Explore an affordable, multicultural and highly walkable New England city steeped in Americana this summer on a day trip by ferry to New London, Connecticut.

“We have a very walkable downtown and plenty of free parking,” says Elizabeth Nocera, New London’s economic development coordinator. The 6-square-mile community founded in 1646 boasts a “strong arts and culture center” with attractions, dining and entertainment located steps from the ferry dock, Nocera says.

Dine out on ethnic foods or sip local microbrews on a deck or patio overlooking the water. Bike to the boardwalk at a fun-filled public beach, mark the nation’s 250th anniversary at the site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle, or honor Black history where the slave ship Amistad put ashore. Find affordability on a free or low-cost boat or walking tour in a city rated a “Walker’s Paradise” by walkscore.com.

Here are things to do on a trip across Long Island Sound to the southeastern Connecticut shore.

Getting There

The Cross Sound Ferry offers daily service to New London from Orient Point (41270 Main Rd., Orient, 631-323-2525, longislandferry.com).

• Fares begin at $70 for car and driver, one way
• Passengers: adult: $21-$23 one way, $37 same-day round trip; child: $7.50 under 12 one way, $13 same-day round trip; bicycle additional $12.)

What’s new in New London

New businesses offer dining and drinking on downtown Bank and State streets, which were recently designated as Connecticut’s third cultural district. Water Street Waffle Co., which opened in November, serves waffle creations, craft coffee and cocktails (133 Bank St., 959-716-4023, waterstreetwafflecompanynl.com). Next door, the Tox Brewing Company tap room (123 Bank St., 860-440-8127, toxbrewing.com) serves 11 different pizzas and 15 light to dark beers brewed on-site ($7-$9). A 50-seat patio blooms with flowering plants, says Tox co-founder Dayne Laskey. A new “Taste of the Caribbean” menu boasts empanadas and pernil roasted pork at Mambo Bar & Dominican Restaurant (200 Bank St., 860-847-7685, mambobarrestaurantct.com). Social Bar & Kitchen offers 50 craft brews and a drag show competition/brunch (208 Bank St., 860-442-6900, socialnewlondon.com).

New London also is home to socially responsible shops like women-owned Flavours of Life (86 Bank St., 860-444-9428, flavoursoflife.com), where “fairly traded goods from around the world” include jewelry, décor and stationery, and toys, books and clothing in a children’s section. “We have over 50 countries represented in the shop, as well as local artists,” says proprietor LaKisha Moon Lee. Shop for herbs, tea and books, decorate your own terrarium or chill out at a free open mic night at The Golden Owl independent book shop (19 Golden St., 860-924-2695, goldenowl.shop).

If affordability is your mantra …

1. New London joins thousands of cities around the world celebrating Make Music Day on June 21, when “music pops up all over the downtown” with up to 10 local venues hosting free live entertainment, Nocera says (makemusicday.org).
2. Also free is a self-guided walking tour of the Black Heritage Trail, which opened in 2021 recognizing “three centuries of Black strength, resilience and accomplishment,” the city’s website says. Fifteen downtown sites include the location where the Amistad landed after the 1839 rebellion by African captives, and the 1678 Joshua Hempstead House, which documents the life of an enslaved man of African descent (11 Hempstead St., house tours May through October, visitnewlondon.org/black-heritage-trail; $16, $5 ages 6 to 18).
3. The Amistad and its cargo were auctioned off at the current site of the Custom House Maritime Museum, where a permanent exhibit tells the story of the Africans’ fight for freedom. The museum also offers tours inside three of its lighthouses, open mic nights and maritime history talks (150 Bank St., 860-447-2501, nlmaritimesociety.org; $10, $6 under 17).
4. In the 19th century, New London was one of the East Coast’s busiest whaling ports, a past that inspired the leviathan-sized “Great Sperm Whales” mural at 124 Captains Walk. The free, self-guided Wall to Wall: New London Mural Walk visits two dozen public artworks depicting underwater spacemen, exotic shells and the musicians Prince, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Willie Nelson. The tour begins at the nonprofit Hygienic Art Galleries (open Thursday to Sunday, 79 Bank St., 860-443-8001, download a tour map at hygienic.org/mural-walk; free).
5. Continue your deep dive into New London’s maritime past at Fort Trumbull State Park, where British troops commanded by Benedict Arnold won their last Revolutionary War battle (90 Walbach St., 860-444-7591; $6, $2 ages 6 to 12).
6. The original site of the modern U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Fort Trumbull along with the City Pier are passenger boarding locations for water taxi “Hop on, Hop off” harbor cruises of the Thames River Heritage Park. Repurposed Navy boats visit 25 national and historic sites “that tell the story of our nation,” says June Henley, park executive director (Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 6 through Sept. 6; 860-333-6706, thamesriverheritagepark.org; $10, $5 ages 4 to 12).

