This article originally appeared on SMPS Boston’s website.
by Jenn Robertson
It may only be February, but I’m ready to start planning my weekend getaways for the upcoming summer. Although one of my favorite things about life in New England is the changing seasons, I tend to hit my limit with winter weather around this time of year. So, it’s time to start looking ahead to all that summer in New England has to offer.
Ogunquit, Maine
I think whoever nicknamed Maine “Vacationland” must have had Ogunquit in mind. I’ve been visiting Ogunquit all of my life, and it’s been a blast through every stage – with my parents and brother as a child, with my best friends in high school, and now as an adult with my partner. Beautiful beaches, stunning views along Marginal Way, the iconic Ogunquit trolley, top notch ice cream shops, and lively nightlife – there’s something for everyone.
Portland, Maine
I’ll be honest, my favorite thing about Portland is the food…and the beer. I probably could have written “Favorite Five Portland Restaurants” or “Favorite Five Portland Breweries” without even having to think about it – maybe those will be future blog posts! Suffice to say, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. However, those are far from the only things that Portland has to offer. You can visit the Portland Head Lighthouse, scope out the arts district, head out on a whale watch, explore the ruins of Fort Gorges, shop along Commercial Street, or just take in the sights along the harbor – and that’s only just scratching the surface.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
If your goal is a quintessential New England summer getaway, you can’t go wrong with Cape Cod in general, but Provincetown is my favorite spot. Though it’s located at the very tip on Cape Cod, P-town is actually only an hour and a half away from Boston if you take the ferry, which I highly recommend. Spend the afternoon hitting the beach, walking Commercial Street (yes, another Commercial Street), scoping out art galleries, grabbing a lobster roll for lunch, or taking a tour of the sand dunes, but don’t assume the day will end when the sun goes down. P-town’s nightlife is a huge part of its culture, particularly its reputation as a prime destination for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you want to hit the dance floor or sit front row at a drag show, you won’t be disappointed.
Newport, Rhode Island
First and foremost, Newport is gorgeous. It’s the only place I can think of where you can take a walk with seaside cliffs on one side of you and sprawling, historic mansions on the other. And if you’re an architecture buff, you can’t skip the mansion tours. Downtown Newport is charming as well, and I’m sure you could pass an entire weekend just exploring its shops and restaurants. When you get tired of being on land, head out on a day cruise in “the Sailing Capital of the World”!
Burlington, Vermont
As the rest of this list has illustrated, I’m typically more of a seaside girl. However, Burlington still stole my heart the very first time I visited. The bite sized city, with its mountainous backdrop and sprawling lake, feels like an oasis. You can hike the nearby mountains, bike along the Burlington Greenway, take a boat ride on the lake, or shop the unique stores along the pedestrian only Church Street marketplace. Don’t forget to stop by Ben and Jerry’s – Burlington is their hometown!
Time to plan my summer PTO!
Jenn Robertson is a marketing coordinator at Sasaki, member of the SMPS Boston Communications Committee, and the SMPS Boston blog manager.
