21 Really Cute New England Towns and Villages

Learn more about each town’s setting, social scene, and unique attractions, and then ask yourself… Could I Live Here?

In the birthplace of America, the New England village is one of the region’s most enduring symbols, with small-town charm, historic homes, and lovely village centers where you just know cows once grazed. And few places embody this beloved image better than Essex Village, Connecticut, a town steeped in history. Here, the ubiquitous Main Street is dotted with homesteads from the early 1800s. Here, the British torched 28 ships during the War of 1812, but nowadays mallard ducks rule the docks. Here, the village postman walks 10 miles a day, crisscrossing history, past the 1776 Griswold Inn, and down each winding lane. What a wonderful place! But wait a minute: History lives in other places, too, such as Mystic Seaport, another Connecticut gem. Home of the largest maritime museum in the U.S., it’s brimming with New England nautical charm. And speaking of that charm, Winter Harbor, Maine, simply oozes it, as a working fishing village nestled up against an overlooked corner of Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula…

There are many beautiful, quaint, charming, and friendly (pick your adjective) towns in New England. And how many times have you read about these places … or visited them … or seen them depicted in movies and on TV, and wondered what it’s like to actually live there? Now you can find out! With your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership, you have access to a very special collection, 21 Must-Visit New England Towns and Villages, that’s chock-full of New England charm — just as you’d expect from Yankee. The natural beauty, the quaint shops, the foodie restaurants, and the historic ambiance are all here, in Yankee’s renowned prose and gorgeous photography. But in this collection, you also get much more:

• The social scene
• The friendly neighborhoods
• Residents’ thoughts on daily life
• Things to do as a resident
• Even real estate suggestions!

This special collection lets you daydream in detail about living in, say, Salem, Massachusetts, rather than just visiting it in October with all the other tourists from around the world.

Whether you’re thinking of moving to New England or just want to rock on the porch and picture it all in your mind, 21 Must-Visit New England Towns and Villages is perfect for you!

For example, when it comes to Winter Harbor, there’s more to life here than just the rugged fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. There’s a friendly village vibe – the kind where you step out your front door and know everyone you see, and neighbors notice if you’re strolling along a new route or have a friend visiting for the weekend. Then again, when it comes to the warmth of a friendly New England village, consider Wickford, Rhode Island, where a five-minute walk – preferably with a dog – allows you to meet pretty much everyone. Wickford is also a deeply historical place that attracts people whose passion is restoring houses, its timeless appeal matching that of Mystic. In fact, New England is so blessed with lovely villages, charming town centers, and bustling cultural hubs that it’s hard to choose a favorite! Consider these special New England towns where food reigns:

• Great Barrington, Massachusetts, with its 225-year history, has somehow also become a modern foodie paradise where it’s impossible to get a bad meal. You like food? Come to Great Barrington!
• Mystic, Connecticut, offers everything from oysters to hazelnut latte éclairs. Even Mystic pizza, if you want.
• Narragansett, Rhode Island, boasts Crazy Burger, a restaurant with a huge menu of burgers so popular that you’ll almost always have to wait (but it’s worth it).

Speaking of Narragansett, you’ll find much more here than just great food. This is, of course, the quintessential New England beach town, with a mile-long town beach where umbrellas dot the landscape and some of the best waves in New England draw surfers from all over the country. Then again, for beach fun, historic charm, delightful food, and a warm welcome, you can also visit Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The country’s oldest summer resort town has all of these things — and more! When you think about it, you realize that New England’s villages, towns, and cities usually have many advantages, including great food, stunning scenic views, historic homes, friendly locals, prime shopping, and a lively arts scene. No wonder it’s such a pleasure to plan a visit.

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