Discover New England

Discover New England
Name	Discover New England
Type	Regional tourism organization
Founded	20th century
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts
Region served	New England
Products	Travel guides, promotional media, events

Discover New England Discover New England is a regional tourism initiative promoting travel and cultural heritage across the six-state New England region of the United States. It connects visitors to destinations in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island while collaborating with municipalities, chambers of commerce, and cultural institutions. The initiative engages with historic sites, national parks, performing arts organizations, and culinary producers to market seasonal itineraries.

Overview

Discover New England coordinates with state tourism offices such as the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Maine Office of Tourism, New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, Connecticut Office of Tourism, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Rhode Island Tourism Division. It features partnerships with municipal entities like City of Boston, Portland, Maine, Manchester, New Hampshire, Burlington, Vermont, Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island. Cultural partners include Boston Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Wadsworth Atheneum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Portland Museum of Art. Conservation and outdoor partners include Acadia National Park, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Green Mountain National Forest. Hospitality partners include groups such as Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and independent innkeepers in regions like the Kennebunkport area.

History

The promotional effort grew from early 20th-century travel guides and rail marketing by companies like Boston and Maine Corporation and New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Post-World War II expansion of interstate travel involved Interstate Highway System corridors such as Interstate 95 in Maine, Interstate 93, and Interstate 89. The late 20th century saw growth linked to cultural institutions like Plymouth Rock commemorations, Salem witch trials heritage tourism, and centennials of landmarks such as Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Collaborative campaigns integrated festivals such as Maine Lobster Festival, Stowe Winter Carnival, and WaterFire Providence. Conservation milestones influencing the initiative included campaigns with The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club, and designation efforts for sites like Mackworth Island.

Geography and Climate

The region spans the Atlantic coastline from Long Island Sound to the Canadian border, inland ranges like the White Mountains, Green Mountains, and the Berkshire Mountains, and major waterways such as the Connecticut River, Penobscot River, and Merrimack River. Climate zones encompass New England climate variations from maritime to continental, with seasonal phenomena celebrated by visitors: fall foliage in White Mountains (New Hampshire), winter sports in Stowe, Vermont, spring blooms at Mount Auburn Cemetery, and summer beaches on Cape Cod and Block Island. The area incorporates protected lands such as Cape Cod National Seashore, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, and Thimble Islands.

Culture and Demographics

Cultural assets highlighted include historical sites tied to American Revolution events in Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill Monument, and Old North Church, literary heritage connected to figures like Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Herman Melville, and academic communities around Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Connecticut. Performing arts and festivals promoted include Tanglewood, Bourne Farm, Jacob’s Pillow, Newport Jazz Festival, and Providence Performing Arts Center. Demographic centers range from metropolitan Greater Boston to smaller towns like Brattleboro, Vermont, Bar Harbor, Maine, and Mystic, Connecticut. Ethnic and immigrant histories feature communities rooted in Irish American, Italian American, French Canadian, Portuguese American, and Cape Verdean American heritages, with culinary scenes showcasing New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, and farm-to-table movements linked to Slow Food USA.

Economy and Tourism

Tourism intersects with sectors represented by institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital (medical visitors), Fenway Park (sports tourism), Logan International Airport gateways, and cruise operations from Portland, Maine and Newport, Rhode Island. Economic development partners include Massachusetts Port Authority, regional economic development councils, and small-business networks like Main Street America. Seasonal industries include skiing at resorts like Killington Ski Resort, Sugarbush Resort, and Loon Mountain, summer beach economies on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and fall agritourism in Vermont dairy and maple sugaring operations. Heritage tourism leverages sites such as Plimoth Plantation, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and Mystic Seaport Museum.

Transportation and Access

Major air hubs include Logan International Airport, T.F. Green Airport, Bradley International Airport, Portland International Jetport, and regional airports serving Burlington International Airport and Manchester–Boston Regional Airport. Rail access uses services by Amtrak routes like the Northeast Regional, Vermonter, and Downeaster, and commuter rail networks such as MBTA Commuter Rail. Ferry services link islands and coastal towns via operators serving Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, and Isles of Shoals, while interstate bus carriers include Greyhound Lines and regional services. Road corridors include historic routes like U.S. Route 1 and scenic byways such as the Kancamagus Highway.

Landmarks and Attractions

Promoted landmarks span national, state, and local sites: Freedom Trail, Martha's Vineyard, Mount Washington, Acadia National Park, Plymouth Rock, Old Sturbridge Village, Newport Mansions, The Breakers (Newport, Rhode Island), Ben & Jerry's Factory, and Lowell National Historical Park. Museums and cultural venues include Peabody Essex Museum, Clark Art Institute, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, Strawbery Banke Museum, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Botanical and outdoor attractions include The Public Garden (Boston), Shelburne Museum, Marginal Way, and the Monhegan Island trails. Events and markets promoted include Boston Marathon, Newport Folk Festival, Portland Food and Wine Festival, and seasonal farmers' markets in Burlington, Vermont and New Haven, Connecticut.

Category:Tourism in New England