Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New England
New England is home to some of the most special locations in the world, both natural and manmade. If you plan a vacation to this area, you are guaranteed to have a good time wherever you go. But if you really want to get into the heart of New England and see some of the most beautiful places, you might want to do some research first. So to help you out, here is a list of the most beautiful places in each state in New England. Take a look, and start planning now!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Photo © Christine
All too often overlooked, Acadia is one of the hidden gems of the national park system. It is one of the smallest parks, but also one of the least visited, so you will have plenty of space to enjoy the scenery. Inside Acadia you can enjoy hiking, climbing, and biking, but in this park, you can also relax on the sandy beach or go whale watching. There are a lot of cool animal species to be seen in this area as well. There are some excellent hiking trails, but take the Great Head trail to see some great views of the cove.
Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Photo © Christine
Located in the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch is a really beautiful location, thanks in no small part to the stunning waterfalls and foliage. There is a lot to do in the area, including hiking, biking, snowshoeing, or even just a drive through the park to enjoy the scenery. It is worth spending an entire vacation in the white mountains, as there is a lot to do, and it is incredibly easy to find a good white mountain hotel.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Nobska Light – Cape Cod – Photo © Henk Meijer Photography
Cape Cod is not only one of the most beautiful places in Massachusetts, but one of the most beautiful in the country, if not the world. A hugely popular destination for fans of beaches and marine life. It is one of the best place to go whale watching, with a number of species to be seen in the area, such as the humpback whale, fin whale, minke whale, and the sei whale.
Appalachian Trail, Vermont
Photo © buffdawgus
The famous Appalachian Trail stretches all the way from Georgia to Maine, but there is a beautiful portion that passes through the state of Vermont. It travels along the southern Green Mountains, allowing you to immerse yourself in the most beautiful area of the state. Unless you are an experienced and well-prepared hiker, the best time to go is in the spring or summer months.
Newport, Rhode Island
Photo © 6SN7
You have probably already heard of this famous Rhode Island town, but it is worth seeing it for yourself. The mansions are the highlight, but there are also a number of outdoor activities to take part in and enjoy the beauty of the town. Some good examples are the Newport Cliff Walk, Brenton Point State Park, and Aquidneck Island, which is home to a number of beautiful beaches.
Gillette Castle State Park, Connecticut
Gillette Castle – Photo © CJ Buckwalter
Gillette Castle State Park straddles the towns of Lyme and East Haddam. It is a cool way to enjoy nature and history at the same time, as the castle was built in 1914 on top of one of the Seven Sisters hills. With the Connecticut River running alongside it, you can get a nice view of the estate from the river, or even a nice view of the river from the Castle. Included in the area is a museum, hiking trails, and a picnic area. There are not a lot of hotels in the area, but between Lyme and East Haddam, it should be easy to find somewhere to stay.
Vincent Stokes is an outdoor enthusiast and an experienced world traveler. He also writes writes for the National Parks and works to promote pride in homegrown travel destinations. You can also connect with Vincent on G+ or twitter (@TravelingGlobal).
