New England News

What’s New from Discover New England

Connecticut

Bradley International Airport Welcomes Aer Lingus’ Flight Schedule Extension. Good news for visitors to New England! Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, has extended the schedule for its popular nonstop service from Dublin, Ireland to Hartford, Connecticut. The transatlantic service is now available almost year-round, offering more opportunities for the exploration of vibrant Connecticut and its surrounding states. Individuals traveling will also benefit from the added convenience of Dublin Airport, which offers U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance. This means that Bradley International Airport bound passengers will be able to complete all necessary US-entry requirements in Dublin ahead of their departure. Bradley International Airport is New England’s second largest airport. The airport is recognized nationally by leading travel publications and offers small airport convenience with the big airport-like amenities you need for a smooth journey.

Aer Lingus’ new schedule from Dublin to Hartford:

Now through October 26, 2023: Daily Flights
October 28, 2023 through January 5, 2024: 3 x Weekly Flights
January 6, 2024 through March 12, 2024: No Flight Operations
March 13, 2023 through March 28, 2024: 3 x Weekly Flights
March 30, 2024 through October 2024: Daily Flights

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Bradley International Airport

Lost Fox Inn, Litchfield. Once a 1740s tavern has been meticulously transformed into a refined boutique hotel that blends its historic charm with modern luxury. The hotel also features an on-site tavern and restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience.

The Glass House, New Canaan. Celebrating its 75th anniversary and showcasing a new building that was recently restored for the museum called Brick House, which was designed by Philip Johnson in 1949.

Hartford Flavor Company, Hartford. Organic distillery in downtown Hartford recently expanded to include a new 150-seat Cocktail Parlour that offers an innovative list of specialty drink creations along with a farm-to-table menu.

Belden House, Litchfield. Opening early 2025, a two-acre estate is being transformed into a 31-room house hotel and mews. Amenities include dining and wellness services, a seasonal pool, and lawn games. The location is within walking distance to the Historic Green as well as Litchfield’s many wonderful shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

DELAMAR Westport. Soon opening and offering 86 luxurious guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a bar with outdoor dining and lounge space, meeting areas, a fitness facility, and an indoor pool with a retractable roof. Celebrity fashion designer, Christian Siriano, is partnering with the DELAMAR to design the hotel’s lobby as well as three suites that will be called “the Siriano Suites.”

Great Wolf Lodge at Foxwoods, Mashantucket. A year-round indoor waterpark resort loaded with all kinds of family entertainment that will be opening in early 2025 at the award-winning Foxwoods Resort & Casino.

The Abner, Litchfield. A new boutique hotel in the historic former Litchfield Country Courthouse. Constructed in 1888, the iconic stone building is being given new life featuring 20 beautiful and spacious guest rooms, a stunning new restaurant in the historic main courtroom, a seasonal roof bar affording sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, and private meeting and social spaces.

Mystic Seaport, Mystic. The Sabino has successfully converted from steam power to electric power. Sit back and enjoy the ride while an experienced captain steers the boat along the waterfront, providing interesting commentary about the museum and the surrounding area.

Major Renovations Complete at the Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven. The Yale Peabody Museum has reopened after a remarkable four-year renovation and expansion. The spacious and bright facility will exhibit 50% more of the museum’s vast collection of 14 million objects than ever before. The museum’s collection of natural history specimens ranges from enormous dinosaur bones to cultural artifacts from across the globe. One of the museum’s central attractions is a forty-foot-long Tylosaurus fossil suspended from above in the main gallery. Free to the public.

New Pedal Boat Cruises, Milford and Stamford. Party on the water on Connecticut’s pedal powered party boat operated on the beautiful Milford Harbor and out to Charles Island and the Milford Gulf in the Long Island Sound for groups of up to 20 people. The tour is 90 minutes on a custom crafted boat for 20 guests at 12 pedaling stations, a bar table, coolers, and blue tooth stereo. Stamford’s pedal cruise takes off from the city’s South End/Harbor Point neighborhood. The boats fit up to 26 people and have 12 pedaling stations.

Harbor View Landing New Houseboat Accommodations, Mystic. Nestled along the banks of the beautiful Mystic River, Harbor View Landing combines classic New England charm and modern luxury for a coastal retreat. Mystic’s authentic New England charm that has led to its world-wide fame. Home to family-friendly attractions, stunning scenery and an amazing heritage, Mystic is the perfect setting for the luxury Connecticut coastal accommodations. Newly added, the Patriot the sleek, European houseboat, will have you feeling like you’re staying in a floating, contemporary apartment.

