New England has a gorgeous coastline, and along the way, you’ll also find some quaint small towns filled with historic sites, beaches, local shops, art galleries, and museums. Whether you are taking a road trip visiting multiple towns, or want to choose just one or two of these, there’s so much to see and do along the New England coast.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth NH (not to be confused with the one in Rhode Island), is a seaside town located in a small coastal area of New Hampshire between Maine and Massachusetts. Attractions in Portsmouth include Water Country Water Park, Strawbery Banke Living History Museum, and several outdoor parks. There are also waterfront shops and restaurants in a nice downtown area.
Rockport, Massachusetts
The first time I visited Rockport Massachusetts, I was so surprised that such a quaint coastal town was located so close to my home. I love visiting there and try to go at least once per summer season. The most popular thing to do in Rockport is to visit Bearskin Neck, a pedestrian area with art galleries, fresh seafood restaurants, shops, and ice cream shops. You can grab lobster rolls from Roy Hook and eat them outside facing the water.
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a little coastal Maine beach town located in Southern Maine. It’s not too far from Boston, making it an ideal location for your New England summer vacation. While you are there, you can visit the various art galleries, gift shops, and restaurants located in Perkins Cove, right on the waterfront. There’s also Marginal Way, a beautiful path running along the waterfront that is fun to walk, and Ogunquit Beach.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
At the very tip of Cape Cod is Provincetown, a vibrant community that is especially popular in the summer months. Provincetown offers some of the best beaches in Massachusetts (including the Cape Cod National Seashore), as well as museums, shops, theater, boat tours, and so much more. Commercial Street is where much of the action is, so it’s best to find parking and then walk around.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket Island, located off the coast of Cape Cod, almost feels like a different country. This small island is accessible via ferry or plane and offers beaches, restaurants, shops, museums, and more. Don’t miss a trip to the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which showcases the history of whaling in the area.
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Located on Cape Cod, Hyannis is a village in the town of Barnstable. It’s more of a city than a village and is where you’ll find many of the chain stores on the Cape, like Target, Home Depot, and Kohls. However, beyond those chains is a beautiful harbor where you can take ferries to the islands, charter a fishing boat, or board a whale-watching cruise. Along the waterfront, there are artist shanties with handicrafts from local crafters.
Mystic, Connecticut
Located over the Rhode Island border is the fishing village of Mystic, CT, home of Mystic Pizza. Attractions in Mystic include Mystic Seaport, the largest maritime museum in the United States, the Mystic Aquarium, and Olde Mistick Village. Most of these attractions are outdoors, so it’s best to visit when the weather is nice.
Chatham, Massachusetts
This elegant coastal New England town is located on the “elbow” of Cape Cod. In addition to a fun main street area with shops and restaurants, Chatham offers other attractions. These include the Chatham Lighthouse, beaches, and the Fish Pier where you can watch seals play in the water right in front of you.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Made popular from the TV show Wicked Tuna, as well as the movie The Perfect Storm, the town of Gloucester is located adjacent to Rockport in Cape Ann. It offers beaches, whale-watching cruises, delicious restaurants, parks, fishing charters, and more.
Newport, Rhode Island
This gorgeous town on Aquidneck Island is less than a two-hour drive from Boston and was once the summer vacation destination for affluent American families like the Vanderbilts. Their gilded-age summer homes are now open seasonally to touring guests. Beyond the historic homes, other activities in Newport include sailboat rides, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Fort Adams State Park, the 3 1/2 mile-long Cliff Walk, beaches, and shopping.
Kittery, Maine
Kittery Maine is located right past Portsmouth, NH over the New Hampshire border. It’s popular due to its outlet shops, which are all located on route 1. Other activities include Take Flight Adventures and Fort McClary State Park. Be sure to stop at Yummies – a candy shop filled with all sorts of sweet treats.
Portland, Maine
If you are looking for a New England coastal destination with ocean views, museums, restaurants, shops, boat rides, baseball, and more, Portland may be the perfect place for a visit. Popular activities include the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, the Portland Museum of Art, the Portland Head Light, and the Casco Bay Lines. In the spring and summer, you can also see the Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a beautiful city located in Rhode Island. It has a fun, charming downtown area, with a beautiful waterfront, cafes, shops, and more. While you are there, you can enjoy a visit to Colt State Park and Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum.