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Top 10 Memorial Day Weekend Getaways in the Northeast

Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful time to be in the Northeast because of the mild climate, outdoor recreation, and fun festivities for the whole family. The states of Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island have many exciting towns to plan a long weekend getaway, but these are some of our favorites. So, instead of the basic backyard barbecue in your hometown again this year, why not take a road trip in the Northeast?

Plymouth, Massachusetts Plymouth, Massachusetts
Credit: Plymouth, Massachusetts by © Deebrowning | Dreamstime.com

Plymouth, Massachusetts

It doesn’t get too much more All-American than Plymouth, Massachusetts. This top New England destination is a great place to spend your Memorial Day weekend. You can visit the iconic attractions of Plimoth Rock and Plimoth Plantation to learn about the area’s rich history and have a ton of fun with your family. The town of Plymouth also has a Memorial Day parade that starts at Veteran’s Park and goes through nearby neighborhoods.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine Old Orchard Beach in Maine
Credit: Old Orchard Beach in Maine by © Bdingman | Dreamstime.com

Old Orchard Beach, Maine

A popular getaway in Maine, Old Orchard Beach is home to seven miles of sand and has been drawing in visitors for generations. The Old Orchard Pier extends about 500 feet out into the ocean and is the center of recreation at this time of year. This is a great place to visit with kids because the Beachfront Palace Playland Park is here. For Memorial Day, there is a parade hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion of Old Orchard Beach, starting at the Ballpar and ending at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Burlington, Vermont Burlington, Vermont
Credit: Burlington, Vermont by © Wellesenterprises | Dreamstime.com

Burlington, Vermont

Located along Lake Champlain in Vermont, Burlington is much more than a college town. This is a wonderful place to go biking on Memorial Day weekend, and there are lots of art performances and breweries to keep you entertained all weekend long. One fun idea is to take a Memorial Day weekend train ride from Burlington to Middlebury. Browsing the Burlington Farmers’ Market is also a must-do when you’re in the area.

Rockport, Massachusetts Rockport, Maine
Credit: Rockport, Maine by © Robert Coffey | Dreamstime.com

Rockport, Massachusetts

Rockport really embodies the spirit of New England and has a quaint vibe that’s perfect for a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. This is a great place to walk along the beach, eat some tasty seafood, and explore the Bearskin Neck artist colony. Like many other New England towns, Rockport has a Memorial Day parade, which starts at Legion Hall and goes down Beach Street to Main Street. A wreath ceremony takes place after the parade.

Kennebunkport, Maine Kennebunkport
Credit: Kennebunkport by @1davidlange/Twenty20.com

Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport is an endearing and top coastal destination in Maine that’s packed with historic inns, cozy bed & breakfasts, locally-owned shops, and delicious seafood. Kennebunkport has a Memorial Day parade that takes place on Monday and features the local veterans and high school marching band. This weekend is considered to be the start of the busy tourist season in Kennebunkport, so it’s also fun to get a jump on the crowds to check out the Schooner Eleanor on a ride down the Kennebunk River, see the Seashore Trolley Museum, and hop on-board Nick’s Chance whale-watching boat.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton, New Hampshire
Credit: Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton, New Hampshire by © Jiawangkun via Dreamstime

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Another fun place to take your family for Memorial Day is Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, which is full of all the saltwater taffy, touristy t-shirts, and games of skeeball you can handle. For Memorial Day, you can watch fireworks shoot up over the ocean while sitting on the beach. This is a special firework display for the holiday, but then fireworks are shot off every Wednesday during the summer as long as there’s no rain.

Jackson, New Hampshire Honeymoon Covered Bridge on the Ellis River in Jackson, New Hampshire
Credit: Honeymoon Covered Bridge on the Ellis River in Jackson, New Hampshire by © Colin Young | Dreamstime.com

Jackson, New Hampshire

One of our favorite places in New Hampshire to visit for Memorial Day is the town of Jackson, which is close to Mount Washington and filled with outdoor adventure opportunities. Come here to get your hiking, biking, and kayaking fix. And then come back to a quaint B&B to relax at the end of your days. On Memorial Day weekend, the Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival takes place with vendors, train rides, a parade, face painting, and more. Held at Jackson Village Park, the exciting festival is family-friendly.

Bristol, Rhode Island Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island
Credit: Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island by © Nicole Duperre | Dreamstime.com

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is a great little waterfront town with an All-American vibe and a lovely downtown area with shops and restaurants. A top destination in Rhode Island, you can visit Colt State Park and the Narragansett Bay when you come here and take a scenic ride on the East Bay Bike Path. Bristol typically hosts an annual Memorial Day parade that steps off from the North Burial Ground to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. Other events that take place throughout Memorial Day weekend include a memorial Mass, a ceremony and speaking program, and other remembrance events. Local fife and drum corps and the local high school marching band are highlights of the parade.

Mystic, Connecticut Mystic, Connecticut
Credit: Mystic, Connecticut by R Boed via Flickr.com

Mystic, Connecticut

Seaport culture is alive and well in Mystic, Connecticut, a Northeastern town with a long ship-building history and a recreated 19th-century village. Visit the Mystic Seaport over Memorial Day weekend to join the Salute to Summer event with games, boat rides, toy boat building, and costumes. It’s also fun to visit the Mystic Aquarium to see the penguins and beluga whales.

Stowe, Vermont Stowe, Vermont
Credit: Stowe, Vermont by © Arthur Caiado | Dreamstime.com

Stowe, Vermont

Many people think of Stowe as a winter destination in the Northeast because of its popular ski resort. However, this is also an ideal place to kick off the summer season. There are many shops here to explore in the downtown area and plenty of natural beauty for your warm-weather recreational activities too. It’s easy to get to the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory and Cold Holly Cider Mill from here, too, if you’re looking for top-notch samples and tasty treats.

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