It’s not often that I recommend people travel during peak tourism season, but summer in New England is an exception! While all seasons are celebrated in this region, most everyone will agree that summer is when everything comes to life, and there’s such a fun energy everywhere you go. That probably has something to do with our long winter hibernation, but when you also have such gorgeous coastline to enjoy, it’s hard to not be excited.
This post shares all my expert tips on fun things to do in New England in the summer season to help you celebrate what it’s all about this time of the year – beaches, lakes, day trips, seafood shacks, ice cream and tons more. So let’s get started!
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Is New England Worth Visiting In The Summer?
Oh, heck yes – especially the coast. That’s where it’s at for New England summers. But of course, the countryside, mountains and cities will all be exciting during summers in New England. This is when the weather will be at its best with fewest days of rain, more sunlight hours and warm temperatures in the air and ocean.
And as mentioned before, if you’re looking to head to the coast, summer is truly the best time to fully experience what coastal New England is all about. Paper plates loaded with fresh seafood, clam bakes, gorgeous beach sunsets, stunning road trips, camping … the opportunities are endless. This is one of those times that paying a premium for peak season is truly worth it.
Best Places To Visit In The Summer In New England
It’s no secret that the coastal destinations will absolutely dominate this portion of the list since the shoreline takes center stage in the summer months. But keep reading later in this post for ideas for spending summers in the mountains and cities, too! But these next few places are my picks for the absolute best destinations in New England in the summer season.
1. Cape Cod
If you’ve been scrolling around this website for a bit, you’ve probably gathered that Cape Cod and the islands are my all-time favorite summer destinations in New England. I’ve been traveling to these areas since I was a kid, and I go for at least a week every July, and often weekends in June and August, too.
There’s really no better place for beaches in New England than Cape Cod and the islands (but more on the islands in a bit!). With over 500 miles of coastline on the Cape, stunning beaches backdropped by sand dunes, calm and wavy waters to suit everyone’s preferences, quaint towns, hydrangeas in full bloom in July, beach bars, boat tours, an awesome seafood and ice cream scene, and gorgeous salt marshes, this is pretty much the ideal place for a summer getaway.
I have tons of posts on Cape Cod to help you plan your trip. Here are a few to get you started:
- Best Things To Do When Visiting Cape Cod For The First Time
- Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
- Ultimate List Of The Best Things To Do On Cape Cod
- What To Pack For Cape Cod
- Ultimate Guide To The Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches
- The Best Walking & Hiking Trails On Cape Cod
- Best Cape Cod Lighthouses To Visit
- Things To Know When Visiting Cahoon Hollow Beach
2. Nantucket
Nantucket is one of the islands off the coast of Cape Cod, and it’s going to be hard to find another summer New England destination that’s more charming and beautiful (the above photo should show you why!).
With rose-covered cottages, lighthouses, stunning beaches, hydrangeas galore, cobblestone streets, historic homes, and the cutest downtown, it doesn’t get much better than Nantucket summers. It’s probably the most expensive destination on this list, which is why many people do it for day trips, but to stay for a few nights on the island in the summer (or even a week!) should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Where To Stay On Nantucket
Keep in mind that Nantucket is one of the most expensive destinations in New England, so hotel prices are much higher!
- The Wauwinet Resort (includes private beach access)
- The Nantucket Hotel & Resort
- Hotel Pippa
Here are some of my posts on Nantucket that you may find helpful:
- Nantucket Day Trip Guide
- Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard For A Day Trip?
- How Many Days Do You Need On Nantucket (+ Best Things To Do!)
- How To Visit Nantucket’s Lighthouses
- Cape Cod vs. Nantucket: Which Is Best For You?
3. Martha’s Vineyard
The other beautiful island off Cape Cod’s coast is Martha’s Vineyard, which is another incredible destination to visit in summers in the summer. The biggest difference between Nantucket and the Vineyard is that Martha’s Vineyard is a lot bigger than Nantucket, and therefore, has more to do.
