Top 10 Nature & Parks in New England, New England

March 6, 2022 Brandee Mangan

Discover the best top things to do in New England, New England including White Mountain National Forest, Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Mountain, Stowe Recreation Path, Cape Cod National Seashore, Farmington River, Shining Sea Bikeway, Acadia National Park, Cliff Walk, Roger Williams Park Zoo.
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1. White Mountain National Forest

Kancamagus Highway Supervisors Office, NH 03246-2741 +1 603-536-6100 http://www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 236 reviews

White Mountain National Forest

Great outdoors activities all year long.

Reviewed By WaitForIttttt - Hazlet, United States

My husband and I visited White Mountain National Forest this week for some pandemic-safe hiking because we heard it was forecasted to be peak foliage. We were so glad we did because the scenery was breathtaking, featuring all the gorgeous colors of autumn. There were tons of beautiful overlooks to stop at and a diverse selection of trails. We decided to hike the Champney Falls Trail and it was a lovely trail that followed the brook through the leaves to the waterfall. This Forest is definitely a must-see in Autumn!

2. Mount Desert Island

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609 +1 207-288-5005 http://www.barharborinfo.com
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,891 reviews

Mount Desert Island

Home to Acadia National Park, this island off the coast of Maine with its beaches, sweeping cliffs and mountains offers visitors numerous recreational activities, from hiking, biking and following nature trails to swimming, sailing and kayaking.

Reviewed By mikey605 - Sevierville, United States

So much to see and do on Mount Desert Island! Acadia National Park, Whale Watching, Scenic Charters and Tours, Beaches, Shops, Golf, Hiking, Biking, Sea Kayaking, Plane rides, glider rides, helicopter flights, mini golf, if you want to do it you will find it on MDI

3. Cadillac Mountain

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.acadiamagic.com
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,467 reviews

Cadillac Mountain

The East Coast's highest mountain at 1,530 feet and Acadia's best known sight.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island is, at 1, 532 feet, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard and the first place in the United States to be touched by the light of a rising sun from October 7 through March 6 of each year. How's that for a notable piece of trivia? It also is the only mountain on Mount Desert Island--there are more than 20 of them--that has a road that travels all the way to the summit. The 3.5-mile road to the top opened in 1931. Cadillac Mountain is composed largely of pink granite, giving it a strong reddish appearance at sunrise or sunset. Spruce and pitch pine are the dominant trees on the mountain combined with tiny subalpine plants and wild blueberries. Views? Look in every direction. To the East, there is the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island, including Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor. To the West is Eagle Lake and Blue Hill Mountain. Yes, it is more scenic than a trip to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.

4. Stowe Recreation Path

Stowe, VT 05672 +1 802-253-7321 [email protected] http://www.gostowe.com/recreation-path
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,432 reviews

Stowe Recreation Path

Between the West Branch River and Route 108 is a biking trail full of scenic vistas and small town atmosphere.

Reviewed By Turkish340

Rent some good bikes and do it. Did it with family, youngest is 10. No probkem at all as the entire path is pretty much flat and paved so it is really easy to ride. Beautiful scenery all the way through, and some really magical spots to stop and admire the area.

5. Cape Cod National Seashore

99 Marconi Site Rd, MA 02667-8142 (508) 255-3421 https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 625 reviews

Cape Cod National Seashore

Over 40,000 beautiful acres of protected beach and dunes, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown.

Reviewed By StacyInDC2012 - Alexandria, United States

During our visit to Cape Cod National Seashore we enjoyed relaxing beach time at Marconi Beach, complete with several seal appearances just beyond the waves and then hiked in the white cedar swamp. The park wasn’t very crowded as we were there during the week just after Labor Day. Loved the visit and the fact that it gave us the opportunity to both be active and relax.

6. Farmington River

CT
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Farmington River

7. Shining Sea Bikeway

Falmouth, MA +1 508-548-8500 http://www.shiningseabikeway.com
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Shining Sea Bikeway

Reviewed By MingO_11 - Boston, United States

This is arguably the most scenic bike trail in Cape Cod. It has almost everything Cape Cod bike trails have to offer: the marsh, the cranberry bog, picturesque cape towns, and of course the shining sea. A few tips: Near the Woods Hole terminus of the trail, there is a very good bakery called Pie in the Sky, which is a good stop to refuel. Also from there, the Nobska lighthouse is close by (~1 mile away), which also worth a side trip.

8. Acadia National Park

20 McFarland Hill Dr, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-7387 +1 207-288-3338 http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,883 reviews

Acadia National Park

Reviewed By emktraveller2018 - Richmond, United States

This was our second trip to Acadia and it didn't disappoint. We hiked for two days - the Great Head Loop Trail - Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, hike/walk around Jordan Pond, tea and popovers at Jordan Pond Restaurant, sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, the Beech Mountain trail and the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.

9. Cliff Walk

Newport, RI 02840-3659 401 849-8048 https://www.discovernewport.org/things-to-do/cliff-walk/
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,342 reviews

Cliff Walk

A scenic 3.5 mile walkway that borders the back lawn of The Breakers and many other Newport mansions.

Reviewed By Kirkpatd - Whitehead, United Kingdom

We parked at Easton beach (free) so you also get the benefit of the beach before you start the walk At this point the walk is pathed so very easy and on one side you get great views of the Atlantic Ocean and views back over the town. On the other side you get a view of the mansions and stately homes of the rich and famous About a mile into the walk the path becomes a little more challenging as you have to manoeuvre across rocks and uneven ground but this is not majorly difficult and you can pass with care. Make sure you have good soled shoes or trainers to give a bit more support The walk itself is about 3.5 miles and you end up at a small beach and from there you can get a trolley bus back into town if you don’t want to do the return leg Bring water, sun cream and a camera you won’t be disappointed

10. Roger Williams Park Zoo

1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907-3659 +1 401-785-3510 [email protected] http://www.rwpzoo.org/
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,155 reviews

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Located amid 40 acres of beautiful woodlands, the Roger Williams Park Zoo provides visitors the opportunity to see animals from all over the globe – some more than a million years old. Naturalistic surroundings are home to more than 100 species of animals including a Komodo dragon, as well as zebras, red pandas, African elephants, Masai giraffes, snow leopards, bears, flamingoes, sloths, and more! Kids from two to 102 have the opportunity to feed giraffes and harbor seals, as well as an array of farmyard animals. For something slightly out of the ordinary, visit our new Explore and Soar area offering an exhilarating zip ride, a train excursion through the woodlands, and ice cream station. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is home to many endangered species. As a result, the Zoo participates in cooperative conservation and breeding programs to help ensure the future survival of many endangered species.

Reviewed By fedemarisa

This is our second year visiting Roger Williams Zoo for their annual Jack-o-lantern Spectacular. Takes about 1hour to walk through. Amazing display of pumpkins. Great seasonal activity.

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