the whole thing together. This is an upsize version of Abbott’s famous hot, buttered lobster roll, which looks much the same, only at about half the size. Abbott’s also serves a cold lobster roll, with the meat lightly bathed in Abbott’s house dressing and served in a more traditional toasted, split-top hot dog bun.

3 Classic New England Summer Recipes

Blueberry Quick Bread This blueberry quick bread recipe is a reader-favorite, and it’s perfect for using up fresh summer blueberries. If you substitute frozen blueberries, use them straight from the freezer to minimize defrosting, which will turn your batter purple.
Favorite Blueberry Bread

Favorite Blueberry Bread

Credit: Jen Perez
Favorite Blueberry Bread
Credit: Jen Perez
Ingredients 5 cups white flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup butter (6 ounces) 4 eggs 2 cups milk 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 cups blueberries 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional) Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans. Set aside. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together. Cut butter into flour mixture as you would when making pie dough. In a separate bowl, thoroughly blend eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add blueberries and nuts, if desired. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and blend together thoroughly but quickly. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 60-80 minutes or until tops are golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Yield: 2 loaves Classic New England Clam Chowder If salt pork, potatoes, and onions define traditional New England clam chowder, then this one is a classic, save for the use of bacon instead of salt pork. While purists might protest the roux (a mixture of butter and flour) used as a thickener, this not-too-thick, not-too-thin creamy-briny chowder — full of fresh chopped clams, potatoes, bacon, and a hint of thyme — will win them over.
Classic New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder from Chatham Pier Fish Restaurant.

Credit: Kristin Teig
New England Clam Chowder from Chatham Pier Fish Restaurant.
Credit: Kristin Teig
Ingredients 3 strips thick-cut bacon 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large onion, cut into 1/4-inch cubes 1 rib celery, cut into 1/4-inch cubes 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 bay leaves 2 medium-size white potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼-inch cubes 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups bottled clam juice, divided 1 pound chopped fresh clam meat, with juices (see Note) Kosher salt to taste 3 cups light cream 1 teaspoon white pepper Instructions Set a 4- to 6-quart pot over medium-low heat. Add the bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the bacon, leaving the fat in the pot, and crumble into small pieces; set aside. Add the butter, onion, celery, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Cook, stirring often, until onions are tender and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Return the bacon to the pot and stir. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the potatoes. In a 2- to 3-quart pot on high heat, boil the diced potatoes in salted water until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. Turning back to the onion/bacon mixture, increase the heat to medium-low. Add the flour gradually, stirring continuously, until a thick paste forms. Stir and cook 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and slowly add the bottled clam juice, 1 cup at a time, incorporating it into the mixture before adding more. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the potatoes and clam meat with its juices. Keep stirring 5 minutes, until the clams are tender. Add the cream slowly; then stir in the white pepper. Discard the bay leaves before serving. Serve hot. Yield: 8-10 servings Piccalilli Relish This old-fashioned summer piccalilli relish recipe made from chopped, pickled vegetables is as tasty on burgers as it is on baked beans.
piccalilli

piccalilli relish

Credit: Dreamstime
piccalilli relish
Credit: Dreamstime
Ingredients 24 green tomatoes 12 large sweet Vidalia onions 12 large sweet red, yellow, or orange peppers 1 heaping cup of salt Apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons mustard powder 1/2 cup pickling spices Instructions Slice all vegetables into 1/4-inch thin slices. Alternate tomatoes, onions, and peppers in cheesecloth, sprinkling salt between each layer. Suspend over a bowl and let stand overnight. Do not let vegetables come in contact with the drained liquid. A banana holder can be helpful here, if you have one. The next day, place all vegetables into a large pot with enough apple cider vinegar to cover. Tie the pickling spices into cheesecloth and add it to the pot. Simmer for 2 hours, or until onions are tender. Seal in clean jars using the hot pack method. Yield: 8 pints  

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