New England is beautiful in all seasons, but the spring season’s incredible hues are nothing like you will find all year. During the spring season, there are fewer crowds and milder weather. Spring is specifically an exciting time in Boston as it hosts the famous Boston Marathon and the Red Sox open Fenway Park! As a local Bostonian, if you’ve never been to Fenway Park it’s an icon and is more of an experience than anything else. If you aren’t as lucky and are visiting when the team’s away, take a tour instead! You’ll be allowed views that spectators just coming from the game don’t even get! You can also find so many incredible blossom locations, so keep reading for all the best things to see and do during the New England spring season!

Best Things to Do in New England in Spring

 Is Spring a good time to visit New England?

Spring is a great time to visit New England, especially if you’re planning a visit for the Boston Marathon, visiting a flower festival, taking the last few runs on the ski slopes, or heading to the beautiful beaches before the crowds! The Boston Marathon is by far one of the most popular events of the year, and marathon runners come from all over the world! You can still ski in March and sometimes April. There are beautiful blooming locations. The beaches of Cape Cod and the islands start to open as well, but you won’t be met with the large crowds that triple the population in the summer.

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What is the weather like in New England in Spring?

The weather in New England during the spring season is unpredictable, with lots of rainfall and varying temperatures. The weather can change based on the month and even, for example, in Massachusetts and Boston versus northern Vermont. March and April can still be cold with rain and/or snow, and even though the temperature usually starts to get warmer in May, it can still be met with cooler weather.

If you’re traveling to New England during other seasons, you won’t want to miss the best things to do in the fall, my favorite summer spot, or all the best New England ski resorts.

Best Things to Do in New England in March

Discover New England’s best ski resorts

March and even April can bring snow to the mountains in New England, and March can sometimes be the best month to ski in New England. March brings warmer temperatures and sometimes even more snow than the entire season. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the best ski resorts in New England.

Visit the Maple Syrup festival

Don’t miss the annual Maine Maple Syrup Festival! This festival offers anything and everything to do with maple syrup. You can see all the maple producers participating in the festival here.

If you’re looking to visit Maine’s neighbors of Vermont or New Hampshire, this area is especially beautiful in autumn with its incredible fall foliage.

Best Things to Do in New England in April

Best Things to Do in Massachusetts in April

Attend the unique Patriots’ Day re-enactment

Calling all history buffs, the Patriots’ Day re-enactment is one of the most unique things to do in New England! Patriots’ Day is celebrated annually in New England to commemorate the Battle of Lexington and Concord that began the American Revolution.

Witness the Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest marathons in the world. The Boston Marathon is held annually on Patriots’ Day. Runners have been participating in this iconic marathon since 1897 and must qualify to run this famous race. Being a Bostonian, the marathon is a pretty big deal for us on Patriots Day, and many businesses close with residents participating and cheering the runners on.  Here’s how to visit and spend 4 days in Boston.

This is an extremely popular weekend to visit Boston, and hotels and accommodations need to be booked in advance. The Fairmont Copley is in a perfect location in Copley Square, close to the finish line of the race, and The Verb is a trendy spot in the Fenway district that’s a bit out of downtown but still within walking distance from the race.

Stroll the Charles River Esplanade

There’s no better place in Boston to see cherry blossoms than at the Charles River Esplanade. These trees bloom between March and April, depending on the weather. The Boston Public Garden is another iconic spot in Boston where you can find beautiful blooms. It’s always exciting to see the return of the Boston Garden swan boats in the spring!

Admire the Hanging Nasturtiums at Boston’s hidden gem

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is the best in Boston, but I’m biased since it’s my personal favorite. As an American who has lived in London, this museum is my second favorite museum in the world after the Louvre. I love its European inspiration and stunning garden right in the center of it all. April is special at the museum because you’ll find hanging nasturtiums from flowerpots on the second and third floors that cascade down to the first-floor garden. These flowers can be seen from any room while touring the museum. Depending on the day you visit, you may even be treated with free admission and live music, which occurs on the first Thursday of the month.