You’ll find much of the same on Martha’s Vineyard in the way of charming towns and beautiful beaches, but the cool thing about this island is that each town has its own vibe and character, and you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the gorgeous Aquinnah cliffs while visiting.
Where To Stay On Martha’s Vineyard:
- Winnetu Oceanside Resort (includes private beach access and a free shuttle to town).
- Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown (luxury option with views of Edgartown Light and free use of their Mercedes cars to get around!).
- The Oak Bluffs Inn
Here are some of my posts on Martha’s Vineyard that you may find helpful:
- The Ultimate Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide
- How To See Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
- Best Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard
- Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyard
4. Ogunquit, Maine
One of the best beach towns in New England (and my personal favorite beach town to visit in Maine in the summer) is Ogunquit. In the southern part of the state, it’s easily accessible from places like Portland, York, Wells and Kennebunkport (all wonderful summer destinations, too!), but it’s home to one of the most gorgeous beaches in Maine.
Ogunquit beach stretches over 3 miles, and has soft, sandy shoreline that’s equally fun to walk on and look at. And since this beach is pretty far north in the U.S., summer is the perfect time to visit since the water will be pretty chilly, but feel amazing on a hot day.
Where To Stay In Ogunquit:
Click here to check out my post on all the best things to do in Ogunquit!
5. Kennebunkport, Maine
Speaking of Kennebunkport, this is another perfect summer destination in New England. Also located in southern Maine, and only about 20-30 minutes from Ogunquit, Kennebunkport was put on the map by the Bush family and their summer residence here. And it’s also one of the most charming towns in coastal New England.
Between beautiful beaches, the cutest little downtown called Dock Square, history, amazing seafood and scenic walking paths, there’s tons to do here in the summer. Kennebunkport is also home to some amazing hotels and resorts that are perfect for summer getaways.
Where To Stay In Kennebunkport:
- The Tides Beach Club (best for beach vacations!)
- Cottages at Cabot Cove (the cutest little village of independent cottages!)
- Rhumb Line Resort (best budget option!)
6. Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Another cool beach town in southern Maine that’s perfect in the summer is Old Orchard. This is one of the more unique places to check out in New England because it almost has a vintage/Jersey Shore vibe to it than traditional New England, but it’s also really fun!
Old Orchard is famous for its pier along the beach which has fair-type food vendors and restaurants. And the actual beach is absolutely beautiful.
There’s also a cute little downtown with shops, and a fun amusement park with a ferris wheel and other rides.
Personally, I like Old Orchard as a day trip from other parts of coastal New England. You can spend part of your day exploring and taking your turn on the rides, and the rest of the day lounging on the beach.
7. Ipswich, MA
Ipswich is home to my favorite beach on the North Shore – Crane Beach. Part of the Crane Estate, it requires a bit more planning to visit, but man, is it worth it! Because the beach and estate are owned by the Trustees as protected land, it does require a day pass to be purchased in advance before arriving. Be sure to click here for more information!
In addition to the beach and Crane Estate, Ipswich is a lovely little area in Massachusetts that beautifully balances rural farms, rivers and coastline. You’ll find incredible seafood restaurants here, too, and definitely don’t skip homemade ice cream at White Farms!
Where To Stay In Ipswich:
- The Inn At Castle Hill
- Ipswich Inn B&B
- Shea’s Riverside Inn & Motel (great budget option in nearby Essex!)
8. Gloucester, MA
Gloucester is one of the best coastal cities to visit in New England (yes, it’s actually a city!). But don’t worry, it actually feels more like a charming coastal village than a bustling city. Also located along the North Shore in Massachusetts, it’s home to lighthouses, incredible dining, beaches and whale watch tours.
Two of the best beaches in the area are Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach, both in Gloucester. If you like calm and warm waters, head to Wingaersheek. For a few more waves, head to Good Harbor.
For some other fun things to do in Gloucester, plan to visit Eastern Point Lighthouse, Hammond Castle, Causeway Restaurant for a lobster dinner, and Holy Cow for ice cream!