The Kent Collection Newly Updated Properties, Litchfield Hills. Located in the Litchfield Hills region of CT, offers three facilities loosely tied to the Gilmore Girls. Beautifully designed rooms and suites in three unique and fully renovated landmark properties. The Firefly Inn and the Victorian are inviting, small inns, while the Garden Cottages are self-catering and offer the comfort of home away from home.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam. Reopened to the public for daily tours after nearly a year of renovations. The castle was the home of William Gillette, who was best known for his on-stage portrayal of Sherlock Holmes both in the US and UK.

New Campus for the American Mural Project, Winstead. The largest indoor collaborative mural project in the world, 120 ft. long and 5 stories high is a tribute to American workers and highlights what has defined the U.S. over the last century.

Connecticut Accolades

Winvian Farm voted Top 25 Resorts by US Conde Nast Traveler and was listed as the #1 Spa in the US by its readers.
S. Congress gave New Haven the designation of “The Pizza Capitol of the United States”.
Ocean Beach Park named among the best 25 beaches in the US according to Travel + Leisure.
Atlantic Brewing Ranked #13 in the Top 50 US breweries
USA Today – Mystic Seaport Museum ranked #2 for best open-air museum in the US
Ranked #1 spot for hiking by Why this Place
Ranked #6 most environmentally friend state by WalletHub
Fourth place for the percentage of land dedicated to state and national parks
Tenth place for number of state parks with 142
State with second largest number of charging ports in New England
New Haven was named by the New York Times as one of 52 places in the world you should visit
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina Named to Trips to Discover’s “15 Most Beautiful Hotels in the Country”
New Haven was a top summer destination for family Airbnb bookings

Maine

New Visitor Center at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Stacyville. The new center will tell the story of the region through the eyes of Native Americans. The center is slated to open late 2024 is named “Tekαkαpimk” from the Penobscot Indian language meaning “as far as one can see.”

New Themed Experiences on the water with DoryWoman Rowing, Belfast. These unique experiences include a sunset oyster row, a yoga row and more. Trips are led by an experienced Maine Guide and use a traditional-style wooden dory in Belfast Bay.

Plans Announced to Redevelop River Corridor with Trails & Whitewater Adventure, Skowhegan. The Skowhegan River Park (also known as Run of River) will redevelop an industrial downtown river corridor into an accessible outdoor recreation asset with an expanded trail network and enhanced whitewater activities.

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) unveiled a Gravel Adventure Field Guide. The handy guide will offer cyclists new routes in a pristine section of Maine east of the Moosehead Lake region. Copies are available at many bike shops in New England and at AMC.

Maine State Aquarium, Boothbay has recently reopened in Boothbay with a redesigned interior, new exhibits and displays, and an improved visitor experience.

Johnson Hall, Gardiner has unveiled its new, state-of-the-art theater and renovations. The renovation of Maine’s oldest opera house, located in downtown Gardiner, will offer an accessible 400-seat theater for live performances, space for meetings and small conferences, and will attract world-class talent to Maine’s Kennebec Valley region.

The Oceanarium, Bar Harbor has reopened after a five-year hiatus with upgraded exhibits and a refurbished interior. The three buildings include a visitor’s center and gift shop, a former lobster hatchery hosting marine-related exhibits and an Aquaria building with indoor tanks of live sea creatures from the Gulf of Maine.

The Spring River Preserve Expanded by 13,500 acres. The Nature Conservancy has acquired approximately 13,500 acres of forested land north of Tunk Mountain in Hancock County. The land, which will continue to be open for birding, hunting and fishing, abuts an existing preserve to the north of Tunk Mountain and the northwest corner of the state’s Donnell Pond Public Land. The acquisition expanded The Nature Conservancy’s 9,700-acre Spring River Preserve.

New Food & History Tour by Maine Day Ventures, Biddeford. The 2.5-hour walking tour takes you along revitalized Main Street and through town where textile mills and a thriving theatre and opera scene once took place. Along the way, guests are treated to offerings at a fourth generation, family owned and operated bakeshop, pizza from Maine’s original pizza maker and local ice cream.

New Opening of the York Beach Surf Club, York. New resort in York by the descendants of 1960s local surfing legend Sonny Perkins. The former motel has been reimagined as a world-class resort experience, while paying homage to the original 1960s surf club that Perkins began there.

The Longfellow Hotel, Portland. Opened in summer of 2024 is a wellness-themed hotel in a five-story, ground-up building located in Portland’s historic West End neighborhood. The lobby has a communal lounge with casual seating and an intimate bar, handcrafted by local millworkers. The property has 48 rooms, and several have French balconies or bay windows.

