Coronavirus has limited many of our summer travel plans. Fortunately New England offers tons of great road trip options! Take a drive to one of these New England escapes and enjoy all the beautiful beaches, outdoor attractions, and the limited shopping and dining that are available right now. It may not be the summer vacation you had in mind but I am a firm believer in make the most of every situation!
Plum Island:
Located just 45 minutes North of Boston Plum Island makes a great quick getaway. The beaches are beautiful and pristine. Head to Plum Island Point for the best views! You can visit Cast Hill on the Crane Estate for some history and serious Great Gatsby vibes. The estate just opened June 11th to limited crowds. Then stroll through downtown Newburyport for shopping and dining. It’s the perfect day trip when you just need a change in scenery!
P-Town:
A convenient ferry ride from Boston, or you can take the long ride up Cape Cod, P-Town sits on the tip of Cape Cod. It is filled with restaurants, light houses, beaches, and nightlife. Rent some bikes for the day and explore all the shops and the adorable P-Town streets. Two must stops The Canteen for a lobster roll and some frosé. And you can’t go to P-Town without checking out the Lobster Pot, be ready to eat a lot of Lobster!
For my wine lovers out there Truro Vineyards is just a short Uber ride from downtown P-town, do a wine tasting check out the vineyards. Truro Vineyards brings in a food truck and has a bar so you can hang out, play some corn hole and relax! They also have a distillery on site so you can do spirit tastings if wine isn’t your thing (but seriously what is wrong with you?) I did a whole post on visiting Truro Vineyards you can check out here.
Kennebunkport:
One of my favorite Maine escapes and I personally believe one of the best road trips in New England, such a pretty ride along the coast! Just a short drive from Boston, Kennebunkport is right on the ocean so make sure you pack a beach bag. Head to Goose Rocks Beach for the day if the weather is nice. Then head into town and do a little shopping, you have to check out Seacraft Vintage. An adorable new shop opened by two of my favorite New England creators Jackie Greaney and PJ Havel! If you’re not into lounging on the beach all day and are all shopped out head to the Seashore Trolley Museum or take a right to Nubble Lighthouse.
Watch Hill:
If you want to live like T-Swift for the day, Watch Hill Rhode Island is the place for you. The coastal village is so picturesque it is easy to see why Taylor Swift bought a home here. I love to stop by the Ocean House for lunch or cocktails. During the summer months they have a Secret Garden outdoor champagne bar! The gorgeous estate is worth a stop simply for the views! Take a walk to the Watch Hill Light House, do a little shopping around town and relax on the beach for a few hours. Watch Hill is the perfect road trip if you’re looking to relax and unwind. Definitely one of the best road trips in New England!
Mystic:
Home to the famous Mystic Pizza, Mystic Connecticut is not far from Watch Hill. Yet another picturesque New England town there is plenty to see and do. Walk around the Mystic Seaport and see all the beautifully restored and preserved ships, they even have a draw bridge the is still active. My personal favorite is the Mystic Aquarium, I love the penguins and the beluga whales. And of course you can’t go to Mystic without getting some pizza and the famous, Mystic Pizza!
Take advantage of all New England has to offer this summer! Whether you road trip it, or stay in the city and enjoy all the new patios restaurants are setting up. Do not let the limitations of coronavirus ruin your summer. We get such a short window of nice weather here is New England and I plan to enjoy every minute of it! What road trips do you plan to take around New England? Did I miss a destination that should be on this list? Let me know in the comments and as always please be sure to share with your friends on Instagram and Pinterest!
