With crisp weather, vibrant foliage and, hey, a pretty rowdy football scene to say the least, it’s safe to say that few places do fall like New England. All six states — Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island — have a history and character worth visiting, along with unrivaled seafood cuisine and a coastal culture.
And yes, it can all be visited in the span of one week. Here’s how to do it.
Photo by GBCVB
Downtown Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Where to Stay: Since Massachusetts is at the center of the six New England states, Boston is probably your best bet as a home base. The city sits less than three hours from each state, and its bustling downtown is sprawling with options for luxury accommodations.
The Revere Hotel Boston Common (reverehotel.com) recently underwent a $28 million renovation, revealing a contemporary look that touches everything from its guest rooms to the rooftop pool. The hotel also sports a collection of custom art inspired by historic icons, including a life-size sculpture of Paul Revere’s horse constructed out of recycled metals and other materials. The suites themselves are handsomely decorated with modern décor and offer private balconies with panoramic views of the city, and guests who stay in the Presidential Suite are treated to a curated library, courtesy of local bookstore, Brookline Booksmith. Also, a Pillow Menu is available in case the feather pillows in your room don’t suit your liking.
If classic luxury is your preference, the Lenox Hotel (lenoxhotel.com) offers elegantly decorated suites featuring crystal chandeliers and wood-burning fireplaces. As it turns out, Judy Garland once lived in the Lenox in 1968; today, a suite is named after her, designed to mimic an apartment with Old Hollywood-style décor.
What to Do: The easiest way to see all of downtown Boston in a day is through a “hop on, hop off” tour via trolley or bus, which stops at most of the Boston standards like the Boston Public Garden, Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church. You can also follow Freedom Trail, a series of historical markers whose pathway is traced in red throughout the city.
Where to Eat: Downtown Boston’s restaurant scene has just as much history as the city itself. One of its oldest restaurants, Marliave, opened in 1885 and still stands today, serving steak and pasta, along with an array of seafood from oysters to escargot. For a quicker bite to eat, Quincy Market (which opened in 1826) features an expansive hall of eateries from various cuisines.
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Judy Garland Suite at the Lenox Hotel in Boston
Manchester, Vermont
Distance from Boston: Approximately 3.5 hours
What to Do: The secluded town of Manchester is a nice relief after touring Boston’s lively downtown area, but its quiet pastures are anything but detached from luxury. The newly built Manchester Outlets feature farmhouse-style versions of shops like Marimekko, Kate Spade and Armani. It’s minutes away from Hildene, the Georgian Revival mansion built by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert, which is open for tours.
Where to Eat: After touring Hildene, guests can purchase a picnic basket from the gift shop and fill it with artisan sausage and cheese (made onsite at the nearby goat farm, which you can also visit), which can be enjoyed onsite against a backdrop of rolling hills reminiscent of the iconic opening scene from The Sound of Music. But if you need a little more than that, The Silver Fork and The Reluctant Panther are two fine dining options nearby.
Samantha Calimbahin
Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Distance from Boston: Approximately 2 hours
What to Do: Portland’s waterfront has six picturesque lighthouses, the most famous being the Portland Head Light. The city has several nearby beaches as well, one of which — the Old Orchard Beach — features New England’s only beachfront amusement park.
Where to Eat: One of the most popular fine dining stops in Portland is The Back Bay Grill, whose ever-changing menu features dishes like truffled beef tartare and mushroom-dusted scallops. But if you desire more of a waterside experience, the Lobster Shack at Two Lights has arguably the best view of Cape Elizabeth’s rocky coastline and serves whole lobster, clam chowder and other standard New England fare.
Providence's signature WaterFire show features 100 bonfires lit before an audience.
Portsmouth,
New Hampshire
Distance from Boston: Approximately 1 hour
What to Do: There’s plenty of history in Portsmouth, too, including landmarks like Strawbery Banke, a 9.5-acre neighborhood of 32 historic buildings. The city’s downtown area has a quaint, hipster vibe with a diverse collection of coffee shops, live music venues and local boutiques.
Where to Eat: One of Portsmouth’s more unconventional eateries is The Library Restaurant, located inside the Rockingham House downtown. Guests can dine on steak and seafood in a lounge-style atmosphere that has shelves filled with books — basically, a library. Another seafood option is The Dolphin Striker, which serves a menu that includes crab-stuffed haddock, seared scallops and tuna cooked three ways.
Hartford, Connecticut
Distance from Boston: Approximately 2 hours
What to Do: For bookworms, the houses of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe are both located in Hartford, just steps away from one another, and both are open for tours. They’re not far from Bushnell Park, where one can admire the gothic architecture of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch and nearby Connecticut State Capitol.
Where to Eat: Perched on the 20th floor of the One State Street building is ON20, an upscale New American restaurant serving a small menu of dishes like côte de boeuf and poached turbot. Max Downtown is another favorite among the fine dining crowd, serving a diverse selection of steak, pasta and seafood.
A life-size sculpture of Paul Revere and his horse are on display at the Revere Hotel in Boston.
Providence, Rhode Island
Distance from Boston: Approximately 1 hour
What to Do: There’s a glimpse of Venice in Providence, as canals flow through downtown with gondolas available for guests to ride. If you bring your own wine, La Gondola offers complimentary biscuits, and if you get the right gondolier, he may even serenade you with a song in Italian during the ride. On the same canals is Providence’s signature show, WaterFire — an art installation of about 100 bonfires lit before an audience on most Saturdays. Providence is pretty well-known for its art, as it’s home to the Rhode Island School of Design, known for its acclaimed museum.
Where to Eat: Cafe Nuovo sits right along the canal and offers a great view of the WaterFire show. Its eclectic menu displays a fusion of flavors from around the world, including duck, veal and lamb dishes. Gracie’s is another popular downtown spot, with a changing menu of dishes made with seasonal ingredients, some even sourced from a rooftop garden atop Providence’s Peerless Building.