See the city on a bike

About 12 miles of bike paths “alternate between painted lanes and road routes,” says Robert Bareiss, 56, of New London, a former local bike shop owner. Bareiss says popular bike routes include a “9-mile round trip from the ferryboat” to New London’s own Ocean Beach Park, home to a boardwalk, an Olympic-size swimming pool, mini golf, arcade and concession stand (98 Neptune Ave., 860-447-3031, ocean-beach-park.com).

“It’s definitely an easy to navigate city and it’s fairly bike-friendly,” says Pat Lamond, owner of Wayfarer Bicycle, a sales and repairs shop offering free water refills (120 Ocean Ave., 860-443-8250, wayfarerbicycle.com).

A coastal place with a neighborly spirit, Maine is a must-see for anyone drawn to close-knit communities and natural scenery. The state is home to some of the friendliest towns where festivals, parades, and traditions anchor the calendar. In Lewiston and Biddeford summertime Art Walks bring residents and visitors together to celebrate local artists. Scarborough and Brunswick host outdoor music events that fill warm evenings with live performances. Bangor runs a downtown arts scene while Augusta keeps its historic landmarks and family-friendly green spaces. Each of these nine towns offers easy ways to connect with regional culture.

Lewiston

Central to Maine’s Franco-American heritage, Lewiston is a town soaked in history, with plenty of activities to enjoy. The town is home to the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor, a unique museum offering hands-on learning experiences of all kinds. The town hosts several events focused on community building and supporting local talent and businesses. One of them is Art Walk LA, a summer series that transforms downtown into a lively arts district where you can enjoy artwork from local artists. The Great Falls Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park is an annual tradition featuring hot-air balloon launches, live music, and family-friendly activities. This one is a yearly highlight.

Bangor

With its waterfront trails and verdant forests and woodlands, Bangor is a nature lover’s destination. Take a hike along the Orono Bog Boardwalk in Bangor City Forest in the autumn to enjoy the fall foliage, or enjoy views of the water on the Bangor Waterfront Trail. The Bangor Historical Society is dedicated to promoting the town’s history and attracting tourists, with several walking tours available for visitors to enjoy. Stephen King fans can trace several Bangor landmarks associated with the author’s fictional Derry, including the 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue on Main Street near the Cross Insurance Center. Bangor’s community spirit also comes through in First Friday Art Walks, volunteer-produced monthly downtown arts events, and the Downtown Bangor Sidewalk Art Festivals, which bring Maine artists and artisan crafters into the city.

Scarborough

A coastal town on the beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Scarborough, Maine, is a summertime destination. Enjoy a day at Scarborough Beach State Park, with access to the water and trails near the beach. The town hosts several community events in the summer months, including the Summer Concert Series in Memorial Park, where you can listen to live music from local musicians and bands. Scarborough also hosts the annual Summer Fest in August, featuring live music, activities, and food provided by local vendors to celebrate the community.

Biddeford

A small town bordering the point where the Saco River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Biddeford is a beach town with so much to offer. To support local arts and businesses, Biddeford hosts a monthly ArtWalk, featuring works by local artists in restaurants and cafes around town. Each month’s ArtWalk showcases different artists and businesses, and can even include street performances. The Biddeford Mills Museum works tirelessly to keep the region’s history alive, hosting tours of the town’s textile mill buildings for an immersive educational experience. The town hosts several annual events to drive tourism to the region and foster community, including Winterfest, held every February, and River Jam, held in August.

