Getting around New England — 6 unique ways to travel the region

A Lulu Lobster Boat in the Maine waters. (Lulu Lobster Boat)

Ditch the car this summer and discover a more exciting way to travel. Here are six of the most unique — one from each state in New England — transportation options to consider. 

Rhode Island — Providence-Newport ferry 

The Providence-Newport ferry departs four times a day from each port for the one-hour trip. Leave downtown Providence for a cruise to the scenic harbor of Newport with its rich sailing history.

Take time for lunch, a drink or a walking tour to view some of the famous mansions, then return to downtown. Complimentary shuttle service is offered from the Providence train station, downtown and the convention center to the ferry wharf.  seastreak.com

Connecticut — Argia Mystic Cruises, Mystic  

Connecticut has a beautiful coastline with many opportunities for cruising and sailing. The town of Mystic is home to the Mystic Seaport Museum where its most-prized possession is wooden whale ship, the Charles W. Morgan. While you can not sail aboard this vessel, the oldest of its kind in the U.S., you may climb aboard to see it up close and personal. There are also a number of sailing opportunities out of Mystic. One is the ship, Argia, an 81-foot schooner able to carry 49 passengers and a crew of five. Their daytime and sunset cruises in protected waters will take you past lighthouses along the scenic coastline. Sit back and relax or help the crew hoist and trim the sails. www.argiamystic.com

Maine —  Lulu Lobster Boat, Bar Harbor

If you’re headed to Maine this summer, consider a lobster tour on a traditional DownEast-style lobster boat. Operating out of Bar Harbor, the lobster boat, LuLu, will let you experience the work of a lobster fisherman. Learn all about lobsters and how the traps are baited, set, and hauled. See the other sea creatures captured in the trap. At the same time you’ll encounter plenty of other wildlife – bald eagles, other sea birds, marine animals, and seals basking on the rocks as you cruise the coastline past privately-owned islands and perhaps a picturesque lighthouse. lululobsterboat.com

New Hampshire — Gundalow Company 

The nonprofit Gundalow Company’s mission is “to protect the Piscataqua Region’s maritime heritage and environment through education and action.” That also includes introducing the wonder of the waterways in and around Portsmouth Harbor. The company offers a number of daily sails aboard its own gundalow, “a shallow drafted type of cargo barge, once common in the Gulf of Maine’s rivers and estuaries.” Public sails set during the daytime and evening. The Piscataqua gundalow is also available for private charters. Check website for summer camp information as well. www.gundalow.org

Vermont — Kedron Valley Stables, South Woodstock

In Vermont, you might try different modes of travel. One way is by horseback or horse-drawn carriage. Kedron Valley Stables in South Woodstock offers private surrey or carriage rides for you and your party along roads in the village with lots of historic sights to see along the way. In Danby, you will find Chipman Stables with trail rides available daily for small or large groups. Explore the beautiful farmland of southern Vermont while checking out the spectacular views of the region. All levels of ridership can be accommodated. www.kedron.com 

Massachusetts — Hy-Line Cruises 

One of the best ways to explore the southern New England coast and islands is with Hy-Line Cruises. Operating out of Hyannis, Mass., Hy-Line has a fleet of boats offering voyages to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, exploring Vineyard Sound and the Cape Cod Canal, and deep-sea fishing.

From Hyannis, Hy-Line’s fast ferries make the crossing to Nantucket in only one hour. And with nine trips a day, each way you have lots of time to explore the island before making the return trip. Martha’s Vineyard also is a quick one-hour crossing from Hyannis. This larger island, about twice the size of Nantucket, has six towns spread over approximately 100 square miles and has a variety of terrain from flatter, sandy areas to farmlands, woods and hills.  Another offering are the Cape Cod Canal cruises. The 17.4-mile, unlocked canal connects Cape Cod Bay with Buzzards Bay and is used extensively by both commercial and pleasure boats. www.hylinecruises.com 

Joan Wallen can be reached at [email protected].