Where To Stay In Gloucester:
- Beauport Hotel (a splurge that’s worth it!)
- Hotel At Cape Anne Marina
- Good Harbor Beach Inn
9. Rye, New Hampshire
If you’re looking for ocean beaches in New Hampshire, Rye is where you want to be! Known as pretty much the best beach town in the state, Rye is home 8 miles of Atlantic shoreline, and two beautiful public beaches: Jenness Beach and Wallis Sands Beach. There are a couple of other smaller beaches with limited or no parking, so if you’re staying in the area and can bike over, you can also visit Sawyers Beach and Bass Beach.
While vacationing in Rye, you can also go on a whale watch, grab an awesome lobster roll at Rye Harbor Lobster, and explore Odiorne Point State Park, just to name a few!
10. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
The largest lake in New Hampshire happen to also be the most beautiful and fun to explore. Lake Winnipesaukee is the perfect lakeside summer vacation in New England, and offers incredible opportunities for boating, jet skiing, exploring cute towns and shops, dining at great restaurants and just … relaxing.
Since the lake is so large, there are several towns to choose from as your home base when planning a visit, and a few of the best to stay in are Meredith, Wolfeboro, and Weirs Beach.
During your visit to the lake, you’ll want to make sure you visit the Castle in the Clouds, walk around Weirs Beach for the cool vibe, shop from the Long View Country Store and have dinner on the lake at Lakehouse Grille.
Where To Stay In Lake Winnipesaukee:
11. Westerly, Rhode Island
Westerly is known as one of the top beach towns in Rhode Island, and this is the place to go if you’re looking for a bit of luxury, too. Westerly is home to the most luxurious beach resorts in the state that include incredible accommodations, amenities and dining.
But you also don’t have to book a stay at a luxury resort to enjoy Westerly, and the best part about it is the stunning beaches, of course. One of the most popular beaches to check out is Misquamicut Beach, and you’ll also want to make sure you visit Atlantic Beach Park, Watch Hill, and grab a lobster roll at Two Little Fish.
Pro Tip: Westerly is only about 15 minutes rom Mystic, CT, which is another great place to check out!
Where To Stay In Westerly:
- The Ocean House Resort in Watch Hill (amazing luxury resort on the ocean!)
- Weekapaug Inn (another great ocean resort!)
- Pleasant View Inn (the most budget-friendly beach lodging in Westerly proper!)
Click here to read my guide on the best things to do in Westerly, RI & Watch Hill!
12. Newport, Rhode Island
The City By The Sea is honestly pretty wonderful year-round, but the summer definitely has a liveliness to it that’s undeniable. And because Newport also has gorgeous beaches to explore, on top of awesome wharves, shopping, waterfront dining and tons more, it’s one of the best summer destinations in New England.
Newport has a few beaches right in Newport proper, and these are Easton’s Beach (which is at the start of the Cliff Walk), Gooseberry Beach and Fort Adam Beach. But if you drive just a few minutes past Easton’s Beach, you’ll find yourself in Middletown, which has even better beaches (Second, Third and Surfer’s End are all awesome!).
Of course, there’s so much more to Newport than beaches, and I have them all listed in my Newport day trip guide below!
Where To Stay In Newport:
- Castle Hill Inn (best luxury oceanfront resort that’s walkable to the lighthouse!)
- The Chanler At Cliff Walk (opulent rooms right by Easton’s Beach and the entrance of the Cliff Walk)
- Sea Whale Motel (great budget option in Middletown close to beaches and downtown Newport!)
Click here to read about all the amazing things to do in Newport, RI!
13. Block Island, Rhode Island
I’m such a sucker for Block Island, and there are tons of reasons why. One, it’s an island, so it feels extra special getting there. Two, all the beaches are free which is such a rarity in New England, and they’re all beautiful! Three, it feels unique once you arrive, and has the cutest little downtown with shops. Four, the Mohegan Bluffs are stunning! Five, there are some pretty great nature trails to explore.
