garden tours in new england

New England's Gardens

Public gardens of all types are found from one end of New England to another. They range from formal and traditional, like the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in Hartford, CT , to the wide and whimsical, like the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine . Rhododendrons bloom wild at a park in southern New Hampshire and butterflies have their own garden habitats in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts . And in the warm months, you can take garden tours at museums, farms and historic sites throughout Vermont .

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Lake Morey Resort

82 Clubhouse Road Fairlee, VT, 05045 Phone: 802-333-4311 Toll-Free: 800-423-1211

Gardens with reflecting pools, fountains, a highlight of this picturesque resort by the lake

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

105 Botanical Gardens Drive Boothbay, ME, 04537 Phone: 207-633-8000

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

77 Forest Street Hartford, CT, 06105 Phone: 860-522-9258

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

101 Ferry Road - RI Route 114 Bristol, RI, 02809 Phone: 401-253-2707

Boston Public Garden

Boylston, Arlington, Beacon and Charles Streets Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-723-8144

Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-888-3300

Rhododendron State Park

Rhododendron Road at Rockwood Pond Road Fitzwilliam, NH, 03447 Phone: 603-532-8862

Florence Griswold Museum Gardens

96 Lyme Street Old Lyme, CT, 06371 Phone: 860-434-5542

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

11 French Drive Boylston, MA, 01505 Phone: 508-869-6111

367 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI, 02840 Phone: 401-847-1000

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THE 10 BEST New England Gardens

Gardens in new england.

• Hiking Trails
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• State Parks
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Fenway / Kenmore
• Central Maverick Square - Paris Street
• Jeffries Point
• Beacon Hill
• Jamaica Plain
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Boston Public Garden

2. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

3. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

4. Bridge of Flowers

5. Arnold Arboretum

6. Prescott Park

7. Naumkeag

8. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

9. New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

10. Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden

11. Elizabeth Park

12. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens

13. Asticou Azalea Garden

14. Smith College Botanic Garden

15. The Wadsworth-Longfellow House

16. Roger Williams Park

17. Brewster Gardens

18. Highfield Hall & Gardens

19. Green Animals Topiary Garden

20. Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

21. Ropes Mansion and Garden

22. Thuya Gardens

23. Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden

24. Asticou Terraces / Thuya Garden

25. Tate House Museum

26. Trombetta's Farm

27. Spohr Gardens

29. Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen

30. New England Wild Flower Society Garden in the Woods

What travelers are saying

Western Mass.

Cape Cod & The Islands

Central Mass.

North of Boston

South of Boston

Massachusetts gardens, arboretums, display plant life among beautiful paths.

The Polly Hill Arboretum

795 State Rd West tisbury, MA Phone: 508-693-9426

Highfield Hall and Gardens

56 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA Phone: 508-495-1878

Green Briar Nature Center and Thornton W. Burgess Society

6 Discovery Hill Road East Sandwich, MA, 02537 Phone: 508-888-6870

572 Essex Street Beverly, MA, 01915 Phone: 978-921-1944

Berkshire Botanical Garden

5 West Stockbridge Road Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-3926

Garden in the Woods

180 Hemenway Road Framingham, MA, 01701 Phone: 508-877-7630

Dike Road on Chappaquiddick Island Martha’s Vineyard, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689

Wellesley College Botanic Garden

106 Central Street Wellesley, MA, 02481 Phone: 781-283-3049

Ashintully Gardens

Sodom Road at Main Road Tyringham, MA, 01264 Phone: 413-298-3239

Arnold Arboretum

125 Arborway Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130 Phone: 617-524-1718

Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-888-3300

Lyman Estate and Greenhouses

185 Lyman Street Waltham, MA, 02452 Phone: 617-994-5913

Acton Arboretum

2 Taylor Road Acton, MA, 01720 Phone:

Lowell Holly

South Sandwich Road Mashpee, MA, 02649 Phone: 508-636-4693

5 Prospect Hill Road Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-8138

Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary

Ashumet Road East Falmouth, MA, 02536 Phone: 508-362-7475

Maudslay State Park

74 Curzon Mill Road Newburyport, MA, 01950 Phone: 978-465-7223

The Garden at Elm Bank - Massachusetts Horticultural Society

900 Washington Street Wellesley, MA, 02482 Phone: 617-933-4900

Mission House

19 Main Street Stockbridge, MA, 01263 Phone: 413-298-3239

Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

396 County Street New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone: 508-997-1401

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

11 French Drive Boylston, MA, 01505 Phone: 508-869-6111

Botanic Garden of Smith College

16 College Lane Northampton, MA, 01063 Phone: 413-585-2742

Spohr Gardens

45 Fells Road Falmouth, MA, 02540 Phone:

Boston Public Garden

Boylston, Arlington, Beacon and Charles Streets Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-723-8144

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Garden in the Woods

A botanic garden like no other.

In a place visitors often describe as magical, you’ll find a botanic garden just west of Boston that showcases New England native plants in a beautiful natural setting: 45 acres sculpted by retreating glaciers into eskers and steep-sided valleys, with a brook, pond, and wetlands. Here you’ll find inspiration for your own garden and a new appreciation for the varied plant life of our region. To get a preview before you come, or for those who cannot visit in person, we invite you to enjoy this virtual visit .

180 Hemenway Road Framingham, MA 01701 T 508.877.7630 F 508.877.3658

The Garden Shop at Garden in the Woods is closed for the season, but you may contact the shop for gift cards, books, advance plant orders , and information by calling 774-301-8465.

For other contact info , click here .

Get directions from your location via Google maps. Please note: The exit to use for Garden in the Woods, formerly #12 (Framingham), is now #111 (still labeled Framingham). Your mapping software may not yet show the change.

Check our local weather

Opening Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Open daily thereafter, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Members’ Preview Day: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. –5 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Visitor Center when you arrive.

• Adult (18-64): $18
• Senior (65+): $15
• Student: $12
• Youth (5-17): $8
• Active service members and their spouses admitted free with valid military ID. Veterans receive 50 percent discount with proof of service.
• Our members at the Individual with Garden Access level and higher admitted free
• Please leave pets at home. Service dogs are welcome.

Accessibility and Modes of Transportation

For the safety of all visitors and the protection of plant collections and other natural resources, we do not allow bicycles, off-road vehicles, and vehicles or other power-driven devices used for mobility assistance (with the exception of wheelchairs and scooters) on the paths at Garden in the Woods or in our sanctuaries.

Please note that only the entrance plateau at Garden in the Woods is ADA-accessible. The natural terrain of the property is too steep for most wheelchairs, scooters, and other motorized mobility devices and presents a safety hazard to visitors using such devices.

For details about accessible parking and other visitor guidelines, please see the dropdown box below.

Tours (in season)

Audio Tour and Virtual Visit Enrich your visit with our free smartphone audio-tour app, which guides you through our plant displays. The app is available from Google Play and Apple's App Store . Please download the app before you arrive to ensure best access.

Drop-in Tours (in Season) We offer guided walking tours of Garden in the Woods at the times listed below, on a drop-in basis. Walking tours last 60-90 minutes and follow the one-mile main path loop. These drop-in tours are free with garden admission. Guided tours are subject to the availability of volunteer tour guides.

Drop-in tour schedule:

• Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
• Saturdays at 2 p.m.

Scheduled Tours (in Season) Visitors may schedule cart tours and group tours , depending on the availability of volunteer Garden guides. Scheduled tours include garden admission.

All tour openings in May are FULLY BOOKED. We apologize that we can no longer schedule tours during that month.

The fees are:

• $22 per person for Adults (18 - 64)
• $19 per person for Seniors (65+)
• $16 per Student (with ID)
• $12 per Youth (5 - 17)

Our golf cart can be reserved ahead of time and holds five passengers and is driven by a Garden guide. You must request reservations for cart tours and group tours at least three weeks in advance of your desired visit, using this form . We will begin booking tours for the 2024 season in February.

Nasami Farm

During the growing season, you may also shop for plants at our nursery, Nasami Farm , in western Massachusetts.

Look for Changes in Spring 2024

Improvements will add plant-sales space and more

Our Administration, Philanthropy, and Conservation teams have moved out of the Garden and into new offices nearby (321 Commonwealth Road, Suite 204, Wayland, MA 01778). The move provides the long-planned opportunity to reconfigure some features to better meet the needs of visitors, plant shoppers, and our programs:

• Demolishing the administration building, which requires moving all the utilities
• Moving retail plant storage to the newly open space and to the stock bed area; adding fencing where needed
• Reconfiguring parts of the parking lot
• Constructing a larger, fireproof conservation seed vault, with a small laboratory for seed processing
• Rewiring the education, horticulture, and shop buildings with upgraded cabling for wifi and the new phone system.

We're working with a construction firm on a timeline that gets this all done before the Garden reopens in April!

Garden in the Woods will join our new phone system after upgraded internet cabling is installed in all the buildings. For now, you may reach people at the Garden by:

• Calling them directly, using the numbers listed in the Contact Us section of our website .
• Calling the current switchboard number, 508-877-7630, and following the recorded prompts.

Parking and More

Things to know before you visit

Our parking lot is unpaved and accommodates 42 cars, including two handicapped-accessible spaces. If the parking lot is full, visitors may park on public streets, being careful not to block driveways or park on lawns. (See parking map below.) In addition, please note:

• Framingham permits parking on only one side of the street; which side is determined by whether the year is even- or odd-numbered. In 2024, parking is allowed only on the even-numbered side of streets.
• Parking is prohibited on Raymond Road and Hemenway Road, because they must be kept clear for emergency vehicle access.
• When walking to the Garden entrance, please stay along the side of the road, as local traffic and bicycles use these roads.

Photography

• Commercial photography and group photo sessions for weddings, family portraits, engagements, celebrations, or similar gatherings are not permitted. (If you're a member of the press, please call to make advance arrangements: 508-877-7630.)
• We know you'll be absorbed in capturing images, but please take care to stay on the paths—and don't even think about disturbing the plants to get a better effect.
• Please do not block the paths or stand in the way of other visitors.

Rental Space at Garden in the Woods

As a service to the community, Garden in the Woods rents indoor meeting space in our Education Center to nonprofit organizations and businesses for a modest fee.

Please see below for basic rental information. Additional details are available here .

• The meeting space is available to rent June through March, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (We do not offer rentals during April and May, the busiest months at the Garden.)
• We can accommodate groups of up to 75 people.
• The Education Center is located on the ground floor and has handicapped-accessible restrooms.
• Rental guests are invited to enjoy our 45-acre botanic garden, featuring the largest landscaped collection of wildflowers in the Northeast, during public hours.
• We do not offer rentals for outdoor events in the Garden, nor for weddings and parties.

About the Meeting Room

• The room is approximately 785 square feet and features a wall of windows overlooking the Garden.
• The room is set up as a classroom, and renters can rearrange it in a variety of ways on the day of the rental, within the 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. rental period.
• Renters may use the entire room or divide it with a soundproof partition (advance notice required; please request this on the separate rental form).
• The room has Wi-Fi access, air conditioning and heat, and is handicapped accessible.
• A covered, open-air stone patio with picnic tables adjacent to the Education Center provides space for small outdoor sessions and picnics in warm weather. The patio is available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved.
• An adjoining kitchen is available in which renters may reheat, refrigerate, and serve food that is already prepared. However, renters and caterers may not prepare food on the premises.
• Dishes and silverware are available.
• If you hire a caterer, the caterer must deliver food during the 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. period, when the renter is on the premises.

Rental Fees

• $400 for groups of up to 25 people
• $600 for groups of up to 50 people
• $900 for groups of up to 75 people

Fees include the meeting room, access to the kitchen, free parking, and free admission for all attendees on the date of your rental. We also require an advance $250 Cleaning & Damage deposit.

Scheduling Your Rental

Please download and read these additional details , fill out the Rental Agreement form , and send the form to Public Programs Administrative Assistant Stephen Kiely at [email protected] . For questions, please call 774-301-8453.

You Can Help!

Changes at the Garden are an exciting step toward advancing the growth outlined in our 15-year vision statement . The initial $1 million investment will pay for work at the Garden, the new phone system, and other infrastructure. We invite you to support these critical improvements to better serve our members and mission. Thanks to those who have already contributed.

Find Your Path

The main path through the Garden is a mile-long loop with a crushed-gravel surface, requiring about an hour to an hour and a half to walk. Benches are dispersed throughout. The natural terrain is rugged, with a steep slope at the entrance and exit of the Garden. Download a Garden map below.

Restrooms and Amenities

Enjoy our outdoor picnic tables on the patio outside the Education Center. The Education Center also contains a drinking fountain and restrooms.

More restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center. At our Visitor Center, you may buy snacks and drinks, or order a box lunch in advance to enjoy during your visit.

You also may buy native plants at our Garden Shop, near the Visitor Center.

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Six Garden Tours in New England to Check Out This Summer

Stop and smell the roses in the South End, Provincetown, and beyond.

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South End Garden Tour / Photo by Peter Bowne

‘Tis the season of garden tours , when generous, green-thumbed New Englanders prop open the gates to their yards for all to enjoy. Here, we’ve selected six tours you shouldn’t miss this summer.

The South End Garden Tour

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Trustees’ much-loved South End Garden Tour. The event is self-guided, and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into more than 20 backyard gardens, courtyards, and pocket parks designed by novices and professionals alike. Highlights this year include an alleyway-turned-garden and a stunning living roof. Plus, if you volunteer as a garden sitter for two hours (sounds rough) you’re rewarded with a free ticket.

$30, Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starts at the South End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 685 Tremont St., Boston, trustees.org/segt .

Newport’s Secret Garden Tours

This three-day garden tour extravaganza is a rare opportunity to peek into the yards of the Newport mansions that haven’t yet been converted into museums. From Friday, June 15, through Sunday, June 17, garden lovers can explore the gardens of some of Newport’s “most prestigious properties,” according to organizers, including a few on famed Bellevue Avenue. A $25 ticket gets you in all three days, meaning you can turn a Rhode Island day trip into a flower-filled weekend.

$25, Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 32 Washington St., Newport, secretgardentours.org .

The Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour

Take a 1.5 mile stroll or bicycle ride through the time-honored streets of historic Portsmouth, where pint-sized gardens will be yours to marvel at. South Church’s 29th annual Pocket Garden Tour winds through the West End, and features columbine, salt mist roses, allium, and more.

$25, Friday, June 22, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth, NH, southchurch-uu.org.

JP Garden Tour / Photo courtesy of the Trustees

Rockport in Bloom

Plan a day trip to Cape Ann for “Rockport in Bloom” this year—and keep a copy of our Rockport guide handy when you go. The festival’s self-guided tour threads through nine gardens in three neighborhoods. Some frame views of the ocean, while others feature one-of-a-kind granite sculptures that hearken back to Rockport’s granite industry history. Plein air painters will be positioned in some gardens, recreating the vibrant petals and grasses on canvas.

$25, Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, 10 a..m.-4 p.m., Rockport, rockportgardenclub.org .

The Jamaica Plain Garden Tour

New this year is the Jamaica Plain Garden Tour, hosted by the Trustees and modeled after their popular South End Garden Tour. The first annual tour winds up and down the charming streets in JP’s Sumner Hill and Central neighborhoods, offering a peek into the backyards of the historical homes there. In addition to formal gardens, the tour will also feature more compact urban spaces and natural woodland landscapes. Look forward to fountains, stonework, and specimen plantings inspired by the nearby Arnold Arboretum.

$30, Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starts at J.P. Licks 659 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, trustees.org/jpgt .

Provincetown Secret Garden Tour

Not only does Provincetown’s 21st annual secret garden tour provide access to elegant, salt-misted private gardens around town, but it also offers free admission to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, as well as free parking (a rarity in P-Town, for sure). The self-guided tour loops through a residential neighborhood. When you’re done exploring, the PAAM picks you up, free of charge, for a ride back to the museum or to your car.

$40, Sunday, July 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., PAAM, 460 Commercial St., Provincetown, paam.org .

Provincetown garden photo by Kristina D.C. Hoeppner on Flickr/ Creative Commons

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Your go-to source of information for community garden tours, garden events and public gardens throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

If you're like me, you love going to garden tours in your local communities as well as those more far afield. Generally, you hear about a tour from a friend or you've read a notice in the local paper, in a magazine, or even a notice taped to a store front window. In other words, pure happenstance leads you to a garden tour. With Garden Tours New England , you don't have to depend upon chance anymore!

This site is designed to be your go-to source of information – an online kiosk - for community garden tours and events throughout New England. We gather this information and present it in a way that is most useful to you, such as showing the location on Google™ maps. If you learn of a tour or event not listed, please feel free to submit information or contact us .

Gardens on Eagle Island, Maine

Fairy house tour.

This fairy house extravaganza is in its ninth year and features imaginative creations from students at various local area schools as well as local artists, florists, local garden clubs, businesses and families...

The garden tour included elements that I have found over the years go into a well-organized and executed tour:

• Professionally designed brochure that provides an overview of the gardens on the tour, a very clear and detailed map of the garden locations along with recommended routes, and a description of the organization and how it plans to use the funds raised by the tour.
• Signs at each of the garden sites indicating that it is part of the tour as well as volunteers to help with parking and greeting visitors. Signs along the route are also helpful, especially to those who are not familiar with the area.
• Refreshments, especially water , at each site. In the case of the Glastonbury Abbey tour, they served a lovely assortment of drinks and refreshments at the visitor center at the abbey. Each visitor received a gift bag, which I have never seen offered on a tour before; it included bottled water, sunscreen, discounts to a local shopping area and other assorted gifts in a lovely cloth bag.
• A reasonable number of gardens to be viewed in the time allotted . Sometimes more is not better when there is no time to stop to eat or have a restroom break! The Glastonbury Abbey tour included six gardens starting with the gardens at the abbey. This provided ample time to get to and view each garden as well as to stop at local restaurants and shops along the way.

Continue reading in the Blog View photos in the Photo Gallery

Upcomming Events

Details of the gardens are being kept under wraps. “All of the gardens have their own unique stories and are sure to inspire...

Continue reading in the Blog

View all Tours and Events

What's New ?

Last year, we focused solely on garden tours.  We have now added garden events , such as garden shows, lectures, and plant sales as well as garden education , such as courses and workshops.  You can submit information for any event that is not listed here.

Another new feature is the photo gallery .  It features photos I have taken of garden tours I have attended in the past.  These tours were in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.  This year I hope to attend tours in Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island as well and share those with you.

Finally, we now have a blog in which I will share my experiences and thoughts on garden tours and events I have attended. I invite you to use this blog to share your experiences as well.

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New adventures in gardening and garden design, plus various other musings.

A Tour of a New England Garden

Today, we’ll take a tour of an amazing New England garden, with the fabulously talented (and immensely kind and incredibly hardworking) gardener behind its design and implementation as our very special host.  When you take a stroll through these grounds, you’ll see exactly the kind of glorious results that a combination of inspiration, creativity, gardening know-how, and old-fashioned Yankee stick-to-itiveness can achieve.

I’d first had the pleasure of making Jill Brown’s acquaintance on Twitter a couple of years ago, and was immediately impressed by her gardening skills.  The photos she’d share on that platform of her amazing garden spoke for themselves.  Jill clearly knew how to grow stuff, and she clearly knew how to display it in the landscape.  Her work was remarkable.  And Jill Brown is one of social media’s truly fine people.  She’s an absolute gem in every sense of the word.  So, when I floated the idea to Jill of an RGG video tour of her garden, with Jill herself as the tour guide, and she agreed, I was positively elated.  A tour of one of my very favorite gardens, conducted by one of my very favorite people?  Yes, please!

Jill’s been a New Englander her entire life, so she’s got the advantage of familiarity with the often-tricky zone 5 climate of her Worcester County, Massachusetts garden.  But that ability to successfully negotiate those hot summers and brutal nor’easters endemic to her part of the world comprises only a portion of the whole Jill Brown gardening package.  Her curiosity, open-mindedness, passion, work ethic, design skills, utter lack of pretense, and her determination and diligence have resulted in her creation and implementation of, over the course of seven years, a breathtakingly beautiful garden environment on her land.  Old-fashioned Yankee stick-to-itiveness?  Jill Brown is the very definition.

Jill’s introduction to gardening came with her growing of a vegetable garden, “with a few flowers,” thirteen years ago.  Seven years ago, she bought her current home, and began her gardening journey there with what amounted exactly to a blank slate: no plants, no hardscape, no landscape, no anything that was even remotely garden-related: just a beautiful house, and an acre of raw land.

Fast-forward to the present day… Jill tends her burgeoning, floriferous, fertile acre with her faithful gardening assistants – her pups, Lexy and Tilly – by her side.  And her garden now plays host to a wide variety of over-the-top gorgeous ornamental perennials, bushes, and trees, plus vegetables, strawberries, blueberries, a peach tree, and peanuts.  Her design of each of her garden features, as this video tour will attest, is remarkable.  Jill tells me that her favorite flowers are her peonies (“for their fragrance and sweet childhood memories”), her echinacea (“for the pollinators”), and her dahlias (“for their elegance, grace, and inner strength, for which they’re known”).  Believe it or not, after all of this time that she’s spent researching and learning, digging and growing, and designing and creating her paradisial New England garden, Jill still refers to herself as a gardening “hobbyist.”  And when I asked Jill if, over the course of her gardening adventures, she’d developed a specialty, she remarked, in typically humble Jill Brown style, “Weeds.”

Now, gang, watch this video tour and tell me if this particular New England garden looks like the work of a hobbyist to you.  Jill Brown, in my own not-so-humble opinion, is a master gardener; her Yankee stick-to-itiveness, among her other qualities, has helped cement this status, and her garden tour will make this truth self-evident.

Click the image link immediately below to take the tour.

Hobbyist?  Yeah, right.  Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.  Remarkable garden, remarkable gardener.  (And an even more remarkable person.)  To see more of Jill, her two four-legged helpers, and her magnificent garden, of course, please follow her on Twitter (or “X,” if you’d prefer).   She posts regularly there, so you’ll get a look at what’s going down in that garden of hers in real time.  Plus, you’ll get a chance to know Jill better.  That benefit alone is worth the follow.

Thanks for taking the tour, gang.  As always, I thank you kindly for your interest, your readership, and your viewership.

Cheers, and Happy Gardening!

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18 thoughts on “A Tour of a New England Garden”

Congratulations!!! I just imagine all the hours and effort spent to create such a beauty. The arrangement, the pruning reflects such a great eye for detail. Everything looks so perfect… absolutely BEAUTIFUL… a total delight for the eyes. Thank you for sharing it with us! I enjoyed every minute 🙏🌹🌹🌹❤️

Thank you for your lovely thoughts, Roxxy, and thank you so much for watching Jill’s video tour – I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! She’s really put an incredible amount of work into that beautiful place, hasn’t she? Thank you once again, Roxxy!

Oh my goodness, thank you Roxxy for your lovely comments, which just made my day and made me smile! John’s site has been such a help in building and maintaining my gardens. Thank you again, I’m still smiling!

You are so kind, thank you, JILL!!! And congratulations again on that amazing paradise 🌹🌹🌹❤️

Jill, your garden is lovely! The dahlias are my favorite. It’s clear that you are a talented gardener and a wonderful person! Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with all of us! ❤️

Thank you, Tina, for watching Jill’s lovely tour of her amazing garden, and for your kind words here. I do agree. She is an extremely talented gardener and one of the finest people you’ll ever meet. I believe that her fine character is very evident in her work, and shows itself clearly in her gorgeous garden. Thank you once again, Tina!

Thank you for your lovely encouraging message, Kristina. I learn so much from John’s website, hasn’t he built a wonderful space to learn and share? Looking forward to seeing other gardens to be featured here. Thank you again, you made me smile!

Spectacular garden. I truly enjoyed the video. Much love has been put into the making of this lovely space.

Thank you so much for watching the video, Rick. I’m so glad that you enjoyed Jill’s lovely tour. You’re absolutely right about all of the love she’s put into her wonderful, wonderful garden. It is her passion, and it clearly shows. It’s a great honor and pleasure for me to feature Jill’s beautiful garden tour here on The Renaissance Garden Guy. Her efforts are amazing, and it’s appropriate that the gorgeous results of those efforts are shared with an appreciative global audience. Thanks once again, Rick. Your interest and your kindness are truly appreciated.

Thank you so much for watching, Rick, I really appreciate your kind words. So much helpful information on John’s site. The slugs may get me down, but your words lift me up, thank you!

Can’t thank you enough, John, for your fantastic website, a beautiful and fun place to learn all about gardening – and then some! I’m eager to see your other readers’ gardens and to hear about their gardening experiences, too. You’ve created a beautiful place here, thank you!

And I can’t thank you enough, Jill, for allowing The RGG audience and me to tag along during your amazing garden tour. It’s entirely my honor, and my great pleasure, to host you, your gorgeous garden, and your excellent tour here on The Renaissance Garden Guy. You’re an incredibly talented and creative ambassador of our green and growing brethren, and an absolute pleasure to know. All the best, Jill, and thank you once again!

