Cities in New England That Are Worth A Visit

When people think of New England, they’re usually thinking about cute small towns in the mountains or on the coast. While I love New England’s small towns as much as the next person, the cities are also worth exploring. New England’s cities are steeped in history, and they feature great dining, shopping, architecture, and museums.

Gloucester, Massachusetts

A red and white fishing boat docked by a waterfront, with brick buildings and a clock tower in the background under a cloudy sky. — View of Gloucester from the water. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

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Gloucester, Massachusetts is a classic New England coastal city with plenty to see and do. From fresh seafood to local history, it’s a great spot for a day trip or weekend getaway. The city’s rugged coastline, scenic beaches, historic homes, and arts scene make it a great destination. There are also whale watching cruises and lighthouse cruises out of Gloucester if you’re looking for a day out on the water.

Discover things to do: Things To Do in Gloucester, Massachusetts

New London, Connecticut

Street view of parked cars in front of brick and stone buildings, including shops with signs for “Wine & Spirits” and “Thames River Gallery” on a cloudy day. — Downtown New London, Connecticut. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

New London, Connecticut is a historic city with a scenic waterfront and rich maritime history. Whether you’re exploring historic forts and lighthouses or exploring Bank Street, this small city has something for everyone. It’s also easily accessible by train, which is a huge bonus.

Discover things to do: Things To Do In New London, Connecticut

Newport, Rhode Island

A large red wooden colonial-style house with a central chimney, white trim, and a fenced patio, located on a quiet street under a partly cloudy sky. — White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Newport, Rhode Island is a charming coastal city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking seaside views. Whether you’re interested in history, a nature lover, or simply looking to unwind by the ocean, Newport offers something for everyone. It’s no wonder it’s one of the top destinations in Rhode Island.

Discover things to do: Things to do in Newport, Rhode Island

New Haven, Connecticut

Stone archway with clock towers over a street with cars passing underneath; snow is on the ground and shops are visible in the background. — Downtown New Haven. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

New Haven, Connecticut blends historic charm, cultural depth, and a surprisingly vibrant food and arts scene. The city is home to world-class museums, iconic architecture, waterfront parks, and some of the best pizza in the country. It truly offers something for every type of traveler.

Discover things to do: Things To Do In New Haven, Connecticut

Portland, Maine

A cityscape showing residential homes in the foreground and taller buildings in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Trees are scattered throughout the area. — Portland photographed from the top of the Portland Observatory. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Portland, Maine is surrounded by beautiful lighthouses and rich in maritime history. While the iconic Portland Head Light isn’t actually in Portland, it is close by and easy to visit during a trip to the city. The city of Portland has various historic sites to visit, waterfront access, and a great food and beer scene.

Boston, Massachusetts

View of Boston’s waterfront with modern high-rise buildings and boats docked along the harbor under a cloudy sky. — Boston, Massachusetts photographed during Lighthouses and Tales of Boston Harbor Boat Tour. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Boston, Massachusetts is easily New England’s most well-known city, which isn’t shocking considering it’s the largest city in the region. Boston is a great spot to visit for anyone who loves history and culture, but it’s also a great spot for dining and unique experiences. The one thing I will say as someone who has driven in Boston is that the roads in and around Boston can be very confusing. But, don’t let that deter you!

Burlington, Vermont

People walk along a brick-paved pedestrian street lined with shops and autumn trees, with colorful pennant banners hanging overhead. — Church Street in Burlington, Vermont. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Burlington, Vermont is located in northwestern Vermont. It’s the largest city in the state of Vermont. Located along Lake Champlain, it has a beautiful waterfront with lighthouses and views of the Adirondack Mountains on the other side of the lake in New York. It also has a lively downtown area with great dining and shopping.

Hartford, Connecticut

A historic stone skyscraper with a clock tower rises behind a modern glass building reflecting surrounding architecture under a clear blue sky. — Downtown Hartford. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Connecticut’s state capital has a lot to offer. I’ve lived in Connecticut my entire life, and I only recently realized how much Hartford really has to offer. It’s home to Bushnell Park, which is the first publicly funded park in the United States, and The Wadsworth, which is the oldest continuously operation public art museum in the United States. If you love history, there are also a ton of great historic sites and museums to visit in the city.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence city skyline with prominent buildings and a bridge, viewed across a body of water with greenery in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky. — Providence, Rhode Island. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Providence is situated along the Providence River and it features various waterfront access points. In the actual city, you can find great dining and the Providence Place Mall with a lot of great shops and activities to do such as Level99, Dave & Busters, and the Apple Cinemas – Providence Place IMAX theatre. In the outskirts, Roger Williams Park Zoo features a zoo, a museum of natural history, a botanical center, and more!

Rockland, Maine

A weathered, white wooden lighthouse with boarded windows and a rusty section sits on a stone foundation by the water under a partly cloudy sky. — Rockland Breakwater Light in Rockland, Maine. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Rockland is located along the coast in MidCoast Maine. When I visited, my main draw was Rockland Harbor Light, which requires a two-mile roundtrip walk to visit. But, this city has much more to offer than just the lighthouse. You can take boat cruises, explore trails, and visit museums. Oh, and did I mention it’s also where the Maine Lobster Festival is held?

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Three-story brick building with “Young Men’s Christian Association” on the front, U.S. flag on the roof, and storefronts at street level, decorated with wreaths and holiday garlands. — Downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire during the holiday season. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

If you love history, Portsmouth, New Hampshire definitely needs to be on your list of cities to check out. The historic downtown is great to explore on foot, and the Strawberry Banke Museum is a great living history museum to visit. There are also various historic homes you can tour throughout the city. I love shopping and dining in the city, and The Goat is one of my favorite spots for food. Portsmouth is also one of my favorite spots to visit in New England during the holiday season.

Salem, Massachusetts

Brick-paved street lined with historic buildings, shops, and pedestrians under a partly cloudy sky. — Salem, Massachusetts. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

While Salem, Massachusetts is known for its witch history, there are plenty of other reasons to visit this city. For one, it has a beautiful coastline with two different lighthouses. There’s also great dining and shopping, and plenty of museums to visit throughout the city. But of course, the witch history and spooky history is also a large draw and worth exploring as well!

Augusta, Maine

A row of colorful, historic buildings with shops and parked cars along a sunny street. Pedestrians walk on the sidewalk under a clear blue sky. — Downtown Augusta, Maine. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Augusta, Maine is located along the Kennebec River and it offers plenty of public waterfront access. The downtown area has historic charm and lots of great dining. A popular thing to do in the city for those who love history is Old Fort Western, which is the oldest surviving wood fort in New England. This city might be quieter than other cities you’re used to, but that’s a part of the charm.

Newport, Vermont

A wooden boardwalk with green railings extends over a lake, with hills and trees in the background under a blue sky with clouds. — Newport, Vermont waterfront. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Newport is located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, right next to Quebec. It has a stunning waterfront on Lake Memphremagog steps away from downtown. Downtown features shops and dining in addition to the boardwalk and walking path along the lake. Be sure to also bring your passport when you visit to cross into Canada!

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