Springtime destinations in New England

Any time of year is a great time to visit New England but there are some places that have special springtime appeal. Here are some of my favorite springtime destinations in New England. 

Skiing Vermont

Skiing is still alive and well in many areas of Vermont well into the spring. Especially at the higher elevations, the snow can last as late as May. Before heading to any of the ski slopes be sure to check to see which ones are still open.

National Seashore

The National Seashore is a joy in the spring, the air is fresh with the scent of the ocean and the crowds who flock to the cape during the summer have yet to arrive. The weather in late May and early June is already getting warm and there are great restaurants, antique stores and lighthouses to visit besides for just a quiet walk on the beach.

The mansions

Spring is the ideal time to head to Newport, Rhode Island. Again the crowds of summer haven’t arrived yet and the mansion gardens are in full bloom. You can visit one mansion such as Rough Point or get a ticket that allows you into several of the mansions owned by The Preservation Society of Newport Just walking along Bellevue Avenue is a great springtime pastime.

Route 1

Route 1 in Maine is a special place to visit in the spring. There are places to shop and eat and antique stores abound. A stop off in Portland can involve the Portland Art Museum or just poke around in the Old Port shopping area. Wear a bib, eat a lobster and have wild blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Spring in Maine is a wonderful time.

Restored villages

New England is awash in history and these four historic villages are fun to visit in the spring and honestly, just about any time of year.

Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts is a living history museum where the date is the 1620 and the residents are the original Pilgrims who came from England to found the colony along with the Wampanoag Indians.

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is also a recreated farming village, it covers the period from1790-1840. The residents go about their regular daily lives and the visitors get to observe and interact.

Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire takes the visitor through over 200 years of history, all in one place. These homes were rescued and preserved to serve as a history museum.

Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut takes you back to an earlier time when whaling was an occupation that was common in New England. There are ships and buildings to visit and there are adventures that can take place on the water.

Spring is a lovely time of year to visit New England. Every state has its own attractions. Choose one or choose them all but why not head to the northeast this spring?