It’s February which means people are planning a New England vacation. As New England is a popular destination because of the history and living museums, and I’m frequently asked for multi-day tour suggestions on that theme, I’ve pulled together a 6-day tour which focuses on the southern New England states.

This could quite easily turn into a 7 or 8-day tour and I’ve provided some additional New England museums you may want to take in if you have the extra time.

I’ve got an extensive resource section at the bottom if you want more information about any of these destinations or attractions.

DAY ONE – STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS:

Stockbridge is located in western Massachusetts in a region called The Berkshires. The village of Stockbridge is one of those New England delights to walk and browse, and use as a base for touring the Berkshires. Its most popular attraction is the Norman Rockwell Museum where you can also tour his studio and see his works and many artifacts. This is the genuine Norman Rockwell experience in New England.

DAY TWO – MYSTIC SEAPORT, CONNECTICUT:

Mystic is on the coastal eastern region of Connecticut and has a fine aquarium, interesting town and shops, and the Mystic Seaport Museum. This region was once the center for the building of the New England whaling fleets, and the Mystic Seaport Museum is a recreation of a 19^th century whaling village. The museum has tall ships to tour and many exhibits and authentic shops to visit. Plan to spend all day here.

DAY THREE – NEWPORT MANSIONS, RHODE ISLAND:

The city of Newport sits on an island and is famous for its mansions, the America’s Cup and the place where John and Jackie Kennedy were married. It also has the stunning scenic Ocean Drive and Cliff Walk. But perhaps most visit it for the Newport Mansions. Once the homes of the wealthy and elite of American society these are now preserved and available for touring. These “cottages“, as they were once called, are a statement and history of the past.

DAY FOUR – CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE, MASSACHUSETTS:

Cape Cod is the eastern most peninsular in the U.S. On the lower Cape and bravely facing the wild Atlantic are the beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Exploring this museum and park takes you through swamps and marshes, sand barriers, nature trails, historic wireless stations, and endless miles of sand cliffs and dunes.

Cape Cod was formed when the last of the glaciers receded from this area – about 20,000 years ago.

The main Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center is in Eastham and is the taking-off point for all things connected to the park.

DAY FIVE – PLIMOTH PLANTATION & MAYFLOWER II, MASSACHUSETTS:

While the pilgrims first set foot on Cape Cod when arriving in the New World they ended up at Plymouth a few weeks later and this was where they made their first settlement. Plimoth Plantation is an authentic recreation of the original pilgrim village and also includes a celebration of the important part the Native American’s played in the settlement surviving.

The people dress, talk, and express ideas of the 17^th century. A short drive to Plymouth town you can find the Mayflower II – a replica of the original ship and given by the people’s of Plymouth, England. You can tour the ship and sense what life aboard must have been like during the harrowing voyage.

DAY SIX – BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS:

Boston is where the birth of this nation really begun. The city is small but drips history at every corner. Take the Freedom Trail as a paying tour or pick up a free guide and do it yourself. Take in Boston Common, the Public Gardens, Beacon Hill, the State House, the Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, and the USS Constitution, and much more. And I’ve just scratched the surface.

Check out the resources below to get tens more ideas for things to see and do – many of which are free… now there’s a nice word in an otherwise expensive city.

OTHER NEW ENGLAND MUSEUMS TO CONSIDER:

Sturbridge Village – Sturbridge, Central Massachusetts.
Salem Museums – Salem, Massachusetts.
Lexington and Concord Battle Locations – Massachusetts.
Litchfield Village – Litchfield, Connecticut
Mashuntucket Pequot Museum – Mashuntucket, Connecticut
Heritage Plantation – Sandwich, Massachusetts
Watch Hill – Rhode Island

NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM RESOURCES:

Norman Rockwell Museum

New England Getaway to the Berkshires

Massachusetts Vacation Guide

Mystic Seaport Museum

Eastern Connecticut Vacation Destinations

Connecticut Vacation Guide

Newport RI

Rhode Island Vacation Guide

Cape Cod Vacation Guide

Cape Cod National Seashore

The Great Beach of Cape Cod

Plimoth Plantation

Mayflower II

21 Free Things to do in Boston

Boston Vacation Guide

Where to Stay in New England

My sincere apologies if your favorite place is not on this list – there’s just too much great stuff in the region to cover it in one post. But feel free to comment below and let me know how despicable I am in not listing places and tell us about the one I should have included.

To read part 2 of this series for a museum tour of Northern New England go here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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