Massachusetts

As one of America’s original thirteen states, Massachusetts is brimming with fascinating remnants of early American history.

See Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims first landed, explore the nation’s oldest park - the impressive 50-acre Boston Common - and discover an array of preserved villages, homes, and inns where memories of Colonial history are kept alive.

But there’s more to Massachusetts than merely historical sights. Today the state is known for its notoriously progressive towns and cities interspersed with some scenic rolling hills, dense forests, open pastures, and even a few mountains.

Visit the wonderful arts centers in the Berkshires; the great beaches, seafood restaurants and artisan-filled shopping districts of scenic Cape Cod; and the cosmopolitan streets of Boston brimming with colonial sights and excellent museums.

However you choose to spend your time, you are bound to find plenty of activities and attractions to keep you blissfully engaged in this historical but surprisingly hip seaside state.

Boston

As the oldest major city in America, Boston is brimming with old European charm. Gorgeous cobbled streets, still lit by gas-lamps, are lined with dozens of National Historic Landmarks as well over 7,000 individual buildings locally designated as historic landmarks.

Despite this old world atmosphere, Boston has a fresh, youthful feel due to its sizable student population which has resulted in a slew of trendy comedy clubs, bars and restaurants as well as a lively musical and theatre scene.

This small compact city packs a surprisingly impressive cultural punch with plenty of contemporary museums, galleries and cafés interspersed with pristinely landscaped public spaces and diverse neighbourhoods.

The weather in Boston is much like that of other cities in the Northeastern United States: mild springs, warm summers, and snowy winters, but with all it has to offer, there’s no bad time to travel to Boston to see its intriguing array of sites for yourself.

Cape Cod

Cape Cod is an arm-shaped peninsula situated on the Easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts.

From quiet fishing villages to genteel towns and bustling, beachy social scenes, this popular vacation area features something for just about every holidaymaker.

Visitors can look forward to exploring endless dune-backed beaches, historic sites, art galleries, antique store and many world-class restaurants serving everything from simple, fresh seafood to creative contemporary cuisine.

While most people come for the seaside attractions, the crimson cranberry bogs, birch and beech forests, freshwater ponds, and interior marshlands are just as appealing.

Popular activities include golf, fishing, cycling, whale watching and other outdoor pursuits.

With its colorful clam shacks, shingle-style cottages and serene beaches, it's easy to see why Cape Cod — or simply "the Cape" to locals — has become such a popular summertime retreat.

Nantucket Island

Nantucket is an island about 30 miles by ferry south from Cape Cod, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the Town and County of Nantucket, a combined county/town government.

Nantucket is a tourist destination and summer escape. Due to tourists and seasonal residents, the population of the island increases to at least 50,000 during the summer months.

The National Park Service cites Nantucket, designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1966, as being the "finest surviving architectural and environmental example of a late 18th- and early 19th-century New England seaport town.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts that is known for being a popular summer escape, only accessible by boat or air.

Martha's Vineyard includes the smaller adjacent Chappaquiddick Island, which is usually connected to the Vineyard, though storms and hurricanes have separated them, as in 2007.

It is the third-largest on the East Coast of the United States, after Long Island and Mount Desert Island. Martha's Vineyard constitutes the bulk of Dukes County, Massachusetts, which also includes the Elizabeth Islands and the island of Nomans Land.

Four Seasons Hotel - Boston

Set in Boston’s Back Bay, overlooking Boston Common and within easy reach of the city’s premier attractions, this property exudes trademark Four Seasons elegance and simplicity.

Showcasing a distinctive New England flair, luxurious interior spaces include 273 sophisticated rooms and suites with views of the city and historic gardens.

Savour Boston’s best burgers, hand-rolled pastas, steaks and fresh local seafood at The Bristol, followed by cocktails in the bar.

