December 14, 2025

New England hotels, festivals to add to your summer travel

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Greetings from Scenic Six again.

I hope the Fourth of July weekend was fantastic for everyone. After attending an outdoor concert at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine, my family went to Hampton Beach for some fireworks and sunbathing. Once more, I was astounded by how simple it is to travel from one state to another and take advantage of the wealth of the area.

This week, I’m writing about a huge garlic festival in Vermont, an amazing camping deal, and how three of America’s most walkable cities are located right here in New England.


  • Your best New England summer starts here


Lace up and enjoy America s most walkable cities right here in New England

For those who enjoy traveling by foot, USA Today readers recently ranked Boston, Burlington, Vermont, and Providence, Rhode Island, as three of the top five walkable cities in America. I’ve walked through all three and concur that they’re all amazing, with a ton to see and do.


Save money on hotels, food, and activities across New England

Searching for methods to cut costs when visiting New England in July? I’ve compiled bargains on lodging, food, entertainment, transit, and more. Travelers can get a hotel stay for just $17.76 through Friday, which is my best deal of the month.


Look inside a newly renovated hotel on the Maine coast

The Breakwater Inn, a historic waterfront hotel on the Maine coast, has reopened following a significant makeover for travelers visiting the state this summer. Explore the inside and take in the three new eating options. The starting price for summer is $319 per night.


Travel Tips

  • The

    2025 Seaport Art Walk

    in New Bedford opens on Thursday. The walk, which features art by local artists, is free and open to the public. It s located along the waterfront throughout the Seaport Cultural District and this year s theme is Revolution/Evolution.

  • Love garlic? Then head to Vermont for the

    30th Annual Garlic Town USA

    , a garlic festival in downtown Bennington, Vermont on Aug. 30. Visitors will enjoy live music, food trucks, and more than 100 garlic-centric vendors.

  • Seafood lovers can get their fill at Hampton Beach Sept. 5-7 for the

    36th Annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

    . Festival goers will enjoy food, drinks, crafters, and live music.


Deals and Steals

  • Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, a waterfront getaway with a rooftop pool, is

    dropping its rates to $199 per night

    every weekend in July and throughout the entire week of July 21.

  • Campers can save money by booking with Campspot, an online marketplace for campgrounds and RV resorts, on July 15 during its

    24-hour Retro Rebate

    . The offer is limited to the first 250 qualifying bookings and is valid for stays between July 15 and Aug. 15. To qualify, campers must book a stay costing at least $60 and then complete a rebate form in the app. After their stay, they ll receive a $40 Visa gift card, effectively lowering the average cost to $20 the price of a campsite in 1985.

  • The National Park Service is

    waiving entrance fees

    on seven days throughout the year and one is coming up on Aug. 4, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.

See more July travel offers to New England.

I’ll close by showing you this picture I shot at Hampton Beach over the weekend of the sunrise.

Where have you been recently? Your images might be included in a future Scenic Six newsletter, so please submit them to [email protected].

Enjoy the trip, whether you’re planning your next getaway or taking a trip this week.

Palma, Kristi

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Kristi Palma writes about New England tourism as a culture reporter for Boston.com. She writes about hotels, airlines, and activities in Boston and New England. She is the writer of the weekly travel newsletter Scenic Six.

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Janet Trew

Janet Trew is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in the industry. Known for her ability to adapt to different styles and formats, she has cultivated a diverse skill set that spans content creation, storytelling, and technical writing. Throughout her career, Janet has worked across various niches, from US news, crime, finance, lifestyle, and health to business and technology, consistently delivering well-researched, engaging, and informative content.

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