Visit New England

Everything you need to know about visiting New England for the first time.

Are you interested in visiting New England, are you unsure of the best places to stay and places to eat? Well read on - we we have a list of things you should know before heading to one of the more under appreciated regions of America.

The one thing you need to know about visiting New England?

Know your Season

This is critical for planning your visit to New England because it will effect exactly how you want to experience the region. The best part is that each season offers something unique and different. In the winter - New England offers the best skiing on the east coast - with Stowe Vermont, and Jay Peak, Sunday River in Maine, and Mt. Washington and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire - - skiing in New England is a fantastic time. Don't forget to gear up by heading up to Kittery, Maine at the world famous LL Bean flagship store. Kittery itself is a wonderful outlet and shopping mecca in New England, and the anchor certainly is the large LL Bean store for all your winter gear needs.

If spring is more your style - then consider a visit to Boston. With the Red Sox back in action, there is no better time to take in a game at Fenway, stroll down Newbury street and check out a Duck Tour - before the influx of tourists than in May and June. If baseball isn't your style - then typically both major casinos in New England offer great deals this time of year, check out Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun both in Connecticut. Also if you'd like to save money, spring and fall are the two shoulder seasons for Cape Cod, so instead of heading to the Cape in the summer (discussed next) think about the spring. The rates on hotel rooms with be greatly reduced and the crowds will be non-existent. Plus getting a table at a local seafood place will be easy. Nantucket holds a daffodil festival each spring, you should check out the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce website for more information - but it's a very special time and a wonderful way to usher in better weather.

Now we come to summer - I think everyone has a different style of what 'summer fun' looks like. If you love beaches - then the Cape and islands are the pick for you. With some of the most photographed beaches in America - Cape Cod offers you a real treat along with views that will say with you for a lifetime. Another great beach location would be the Maine coast - if you love lobster salad sandwiches then this is your place, the beaches are a bit more rocky - but it also makes them more lovely. No time is better to cook up some lobsters and have a traditional New England Clam Bake.

If the beach isn't your thing - and you think you are a lake person - then check out Lake Winnapasoci in New Hampshire. One of the oldest resort areas in America. Also don't forget about some strawberry and blueberry picking. There are tons of places from Maine to Rhode Island that have wonderful fruit farms. The soil in Maine allows for some of the best blueberries in the country. So get out there and pick your own fruit! Check out local farmers markets as well.

Ok - Fall. I think this is when most people plan their visit to New England because of our fantastic foliage. Well - it's true. Almost magically Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine become transformed by a wonderful color palate that would make Monet proud. One tip is for you not to pack a lunch, find a local spot while you are out and about you will be surprised at some of the culinary delights that are in store for you in rural Vermont and western New England. Vermont has some fantastic cheese (not to mention Cabot Farms) and maple syrup stands scattered throughout the state, so stop on in and enjoy. You can just drive around the state and be happy because of all of the wonderful people and scenery.

Don't forget to check out the Oyster Festival held in Duxbury, MA in late September or early October each year. There are no better oysters on the planet and the festival is fun for all ages.