Fantastic to see Jill’s beautiful garden. I adore dahlia’s, so it was wonderful to see them interwoven amongst such a lovely backdrop. Often overlooked, the foliage colours and form in Jill’s garden were a joy. Thanks for sharing.

Sam, your observations and thoughts regarding Jill’s garden have been presented as only a master gardener could possibly present them. Thank you so much for this lovely, insightful comment. Jill is an amazing gardener, and it’s entirely my honor and great pleasure to feature this tour of her gorgeous garden here. I’m so happy to see this site developing into a true meeting place for those with keen gardening acumen, an appreciation for the arboreal, and a passion for all things vital, verdant, and blossoming. And of course, I’m looking forward to hosting a tour series of your own glorious garden, Sam – these will also be beyond amazing! Thanks once again, Sam!

I very much appreciate your kind and encouraging words, Sam, thank you! And I’m looking forward to seeing and learning all about your garden. Thanks again!

Jill, thank you for sharing your wonderful garden with all of us. Everything was beautiful. Your dahlias were absolutely gorgeous. They remind me of the dahlias that my father planted so many years ago. Thanks for the tour and the wonderful memories.

Jill’s garden is a wonderland, isn’t it, Kevin? And she’s such a gracious lady. The nostalgia, heritage, and nobility of not only her stunning dahlias, but all of her lovely plants and flowers is certainly not lost on Jill. Her passion – and her respect – for the plants she tends is palpable. Thank you so much, Kevin, for your lovely thoughts and kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed Jill’s tour.

Thank you so much Kevin for your very kind and generous words of support. Our gardens have a wonderful way of keeping our loved ones close, don’t they? Thank you again!

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Our 2024 Garden Tours

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Discover Jane Austen’s England: An Unforgettable Literary Journey

14-day cruise: uncover the beauty of mediterranean gardens, from versailles to monet: exploring france’s treasured gardens, enchanting gardens of france: a 7-day journey from parisian grandeur to monet’s masterpiece, royal gardens & gothic grandeur: a journey from paris to rouen, chelsea flower show 2024 & gardens in kent & sussex.

Small Group escorted tour to  Chelsea Flower Show followed by visits to 9 exceptional historic and contemporary gardens in Kent & Sussex.

Mid Summer Garden Showcase 2024: Discovering Kent, Sussex & Surrey’s Enchanting Gardens

Botanical paradise: gardens of costa rica tour.

Tour Costa Rica's lush gardens and natural wonders: stunning botanical gardens, rare orchids, and the vibrant wildlife that thrives here.

Late Summer Garden Showcase 2024: Discovering Kent, Sussex & Surrey’s Enchanting Gardens

Springtime garden showcase 2024: discovering kent, sussex & surrey’s enchanting gardens, summertime garden showcase 2024: discovering kent, sussex & surrey’s enchanting gardens, dutch wave tour: exploring the best gardens and parks in the netherlands.

Discover the unique beauty of Dutch gardens and landscapes, learn about the rich cultural history of the country, and enjoy the best of Dutch hospitality

Chelsea Flower Show 2024 & Gardens in Kent, Surrey & Sussex

Small Group escorted tour to the world famous Chelsea Flower Show followed by visits to 10 exceptional historic and contemporary gardens in Kent, Surrey & Sussex.

Gardens of the Italian Lakes Como & Maggiore – 2024

The villas and gardens of rome and the latium 2023.

Join us on 26 May 2023 for a 6 day tour of  Italian Renaissance gardens around Rome.  Towards the end of May the climate will be perfect and all the gardens that we plan to visit will be in exemplary order !

The Villas and Gardens of Tuscany – 2023

Keukenhof gardens 2024, the bloemencorso flower parade & private tulip gardens.

Escorted tour of Keukenhof 2024, the Bloemencorso Flower Parade and Private Spring Gardens in the Netherlands.

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• Home Tours Gardens of New England NSW

Gardens of New England NSW

Ten days exploring the beautiful New England High Country, visiting Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Tenterfield, Tamworth. See heritage towns, award winning country gardens, meet local gardeners and experience classic country hospitality.

• From $850 AUD

Meet up with your Ross Tour Leader at Central Station, Coach Terminal, Sydney for the drive to Armidale following Bucketts Way through the picturesque Barrington Coast hinterland. Lunch stop in Stroud. Continue to Armidale along the historic Thunderbolts Ways with a stop at Carson’s Lookout for the panorama. Late afternoon arrive in Armidale and check into our Hotel Powerhouse Armidale. This pretty regional city is our base to explore the New England High Country. Dinner is included tonight.

Rydges , Armidale

Armidale is at the centre of New England and with it’s dyamic university culture, rich history and dedicated gardeners. Meet Aussie plant expert Maria Hitchcock for a walk through her Aussie Native garden, with her tips for growing bushfood. Lunch in Uralla before our visit to Saumarez Homestead (National Trust) with its suite of gardens. Edwardian garden, picking garden, cottage garden and orchard contributed food and flowers to the homestead. A new Heritage Rose Garden, has been established on the site of the old orchard. Its nucleus is the rose collection donated by Miss Catherine MacLean, a long time Armidale resident and dedicated rosarian. 600 roses represent each of the major rose groups, mostly bred before 1930. Adjacent to the formal garden, are rose beds recognising the contribution of important rose breeders both nationally and internationally.

Discover Armidale this morning ; some fascinating historical insights and a local perspectives. Finish our tour at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM). Built in 1983 specifically to exhibit the Howard Hinton Collection, an iconic collection of Australian Art, the NERAM hosts changing exhibitions with works from its own collections, travelling exhibitions and works from leading regional artists. Lunch included then time to visit the gallery. Final stop today is a new and exciting garden on the outskirts of Armidale.

We’ll sing along to Peter Allen’s Tenterfield Saddler as we make our way across verdant ‘high country’ to Tenterfield. First stop is Robyn Jackson’s Kooralbyn for morning tea. Robyn has been gardening this two acres for three decades and has a treasured collection of peonies and aquilegias and lovely spring blossom trees. Historic Ollera Station, settled in 1838 and still in family hands with its own church, cemetery, general store, blacksmith shop and restored slab huts. Lunch at Ollera’s sister property, Cabarfeidh. Continue onto Tenterfield and settle into our hotel, The Henry Parkes Tenterfield. Time to stroll around this iconic country town. Dinner is included tonight.

Best Western Henry Parkes Hotel , Tenterfield

Stroll the streets of this historic town this morning, stopping in to meet Mandy Reid at her gorgeous White Cottage Flower Farm. Shopping here is tempting! Lunch is included in town . Afternoon visit to Carolyn Robinson’s famous private garden Eagles Bluff. After planting her first garden Glenrock, which we see tomorrow, Carolyn and her husband moved further out of town. On this rural property, you see Carolyn’s talent for merging the contrived garden with surrounding landscape, and in her hands, the result is a design triumph. Afternoon drinks here with Carolyn overlooking broad sweeping beds of perennials with stone terraceas that connect and enhance the views across to Bluffs River Nature Reserve. Travel back in to Tenterfield.

Best Western Henry Parkes Hotel, Tenterfield

Glenrock Gardens is our first stop this morning, to meet current owner Annie Jones. Designed by Carolyn Robinson, Glenrock Gardens is an award-winning country garden designed in the English style with dry stone rock walls throughout surrounded and interspersed with bushland. A succession of lakes divide the parkland, the northern prairie borders and woodland gardens with the terraces, croquet lawns, spring borders and double borders. Free time this afternoon in Tenterfield (make sure you visit the Tenterfield Saddler!). Dinner tonight in the Banquet Hall of the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts and a ‘re-enactment’ of Sir Henry Parkes’ famous 1889 speech, known as the Tenterfield Oration.

Leave Tenterfield and head south to the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes, a tribute to the Celtic heritage of the early European settlers. Next stop is Guyra, and a garden of beautiful trees and peonies. .Lunch stop in historic Uralla, a treasure trove of heritage listed buildings: 50 of historical significance, several date from the 1860s when ‘gentleman bushranger’ Captain Thunderbolt ruled the local highways. We’ll stroll around the town, learning its history with time to browse the shops and galleries. Travel onto Tamworth. Check in to our hotel for the next two nights, with dinner included tonight.

Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges , Tamworth

Morning visit to Walcha, on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, the oldest settlement in New England, with a rich history and thriving arts community showcased by an impressive outdoor sculpture display. Free time to explore historic buildings and galleries. Afternoon visit to a new, expansive country garden in Nowendoch, lush with growth from recent rain. Return to Tamworth.

Two private gardens in Tamworth are opening for us this morning. Meet members of the Tamworth Garden Club at lunch in one of the garden. Our destination today is Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. Check in to our hotel at Hunter Valley Gardens. Farewell Dinner tonight.

Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens , Polkolbin

Morning visit to Hunter Valley Gardens, built by Bill and Imelda Roche. Comforatable walking paths lead through the 10 individually themed gardens which showcase the artistry of gardens around the world and use both native and exotic varieties of plants. Free time for lunch in the shopping village then travel back to Sydney.

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You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Manager to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.

• Cancellations received 180-120 days prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
• Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
• Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing.
• Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.

Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions

New England Garden Tour with Classic Country Hospitality

Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through the picturesque landscapes of the New England High Country. Ross Tours invites you to explore Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Tenterfield, and Tamworth, where you’ll discover heritage towns, award-winning country gardens, and the warm hospitality of local gardeners. From the captivating Saumarez Homestead with its diverse gardens to the artistic wonders of the New England Regional Art Museum, each day promises new delights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the region, meeting passionate gardeners and uncovering the rich history that lies within. Join us on this remarkable adventure through the New England gardens.

New England Garden Tour

Immerse yourself in the mesmerising beauty of New England with this garden tour hosted by Ross Garden Tours , who have a long history of expertise and passion for gardening.

Experience the Horticultural Splendor of New England

Our carefully curated New England garden tour allows you to experience extraordinary landscapes and captivating flora. The journey will fill your senses with the vibrant colours, textures, smells and sounds of nature. Our knowledgeable and passionate tour guides will provide fascinating commentary, make hidden gems accessible, and address any of your gardening queries.

We believe garden tours should be relaxing and enjoyable. That’s why Ross Tour’s New England tour provides a range of inspiring experiences while ensuring your comfort with pre-arranged luxury accommodation and travel in an air-conditioned coach.

Ross Garden Tours – 40 Years of Expertise

Having taken groups to over 1000 gardens on four continents, Ross Tours is globally recognised for our unmatched knowledge and competence. Helmed by Australia’s top garden broadcaster, Graham Ross, you will be in the best hands while experiencing our tours. Ross hand-selects tour leaders with experience and charisma to lead tours that are sure to invigorate your gardening ideas.

Have It Your Way: Bespoke Tour Customisation

Ross Garden Tours works with you to make your tour the best it can be. Whether you’re travelling from interstate or want to extend your stay in the gorgeous Northern Tablelands, the Ross tour crew is just a call away. Simply tell us what changes you need and we’ll arrange all the extras, making your tour a perfect fit for you!

How to Book the New England Garden Tour

Booking your garden tour is easy. Our dedicated team provides a comprehensive booking service to save you time and effort. Ring us at 1300 233 200 ; we can manage your tour and any flight bookings.

Book your New England Tour now with Ross Garden Tours, rest assured that we’ve carefully crafted our tours to provide you with an exceptional garden journey that will not only meet but exceed your expectations. Indulge in this splendid tour and let us guide you through the exquisite gardens of New England.

What can I expect when joining the New England garden tour with Ross Garden Tours?

Embark on a captivating journey with Ross Garden Tours to explore the mesmerising beauty of New England. Our carefully curated tour promises an immersive experience of extraordinary landscapes and captivating flora. Expert guides provide insightful commentary, making hidden gems accessible while addressing your gardening queries. Enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable tour with pre-arranged luxury accommodations and travel in an air-conditioned coach.

What makes Ross Garden Tours unique for New England garden tours?

With over 40 years of expertise, Ross Garden Tours stands out for its unmatched knowledge and competence. Helmed by Australia’s top garden broadcaster, Graham Ross, our tours have taken groups to over 1000 gardens on four continents. Hand-selected tour leaders with experience and charisma ensure an invigorating and informative gardening experience that sets Ross Garden Tours apart.

Can the New England garden tour be customised according to my preferences?

