I know, I know. COVID. And while we mark the one-year anniversary of this global pandemic, we have to look to the (near?) future when HPCON restrictions will be lifted and we can travel again.
While not everyone loves Groton, you can’t deny the regional destinations that surround Connecticut. If you find yourself stationed here, I hope you can take advantage and explore these stellar Northeast destinations:
New York City, New York
Getting There: Drive (two hours+ with traffic), Trains: Amtrak (New London, Mystic) or MTA Metro North (New Haven)
Things to Do: Explore Central Park, walk the Brooklyn Bridge or High Line, poke around the Chelsea Market, Times Square, visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Metropolitian Museum of Art, take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty National Monument, there’s an endless amount of things to do.
When To Go: Any season! The summer heat can be a lot in the city, but NYC is especially beautiful in the fall and holiday seasons.
Boston, Massachusetts
Getting There: Drive (two hours)
Things to Do: Go to a Boston Red Sox game, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Freedom Trail, Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston Public Garden, and so much more.
When to Go: Any time
Cape Cod
Getting There: Drive (two hours)
Things to Do: Cape Cod National Seashore, Dolphinen Fleet Whale Watch, wine tasting, seafood restaurants and so much more.
When to Go: Spring, early Summer (avoid crowds and traffic)
Newport, Rhode Island
Getting There: Drive (one hourr, very managable day trip – be prepared for a $4 toll bridge)
Things to Do: Tour the Newport Mansions, hike the Cliff Walk, shop along Bellevue Avenue, visit the Audrain Automobile Museum, gawk at the mansions and beautiful views of Ocean Drive, tour Fort Adams, imbibe at local wineries and breweries
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall (winter many tourist attractions are closed, but the mansions do decorate for Christmas)
Kennebunkport, Maine
Getting There: Drive (three hours)
Things to Do: Poke around little shops and boutiques at Dock Square, lobster rolls at The Clam Shack, kayak and bike rentals from Costal Maine Kayak and Bike, local brews at Kennebunkport Brewing Company and Batson River Brewing & Distilling, explore local beaches (Colony Beach, Mother’s Beach, Gooch’s Beach), guided sailing tour with Pineapple Ketch, cruise by Walker Point and peek at the President Bush Compound
(family vacation property and monument).
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall
Stowe, Vermont
Getting There: Drive (four hours)
Things to Do: Skiing or snow boarding at Stowe Mountain Resort, ride a hot air balloon or have a spa day with Stoweflake Resort, go on a hike, ice skating at Stowe Village, tour Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, sample famous Cabot Cheese at Cabot Farmer’s Store and other Vermont specialities, taste local spirits at Smuggler’s Notch Distillery and Boyden Valley Winery, chocolate samples at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Cold Hollow Cider Mill for apple cider donuts, cider and hard cider and so much more.
When to Go: Fall, Winter
Salem, Massachusetts
Getting There: Drive (two hours, 15 min)
Things to Do: Visit the Salem Witch Museum, historical home tour of the House of Seven Gables and the Salem Witch House, poke around Salem’s oldest witch shop Crow Haven Corner, night tours with Bewitched After Dark or Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tour, pay your respects at the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, explore the Peabody Essex Museum, check out the famous filming sites from Hocus Pocus and more.
When to Go: Fall (Halloween)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Getting There: Drive (two hours)
Things to Do: Explore Plymouth Rock, tour the pilgrim life at Jenney Museum and Pilgrim Hall Museum, The Mayflower II, Burial Hill, picnic at Nelson Memorial Park, taste local wine and beer at Plymouth Bay Winery, Second Wind Brewing Company and Mayflower Brewing Company, poke around the downtown shops, and more.
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall
Bar Harbor, Maine
Getting There: Drive (six hours)
Things to Do: Explore nearby Acadia National Park, poke around the downtown shops and boutiques, farmers market, whale watching with Bar Harbor Whales, local brews at Atlantic Brewing Company or wine at Bar Harbor Cellars, and more.
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Getting There: Drive (five hours)
Things to Do: Take a gondola ride or zipline at Wildcat Mountain, drive up to Mount Washington Observatory, explore the hiking trails and other outdoor adventures with Appalachian Mountain Club, and more.
When to Go: Summer, Fall
What other regional destinations do you love? Comment below!
Great post! I’ve been in Boston for nearly 4 years now…can confirm it’s a great city with a lot to offer!
I love this list! Cheers!