Sail to the Nantucket Daffodil festival

Nantucket’s annual Daffodil Festival is one of the best festivals in New England. Even though this has been on my bucket list forever, I have yet to experience it! This spring festival is an island tradition dating back to 1978. Throughout the entire weekend, similar to their Christmas stroll in December, the island celebrates these yellow blooms. The weekend is full of crazy costumes, flower shows, an antique car parade, and even a tailgate party in Sconset. It is one of the best things to do in New England in spring!

Even though I’ve traveled around this world, Nantucket is one of my favorite places. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to visit this special island. 

Attend opening day at Fenway Park

Fenway Park is an icon and is one of the best things to see in Boston. Wondering why Fenway Park is so famous? Fenway Park is the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball and has been grandfathered in to this day. If you’re visiting around Opening Day, it’s quite the event. Take a look at their schedule to snag tickets when they’re playing at home. It is a baseball experience like nothing else.

Find blooms at the Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum is a Harvard University botanical research institution. This arboretum houses an assortment of flowering trees and blooms. Not only does it have a variety of cherry blossoms, but also lilacs and wisteria. Keep in mind, these trees will bloom at different times. If you’re looking for additional places where cherry blossoms bloom in Boston, the Brookline Reservoir is decorated with them, and it’s stunning when they all bloom in spring.

Visit the hidden Daffodil Garden

You can find a secret garden of daffodils dating back to the 1940s in Parsons Reserve. This garden was established during WWII when flower bulbs from Holland were hard to come by. Because of its proximity to Boston, this daffodil garden emerged as a site to supply flowers to customers in Boston. This land is now preserved, and the garden is free to visit! Donations are encouraged.

Best Things to Do in Rhode Island in April

Enjoy afternoon tea at Blithewold

A thirty-three-acre summer estate with the most beautiful gardens is Blithewold Mansion. Once used as a summer home, it offers quite a bit to see during the spring. Make a reservation for afternoon tea and enjoy the views of Narragansett Bay. Don’t forget to tour the home and gardens- the fields of daffodils in the spring are quite stunning.

Here’s a complete guide for all the best things to see and do in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Enjoy Daffy Days in Newport

Daffy Days in Newport is one of the best events in New England in spring. Every year in April, similar to Nantucket, Newport celebrates Daffy Days. One million daffodils bloom in Newport at this time. You can use this map to find all the daffodil bloom locations, but my favorites include Salve Regina University and Easton’s Beach.

Best Things to Do in Connecticut in April

Visit Wicked Tulips

Towards the end of April and May, you’ll find the most beautiful tulips at Wicked Tulips. This family farm has three locations in Exeter and Johnston, Rhode Island, and also in Preston, Connecticut. This is one of my favorite flower farms in New England, and it’s quite famous across the area. Make sure to sign up for their emails, since you’ll be alerted when tickets go on sale, as they always sell out!

Attend the Dogwood Festival

Even though I haven’t had a chance to visit Connecticut during the spring season, here are some suggestions. 2025 will mark the 88^th year of the Dogwood Festival. This festival usually falls around Mother’s Day and would be such a fun way to celebrate! It offers plenty of New England vendors, live music, and food trucks.

Find the daffodils at Laurel Ridge

One of the most beautiful places during the New England spring season is Laurel Ridge. You’ll find plenty of daffodils in these rolling hills!

Best Things to Do in New England in May

Best Things to Do in Massachusetts in May

Hunt all the blooms

Besides the cherry blossom bloom locations in Boston listed above, you can also find wisteria in Boston’s Louisburg Square and the Arnold Arboretum. If you’re looking for roses, you can find a beautiful selection at the James P. Kelleher Garden in Boston or the Minot Rose Garden in Brookline.

4 days in Boston would be the perfect amount of time to spend in the spring hunting these beautiful blooms!

Head to the Beach!

Massachusetts’ Cape Cod has some of the best beaches in the country. Its islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are popular during the summer, but heading to the beach is also one of the best activities to do during the New England spring season. May is a perfect time to visit if you want to enjoy the day at the beach without the crowds. The weather in New England can become warmer in May, maybe not warm enough to swim, but the ocean water usually stays cold throughout the summer as well.

