The strategic location of the City of Ships right on the Kennebec River also provides scenic water views that helps add to its perfect New England vibe. Whatever you choose, Im sure youll have a wonderful time. little Compton is absolutely gorgeous and, best of all, pretty much undisturbed!!n. Market Square, Market Street Nantucket also has so many 100+yo American Elm trees lining the streets and yards with their beautiful canopies They are a sight to behold Air is pure, sky unbelievably blue, beaches unsurpassed. When you picture a quintessential New England getaway, Falmouth is the first to come to mind. Love the coast, when I can get there from Colorado. Truly surprised that Nantucket was not on the list.MV is quite nice but Nantucket is a bit more special. Dartmouth, MA to the list. Where is the beautiful town of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts on this list? Ive lived in Newport most of my life and unfortunately have witnessed the decline. A study conducted and released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2020. Awesome list for exploring the coastal gems in New England. It has kept its authentic New England charm, and its very special! It is a wonderful place. One we ordered from a local bakery in Camden, one was baked by the ships cook an the third was brought by the bridesmaid. It has the typical New England feel and a vibrant downtown area. Really?? The crew and passengers would not let us do any work all week, and of course there were plenty of honeymoon jokes spread around all week ! The streets of this New Hampshire town are lined with galleries, cafes, Colonial homes and boutiques. C. might mean Friendship, Maine. Id like to return. New Hampshire -- Hanover and Dartmouth College. I still visit Rockport every year, even since moving out of state 14 years ago. Missing Plymouth and Onset, MA as another couple of good ones, Ogunquit is wonderfuland dont forget did get rated best beach in New England : )), I agree! that is filled with locally-owned restaurants, cafes, and one-of-a-kind boutiques. , which is surrounded by city hall, a library, galleries, restaurants, and shops, and hosts public events like live music concerts, festivals, outdoor movies, and a farmers market. All of New England has fairs and festivals in the summer and early fall, since the weather is so dreadful the rest of the year. Thank you! Manhattan's easily navigable numbered streets and city government plans such as the pedestrianized Times Square undoubtedly play a part in New York's walkability stakes. Ability to get around the main part of the community by foot. At the end of the walk bracketed by Memorial Blvd., Francis Street, and Finance Way is a circular boat basin with amphitheater-type steps where outdoor performances take place in warm weather. I have been to all of them and Nantucket is be far the most beautiful, Watch Hill, Shelter Harbour, and Jamestown are very beautiful as well. The still-dynamic Tabernacle stands at the center of this network of fairytale-like houses. When youve had your fill of looking at the huge yachts parked on the shore, and the sailboats out in the harbor, you can explore the numerous shops, and the elite, upscale restaurants with outdoor tables, and the maritime museum, and the Audubon museum, or relax on the shaded grass of the large town green, or get seats on a touring boat, or explore the gigantic barn filled with antiques (Oldies Marketplace), etc., etc. In fact, Stowe feels like a town that is right out of a fairytale. Bangor , ME is breathtaking. It does get busy in the summer. Orleans vibrant downtown features a handful of local shops, galleries, and delicious eateries that are interspersed among numerous historic sites and buildings. It was washed away years ago, but rebuilt. According to AAA, the most walkable neighborhoods in Oakland include Piedmont Avenue, Oakland Hills, and Jack London Square. If you are a hiker, you cant go wrong. Ljubljana is what I would consider to be Europe's most underrated capital city. We wanted to experience a trip without airports. You missed Mystic Seaport. 8 Pros and Cons of Living in Pueblo Colorado, 8 Best Small Towns in Florida to Raise a Family in 2023 Safe & Great Schools, The 12 Most Liberal Cities in Florida in 2023, Why is Seattle so Expensive in 2023? Not surprisingly, car-loathing New York City took the cake with a WalkScore of 88.9. For instance, dont miss Stowes Traditional Christmas celebration in the winter. A small town with a lot of friendly heart!! Dont miss Littletons recently revitalized River District, which blends its historic charm with modern amenities and features the. Mohawk Trail (Rt 2) thru western MA, Rt 100 thru Woodstock VT, and the Kancamagus Highway Rt 112 in NH all offer spectacular foliage. Okay, so technically Wolfboro, NH is not a coastal town. This historic community is located right on the Connecticut River near the southern shores of the state. