The solstice has come, and it’s officially summer, and that means each weekend brings the chance to get out and explore New England in all its glory. Whether that means packing up the family car or chartering a helicopter with Wings Air for a really quick getaway, there’s so much to explore.
Rhode Island
Hit the beach in Newport and soak in the historic boutique Vanderbilt. Do the cliff walk, taking in majestic ocean views and just as majestic gilded age mansions. Take a tour of one or more of those mansions, such as The Breakers, The Elms or Chepstow. Go for a sail on Narragansett Bay. Once you’ve worked up an entire, enjoy some fresh seafood at one of many dockside eateries.
Massachusetts
The Berkshires beckon, and so do the many arts programs that relocat from Boston in the summer. Permanent fixtures are the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Historic properties such as the Wheatleigh and the Blantyre welcome guests to their lush grounds and sumptuously appointed rooms. If you just need a break from work week and the kids being out of school, Canyon Ranch in Lenox has an array of wellness programs to rejuvenate you.
New Hampshire
From your base at the Manor on Golden Pond, check out the beauty of Bretton Woods and hike to the top of Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet. Back at the Manor, Squam Lake and the White Mountains stretch out before you, inviting you to toss your cares away. It’s too late this year for Portsmouth’s annual chowder festival, which takes place the first weekend of June, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of chowder to chow down on.
Maine
Featuring Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise each morning, Acadia National Park covers several islands and is an excellent destination for birdwatchers and rewards hikers with stunning ocean views. The area was first inhabited by the Wabanaki people and later became the site of the first French missionary colony in America. To reduce summertime traffic congestion, the National Park Service is working on a new transportation plan to keep the park a beautiful and enjoyable destination.
Vermont
Take a hike along the Appalachian Trail to the top of White Rocks Cliffs to soak in views of the mountains and the valleys below. Twin Farms in Barnard and the Pitcher Inn in Warren provide the perfect launching off points for hiking, biking, golf and just about any other outdoor adventure you can imagine. The picturesque towns will make you feel as though you’re walking through a painting, allowing you to relax and recharge in maximum comfort.
