New England is a vast region covering a great portion of the North Eastern United States – but even given its size, the region has its own unique culture, history, and idiosyncrasies.

Famous for its fall foliage, literary background, coastal towns, and great food, New England is a must-visit when in the United States. From red, amber and yellow trees to scenic harbors and bustling cities, New England has a reputation for being a beautiful place to explore.

So whether you’re a New England local or just visiting, what are the top things to do in New England? Below we’ve rounded up our favorite must-do’s.

1. Boston Whale Watching Excursion – $58

For fans of the water and marine life, Boston is a must-visit. This whale watching excursion out of Long Wharf, Boston takes you on a three hour adventure to Stellwagen Bank on the search for whales.

At Long Wharf, you will board a high-speed catamaran to begin your fun, marine excursion. You will be greeted by the friendly crew who will make you feel at home and answer any questions you may have about the trip.

The onboard naturalists from the New England Aquarium will also share their knowledge about the behaviors, conservation status, scientific tracking and more of whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine life throughout the cruise.

Once you arrive at the sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins and sea birds, the hunt is on! You will have the opportunity to spot several varieties of large whales including humpbacks, minkes finbacks, Pilot Whales and possibly even the critically endangered Right Whales.

Voted as the Best Whale Watching in Boston, this Sightseeing Cruise is one of the best things to do in New England and makes the perfect gift!

2. Boston Winter Sports Adventure – $90

While New England’s fall foliage is a famous phenomenon that people travel from all over the country – and the world – to experience, the region is just as magical when coated in a thick blanket of snow. Make the most of serene, snowy New England with this Boston 75 minute s lesson.

Your winter sports adventure is located just 15 minutes west of Boston, in idyllic, rural Weston. Weston makes for a quaint, snow-covered backdrop to get to grips with skiing. While you absorb the wintry beauty of this tiny town, you can learn classical skiing, cross country skiing, or skate-skiing.

No matter which lesson you choose to enjoy, you are in for an exciting adventure at the Weston Ski Track. The fun begins when you meet your knowledgeable guide who will fit you with all of the equipment you need for your lesson of choice.

Once you have all of your gear, you and the rest of the group will head out to beginner level terrain and learn the skills you need to get moving across the snow. Classical cross country skiing lessons will go over the basics of the classic ski diagonal stride, how to turn, and how to negotiate small hills.

During the Skate-Ski Lessons you will learn the basics of weight transfer, edging on skate-skies, and V1 timing. So whether you are looking try something new on the slopes or for a unique outdoor winter gift, this Boston Winter Sports Adventure is the perfect experience!

3. Dirt Bike Riding in New England – £249

Head to Plympton, MA for the outdoor adventure of a lifetime!

Rural Plympton’s vast dirt roads and wide open spaces lend themselves perfectly to a day getting to grips with a dirtbike. Tear up the dirt tracks and journey through the countryside on your exciting new method of transport.

During an exciting hands-on full day dirt bike riding lesson, you’ll learn how to ride a dirtbike with the help of an expert instructor. Whether you’re a fan of Motocross or a thrill seeker looking for a new adventure, this exciting off-road activity is sure to get your heart pounding.

The introductory dirt bike riding lesson is conducted in a safe, fun, and controlled learning environment without pressure. Your professional Instructor will teach you the skills you need to understand the basics of how to ride the bike: sitting on the motorcycle and location and operation of controls.

Once you gain confidence handling and maneuvering the vehicle, you’ll progress to more challenging situations and terrain – you’ll learn how to ride in circles, make sharp turns, and how to ride on hills.

By the end of this dirt bike lesson, you will have a solid understanding of the techniques every off-road rider needs to know in order to stay safe, act responsibly, and most importantly, have fun! This Dirt Bike Lesson is the perfect gift for every adventurer in New England.

4. Hilltown Winter Dog Sled Tour – $350

Observe the peaceful town of West Chesterfield during the winter, with this unforgettable dog sled tour. During your one and a half hour hands-on dog sled experience, you’ll learn the thrilling sport of mushing.

