New England News

What’s New from Discover New England 

Connecticut

Hotel Marcel, Hew Haven
Newly opened 165-room boutique hotel, including restaurant, gallery and meeting space, 100% sustainable and the first of its kind in the U.S. Certified historic rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of mid-century modern Brutalist structure originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1967. Unlike most adaptations of Brutalist concrete buildings, the new version of this historic building will produce net-zero emissions, providing all of its own electricity, heat, and hot water.

Camp Getaway, Kent
A premier adventure resort located on a 300-acre, lake-side property in the Berkshire Mountains, dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences of comfort and relaxation, and exhilaration and adventure. All-inclusive weekday family camps and adult weekend camps include cabin accommodations, meals, beverages, nightly entertainment, and outdoor activities. Site of the Bravo TV reality show, Camp Getaway.

TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge, Mohegan Sun, Mystic Country
The TAO experience in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago is now available at Mohegan Sun.

Backyard Adventures UTV Tours, Canaan
Offering tours of privately owned trails throughout 1,000 acres in the Litchfield Hills. State-of-the-art UTVs that feature four-wheel drive, two side-by-side bucket seats, seat belts, power steering, and engines that are easy to operate. These UTVs operate just like an automobile and feature a gas and brake pedal with a steering wheel. Valid driver’s license required.

Maine

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay)
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has teamed up with acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo to bring larger-than-life sculptures into the gardens—friendly trolls deemed “Guardians of the Seeds.” Made of recycled wood, the giant trolls offer clues that can be put together to unearth a secret. The magical and mysterious experience ties into the real importance of the sustainability of the forests.

Appalachian Mountain Club (North Maine Woods)
The International Dark Sky Association has designated the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods property as an International Dark Sky Park. The property is within Maine’s famed 100-Mile Wilderness and includes part of the Appalachian Trail. The park is the first of its kind in New England.

Historic Driving Tours (Statewide)
There are 26 tours organized by region and range from 30 minutes to four hours. Travelers will experience some of Maine’s most beautiful and historic downtowns, many of which are nationally accredited Main Street communities and are vibrant places to find local food, shops and cultural happenings.

Maine Oyster Trail (Statewide)
Whether you want to shuck, taste, learn from the experts or just grab and go, there’s no better way to appreciate the fresh reward of Maine oysters than following along the Maine Oyster Trail. The interactive guide allows you to pick your desired oyster experience and explore the different coastal communities along the way.

New Hampshire

Rhythm Craft Ciders (Lincoln)
Seven Birches Winery has expanded into the hard craft cider market with the development of an all-new brand, called Rhythm Craft Ciders. In addition to developing an all-new, natural cider line, Rhythm Ciders has opened a new tasting experience in downtown Lincoln, called the Rhythm Ciders Studio.

Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club (Portsmouth)
Jimmy’s – the new jazz club in downtown Portsmouth! Enjoy jazz, blues, New Hampshire inspired cuisine and more in a state-of-the-art building restored to its former glory. Peruse their calendar of events here.

MS Mount Washington (Weirs Beach)
Events planned all season in 2022 to celebrate the cruise’s 150th anniversary. Located in the foothills of the White Mountains, this historic ship and her sister vessels navigate more than 300 islands and 44,000 acres of crystal-clear water. The MS offers scenic tours and dinner cruises on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Huttopia White Mountains (Albany)
Huttopia now has Vista accommodations that can house five people. Their Vista tiny houses offer comfort and a connection to the outdoors in an unforgettable glamping experience. Another new addition is the installation of an intimate activity hub, located on the beach where guests can sign up for canoe and paddleboard rentals.

Massachusetts

Pelham House Resort (Dennis Port, Cape Cod)
Pelham House Resort has undergone an expansion for an oceanfront meeting and wedding venue and rooftop bar. The property also is now offering accommodations at Pelham Farm, only five minutes from the main property and located nearby the rustic café, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters.

Life House in Berkshires (Lenox)
Opening in August 2022, the Life House serves as a writer’s mountain retreat with a cocktail bar and library lounge inspired by the seasonal landscape. The on-property Club House provides an upscale gathering place and plates that celebrate the seasonality of the land.

Amesbury Carriage Museum Walking Tours (Amesbury)
This self-guided Millyard Walking Tour focuses on Amesbury’s historic Upper and Lower Millyards and invites visitors to think of the yard as “a museum without walls.” It encourages students and adults to explore the built environment and learn about the city’s rich industrial history. Visitors can also enjoy a guided walking tour of the Upper Millyard the second Saturday each month.

African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard (Martha’s Vineyard)
Two new sites are now offered as part of the African American Heritage Trail system, now with more than 30 sites, dedicated to the formerly unrecognized contributions made by people of African descent to the history of Martha’s Vineyard. Bronze plaques at each of the sites share the story and location’s significance.

Rhode Island

The Sailing Museum (Newport)
Located at the historic Newport Armory, the museum provides a home for American sailing and a place where people can immerse themselves in an interactive experience that celebrates the heritage of the sport and honors its legends. Interactive educational exhibits will provide applications of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) concepts that come alive through sailing.

Aloft Providence Downtown (Providence)
The Aloft is a new hotel opened by Marriott in December of 2021. This stylish accommodation offers 170 guest rooms and five suites located near the Providence River in the Innovation and Design District of the city center, close to Brown University and Johnson and the Wales University. The property also features the Blu Violet Rooftop Lounge, WXYZ Bar, the Re Fuel 24/7 pantry, an on-site fitness center and two meeting rooms.

The Gilded Age and Newport Mansions (Newport)
With the popularity of HBO’s The Gilded Age, the Preservation Society of Newport County has introduced new tours to give visitors an opportunity to explore the show’s settings in person.

Blackstone River Expeditions Kayak and Canoe Rentals (Central Falls)
Opening in June 2022, this new kayak and canoe rental company along the Blackstone River and its watershed offer a multitude of boating experiences for the novice or the expert. Explore the quiet, teeming marshes and shoot through the challenging narrows and unusual flows. There are at least 200 species of birds in the National Heritage Corridor, including 16 types of waterfowl.

Vermont

Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express
Service expansion to three new stations is scheduled to begin in July. Visitors from NYC and beyond will now be able to visit Middlebury, Vergennes, and Burlington via train.

Tälta Mountain Lodge (Stowe)
Bluebird Hotels has opened a new property in Stowe. Most of its 51 rooms include private desks and modular gear walls.

Parker Hill Farm and Boutique Campground (Springfield)
This newly opened campground offers visitors a unique glamping experience on their alpaca farm.

Café Mamajuana (Burlington)
Named a best new restaurant semifinalist by the James Beard Foundation, this restaurant fuses Dominican, Afro-Caribbean, Italian and Spanish cuisines for a truly unique dining experience.

Previous What’s New

2021

DNE Press Releases

January 11, 2023 – Kerrie Tripp Selected as Director of Product and Sales for Discover New England

April 26, 2022 – Michele Cota Named Executive Director of Discover New England

What’s New in New England 2022