Underrated New England Towns You Should Spend More Time In

For most the great unwashed , the term " quaint " and " New England " are exchangeable , and even in the cases of some of its busiest tourist localisation , this can still ring true . But there ’s something special about hitting the road and discovering the historic towns lock in metre , miserable - fundamental beach communities without insane traffic , and sleepy hamlets with gorgeous mountain views . Dodge the bunch at the Cape , Portland , and Newport – these are New England cities just far enough from the beat way .

Marblehead, Massachusetts

Why it ’s so great : If Salem is the North Shore ’s attractor for enchantress tourism ( a matter ! ) , then consider Marblehead the calmer companion that can win you over without a thingamabob . Founded as a sportfishing townsfolk that has had its hand in every expression of the boat business at some point ( include a title to be the place of origin of the American Navy ) , Marblehead ’s tight , winding streets between historic home are a sentence warp for anyone walking them . To get the full effect , it ’s deserving a trip out on the Neck to Chandler Hovey Park for perspective of the Marblehead Light and panoramic persuasion of the surrounding jolty shoring , or up toOld Burial Hillfor wholesale harbor vistas ( especially when there ’s fall foliage involved ) .

Must - eat food : The Landingis a with child spot for anyone seem to eat ( literally ) the right way on the water , and breakfast atDriftwoodis a gravid way to clash elbow with local anaesthetic while feeling like you ’ve stepped into the Ithiel Town ’s nautical past . If you make enough local friends there , follow them to Maddie ’s Sail Loft for a seafood dinner party and drinks .

Great Barrington, Massachusetts

Why it ’s so neat : Calling Great Barrington the " large metropolis " of Southern Berkshire County would be a stretchability , especially considering that the Ithiel Town has a universe of 7,000 . But there ’s good deal go on here , include shows , pic , and concerts at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center , topically owned shops and veranda , and atonof restaurant and coffee bar . Also , you wo n’t forget you ’re in the Berkshire : it ’s part of the Appalachian Trail Community , and you do n’t even take to go out townsfolk for skiing or snowboarding in the wintertime at Ski Butternut .

Must - eat food : Prairie Whale has become a hit thanks to its fried chicken and cocktail . If you ask locals , they ’ll believably severalize you that the imaginative carte du jour atAlliummakes it their go - to spot for with child dinner ( specially the pizza pie or gnocchi ) .

Northeast Harbor, Maine

Why it ’s so great : When plan a New England bucket list tripper toAcadia National Park , anyone looking to avoid the harebrained summer crowds of Bar Harbor will appreciate the more quiet , laid - back across - island " suburbia " of Northeast Harbor . There you ’ll find more mom - and - popping store and old-hat shops than tourist traps peddle tchotchkes . If the stunning harbour views were good enough for resident physician like the Rockefellers and Astors , it ca n’t be half bad . Plus : low dealings .

Must - eat food : The Docksideris as New England as it gets with seafood selection , and to no one ’s surprisal , the chowder is fantastic . The Colonel ’s Restaurantis the dependable manner to get in a immediate lobster coil or a substantial breakfast , especially with its donut ( little - known fact : Mainers do it donuts ) .

Bath, Maine

Why it ’s so great : This town of just about 8,000 multitude gets around 20,000 visitors a class , which should talk volume of its solicitation in compare to hard trafficked Maine dapple like Boothbay Harbor , Ogunquit , and Old Orchard Beach . Once big in the iron , brass , and ship building industries , the town is packed with well - bear on 19th - century architecture , amaritime museum , pop beaches and nature preserve , and beautiful view of the Kennebec River . If you ’ve catch expert conditions , do n’t guess twice about jumping on a boat to check out Seguin Island and its lighthouse ( the state ’s second - previous ) .

Must - eat intellectual nourishment : The breakfast atMae ’s Cafeis not to be miss , unless pass up a life - transfer lobster omelet is your idea of a successful trip to Maine .

Woodstock, Vermont

Why it ’s so gravid : Calling something a " little town " in Vermont is essentially a mantle statement , which get it all the more hard to find something consider really overlooked . But Woodstock truly expire . It ’s a townspeople filled with pastoral charm ( it still passes entropy around townsfolk via achalkboard known as the Town Crier ) and that famed Vermont natural peach . No massive ski recourse here ; instead the haulage are hiking , fishing , rock mounting , museums , and an outsized restaurant scene . It also assign you within striking length of easy side trips , include the impressiveQuechee Gorge .

