Day trippin'

Also: A guide to sharks around Mass.; free things to do this summer [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 3, 2024 ☀️ Today is partly sunny, with a high near 86 and a chance of showers. Good Morning Boston, Each summer, do you find yourself wondering, "What is there to do around here, anyway"? We've been working with the New England News Collaborative to answer that exact question. The result: A series of [day trip guides]( that'll quell boredom and help you discover the hidden magic of New England. What's special about these guides? First, they're written by journalists from NPR stations across the region — bonafide members of the remarkable communities that make up New England's states. Each state guide is organized by region and interest to make planning your next adventure a little easier. From foodies to nature lovers, bookworms and creatives, there's something for everyone to explore. We recommend kicking things off with our guide to [day trips around Massachusetts]( filled with in-the-know recommendations for hikes, bike rides, historic sight-seeing, seafood feasts and unofficial hot dog tours. Then, be sure to read — and bookmark — each of the other states' guides below. P.S. — Maybe you've noticed we're missing a couple of New England states, like New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Those guides will likely be rolling out throughout the summer and fall. In the meantime, check out NHPR's list of [10 things to do this weekend]( and [The Public's Radio]( latest weekly feature on art and music out of Rhode Island. Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters  New England Day Trips [Day trips in Massachusetts: Hikes, history made fun, ice cream and unofficial hot dog tours]( From the beach towns of Cape Cod to the idyllic rural charm of central and western Massachusetts, we’re giving you some sweet offbeat recommendations to plan your next epic day trip. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Massachusetts: Hikes, history made fun, ice cream and unofficial hot dog tours]( From the beach towns of Cape Cod to the idyllic rural charm of central and western Massachusetts, we’re giving you some sweet offbeat recommendations to plan your next epic day trip. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland]( Maine is known as “Vacationland,” and it really lives up to that name. Whether you want a day trip to the beach, a coastal hike or a tour around some cool museums, Maine has it all. Here's a robust list of fun things to do — and eat — in three key regions. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland]( Maine is known as “Vacationland,” and it really lives up to that name. Whether you want a day trip to the beach, a coastal hike or a tour around some cool museums, Maine has it all. Here's a robust list of fun things to do — and eat — in three key regions. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Vermont: Lakeside adventures, rural curiosities and plenty of creemees]( Here's a collection of things to do in the Green Mountain State, from it's most populous area of Burlington and the northwestern region, as well as the Northeast Kingdom, its most rural area. We seek to highlight some lesser-known gems a little more off the beaten path. But don't worry, you'll never be too far from a creemee stand. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Vermont: Lakeside adventures, rural curiosities and plenty of creemees]( Here's a collection of things to do in the Green Mountain State, from it's most populous area of Burlington and the northwestern region, as well as the Northeast Kingdom, its most rural area. We seek to highlight some lesser-known gems a little more off the beaten path. But don't worry, you'll never be too far from a creemee stand. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Connecticut: 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)]( From the southern shoreline to the hills in the northwest, Connecticut's state parks and public gardens offer a break from the hustle and bustle. Its cities are packed with things to see, places to go and great food, like pizza and lobster rolls, of course. [Read more.]( [Day trips in Connecticut: 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)]( From the southern shoreline to the hills in the northwest, Connecticut's state parks and public gardens offer a break from the hustle and bustle. Its cities are packed with things to see, places to go and great food, like pizza and lobster rolls, of course. [Read more.]( Time For A Break 🧠 Test your knowledge: Two companies will now have to pay the state a combined $175 million. Think you know which ones? [Then take our Boston News Quiz]( and see how well you remember this week's stories compared to other WBUR readers! 🗺 5 things to do: Happening today: A fashion show on the waterfront at the ICA, and a good old fashion pig roast just a ferry ride away. Want more? [Read this week's roundup of things to do in Boston.]( A person walks up to Long Nook Beach in Truro, on Cape Cod in 2018. (William J. Kole/AP) 🦈 Cue the Jaws theme... What do Cape Ann, Boston Harbor and Wollaston Beach all have in common? Sharks can be found swimming off the coast of each of these areas. But don't fret! They are "incredibly good at not biting us," Nick Whitney, a shark researcher at the New England Aquarium, told WBUR's Katie Cole. Learn more about the sharks we share our waters with [in this interactive guide.]( 🌭 Fire up the grill: Vegetables, fruit and shrimp might not be the main attraction on the grill at a cookout — but [these three recipes from Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst]( show lighter entrees can satisfy just as well as a burger can. And if you need a few side dishes, Kathy also has you covered with [three new recipes for summer salads.]( ☀️ Got sun protection? A bad sunburn can make a day trip go from fun to unfortunate. Find out what kind of sunscreen might work best for you — and how often to reapply it — [in this Sunscreen 101.]( What We're Reading 📚 - ‘Some of it looks like a storybook’: Why it’s been a remarkable year for hydrangeas in New England ([The Boston Globe]( - ‘They recognize us’: A herd of miniature donkeys is bringing NH comfort and joy ([NHPR]( - How a Questionably Fashionable Shirt Bowled America Over ([Smithsonian Magazine](  PSA [Boston on a budget: Free, fun things you can do this summer in the city]( Here's a guide to the free museum days, fitness classes and music festivals happening around Boston this summer. [Read more.]( [Boston on a budget: Free, fun things you can do this summer in the city]( Here's a guide to the free museum days, fitness classes and music festivals happening around Boston this summer. [Read more.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Still not sure what "Boston-size" means.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.