Scenic Six

New England hotels, festivals to add to your summer travel

From a garlic festival in Vermont to a newly renovated Maine hotel, this week's round-up has you covered.

Downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Jonathan Wiggs

By Kristi Palma

3 minutes to read

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Welcome back to Scenic Six.

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend. My family traveled to Portland, Maine for an outdoor concert at Thompson’s Point and then to Hampton Beach for some fun in the sun and fireworks. I once again marveled at how easily we can hop from state to state to experience the region’s many riches. 

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This week, I’m writing about how three of America’s most walkable cities are right here in New England, an awesome camping discount, a massive garlic festival in Vermont, and more. 

Lace up and enjoy America’s most walkable cities right here in New England

For those who love to explore destinations by foot, USA Today readers recently named three New England cities among the top 5 most walkable cities in America: Providence, R.I.; Burlington, Vermont; and Boston. I’ve tackled all three by foot and agree that they are all fantastic, with tons to do and see. 

Save money on hotels, food, and activities across New England

Looking for ways to save money while traveling through New England in July? I’ve rounded up deals on transportation, hotels, food, activities, and more. My favorite deal this month: Travelers can snag a hotel room for just $17.76 through Friday. 

Look inside a newly renovated hotel on the Maine coast

For those heading to Maine this summer, the Breakwater Inn, a historic waterfront hotel on the Maine coast, just reopened after an extensive renovation. Look inside and check out its three new dining venues. Summer rates begin at $319 per night. 

Travel Tips

  • The 2025 Seaport Art Walk in New Bedford opens on Thursday. The walk, which features art by local artists, is free and open to the public. It’s located along the waterfront throughout the Seaport Cultural District and this year’s theme is “Revolution/Evolution.” 
  • Love garlic? Then head to Vermont for the 30th Annual Garlic Town USA, a garlic festival in downtown Bennington, Vermont on Aug. 30. Visitors will enjoy live music, food trucks, and more than 100 garlic-centric vendors. 
  • Seafood lovers can get their fill at Hampton Beach Sept. 5-7 for the 36th Annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Festival goers will enjoy food, drinks, crafters, and live music. 

Deals and Steals

  • Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, a waterfront getaway with a rooftop pool, is dropping its rates to $199 per night every weekend in July and throughout the entire week of July 21.
  • Campers can save money by booking with Campspot, an online marketplace for campgrounds and RV resorts, on July 15 during its 24-hour Retro Rebate. The offer is limited to the first 250 qualifying bookings and is valid for stays between July 15 and Aug. 15. To qualify, campers must book a stay costing at least $60 and then complete a rebate form in the app. After their stay, they’ll receive a $40 Visa gift card, effectively lowering the average cost to $20 — the price of a campsite in 1985. 
  • The National Park Service is waiving entrance fees on seven days throughout the year and one is coming up on Aug. 4, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. 

Check out more New England travel deals in July. 

I’ll leave you with this photo I took over the weekend of the sunrise at Hampton Beach.

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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

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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.

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