The Top Towns to Visit in New England This Summer

New England is home to many idyllic summer destinations, each offering unique experiences for both visitors and residents. Let’s discover some of the most exquisite locales below. 

Perched on the Atlantic coastline, Rye is home to oceanfront parks, shoreline trails, and soft-sand beaches. Whale-watching tours add to its allure, while The Shops at Rye Place provide upscale retail therapy, gourmet dining, and delightful cafes. The housing market boasts a $1.3 million median listing home price, marking a 32% year-over-year increase as of June, according to Realtor.com. 

Portland’s cobblestone streets, historic fishing wharves, and waterfront restaurants on the Old Port are central hallmarks of Portland. Congress Street in downtown Portland is a hub for art galleries, trendy shops, and live music venues. The median home sale price was $650,000 in June, and on average, homes sold in around 28 days, per Redfin data. 

Nestled on Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor offers waterfront walking trails, scenic boat tours, and whale-watching opportunities. Adjacent to Acadia National Park, visitors can engage in activities like climbing, biking, hiking, and water sports. In June, Bar Harbor’s relaxed real estate market showed a median home sold price of $898,000 and the average homes pending in around 61 days, according to Redfin. 

Mystic’s wineries, waterfront shops, and gourmet eateries make it a coveted destination. The downtown area, known for boating and guided tours, also features an acclaimed art museum. The moderately competitive real estate market saw a median home sale price of $517,500 in June, per Redfin.

Located in northern Vermont, Stowe is perhaps most renowned as a premier winter destination. However, it also offers a wealth of summertime attractions such as miniature golf and breweries. The pedestrian-friendly downtown features historic architecture, boutique shops, and restaurants. In June, Redfin reported a median home sale price of $625,000 and that homes went pending within seven to 31 days.

Kennebunkport, known for its beaches and historic landmarks, is a summer paradise. Enjoy the wide sandy shore of Gooch’s Beach, known for its prime surfing conditions. Art galleries, breweries, and boat tours also regularly attract visitors. Redfin data from June showed a relaxed real estate market in Kennebunkport, with a median home sale price of $600,000 and the average homes going pending in approximately 45 days.

A premier seaside resort town, Old Orchard Beach is home to the acclaimed Dunegrass Golf Club, live music venues, breweries, and an amusement park. Waterfront restaurants, surf shops, and creative boutique shops attract many summer visitors. Its real estate market is extremely competitive. According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home was $515,000 and homes sold after 17 days on the market on average in June. 

Nestled on the southern coast of Maine, Ogunquit’s vibrant culture is characterized by its beaches, museums, and performing arts scene. Perkins Cove Road is lined with upscale dining and shopping destinations, complemented by fishing and boating amenities. The median listing home price was $1.4 million in June, marking a year-over-year increase of 11%, and homes sold after an average of 39 days on the market, according to Realtor.com. 

Camden, situated in Penobscot Bay, offers shops, scenic hiking trails, and lush nature preserves. The High Street Historic District in downtown Camden is known for its boat tours, quaint shops, and fine eateries alongside 19th-century architecture. Redfin reported a $495,000 median home sale price in June, with homes entering pending status within about 19 to 37 days. 

On the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington’s historical downtown offers a vibrant mix of engaging events, upscale restaurants, and the Church Street Marketplace shopping mall. Burlington’s real estate market is very competitive. According to June Redfin data, the a median home sale price there was nearly $655,000 and homes sold after an average of 17 days on the market.