10 Most Breathtaking Towns In New England
A region as diverse as its seasons, New England is one of America’s greatest treasures. Rich in dreamy downtowns, enchanting natural wonders, and down-to-earth locals, each of these Northeastern states offers its own slice of paradise. From Vermont’s awe-inspiring summits to Maine’s picture-perfect coast, New England’s topography draws eyes high and low. Coupled with fairytale main streets, bucket list excursions, and so many other one-of-a-kind charms, these 10 breathtaking New England towns may steal your breath, but they will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Greenville, Maine
Hugging Moosehead Lake in the heart of Maine’s Highlands, Greenville is a blissful gateway to the state’s great outdoors. While many associate Maine’s beauty with its coast, this inland town offers its own striking scenes. At 20 miles wide and 40 miles long, Moosehead Lake takes center stage as Maine's largest lake and Greenville’s gorgeous anchor. Visitors can dine on the waterfront at restaurants like Kelly's Landing, but the best views require getting wet or taking to the sky.
For a bird’s-eye view of Greenville and Moosehead Lake, Jack’s Air Service is renowned for its scenic Seaplane Tours. Alternatively, you may prefer to climb Mount Kineo, a rugged peninsula perched inside Moosehead, with cliffs reaching up to 800 feet tall. If views from the water may feel more your speed, a Steamboat Katahdin cruise is more laid-back, or you can paddle solo with gear from Northwoods Outfitters Moosehead Lake. On the other hand, a guided Moose Tour with Northwoods Outfitters offers your greatest chance to spot the majestic antlered creatures.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is the type of seaside town many of us picture when dreaming of Maine, blending a stunning waterfront with quaint coastal charms. Situated on Maine’s southwest coast, the former shipbuilding settlement has long blossomed into a popular vacation spot. Whether passing through, visiting for the day, or booking a longer stay at cozy hotels like Mabel’s House, your time in Kennebunkport will be memorable.
Dock Square is the heart and soul of Kennebunkport, bordering the beautiful Kennebunk River. The town center is clustered with locally owned shops and cafes like Coastal Jewelers and Dock Square Coffee House. While the businesses themselves are oh-so-cute, the architecture makes Dock Square that much more charming, its 19th-century storefronts creating a distinct frozen-in-time feel. Nearby, Intown Trolley Co provides another fun way to take in views on a sightseeing tour, or you can head further south to admire the coast at sites like Blowing Cave Park.
Littleton, New Hampshire
Bounded by the Connecticut River in New Hampshire’s picturesque White Mountains, Littleton is one of New England’s prettiest little towns. Differing from Kennebunkport, Littleton offers a quieter atmosphere, ideal for a laid-back escape from city life or everyday stresses. However, the town is similar in its offerings, featuring a picture-perfect downtown district dense with boutiques and restaurants along the Ammonoosuc River.
Littleton’s award-winning Main Street is the town’s commercial center, charming all who pass through. Running parallel to the Ammonoosuc, its riverfront views add a storybook atmosphere, whether grabbing drinks at Schilling Beer Co or strolling the Riverwalk Covered Bridge. Nearby, Main Street’s other businesses evoke a different era, with no retail giants in sight. In their place, you will find adorable locally-owned gems like the Little Village Toy & Book Shop, Just L Modern Antiques, and Chutters, “Home of the World’s Longest Candy Counter.”
Stowe, Vermont
Between the summits of Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak, Stowe is a quintessential New England town with a 4-season playground in its backyard. Before setting out on your outdoor adventure, Stowe’s endearing Main Street is the perfect prelude, featuring old-timey general stores like Stowe Mercantile. Afterward, Stowe’s postcard scenes and recreation await, whether skiing the slopes at Stowe Mountain Resort or riding its spectacular Gondola SkyRide in the summer and fall.
In spring through autumn, Stowe is also a popular gateway to some of Vermont’s prettiest covered bridges and waterfalls. After driving through landmarks like the Historic Gold Brook Covered Bridge, Moss Glen Falls is just a short drive from town. Plunging 85 feet, the cascade is Vermont’s tallest waterfall; it is also only a quarter-mile from its trailhead, making it easy to reach, even for inexperienced hikers. Alternatively, while smaller in size, Bingham Falls is an equally showstopping waterfall near Stowe, and well worth its more moderate quarter-mile hike.
Montpelier, Vermont
Twenty-two miles southeast of Stowe, Vermont’s state capital is graced with its own stunning scenes and New England charms. Backed by rolling hillsides, Montpelier overlooks the point where the Winooski and North Branch rivers merge. Paired with these views, downtown Montpelier is a charming time capsule of days gone by. As the country’s only state capital without fast-food giants like McDonald’s or Starbucks, downtown Montpelier is laced with nostalgia, inviting visitors to slow down and shop local.