If you’re heading to the beach, here’s a comprehensive guide to all New England’s best beach towns!

Go Whale watching 

Even though whales have sometimes been spotted off the coast of Boston in March, the best time for whale watching in New England is in May. In May, the waters are becoming warmer, and the whales are migrating to these waters to feed. The most popular whales to see are humpback whales, but you can also find finback, right, and minke whales if you’re lucky. My husband and I got extremely lucky our first time going whale watching off the coast of Provincetown and witnessed a whale breach many times. Don’t forget a jacket onboard, even if the weather is warm, it can be cold out on the ocean!

Provincetown is one of my favorite places on Cape Cod, and you can easily get a ferry from Boston!

Enjoy a Boston Duck tour

One of the best things to do in Boston is to enjoy a duck tour! Yes, you heard that right! These tours educate you on the history of Boston while offering views of its skyline by land and sea in their unique vehicles!

Take a trip to the Islands

The New England spring season is a perfect time to visit the islands of Massachusetts- Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Both these islands experience fewer crowds and are more affordable in the spring. Nantucket is one of my favorite places in the entire world, and even though I love to visit in the summer when the roses and hydrangeas bloom, May is still a great time to visit as well!

Shop this massive antique show

The Brimfield Antique Show is the largest antique show in New England and the country. This show happens three times a year in May, June, and September. There is a parking fee, so make sure to have cash available. This event is quite popular, so I would arrive early to secure a parking spot. There are ATMs throughout the grounds if you need them, as some vendors are cash-only as well. Even if you want to stay for the day, there are plenty of food vendors and bathrooms on site.

Find this hidden Castle

Hammond Castle offers a taste of European architecture on the Boston North Shore. The castle is quite stunning, but the gardens were my favorite!

Take a Day Trip from Boston

If you’re spending spring in Boston, check out this guide to all of the best places for a day trip from Boston.

Best Things to Do in Vermont in May

Spend a weekend in Woodstock 

Woodstock, Vermont, is beautiful in all seasons, but during the New England spring season, it comes alive with blooms and is quite stunning. Make sure to take a stroll around downtown Woodstock or visit the restaurant and spa at the Woodstock Inn. You can also find spring blooms on the Billings Farm and Museum trails, at the historic Calvin Coolidge Homestead, and at Whitman Brook Orchard.

If you want to visit, here are all the best things to see and do in Vermont in the fall!

Learn how to Fly Fish

If you’re interested in learning how to fly fish, the Orvis flagship store in Manchester, Vermont, offers one- and two-day courses for all experience levels. It’s best to fly fish from May to June and in the early morning. In May, the water is getting a little warmer; however, April can also be a good month to fish for trout. When my husband took the course many years ago, and loved it. It was so fun to make a weekend of it and stay around Manchester, Vermont. Here’s more information if you’re looking to visit.

Best Things to Do in Connecticut in May

Visit the Mystic Museum 

If you’re looking for some of the best places to visit during the New England spring season, you’ll want to take a trip to Mystic, Connecticut. Check out the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Olde Mistick Village. If you’re looking to spend a day or weekend in Mystic, read this comprehensive guide.

Best Things to Do in Rhode Island in May

Take a trip to Newport

Newport is one of my favorite places in New England. During the summer or New England spring season, this spot is an absolute coastal gem. Even though Newport has their famous Gilded Age mansions that get all dressed up during the holidays, they’re just as beautiful to visit on a spring or summer day too.

Explore Providence 

Here’s a complete guide for all the best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island. 

New England spring getaways

If you’re looking for any other New England spring getaway ideas, here are the best day or weekend trips from Boston. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are perfect in the spring before the crowds swarm in. If you’re looking to plan for another season, these are the top towns for fall foliage in New England.

Here are a few other posts you may enjoy:

Best Day Trips from Boston: A Summer in New England

3 Day Charleston Itinerary for First Timers: The perfect Weekend Guide

Best Things to Do in Nantucket: A Weekend on Nantucket comprehensive guide

One Day in Martha’s Vineyard: How to get to Martha’s Vineyard

Where to find Cape Cod Hydrangeas: The most beautiful places on Cape Cod!

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