What to do in New England

Activities, attractions and tours

Beautiful lake and colourful trees of New England at foliage sea
Beautiful lake and colourful trees of New England at foliage sea
Peaks Island ferry dock on a summer afternoon; Shutterstock ID 480809896; Purchase Order: -
Coastal Marsh, Northern Massachusetts Along The Plum Island Turnpike; Shutterstock ID 25158931; Purchase Order: -
Gorgeous lake in the White Mountains in NH

New England Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that New England has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

New England is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in New England to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

New England Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of New England.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to New England attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Acadia National Park

Travel to Maine’s rocky Mount Desert Island to visit Acadia National Park. Here you’ll find a forested wilderness overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and meet hardy northern New Englanders who welcome you to join in their community activities.
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Acadia National Park featuring forests, wetlands and a lake or waterhole

2. Fenway Park

There’s no better way to experience Boston at play than to grab a ticket to a baseball game at Fenway Park. Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is among the oldest and most beloved ballparks in the country.
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Aerial image of Fenway Park

3. Boston Common

Boston Common is the place where locals and tourists alike come to picnic, enjoy musical performances and play. It’s also the start of the Freedom Trail, and is often buzzing with eager tourists ready to begin their exploration of Boston’s Revolutionary-era landmarks. But before you hit the trail, don’t forget to spend a little time in this fabulous 50-acre (20-hectare) public park.
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Boston Common which includes flowers, a garden and landscape views

4. Harvard University

For a truly educational experience pay a visit to Harvard University, the oldest institute of higher learning in the U.S. Universities don’t come much more prestigious, or prettier, than Harvard. Founded in 1636, it’s one of the “Ivy League” schools. This term refers to a group of eight elite northeastern US universities known for their high academic standards. It was first coined in the 1930s and referred to football competition between older universities, with ivy-covered buildings.
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Harvard University showing heritage architecture

5. New England Aquarium

The jutting angles and glittering glass panels of the New England Aquarium exterior look almost like shards of ice cracking in Boston Harbor. Within its modern walls, get acquainted with the thousands of marine animals that call this aquarium home.
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New England Aquarium which includes marine life and interior views

6. Copley Square

Head to the heart of Boston’s upscale Back Bay neighborhood to Copley Square. This small green space surrounded by architectural treasures, some of which date back more than a century, is the perfect place to take a break. In the warmer months, mingle with local families and office workers cooling off by the impressive Copley Square Fountain. Or, time your visit with the bi-weekly farmers’ market, which draws hundreds of foodies.
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Copley Square showing a city, heritage architecture and flowers

Recommended things to do in New England

Number of things to do
196
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self Guided "Historic Boston City centre Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking T...: CA $7
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in New England

Discover the most popular places to visit in New England

View from the Lantern Hill hiking trail with Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut seen through the trees

Foxwoods Resort Casino

3.5/5(7 reviews)

Why not roll the dice by visiting Foxwoods Resort Casino where you can enjoy the entertainment at this popular casino in Mashantucket? Discover the area's great live music and casinos.

Foxwoods Resort Casino
Acadia National Park showing forest scenes and signage

Acadia National Park

4.5/5(39 reviews)

Maine’s rugged coastline and New England culture come together in this easternmost U.S. national park on a mountainous island.

Acadia National Park
Fenway Park featuring a sporting event and night scenes as well as a large group of people

Fenway Park

4.5/5(305 reviews)

Catch a game or take a tour at one of America’s most historic and beloved ballparks.

Fenway Park
Gillette Stadium is also home to the New England Revolution, our pro soccer team. Tickets are easy to get and not crazy expensive. And there is always a section reserved for the hooligans, who keep the energy up for the whole stadium!

Gillette Stadium

4.5/5(27 reviews)

Catch an event at Gillette Stadium during your trip to Foxboro. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene and great live music.

Gillette Stadium
Boston Common which includes flowers, a garden and landscape views

Boston Common

4.5/5(518 reviews)

The oldest public park in the United States has been the stage for centuries of drama. These days it’s the perfect place to unwind.

Boston Common
Boston's Zakim Bridge

TD Garden

4.5/5(240 reviews)

Catch an event at TD Garden during your trip to Boston. Attend a sporting event or visit the notable monuments in this vibrant area.

TD Garden
Harvard University which includes a city and heritage architecture

Harvard University

4.5/5(279 reviews)

Walk in the footsteps of presidents and Nobel laureates at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States.

Harvard University
New England Aquarium featuring marine life

New England Aquarium

4.5/5(154 reviews)

From sea lions to sharks, this modern aquarium on Boston’s waterfront brings the ocean world to your fingertips.

New England Aquarium
Yale university buildings in spring blue sky in New Haven, CT USA

Yale University

4.5/5(21 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe around Yale University, a top college in New Haven. Stroll along the beaches or experience the area's art scene.

Yale University

Explore areas of New England

Downtown Boston showing a city and night scenes as well as a small group of people

Downtown Boston

4.5/5(193 area reviews)

Densely packed with highrise buildings, this area boasts landmarks like Custom House Tower and is close to Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House. Find headquarters of major banks, hotels, and investment firms here.

Downtown Boston
Back Bay featuring a city, heritage architecture and street scenes

Back Bay

4.5/5(271 area reviews)

Victorian brownstone homes and cultural institutions like the Boston Public Library define this area. Shop at Newbury Street, Prudential Center, and Copley Place, or explore sights like Trinity Church and the John Hancock Tower.

Back Bay
Seaport District featuring a high-rise building, a river or creek and a city

Seaport District

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

Experience a transformed industrial area with office towers, innovation labs, and 78 restaurants. Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art and easily access Downtown Boston via the Evelyn Moakley Bridge.

Seaport District
Beacon Hill which includes landscape views

Beacon Hill

5/5(1 area review)

Historic Federal-style rowhouses, gaslit streets, and brick sidewalks create a charming atmosphere. Explore the Boston African American National Historic Site, shop on Charles Street, and easily access MBTA stations.

Beacon Hill
😎

Hampton Beach

Popular for its pristine beach, Hampton Beach boasts a lively boardwalk along Ocean Boulevard, featuring numerous shops, seasonal hotels, and the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Don't miss the New Hampshire Marine Memorial nearby!

Hampton Beach
Boston Harbor which includes performance art, music and a bay or harbor

North End

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Indulge in Italian cuisine at numerous restaurants and bakeries, explore historic sites like Old North Church and Paul Revere House, and enjoy performances at NEMPAC and Improv Asylum Theater. Easily accessible via MBTA lines, buses, and ferries.

North End

 

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