Absolutely! Ross Garden Tours believes in making your tour the best it can be. Whether you’re travelling from interstate or want to extend your stay in the gorgeous Northern Tablelands, our tour crew is just a call away. We work with you to customise the tour according to your preferences, arranging all the extras to make your experience perfect.

How can I book my place in the New England Garden Tour?

Booking is easy with Ross Garden Tours. Simply ring us at 1300 233 200, and our dedicated team will provide a comprehensive booking service, saving you time and effort. We can manage your tour and any flight bookings, ensuring a hassle-free reservation process.

What are some of the learning opportunities available on the New England garden tour?

Ross Garden Tours offers enriching learning opportunities during the New England garden tour. Our knowledgeable and passionate tour guides provide fascinating commentary, sharing insights into the vibrant colours, textures, smells, and sounds of nature. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or a casual appreciator, the tour provides valuable information and a chance to invigorate your gardening ideas.

Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including

• Fanghorn Garden, Armidale History Tour, New England Regional Art Musuem, Saumarez Heritage Estate, Kooralbyn, Ollera Station, Cabarfeidh, White Cottage Flower Farm, Eagle Bluff, Glenrock, NERAM, Hunter Valley Gardens
• Twin Share $4,295 AUD per person
• Single Supplement $850 AUD
• All prices in Australian dollars.
• Prices based on minimum 15 passengers.
• Price is based on departure from Sydney.
• Price from other ports available.
• Group meals do not include beverages.
• Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.
• Previous Traveller $50
• Garden Clinic Member $50

• FULLY BOOKED

• FEW SEATS LEFT

C O O P E R S M I T H' S

Coopersmith's garden tours.

Akaroa Rose Photo by Suzanne Parker

Sissinghurst Castle Garden Photo by Paul Coopersmith

Paul at Borough Market, London Borough has become one of the largest and finest open-air food markets in all of Europe. Photo by Suzanne Parker.

" We have been on 12 Coopersmith tours in the past, starting with Venice and the Italian Lakes in 1994, through Buckinghamshire & Hertfordshire in 2023. Our upcoming tour to the Peak District will be our thirteenth, and Jane's farewell tour the fourteenth. So we've been traveling with you for 30 years, with our thanks! " — Kathy and Greg Stern, Jefferson, Maryland

Dear Garden Enthusiast,

Welcome to COOPERSMITH'S, North America's oldest and most trusted international garden and stately-home tour company, now in our 40th year of crafting One-of-a-Kind Tours® for the discerning traveler.

Over the years, people have asked me, “What made you decide to go into the tour business?” My answer, simply put, is that travel has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Having grown up in New Jersey, some of my fondest childhood memories were the car trips our family took to places like Niagara Falls, Smokey Mountains, and Williamsburg. While in high school, I savored week-long bicycle tours in Nova Scotia and Martha’s Vineyard.

Later, while attending the University of California, Berkeley, I hitchhiked annually between West and East coasts. Upon graduating, I set out for Europe, where I thumbed my way around the Continent for six months before settling in London. In the ensuing three years, I researched and wrote a guide book for like-minded travelers ( Rule of Thumb: A Hitchhiker’s Handbook , Simon & Schuster, 1973).

Back in Berkeley, where I supported my travel habit by working for over ten years as a landscape gardener, contractor, and garden designer, I co-founded A Taste of Britain, later to be renamed COOPERSMITH'S One-of-a-Kind Tours®. My passion was, and still is, crafting unique, small-group, upscale garden and manor-house tours that I, myself, would feel comfortable being part of.

The following elements have always formed the foundation for those tours:

World-class tour leaders, with a minimum of ten years' experience in the field

Exceptional gardens, featuring private tours by owners and head gardeners

Small groups: as few as six and never more than 20 participants

Relaxed pace: on average, one visit in the morning, and one in the afternoon

Limited time on the motorcoach, with plenty of extra seats

In-depth focus on one or two regions of one country

Four-to-seven-nights in atmospheric country inns and manor-house hotels

Gourmet meals, often locally-sourced

Now, four decades later, we’re still going strong. Our tours typically fill up 12 to 18 months in advance. We have dozens of clients who travel with us on a regular basis, some up to two or even three times a year. I love what one of our clients once wrote on his feedback form: "Going on a COOPERSMITH'S tour," he said, "is like taking part in a traveling house party, focusing on beautiful homes and gardens, with Jeeves doing all the work!"

When people go on a COOPERSMITH'S tour, odds are they’ll be signing up for another one soon - sometimes even before finishing the one they’re on! Come join us in 2024 and help us celebrate our forty years in the business. And see for yourself what makes our tours truly One-of-a-Kind®!

Happy travels,

"A company that specializes in small groups [where members] are often taken to private gardens rarely seen..." — The New York Times

"My wife recently had the good fortune to meet and speak with [famous English horticulturalist] Penelope Hobhouse, who recommended your garden tour as one of the two best in Europe..." — Collier Espy, Jr., Dothan, Alabama

When people go on a COOPERSMITH'S tour, odds are they’ll be signing up for another one soon-- -sometimes even before finishing the one they’re on! Come join us in 2024 and help us celebrate our forty years in the business. And see for yourself what makes our tours truly One-of-a-Kind®!

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31 Best Places To Visit In New England In 2024

P lanning a trip to the northeast and wondering what the best places to visit in New England are? Well, I’m happy to say that you’ve come to the right place 😊 I live locally in the northeast, and have been exploring the New England region for over 15 years now. I’ve been all over this area, scouting out the most beautiful towns, finding the most exciting cities, have taken tons of road trips, and set sail to visit the islands off the coast. This post is a compilation of my absolute favorite places in New England that I’ve visited over the years that I think are worth your time.

Ready to explore this beautiful region with me? Great! I’m happy to show you around 😊 Under each destination, I’ll share why I love it, and what I think the top things to do are.

On this list, you’ll find a mix of popular places you’ve likely heard of because well, they’re popular for a very good reason! And then I’ve also included some off-the-beaten-path gems that you may not have come across that I think are  so  beautiful.

So with that, let’s get started!

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Best Places To Visit In New England

1. mount desert island & acadia national park.

Acadia National Park  always tops everyone’s list of things to see in New England, and as someone who’s been there tons of times, I can say that it lives up to its reputation. This is where you’ll find that postcard-worthy, dramatic coastline Maine is famous for, and if you’re looking for the most iconic views in the state, Acadia is very much worth your time.

Acadia is located on Mount Desert Island, which is actually home to a lot of other beautiful places in New England to see, including the closest town to the park – Bar Harbor. This charming little coastal town is where most people stay when visiting the park, and it’s a worthy destination on its own.

On Mount Desert Island, you’ll also find Southwest Harbor, Tremont, and Somesville, all of which have their own fun things to do, and gorgeous scenery to enjoy.

Inside the park, I recommend driving Park Loop Road, walking Ocean Path for the best views for the the least amount of effort, having lunch at Jordan Pond House, enjoying sunrise (or sunset!) at the top of Cadillac Mountain, and taking on a few hikes – Great Head, Beehive, Gorham, and Bubble Rock are some of my favorites.

Psst!  I have some guides on visiting Acadia and Bar Harbor, which go into more detail on how to plan your trip, including:

• My Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Visiting Bar Harbor In The Winter

2. Whale Watching In Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Did you know that New England is home to some of the best whale watching in the world? Yep, that’s right! Off the coast of this region is the  Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary , which is known for its very active marine life, including different kinds of whales ranging from humpback to minke. In fact, it’s quite common to have a humpback sighting in this region, so make sure to have your camera ready 😉

And what’s even better is that you can hop on a whale watch tour that heads out to Stellwagen from a few different places around New England. My favorite is  Dolphin Fleet , which sails out of Provincetown on Cape Cod, MA. Another great option is  Cape Anne Whale Watch , which departs from Gloucester, MA.

3. The Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod is known as one of the best places for a beach vacation in New England, and while a lot of that has to do with the charming coastal towns, amazing seafood, and beautiful scenery, I think it’s a special place because of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

This area on Cape Cod is so picturesque and undeveloped, that it was designated as protected land by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. It’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches in New England, lighthouses, scenic trails, and lots more. In fact, this is the top thing I suggest to everyone visiting Cape Cod.

Within the national seashore, my favorite things to do are walk the Nauset Marsh trail to Coast Guard Beach (my favorite beach on Cape Cod), see Nauset Lighthouse, and hike out to Race Point Lighthouse.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide all about the 6  Cape Cod National Seashore beaches , including a breakdown of each one, and my tips on which you should visit on your trip.

4. The Brewster Flats, Cape Cod

Can you spot me exploring the ocean floor way out there? 😉

Most people haven’t heard of the Brewster Flats on Cape Cod, but they’re actually the largest tidal flats in North America! And honestly, it’s such a cool thing and unique thing to experience that a lot of people don’t know about when they visit.

So, what are the flats, exactly? Well, every day at low tide, the tide goes so far out that you can walk on the ocean floor for about a mile. Not only does it feel like you’re at the end of the world, it’s great for spotting marine wildlife and getting a first-hand look at what lives at the bottom of the ocean floor in this region.

The Brewster Flats, despite their name, expand further past the town of Brewster along the Cape Cod Bay side of the peninsula, and you can find them at beaches between Dennis and Eastham.

Pro Tip : There are times when low tide coincides with sunset, and since the sun will set over Cape Cod Bay, this is an even more special time to visit!

5. Provincetown, MA

I’ve already mentioned Provincetown as a great launching point for a whale watch tour, but it’s such a cool destination on its own that it’s very much worthy of its own spot on this list.

Provincetown is located at the very trip of the Cape Cod peninsula, and honestly, there’s no other place quite like it. It’s both a lively and peaceful beach town, packed with character, and you’ll find picturesque scenery at every turn.

Provincetown has long been known as a haven for artists and the LGBTQI+ community, and the welcoming nature of the town can be felt once you arrive. The main street that runs through town is called Commercial Street, and it’s filled with art galleries, independent shops, restaurants, and cabaret clubs. And honestly, everyone is always in such a good mood while here!

I have to spend time in Provincetown every time I visit Cape Cod, and it’s almost indescribable, so definitely go experience it for yourself 😊

6. Chatham, MA

Known as the most idyllic and charming town on Cape Cod, Chatham is also one you don’t want to miss while visiting the region. Home to a lovely Main Street with great shopping and dining, the side streets are filled with gorgeous houses, and perfectly manicured gardens bursting with hydrangeas in the summer.

In Chatham, you’ll also have beaches to explore, a lighthouse to see, and this is also one of the best places to spot  seals on Cape Cod . The Chatham Fish Pier and Market is where many of the local fisherman dock, and well … the seals know what’s on those boats 😂 So, they hang out there waiting for some treats, and they get so close to the pier, allowing you to enjoy their cuteness up close.

Psst!  I have lots of guides about Cape Cod, and here my guides on Provincetown and Chatham as mentioned above, as well as some of my most popular ones:

• Things To Do In Provincetown, MA
• Things To Do In Chatham, MA
• Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
• Visiting Cape Cod For The First Time: Must-See Things, And My Top Tips
• The Best Time To Visit Cape Cod & The Islands
• Unique Things To Do On Cape Cod
• Scenic Walking & Hiking Trails That I Love On Cape Cod

7. Nantucket, MA

As one of my all-time favorite places in New England to visit, Nantucket is one I always recommend to people looking for one of the most idyllic places in the country. This island off the coast of Cape Cod is just so charming that it’ll be tough to not snap pictures of it your entire visit.

Once you step off the ferry onto the cobblestoned streets of downtown, you’re greeted with storefronts covered in traditional Cape Cod shingles, and you’ll start to wonder if you’ve been transported into a Hallmark movie.

But in addition to the gorgeous downtown area, Nantucket is also home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast, as well as charming rose-covered cottages, beautiful lighthouses, and impressive hydrangeas in the summer.

Nantucket is one of the most expensive destinations on this list, and unfortunately, hotel prices can be prohibitive for a lot of people. However, spring and fall offers some savings in that area, and day trips are always a great way to experience the island (and are easy to do from Cape Cod).

I have a few guides about visiting Nantucket if you need more information, including:

• Ultimate Nantucket Day Trip Guide
• How To See Nantucket’s Lighthouses
• Cape Cod vs. Nantucket: Which Is Best For You?

8. Aquinnah Cliffs – Martha’s Vineyard

The other Cape Cod island is no less special, and a bit different than Nantucket in some ways – but also very beautiful! One of the best places to visit in New England is absolutely Martha’s Vineyard, and one of the prettiest places on the island to experience is the Aquinnah Cliffs.

