Scenic Six

Here’s how to spend the best summer in Massachusetts

Plus: Newport Classical Music Festival, Annual Vermont Brewers Festival, and free mountain biking lessons.

The shores of Jamaica Pond, the largest body of water in the Emerald Necklace, are popular with walkers and joggers. David Lyon

By Kristi Palma

3 minutes to read

You’re reading Scenic Six, Boston.com’s guide to New England travel. Sign up to get hidden gems, travel tips, and must-visit spots in your inbox every week.

Welcome back to Scenic Six.

Summer is nearly here, and Massachusetts is bursting with festivals, road trips, and reasons to get outside.  To help you keep track of it all, I rounded up 50 reasons for exploring the Bay State this summer season. 

Also on tap this week, touring Ogunquit, Maine on a budget, the 32nd Annual Vermont Brewers Festival, and discounted ferry tickets to the Boston Harbor Islands.  

Here’s your summer guide for Massachusetts 

This list of 50 things to do this summer across Massachusetts will help fill in your summer days. Some of my favorites? Strolling Boston’s North End, exploring Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail, sipping wine on the lawn of Truro Vineyards, and listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. 

A new flight from Logan Airport to a celebrated destination in 2025  

JetBlue just launched seasonal flights to Traverse City, Michigan, named among the 10 best places to go in 2025 by The Wall Street Journal. Once there, you’ll find “pristine lakes, dune-lined shores, vineyards, orchards, and picturesque small towns.” Travelers can get limited-time one-way fares for as low as $69. 

Explore Ogunquit, Maine for less money

I recently enjoyed a 24-hour getaway in Ogunquit, Maine with my husband. We stayed at the friendly Admiral’s Inn (where hilarious bartender Richard served us his award-winning espresso martini), walked the gorgeous Marginal Way, sang at the top of our lungs at The Front Porch piano bar, and enjoyed oceanside dining at Anchorage by the Sea. Check out my tips for three low-cost ways of enjoying Ogunquit. 

Travel Tips

Deals and Steals

  • Looking for a White Mountains excursion this summer? Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln is offering free downhill mountain biking lessons. No reservations are required and bike rentals are available and can be reserved in advance for $25. 
  • Massachusetts residents can save money on ferry tickets to the Boston Harbor Islands this season. Weekday ferry tickets are $10 for Massachusetts residents (a $15 savings), or folks can get a discount code from a local library for 50% off tickets for up to four people.
  • The Lodge on the Cove in Kennebunkport, Maine is planning the perfect beach outing for travelers who book the hotel’s Beach Day package through Aug. 29, which includes 10% off the stay, a packed lunch (a choice of a wrap or sandwich, chips, cookie, an apple, and a bottle of water), sunscreen, and a beach towels and chairs.

Want more deals? I’m updating a running list of New England travel discounts all June long. 

Advertisement:

I’ll leave you with this photo from the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine that my husband took of me last week.

Where have you traveled lately? Please share your photos by sending them to [email protected] and they may be featured in an upcoming Scenic Six newsletter. 

Whether you’re traveling this week or planning your next escape, enjoy the journey.

— Kristi Palma

Profile image for Kristi Palma

Kristi Palma

Travel writer

 

Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com