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. See More: Lighthouse and National Park Tour via catamaran. There are delightful walks along New England beaches. A 2010 Census report said that of the six states in the region, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire each boasted populations that were at least 96 percent white. Burlington Vermont is special and Gloucester. We can't . I guess we are very lucky to live near so many beautiful seaport towns. Learn More:Check out ourGuide to Newport, RIand the Newport Mansions, New Shoreham, Rhode Island | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. I live in Florida now and it is so hard to go back there, in fact I cannot even go back there in the summer. Not only is it non-commercial and a true working lobstering hub, but also it offers gorgeous harbor views, a lovely Deer Isle ocean thoroughfare where you can see the ships go by, and a fantastic picturesque downtown that is a joy to stroll. +4.6%. Population: 6,005 Location: Check on Google Maps. Take everything great about coastal New England, distill it down to the purest essence and spread it across 4 square miles of landOgunquit, Maine. New York City - with its population of around 8.1 million - has one of the lowest rates of pedestrian fatalities. Unique View: Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. Here, you will find stunning Colonial homes and a walkable downtown area that is situated right on the bay. Get to Ft. Sewell and tell yourself the view from the Boston skyline north through the Cape Ann shoreline isnt deserving of the top 10! Plymouth, MA, of course, as well as just up the road, Duxbury, MA; as well as just down the road, Sandwich, MA. theres sooooooo many nice towns in New England, its hard to choose which is the prettiest. See More: From the water, on the Schooner Surprise. Artists love Massachusetts coastal towns, and Rockport in particular. Many great memorys its like Mayberry quiet nice views. But, Portsmouth is also very much alive during the other seasons as well, as highlighted by the plentiful number of community festivals and events that take place throughout the year. My favorite New England town. People are all cut from the same cloth and very friendly. If you want to spend half a day in a gorgeous NE coastal town, I strongly recommend Newburyport, MA. All of these towns are deserving. Whats not to like in any part of New England. Median home price: $319,000 Google Jerusalem rd. I never did hear in what state this little enclave exists. Cant say I blame them. Its very difficult to judge ANY coastal town in New England against ANY other coastal town in New England. I lived in Rockport, MA for a few years. I have lived in New England all my life, travel many parts of the world but could never live anywhere else. Rockport is truly a hidden gem! I dont know why Stonington didnt make the list. Hope your vacation is everything you dream it will be!! So glad that Provincetown made the list. Went swimming @ the point ever look beach quite often. My picks to accomplish that are: start at Galilee RI and ferry to Block Island, once returning to land head straight to Rock port Mass, visit Plum Island as you head up the coast, Portsmouth/New Castle NH, to Ogunquit Maine and dont miss Kennebunkport, then to Wisscassette and Boothbay Harbor and Damriscotta ending up in Camden Maine. Ranked: Europe's most walkable cities. We often get in the car and head for the ocean and just drive til we see something that catches our eye (or stomach) Truly is Gods country! I cant believe that Marblehead Ma., is not on there.!!! Its location right between Providence and Newport also make it a convenient place to explore. Vermont doesnt need ocean front. My husband and I are planning a 5 day trip to Vermont the first weekend of November. Answer (1 of 4): If you're asking this question because you're thinking about moving to NJ and you want ideas about towns you should look at, one place I'd suggest looking at is Hopewell Borough. Not now. Thank for your comment. Bar Harbor, Maine | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. It is a tiny, unspoiled, and truly beautiful village on a northern island, facing Vermonts beautiful Green Mountains. Any suggestions. I cant say enough. I also find York, Maine an awesome place. Aside from succulent Maine lobster and awe-inspiring lighthouses, walkability is a huge hallmark of Portland. In the context of its Sri Lankan setting - a country often characterized by bustle and pace - Galle is remarkable for its leafy streets, lack of traffic, explorable-on-foot ramparts and Buddhist temples within a whistle of Catholic churches. Lincoln Park has the highest walk score. Each one is only 2 to 3 hours driving. Unique View: The nations oldest platform carousel. The view of the lighthouse in Block Island is the South Light. No street lights, and no riff-raff. Oxford, England. Perched aside a wooded section of the Connecticut River. Walk Score: 88 Most Walkable Neighborhoods: Little Italy, NoLita, Boerum Hill Coming in close in second place is New York City, a.k.a. Its okay, Ill forgive you! Wow.Maine is pretty but you are looking for pretty coastal TOWNS.No Newburyport?Portsmouth NH?Nantucket? Littleton is a perfectly enchanting New England community that is tucked away at the base of the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. Our research evaluated all of the 1,446 small towns across New England with a population of 25,000 people or less and rated them based on several key factors, which include cost of living, dining, nightlife and entertainment options, cultural events, safety, and walkability. Great shops show cool jewelry, gifts, clothing, and more. Most scenic places in New England? Essex, CT; Westerly, RI; Jamestown, RI; Rockport, MA; Newburyport, MA; Ipswich, MA; Marblehead, MA. Cliff Walk, Rhode Island. Really thought Christmas Cove in Maine was unique. TX is warmer. See More: By jeep, of Provincetowns famous sand dunes, with Arts Dune Tours. To decide the best small towns in New England that truly reflect the classic feel of the region, we created a detailed evaluation system based on seven metrics to help quantify the caliber of each community: We developed a database to track all 1,446 small towns in New England and then chose the top twelve small towns that received the highest overall scores across all