I could go on, but I’ll stop there. You’ll definitely want to click the link below to read about all the amazing things to do on Block Island to help you plan your visit!
Where To Stay On Block Island:
Click here to check out my guide to Block Island, including ferry info!
14. Westport, CT
One of the best summer towns to visit in Connecticut is Westport because of … you guessed it … the beaches! Westport has some of the best beaches in the state, and it also has a fun and charming downtown area with great shopping and dining.
The 3 main town beaches you’ll want to explore during your trip are Burying Hill, Old Mill and Compo. All of these sit alongside the Long Island Sound ocean waters.
When you’re not exploring the beaches, you’ll want to be sure to stroll through the cute shops downtown, grab a lobster rolls from The Lobster Shack, indulge in the amazing culinary scene, explore Sherwood Island State Park, and visit the Maritime Aquarium.
If you happen to be in Westport on a Thursday in the summer, you’ll also want to check out the awesome farmer’s market!
Where To Stay In Westport:
Pro Tip: If you love the Anthropologie brand, Westport is home to 1 of 8 Terrain stores in the entire country, and this is an incredibly inspiring shop to visit for housewares.
Bonus Suggestions!
While the above recommendations are my all-time favorites in the summer season, these are also incredible places to visit in the warmer months:
→Boston to see the Public Gardens, take a boat or whale watch tour, see a game at Fenway, and tour the epic culinary scene!
→Portland to enjoy the incredible breweries, the waterfront parks and awesome food scene!
→Providence to see a WaterFire show, visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo, and enjoy the riverfront walkway!
→Newburyport, MA to visit Plum Island’s beaches and nature trails!
→Acadia National Park, of course! I’ll be touching on that a bit later in the post, but this is a no-brainer. I personally prefer Acadia in the fall for foliage season and cooler weather for hiking, but summer brings the longest days and fewer chances of rain, making this time of the year the most popular for good reason. I have a detailed guide on the best time to visit Acadia National Park if you need more info 😉
A few posts you may find helpful while exploring these places:
- Best Breweries In Portland, Maine
- Best Boston Food Tours
- Best Things To Do In Newburyport & Plum Island
- The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary
- Best Towns To Stay When Visiting Acadia National Park
Best Things To Do In The Summer In New England
Okay, so now that we’ve gone over all the best destinations to visit in this region in the summer, let’s get into specific activities and attractions you should have on your radar!
15. Do A Whale Watch Tour
New England is a top destination in the world for whale watching, and while tours are offered spring through fall, summer is the ideal time to head out because the weather will likely be nicer, and peak migration movement happens June, July, August and parts of September. So, your chances are seeing whales are at their highest around these months.
The most popular places that whale watch tours will visit in New England are Jeffreys Ledge and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The Stellwagen Bank, especially, is a well-regarded region for spotting whales of all kinds, including humpbacks, minke and more. Pretty much all tours, regardless of where they depart from, will go to one of these areas.
Popular places for hopping aboard a whale watch tour are Provincetown, Gloucester, Boston, and Rye.
- Check prices and availability for the Gloucester Whale Watch!
- Click here to check rates and availability for the Boston Whale Watch!
- Click here to check rates and availability for the Provincetown Whale Watch!
16. Get A Maine Style Lobster Roll
There are two kinds of lobster rolls in New England, and my personal favorite is the Maine style lobster roll. The other is the Connecticut style lobster roll, but the reason I think all first-timers should go with the Maine version is because it’s cold lobster salad in a bun, whereas the Connecticut version is warm lobster chunks in butter. The cold lobster salad style just feels better in the summer season to me 😉
And it’s honestly not summer in New England until you’ve had a lobster roll, right? You can find them all over the region, and any seafood restaurant will have a lobster roll on their menu.
My personal favorites, however, can be found on Cape Cod and in Maine, so you’ll definitely want to make sure this one is on your list if you’re in Massachusetts or Maine.
Click here to read about the best lobster rolls on Cape Cod!
