New England

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the USA — founded in 1630, site of the Boston Tea Party and cradle of American independence. But Boston is far more than an open-air museum: The city pulses with students from over 50 universities (including Harvard and MIT), a top-notch restaurant scene, and the fanatical sports enthusiasm that has made the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins icons.

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is Boston's masterpiece of history education: A 4 km long red line, embedded in the sidewalk, that leads you to 16 historic sites — from the Boston Common (the oldest public park in the USA, 1634) to the Old State House (where the Declaration of Independence was read in 1776) to the Old North Church (from whose tower the famous lantern signal for Paul Revere's midnight ride was given). The trail ends in Charlestown at the USS Constitution, the oldest still floating warship in the world (1797). Free on your own, guided tours with costumed guides from the Freedom Trail Foundation cost $18 for adults.

Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the oldest still-used baseball stadium in the USA (since 1912) and a pilgrimage site for sports fans. The famous Green Monster wall in the left field (11.3 m high) is a landmark. Attending a Boston Red Sox game is part of the Boston experience — even if you don't understand baseball, the atmosphere is electrifying. Tickets from $30 (bleachers) to $150+ (near the field), best booked weeks in advance via the official website. Stadium tours also possible without a game: $25, daily.

Harvard & MIT in Cambridge

Directly across the Charles River lies Cambridge, home to the two most famous universities in the world. The Harvard Yard is open to the public — stroll through the venerable brick buildings, touch the toe of the John Harvard statue (supposedly brings luck, but it's actually not Harvard) and visit the excellent Harvard Art Museums ($20, free on Saturdays 10–12 a.m.). The MIT impresses with futuristic architecture (Stata Center by Frank Gehry) and the free MIT Museum. The Harvard Square around it is full of bookstores, cafes, and the legendary record store Newbury Comics.

North End — Little Italy

Boston's North End is the oldest residential neighborhood in the city and America's most authentic Italian quarter. The Hanover Street smells of fresh espresso and cannoli — the eternal rivalry between Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry (both cannoli: $5–6) divides the city. In between: trattorias with homemade pasta ($15–25 per main course), the Paul Revere House (the oldest surviving building in Boston, 1680, admission $6) and the Old North Church. On weekends, the neighborhood is packed — come during the week.

Boston Common & Back Bay

The Boston Common (1634) and the adjacent Public Garden (with the famous Swan Boats, $4.50 per ride, April–September) form the green heart of the city. The Commonwealth Avenue Mall leads from here through Back Bay, Boston's most elegant neighborhood with Victorian brownstone row houses, the Newbury Street (Boston's answer to Fifth Avenue — boutiques, galleries, restaurants) and the Trinity Church at Copley Square, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The Boston Public Library next door is the oldest public library in the USA — the magnificent reading room is free to access and breathtaking.

Cape Cod is New England's summer playground — a 100 km long, arm-shaped peninsula that juts into the Atlantic and has attracted artists, writers, and families for centuries. Sandy dune beaches, picturesque lighthouses, baskets full of oysters, and the light that Edward Hopper captured on canvas. In summer, the small towns along Route 6A (the "Old King's Highway") are a single postcard motif of white wooden houses, rose hedges, and antique shops.

Provincetown

Provincetown (short "P-town") at the very tip of the Cape is one of the most tolerant and creative places in America — a lively LGBTQ+ stronghold with excellent restaurants, art galleries, and the Pilgrim Monument (the tallest all-granite tower in the USA, 77 m, admission $17). This is where the Pilgrims actually landed first in 1620 before moving on to Plymouth. The Commercial Street is the heart of the town — drag shows, cabaret, and seafood right by the water. In summer, a fast ferry runs from Boston (90 min., from $65 one-way), making P-town the perfect day trip.

Chatham & the Beaches

Chatham at the "elbow" of the Cape is the prototypical New England town: a lighthouse, a fishing harbor where you can watch fishermen unloading at 2 p.m., and Main Street with shops that look like nothing has changed since 1900. The Cape Cod National Seashore (established by JFK in 1961) protects 65 km of pristine Atlantic beaches — Nauset Beach, Coast Guard Beach, and Race Point Beach in Provincetown are the highlights. Daily parking fee: $25 per car (or free with the America the Beautiful Pass, $80/year).

Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket

Martha's Vineyard is the summer residence of the American elite — the Obamas have their estate here, and the ferry from Woods Hole (45 min., from $10 foot passenger, car from $85 in summer) takes you to another world: Victorian gingerbread houses in Oak Bluffs, the colorful Cliffs of Aquinnah (clay cliffs in red, orange, and white), and the sleepy elegance of Edgartown with its 19th-century captain's houses. Bike rental ($30/day) is the best way to explore the island.

Nantucket, the smaller sister, lies 50 km off the coast and feels like a time warp: cobblestones, climbing roses over cedar wood facades, no building over three stories. The Whaling Museum ($28) tells the story of the whaling era that inspired Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." Fast ferry from Hyannis: 60 min., from $45.

Whale Watching

From April to October, humpback whales migrate through the waters off Cape Cod — the Stellwagen Bank between Cape Cod and Cape Ann is one of the best whale-watching areas in the world. Tours start from Provincetown (shortest, 2.5 hours, from $55), Barnstable, or Boston. The sighting rate is over 95%. You'll see humpback whales, fin whales, and with luck, the rare North Atlantic right whales — one of the most endangered large whale species in the world.

When the forests of New England turn into a sea of scarlet, bright orange, deep gold, and warm copper at the end of September, the Indian Summer begins — one of the world's greatest natural spectacles. No postcard, photo, or 4K video can capture what it feels like to drive through this explosion of colors. Vermont is the epicenter: 80% of the state is forested, predominantly with maple trees, whose leaves develop the most intense colors.

Stowe

Stowe is Vermont's most postcard-perfect place — a charming mountain village at the foot of Mount Mansfield (1,339 m, Vermont's highest mountain) with a white church steeple rising from the autumn leaves as if staged for a calendar cover. The Mountain Road (Route 108) from Stowe to Smugglers' Notch is one of the most spectacular foliage routes in the USA — 16 km through a tunnel of colors. In winter, Stowe transforms into one of the best ski resorts in the East. The Trapp Family Lodge (yes, the Sound of Music family emigrated here!) offers Austrian-style accommodations from $250/night and free hiking trails through the autumn landscape.

Burlington & Lake Champlain

Burlington, Vermont's largest city (45,000 inhabitants — everything is small here), is located on the shore of Lake Champlain with views of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State. The Church Street Marketplace, a car-free pedestrian zone with brick buildings, local boutiques, and street musicians, is the liveliest place in the state. Burlington's beer and restaurant scene is surprisingly good for a city of this size — the farm-to-table movement has deep roots here. At the lakeside, you can rent kayaks ($25/hour) and paddle across the lake at sunset.

Green Mountains & Foliage Routes

The Green Mountains run through Vermont from north to south and are a sea of colors in the fall. The best routes for leaf peeping:

• Route 100 — Vermont's "Main Street," 320 km from the Canadian border south through the heart of the Green Mountains. The most beautiful sections are between Stowe and Killington.
• Route 7A — Through the valley west of the Green Mountains, past covered bridges, antique shops, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Arlington.
• Smugglers' Notch (Route 108) — A narrow mountain pass that closes in winter but is breathtaking in fall. Huge boulders, dramatic rocks, and the most intense colors.

Vermont has over 100 covered bridges — more than any other state except Pennsylvania. The most photogenic: Emily's Bridge in Stowe (allegedly haunted), the Taftsville Covered Bridge near Woodstock (1836, the oldest still in use), and the West Cornwall Bridge in Connecticut.

Maple Syrup & Ben & Jerry's

Vermont produces 50% of American maple syrup — and the difference from industrial syrup is like between freshly squeezed orange juice and soda. In March and April, you can visit Sugar Houses (maple syrup farms) and watch the sap being collected and boiled down. The Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks near Montpelier offers free tours year-round. A liter of pure Vermont maple syrup costs $15–25 — the perfect souvenir.

The Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury is one of Vermont's most visited tourist attractions. The 30-minute tour ($6) shows the production and ends with a tasting. The Flavor Graveyard on the premises — a humorous cemetery of discontinued ice cream flavors — is a hilarious photo opportunity.

The White Mountains in New Hampshire are New England's wildest and most dramatic mountain landscape — rougher, higher, and harsher than Vermont's gentle Green Mountains. The Mount Washington (1,917 m), the highest mountain in the northeastern USA, holds the world record for the highest wind speed ever recorded on the Earth's surface (372 km/h, 1934). Up here, there is an arctic climate, while idyllic New England villages lie below in the valley.

Mount Washington

You can reach the summit of Mount Washington in three ways: on foot (the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, 13 km round trip, 4–5 hours, challenging), with the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway (the second-oldest cog railway in the world, since 1869, 3-hour round trip, $79 for adults), or via the Auto Road (12 km toll road to the summit, $35 per car plus $10 per passenger). Once at the top: a 360° panorama over six states, Canada, and the Atlantic — provided the weather cooperates (the summit is shrouded in clouds over 300 days a year). The small Sherman Adams Summit Building features an exhibit on the extreme weather.

Kancamagus Highway

The Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) between Lincoln and Conway is considered one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the USA — especially in the fall, when the 55 km stretch leads through a sea of red and golden leaves. There is not a single gas station or building along the road — just nature. The best stops: Sabbaday Falls (easy 15-minute hike to a tiered waterfall), the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area (a narrow rock gorge with a swimming spot), and the Kancamagus Pass Overlooks at 870 m altitude with a wide view over the forests. Parking fee: $5/day (White Mountain National Forest Pass).

Franconia Notch

The Franconia Notch State Park is a spectacular mountain pass between the Franconia and Kinsman ranges. The Flume Gorge (admission $18, May–October) is a 250 m long, moss-covered granite gorge with a waterfall, traversed by a wooden walkway — like a scene from "Lord of the Rings." The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (cable car, $24 round trip) takes you to 1,260 m altitude in 8 minutes with a magnificent autumn panorama. At the foot of the mountain lies the crystal-clear Echo Lake — perfect for swimming in summer (admission $4).

Conway Scenic Railway

The Conway Scenic Railway offers nostalgic train rides through the White Mountains — especially the Notch Train route (5 hours, $85 adults) through Crawford Notch is an unforgettable experience in the fall: The historic train winds through narrow valleys, over iron bridges, and past waterfalls, while the mountains glow in all autumn colors. The shorter Valley Train route (55 minutes, $25) is well-suited for families. Be sure to book in advance — the fall rides are often sold out weeks ahead.

The Acadia National Park on the coast of Maine is the only national park in New England — and one of the most visited in the entire USA. On the island of Mount Desert Island, rocky Atlantic coast, dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, and the highest mountain on the US Atlantic coast come together. Acadia is where New England shows its most dramatic face: granite cliffs where the surf crashes, silent mountain lakes between birches and pines, and sunrises that voluntarily get you out of bed at 5 a.m.

Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain (466 m) is the point where the sun first shines on the USA between October and March — a fact that attracts hundreds of early risers to the summit every morning. The Cadillac Summit Road (5.6 km) leads to the parking lot at the summit, from where you have a 360° panorama over the Atlantic, the offshore islands, and the bays of Mount Desert Island. Vehicle reservation required for sunrise (May–October, recreation.gov, $6 plus park entrance $35 per car, valid for 7 days). Alternative: the South Ridge Trail hike (11 km round trip, 3–4 hours) — more strenuous, but you have the summit almost to yourself.

Jordan Pond & Popovers

Jordan Pond is Acadia's postcard motif: a crystal-clear glacial lake, framed by the Bubbles (two round hills), with reflections that look painted. The Jordan Pond Path (5.2 km loop, flat, 1.5 hours) circles the entire lake — one of the most popular and easiest hikes in the park. Afterwards: a stop at the Jordan Pond House for the legendary Popovers (warm, airy dough balls with butter and strawberry jam, $12), served here since 1893. In summer, wait times of 30–60 minutes — still worth it.