Renovation of the Dune’s on the Waterfront, Ogunquit. After a $10 million renovation, the Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit opened their new cottages for the 2024 season. The property consists of 24 cottages on 12 acres of oceanfront lawns overlooking Ogunquit Beach.

The Nevada, York Beach is now open. The completely renovated 70-year-old landmark on Long Sands Beach remains as a classic motel with a sleek new look, larger large rooms, some with private terraces, and an on-site restaurant called Lulu’s.

The Pathmaker Hotel, Bar Harbor is newest boutique hotel opening in spring 2025 and located just two blocks from the sand bar to Bar Island and downtown. An onsite restaurant is also planned.

Hotel Ursa, Orono has opened in the center of University of Maine campus in Orono with 95 guest rooms. It was developed through the historic rehab of two original buildings and joined by a new building offering contemporary guestrooms. The hotel also offers MajorMinor, a cafe and bar where the university community and guests can enjoy locally roasted coffees, baked goods, snacks, and evening beverages.

Rockport Harbor Hotel, Rockport part of the Bayview Collection, is a new 20-room year-round hotel with two dining venues, a lobby-level bar and restaurant called Oak Room and top-floor venue called the Atrium with a retractable skylight, sliding glass doors and a view of Rockport Harbor.

Acadia Wilderness Lodge, Tremont opened new glamping tents and oceanfront yurts during the summer of 2024. The property offers a glamping experience with all the amenities close to Acadia National Park.

Maine Accolades

Maine chosen as one of Outside Magazine top places to visit in 2024.
Portland named 2024 Best Cities for Bakeries in the United States and Best Cities for Food and Drinks in the U.S from Food & Wine Magazine.
Ogunquit chosen as a Top Vacation Destinations for 2024 by Real Simple Magazine.
Kennebunkport was one of 20 Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the U.S. chosen by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Rangeley was named one of the 50 Best Places To Travel In 2024: In The U.S. And Abroad by Forbes Advisor
Baxter State Park – 15 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Vacation Destinations in the U.S. – Trips to Discover
Nezinscot Farm in Turner was named the Northeast Regional winner of the “American Classics” category by the James Beard Foundation. Known as the state’s first organic dairy farm, Nezinscot Farm is family run and includes the farm, cafe, bakery, fromagerie, and charcuterie business.
Ogunquit Beach – Best Beaches in the United States – Travelers’ Choice Awards – Tripadvisor
MidCoast Maine – Best weekend getaways in the US – The Points Guy
Portland – 10 Best Places to Live on the East Coast (travelandleisure.com)
Portland – 10 Best Beer City

Massachusetts

New Welcome Center and International Heart of Quincy Audio Tour, Quincy. The City’s Tourism Department has teamed up with international audio guide vendor Guide-ID, to unlock and explore the stories of Quincy Center, both past and present. This free audio guide is available at the City of Quincy Welcome Center, by scanning the QR code at any one of the 17 Heart of Quincy Tour stops across the Common and the Hancock Cemetery.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Discover Quincy

Quincy 400. Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Quincy’s settlement in 2025! As we look forward to our celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Quincy’s settlement, we also look back and reflect on all that we have done as citizens of our great City to make it what it is today and what it will be in the future.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Discover Quincy

Now Open! A new sustainable, Multipurpose Performing Arts Center by Arts Empowering Life, Brewster. Arts Empowering Life (AEL) is a non-profit Arts foundation from Cape Cod, dedicated to the pursuit of beauty, truth, and faith in the Arts, sharing inspiration and education with people across many nationalities, cultures, and traditions. After thirty years of sustained artistic growth, Arts Empowering Life has put its roots down with a new, innovative, multi-purpose Arts facility.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Hotel Shelburne Springs Opened Summer 2023, Shelburne Falls. Beautiful boutique hotel in a 1914 mansion on 38 acres, seven suites with kitchens, heated floors, decks, views, and move. Full bar Thurs-Sun, patio with firepits, outdoors games, hiking, trails, sculpture gardens. Breakfast included.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – M0hawk Trail Association

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau is excited to partner with Tailbox for a new mobile walking and driving tours app that will launch fall 2024 in a variety of languages. The launch will include four history-related tours, with more added in subsequent months. Each tour includes interactive elements such as audio stories, photos and videos, and the ability to ask questions of the Tailbox AI for additional information about each point of interest. Initial languages will include French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and English.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Metrowest Boston Visitors Bureau