17. Eat All The Ice Cream
So I know ice cream isn’t specific to New England, but guys, there’s some pretty amazing homemade ice cream here! You’ll find that a lot of people have die-hard favorites in towns across the region, and one of the best things to do in the summer months are to find your own favorite.
Hard ice cream reigns supreme, and waffle cones are always worth it! But lots of places also offer soft, vegan and allergy-aware ice cream, too. My all-time favorite ice cream can be found on Cape Cod at The Juice Bar on Nantucket, and Sundae School in Dennis Port and Harwich Port. But I’ve never had a homemade ice cream in New England that I didn’t like.
Click here to check out my post on the best ice cream places on Cape Cod!
18. Take A Sailing Or Lobster Boat Tour
While the weather is at its best in the summer months, one of the best things to add to your itinerary is some kind of boat or lobstering tour! Since lobstering is a way of life in New England, it’s fascinating to head out on a traditional boat and learn about lifestyle and, how it impacts the community. You can often haul up lobster traps and catch your own lobster, too!
And, of course, sailing tours are always incredible, especially at sunset. Learn how to hoist the sails, or sit back and just relax while you cruise around the coastline enjoying breathtaking views.
Here are some awesome tours to get you started:
→ Tall Ships Cruise Along Casco Bay in Portland, Maine
→ Seals, Lighthouses and Lobster Trap Hauling Tour from Boothbay Harbor, Maine
→ Windjammer Cruise from Camden, Maine
→ Tall Ship Sunset Cruise from Boston
→ Lobstering Tour from Portland, Maine
19. Ride The Cog To New England’s Highest Peak
While The Cog runs trips up to the top of Mount Washington (New England highest peak!) from late April through mid-October, summer is an awesome time to do this since the weather will be the best, and the longer days offer more tour options departing as late as 4pm.
So, what is The Cog, you may be wondering? It’s the the world’s first mountain climbing railway! These little trains have been going up to the summit of Mount Washington since the 1860s, and it remains as one of the top attractions in New England today.
Once you arrive at the summit, you’ll be greeted with pretty much the mot epic views you can get in the region, and it’s absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll remember.
20. Camp In Acadia National Park
Camping season begins in early May in Acadia, and goes through mid-October, but as everyone knows, summer is the ultimate time for camping in New England because of the weather. While New England is home to some awesome camping all over the region, Acadia is an especially wonderful place to do it because well … it’s Acadia! You’ll have the entire park at your fingertips.
The two best campgrounds inside Acadia National Park are Blackwoods and Seawall, and these are the only two campgrounds located on the main portion of Mount Desert Island, and accessible to the main sites and attractions. You also have the option to camp at Duck Harbor and Schoodic, but these are pretty far from the main parts of Acadia, and best for those who have already been to the park.
21. Make Your Way Through A Sunflower Maze
During the month of August, Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT creates an incredible maze in their sunflower fields, and this is one of the most fun things you can do this time of the year in New England!
Made out of 350,000 sunflowers, you’ll feel good about your visit because $1 of each ticket sold is donated to the Connecticut Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders. And after you’ve made your way through the maze, you can head over to pick your own sunflowers to take home, and also pick your own peaches!
You may be able to pick some more fruits, depending on the exact time of your visit, including raspberries and blueberries.
Bonus: Pick Your Own Fruits & Get Some Fresh-Cut Flowers!
Because New England is highly seasonal, the blooming season for flowers in the summer feels extra special – like a reward for enduring the winter! For that reason, gardening is taken pretty seriously in this region, and there are some really wonderful flower and fruit farms you can visit for fresh cut bouquets and U-pick fruit!
Here are some great places to check out:
- Cape Cod Lavender Farm (MA) – Fresh cut lavender bunches for sale, with scenic nature trails to explore.
- Lavender Pond Farms (CT) – Walk the lavender fields and pick up some lovely lavender products.
- Tarrnation Flowers (NH) – Gorgeous varieties including dahlias, bouquets available at their farm stand and the Littleton Farmer’s Market.