The famous Aquinnah Cliffs offer dramatic coastline views with towering bluffs and a beautiful lighthouse. The beach below the cliffs, Moshup Beach, is also open to the public, and includes a short scenic trail that leads down to the shoreline, making the entire experience worth the effort to get to this part of the island.

But that isn’t the only reason Martha’s Vineyard is worth visiting. It’s also known for its gorgeous gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, the stunning South Beach, lovely lighthouses, charming towns, Jaws Bridge (yep, from the movie!), and amazing rural scenery (and as a result, awesome farm stands!).

I have a few guides about visiting Martha’s Vineyard if you need more information, including:

• Best Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard
• How To See Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
• Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyard
• Ultimate Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide

9. Newport, RI

Heading over to Rhode Island, Newport is definitely a destination to have on your radar as you plan your trip to New England.

This “City by the Sea,” as it’s often called, doesn’t really feel like a city at all, and more like a charming town on the water. Known for its Gilded Age mansions, incredible culinary scene, beautiful scenery, amazing coastal walks and drives, and awesome shopping, there’s something to do here for just about anyone.

Of course, The Breakers mansion is one thing you don’t want to miss during your visit. This mansion served as a “summer cottage” for the Vanderbilt family, and the entire estate is just one impressive, opulent room after another, including a gorgeous veranda overlooking the ocean.

During your trip, I also recommend doing the Cliff Walk, which a pedestrian path along the coast that offers some of the best views in Newport. And if you have time after exploring downtown, definitely cruise along Ocean Drive for more coastal views, and visit the beaches in nearby Middletown.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on planning a  Newport, RI day trip , which includes top things to do!

10. Block Island, RI

Off the coast of Narragansett in Rhode Island is the beautiful little Block Island. This is one that can often get over-shadowed by Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, but I really love exploring this little beautiful destination.

The island is very small, which either makes it easy to see in a day, or offers a relaxing vacation if you have more time to spend here. Built around the main town that has cute shops and dining options, you’ll also find gorgeous beaches that are free to visit, great hiking trails, lots of impressive coastal scenery, awesome sunsets, lighthouses, and even the  Block Island National Wildlife Refuge .

My favorite places to see on the island are the Clay Head Trail, Mansion Beach, lunch at The Oar overlooking the water, the Mohegan Bluffs, and North Lighthouse.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on taking a  Block Island day trip , if you’re looking for more information 😉

11. Westerly & Watch Hill, RI

Lastly for Rhode Island, it’s hard to not include Westerly and its village of Watch Hill on this list. While it’s one of the most expensive and exclusive places to visit along New England’s coast, it makes for a gorgeous vacation if you have the budget for one of the hotels in the area. Or, even a fun day trip!

In my opinion, this is where you’ll find the best beaches in Rhode Island outside of Block Island, and combine that with cute downtowns and luxury hotels, and you’ve got a recipe for a wonderful New England beach vacation. In fact, Taylor Swift loved it so much, she bought a mansion in Watch Hill, so I’m definitely not the only one who loves it here!

The famous Ocean House resort in Watch Hill.

My favorite beaches in Westerly are Misquamicut State Beach, which is the easier one to visit, and Napatree Point in Watch Hill, which has more limited parking. And if your budget allows, definitely book a room at the famous Ocean House resort in Watch Hill, which has its own private beach, incredible rooms, and is home to one of the world’s best waterfront restaurants, as chosen by  CNN Traveler .

I also recommend you visit both downtowns in Watch Hill and Westerly, and head over to Grey Sail Brewing for a unique atmosphere and local craft beers.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on the  best things to do in Westerly and Watch Hill, RI , if you’re looking for more ideas 😉

12. Boston, MA

New England’s largest city is also one of the top places to visit when exploring the area, and for so many wonderful reasons: the history, the charming character, beautiful parks, waterfront scenery, amazing hotels, and incredible food are just a few!

Even though I’m not a big city person, it’s hard to deny what an amazing destination Boston is, and the best part is that it feels very  New England . There’s lots of historic architecture to enjoy, and the quaint neighborhoods with cobblestone streets just add to the ambience.

During your visit, I highly recommend visiting the Public Gardens (which were the first in the U.S.!), walking around Beacon Hill (my favorite neighborhood), exploring the Freedom Trail, walking the Charles River Esplanade, and making reservations at some of the top-rated restaurants.

I have a few guides all about Boston, including:

• Boston In The Fall
• Best Boston Food Tours
• Best Boston Hotels Near The Aquarium

13. Rockport, MA

Heading north of Boston, the next few places will all be located along the Massachusetts North Shore, which is one of my favorite places in New England to visit. The charming fishing town of Rockport is one you should definitely have on your radar.

Rockport is small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up in picturesque and unique scenery. Home to Motif 1, which many say is the most painted building in the country (some say the world), this red fishing shack stands guard over the town in the harbor, and is one of the most idyllic New England moments to photograph.

Along the harbor, you’ll find Bearskin Neck, which sounds a bit alarming 😂, but it’s really just a street where you’ll find the colorful storefronts and art galleries – all of which are independently owned, and feature all kinds of unique pieces.

Outside of the main town area, you can also admire the town’s impressive rock quarry landscapes, and one of the best places to do that is at Halibut Point State Park.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on the  best things to do in Rockport, MA , if you’re looking for more ideas 😉

14. Crane Estate & Crane Beach, MA

There are quite a few mansions and castles around New England, and the  Crane Estate  is one of my absolute favorites. Located along the North Shore in Ipswich, this Tutor-revival mansion was built in 1928, and sits on 2,100 acres of beautifully manicured lawns.

The grounds and mansion are open to the public, and most people choose to visit the grounds to explore the gardens and walking trails around the property. However, the interior of the mansion is open for guided tours at certain times throughout the year, too, but it does require the purchase of a separate ticket.

In addition to the immensely impressive grounds, the Crane estate is also home to Crane Beach, which I think is the most beautiful beach on the North Shore. This 4-mile long sandy beach seems to stretch on forever, and there are also over 5 miles of scenic trails to enjoy here.

15. Newburyport, MA

A lesser-visited destination along the North Shore is Newburyport, and here, you’ll find an incredibly charming downtown, beaches and parks on Plum Island, and some of the best shopping in New England. When I first visited Newburyport, I immediately fell in love with it, and I’m so surprised more people don’t recommend visiting.

The town center of Newburyport sits along the Merrimack River, and you’ll find a beautiful waterfront park where you can enjoy the views. From there, you’re steps away from town center and all the incredible shops, most of which are independently owned. I always describe the scenery as a movie set, because everything from the brick-lined streets to the beautiful window displays in the shops just feels so cozy and charming.

From Newburyport, you can also head out on a whale watch to Stellwagan Bank (although, sometimes from here, they cruise out to Jeffreys Ledge, depending on what the experts think is the best option that day).

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on the  best things to do in Newburyport, MA , if you’re looking for more ideas 😉

16. Salem, MA

Known as one of the top Halloween towns in the entire U.S., Salem is undoubtedly a popular fall destination in New England, and rightfully so. With its Haunted Happenings event that takes place all throughout October, as well as being home to several  Hocus Pocus  filming locations, and it’s very haunted past, it checks all the boxes for a perfect spooky, fall getaway.

However, Salem is incredible year-round, too! While the witch trial attractions and haunted tours are definitely worthy of your time, the town is also filled with gorgeous and historic New England architecture, picturesque streets, fantastic museums, lighthouses, and tons of charm.

One off-the-beaten-path location in Salem I love to share with people is Winter Island Park, which has a cute little lighthouse and some trails to enjoy. During your visit to Salem, be sure to also see the House of Seven Gables, where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born (and where he pulled inspiration from when he wrote the book of the same name), explore the Peabody Essex Museum, and enjoy the views from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Oh, and if you can squeeze in a lobster martini from the Lobster Shanty, I definitely recommend that, too 😉

Psst!  I have some extra guides on Salem, including the  best time to visit Salem, MA , and  how to plan a day trip to Salem!

17. The Berkshires, MA

Located in the northwest corner of the state, The Berkshires is a region comprised of 30 towns, mountain ranges, and beautiful rural scenery. It’s also home to fantastic museums, amazing dining options, cozy inns, and endless outdoor activities, making this a wonderful region to see on your trip to connect with nature. I especially love it in the fall season to enjoy all the incredible foliage color.

One of the most famous towns in The Berkshires is Stockbridge, which was put on the map when artist Normal Rockwell painted his  Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas  piece. And while a few things have changed since then, most of Main Street feels very much the same, so you can feel as though you’re stepping into a real-life painting during your visit.

Some of my favorite things to do in this region are drive the auto road (or hike! I’ve done both) to the top of Mount Greylock, drive the scenic Mohawk Trail, visit the incredible farm stands, explore the beautiful Naumkeag Estate (which often puts on seasonal events like a pumpkin display in the fall), and meander through the charming towns like Lenox and Great Barrington.

18. Kennebunkport, ME

Moving into Maine, Kennebunkport is one of the best places in New England to visit to enjoy picturesque coastal scenery, beaches, and a charming downtown. Kennebunkport has long been a big vacation spot for New Englanders, but President Bush made it even more famous with his summer vacation house and compound, which is still there for you to admire from a distance.

I’ve been to Kennebunkport more times than I can count, and it just never disappoints. Built around Dock Square, the main part of town, you’ll find colorful store fronts, idyllic waterfront scenery, and beautiful side streets filled with traditional colonial houses.

If you venture a bit outside of town center, you’ll find the beaches, as well as a scenic, coastal walking trail called Parsons Way. There’s also the option to visit Cape Porpoise, which is packed with postcard-worthy moments at every turn, as well as one of the best places to get a lobster dinner – Langsford Road Lobster & Fish House.

One of the best parts of Kennebunkport, too, is that it had tons of fantastic hotel options, including historic colonial homes-turned-cozy-inns, luxury resorts, cottages, beach resorts, and upscale escapes in the woods.

19. Ogunquit, ME

Can you spot me all the way down there? 😉

Very close to Kennebunkport is another fantastic coastal town – Ogunquit. This town is known for having one of the best beaches in Maine, but it’s also home to a very charming downtown, and gorgeous scenery. My very first visit to Ogunquit made me fall immediately in love with it, and because it offers so much to do, it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in New England. I keep going back because I love it that much.

The star of the show here is definitely the beach, and one of the best features of the beach is that it’s walkable for most places in town. Since Ogunquit is rather small, it makes getting around on foot very easy, and therefore, offers a truly relaxing vacation.

My absolute favorite thing to do in Ogunquit, and even all of New England, is the Marginal Way pedestrian coastal walk. This path hugs the coastline and stretches for over a mile one-way, and connects Ogunquit town center with a cute little harbor called Perkins Cove. I also love to meander through the shops downtown, visit the art galleries, and spend most of my time at the gorgeous beach.

Psst!  I have a detailed guide on  visiting Ogunquit, Maine , if you’re looking for more information 😉

20. Lubec, ME

Located in the northeastern most corner of Maine, Lubec is such an underrated destination in New England. This small, authentic fishing village is just minutes from the Canadian border, and offers incredible hiking and nature trails, an awesome lighthouse, beautiful coastal scenery, and easy access to Campobello Island, where you can find President Franklin Roosevelt Eleanor’s summer home (as well as a lighthouse and some beaches).

Lubec is also where you can see the very first sunrise in the country, but only at certain times of the year (usually in March, and late September into early October).

Now, Lubec isn’t for everyone. The town is very small, and there’s not a ton to do, but it’s one of my favorite places in New England to visit to get away from everyday life, and not plan to do a whole lot. That said, I find it incredibly charming, and I always get excited to visit.

My favorite things to do here are visit West Quoddy Head State Park to see the lighthouse, tackle the scenic coastal trails, visit the brewery, and take afternoon excursions to Campobello Island.

Psst!  I have an entire guide on  visiting Lubec, Maine , if you’re looking for more info and tips 😉

21. Boothbay Harbor, ME

Along Maine’s Midcoast region is the wonderful town of Boothbay Harbor, and as the name suggests, it’s built around a beautiful harbor, making this an ideal destination to enjoy the rugged coastline Maine is known for.

Boothbay Harbor is also very small, so the downtown is entirely walkable, making it a great place for a relaxing getaway. The colorful storefronts that line the streets downtown add to the overall charm, and both sides of the harbor are connected by a footbridge, which just makes it even more picturesque.

I always love to recommend that you get out on the water as much as you can when you visit Boothbay to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty, and there are tons of wonderful tours you can take here, including puffin tours, sailing cruises, and lighthouse excursions.

Lastly, Boothbay Harbor is minutes away from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, which is such a treat to visit.

