New England

History

The history of New England is the history of America. It's the Pilgrims who came ashore at Plymouth Rock, the minutemen who fought for independence from Britain, and the abolitionists who challenged America's legacy of slavery. It's the ponderings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the protests of Harriet Beecher Stowe. It's hundreds of years of poets and philosophers: progressive thinkers who dared to dream and dared to do. It's liberty-loving citizens not afraid to challenge the status quo, as well as generations of immigrants, who have shaped New England into the dynamic region that it is today.

Outdoor Adventure

Hikers, bikers, kayakers and skiers all find their bliss among the rolling hills and rocky peaks of the ancient Appalachian range – from Massachusetts' birch-covered Berkshires and Vermont's lush Green Mountains to the towering White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine.Some of America's prettiest inland lakes and nearly 5000 miles of coastline mean that New Englanders have unlimited opportunities for fishing, swimming, surfing, sailing and sunbathing. So pack your sunglasses and your sunblock and settle in for some quality time by the lakeside or the Atlantic shore.

Culture

At the cutting edge of culture, New England is home to exciting, experimental contemporary-art venues, as well as myriad traditional art museums. Indie bands rock out in Boston, Portland, Providence and Burlington. The world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra takes its show on the road in summer, delighting audiences in Tanglewood. Meanwhile, there are blues jams in Maine, folk festivals in Newport and Lowell, theater productions in the Berkshires, puppet shows in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom and classical music in Rockport. Concert series, film festivals and countless other performances mean the cultural calendar is jam-packed.

Food

To get a taste of New England, check out the calendar of events celebrating local delicacies, such as Maine lobsters, Wellfleet oysters and Vermont beer. Blessed with a burgeoning locavore movement and a wealth of international culinary influences, New England cuisine fuses the best of both worlds. A pile of pancakes drenched in maple syrup; fresh farm produce and sharp cheddar cheese; fish and shellfish straight from the sea; exotic dishes with influences of Portugal, Italy or Asia: this is just a sampling of the epicurean delights that travelers will find in New England.

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