Discover New England News

The first snow has fallen. Fireplaces are stoked. Holiday lights decorate our village centers. Ski resorts are announcing their opening dates. Art and museum exhibitions are in full form, theatre performances are plentiful and restaurant menus are switching over. We invite travelers from around the world to join the festivities and enjoy a hot chocolate or a dark beer with us.

 

Travel Tip: This is the time to come with an extra empty suitcase to fill with holiday retail sales.

Winter Thrills

While some of the best ski resorts in the United States can be found in New England—places such as Stowe in Vermont, Sugarloaf in Maine, and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire—you don’t need to be an Alpine skier or snowboarder to make this region your winter playground.


When the temperature drops and the snowflakes fall, you can fill your New England getaway with all kinds of activities, each with its own special thrill.


Read more.

Scenic Drives

New England boasts stunning scenic drives that showcase its diverse landscapes. The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire offers breathtaking fall foliage, while the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts winds through picturesque hills. In Maine, the Acadia All-American Road offers coastal views, and Vermont’s Route 100 takes you through quaint villages. Connecticut’s Art Deco bridges and Ivy League charm, and Rhode Island’s Ocean Drive offers coastal vistas. These drives reveal the region’s beauty, from vibrant autumn colors to coastal splendor, making them perfect for adventurers and road trip enthusiasts alike.

View the Scenic Drives map here. View more image galleries here.

New England Resources

In Other News

Fall Regional News Roundup

Discover New England works with its partners throughout the region to compile the latest news and announcements into one place. This undertaking is done twice a year and it is filled with new hotels, exciting experiences, restaurant recognitions and more. We are pleased to share with you the latest news compilation here.

26th Annual Discover New England Summit & International Marketplace is Announced

The next Summit has been announced for April 9 – 11, 2024 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. There will be advance programming in Boston hosted by MeetBoston and post FAMS to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. This event is a boutique style one-on-one, appointment-based sales event where operators attend on an invite-only basis to meet with New England hotels, inns, attractions and regional DMOs. DNE works with in-market reps to manage the invite lists. If you are interested in attending this year and haven’t yet received an invite, please contact events@discovernewengland.org and DNE will coordinate with its market team or plan to make sure you are prioritized for the next event if all available spots are full. Learn more here.

News from New Hampshire’s Lakes & Mountains

Major Hotel Renovations and Expansions at Major Attractions

The Lakes Region and White Mountains of New Hampshire are excited about the new developments that have been taking place. The regions are welcoming a range of new hotel properties, restaurants, breweries, and are in awe of the renovations at many longtime favorite resorts like the Omni Mt. Washington Resort, White Mountain Hotel, and the Manor on Golden Pond. 

 

Popular ski resorts like Cranmore Mountain, Gunstock Mountain, Loon Mountain, and Bretton Woods have invested several million dollars into new lifts, features, facilities, and base lodges. The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is now offering

year-round excursions, and in 2024 theme parks including Santa’s Village will introduce a new rollercoaster, the Midnight Flyer, and Story Land will open a new interactive water play area, Moo Lagoon.


Learn more by visiting visitwhitemountains.com and lakesregion.org.

News from Meet Boston, Massachusetts

Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel (Opening Q3 2023)

147 rooms | 40 Trinity Place, Boston, MA


Joining an impressive collection of 12 unique Raffles properties around the world, Raffles Boston will include 147 guestrooms and 146 residences in its new 33-story building at the corner of Stuart Street and Trinity Place in Boston’s Back Bay. As the first Raffles hotel in North America, the property will include a mix of signature services such as the Raffles Butler; elegant and lively public spaces; a two-story sky lobby perched high above Copley Square; five distinct food and beverage venues; a state-of-the-art Raffles Spa with a 20-meter indoor pool; a rooftop garden terrace and lounge, and expansive meeting and pre-function space.

News from North of Boston, Massachusetts

Holiday Festivals Announced

There’s a certain magic that descends upon the North of Boston region. The classic New England seaside charm of this area welcomes visitors from far and wide to join the holiday festivities. This year’s event lineup include a nonstop schedule of annual traditions ranging from hopping on the Salem Trolley for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to seeing Christmas trees in every room of the Hammond Castle in Gloucester.


