New England’s stunning hikes, local food, and temperate weather are easily accessible on your next road trip during the warm summer months. Explore from quaint Tamworth, New Hampshire, to Maine’s prized Acadia National Park, with much to see and do in between on an epic New England Road Trip.
Experience the coastal charm and mountain ranges in one trip while dining on fresh seafood, trying delicious beer, and connecting to areas through local art.
This guide will help you navigate two New England states like a local, with spots sure to deliver on experience and hold on to the crowds and high prices. It will make it easy to get the most out of your vacation.
Essential Destinations on a New England Road Trip Itinerary
Explore the descriptions of each stop below. Click on the links for more information on each destination so you can start packing for your New England Summer Journey.
Tamworth: New Hampshire’s Hidden Gem for All Things Art & Food
South of the Mount Washington Valley, Tamworth boasts all the beauty of the North Conway, NH, area on a smaller scale. Spend a day stretching your travel-tired legs by exploring Tamworth’s art galleries, featuring local artists’ wares, before stopping off for a pick-me-up at a quaint coffee shop.
Saturdays in Tamworth provide the opportunity to visit the Tamworth Farmers’ Market to stock up on road trip snacks and drinks like freshly brewed kombucha, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and more. Or shop handmade soaps, handspun yarn, and woven blankets.
Tamworth is sure to spoil the food and art lovers.
Here’s our comprehensive Tamwoth guide: “Tamworth: New Hampshire’s Hidden Gem for All Things Art & Food”
Plan a Day Trip to North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway, in the heart of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, and kayaking. But with that popularity comes a myriad of trail options-, some of which stay quiet even during the peak of the summer months.
Just outside of Tamworth, on your way to North Conway, Mount Chocorua’s rocky peak overlooks Chocorua Lake and provides miles of scenic hiking.
If you’re feeling adventurous, Kearsarge North has a fire tower on the summit where hikers can camp out on a first come first serve basis (the small parking lot limits the number of people on the trail at any given time).
Ten minutes north of North Conway is the adorable town of Jackson, NH. Take a quick but efficient hike up Double Head Mountain.
Enjoy the Fall Foliage at Lake Arrowhead, Maine
On to Southwestern Maine! Lake Arrowhead (also known as Little Ossipee Lake) offers everything from swimming to boating to fishing, like Sebago Lake, minus the crowds and parking troubles.
Stay in a quaint BnB and enjoy mornings paddling around Lake Arrowhead, watching wildlife like fish and birds. Then, take the afternoon to explore the town of Waterboro, stopping at their varied dining options before retiring at Walnut Grove Campsite or in any of Waterboro’s quaint BnBs.
To learn more read our extended Arrowhead guide here.
South Portland, Maine for the Ultimate New England Food Scene
Portland, Maine, voted the Restaurant City of the Year in 2018 by Bon Appetite, sometimes overshadows its neighbor across the Casco Bay Bridge in food recognition.
But South Portland, full of bakeries, seafood restaurants, and an extremely underrated taco spot, flies under the radar. Luckily, these restaurants are often easier to get into and are still easy to navigate by foot if you feel like parking in downtown South Portland and moving on foot.
Another plus to dining in South Portland? Willard Beach is minutes from downtown, providing a great spot for a takeout picnic.
Falmouth, Maine —A Tired Roadtripper’s Haven
Just north of Portland and under thirty minutes from South Portland, the Maine Audubon Nature Preserve finds a home in Falmouth.
It has a network of scenic walking trails, an educational center, places to sit and enjoy the wildlife, and a community garden. An afternoon can easily be spent watching wildlife and learning about native Maine plants.
If you want to learn more about Falmouth, here is a great resource that we have put together.
“Maine Audubon Gilsland Farm— A Tired Roadtrippers’s Haven in Falmouth, Maine”
Seaside Georgetown, Maine
Live out your childhood dreams in one of Georgetown’s modern treehouse dwellings (wood-fired cedar hot tub, anyone?) just minutes from Reid State Park.
Quieter than nearby Popham Beach, Reid State Park offers wide sand beaches and seaside walking trails, with plenty of spots to stop and pitch a towel on the sand. Or enjoy your treehouse to the fullest and stay for a night or two up in the trees enjoying the birds and sounds of nature.
Belfast, Maine’s Giant Indoor Farmers Market
Every Saturday, from 9 to 1, dozens of vendors gather inside a community hall for a stunning market that features local produce growers, seafood, coffee, crafts, maple syrup, grab-and-go foods, and so much more.
To learn more, read “Get the Most out of Belfast, Maine’s Giant Indoor Farmers Market.”
This farmers market has something for everyone. Plus, there’s a gorgeous seaside park where you can take pastries, quiche, tamales, and other goodies from the market to enjoy with a view.
Ellsworth, Maine’s Craft Beer Scene
Another destination you need to add to your New England road trip is Ellsworth, Maine. A quieter stopover before entering Acadia’s busy zones, Ellsworth is home to two great beer-tasting locations.
Nestled in a classic English pub-style building, Airline Brewing’s Pub location will make you feel like you’ve stepped across the pond for a pint. Fogtown Brewing’s Ellsworth location is just outside of town—a funky steampunk spot with great beer, food, and live music.
Also See: Road trips of blue ridge mountains!
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine
Your ultimate road trip in New England ends at the Acadia National Park. Known for its majestic cliffs, Sand Beach, and various hikes, Acadia attracts many people during the busy season. But gems lay hidden off the beaten path. You will do well to include this in your New England road trip bucket list.
Before venturing into the national park, you can also explore the splendid little town of Bar Harbor, which serves as the entry point into the park.
“Exploring Acadia National Park Like a Local” will help you easily navigate Acadia National Park so you can explore all the park offers without worrying about parking or lines.
