6 New England Summer Road Trips Inspired by Weekends with Yankee

Summertime in New England was made for road-tripping — and if you’ve been keeping up with Weekends with Yankee (Yankee’s new television show in collaboration with WGBH Boston), you’ve likely been inspired to visit some of the show’s many featured New England destinations yourself. Below, you’ll find six of our favorite New England summer road trips inspired by Weekends with Yankee. A mix of classic and modern locales, they’re the perfect way to make your summer even more memorable — whether you’re looking for a gourmet lobster roll, a day at the beach, some small-town charm, and anything in between.

Let’s hit the road!

6 New England Summer Road Trips Inspired by Weekends with Yankee

Get a Gourmet Lobster Roll in Portland, Maine

The premiere episode of Weekends with Yankee featured an authentic Maine lobster bake by the team behind acclaimed Portland eatery Eventide Oyster Co. For senior food editor and Weekends with Yankee cohost Amy Traverso, Eventide is a favorite restaurant in a city she calls “my favorite food town in New England.” When it comes to lobster rolls, New Englanders can’t seem to agree on what dressing is best — hot drawn butter or cold mayo? However, Eventide has flipped the script and made a roll that’s entirely their own, placing lobster with hot brown-butter sauce with lemon atop a steamed Chinese-inspired bun. It’s a gourmet lobster roll experience not to be missed, and it doesn’t hurt that an afternoon spent exploring downtown Portland is a great way to round out your trip.

Can’t make it to Portland? We’ve got the Eventide lobster roll recipe for you to re-create at home.

Discover Yankee’s Favorite Beach Town in Ogunquit, Maine

Also featured in the premiere episode of Weekends with Yankee was a visit to Ogunquit, Maine, Yankee’s favorite beach town in New England. Located halfway between Portland, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the coastal village of Ogunquit (meaning “beautiful place by the sea”) has it all: sandy beaches, great restaurants serving local seafood, and the Marginal Way, arguably the most popular coastal walk in New England.

Go Nuts for Cheese in Shelburne, Vermont

The fourth episode of Weekends with Yankee included a visit to Shelburne, Vermont, on the shores of Lake Champlain. No road trip to northern Vermont is complete without a stop in this charming town, and if possible you should time your visit here to include the annual summer Vermont Cheesemakers Festival. Held at the impossibly beautiful Shelburne Farms, it draws the best artisan cheesemakers in the region, plus the producers of “cheese extras” such as crackers, jams, chocolates, caramels, ciders, wines, honeys, breads, and more. After you’ve had your fill at the farm, don’t miss out on Shelburne’s other crown jewel, the Shelburne Museum. Representing four centuries of art and Americana, it’s home to perhaps the most unique museum collection (including a steamboat perched in a meadow) in all of New England.

Hunt for Treasure on Block Island

The fifth episode of Weekends with Yankee introduced viewers to an irresistible Rhode Island treasure hunt. Each year, Block Island glass artist Eben Horton hides 550 glass orbs, or “floats,” around the island for visitors and locals to find. The orbs are tucked into lobster traps, flowerbeds, trees, and other hiding spots, making this island-wide treasure hunt enough of a reason to plan a Block Island road trip this summer. While you’re there, don’t forget to enjoy the island’s many wonderful restaurants and attractions, including Crescent Beach and the picture-perfect red brick Southeast Lighthouse.

Immerse Yourself in History in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The eighth episode of Weekends with Yankee included a visit to the Strawbery Banke Museum in the historic seaside city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. While the cobblestones and winding alleys of Portsmouth, now full of funky boutiques and some of the best restaurants in the state, are everyday reminders of the city’s long history, nowhere is its past better preserved than at Strawbery Banke, which brings more than 300 years of New England history to life with beautifully preserved homes, a WWII-era general store, interactive exhibits, and more. Even better: It’s located just across the street from the Portsmouth waterfront and the lovely gardens at Prescott Park.

Admire the Gingerbread Cottages on Martha’s Vineyard

The ninth episode of Weekends with Yankee showcased the famous gingerbread cottage “neighborhood” on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. A ferry ride means this excursion may require a bit more effort to plan; however, if you get an early start, Martha’s Vineyard makes for a great day trip from Hyannis, Falmouth, or Woods Hole. After arriving in Oak Bluffs, make your way to the Oak Bluffs Campground (controlled by the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association), home to more than 300 vibrant Victorian gingerbread-style cottages that date back as far as 1835. Many visitors come from around the world to admire and photograph this quaint collection — why not add yourself to the list? Once you’ve had your fill, you can spend the day exploring Oak Bluffs (three words: Back Door Donuts) or riding a rented bicycle around the island.

For more New England road trip inspiration, keep watching Weekends with Yankee!

To discover where Weekends with Yankee is airing in your market, use the station finder on the Weekends with Yankeesite.

You also can watch the premiere episode of Weekends with Yankee on the show’s site.

Read an interview with Weekends with Yankee Executive Producer Laurie Donnelly and NewEngland.com Digital Editor Aimee Tucker introducing the series.