7 Secluded Towns In New England
New England spans about 72,000 square miles, secluded in the northeastern corner of the United States. Canada borders the area to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and New York to the west. It comprises states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine—four of which were among the original 13 colonies that won independence from Great Britain following the American Revolutionary War. The picturesque region is renowned for its quaint, tree-shaded streets lined with historic homes, white-steepled churches on village greens, iconic lighthouses, cozy bookstores, and cafés, and a serene charm amplified by the surrounding natural beauty of rolling hills and rocky coasts.
Marion, Massachusetts
The pretty waterfront town of Marion, Massachusetts, boasts a population of about 5,300 residents, living on 26.69 square miles. It is part of Plymouth County and is 25 miles south of the famous tourist town of Cape Cod. The town was first settled in 1679 and called “Sippican,” the name of the local Wampanoag tribe, meaning “the land of many waters.” With its scenic Sippican Harbor and small-town charm, this coastal town is a haven for boating enthusiasts who like kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, or simply beachcombing on Silvershell Beach for colorful shells like scallops, slipper shells, and mermaid’s toenails along Buzzards Bay.
Guarding the entrance to the harbor is the Bird Island Light, built in 1819. Although the lighthouse is not open to the public, Bird Island is open to visitors except during the nesting season of the endangered roseate tern which makes its home there. To learn about Marion, visit the Marion Natural History Museum, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. Take home a piece of Marion from the Marion Antique Auctions, one of New England's oldest and most well-known antique shops.
Errol, New Hampshire
Visitors searching for a secluded destination to spend a few hours or even an overnight at the Peace of Heaven Bed & Breakfast should look no further than the tiny border town of Errol, New Hampshire. Despite the town’s small population of less than 300 residents, plenty of activities keep residents and visitors busy, especially out of doors at the 1,360-acre Umbagog Lake State Park, like kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Spend the whole day outside exploring the wetlands and marshes of nearby Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge covers 37,000 acres in New Hampshire and Maine and is home to 229 bird species, including 24 varieties of singing warblers. It also has one of the highest concentrations of nesting osprey in the state. No visit to Errol is complete without a stop at L.L. Cote, a 50,000-square-foot local outfitter that sells everything from firearms to Amish furniture.
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Visitors looking to spend time in the smallest town in the smallest state on a secluded island in the Atlantic Ocean will love New Shoreham, Rhode Island, which encompasses the entire geographic area of Bock Island. With only 1,400 residents, the town is 7 miles long and 3 miles wide, and its unique ecosystem is home to over 40 rare or endangered species. It's also a paradise for birders who flock to the island, and it is a prime stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. The 3.5-mile Clay Head Trail is a popular spot for birding on the island with stunning views.
The porkchop-shaped island has 17 miles of pristine beach, including the popular Crescent, Ballard’s, and Mansion Beach—all perfect for kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, picnicking, and beach combing. To explore the island by bike, download a 7.5-mile self-guided loop tour that takes riders past major sights at the southern end of the island along the Mohegan Bluffs, including the 1873 Southeast Light, the iconic Painted Rock, and the North Light.
Greenville, Maine
With a population of around 1,700 residents, the secluded town of Greenville sits on the edge of Maine’s Moosehead Lake—the state’s largest lake at miles 40 long and 20 miles wide. With a name like Moosehead Lake, no wonder it’s one of the top spots to see the state mammal, the moose, especially in the spring when their numbers are in the hundreds. Book a moose safari by land or water with Northwoods Outfitters, which annually counts over 1000 moose sightings.
The town’s rugged landscape and remote location make it ideal for visitors who like exploring the great outdoors year-round, fishing, boating, swimming in the summer, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. For hikers, Mount Kineo is a striking landmark on a peninsula in Moosehead Lake, only accessible by boat. The mountain is made of a rare volcanic rock known as rhyolite, used by the Indigenous people to craft arrowheads. There’s a network of over 6 miles of trails, ranging from easy to moderate, with all trails leading to the 700-foot summit where hikers will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain and the sheer size of Moosehead Lake.
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock, Vermont, lies along the Ottauquechee River, surrounded by the rolling hills and forests of Vermont's Green Mountains. There are plenty of outdoor adventures in this town of around 3,000 residents, including cross-country skiing, fat biking, and shoe showing at the Woodstock Nordic Center, followed by something one-of-a-kind shopping in the village’s historic downtown. For breakfast or lunch, visit Soulfully Good Café, the Abracadabra Coffee Co., or the Village Butcher. The town has a youthful vibe with unique shops like Vermont Eclectic Company, Clover Gift Shop, and F.H. Gillingham & Sons, which sells Vermont’s world-famous maple syrup.
Spend an afternoon at Billings Farm & Museum, a working dairy farm and interactive museum that celebrates Vermont's agricultural and rural traditions and is part of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Visit their renowned herd of over 70 Jersey cows imported to the farm in 1871 from the Isle of Jersey, see the farm life exhibits on display, and pop into the cheese shop.
Essex, Connecticut
Less than 7,000 residents make their homes in the pretty riverside town of Essex, Connecticut, along the west bank of the Connecticut River. Known for its nautical heritage and historic district, Main Street is lined with colonial-era homes, the cozy Griswold Inn, and tons of fun boutiques and eateries like Chocolate Geeks, the Essex Coffee & Tea Company, and Toys Ahoy! The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers a variety of train experiences, including a ride on the 2024 North Pole Express with festive sing-a-longs, cookies, and hot chocolate or a gourmet dinner trip on the elegant Essex Clipper for a 4-course meal served pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. History buffs will enjoy learning about the region's history at the Connecticut River Museum or discovering the Essex Harbor and Essex Reef Lighthouse.
North Haven, Maine
North Haven, Maine, is a secluded island town in Penobscot Bay with about 425 residents. Once a popular retreat for wealthy New Englanders, the town is devoid of opulent mansions, instead boasting rolling fields, farmhouses, and a peaceful, quiet way of life. The town is only accessible by ferry, so watersports like kayaking and sailing are high on the list of activities for visitors to engage in during a visit to the island. Hiking is also an enjoyable way to explore the island, thanks to the North Haven Conservation Partners, who worked to preserve 200 acres of land and several miles of shoreline for public use. Burnt Island is a 74-acre island accessible from North Haven at low tide and has a trail that circles the island, and Sage Woods is 10 acres of trails near the island’s golf course.
Open four seasons, Turner Farm is an organic farm worth visiting, and many of the local restaurants in this close-knit community serve their organic vegetables, herbs, and pasture-raised beef and pork. The North Haven Brewing Company is the perfect way to end the day in this secluded town away from it all.
Discover seven small, secluded New England towns that offer unique attractions, historic landmarks, and outdoor activities, each with populations under 10,000, like Marion, Massachusetts, with its coastal beauty; Errol, New Hampshire; and Greenville, Maine, gateway to Moosehead Lake and Mount Kineo's rhyolite trails. Woodstock, Vermont, combines outdoor adventures with a historic downtown, while both Shoreham and North Haven are tranquil island escapes. Each secluded town offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and local charm, allowing visitors to escape the everyday hustle and bustle.