Must - eat food for thought : For a townspeople that qualifies as " quaint " even on the Vermont scale , there ’s more to eat than you ’d ever expect . Worthy Kitchenis a perfect touch for casual eats like wing and brisket ( along with a sea wolf beer selection , but then again , this is Vermont ) , and the farm - to - table options likeKeeper’sare a must - do for anyone repulse through the area .

Milford, New Hampshire

Why it ’s so great : Maybe what makes Milford a lesser - know town is that most of what you’re able to see here are direct relics of the past . you may pass the 24-hour interval exploring the"ghost Ithiel Town " of Monson , catch a movie at the local drive - in theater , or take a walk across the hundred - honest-to-goodness Swing Bridge which leads flop to the low - key business district country . The shops and restaurants along Main St and throughout town are locally own ( and lofty of it ) , so expect to cross course with plenty of longtime locals as you go .

Must - eat food for thought : The casual dining around town is among some of the good in the Granite State , includingPapa Joe ’s Humble Kitchenfor burgers and poutine , the Riverhouse Cafefor pancakes or eggs Benedict , or the locally adoredRed Arrowfor diner food for thought galore . If you ’re await for a fancier dinner , head to theMile Awayfor gamy - closing menu before finishing the night with a dessert run toHayward ’s Ice Cream .

Westerly, Rhode Island

Why it ’s so slap-up : If you ever misplace it on a map , recollect that it lives up to its name as the actual westernmost nub of Rhode Island jutting into Connecticut . While it lento gains ill fame as a travel goal , the beaches , parks , and shops rest nowhere about as crowded as Newport or Mystic , Connecticut . Beer geeks will go testis for the taproom atGrey Sail Brewing(seen by many as the best beer made in the state ) and wine fans can lay off intoLangworthy Farm Winery’stasting room ( yes : they make wine-coloured in Rhode Island ) for tasting trajectory . You also wo n’t regret tack on on a quick trip through every bit charming and neighbor Stonington , Connecticut , just across the commonwealth line .

Must - exhaust food : Breakfast and lunch needs are advantageously encounter at theCooked Goose(especially the lobster Benedict ) , seafood and solid vegetarian alternative are the name of the secret plan at the Bridge ( particularly with the outside seats ) , and Oak Street Burgers & Breakfast will not disappoint your beef craving ( especially the namesake burger ) .

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Why it ’s so great : For a lot of New Englanders , Portsmouthacts as the little city they can visit to feel like a traveller in their own region . There ’s a smattering of corking breweries ( includingEarth Eagle BrewingsandPortsmouth Brewery , Smuttynose ’s baby operation ) , some of the most outstanding seafood selection in New England , a picturesque Downtown with independent shops during the day and full of life bars at dark – and all with a fraction of the tourists crawling the Cape or in Southern Maine . The coastal views only amend if you take a trip out to the Isles of Shoals .

Must - eat food : Having a pint and a luscious sandwich for lunch atCeres Bakerymight be the safe means to unwind on the road between Boston and Portland , and the Warren Burger atLexie ’s Jointare top - notch . But if you could find a more pleasing New England experience than eating clam chowder and sip a beer while watching tugboat pass atthe River House , rent us know .

Tiverton, Rhode Island

Why it ’s so swell : pucker into the eastern shoring of Narragansett Bay in the easternmost corner of Rhode Island , Tiverton represents a very different look than the anything in the surrounding area . Separated from the rest of the state of matter ( along with adjacent township Little Compton ) , Tiverton feels blissfully underdeveloped , where you’re able to ride along bike paths to take in historical buildings , breathe in the ocean breeze on the beach ( both in town are democratic for windsurfing ) , and meander through tiny store and galleries .

Must - eat intellectual nourishment : The Boat Houseis know in and around townsfolk as much for its seafood ( duh ) as its larger-than-life prospect of the bay . Gray ’s Ice Creamis also a statewide favorite for anyone with a sweet tooth .

Putnam, Connecticut

Why it ’s so great : Antiquers sleep with this petite town , where abandoned mills and shopfront along Main St are hosts to some of the least pick - over stores in all of New England . But there ’s also a locally operated eating house picture , non - touristy innovative workshop , and friendly locals who wo n’t mind chatting you up . It does n’t injure that there ’s pile of nature to take in on the drive into Ithiel Town , either .

Must - eat food for thought : The American fare at85 Mainis as pop with the topical anesthetic as it is with visitor ( especially the sushi and raw Browning automatic rifle ) . If you ’re go into town to hit the shops early on or you ’re wait for breakfast after spending the night , Bill ’s Bread and Breakfastis a must - do .

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Portsmouth, NH