Lately, there have been some hiccups in the world of travel. (One key reason to use a travel advisor) Some of you may be thinking…. ‘I think I’ll just keep it local’ for your next upcoming vacation. Well, you are not alone! For that reason, I am putting together a series of travel inspiration ideas for the entire United States. You can either drive yourself, or choose a domestic flight and rent a car.

The first of the series is New England, which is made up by six states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. What binds these states together is their shared heritage and culture: formed first by the indigenous tribes that populated the region – The Eastern Algonquian* (al-GON-kiun) peoples and tribes of Abenaki (a-be-NAWK-e), Micmac (MIK-mak), Pennacook (PEN-uh-cook), Pequot (PEE-kot), Mohegan (mo-HEE-gun), Nauset (NAW-set), Narragansett (nair-uh-GAN-set), Nipmuc (NIP-muk), Woronoco (wor-oh-NOH-koh), and Wampanoag (wahm-puh-NOH-uhg) – and then by the wave of Puritan settlers from Eastern England (hence ‘New England’).

You could easily take three weeks to visit all of New England, but the region is small enough to do a nice tour of 1-2 days in each state. Below is a list of recommended and must-do experiences. (Caveat…this is a list of things I have either done, or would like to do, so I encourage you to use this as inspiration. You can always reach out to me to help plan your customized itinerary to experience New England in your own way…)

MAINE

Other Tours in Maine

VERMONT

Day Tour through Stowe, Vermont See quaint villages, striking scenery, and more on this full-day, small-group tour (limited to six people) of northern Vermont. Leave the driving and logistics to your guide, and set off via minivan—your first destination is the famed Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, where you can enjoy tasty samples. Next, meet a local glassblower and tour a cider mill before continuing to Smugglers’ Notch State Park, the village of Stowe, and more.

See many of northern Vermont’s key attractions, all in one day. Of course if you have time you should also pay a visit to the Trappe Family Lodge in Stowe, founded by members of the Von Trappe Family of the Sound of Music fame.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Tour the many pancake parlors to pick your favorite! Mine is Polly’s Pancake Parlor in the White Mountains. See how it “stacks” up against the rest!

MASSACHUSETTS

As Nelson Mandela wrote: “It is a Long Walk to Freedom” and if Boston’s Freedom Trail doesn’t convince you of it…then I don’t know what will! I did this tour as a child with my Dad and just remember my feet aching in the end. However, one would be remiss not to take a meander on this trail at least once!

I recommend taking the Boston Food & History North End Freedom Trail Walking Tour to help you along.

This tour combines two attractions Boston has to offer—delicious food and rich history—on this tour that starts in the popular North End and continues along the Freedom Trail. Snack your way through an historic Italian neighborhood, trying fresh bread at a hidden bakery and enjoying an Italian salumeria. Once fortified, walk the Freedom Trail to discover the rich history of the American Revolution and experience the modern city Boston is now.

• North End food, history, and highlights tour gives you a comprehensive view of the city
• Delicious food samples, including fresh bread, meats, and cheeses
• Learn fascinating facts about American Revolution history from your guide
• Enjoy a surprise local treat with your guide.
• Stop in front of the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre
• Discover the first bookstore in Boston
• See the site of the first public school in America
• Visit the first public park and botanic garden in Boston
• Join a tour that is carbon neutral, operated by the world’s largest travel B Corp accredited company

CONNECTICUT

Honestly, I have never been to the State of Connecticut. There are a few of these on my list..so while can’t say I have ‘done this’ or ‘seen that,’ I CAN tell you that there are some things on my ‘must do’ list if I ever DO visit these States. In Connecticut, I would choose to visit the Seaside town of Mystic AND I would go out of my way to take in a show at the Mystic Dark Room. This must see is a “cabaret influenced, mash-up of drama, mystery, and seductive art of dance – one can’t help but feel that they have entered a “speakeasy” as a private member.” I would of course choose the VIP option, because…why not?

RHODE ISLAND

I have also never been to the state of Rhode Island. I guess I would look into combining a trip to this and Connecticut together for a long weekend getaway. On my bucket list of things to see in this beautiful country is a tour of The Breakers in Newport, a Vanderbilt mansion and U.S. National Historic Landmark.  I could spend a large part of the day there, but would consider this tour option of Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission. This tour visits the historical mansions of Newport, Rhode Island by trolley and takes you past more than 150 points of interest along Ocean Drive, Bellevue Avenue, Cliff Walk, and more. Also included is the admission to The Breakers.

* While it may not be up on everyone’s list of things to do, I find that learning about the indigenous people that populated a region initially can really help put into context the overall history and culture of a place. New England is ripe with indigenous cultural and historical influences and there are any number of tours, museums and places to visit throughout New England to learn more about the ~10 million indigenous peoples that once populated the area…and the number of people that still live in the area today!