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Whale-watching is one of New England’s most exciting experiences. There are seasonal tours from many ports along the coastline. Check below for examples and see individual state’s websites.
Connecticut: in Waterford, Captain John’s Sport Fishing Center (tel: 860 443 7259).
Massachusetts: too numerous to list, tours depart from Boston, Gloucester, Nantucket, New Bedford Provincetown and Yarmouth.
Maine: Second Chance Whale Watch (tel: 207 967 5507) or Boothbay Whale Watch (tel: 207 633 3500).
New Hampshire: Atlantic Fishing and Whalewatch (tel: 603 964 5220), Granite State Whalewatch (tel: 603 964 5545).
Rhode Island: Frances Fleet Whale Watching (tel: 401 783 4988).
TIP: Be prepared. Take sun block, dark glasses, and seasick tablets if you are susceptible. Wear rubber soled shoes or trainers. Take warm clothing even on a hot summer’s day, since temperatures can drop 15-20° F once you are out on the water.
Relive New England’s nautical past aboard a restored wooden schooner – a windjammer. Most are based in Maine, particularly Rockland and Camden, where the protected waters are calm and distances between fishing villages short.
Whether you book in for a couple of hours, one night or six nights, you can haul on a rope or can just sit in the sun. Part of the fun is dropping anchor for a lobster bake on a deserted island, or joining local fishermen for an early evening pint in an historic town. During the day, you can learn about the migratory habits of seals and porpoises and how to tie a proper bowline knot; you can jot down a recipe for blueberry crumble or just read a book.
Winter in New England is glorious, with crisp air and blue sky. It’s perfect for winter sports and activities. Or, just for admiring the countryside, with snow-covered houses and covered bridges.
Enjoy winter as New Englanders do: go skiing and snowboarding in the mountains of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Head off through silver birch trees on cross-country skis and snowshoes. Stay in a country inn or B&B, perhaps along the Catamount Trail. Running the length of Vermont, this 300-mile cross-country ski trail is the longest in North America. Or, they rev up and hurtle along trails designated for snowmobiling.
When it comes to romance, try riding in a one horse open sleigh, listening to the jingle bells as the horse trots through the pine trees. Even if you don’t ski, there’s nothing like a cosy inn deep in the country, where days end with hot apple cider by a crackling log fire. Or take a stylish apartment, with all mod cons, right on the ski slopes. Stay at a resort hotel, with swimming pools, spa treatments and entertainment galore.
See individual state websites.
It’s always the right time to visit New England, thanks to its four distinct seasons.
WINTER
Snow and crisp sunny days make winter glorious. At Christmas, pine trees sparkle with lights and houses have candles in the windows. It all looks like a Christmas card! Winter is perfect for a romantic break in a country inn or for skiing and snowboarding in the mountains. It is also a great time to enjoy the cities: first-class theatre, concerts, museums and shopping. And, with the strong pound, everything is affordable!
SPRING
To celebrate the end of winter, check out the maple sugar festivals. Once the snow melts, the race is on to see who has the first blooms. New Englanders are great gardeners, and spring brings a profusion of daffodils, followed by dogwood and lilacs. Flower shows are great fun, with the same high standards that you expect at home.
SUMMER
New England is on the same latitude as Madrid and Rome, so it’s sunshine and picnics from June onwards. Beaches line the coast from Connecticut to Maine, with more on hundreds of lakes inland. Watersports? Go sailing, canoeing, swimming, surfing or fishing. Try sea kayaking, a fun way to explore the countless islands. Go camping, rent a log cabin or listen to outdoor concerts by the sea, in the mountains, beside lakes and in cities.
FALL (AUTUMN)
New England’s fall foliage is legendary. Thanks to a combination of soil, warm days and crisp nights, the leaves change from green to a tapestry of colour (see below). The weather is ideal for hiking, biking and that fly-drive holiday. Explore the back roads and country lanes, where farm stands are piled high with crunchy apples, corn on the cob and orange pumpkins.
Weather chart
| Jan/Feb | Mar/Apr | May/Jun | Jul/Aug | Sep/Oct | Nov/Dec |
| T | R | T | R | T | R | T | R | T | R | T | R |
| Boston, MA | 30 | 4.1 | 44 | 3.9 | 63 | 3.3 | 73 | 3.2 | 60 | 3.4 | 40 | 4.5 |
| Burlington, VT | 18 | 1.8 | 36 | 2.5 | 60 | 3.3 | 68 | 3.6 | 53 | 3.0 | 30 | 2.5 |
| Concord, NH | 23 | 2.6 | 39 | 2.8 | 61 | 3.2 | 69 | 3.0 | 55 | 2.9 | 33 | 3.7 |
| Hartford, CT | 26 | 3.3 | 43 | 4.1 | 64 | 3.4 | 72 | 3.5 | 58 | 3.7 | 35 | 4.1 |
| Portland, ME | 22 | 3.7 | 37 | 4.0 | 57 | 3.2 | 67 | 2.8 | 64 | 3.5 | 32 | 4.6 |
| Newport, RI | 28 | 3.9 | 41 | 4.2 | 63 | 3.1 | 72 | 3.5 | 58 | 3.6 | 34 | 4.4 |
T = Temperature in °F; R = Rainfall in inches
Nowhere is more romantic for a wedding than New England – at any time of the year.
In all six states, a couple must obtain a marriage license. This must be done in the town or city where they plan to marry, usually three days before the date of the marriage. To register for the license, go the town office or city hall. Rhode Island and Massachusetts require blood tests; the remainder do not.
New England is a hot bed of winter sports, both alpine and Nordic. The first skiers swooshed down mountains in New England, the snowboard was invented in Vermont. Cross-country skiing is also a passion. Useful websites include:
Connecticut: www.cross-countryski.com/connecticut.html
Maine: Ski Maine Association
Massachusetts: www.cross-counrtyski.com/massachusetts.html
New Hampshire: Ski New Hampshire
Vermont: Vermont Ski Areas Association
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