The downtown district is crowned by its State House, a striking Greek Revival-style structure near other historic attractions like the Vermont Historical Society Museum. Further down State Street, river views can be savored before stopping by Main Street locales like the Bohemian Bakery and Bear Pond Books. Alternatively, waterfront scenes can also be enjoyed at spots like North Branch River Park, a serene green space with picturesque multi-use trails.
Salem, Massachusetts
Over in coastal Massachusetts, Salem’s downtown is one of the coolest in the country, brimming with history and spellbinding attractions. Whether visiting for its rich maritime heritage or its ties to the infamous witch trials, Salem is teeming with a unique mix of museums, historic sites, and one-of-a-kind locales. Paired with serene oceanfront spaces like Salem Willows Park, Salem is an eclectic and breathtaking New England town.
On Essex Street, visitors can stroll a pedestrian-only cobblestone road for its wide range of museums and shops. Whether exploring the Salem Witch Board Museum or browsing Wicked Good Books, your time on Essex Street can be as spooky or laid-back as you desire. Also downtown, Salem Maritime National Historical Park depicts a different side of the town’s past, examining “over 600 years of New England's maritime history.” Studded with historic structures and a replica ship, this open-air coastal site is one of the top attractions in all of Massachusetts.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Around 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, Nantucket Island and its namesake town promise bliss and breathtaking natural scenes. Much of Nantucket’s natural beauty is thanks to its commitment to conservation. With over 60% of the island guarded from development, this Massachusetts oasis is unspoiled and serene. Among its 82-mile coastline, public shores like Steps Beach maintain a more natural feel, unobstructed by carnival-style boardwalks or high-rise resorts.
Beyond its beautiful beaches, Nantucket boasts a tapestry of unique sites and attractions. History lovers can learn more about the island’s past by exploring exhibits at the Nantucket Whaling Museum and Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum. Nantucket’s isolated island setting also awards the town with dark night skies, making stargazing a fun activity at the local Loines Observatory.
Westerly, Rhode Island
Breathtaking beaches and cozy attractions are also hallmarks of Westerly, Rhode Island’s southernmost town. The former shipbuilding center has been a prominent vacation spot for over 100 years, attracting visitors with its pristine beaches and New England hospitality. If you find yourself here in the warmer months, make sure to devote a day to popular shores like Misquamicut State Beach. However, for those colder days and moments where you need a break from the sand, Westerly’s cute downtown awaits.
Running parallel to the Pawcatuck River, downtown Westerly has a traditional main street feel, visible in its wide-windowed shops and broad, walkable sidewalks. High Street is lined with some of Westerly's coolest downtown businesses, from quaint coffee houses like Perks & Corks to unique galleries like the Living Sharks Museum. Nearby, Wilcox Park is a romantic follow-up for a picnic or stroll, its manicured lawns centered around a fountain, pond, and the historic Westerly Library.
Newport, Rhode Island
Around 40 miles east of Westerly along Aquidneck Island’s southern shore, Newport’s beauty is tied to its ocean views and dazzling history. For many years, Newport thrived as an affluent resort town, resulting in its opulent summer vacation homes. Today, many of these fit-for-a-king structures can be visited and toured, including The Breakers, Newport’s grandest Gilded Age mansion. Alternatively, Newport’s 3.5-mile Cliffwalk offers the chance to walk past a range of these century-old castles, paired with jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean below.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite hiking Newport’s cliffs, Bowen’s Wharf is a relaxing follow-up. Described as “The Anchor of the Newport Waterfront,” the Wharf offers over 30 restaurants and shops to sample and explore. After dining at Luke's Lobster or grabbing a souvenir at Upper Deck Clothing, the Wharf is also a gateway to exciting excursions with tour agencies like Coastal Queen Cruises.
Mystic, Connecticut
Ending our journey in Connecticut, Mystic is another coastal village known for its stunning seascapes and rich maritime heritage. Like other towns on this list, Mystic was once a prominent shipbuilding hub and has since grown into a vibrant vacation destination. Mystic borders both sides of the Mystic River before the waterway spills into the mighty Atlantic, with plenty of ways to breathe in these scenes. Whether boarding an Argia Mystic Cruise or walking the boardwalk at Mystic River Park, waterfront views are a signature of this Connecticut town.
To fully immerse yourself in Mystic’s maritime past, the Mystic Seaport Museum is so much more than your average museum. Designed to feel like a 19th-century New England coastal village, the 19-acre site features a working shipyard with over 500 historic watercraft, including America’s oldest surviving commercial ship, the 1841 Charles W. Morgan. Inside the Collections Research Center, guests can also discover over 2 million maritime artifacts.
New England: The Perfect Place To Get Away From It All
Choosing New England as a travel destination may feel a bit broad, but narrowing down a town is easy once you ponder what you want most out of your trip. Towns like Stowe are ideal for nature lovers in any season, while beachgoers can plan for spring and summer in Nantucket. Alternatively, maybe a cozy day of window shopping in Littleton is on your radar, or a Main Street day in Montpelier. All things considered, no matter when or where you go, these 10 New England towns will steal your breath every step of the way.