Special 2024 French Exhibition Coming to The Clark, Williamstown. Summer 2024 exhibition on French artist Guillaume Lethière – The Clark’s exhibition is the first major museum presentation on Lethière’s remarkable life and achievements and will provide new insights into questions relevant in the artist’s time regarding the reception and assessment of Caribbean art.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Mohawk Trail Association

Expanded Display Like Magic Opening at MASS MoCA October 2023, North Adams. The exhibition Like Magic brings together artists who employ technologies of magic to resist systems that attempt to surveil and control people’s lives and stories, often because of their race, ability, sexuality, gender identity, indigeneity, or immigration status. Contemporary artists use healing earth, witches’ brooms, AI, divination, and more to imagine care-full and joy-full futures into being despite the peril promised by the past and present.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Mohawk Trail Association

New Greyfinch Chatham Inn, Chatham. Formerly known as the Chatham Highlander Village Inn, Greyfinch is home to 30 newly renovated guestrooms, effortlessly combining Chatham’s seafaring legacy with modern elegance, featuring stylish decor and a relaxing atmosphere. Welcoming couples, families, and friends traveling together, Greyfinch offers a refreshed indoor and outdoor space, a heated pool, and grab + go convenience, just steps away from the nearby beaches, coastal activities and sister restaurant, Wild Goose Tavern.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

Newly Renovated Pelham on Main, West Dennis. This 27-room hotel opened summer 2022, is a quiet retreat near Dennis’s shops, restaurants and museums. Hop aboard the free shuttle to its sister hotel on the oceanfront, the Pelham House Resort’s private beach, Here guests can savor cuisine and cocktails at the 14 Sea Street Rooftop Restaurant or in The Pelham House Sea Level and Patio.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Hotel, Pelham on Earle Hotel, West Harwich. Tucked among colorful hydrangea gardens in a quiet neighborhood under two miles from downtown Dennis Port, the Pelham on Earle hotel celebrates the best of Cape Cod’s charm with cozy, recently renovated rooms and a casual coastal aesthetic. With just a short 100-yard stroll, you can relax on the sands of Earle Road Beach.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Cape Cod Bus Service for Plymouth & Brockton Routes. Now commences daily bus service from Woods Hole and Falmouth Stations to South Station and Logan Airport in Boston, as well as service from Woods Hole and Falmouth Stations to T.F. Green Airport (Rhode Island TF Green International Airport).

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

Coming soon! New $15 Million State-of-the-Art Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, Provincetown. The visitor center will feature interactive exhibits on the natural history and cultural heritage of the region. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary intends to partner with the Town of Provincetown and the Center for Coastal Studies to advance awareness, understanding and appreciation of the marine ecosystems of Stellwagen Bank.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Interpretive Markers throughout Cape Cod and the Islands, Waypoints Trail. Waypoints are a series of modular cubes, panels and posts that allow for education. Each Waypoint features one or more viewfinders that focuses attention on a particular subject and invites further exploration of a network of other markers, surprising artifacts, and new points of interest. Each Waypoint encourages further exploration through the mobile web site, as well as an invitation to share experiences via social media.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

The 250^th Anniversary of the Revolution for the Independence of America. The journey to American independence started in Massachusetts. To celebrate, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is developing opportunities for statewide engagement around Revolutionary history. Statewide signature events are being planned for 2025 and 2026. The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is developing programs with schools and libraries across the Commonwealth themed around the Revolution. As well as working to uncover untold stories and stories of diversity, and identifying opportunities for individuals, municipalities, and other actors across the Commonwealth to participate in celebrations of the anniversary and recognize the history of their geographical areas.

Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn, Spencer marks its 50th anniversary. The 165-year-old barn has a dazzling selection of Christmas trees, and features thousands of ornaments, nativities, Santas, and carolers. Also, the Annual Spencer Fair (over 130 years old) takes place on Labor Day Weekend. The Spencer Fair is an old time, traditional country fair including ox and horse pulls, cattle, rabbit and poultry shows, hall exhibits, midway and outdoor entertainment, and should be a great time for all who attend.

Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown. New exhibit Emancipation. Conceived as a commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation visualizes what freedom looks like for Black Americans today and the legacy of the Civil War today and beyond. The seven installations span sculpture, photography, and paper and textile fabrications.

Adventure Park at Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich. The park features ziplines, courses and climbing bridges throughout the great outdoors. The five aerial treetop-canopy trails will give you an all-new perspective of the Cape’s scenic beauty.

