6 things to do in New England while you’re alive
You’ve seen those “21 things to do while you’re alive” books and lists, well here’s my New England spin on that whole topic – enjoy it!
WALK THROUGH THE GREAT BEACH OF CAPE COD:
A famous stretch of Cape Cod National Seashore is Coastguard Beach, the beginning of the so-called Great Beach named after Henry David Thoreau. The area also includes the Outer Beach made famous by Henry Beston in his book “Outermost House”, a real cabin but destroyed in the 1978 storm. The connected beaches and the natural erosion process of this geological wonder provide not only one of the best beach walks in the world, but also a step through history, and out of season you will probably have it all to yourself.
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER THE GREEN MOUNTAINS:
While hot air balloons can take off from most open spaces, there are places that provide better atmospheric conditions than others. In New England, one such ideal location is the Stowe and Lake Champlain area of Vermont. Hot air balloon rides over this region provide panoramic views of Mount Mansfield, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks in New York. But it’s the unique sensation of floating peacefully and being carried away by the winds over Vermont’s trees, farms, and fields that creates the memories. Sometimes you feel part of the wind and you don’t even realize that you are moving.
UP MT. WASHINGTON IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE:
At 6,288 feet, this is the highest peak in the Northeast and has the highest wind speed recorded anywhere in the world at 231 mph. This is a mountain shrouded in clouds more than 50% of the year and where snow can fall in any month. A sunny day at the base at the beginning can turn into a raging snowstorm towards the top 4 hours later. Popular trails run from Pinkham Notch with an average of a 10 hour round trip. You will need to get in shape and be well prepared for this strenuous but rewarding hike.
SEE THE FALL FOLIAGE OF NEW ENGLAND IN OCTOBER:
There are many places in the world that experience a magnificent and colorful fall. But nature holds the most dazzling display for New England’s fall foliage event.
The New England climate and the variety of trees create a unique combination that ensures a magnificent display of fiery reds, bright oranges, golden yellows and rich browns that cover the trees for weeks as fall sweeps through the region. Parts of Maine may peak in late September, Vermont and New Hampshire in early to mid-October, and the best views for southern New England states average in mid-to-late October.
RIDE ON A WHALE WATCH CRUISE TO STELLWAGEN BANK:
Stellwagen Bank is an underwater plateau at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, and was designated a National Marine Sanctuary in 1992. Popular mammals that visit the bank are whales. Whale watching cruises depart from ports and harbors along the Massachusetts coast … and all make their way to the Stellwagen Bank. The whale watching season lasts from April to October. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as humbled as watching a majestic 40-ton humpback dance and play with sparkling water and wonder … who’s having the most fun.
THE ROADS IN THE ACADIA NATIONAL PARK CYCLE:
Acadia National Park in Maine is the only national park in New England, and the first designated east of the Mississippi. Most of the park is on Mount Desert Island and includes mountains, a fjord, lakes, ponds, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and the scenic Loop Road. But one of the most enjoyable ways to see the park is by bike along some of the 57 miles of broken stone paths established by John Rockefeller, Jr., between 1913 and 1940. The gravel path network is interconnected and passes through some of the most popular and picturesque areas of the park.
And I’ve run out of space here, so visit my site for the full list.