Psst!  I have an entire guide on the  best things to do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine , if you need more ideas!

22. Camden, ME

Also along Maine’s Midcoast is gorgeous Camden, and this town almost always ranks at the top of every list of the best places to visit in New England, and the hype is justified. Much like Boothbay Harbor, Camden is built around the harbor, creating an idyllic coastal escape, and you’ll find a wonderful downtown with great shops and restaurants, cozy places to stay, and opportunities for amazing sailing tours.

Nearby is also Camden Hills State Park, and one of the best things to do is drive up the auto road, or hike to the top of Mount Battie, and enjoy a birds-eye view of the harbor.

23. Portland, ME

Portland is another one of my favorites cities in New England, and much of that has to do with the lighthouses. In fact, it’s home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the northeast – Portland Head Lighthouse. Located in South Portland, just a few minutes from downtown, you’ll find this incredible lighthouse park with trails that offer different viewpoints of the lighthouse, and stunning, dramatic coastline to admire.

Nearby are also two smaller lighthouses that are worth visiting – Spring Point Ledge Light, and Bug Light.

That said, Portland is so much more than its lighthouses. Once an old port city (as the name suggests!), part of the city has maintained its charm and authenticity, and you’ll find lots of fishing boats and lobster traps in picturesque alleyways in the Old Port district.

But Portland is also an incredible culinary destination, and there are so many up and coming chefs and restaurants making names for themselves here, too. Taking a food tour is a great way to introduce yourself to the city, and don’t forget to get some of the famous donuts, too!

24. St. George Peninsula, ME

An under-the-radar destination in Maine, the St. George peninsula is a stunningly beautiful area of the state. While it does have one famous landmark, Marshall Point Lighthouse, many people overlook the rest of it, but it’s actually a wonderful place for a getaway, and to explore. Especially if you’re looking to get off the beaten path, and enjoy a quieter side of Maine.

Marshall Point Lighthouse is one of the top things to see in this area, and you don’t want to miss it. Located at the very end of the peninsula, the lighthouse was featured in the movie  Forrest Gump , and it’s one of my favorites in the region.

Driving around the area, you’ll see fishing boats bobbing in the water backdropped by pine-tree covered islands, quaint seafood shacks, and quiet town centers. But if you’re looking for more things to do, Rockland and Camden are just a short drive away, as is the beautiful Owls Head State Park and lighthouse.

25. The White Mountains In New Hampshire

One of the absolute best places to visit in New England for fall foliage is the White Mountains region, but because of its impressive scenery, it truly is wonderful year-round. Home to the White Mountains National Forest, incredible hiking, fun attractions, and cute little towns, it’s easy to see why so many people visit each year. It’s also where you can find New England’s highest peak – Mount Washington.

During your visit, you’ll definitely want to cruise along the Kancamagus Highway, which is known as being one of the most scenic drives in New England – and I couldn’t agree more. This is especially beautiful in the fall, but the road goes through the heart of the White Mountains forest, making the views during the drive memorable.

Some other wonderful things to do in the area are visit the cute town of Littleton, hike the Artist Bluff Trail, visit Flume Gorge, ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, and also take a ride on The Cog to the top of Mount Washington for an incredibly unique experience.

26. Portsmouth, NH

In southern New Hampshire, Portsmouth is one of the most charming places to see in New England. While the White Mountains have more of a cabin/alpine atmosphere, the New England charm is alive and well in Portsmouth!

This coastal city also feels more like a quaint town, and most of it is very walkable. Streets are lined with traditional New England colonial architecture, the downtown area is filled with amazing shops and picturesque streets, and there are tons of wonderful restaurants to choose from.

I like to start my trips to Portsmouth with a walk along the waterfront at Prescott Park, and be sure to head over to Pierce Island for awesome views of the city. Then, walk over to the Strawbery Banke museum to see history come to life (open seasonally), and admire all the historic houses. Finally, head over to Market Square downtown, where you’ll find all the shops and restaurants, and be sure to pick up a cup of coffee and a pastry from Elephantine Bakery in Commercial Alley!

27. Woodstock, VT

It’s continually named the prettiest town in Vermont, and I have to agree. Woodstock is where you want to go in Vermont to feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie because it has all the ingredients: a town green, covered bridges, independent shops, idyllic side streets, and cozy places to eat. It really does live up to all the hype!

On the outskirts of town, you’ll also find postcard-worthy rural landscapes, as well as the gorgeous Billings Farm & Museum, and Sugarbush Farms.

Psst!  I have an entire guide on the  best things to do in Woodstock, VT , if you need more ideas!

28. Stowe, VT

A very close second when it comes to my favorite places in Vermont is Stowe, which is known as being a top town for fall foliage, and skiing in the winter. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Vermont, but I really do think it’s worth braving the crowds for because the scenery really is that beautiful.

Stowe is home to Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, and is also surrounded by mountain ranges. In the fall during peak foliage season, seeing the mountains dripping in autumnal color is really something special.

But the actual town itself is incredibly charming, and you’ll find covered bridges, a quaint Main Street with great shops and country stores, scenic walking trails, and awesome hiking and nature walks nearby at Smugglers Notch.

Psst!  I have an entire guide on the  best things to do in Stowe, VT  if you need more information!

29. Lake Willoughby, Vermont

An under-the-radar destination in Vermont in Lake Willoughby, which offers incredible scenery of the surrounding mountains, and is another impressive fall foliage destination. Located in the Northeast Kingdom of the state, the actual lake itself is gorgeous, and stretches for over 2 square miles.

For a quiet getaway in Vermont, it’s really hart to beat. The main town along the lake, Westmore, offers tons of cabins to rent for a relaxing vacation, and the area also has awesome hiking nearby in Willoughby State Forest that offers fantastic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

But even if you visit just for the day, the drive around the lake is really amazing, and there are some fun places to eat nearby, including The Gap Pub and the Parker Pie Company.

30. Mystic, CT

Heading into Connecticut, Mystic is such a wonderful place to visit in New England! Most people know it from movies like  Mystic Pizza  and  Mystic River , but it has so much to offer, making it worthy destination to experience when you visit the area.

Built around the actual Mystic River, the small town offers beautiful waterfront scenery as you explore. It’s also home to a charming Main Street for shopping and dining, and a cute little shopping village called Olde Mistick Village, where you can find all kinds of unique stores and tons of charm.

Some of the bigger attractions in Mystic, like the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mystic Aquarium, add to the appeal, too. In fact, the Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritimes museum in the U.S., and is mostly an outdoor exhibit along the river. It features historic tall ships that you can climb into before walking through an authentic New England maritimes village from the 19th century.

Driving a bit outside of town, you can also visit part of the Connecticut wine trail in Stonington, which includes Saltwater Farm Vineyard, and Stonington Vineyard.

Psst!  I have an entire guide on the  best things to do in Mystic, CT , if you need more ideas!

31. Litchfield Hills, CT

Last on my list is perfect for any  Gilmore Girls  fans out there because it’s the region that Amy Sherman-Palladino based Stars Hollow on. But even if you have no idea what I’m talking about, the Litchfield Hills region of the Connecticut countryside is filled with idyllic rural scenery, beautiful drives, state parks, and lots of quaint, picturesque towns.

Towns in this region like Kent, Litchfield, and New Milford all feel like they could have inspired Stars Hollow, but many claim the beloved TV show town was modeled after Washington Depot (which oddly enough, isn’t my favorite town in the region!). You’ll find cozy cafés, bookshops, town greens with gazebos, and lovely scenery at every turn.

This region is also small and can easily be visited in a weekend, and if you’re ambitious, a day. The drive from one town to the next is scenic, and with stops to make on the way at places like Kent Falls State Park, Lover’s Leap Bridge, and Mount Tom, it’s not hard to see why someone would have based an entire show on this area.

Visiting New England FAQ

Is new england worth visiting.

As I’m sure you’ve gathered from this list, there are so many incredibly picturesque places to see in New England, which very much makes it worth visiting.

Between exciting cities, historic towns, quaint fishing villages, Acadia National Park, lighthouses, and charming destinations, there’s truly something for everyone, and there’s a reason why this region is a bucket list place for lots of people.

What’s The Best Way To Get Around New England?

Unless you just plan to visit a big city, you really need to have a car to explore New England.

I wish the U.S. in general had a better transportation infrastructure, but it just doesn’t, and New England is no exception. Getting to a lot of these places requires a car, but this will allow you the most freedom to stick to your own schedule.

What’s The Best Airport To Fly Into In New England?

Boston Logan is the best airport for most people, especially if you’re flying in internationally. This airport is the biggest in New England, and usually offers the cheapest flights, most options, and is centrally-located to many destinations in the region.

There are also some smaller airports around New England that may work best for you, including Portland, Providence, and Portsmouth. However, Boston Logan is usually the best option.

What’s The Best Season To Visit New England?

The great thing about New England is that all four seasons offer a different vibe, so this really depends on what kind of trip you’re hoping for. Here’s a very general breakdown for you:

→ The first two weeks of October for fall foliage.

→ July and August for a coastal or beach trip (but this is peak season for these areas, so prices and crowds will be at their highest). This is when you’ll get the best weather, and all seasonal businesses along the coast will be open.

→ June and September for shoulder season along the coast. You’ll experience fewer crowds, but the weather is generally still very nice.

→ May is a great option if you’re looking for a cheaper and less crowded time to visit, and don’t mind weather that’s a bit rainy.

→ January and February for a winter wonderland or ski vacation.

I do have a very detailed post on the  best time to visit New England , if you’re looking for more info 😉

Is New England Expensive?

Unfortunately, yes. This area tends to be more expensive than many other parts of the U.S., so expect to pay a bit more for everything, including hotels, tours, and food. “Budget-friendly” will also likely run a bit more than average, too. However, you can still cut costs by staying in motels with efficiency kitchens to prepare your own meals, camping, or visiting at a cheap time, like April.

Planning A New England Road Trip

Oh boy, do I have some great suggestions for you! I’ve done a lot of road trips around this region, and continue to do them because it’s one of my favorite ways to explore. My top road trips I’ve ever done are a Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine road trip, as well as a beautiful fall foliage road trip.

I’ve created a few different road trip itineraries for this website, which you can find here:

• My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary
• My 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary
• My Perfect New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary
• My Epic Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Itinerary

My Top Tips For Visiting New England

→  Know that weather can change  … a lot 😂 New England is known for moody weather, and while it’s not quite as bad as places like Iceland or Scotland, it does change a lot. July and August are known as the driest months, but rain is still likely at least a few days of each summer month. And the spring and fall season can bring a wide variety of weather, so definitely check the forecast a few days before your trip.

→  The highways have paid tolls . If you’re planning a road trip, or even a longer drive to a different location, it’s good to know you’ll have to pay tolls on many of the highways. However, they’ve all recently switched over to electronic, contactless tolling. If you’re renting a car, or are driving in from out of state, you’ll get a bill in the mail to pay, so you don’t need to worry about stopping to pay tolls each time.

→  Expect a lot of crowds and book well in advance if you visit during peak season . Hotels and tours fill up months in advance if you plan a visit during a peak time, so you’ll want to book as soon as you can. For example, the first two weeks in October in New Hampshire, Vermont and The Berkshires, or in July and August on Cape Cod.

→  You can dress casually for the most part . Despite its reputation for being upscale and preppy, most people dress very casually in New England. Unless you plan to go out to eat at a nicer place, you don’t really need to dress up.

→  Have some cash on you, depending on where you go . Most places will take cards, but a surprising number of smaller seafood shacks and ice cream places will still be cash only. Many will have an ATM on-site if that’s the case, but to avoid pricey fees, it’s good to just have some cash on you.

More posts you may find helpful:

• Best Day Trips In New England
• Incredible New England Resorts & Spas
• Gorgeous New England Islands Worth Visiting
• Must-See Towns On The New England Coast
• Best Beach Towns In New England
• Ultimate Guide To Fall In New England

That’s A Wrap On The Best Places To Visit In New England

And there you have it! My guide to all the best places to visit in New England, including some of my helpful tips and suggestions on things to do. I hope you’ve found this helpful as you begin to plan your trip. Whether you’re excited to explore all the most epic fall foliage spots in the region, drive up the coast of Maine, or take a road trip around the entire region, one thing’s for sure – all of the places mentioned in this post will provide you with incredible memories along the way. Happy planning!

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Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem

The former republican national committee chairwoman was hired by nbc and then let go after an outcry..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Today, the saga of Ronna McDaniel and NBC and what it reveals about the state of television news headed into the 2024 presidential race. Jim Rutenberg, a “Times” writer at large, is our guest.

