Book your 2025 travel at these top-ranked New England destinations

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Welcome back to Scenic Six.

Safe travels to those who are hitting the airports, rails, and roads this holiday season. For those dreaming of where to go in 2025, Maine should be on your list, according to U.S. News & World Report. Specifically, Bar Harbor, Maine.

The best small town in America is in Maine

I love spending time in Maine, with its gorgeous scenery, top-notch food, and outdoor activities. For the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named Bar Harbor, Maine the best small town in America. The destination is “small-town Maine at its finest,” wrote the publication (think bed and breakfasts and a quaint downtown full of shops). Also, it’s the gateway to Acadia National Park, which should also be on your bucket list, says Conde Nast Traveler. 

New England restaurants get high praise 

Speaking of top-notch food, restaurants in Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are serving up some of the best dishes in America, according to The New York Times. So for a culinary treat in 2025, make reservations at Mr. Tuna and Ocotillo in Portland, Maine; Giusto in Newport, R.I.; or The Port of Call in Mystic, Conn.

The best New England state for snow, according to readers 

Winter has finally arrived and our readers have named the best New England state for snow: the lovely state of Vermont. “Best natural snowfall in all of New England,” wrote Mike from southern New Hampshire. Check out winter things to do in the Green Mountain State before planning your next getaway, including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. 

Travel Tips

Deals and Steals

• The quest for cheap airfare is never-ending and The Boston Globe is lending a helping hand with this handy guide: 30 cheapest places to fly in 2025. Time to decide between Glasgow, Prague, San Francisco, Nashville, and more. Not a bad problem to have. 
• If a wellness retreat sounds lovely and your schedule is flexible, book the Lenox Midweek Bliss package at Canyon Ranch Lenox in the Berkshires. You’ll get a daily $200 service credit when you stay at the resort, which has been named among the best destination spa resorts in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, between Sunday and Thursday through April 1, 2025.
• I always enjoy visiting Plymouth, and these mid-week restaurant specials are another reason to go back. Diners can get two entrees, salads, and a bottle of wine for $60 on Monday nights at ThreeV; two entrees and a bottle of wine for $50 on Tuesday nights at CabbyShack; and two entrees, salad or soup, and a bottle of wine for $45 on Tuesday nights at Mamma Mia’s.

I’ll leave you with this photo of Snowport I took recently while shopping the Christmas market in Boston with friends. 

Where have you traveled lately? Please share your photos by sending them to [email protected] and they may be featured in an upcoming Scenic Six newsletter. 

Whether you’re traveling this week or planning your next escape, enjoy the journey.

— Kristi Palma

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.