Dog sledding, a well-known form of mushing, can be a competitive sport but is also a great winter outdoor recreation activity for the whole family!
Located near West Chesterfield, the excitement typically begins at the entrance of the DAR State Forest where you and your guest will meet your experienced musher and tour guide in the warming hut.

Once you are ready to set out on your outdoor adventure, you will head out and meet your talented team of dogs who will be pulling the sled. Next, discover first-hand the excitement of mushing, along the way experience views of gorgeous scenery as you travel through Northern Conifer Hardwood Forests.

Throughout the adventure you and your guest will each have a chance to take turns piloting the sled and riding as a passenger! So, whether you are looking for looking for a fun outdoor adventure or a new hobby, this Dog Sled Tour will let you experience Mushing first-hand.

5. Connecticut Lobster Dinner Cruise – $110

If there’s one food that’s representative of New England, it’s a perfectly-cooked lobster. There’s no more satisfying place to devour seafood than on a beautiful boat cruise, taking in the quintessential sights of nautical New England.

During your three hour lobster dinner cruise, you’ll sail along the Connecticut coastline aboard the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler. This tasty trip on the 110 foot tall ship will provide you with a magical sailing tour on the waters of Fisher’s Island Sound.

Devour succulent lobster during this tranquil adventure as you move through the scenic waters, taking in the lighthouses, old forts, and beautiful waterfront homes that dot the shoreline.
Throughout the sail, your captain will point out local landmarks and discusses related historic events.

Whether you are looking for the perfect date night or a unique gift for friends and family, this five-star rated Connecticut Lobster Dinner Cruise Sail aboard the Mystic Whaler tall ship is the perfect pick!

6. New England Full Day Guided Hiking Trip – $115

New England isn’t all water, snowy landscapes and leafy trees… it’s also known for its myriad serene and beautiful hiking trails. Enjoy an exciting adventure hiking to the peak of Mosquito Mountain on this full day New England Hiking Tour!

You will meet with your friendly and experienced guide in West Forks. This six-hour hiking adventure will start with a safety briefing before you and the rest of the guests climb in the vans to head to the starting point. The Mosquito Mountain Adventure includes a leisurely 2 mile hike to the Peak of Mosquito Mountain, which has an elevation of 2,175 feet.

Once at the top, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic views including Mosquito Pond, Moxie Pond, nearby Pleasant Pond Mountain, Sugarloaf and Mount Katahdin.
This Mosquito Mountain Hiking Trip is the perfect day out for outdoorsy types!

7. Kennebec River Whitewater Rafting – $191

Explore one of the most exciting rivers in Maine – the Kennebec! This whitewater rafting adventure is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience the thrill of the water first-hand.
The day begins in West Forks where you will meet with your guide.

Here, you will be fitted with all necessary gear and be given an overview of the fun that lies ahead. Once the group is ready, you will head out to the put-in location at Harris Dam. Throughout the day you will learn to work together as a team to negotiate Rock Garden, Big Mama, White Washer and the infamous Magic Falls rapids.

As you navigate the Rapids of the Kennebec, you will soon discover why this is the most rafted river in the State!

8. Rock Climbing 101 – $170

Explore the beauty of the Mountains of New Hampshire or New York as you enjoy a full-day guided Climbing Lesson. This private outdoor adventure is a great way to get out and experience the beauty of the mountains year-round.

Your guide will teach you and the rest of the group the basics of climbing during this thrilling lesson including how to operate equipment, tie knots, use belay techniques and more. Then it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Each climber in the party will take turns climbing and descending on the challenging mountain.

Whether this is your first time or you have previous indoor or outdoor climbing experience, your instructor will teach you what you need to know to have an exciting and safe outdoor adventure in one of the best climbing spots in the Country!

So, if you are looking to try climbing for the first time or for a unique way to enjoy the outdoors, this North Conway adventure is perfect, and makes a great gift for an adventurer.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading our New England gift guide. We hope you’ve found something perfect from our selection – from traversing crashing rapids, to climbing sun-speckled mountains, to watching the world go by as you tuck into a lobster from the deck of a boat.

New England is a fantastic place to explore no matter what you love to do, but if you’re heading further afield you can check out our full range of experience gifts from across the US here.