These New England day trips are sure to become favorites
There are plenty of beautiful places to camp in New England and an added benefit is that a day trip to another state is a reality. New England is made up of six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The largest state is Maine, which ranks 39th in terms of U.S. state size and the smallest is Rhode Island, which is also the smallest state in the U.S. at just over 1,200 square miles. For perspective, you can fit 425 Rhode Islands into the state of Alaska! In total, all six of the New England states combined are just under 72,000 square miles. More figures for perspective – the entire state of California is almost 164,000 square miles and even the Midwest’s favorite mitten, Michigan, is bigger than all the New England states at roughly 96,000 square miles.
So, you can see why it is easy to roam the New England countryside traveling through several states in the course of as many hours. If you plan to stay with us at our New England resorts, check out these great day trip options.
Mystic, Connecticut
A charming coastal village whose beginnings as an important ship-building location go back as far as the mid-1600s. The Mystic Seaport Museum, which is the largest maritime museum in the U.S., is a great place to start to get to know all about the importance of the Mystic Seaport. Here, visitors can see the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in the world, which was launched in 1841. The Mystic Aquarium is the only place in New England where you can see Beluga whales and only one of two places in the U.S. to have Steller sea lions. Other aquarium exhibits include touching pools for several species of sharks as well as stingrays. Charming downtown Mystic is home to over 80 shops and many eateries including Mystic Pizza, made famous in the 1988 movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts. There are also several opportunities to explore the waterways here from paddleboarding and kayak excursions to a variety of river cruises.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
The Berkshires, located in Western Massachusetts, is a perfect mix of outdoor activities, the arts, history, and nature. Toss in the charm of the postcard-perfect towns in the area and a trip to The Berkshires is a must-do when camping in New England. Fans of artist Norman Rockwell will enjoy a visit to the town of Stockbridge, which is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum and Studio. Stockbridge is also home to the Berkshire Botanical Garden, Chesterwood, the historic home and sculpture garden of Daniel Chester French, who created the Lincoln Memorial, as well as several of the state’s best hiking trails. For lovers of all things Gilded Age, a stop in Lenox is a must-do to visit Ventfort Hall Mansion and the Gilded Age Museum. Another historic home in Lenox is that of author Edith Wharton. The Mount is open for both guided and self-guided tours, including a spooky Ghost Tour. From an outdoor adventure perspective, the Berkshires are great for ziplining, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is considered America’s first resort location. Nowadays, resort style getaways include locations across the country from California to Florida and several verdant locations in between. But, if it was the late-1800s, the place to be was Newport, Rhode Island. The Vanderbilts summered here as did the Astors, getting away from the heat of their New York City homes to their coastal “cottages.” These cottages, which are actually mansions, are one of the big draws if you’re planning a visit to Newport this summer. For a listing of mansions open to the public, visit newportmansions.org. The Breakers, which was built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, gives a great glimpse into the Gilded Age lifestyle. Other highlights of Newport include the gorgeous scenery of the 10-mile Ocean Drive, a winding coastal drive dotted with stunning views and several points of interest. Another wonderful way to enjoy the coastal views is the Cliff Walk, a 3.5 scenic hike that is a mix of paved-trails and rocky walkways.
Other fun day trips can include a drive from Portland, Maine, to Salem, Massachusetts, the site of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, or a drive from any of the Cape Cod campgrounds to Providence, Rhode Island, to take in the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Saturday Farm Fresh Providence Farmers Market, and to enjoy a walking food tour! Visit RVontheGo.com to plan your New England Stay.