It’s Monday, April 1.

Jim, NBC News just went through a very public, a very searing drama over the past week, that we wanted you to make sense of in your unique capacity as a longtime media and political reporter at “The Times.” This is your sweet spot. You were, I believe, born to dissect this story for us.

Oh, brother.

Well, on the one hand, this is a very small moment for a major network like NBC. They hire, as a contributor, not an anchor, not a correspondent, as a contributor, Ronna McDaniel, the former RNC chairwoman. It blows up in a mini scandal at the network.

But to me, it represents a much larger issue that’s been there since that moment Donald J. Trump took his shiny gold escalator down to announce his presidential run in 2015. This struggle by the news media to figure out, especially on television, how do we capture him, cover him for all of his lies, all the challenges he poses to Democratic norms, yet not alienate some 74, 75 million American voters who still follow him, still believe in him, and still want to hear his reality reflected in the news that they’re listening to?

Right. Which is about as gnarly a conundrum as anyone has ever dealt with in the news media.

Well, it’s proven so far unsolvable.

Well, let’s use the story of what actually happened with Ronna McDaniel and NBC to illustrate your point. And I think that means describing precisely what happened in this situation.

The story starts out so simply. It’s such a basic thing that television networks do. As elections get underway, they want people who will reflect the two parties.

They want talking heads. They want insiders. They want them on their payroll so they can rely on them whenever they need them. And they want them to be high level so they can speak with great knowledge about the two major candidates.

Right. And rather than needing to beg these people to come on their show at 6 o’clock, when they might be busy and it’s not their full-time job, they go off and they basically put them on retainer for a bunch of money.

Yeah. And in this case, here’s this perfect scenario because quite recently, Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee through the Trump era, most of it, is now out on the market. She’s actually recently been forced out of the party. And all the networks are interested because here’s the consummate insider from Trump world ready to get snatched up under contract for the next election and can really represent this movement that they’ve been trying to capture.

So NBC’S key news executives move pretty aggressively, pretty swiftly, and they sign her up for a $300,000 a year contributor’s contract.

Nice money if you can get it.

Not at millions of dollars that they pay their anchors, but a very nice contract. I’ll take it. You’ll take it. In the eyes of NBC execs she was perfect because she can be on “Meet the Press” as a panelist. She can help as they figure out some of their coverage. They have 24 hours a day to fill and here’s an official from the RNC. You can almost imagine the question that would be asked to her. It’s 10:00 PM on election night. Ronna, what are the Trump people thinking right now? They’re looking at the same numbers you are.

That was good, but that’s exactly it. And we all know it, right? This is television in our current era.

So last Friday, NBC makes what should be a routine announcement, but one they’re very proud of, that they’ve hired Ronna McDaniel. And in a statement, they say it couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team. So all’s good, right? Except for there’s a fly in the ointment.

Because it turns out that Ronna McDaniel has been slated to appear on “Meet the Press,” not as a paid NBC contributor, but as a former recently ousted RNC chair with the “Meet The Press” host, Kristen Welker, who’s preparing to have a real tough interview with Ronna McDaniel. Because of course, Ronna McDaniel was chair of the party and at Trump’s side as he tried to refuse his election loss. So this was supposed to be a showdown interview.

From NBC News in Washington, the longest-running show in television history. This is “Meet The Press” with Kristen Welker.

And here, all of a sudden, Kristin Welker is thrown for a loop.

In full disclosure to our viewers, this interview was scheduled weeks before it was announced that McDaniel would become a paid NBC News contributor.

Because now, she’s actually interviewing a member of the family who’s on the same payroll.

Right. Suddenly, she’s interviewing a colleague.

This will be a news interview, and I was not involved in her hiring.

So what happens during the interview?

So Welker is prepared for a tough interview, and that’s exactly what she does.

Can you say, as you sit here today, did Joe Biden win the election fair and square?

He won. He’s the legitimate president.

Did he win fair and square?

Fair and square, he won. It’s certified. It’s done.

She presses her on the key question that a lot of Republicans get asked these days — do you accept Joe Biden was the winner of the election?

But, I do think, Kristen —

Ronna, why has it taken you until now to say that? Why has it taken you until now to be able to say that?

I’m going to push back a little.

McDaniel gets defensive at times.

Because I do think it’s fair to say there were problems in 2020. And to say that does not mean he’s not the legitimate president.

But, Ronna, when you say that, it suggests that there was something wrong with the election. And you know that the election was the most heavily scrutinized. Chris Krebs —

It’s a really combative interview.

I want to turn now to your actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

And Welker actually really does go deeply into McDaniel’s record in those weeks before January 6.

On November 17, you and Donald Trump were recorded pushing two Republican Michigan election officials not to certify the results of the election. And on the call —

For instance, she presses McDaniel on McDaniel’s role in an attempt to convince a couple county commissioner level canvassers in Michigan to not certify Biden’s victory.

Our call that night was to say, are you OK? Vote your conscience. Not pushing them to do anything.

McDaniel says, look, I was just telling them to vote their conscience. They should do whatever they think is right.

But you said, do not sign it. If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. How can people read that as anything other than a pressure campaign?

And Welker’s not going to just let her off the hook. Welker presses her on Trump’s own comments about January 6 and Trump’s efforts recently to gloss over some of the violence, and to say that those who have been arrested, he’ll free them.

Do you support that?

I want to be very clear. The violence that happened on January 6 is unacceptable.

And this is a frankly fascinating moment because you can hear McDaniel starting to, if not quite reverse some of her positions, though in some cases she does that, at least really soften her language. It’s almost as if she’s switching uniforms from the RNC one to an NBC one or almost like breaking from a role she was playing.

Ronna, why not speak out earlier? Why just speak out about that now?

When you’re the RNC chair, you kind of take one for the whole team, right? Now, I get to be a little bit more myself.

She says, hey, you know what? Sometimes as RNC chair, you just have to take it for the team sometimes.

Right. What she’s really saying is I did things as chairwoman of the Republican National committee that now that I no longer have that job, I can candidly say, I wished I hadn’t done, which is very honest. But it’s also another way of saying I’m two faced, or I was playing a part.

Ronna McDaniel, thank you very much for being here this morning.

Then something extraordinary happens. And I have to say, I’ve never seen a moment like this in decades of watching television news and covering television news.

Welcome back. The panel is here. Chuck Todd, NBC News chief political analyst.

Welker brings her regular panel on, including Chuck Todd, now the senior NBC political analyst.

Chuck, let’s dive right in. What were your takeaways?

And he launches right into what he calls —

Look, let me deal with the elephant in the room.

The elephant being this hiring of McDaniel.

I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation.

And he proceeds, on NBC’S air, to lace into management for, as he describes it, putting Welker in this crazy awkward position.

Because I don’t know what to believe. She is now a paid contributor by NBC News. I have no idea whether any answer she gave to you was because she didn’t want to mess up her contract.

And Todd is very hung up on this idea that when she was speaking for the party, she would say one thing. And now that she’s on the payroll at NBC, she’s saying another thing.

She has credibility issues that she still has to deal with. Is she speaking for herself, or is she speaking on behalf of who’s paying her?

Todd is basically saying, how are we supposed to know which one to believe.

What can we believe?

It is important for this network and for always to have a wide aperture. Having ideological diversity on this panel is something I prided myself on.

And what he’s effectively saying is that his bosses should have never hired her in this capacity.

I understand the motivation, but this execution, I think, was poor.

Someone said to me last night we live in complicated times. Thank you guys for being here. I really appreciate it.

Now, let’s just note here, this isn’t just any player at NBC. Chuck Todd is obviously a major news name at the network. And him doing this appears to just open the floodgates across the entire NBC News brand, especially on its sister cable network, MSNBC.

And where I said I’d never seen anything like what I saw on “Meet the Press” that morning, I’d never seen anything like this either. Because now, the entire MSNBC lineup is in open rebellion. I mean, from the minute that the sun comes up. There is Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

We weren’t asked our opinion of the hiring. But if we were, we would have strongly objected to it.

They’re on fire over this.

believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices, but it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier.

But it rolls out across the entire schedule.

Because Ronna McDaniel has been a major peddler of the big lie.

The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News, to me that is inexplicable. I mean, you wouldn’t hire a mobster to work at a DA’s office.

Rachel Maddow devotes an entire half hour.

It’s not about just being associated with Donald Trump and his time in the Republican Party. It’s not even about lying or not lying. It’s about our system of government.

Thumbing their noses at our bosses and basically accusing them of abetting a traitorous figure in American history. I mean, just extraordinary stuff. It’s television history.

And let’s face it, we journalists, our bosses, we can be seen as crybabies, and we’re paid complaining. Yeah, that’s what we’re paid to do. But in this case, the NBC executives cannot ignore this, because in the outcry, there’s a very clear point that they’re all making. Ronna McDaniel is not just a voice from the other side. She was a fundamental part of Trump’s efforts to deny his election loss.

This is not inviting the other side. This is someone who’s on the wrong side —

Of history.

Of history, of these moments that we’ve covered and are still covering.

And I think it’s fair to say that at this point, everyone understands that Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC News is going to be very short lived. Yeah, basically, after all this, the executives at NBC have to face facts it’s over. And on Tuesday night, they release a statement to the staff saying as much.

They don’t cite the questions about red lines or what Ronna McDaniel represented or didn’t represent. They just say we need to have a unified newsroom. We want cohesion. This isn’t working.

I think in the end, she was a paid contributor for four days.

Yeah, one of the shortest tenures in television news history. And look, in one respect, by their standards, this is kind of a pretty small contract, a few hundred thousand dollars they may have to pay out. But it was way more costly because they hired her. They brought her on board because they wanted to appeal to these tens of millions of Americans who still love Donald J. Trump.

And what happens now is that this entire thing is blown up in their face, and those very same people now see a network that, in their view, in the view of Republicans across the country, this network will not accept any Republicans. So it becomes more about that. And Fox News, NBC’S longtime rival, goes wall to wall with this.

Now, NBC News just caved to the breathless demands from their far left, frankly, emotionally unhinged host.

I mean, I had it on my desk all day. And every minute I looked at that screen, it was pounding on these liberals at NBC News driving this Republican out.

It’s the shortest tenure in TV history, I think. But why? Well, because she supports Donald Trump, period.

So in a way, this leaves NBC worse off with that Trump Republican audience they had wanted to court than maybe even they were before. It’s like a boomerang with a grenade on it.

Yeah, it completely explodes in their face. And that’s why to me, the whole episode is so representative of this eight-year conundrum for the news media, especially on television. They still haven’t been able to crack the code for how to handle the Trump movement, the Trump candidacy, and what it has wrought on the American political system and American journalism.

We’ll be right back.

Jim, put into context this painful episode of NBC into that larger conundrum you just diagnosed that the media has faced when it comes to Trump.

Well, Michael, it’s been there from the very beginning, from the very beginning of his political rise. The media was on this kind of seesaw. They go back and forth over how to cover him. Sometimes they want to cover him quite aggressively because he’s such a challenging candidate. He was bursting so many norms.

But at other times, there was this instinct to understand his appeal, for the same reason. He’s such an unusual candidate. So there was a great desire to really understand his voters. And frankly, to speak to his voters, because they’re part of the audience. And we all lived it, right?

But just let me take you back anyway because everything’s fresh again with perspective. And so if you go back, let’s look at when he first ran. The networks, if you recall, saw him as almost like a novelty candidate.

He was going to spice up what was expected to be a boring campaign between the usual suspects. And he was a ratings magnet. And the networks, they just couldn’t get enough of it. And they allowed him, at times, to really shatter their own norms.

Welcome back to “Meet the Press,” sir.

Good morning, Chuck.

Good morning. Let me start —

He was able to just call into the studio and riff with the likes of George Stephanopoulos and Chuck Todd.

What does it have to do with Hillary?

She can’t talk about me because nobody respects women more than Donald Trump.

And CNN gave him a lot of unmitigated airtime, if you recall during the campaign. They would run the press conferences.

It’s the largest winery on the East Coast. I own it 100 percent.

And let him promote his Trump steaks and his Trump wine.

Trump steaks. Where are the steaks? Do we have steaks?

I mean, it got that crazy. But again, the ratings were huge. And then he wins. And because they had previously given him all that airtime, they’ve, in retrospect, sort of given him a political gift, and more than that now have a journalistic imperative to really address him in a different way, to cover him as they would have covered any other candidate, which, let’s face it, they weren’t doing initially. So there’s this extra motivation to make up for lost ground and maybe for some journalistic omissions.