Workout in the fitness centre, unwind in the spa and take a dip in the indoor pool or head out and explore the city

Fairmont Copley Plaza - Boston

A timelessly elegant hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1912, the centrally located Fairmont Copley Plaza is just steps from many popular sights, as well as the celebrated boutiques on Newbury Street. Lavish rooms and suites provide a modern look while keeping the hotel’s rich history and Back Bay in mind

In addition, the Fairmont Gold concierge floor is an exclusive lifestyle hotel experience offering attentive service and luxurious amenities. Keep fit in the rooftop fitness centre or indulge on brasserie-style fare at the OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, one of the hottest drinking and dining destinations in the city.

Maine

As one of America’s most sparsely populated states, Maine attracts countless visitors with its remarkably unspoiled wilderness areas.

The most popular of these is the Acadia National Park, a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area set primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island, characterised by woodlands, dramatic mountain peaks and endless stretches of rugged coastline.

While travellers seeking urban adventures flock to the food and craft beer mecca of Portland, those looking for a more leisurely experience head for the smaller coastal towns and fishing villages to browse the antique shops and sample seafood at the delightful harborside lobster shacks.

Whether you are keen to explore the pine forests and snowy peaks of Maine’s inland region, or the historic lighthouses and forested islands of the coast, you are sure to find adventure at every turn this exceptionally beautiful New England state.

Kennebunkport

Set on Maine's beautiful rugged coastline, just 48 km from the city of Portland, the laid-back seaside village of Kennebunkport has been popular with summertime holidaymakers since the 19th century.

Frequently likened to the Hamptons, Kennebunkport features numerous sandy beaches, ideal for swimming, surfing and sailing and lined with gorgeous summer homes.

The area also features a few rocky beaches, characteristic of Maine, such as Goose Rocks Beach, which is pebbled with black rocks.

The village is centred around Dock Square which is known for its quaint boutiques, local craft shops and renowned restaurants.

Must-see attractions include the Brick Store Museum, housing a wonderful collection of historical artifacts; Nott's House, a mansion built in the mid-1800s; and the famous Seashore Trolley Museum, the world's oldest and largest museum of mass transit vehicles.

White Mountain National Forest

Cloaked with lush forests and laced with glistening streams, The White Mountain National Forest is arguably the greatest wilderness area in New Hampshire and Maine.

This 800,000-acre expanse of wilderness is an ideal getaway for outdoors adventure lovers, with more than 1,900 kilometers of hiking trails to explore — including part of the famous Appalachian Trail — and numerous campgrounds.

Connecticut

Located in the southern part of New England, the charming bijou state of Connecticut is known for its lovely coastal cities and its vast expanses of unspoiled countryside dotted with friendly little colonial towns.

Visitors can look forward to driving aimlessly through the scenic rolling hills, staying in quaint historical inns, shopping in the countless quirky antique shops, and sampling some fine wine on the popular Connecticut Wine Trail.

Don’t miss the state’s fascinating museums such as Mystic’s famous Seaport Museum, New Port’s acclaimed Peabody Museum of Natural History, and Hartford’s Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

Vermont

Set in the northeastern United States, the state of Vermont is renowned for its arts and culture scene, historical attractions and scenic landscapes boasting fertile farmlands, dense woodlands, soaring mountains, and charming little villages.

This great state features a patchwork of colourful countryside in the summer and crisp snow-covered terrain in winter. It is also home to over one hundred 19th-century covered wooden bridges.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island, the last of America's original 13 colonies to become a state, remained a well-kept secret of the northeast for decades.

Now, with its far-reaching history (America’s longest-running library resides here, as does the country’s oldest bar) and jaw-dropping sea vistas, its ports are once again beckoning travellers.

One of the highlights of a trip to Rhode Island? You’re never more than 30 minutes from the coast, with fantastic seafood spots ranging from quaint harbor-front taverns to a dynamic, internationally inspired kitchens.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire may be small but it punches well above its weight with its stunning natural landscapes.

Sparkling lakes, glorious beaches and towering mountainous peaks cloaked in lush green forests make this an ideal destination for outdoor adventure lovers who can indulge in excellent hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, boating and mountain biking, to name but a few.

The long-distance Appalachian Trail snakes through the state, or you can choose from 1900 km (1200 miles) of hiking paths in the White Mountains National Forest.