Whether you're a local looking for new experiences or a visitor seeking festive cheer, there are ample opportunities to get in the spirit of the season North of Boston. 

Read more here.

News from Discover Central Massachusetts

Worcester’s Role in the American Revolution and Conway Scenic Railroad Celebrates 50 Years

Explore Worcester's significant role in the American Revolution in this captivating article. Learn how this historic city played a pivotal part in Patriots' Day and the fight for American independence. From key events to notable figures, the article sheds light on Worcester's rich contribution to the nation's early history. Dive into Worcester's revolutionary past by visiting the article here: Read More.

News from Mohawk Trail Region, Massachusetts

Hotel Downstreet Now Open

Hotel Downstreet, located on Main Street in North Adams, MA, has recently opened its doors, offering a refined addition to the 2023 season. Boasting 90 tastefully renovated and generously sized rooms, the hotel provides an inviting retreat with on-site amenities, including a pool, hot tub, and fitness center. What distinguishes Hotel Downstreet is its unique feature of artist studios, presenting both permanent and rotating partnerships, fostering a culturally enriching atmosphere. Positioned adjacent to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), Hotel Downstreet stands as the exclusive accommodation option on North Adams' Main Street, making it an ideal choice for visitors seeking a comfortable and culturally immersive stay. With a dedication to providing a distinctive experience, members are encouraged to explore North Adams' charm and consider Hotel Downstreet for their next visit. Read more here.

News from the Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway, New Hampshire

Conway Scenic Railroad Celebrates 50 years

In 2024, Conway Scenic Railroad celebrates its 50th Anniversary entertaining visitors with seasonal rail excursions. Consider a trip on the railroad’s premier excursion aboard the Mountaineer and travel in style and comfort through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. This beautiful journey over the former Maine Central Mountain Division offers splendid views of the Mount Washington Valley as it follows the Saco River toward its headwaters at Crawford Notch. Since 1974, families have enjoyed the railroad’s classic 1-hour heritage Conway Train from North Conway to Conway over an old Boston & Maine branch line or take a two-hour journey aboard Conway Scenic Railroad’s Sawyer River train or the seasonal Snow Train! See more: conwayscenic.com.

News from 1Berkshire and Hotel on North, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Wellness Retreats in the Berkshires 

Winter is a season when both mind and body crave rest from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and over-indulgence of good cheer. It’s also one of the most magical times of year in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, a charming destination offering both wellness retreats and access to breathtaking natural beauty and fresh air. You’ll also find myriad cultural attractions and inspired libations to sip and cuisines to savor at places such as the Berkshire Palate Craft Food & Drink in downtown Pittsfield. Read more here.  

Featured Destinations

Visitors to the Newport Mansions step back in time to an era unrivaled in the nation’s history. The Gilded Age (1865-1910) was a period of unprecedented change in America; the expansion of industry and transportation – and the lack of an income tax – gave rise to a new wealthy class of people with names like Vanderbilt, Morgan, Ford, Carnegie and Rockefeller, and fortunes were spent on lavish lifestyles.

 

Pageantry was nowhere more on display than at the spectacular summer “cottages” in Newport, Rhode Island, where the new millionaires sought to outshine each other. Constructed at the height of the Gilded Age, The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff reflect their owners’ obsession with social status and emulation of European aristocracy.

 

Discover why Julian Fellowes chose the Newport Mansions as inspiration and settings for his hit HBO show The Gilded Age.

 

Learn about Marble House’s Alva Vanderbilt, the status-driven woman who climbed to the height of society through ruthless determination, and upon whom the main character in Fellowes’ series is based. Alva considered herself American royalty and even forced her daughter to marry the Ninth Duke of Marlborough for the prestige. 

 

Visit Rosecliff, home to many famous Gilded Age soirées and where The Great Gatsby was filmed, and The Elms, coal magnate Edward Berwind’s marvel that appeared to run by magic.

 

No trip to the Newport Mansions would be complete without a tour of The Breakers, the grandest cottage of them all. Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s 70-room summer palace has hosted presidents, royalty and guests from around the globe for more than 125 years and stands ready to welcome yours.

 

  • Audio tours available in multiple languages
  • Holiday programming mid-November through December
  • 90 minutes from Boston & 3.5 hours from NYC
  • Group and FIT rates

 

For more information and how to book tickets for the 2024 season click here.

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