Explore New England

Groton’s quirky landmark on Gibbet Hill makes for an interesting quick-and-easy hike in Massachusetts. Wikipedia says a gibbet (pronounced jibbit) is “any instrument of public execution,” usually a gallows, so a place named Gibbet Hill would traditionally be a nice, high-up spot where public executions could go down with a decent view from below. Warm popcorn would be served and light clapping would be permissible. There weren’t any documented public executions at Gibbet Hill in Groton – it was likely named after another hill in England – but there is some other cool stuff here, including the old stone ruins…

As far as living history museums go, Old Sturbridge Village is one of the GOATs. Here’s what to know before your next visit. When Sturbridge, Massachusetts, was incorporated in 1738, the locals got together and made cool stuff like grist mills and sawmills, stations where the tranquil Quinebaug River powered their frontier efforts in a place that was originally called Tantiousques by the local indigenous population. A lot changed over the next 280-plus years, but today Old Sturbridge Village offers a peak at what life was like back in the early days of the town. Like New England history staples…

Distinct homes, scenic beaches and a history of diversity makes Oak Bluffs one of the most iconic summer destinations in New England. Here’s what to do when you get there. What was once “Cottage City,” a seasonal retreat — often for African-American tourists – is today a year-round place of leisure and unique island landscapes. It’s not the stuffy Martha’s Vineyard vibe you’d expect if you’ve never been; instead, there’s a welcoming sense of inclusivity that dates back to the town’s heyday. It helps that Oak Bluffs is home to the island’s largest marina, where a spring break-like energy flows…

Massachusetts’ first inland settlement is also one of its most historic, and there’s no shortage of notable things to do in Concord. Home to literary giants, a famous pond and the “shot heard ’round the world,” Concord and its legacy is cemented in American history. And long before the land was taken and settled by colonists, Native Americans enjoyed the region’s plentiful resources and natural beauty, naming it after its grassy plains. Today, Concord is one of Massachusetts’ best day or weekend trips, and because there’s so much to do, it’s worth visiting in different seasons to take in everything…

There’s a reason Kennebunkport is one of Maine’s most popular summer retreats, though there’s plenty to do in every seasonal trip to this seaside village. Its location between Boston and Portland makes Kennebunkport a quintessential New England getaway, where river meets ocean, and fishing and shipbuilding roots give way to modern dining and chill coastal lounging. The town’s most alive from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when boats cruise in and out of the marina, beachgoers flock to the water and shoppers roam the historic streets of Dock Square. Summer weekends are busy, sure, but this seaside escape is still…