Discover New England News | | New England invented the American road trip long before the term existed. Its diners, literary landmarks and architecture still tell that story today. This issue spotlights two ways to experience it. The People & Culture Itinerary is a 14-day journey through the region's art, literature and history, from Concord's transcendentalist trails to Newport's Gilded Age mansions. And the new Diners Gallery celebrates the chrome-and-counter classics that have fed travelers for a century. Together, they capture what makes New England's traditions endure. Each of our six states brings its own flavor to the mix, from Vermont's artisan villages to Maine's working harbors to the posh shops and restaurants in Connecticut to the Ivy League imprint on Massachusetts. | | Featured Itinerary: People & Culture | | Castle in the Clouds, photo credit Kim Sperry | | |
Trace New England's cultural heartbeat on this 14-day journey through art, literature, music and history — from indigenous heritage to industrial innovation. Begin in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, walking in the footsteps of Thoreau and Alcott, then continue through New Hampshire's Shaker villages and Dartmouth College's Hood Museum. Vermont offers folk art and heirloom orchards; Connecticut, the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe; and Newport, Rhode Island, Gilded Age mansions and the nation's oldest tavern. The route wraps up in Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley and coastal Maine, ending with lighthouses, lobster, and Kennebunkport's charm — a true taste of New England's storied past and vibrant present.
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| | View all itineraries here. | | Featured Gallery: Historic Diners | Step into the world of "American Graffiti" and "Happy Days" at New England’s historic diners — chrome stools, bottomless coffee, homemade pie. They have an authentic Americana vibe with a local flair. Diners were the forerunners of today’s fast-food restaurants, offering inexpensive meals and quick service to travelers, workers and local communities. Many historic examples were built by companies such as Worcester Lunch Car, Jerry O’Mahony, Pollard and Sterling Streamliner. A number are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including notable diners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. Some have closed, but those that remain are a tangible connection to America’s roadside heritage. | | Featured Trip Inspiration: Living History | | Hancock Shaker Village, Massachusetts - Photo credit Grace Moriarty | | |
While bringing the past to life is the mission of any good historical museum, some of New England’s best-loved attractions stand out for offering a true immersion in the world of yesteryear. These living history museums are fun and engaging, but they are also places where research and new discoveries continue to inform our understanding of the past. As you interact with interpreters dressed in period clothing, try your hand at traditional crafts, and get up close with heritage farm breeds, you’ll experience life as it was lived in New England’s early settlements, seafaring villages, working farmsteads, and architecturally rich towns.
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| | News from Southeastern Mass Visitors Bureau, Massachusetts | | |
Lafrance Hospitality Expands Offerings
Lafrance Hospitality, with nearly 20 properties throughout the region, has expanded its portfolio in the southeastern Massachusetts region with two distinctive accommodations. Located in the heart of downtown New Bedford, the 68-room New Bedford Harbor Hotel offers boutique accommodations, historic architecture, an onsite restaurant and bar, and convenient access to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and local ferry terminals. For travelers seeking additional space or a longer stay, the newly built XStay Suites Mansfield features residential-style suites with full kitchens, dedicated workspaces and modern amenities — providing a comfortable home base with easy access to Boston, Providence and southern New England.
Learn more here.
| | News from Franklin County, Massachusetts | | The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls | | |
Meet Undiscovered Massachusetts with Flowers and Wellness
Tucked among the hills and river valleys of western Massachusetts, Franklin County offers international visitors an authentic and enriching glimpse of New England. Wellness resorts are found throughout the region with the latest opening being Hinata Retreat in Charlemont, an adults-only luxury mountainside escape. A growing number of luxury cabins, currently at 28, located minutes from the adventure outfitters and cultural attractions including the historic Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, reopened after a $3.2 million renovation. Franklin County's welcoming small towns, historic villages, covered bridges, farms, craft beverage producers and farm-to-table dining are complemented by year-round outdoor adventures, including hiking, cycling, kayaking, fishing, skiing and ziplining. Casual, scenic and refreshingly unspoiled, Franklin County is an ideal destination for travelers looking to slow down and experience the region’s natural beauty, culture and local character.
Learn more here.
| News from The Berkshires, Massachusetts | |
The Welcome Table
In the Berkshires, “welcome” is more than a word — it is a commitment to ensuring every visitor feels a sense of belonging. The Berkshires launched a new inclusive regional initiative and marketing campaign called "The Welcome Table" that serves as an open invitation to the region through new trails and itineraries. From accessible arts and outdoor experiences to places that celebrate BIPOC history, LGBTQ+ communities, and diverse creative voices, discover how this celebrated western Massachusetts destination opens its cultural spaces and wild places to everyone. Pull up a seat at "The Welcome Table" and explore the people and organizations creating a more inclusive travel experience.
Learn more here.
| | Featured Destination: Go Providence, Rhode Island | | |
Providence is full of treats this fall, starting with the Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, featuring thousands of illuminated and intricately carved pumpkins. The ever-popular WaterFire, a multisensory art installation, highlighted by a series of bonfires lighting up downtown’s rivers, will dazzle crowds with its few last lightings of the season. Visitors can take a walk on the spooky side with the Providence Ghost Tour, as your guide regales you with stories of the city’s nearly departed residents. Dig into Providence’s acclaimed restaurant scene serving seafood fresh from the bay, farm-to-table experiences, and menus for every taste and budget. Be sure to stay at the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn Providence Downtown Convention Center. This convenient hotel is just steps away from the city’s Federal Hill neighborhood, known for its authentic Italian cuisine and mix of restaurants and shops.
Learn more here.
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