of these categories. , where you can sample some of the regions best cuisine or stop at one of the unique shops that line the street. Im glad. You are surrounded by traditional and modern college buildings along with stores and eateries. We picked the 10 prettiest coastal towns in New England, from Down East harbors to Victorian island resorts. Many cruise ships visit too. Some of the most stroll-worthy spots include the Old Port Historic District for its colonial maritime heritage, or the Victorian neighborhood of Western Promenade whose 19th and 20th century structures and gardens are like a travel back in time. How about Cape Codso many beautiful towns on CC, Morris Cove the east shore of New Haven harbor will always be the prettiest to me. Data from various review aggregator sites and social media platforms. He retires in a year and we are moving to Bar Harbor. I have never been there, but close by. Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. You cant beat it. People argue with me on that often, but I care not as my heart says otherwise. Have a look and see if you dont agree. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. This quaint town is home to several notable points of interest, including the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Florence is a wonderful city, and the old part is eminently walkable with its cobbled streets, ancient wonders along the way, market stalls, and many cafs where you can linger over a coffee. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns and official town events calendar. Loveland is also one of the more lively stops along the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, which runs 75 miles from Springfield to Newtown. Of all the neighborhoods in Sacramento, Downtown, Midtown, and North Oak Park rate as the most walkable. Fort Point Lighthouse, Stockton Springs, Maine Marshall Point Lighthouse, Saint George, Maine Ridin the Rails to Rockland Sculpture, Rockland, ME Dudley Farm There's no shortage of amazing craft breweries in New England. Parks and history (I love Plymouth). There are so many places along the coast to see all of them cant possibly be mention in one space. Lots of opinions based on personal experiences therewhy not? New York City. All three are worthy of the day-long . We were there the month of October and it was magnificent. Thank you. Its lakes and mountainous scenery far exceed many coastal towns. But it is not the same! Woodstock is also famous for its enchanting Christmas celebration, where you can witness the whole town lighting up in holiday cheer. Can anyone suggest a planned route? Just returned from my second trip this summer to Boothbay Harbor where I go twice every summer. (not sure when the sweet cider starts to flow). I also agree with Stonington borough as I also lives there in fourth grade..then moved to Pawcatuck. and check out one of its locally-owned restaurants or shops. Right next to Dublin, home of the Old Farmers Almanac. What happened to Wiscasset? Here, residents and visitors can enjoy its. New England has some of the most beautiful small towns in the United States. You always leave off Newburyport, MA. Home to one of the most famous universities in the world, the city has also served as the backdrop and inspiration for many a famous movie and literary creation, including the Harry Potter series and Alice in Wonderland. Any suggestions of places to see and things to do? Should be on this list. My husband and I took a month off a couple of years ago to visit New England. Following these 10, in order, are Baltimore at . Thanks for the great road trip idea Terry. Youll need it and worth every penny. It is my top choice. From Margie of DQ Family Travel. Please, let me forward you my Beautiful photos of EASTHAM , MA. I spent a week in Chatham wonderful place. Im watching the same show. Additionally, Baths famously relaxed culture makes it ideal for people of all ages to enjoy. As a native New Englander, Id suggest that the most perfect New England coastal town is Newburyport, MA., (not mentioned here). What are your picks for the prettiest coastal towns in New England? I love it here and rarely feel a need to escape on vacation, we are already in the New England paradise. I was lucky enough to live there for 6 years but now live at bottom of outer banks in NC. Top. While this small community primarily caters to beach lovers in the summer, it also offers a balanced way of life that is suitable to live in or visit all year round. Galle, Sri Lanka. One of the loveliest New Hampshire coastal towns, this town of 968 residents at the mouth of the Piscataqua River is made up entirely of islands. charming town. Further out to sea than the Vineyard. Walk Score analyzed data from 2,500 U.S. cities to arrive at the 50 most walkable list. Please tell me when you have ever seen traffic backed up for 3 miles on Route1 in Rockport? You can also indulge in the natural beauty that surrounds Littleton by taking a hike in the nearby Parker Mountain trails. Painters turned this fishing village into an art colony for a reasonits an inspiration. Beautiful view of Mount Monadnock. My wife and I would like to make a trip to the N.E. Rangeleys landscape is highlighted by its sprawling, untouched wilderness and breathtaking mountains that soar from the horizon. Suzanne. it s so wonderful and beautiful beach-coast.i wish to visit it one day . A unique, one-of-kind, real estate website providing insight on Life in New England's most delightful, and character rich, towns and cities. Boothbay harbor is the center of the mid-coast area! Rockport, Maine may be nice sometimes, but when the UPS truck unloads