Right. Kind of correct for the lack of a rigorous journalistic filter in the campaign.

Exactly. And the big thing that this will be remembered for is we’re going to call a lie a lie.

I don’t want to sugarcoat this because facts matter, and the fact is President Trump lies.

Trump lies. We’re going to say it’s a lie.

And I think we can’t just mince around it because they are lies. And so we need to call them what they are.

We’re no longer going to use euphemisms or looser language we’re. Going to call it for what it is.

Trump lies in tweets. He spreads false information at rallies. He lies when he doesn’t need to. He lies when the truth is more than enough for him.

CNN was running chyrons. They would fact check Trump and call lies lies on the screen while Trump is talking. They were challenging Trump to his face —

One of the statements that you made in the tail end of the campaign in the midterms that —

Here we go.

That — well, if you don’t mind, Mr. President, that this caravan was an invasion.

— in these crazy press conferences —

They’re are hundreds of miles away, though. They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That’s not an invasion.

Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings —

Well, let me ask — if I may ask one other question. Mr. President, if I may ask another question. Are you worried —

That’s enough. That’s enough.

And Trump is giving it right back.

I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.

Very combative.

So this was this incredibly fraught moment for the American press. You’ve got tens of millions of Trump supporters seeing what’s really basic fact checking. These look like attacks to Trump supporters. Trump, in turn, is calling the press, the reporters are enemies of the people. So it’s a terrible dynamic.

And when January 6 happens, it’s so obviously out of control. And what the traditional press that follows, traditional journalistic rules has to do is make it clear that the claims that Trump is making about a stolen election are just so abjectly false that they don’t warrant a single minute of real consideration once the reporting has been done to show how false they are. And I think that American journalism really emerged from that feeling strongly about its own values and its own place in society.

But then there’s still tens of millions of Trump voters, and they don’t feel so good about the coverage. And they don’t agree that January 6 was an insurrection. And so we enter yet another period, where the press is going to have to now maybe rethink some things.

In what way?

Well, there’s a kind of quiet period after January 6. Trump is off of social media. The smoke is literally dissipating from the air in Washington. And news executives are kind of standing there on the proverbial battlefield, taking a new look at their situation.

And they’re seeing that in this clearer light, they’ve got some new problems, perhaps none more important for their entire business models than that their ratings are quickly crashing. And part of that diminishment is that a huge part of the country, that Trump-loving part of the audience, is really now severed from him from their coverage.

They see the press as actually, in some cases, being complicit in stealing an election. And so these news executives, again, especially on television, which is so ratings dependent, they’ve got a problem. So after presumably learning all these lessons about journalism and how to confront power, there’s a first subtle and then much less subtle rethinking.

Maybe we need to pull back from that approach. And maybe we need to take some new lessons and switch it up a little bit and reverse some of what we did. And one of the best examples of this is none other than CNN.

It had come under new management, was being led by a guy named Chris Licht, a veteran of cable news, but also Stephen Colbert’s late night show in his last job. And his new job under this new management is we’re going to recalibrate a little bit. So Chris Licht proceeds to try to bring the network back to the center.

And how does he do that?

Well, we see some key personalities who represented the Trump combat era start losing air time and some of them lose their jobs. There’s talk of, we want more Republicans on the air. There was a famous magazine article about Chris Licht’s balancing act here.

And Chris Licht says to a reporter, Tim Alberta of the “Atlantic” magazine, look, a lot in the media, including at his own network, quote unquote, “put on a jersey, took a side.” They took a side. And he says, I think we understand that jersey cannot go back on him. Because he says in the end of the day, by the way, it didn’t even work. We didn’t change anyone’s mind.

He’s saying that confrontational approach that defined the four years Trump was in office, that was a reaction to the feeling that TV news had failed to properly treat Trump with sufficient skepticism, that that actually was a failure both of journalism and of the TV news business. Is that what he’s saying?

Yeah. On the business side, it’s easier call, right? You want a bigger audience, and you’re not getting the bigger audience. But he’s making a journalistic argument as well that if the job is to convey the truth and take it to the people, and they take that into account as they make their own voting decisions and formulate their own opinions about American politics, if tens of millions of people who do believe that election was stolen are completely tuning you out because now they see you as a political combatant, you’re not achieving your ultimate goal as a journalist.

And what does Licht’s “don’t put a jersey back on” approach look like on CNN for its viewers?

Well, It didn’t look good. People might remember this, but the most glaring example —

Please welcome, the front runner for the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump.

— was when he held a town hall meeting featuring Donald J. Trump, now candidate Trump, before an audience packed with Trump’s fans.

You look at what happened during that election. Unless you’re a very stupid person, you see what happens. A lot of the people —

Trump let loose a string of falsehoods.

Most people understand what happened. It was a rigged election.

The audience is pro-Trump audience, was cheering him on.

Are you ready? Are you ready? Can I talk?

Yeah, what’s your answer?

Can I? Do you mind?

I would like for you to answer the question.

OK. It’s very simple to answer.

That’s why I asked it.

It’s very simple. You’re a nasty person, I’ll tell you that.

And during, the CNN anchor hosting this, Kaitlan Collins, on CNN’s own air, it was a disaster.

It felt like a callback to the unlearned lessons of 2016.

Yeah. And in this case, CNN’s staff was up in arms.

Big shakeup in the cable news industry as CNN makes another change at the top.

Chris Licht is officially out at CNN after a chaotic run as chairman and CEO.

And Chris Licht didn’t survive it.

The chief executive’s departure comes as he faced criticism in recent weeks after the network hosted a town hall with Donald Trump and the network’s ratings started to drop.

But I want to say that the CNN leadership still, even after that, as they brought new leadership in, said, this is still the path we’re going to go on. Maybe that didn’t work out, but we’re still here. This is still what we have to do.

Right. And this idea is very much in the water of TV news, that this is the right overall direction.

Yeah. This is, by no means, isolated to CNN. This is throughout the traditional news business. These conversations are happening everywhere. But CNN was living it at that point.

And this, of course, is how we get to NBC deciding to hire Ronna McDaniel.

Right. Because they’re picking up — right where that conversation leaves off, they’re having the same conversation. But for NBC, you could argue this tension between journalistic values and audience. It’s even more pressing. Because even though MSNBC is a niche cable network, NBC News is part of an old-fashioned broadcast network. It’s on television stations throughout the country.

And in fact, those networks, they still have 6:30 newscasts. And believe it or not, millions of people still watch those every night. Maybe not as many as they used to, but there’s still some six or seven million people tuning in to nightly news. That’s important.

Right. We should say that kind of number is sometimes double or triple that of the cable news prime time shows that get all the attention.

On their best nights. So this is big business still. And that business is based on broad — it’s called broadcast for a reason. That’s based on broad audiences. So NBC had a business imperative, and they argue they had a journalistic imperative.

So given all of that, Jim, I think the big messy question here is, when it comes to NBC, did they make a tactical error around hiring the wrong Republican which blew up? Or did they make an even larger error in thinking that the way you handle Trump and his supporters is to work this hard to reach them, when they might not even be reachable?

The best way to answer that question is to tell you what they’re saying right now, NBC management. What the management saying is, yes, this was a tactical error. This was clearly the wrong Republican. We get it.

But they’re saying, we are going to — and they said this in their statement, announcing that they were severing ties with McDaniel. They said, we’re going to redouble our efforts to represent a broad spectrum of the American votership. And that’s what they meant was that we’re going to still try to reach these Trump voters with people who can relate to them and they can relate to.

But the question is, how do you even do that when so many of his supporters believe a lie? How is NBC, how is CNN, how are any of these TV networks, if they have decided that this is their mission, how are they supposed to speak to people who believe something fundamentally untrue as a core part of their political identity?

That’s the catch-22. How do you get that Trump movement person who’s also an insider, when the litmus test to be an insider in the Trump movement is to believe in the denialism or at least say you do? So that’s a real journalistic problem. And the thing that we haven’t really touched here is, what are these networks doing day in and day out?

They’re not producing reported pieces, which I think it’s a little easier. You just report the news. You go out into the world. You talk to people, and then you present it to the world as a nuanced portrait of the country. This thing is true. This thing is false. Again, in many cases, pretty straightforward. But their bread and butter is talking heads. It’s live. It’s not edited. It’s not that much reported.

So their whole business model especially, again, on cable, which has 24 hours to fill, is talking heads. And if you want the perspective from the Trump movement, journalistically, especially when it comes to denialism, but when it comes to some other major subjects in American life, you’re walking into a place where they’re going to say things that aren’t true, that don’t pass your journalistic standards, the most basic standards of journalism.

Right. So you’re saying if TV sticks with this model, the kind of low cost, lots of talk approach to news, then they are going to have to solve the riddle of who to bring on, who represents Trump’s America if they want that audience. And now they’ve got this red line that they’ve established, that that person can’t be someone who denies the 2020 election reality. But like you just said, that’s the litmus test for being in Trump’s orbit.

So this doesn’t really look like a conundrum. This looks like a bit of a crisis for TV news because it may end up meaning that they can’t hire that person that they need for this model, which means that perhaps a network like NBC does need to wave goodbye to a big segment of these viewers and these eyeballs who support Trump.

I mean, on the one hand, they are not ready to do that, and they would never concede that that’s something they’re ready to do. The problem is barring some kind of change in their news model, there’s no solution to this.

But why bar changes to their news model, I guess, is the question. Because over the years, it’s gotten more and more expensive to produce news, the news that I’m talking about, like recorded packages and what we refer to as reporting. Just go out and report the news.

Don’t gab about it. Just what’s going on, what’s true, what’s false. That’s actually very expensive in television. And they don’t have the kind of money they used to have. So the talking heads is their way to do programming at a level where they can afford it.

They do some packages. “60 Minutes” still does incredible work. NBC does packages, but the lion’s share of what they do is what we’re talking about. And that’s not going to change because the economics aren’t there.

So then a final option, of course, to borrow something Chris Licht said, is that a network like NBC perhaps doesn’t put a jersey on, but accepts the reality that a lot of the world sees them wearing a jersey.

Yeah. I mean, nobody wants to be seen as wearing a jersey in our business. No one wants to be wearing a jersey on our business. But maybe what they really have to accept is that we’re just sticking to the true facts, and that may look like we’re wearing a jersey, but we’re not. And that may, at times, look like it’s lining up more with the Democrats, but we’re not.

If Trump is lying about a stolen election, that’s not siding against him. That’s siding for the truth, and that’s what we’re doing. Easier said than done. And I don’t think any of these concepts are new.

I think there have been attempts to do that, but it’s the world they’re in. And it’s the only option they really have. We’re going to tell you the truth, even if it means that we’re going to lose a big part of the country.

Well, Jim, thank you very much.

Thank you, Michael.

Here’s what else you need to know today.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING]

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in some of the largest domestic demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Israel invaded Gaza in the fall.

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

Some of the protesters called on Netanyahu to reach a cease fire deal that would free the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. Others called for early elections that would remove Netanyahu from office.

During a news conference on Sunday, Netanyahu rejected calls for early elections, saying they would paralyze his government at a crucial moment in the war.

Today’s episode was produced by Rob Szypko, Rikki Novetsky, and Alex Stern, with help from Stella Tan.

It was edited by Brendan Klinkenberg with help from Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett. Contains original music by Marion Lozano, Dan Powell, and Rowan Niemisto and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband
• March 28, 2024   •   33:40 The Newest Tech Start-Up Billionaire? Donald Trump.
• March 27, 2024   •   28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
• March 26, 2024   •   29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
• March 25, 2024   •   25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
• March 24, 2024   •   21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
• March 22, 2024   •   35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader
• March 21, 2024   •   27:18 The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
• March 20, 2024   •   25:58 The Bombshell Case That Will Transform the Housing Market

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jim Rutenberg

Produced by Rob Szypko ,  Rikki Novetsky and Alex Stern

With Stella Tan

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg ,  Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell and Rowan Niemisto

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC was short. The former Republican National Committee chairwoman was hired as an on-air political commentator but released just days later after an on-air revolt by the network’s leading stars.

Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The Times, discusses the saga and what it might reveal about the state of television news heading into the 2024 presidential race.

On today’s episode

Jim Rutenberg , a writer at large for The New York Times.

Background reading

Ms. McDaniel’s appointment had been immediately criticized by reporters at the network and by viewers on social media.

The former Republican Party leader tried to downplay her role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A review of the record shows she was involved in some key episodes .

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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Jim Rutenberg is a writer at large for The Times and The New York Times Magazine and writes most often about media and politics. More about Jim Rutenberg

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