8 Little-Known Towns In New England
New England’s charm is pronounced and famous; so remarkable, its fame spreads across the entire United States, and millions of tourists troop to the region yearly to have a taste. While famous cities and towns like Boston, Providence, and Bar Harbour take a huge chunk of attention, this historic region also has small towns that are overlooked but are full of charms and laid-back vibes. From breathtaking ocean scenery to heartwarming cultures, delicious cuisines, and grand history, these little towns have what it takes to satisfy every traveler. So divert from the well-worn path and head to these towns today for a blissful experience away from the crowd.
Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic is a small village in Connecticut along the Mystic River and renowned for its seaport, which has produced over 600 ships since its creation in 1784. While little is often said about this town, many will be stunned to learn that the Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the US. Endeavor to visit this iconic museum while in Mystic to see various ship exhibits and a recreation of a shipping village on the museum’s 19-acre site. The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is another top attraction in the town’s center over the Mystic River worth admiring especially when it opens and closes. Lovers of arts can chill at the Mystic Museum of Art and explore incredible works by members of the Mystic Art Colony. Meanwhile, the Mystic River is available for boat cruises and water sports, and when it’s time for lunch, visitors are always welcome to the Mystic Pizza for a delicious bite.
Little Compton, Rhode Island
Little Compton is a coastal town bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to its south and the Sakonnet River to its west. The town is relatively behind the spotlight and only bursts to life in summer when tourists flock here to enjoy its coastal allure. However, the town is beautiful across the seasons and features a lot of history. Some of its highlight historic attractions include Wilbor House Museum (1690), Friends Meeting House and Cemetery (1815), and Stone House Inn (1854). The Little Compton Historical Society also has a museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the town's bygone days through various exhibits and programs. On the outdoors, Sakonnet Light Station, on its namesake peninsula, is a beautiful attraction visitors can admire from the beach at Sakonnet Point. The town also hosts more beaches like Goosewing and South Shore beaches where tourists can bask in the sun, swim, boat, fish, promenade, and enjoy picnics. For art lovers, Donovan Studio is a great stop to explore art exhibits and marvel at creativity.
Albany, New Hampshire
Albany is a small town of less than 800 people in Caroll County, New Hampshire, with most of the town in the White Mountain National Forest. The town also lies at the entrance of Mount Washington Valley and is famed for hosting the 120-foot-long Albany Covered Bridge which is worth checking out. The covered bridge crosses the Swift River along the Kancagamus Highway, where most of the town’s outdoor attractions are located. The Rocky Gorge Scenic Area is one of the highlight attractions along this highway and is accessed by a walkway that leads to a footbridge over the Swift River as it flows into the gorge. Lower Falls is another popular outdoor spot along the highway, where tourists come to view a small waterfall that cascades over rocks to form a pool, which is a popular swimming destination. For history lovers, the Russell-Cobalth House is a historic house museum in town featuring period furnishings and artifacts from archaeological findings. While exploring, don’t forget to take a break at Almost There Restaurant to enjoy a tantalizing lunch.
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is a colorful and adorable small town in Windsor County, Vermont, full of history, unique attractions, and rich New England cultures. Tourists here can have fun in many ways like exploring the several covered bridges in the town, including Taftsville, Lincoln, and Middle Covered bridges. For history buffs, the Billings Farm & Museum is a traditional animal farm that combines fun and history for visitors. Tour the farm, see its animals, explore farm life exhibits, watch a movie at the farm theatre, and see an 1890 farm manager's house. Elsewhere, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion is a national historic park built in 1805 to explore, admire its Queen Anne architecture, and learn about its history. In addition, the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, built in 1807, is also worth visiting. Elsewhere, the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre is a great place to relax and enjoy epic movies.
Castine, Maine
Castine, home to Maine Maritime Academy, is a lovely small town that seldom gets attention but is always worth a visit because it packs some surprises. For starters, the town is naturally scenic from its location on a peninsula overlooking Penobscot Bay and is drained by the Bagaduce River. It is also one of the oldest towns in Maine, with a history dating to the 1600s, although it was permanently settled in the 1760s. Visitors here today will be delighted at the town’s historic draws like Fort Madison (1811), Castine Historical Society, and Wilson Museum, where the town's history, heritage, and cultural elements are preserved in exhibits, artifacts, and documents. On the outdoors, Penobscot Bay and Bagaduce River are some of the town’s scenic playgrounds for boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, cruises, and various kinds of water sports. Visitors can also check out Dyce Head Lighthouse (1828) and afterward enjoy meals with sea views at the Dennett’s at the Wharf.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a resort town and four-season destination in Vermont, but more vibrant in winter, with the Stowe Mountain Resort being the center of winter sports activities. This mountain resort banks on the terrain of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, which turns into a hiking and mountain-climbing destination every other season. Away from winter sports, Stowe Recreation Path is one of the town’s highlight attractions and has gained widespread recognition across the country. The hiking, biking, jogging, and walking path runs for 5.5 miles from the Village Downtown to TopNotch Lodge, winding through the town’s natural beautiful scenery. Stowe also has a covered bridge - the Gold Brook Covered Bridge which is worth checking out. Visitors can also head about five minutes from town for a short hike to Glen Moss Falls to see the beautiful 85-foot cascade, the tallest in Vermont. When it’s time to relax, catch a show at the Stowe Theatre Guild.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a small town in Berkshire County boasting historic, cultural, and natural charms that create memorable experiences. On the side of arts, Norman Rockwell Museum is one of the town’s prominent attractions. It is home to the largest collection of Rockwell Arts and over 100,000 items ranging from photography to letters, business documents, and more. In terms of history, Chesterwood (1896), Mission House (1742), and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church are some top historic sites in town to explore. Naumkeag is another historic mansion and garden built in the 1880s and is worth exploring for history, botany, and architecture enthusiasts. Stockbridge also hosts the Stockbridge Bowl, a 372-acre lake perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, and fishing. For art lovers, Art on Main Gallery boasts an impressive collection of artworks, paintings, and sculptures.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Otherwise known as New Shoreham, Block Island is a charming destination on the outer lands of the coastal archipelago of New England, engulfed by the Atlantic Ocean. This unique island town is worth visiting, especially for those who love lighthouses and beaches. Visitors here will be met with attractions such as the Southeast Lighthouse (1875) and North Lighthouse (1867), which sits near the island’s tip, offering charming views of the ocean. The island also boasts 17 miles of beaches to visit, enjoy water sports, play on the sands, fish, and admire the sunset. Some of its finest beaches include Crescent, Ballard's, and Mansion Beaches. Hikers can explore the Mohegan Bluffs, an expanse of large clay cliffs 150-foot-high on the island’s southern shore. This site is incredibly beautiful and is also historically significant as the Mohegans were said to have been thrown off to their deaths from the cliff during the Battle of the Niantic. History buffs can visit the Block Island Historical Society Museum to see artifacts of the island and learn about its past. In the meantime, The Oar is an American restaurant to patronize and enjoy a delicious lunch after exploring.
Travel to New England, where small towns are big on attractions. Explore this distinct and magnificent region to see why it is a beloved destination across the country. Find hidden gems nestled at the backdrop of nature, uncover iconic history, witness beautiful cultures, savor the cuisines and art, and feast on nature’s charming sights. From the enchanting Block Island with its waterfront glory to Albany, home to one of the most spectacular covered bridges in the state, these little-known towns in New England are full of charms.
