New England is comprised of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and is rich with things to do in summer. We’ve got it all here, beach, mountains, museums, country life, & city life! If you’re planning a bucket list here, there is potentially a lot of ground to cover. Good thing the states are small! Right now, our family is made up of a preschooler, two grown ups, and a baby on the way (I’m due at the end of August). Here is a look at our family’s New England summer bucket list.
- Go to Retreat Farm in Brattleboro, VT to pet the animals.
- Eat a fresh lobster roll.
- Swim in the ocean, a lake, a pond, river, and stream. (All doable here in New England!).
- Explore Cape Cod National Sea Shore.
- Take a picture from the top of a mountain.
- Visit Yankee Candle’s flagship store. This is in South Deerfield, MA.
- Attend a baseball game. There are so many options: Red Sox, Pawtucket Red Sox (RI), Portland Sea Dogs (MA), Cape Cod Summer League (MA), Holyoke Blue Sox (MA).
- Take a picnic to the beach and watch the sunset.
- Go clamming.
- Eat fresh clam chowder.
- Watch live music outdoors.
- Explore an area protected by The Trustees of Reservations.
- Sleep under the stars.
- Ride a ferris wheel.
- Go candlepin bowling.
- Buy a treat at a farmer’s market.
- Take a boat tour. Ideas: whale watch, ice cream cruise, pirate ship cruise, Boston Duck Boat Tour.
- See the Tanglewood Marionettes perform.
- Eat soft serve ice cream. Bonus points if it happens while we’re at the beach.
- Explore a lighthouse.
- Find and learn about local history. Ideas- Visit Salem, MA, walk the Freedom Trail, visit Lexington & Concord, or a shipwreck sight.
- Ride an antique merry go round. There are great ones in Holyoke, MA and on Martha’s Vineyard.
- See wildlife up close and in their natural habitat.
- Watch a civil war reenactment.
- Visit the hometown of a famous author.There are so many to choose from- Stephen King lives in Bangor, Maine; Dr. Seuss grew up in Springfield, MA, and Emily Dickinson grew up in Amherst, MA just to name a few.
What are you up to this summer? What would you put on a bucket list for your region? Have you been to New England? Could you any of these off of my New England Bucket List? Let me know in the comments!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Wow, what a fun list! I’m in Boston & I only wish I could get to half of these things too! I just recently took a road trip through New England and camped in Maine & New Hampshire, and spent the day in Vermont. I love it up here because there is so much to see. I hope you get to cross off a lot on your list!
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Nancy says
Even though the Cape is not in my plans this year (boo hoo!) and I also have a baby coming in August, I will surely have a lobster roll before the summer is out! And if I can get me mother to bring me some clams from her backyard, clam chowder can be on my list! The other stuff will have to wait until next summer. Have fun exploring!
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NJ says
I put clamming and clam chowder on my list because of you! I don’t know that we’ll get to it either, but going at the house on the cove was a lot of fun!
Allyn says
Excellent list! Another author’s home I’ve wanted to visit forever is Mark Twain’s house in Hartford. Maybe this will be the year! Have a great summer!
NJ says
You should go! I bet his house is really neat, Allyn!
ronnie says
Great list – love #25!!
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NJ says
Thanks! I’m sure every area is rich with local authors, if you look hard enough. But there is an abundance here in New England!
Lisa L says
I’ve thought several times to create a bucket list.. But then I keep putting it off….something I don’t normally do. I guess I feel if I finish the bucket list, will I die? lol
NJ says
You should do one! It doesn’t have to be about finishing anything! You could make a summer one with some fun ideas that you’d like to do. It doesn’t have to be a “life” thing.