Brunswick

A college town on the Androscoggin River, Brunswick combines community with rich culture. The Maine State Music Theatre hosts Broadway-quality performances, while the Bowdoin College Museum of Art is one of the museums on the Maine Art Museum Trail. The Brunswick Town Mall plays host to the town’s Summer Concert Series, with live performances from local musicians performing all summer long. The annual Bowdoin International Music Festival brings a wide variety of music and music lovers to Brunswick every year to celebrate culture and the arts.

Sanford

With walking trails that take you through downtown, old mill buildings, grand houses, and woodlands, Sanford, Maine, is a town filled with history and adventure. Take a walk along the Mousam River, enjoying the serene sights of nature, and see the local wildlife. Sports lovers can enjoy baseball season by catching games of local college players on the Sanford Mainers team. With a slower pace of life, Sanford provides a blend of easy living with community values.

Saco

Located on the shores of Saco Bay, the town of Saco, Maine, is a community worth exploring. A visit to the Saco Museum to learn about the region’s history is a must for an educational day trip. Navigate the hiking trails in the Horton Woods, or spend a beach day in Ferry Beach State Park, walking along the boardwalk or enjoying the water. Saco’s Main Street is part of the Main Street Maine Community, an organization dedicated to supporting local downtown businesses and hosting many events on the main strip to foster community among townspeople and visitors alike.

Augusta

Located in the Kennebec Valley, Augusta, Maine, feels like stepping back in time. The historic downtown features buildings with ornate Victorian-era architecture. The town has several museums and historical monuments. A visit to Old Fort Western, a National Historic Landmark and living history museum, offers public tours of the fort, store, and house led by costumed interpreters. With over six miles of trails, the Viles Arboretum is a great place to take friends and family to enjoy nature’s beauty.

Gorham

Home of the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, Maine, is a small town promoting community and family values. The Gorham Sports Center is an indoor facility for rentals and indoor community soccer leagues. Gorham Parks & Recreation offers an adult co-ed softball program in the summer at Gorham High School’s softball field, bringing the town together around sporting events. Families especially appreciate the numerous summer camp programs for kids, which offer educational and enriching experiences to keep kids occupied all summer long. The town hosts an annual Memorial Day Parade, where the community gathers to celebrate the long weekend together. The Cross Town Trail is a 1.5-mile easy rail-trail along an old railroad bed, with trailheads at the end of Hutcherson Drive and on New Portland Road at Tink Drive.

The Friendliest Towns in Maine

These nine towns prove that community is at the heart of Maine’s core values. Through their events, these Maine towns promote their artists and musicians to wider audiences through the Summer Concert Series and Art Walks, going above and beyond to cultivate their regional culture.

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Monday is National Wine Day, where wine lovers are pouring a glass of their favorite wine to celebrate.

This alcoholic beverage is made from fermented grapes or other fruits, where yeast consumes the sugars in the grapes making it into alcohol during the fermentation process, according to the National Day Calendar. Different grapes produce different types of wine, and wine that is made from fruit or honey is often named according to the different fruits used.

It’s not the color of the grapes that gives the wine its color. It’s the tannins in the grape skins that color wine red and also the flavor. White wines are typically sweeter than red wines and are best served chilled, but most red wines are served at room temperature. However, a sweet red should also be chilled for the best flavor.

Top wineries in western Massachusetts

Yelp has put together a list of the top wineries in western Massachusetts:

• Silver Bear Distillery– 63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton
• Mineral Hills Winery– 592 Sylvester Road, Godard’s Red Hen Farm, Florence
• Glendale Ridge Vineyard– 155 Glendale Road, Southampton
• Black Birch Vineyard– 108 Straits Road, Hatfield
• Sunset Meadow of Massachusetts– 296 South Main Street, Sheffield
• Cameron’s Winery– 1046 Millers Falls Road, Northfield
• Brimfield Winery– 35 Main Street, Brimfield
• Raven Hollow Winery – 436 Russellville Road, Westfield
• Hardwick Winery – 3305 Greenwich Road, Ware
• Echo Hill Orchards & Winery– 101 Wilbraham Road, Monson