The New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are popular group tour destinations due to their diverse natural scenery, historic landmarks, outdoor adventures, and cultural activities. From museums and botanical gardens to historic estates, each state offers interesting and educational excursions that cater to a variety of interests and groups of all sizes.
Visitors to the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath can experience the best of what Maine has to offer, including walking history tours of the Percy & Small Shipyard, where the largest wooden schooners were built at the turn of the century; self-guided tours through whimsical and nautical exhibits; and the opportunity to go on a lighthouse and nature cruise aboard the museum’s tour boat. Visitors can enjoy boxed lunches and indoor dining space at the recently opened Flight Deck Brewing, serving up pizza and beer with stunning views of the Kennebec River.
Open May through October, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a natural escape on Maine’s Boothbay peninsula and New England’s largest botanical garden with more than 300 acres of stunning gardens, a children’s garden, walking trails, five giant trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, and more. Visitors can indulge in coffee, beverages, and small bites at Snack Shack, and the cafe serves salads, sandwiches, and an array of seasonal entrees.
In New Hampshire, groups visiting America’s Stonehenge in Salem will enjoy exploring the archaeological site and museum with more than 4,000 years of history on display. It also is open for sunrise and sunset viewings on the solstices and equinoxes when the sun aligns with standing stones on the site, and special activities are offered such as meditations and drum circles. There is a picnic area where groups can bring packed lunches, or they can walk to nearby restaurants like LaBelle Winery and the Atkinson Resort & Country Club.
“Ancient tools, pottery, living sites, and other artifacts have been discovered on the hill as well, all of which is on display in the museum,” says James Lacefield, museum manager. “Visiting America’s Stonehenge means you will not just learn about history; you will actually walk through it.”
Credit: Stoddard Whitridge
One of the top group tour destinations of the Seacoast Region, Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth is New Hampshire’s first Smithsonian Affiliate and offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in more than 350 years of history. Featured exhibits include traditional crafts demonstrations and the “Walsh House Interactive Exhibit,” which invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of an 1800s sea captain and his family by exploring rooms filled with touchable reproduction objects. The Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center offers snacks, beverages, and grab-and-go items, and several restaurants and dining options are a short walk from the museum’s campus in downtown Portsmouth.
“The museum invites groups of all sizes to explore its nearly 10-acre site, including historic houses and heirloom gardens,” says Veronica Lester, director of marketing. “With self-guided tours, groups can discover the stories of everyday people and witness traditional crafts come to life, all within one of the nation’s oldest neighborhoods.”
Nestled in the Ossipee Mountains, Castle in the Clouds is a National Historic Landmark Estate in New Hampshire. Known for its natural beauty, history, and architecture, the historic estate dates back to 1914, and guests can tour the restored Lucknow Mansion and learn about the estate’s history while exploring the beautiful rooms and strolling through the gardens around the home. The estate also has a gift shop, dining, and 28 miles of hiking trails with multiple scenic waterfalls.
In Burlington, Vermont, Church Street Marketplace is the heart of the small city with more than 100 restaurants, shops, and small businesses all within four blocks. A National Register Historic District, the marketplace was founded in 1981 and has been named one of the “Great Public Spaces in America” by the American Planning Association. It frequently hosts events including concerts, festivals, parades, marathons, and street performers—ensuring a fun time for visitors at any time of year.
Hildene is a 412-acre estate that sits on a hill in Manchester, Vermont, and was built as a summer home at the beginning of the 20th century for Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln’s son Robert and his wife Mary. The property features not only a Georgian Revival mansion but also 14 historic buildings, a welcome center and museum store, a 1903 Pullman car, two working farms with animals, and 12 miles of walking trails.
Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vermont, provides education and entertainment to visitors by combining a fully operating dairy farm with art, culture, history, and dynamic daily programs. Snacks, sandwiches, and Vermont-made ice cream can be purchased in the Farmhouse Scoop Shop and Gift Shop, with food trucks available on select days and during events.
By Kamala Kirk
Main Image: Maine Maritime Museum Boat Tour, Bath, Maine; Credit: Maine Maritime Museum