Thunder Hole & Coastal Walks

Thunder Hole is a narrow crevice in the granite coast where the sea crashes in with a thundering roar at high tide, shooting a spray up to 12 m high. Most spectacular 2 hours before high tide with strong surf — rather disappointing with calm seas. The Ocean Path (3.2 km, flat) connects Thunder Hole with Otter Cliff, a 33 m high cliff over the Atlantic, and Sand Beach, one of the few sandy beaches in Maine (water temperature: 13°C in summer — only for the hardy).

Carriage Roads

John D. Rockefeller Jr. built a 72 km network of gravel roads through the park between 1913 and 1940 — the Carriage Roads, where cars are prohibited. They are ideal for cycling, jogging, or hiking and lead over 17 hand-built stone bridges, each a work of art. Bike rental in Bar Harbor: from $30/day. The most beautiful routes: the Eagle Lake Loop (9.5 km, largely flat, magnificent lake views) and the loop over the three Bubble Pond bridges.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is the gateway to the park and the tourist center of Mount Desert Island — a charming coastal town with restaurants, souvenir shops, and harbor romance. The lobster density per square meter is the highest in the world here: Lobster Roll, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Ice Cream (yes, it really exists). The best addresses: Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bass Harbor (lobster directly by the water, market price about $18–25/pound) and Side Street Café for Lobster Mac & Cheese ($22). Bar Harbor is also the starting point for whale-watching tours in the Gulf of Maine (from $65, 2–3 hours, sighting rate over 90%).

Connecticut and Rhode Island, the two smallest states in New England, are often overlooked by travelers on the way between New York and Boston — unjustly so. Here you will find some of America's most magnificent mansions, lively university towns, and maritime history that is unmatched even in New England. Both states are excellent stops on a larger New England road trip.

Newport — The Mansions of the Gilded Age

Newport in Rhode Island was the summer playground of America's wealthiest families in the late 19th century — Vanderbilts, Astors, Belmonts. Their "summer cottages" (in truth, palaces) on Bellevue Avenue are among the most impressive historic buildings in the USA today. The Breakers ($35), the 70-room Renaissance palazzo of the Vanderbilts, is the most splendid — the golden ceilings, the 14-meter-high dining room, and the view over the Atlantic leave one speechless. Other highlights: Marble House (modeled after the Petit Trianon in Versailles) and The Elms (a French-style château). The Cliff Walk (5.6 km) leads along a spectacular coastal path at the backs of the mansions — palaces on one side, rugged Atlantic coast on the other. Free and unforgettable.

Mystic Seaport

Mystic in Connecticut is one of New England's best-preserved port towns. The Mystic Seaport Museum ($33) is the largest maritime museum in the USA: a reconstructed 19th-century seafaring village with the Charles W. Morgan (the last surviving wooden whaler, 1841), a shipyard, a forge, and dozens of historic buildings. The Mystic Pizza (yes, the 1988 film with Julia Roberts was inspired here) really exists — a pizzeria on Main Street that thrives on film fame (pizza from $14, average, but the nostalgia factor counts).

Providence

Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, has transformed from a rundown industrial town into one of the most creative small cities in the USA. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD, pronounced "Ris-dee") is one of the best art schools in the world — the affiliated RISD Museum ($20, free on Sundays) showcases an impressive collection from Monet to ancient art. Federal Hill is Providence's Little Italy — less touristy than Boston's North End and with better restaurants. In summer and fall, the WaterFire events take place: Over 80 fires are lit on the river, accompanied by music — a mystical atmosphere that attracts tens of thousands (free).

Yale & New Haven

New Haven in Connecticut is home to Yale University — one of the world's most prestigious universities (founded in 1701). The Gothic Yale Campus is like a piece of Oxford in New England — stroll through the courtyard facilities, visit the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (free, an architectural gem with a Gutenberg Bible) and the Yale University Art Gallery (free, Van Gogh, Monet, Hopper). And then: pizza. New Haven claims to make the best pizza in America — Frank Pepe's (since 1925) and Sally's Apizza have been vying for the title for a century. The coal-fired, thin, slightly charred crust with fresh clams (White Clam Pizza, $18) is indeed sensational.