- Spy Haven (ME) – The cutest little stand with freshly-cut bouquets available.
- Golden Hour Tulips (MA) – U-pick sunflowers available.
- Osamequin Farm (RI) – U-pick flowers and fruits.
- True Bloom Farm (VT) – Awesome little flower truck with stunning fresh cut flowers!
Click here to read about the best places for blueberry picking in Maine!
22. Float Down A River
One of the most fun and also relaxing things to do in the summer season here is float down a lazy river in an inner tube! There are places all over New England that rent out the tubes, and will even pick you up at the ending point so you don’t have to worry about finding your way back to your car.
Here are some great places to check out:
- Vermont River Runners
- Saco Bound (NH)
- Three Rivers (ME)
- Deerfield River Portage (MA)
- Farmington River Tubing (CT)
23. Hike New England’s Peaks
So we’ve covered taking The Cog up to New England’s highest peak, but the summer is also a great time to get some hikes in. And since New England is home to some pretty amazing mountain ranges, you’ll have a hard time choosing which to tackle first.
The Green Mountains in Vermont are always a great place to start. The highest mountain in Vermont is Mount Mansfield, which is located in Stowe. There’s also Camel’s Hump, which is a pretty incredible hike to do in this range.
And of course, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are another great place to visit for awesome hikes. You can check out the Artist’s Bluff trail, which is famous for foliage views, but is also fun in the summer. And the rest of Franconia Notch State Park and all of Crawford Notch State Park are home to wonderful hikes to add to your list.
24. Catch An Epic Sunset
With miles and miles of coastline, there’s bound to be some pretty amazing beach sunsets to be had in New England. And with longer days in the summer months, this is the best time to catch a few.
There’s a long list of places with amazing sunsets, but a few of the absolute best are Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, East Beach in Westerly and Newport.
Click here to check out my post on the best sunset spots on Cape Cod!
25. Plan A Coastal Road Trip
Okay, so you’ve seen some pretty awesome coastal towns in New England throughout this post, but even better news: most of them are pretty close to one another, which makes for an amazing coastal New England road trip!
Summer is the best time of year for a coastal road trip because all the shops and restaurants will be open. And while it’s peak season, as mentioned before, it’s worth it. The easiest coastal road trip you can do begins in Boston, and ends in Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park. The total driving time without stops is 4.5 hours, but you’ll want to budget about a week to see and do it all. But you can also do it on a weekend, too.
This route will take you through the Massachusetts North Shore (Salem, Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich), Portsmouth in New Hampshire, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Portland and Boothbay Harbor. There’s plenty more to see along this route, but those are the highlights.
Here are some posts that will help you out:
- Incredible Stops To Make Between Portland and Acadia National Park
- Best Stops To Make Driving Boston To Portland, Maine
- My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary
26. Go Sea Kayaking
Kayaking the ocean waters in the summer season is so fun and refreshing, and there are some great places to check out while planning your summer adventures throughout the region.
Here are some places to check out to get you started:
- Sea Kayaking & Oyster Farm Tasting In Portland, Maine
- North Shore Adventures in Rockport, MA – Kayak out to Thacher Island Lighthouses
- Kayak Through Cape Cod Salt Marshes
- Coastal Kayaking in Bar Harbor, ME
27. Discover New England’s Lakes
I know we’ve touched on Lake Winnipesaukee, but there are quite a few more amazing lake destinations in New England to check out during the summer months.
Lake Champlain in Burlington is Vermont’s largest lake, and offers awesome opportunities to take boat tours, cruise along the bike path and even bike out to the Champlain Islands.
Here are some other wonderful lake destinations in New England:
- Moosehead Lake in Maine
- Sebago Lake in Maine
- Moosehead Lake in Maine
- Rangeley Lake in Maine
- Lake Willoughby in Vermont
- Purity Lake in New Hampshire
- Sunapee Lake in New Hampshire
Summer Festivals In New England
28. Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals
Two of the most famous summer festivals in New England are the Newport Jazz & Folk Festivals. Taking place the last weekend in July, and the first weekend of August each year, these music events are even some of the premiere festivals to attend in the entire country!
