Residents and tourists alike believe that New England is one of the best places to be. New Englanders are fortunate enough to experience the beauty of all four seasons. However, there is an undeniable charm and excitement that accompanies the arrival of summer in this area. New Englanders eagerly look forward to this time of year when the sun shines brightly, and they can engage in various enjoyable activities.
Here’s a list of some of the best New England summer destinations and great activities for the whole family, whether you want to get away for a weekend or need some rainy-day options.
Zoos
Lions & tigers & bears…oh my! Zoos are a great day trip for the whole family, and we have some great zoos in our area.
Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA
Animal Adventures in Bolton, MA
Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI
Beaches
It’s summer, so of course, going to the beach is a must. We break down some great beaches in a few different areas.
Boston area beaches:
Carson Beach & M Street Beach in South Boston, MA
Constitution Beach in East Boston, MA
Lovells Island, Boston Harbor Islands, MA
North Shore Beaches:
Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA
Nahant Beach Reservation in Nahant, MA
Plum Island Beach in Newburyport, MA
Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester, MA
South Shore Beaches:
Humarock Beach in Scituate, MA
Plymouth Long Beach in Plymouth, MA
Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA
Southern New Hampshire Beaches:
Wallis Sands State Park, Rye, NH
Connecticut Beaches:
Avery Point Beach in Groton, CT
Hammonasett Beach in Madison, CT
Rhode Island Beaches:
Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI
Indoor Activities
Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather, although we wish we could. Here are some fun rainy-day activities!
Apex Entertainment (Multiple locations)
Kings Bowling (Multiple locations)
Xtreme Craze Family Fun Center (Multiple locations)
New England Aquarium in Boston, MA
Boston Children’s Museum in Boston, MA
Museum of Science in Boston, MA
Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Manchester, NH
Escape Rhode Island (Escape Rooms) in Providence, RI
Providence Children’s Museum in Providence, RI
Outdoor Day Activities
Take a Boston Duck Tour in Boston, MA
Boston Public Garden in Boston, MA
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA
Play a round of golf at one of the many courses in New England
Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA
The EcoTarium in Worcester, MA
Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH
Water Country in Portsmouth, NH
Local Upcoming Events
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine all have event calendars that are consistently updated with upcoming events, and Summer 2024 is already looking super fun! You can visit each state’s event calendars below:
Summer has just begun, and time flies when you’re having fun! With ample time on your side, indulge in weekend getaways or try out exciting new activities. Embrace the season and create unforgettable memories that will be cherished for years to come.