Summertime in New England is a fantastic time. From lobster rolls to beach days and walking through nature and quaint towns, there’s a never-ending list of things to do in the summer in New England. Here’s the ultimate New England summer bucket list for you.
New England Summer Bucket List
Watch a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park
One of New England’s most iconic things to do is watch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Dubbed “The Green Monster,” Fenway is an American baseball institution.
Grab a ballpark frank and sing your heart out to “Sweet Caroline,” a classic melody played at Sox games.
Indulge in a Lobster Roll
A lobster roll is the quintessential New England summer meal. There’s some geographical debate over whether it’s best served with hot butter or cold mayonnaise. Try different styles of lobster rolls in each state to see which you prefer.
Visit The Cape
Cape Cod is home to an idyllic Atlantic coastline. Charming inns, family-friendly cottages, fresh seafood, quaint boutiques, and a sprawling oceanside fill the cape, which is a wonderful place to vacation with the entire family, a partner, or solo.
Explore Mystic Seaport & Downtown
Mystic, CT is home to a historic harbor and ships. Here, you can take a harbor cruise and then stroll downtown for great seafood.
Escape To Nantucket Or Martha’s Vineyard
While these Atlantic islands are less than an hour’s high-speed ferry ride from the Massachusetts mainland, they feel worlds away.
Go to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy the slower pace of island life and the beauty and charm of these paradises.
I found Nantucket to be highly dog-friendly if you travel with a dog.
Boston Pop’s Fireworks Spectacular
For over 90 years, Boston has celebrated the 4th of July with a magnificent fireworks display and the Boston Pops playing next to the Charles River.
Watching the fireworks from the Charles is an iconic patriotic experience. If you want to avoid the crowds, many rooftops and buildings across Boston and Cambridge have unobstructed views of the fireworks.
Bristol, RI 4th of July Parade and Festival
Bristol, Rhode Island, is home to America’s longest-running July 4th celebration. Attending the parade is a patriotic must. The town also hosts a two-week summer concert series on the waterfront and a carnival.
Read more about what to do in Bristol here.
Walk The Freedom Trail
Boston’s Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk that showcases 16 historic sites of the American Revolution, including the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall.
The trail runs from Boston Commons to the Charlestown Navy Yard. You can walk it independently by following the brick and/or red-painted path and using the Freedom Trail app for navigation. You can also take a guided tour led by the Freedom Trail Foundation.
Eat Fried Clam Bellies
Fried Clam Bellies are an iconic New England food delight. While you can order them from most seafood restaurants and even pubs in New England, The Clam Box in Ipswich, MA, is famous for its fried clam bellies and legs.
Don’t like clam bellies? There are tons of other options for fried seafood in New England.
Drive the Kancamagus Highway
One of the most scenic drives in the Northeast, this New Hampshire roadway takes you to waterfalls, swimming holes, and overlooks in the White Mountains.
Chow down at a Chowder or Oyster Festival
Driving through New England, you’re bound to see signs for food festivals. Chowder and Oyster festivals reign supreme.
Some popular food festivals include:
Explore Burlington, VT
This chill college town is filled with great breweries, lakefront sunsets, and a scenic rail trail that rides out over the water on a narrow causeway.
Take a Sail or Stroll Through Newport, RI
Known as the world’s sailing capital, this beautiful waterfront town is the best place in New England to take a sailing lesson or sail with the pros. It’s also home to the infamous gilded age mansions, notably The Breakers.
If you visit in August, you can attend their iconic Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festivals. If you want to go to the festivals, plan in advance; tickets sell out quickly.
Read my incredible 2-Day Newport Itinerary to learn more about what to do in Newport, RI.
Brimfield Antique Flea Market
Antique lovers don’t want to miss the Brimfield Antique Flea Market in Brimfield, MA. This is considered the longest-running outdoor antique event and one of the largest in America.
The market is open for a week in May, July, and September. I recommend going in May for the first dibs on all the fun pieces.
Go to a Show at Tanglewood
Tanglewood, in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, is the summer home of the Boston Pops. The venue also boasts an annual July 3rd and 4th performance by James Taylor, which has been going on for over 50 years.
Hike or Camp at Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine is the only National Park in New England. Its stunning coastal views and miles of trails make it a perfect getaway.
Trek Mount Monadnock
Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire is a popular hiking area with beautiful views. A couple of different trails lead to the top of the mountain. They all involve over 3.5 miles of hiking and more than 1,500 feet of elevation gain and take 3-5 hours.
The Big E
The Big E, New England’s largest fair, marks the end of summer. While this event technically spans summer and fall, it’s a wonderful place to end the summer. The Big E, located in western MA, has displays from all six New England states.
The event has rides, state exhibits, agricultural events, food, shopping vendors, and musical performances.
Final Thoughts: New England Summer Bucket List
New England summers are vibrant and filled with sunshine, fantastic fun, and many outdoor activities. There is a long list of summer activities in New England, from the ocean to the mountains, to festivals and fairs.