Past performers at the Folk & Jazz Festivals have included Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Simon. In more recent years, artists like The Roots, Hozier, Brandi Carlisle, Mumford & Sons and Missy Elliott have all taken the stage.
29. Fourth Of July Celebrations – All Over!
While the Memorial Day celebrations have always been considered the unofficial kick off to summer, the Fourth of July events have long been regarded as the actual kick off to the summer season in New England.
And pretty much any town in the region will have some kind of celebration for the July Fourth holiday. Boston celebrates with fireworks and performances by the Boston Pops, Freeport in Maine teams up with L.L. Bean for a 3-day celebration, Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts celebrates the old fashioned way, and Bristol, RI puts on the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country!
30. Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft And Music Festival
For over 40 years, the Quechee Hot Air Balloon & Craft Festival has been a Vermont summer staple! Between morning and evening balloon take-offs, live music, balloon rides and over 60 food, drink and craft vendors, there’s a little something for everyone to plan the perfect summer day.
31. Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
For seafood lovers, it’s hard to beat the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival in New Hampshire! With over 50 food vendors serving up local seafood and other delicious treats, live music, lobster roll eating competitions, art shows and food demos, there’s so much to check out at this awesome summer festival.
New England Summer Weather
The summer months bring the best weather New England will see all year, and it can also vary a bit based on the different regions.
July & August are typically the hottest and driest months of the year throughout the region, and the southern areas (Connecticut and lower Massachusetts) can regularly see temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s°F.
The northern regions of New England (upper Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire), can regularly see temperatures in the 80s°F. It can also get hot here, but it’s generally a bit cooler than the souther regions.
Now, keep in mind that this is still New England, and the weather can be moody. It can still rain in the summer, and you can experience foggy and overcast days, too. Cape Cod and Nantucket, especially, are known for overcast and foggy mornings (sometimes lasting all day, even in the summer).
New England in the summer tends to be humid, too. In fact, it seems to be getting more and more humid as each year passes. I often experience humidity percentages in the 80s in the summer, which can make it feel like it’s over 100°F outside. But again, you could also experience chillier days, too! Those are less common in the summer, though.
As usual, I recommend that you check the weather report a few days before leaving for your trip to determine what it will be like during your visit.
The good news, however, is that if you’re coming from overseas where air conditioning is not common, it’s very common in the U.S., including New England! Hotels and vacation rentals will very likely have AC. And since most of the beaches border the Atlantic ocean, the water is usually pretty chilly, which feels amazing on a hot day.
Is New England In The Summer Expensive To Visit?
Unfortunately, yes. The most popular summer destinations in New England are all the coastal towns, and since this is their peak season, it’s when hotel and vacation rental prices will be at their highest. And since New England is more expensive compared to the rest of the country year-round, it’s not a cheap place to visit during peak season.
To visit this region in the summer on a budget, I recommend checking out camp sites! I’ve even camped on Cape Cod before (Truro has an awesome campground called Adventure Bound that’s walkable to a stunning beach). Some motels that are outside of the main beach towns will also be more budget-friendly.
Generally speaking, I would expect to pay minimum $300/night for a moderate hotel along the coast this time of the year. If you want to stay closer to the water, it will go up from there.
More posts you may find helpful:
- Summer In Connecticut: The Best Things To Do!
- The Most Incredible New England Resorts & Spas
- Best New England Day Trips
- Best Things To Do In New England
- The Most Incredible New England Lighthouses To Visit
- Best Time To Visit New England
- Must-See Towns Along The New England Coast
That’s A Wrap On Summer In New England
And there you have it – all my recommendations on how to have the perfect summer in New England. Between the best beaches in the Northeast, clam bakes, whale watching, quaint coastal towns, epic coastal road trips, lighthouses and more, New England makes for an incredibly memorable summer getaway!