Margaritaville Resort, Plymouth. The global lifestyle brand, has announced the debut of Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod this past summer. Following a $30 million top-to-bottom reimagination, the resort, presently operating as the Cape Codder Resort & Spa, will feature 272 rooms and features and amenities for visitors of all ages. The design will seamlessly blend Margaritaville’s casual luxury with the natural aesthetic of Hyannis and the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Jellystone Campground Added 83 cabins and a 21,000-square-foot New Water Park, Carver. Open from July through September, this new water park is located on the grounds of Jellystone Park in Carver, Massachusetts. This instant hit with kids and adults alike is complete with two long water slides, two kiddie water slides, water blasters and water cannons.

New, Free Electric Transportation with Ride Circuit, Plymouth. Free rides in all-electric vehicles throughout the Plymouth historic district, the bus station and Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Simply download the Ride Circuit app on your smart phone, enter your location and see the sites.

New Self-Pour Wine Tastings with Uva Wine Bar, Plymouth. 48 wines from different regions that are dispensed via self-serve WineStations.

The Brant House Opened in 2024, Nantucket. Anchor Line Partners and Nauset Strategies purchased former Brant Point Inn; they developed a renovated property called The Brant House. The existing single-family home on Dolphin Court will be expanded and converted to an eight-room guest house, and a new one-story building will be constructed with two guest suites and a guest-services area.

New Hotel Home2 Suites by Hilton Opened January 2024, Boston/Franklin. Offering free hot breakfast, indoor pool, and state-of-the-art business center.

Vacation Rental Company Shared Estates Expands Property Portfolio, Lenox. Winthrop Estate has been acquired and will be added to their lodging offerings.

The Immersive Wellness Resort Canyon Ranch released new Mobile App, Lenox. The Canyon Ranch Mobile App is now available as well as a new Immersive Sleep Retreat allowing guests to work directly with personal trainers and performance scientists so guests can continue their personalized wellness plan at home.

New Construction Plans Announced for Jacob’s Pillow Theatre to be Completed 2025, Becket. Jacob’s Pillow is excited to announce building plans for the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre, a flexible theater on the site of the original Doris Duke Theatre, which was lost to a fire. The new design creates year-round space of approximately 20,000 sq ft and the new building includes state-of-the-art technology and a second indoor space for programming.

Natural Bridge State Park Begins Redesign Plan, North Adams. A redesign plan expected to span several years began in May 2023. The project will improve safety and accessibility to enhance visitor experiences and make better use of the many natural and cultural features of the park. The Park will remain open during construction, with some limitations.

Berkshire Bike Path Received $1.4 Million Expansion, Pittsfield. The City of Pittsfield has expanded its bike path along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail allowing for a 10-ft paved multiuse path to extend farther into the city.

Expansion of The Porches Inn, North Adams. The Porches, a 47-room boutique inn steps from MASS MoCa, has expanded with a new structure with 11 rooms, 4 studios, and 7 underground parking spaces.

Newly Designed Boutique Inn The TRAIL, Adams. Purchased by new owners and operators re-envisioned the 9-room Topia Inn as the Berkshires’ Art Hotel on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, offering art, events and workshops and wellbeing.

Construction has Begun for New Outdoor Center Greylock Glen, Adams. Approximately one mile from downtown Adams and nestled some 2,200 feet below the Mount Greylock summit is Greylock Glen, the site for an outfitter, environmental education programs, events, café and retail.

New Hampshire

Completed Multi-Year Restoration Project at The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem. A 1,400-acre forest reservation, owned and managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. After undergoing a multi-year restoration and renovation project which began in 2020, they celebrated a grand reopening of their Carriage Barn and trails. The rebuilding of the Carriage Barn started in 2019 after a fire at the site destroyed two historic buildings. The new facility will provide space for youth educational programming on forestry, conservation, natural history, maple sugaring and the Christmas tree operation while at the same time serving as a center where visitors can learn about the Rocks history and find out about on-site and regional recreational activities. A new gift shop and program space will open in November. The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm offers cut-your-own trees, horse-drawn carriage rides, fire pits, and festive activities.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Town of Bethlehem

Cranmore Mountain celebrates the opening of Mount Washington Valley Recreation Path, North Conway. Spanning 2.9 miles, the newly opened Mount Washington Valley Recreation Path offers outdoor recreational space that connects Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway Village, Settlers Green, and tax-free shopping. Designed to provide access to hiking and mountain biking trails, the path is a family-friendly haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Cranmore Mountain provides parking, restrooms, and a top-notch selection of bike rentals. After using the path, guests are invited to quench their thirst and appetites at the Alpine Cafe & Bar, located at the new Artist Falls Lodge.