The Most Unique New England Road Trip Itinerary
Welcome to my New England Road Trip itinerary! Complete with overnights in Boston, MA, Burlington, VT and Portland, ME, and unique stops along the way. I spent a week with my boyfriend over July 4th checking out these different spots. However, you could definitely split these up and take multiple trips exploring the different New England states!
I’ve included our exact itinerary, honest reviews of each place we stopped at, and restaurants I recommend along the way. There are so many great spots to check out that you can’t find anywhere else! Also, make sure to save all these travel destinations and more with my list on Google Maps.
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Boston
Starting off the trip in Boston is the way to go. There is so much to do; check out my list of some of my favorite things to do in Boston for inspiration.
Restaurant recommendations:
– Barcelona Wine Bar for Spanish tapas; they also serve brunch, which I highly recommend.
– Terra for an Italian meal in a beautiful, green space (see below!)
– James Hook & Co. for an unreal lobster roll (also included in my list of faves linked above)
Vermont
Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour
From Boston, head Northeast towards Burlington, Vermont. On your way to Burlington, you will pass by the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and Flavor Graveyard! Especially if you are an ice cream lover, this should absolutely be on your bucket list!
Make sure to book your ticket for the factory guided tour online in advance! I’ve heard they can sell out pretty quickly. The Flavor Graveyard doesn’t require tickets; you can go in there and check out the retired flavors from the past.
Burlington
After you’ve finished at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, drive to Burlington, where you should spend at least one night. Burlington honestly really surprised me; their downtown area was so cute with a ton of shops and restaurants. Everyone was outside, walking around, eating, and hanging out! Plus, we got to see this beautiful sunset over Burlington Bay of Lake Champlain.
Restaurant recommendations:
– Foam Brewers was recommended to me by a friend, and it was so fun! The vibes were chill, there was live music, and a food truck.
– Pascolo Ristorante for delicious Italian food; we ate on the patio, which was perfect for people-watching.
– The Friendly Toast and Henry’s Diner are great breakfast options in downtown Burlington.
– We grabbed a quick lunch at The Skinny Pancake when we first arrived, which was yummy and convenient.
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
Right outside of Burlington is the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. This is a must for kids and adults alike. They will take you through their factory production line (no photos or videos allowed), and if you go during the week, you can actually see it in action. Tickets are really cheap, and can’t be reserved online – we had no issues getting on the tour, and did not have to wait.
They have this huge (7 feet tall!!) bear that you can take photos with at the entrance. There is also a huge gift shop with all different teddy bears and animals! For my birthday that year my boyfriend got me one of their huge stuffed animals and it’s one of my all time favorite gifts🥺 so snuggly!
New Hampshire
Ripley Falls Trail Hike
Continuing along on your way to Portland, you’ll pass through New Hampshire. We did not spend a night in New Hampshire, although there are a ton of cute towns where you definitely could. However, I would highly recommend at least stopping for a quick hike at Ripley Falls Trail.
Ripley Falls is a pretty easy, 1 mile roundtrip hike that leads you across railroad tracks to a little waterfall. It’s the perfect break while driving to get out, stretch your legs, and admire the scenery of the White Mountains!
If you get hungry after this hike, you can stop in North Conway for food. We ate lunch at the Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub, which was nothing fancy, but the decor is really fun.
Maine
Portland
I highly recommend spending at least two nights in Portland; there is so much to do and to see! Make sure you take a walk along the Harbor, or you could also go for a run. Other fun stops on the walk include Fort Allen Park, Fort Sumner Park, and Main Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Restaurant Recommendations:
– The Holy Donut – this is a MUST; best donuts ever, made from potatoes!
– Arcadia for a fun barcade experience.
– Boda is a yummy Thai spot, that is open late-night.
– Three spots I was unable to make it to but have heard phenomenal things about are Duckfat, Cheese Louise Portland, and Luke’s Lobster. The waits can get a bit long here, so make sure to go early or be patient!
Old Orchard Beach
Okay this is genuinely very random…but I think is fun and worth adding to your itinerary if you have some extra time! It’s only about a 30 minute drive from Portland, so you could come here during the day one day, or stop by on your way back to Boston.
We played indoor blacklight mini golf here at Jungle Adventure, which was so cool. They give you these glasses that make everything look 3D but I thought I might pass out from dizziness if I wore them for too long so opted not to.😂 You can also spend the day at Palace Playground, a massive amusement park with lots of rides and games. We just walked through, but it brought me back to my childhood days, going to the New Jersey Boardwalk with my family.
Comment below your favorite spot to visit in New England! Let me know if you have any questions about our trip, or the east coast in general by sending me a DM on Instagram. Be sure to follow along for more adventures and tips!
mariss