in the middle of the street (US 1) the traffic jam can be 3 miles long. Middletown. Walk past churches, colonial-period houses and gardens. Lovely country towns and Stowe and Manchester are beautiful, so are the mountains. Keep the articles on beautifull NE villages coming. Oxford, England Located just a short drive, bus ride or train ride from London, Oxford is entirely possible to visit in a day, especially if you like walking discoveries. The power outages during the frequent storms are arduous. I throw my vote for Nantucket. Here are seven of the best affordable alternatives to Boston within a two-hour drive. Most cities scored well on access to local parks and green spaces on foot, an average of 54% of people saying they were easy to get to; this was even higher for Edinburgh residents at 67%. Its a lovely waterfront village, recently voted best harbor in the United States by US Harbors. 15 Small New England Towns You Need to Visit ASAP. This quaint town is home to several notable points of interest, including the. Goodness! San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia and Miami rounded out the top five, with Chicago and Washington D.C . Top ten in this region should have been a top 100. Helsinki often scores highly in global rankings of most livable cities and has been heralded for its dedication to creating walkable neighbourhoods and a car-free population. In fact, Stowe feels like a town that is right out of a fairytale. From there, you can meander down The Marginal Way (a scenic walking path of breathtaking ocean views) all the way to Perkins Cove where youll find another group of acclaimed restaurants by the sea. SHEEZE!!!! Nashville, TN. Meanwhile, the community offers a walkable downtown where you can find students mingling with locals and visitors among the handful of cute restaurants, bars, boutiques, and cafes along its vibrant Main Street. This is the place to be. By Michelle Profis. All rights reserved. It is a National Recreation Trail, meaning it contributes to conservation, well being, and recreation purposes. Both are splendid seaside communities! Id personally insert Newburyport, Chatham, or Nantucket, Mass., and remove Provincetown, which is more of a freak show than a beautiful place to visit. Please see our disclaimers to learn more about our site. But, Portsmouth is also very much alive during the other seasons as well, as highlighted by the plentiful number of. Camden, Maine | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. What a gem. What about Scarborough R.I. beach 2 miles of pretty ocean. It is home to outstanding restaurants, coffee shops, and art pop-ups. WHAT HAPPENED? Council for Community and Economic Research https://www.c2er.org/, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr, National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/, The Trust for Public Land https://www.tpl.org/, US Census Bureau Census of Population and Housing https://www.census.gov/topics/population/data.html, U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp.html, US Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics https://www.bls.gov/data/, US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI for All Urban Consumers https://www.bls.gov/data/, Walk Score https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and-neighborhoods. If you go further I think you wont have enough time to enjoy the previous stops. If you'd like to experience some of its prettiest towns, these destinations from Vermont and New Hampshire to Massachusetts and the rocky shores of Maine are sure to be some of the most unforgettable. Watch Hill was beautiful stayed there for several summers. Turn right onto Occom Ridge and pass between Occom Pond and the Connecticut River. If youre unfamiliar with The Forest City, learn the ins and outs on a seasonal guided tour with Greater Portland Landmarks, or fly solo for a self-guided walking tour. One GORGEOUS spot that did not make the list is Cohasset, Ma. Here is our terms & conditions that stipulates how you can use this site. Spent most of my youth living in beautiful Jamestown, Rhode Island. It ranks right up there with the prettiest places in New England! Newburyport MA is a wonderful New England spot on the waterfront. I spent a year as a Master at Thomas More School. New Castle, New Hampshire | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. Rockport, Massachusetts | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. No need for sarcasm. Lebanon is another quaint town you can find in the Upper Valley. While it doesnt have a large downtown like the rest of the towns mentioned, it offers pure natural beauty that makes it hard to match (while still offering a charming Main Street). For example, the charming Spruce Peek Village with its recently refresh Lodge at Spruce Peek are just minutes away from downtown Stowe and offer the feel of a classic New England ski community. Beautiful sandy public beaches, unique homes and its beautiful year round. It is an authentic lobstering port that has not been commercialized or overrun with tourists. It has no pretty coastal town. Wherever that happens, it is the sweetest place on earth! Chatham MA is my favorite very pretty little town on Cape Cod. (opens in new tab) The largest city in Maine, Portland offers a lively downtown and . Newport, RI Mansions, sweeping views of the ocean for miles breathtaking It shouldnt even be part of New England. Unique View: A birds eye, from the top of the Pilgrim Monument. My wife and I visit Rockport often and traffic on the weekend is always backed up. North is rocky and more wild, more like the west coast and more rich in history.