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Plus: A deal on Wine Down Wednesdays in the White Mountains.

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Welcome back to Scenic Six.

We just traveled to Gilford, N.H. for opening night of the Jack Johnson tour, renting an Airbnb near the BankNH Pavilion with another family. My husband and I try to mix our two loves, music and travel, whenever we can. Previous excursions include camping out at The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington for another Jack Johnson show and renting a house near Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater for an Alabama Shakes show.  

Plenty of people are mixing their love of sports and travel in Boston right now for the World Cup. With so many Boston visitors, I asked readers for their must-see attractions. Readers have also shared their favorite spots in Ogunquit, Maine after the town was named the best beach town in New England. 

Plus, I’m sharing details about Hampton Beach Country Music Fest, a Connecticut animal sanctuary with goat yoga and llama hikes, a Newport hotel package that will help fund your shopping habit, and more.  

Must-see Boston attractions for first time visitors

With so many people visiting Boston this summer for the World Cup and Sail Boston, I asked readers and lifelong residents for must-see attractions in the city — and they delivered. Some of my picks: the North End, Newbury Street, and The Freedom Trail. 

Boston hotels are adopting ships for Sail Boston 

The tall ships are coming to Boston July 11, and many Boston hotels have adopted international ships, which means they’ll be serving food and beverages and designing programming around that country’s culture. Check out what they are planning. 

Reader recommended spots in Ogunquit, Maine

Readers named Ogunquit the No. 1 beach town in New England during our Battle of the Beach Towns bracket and I can definitely get on board with that. So I asked readers for their favorite things to do in the seaside town and here is their list. I agree with so many of these recs, including strolling the Marginal Way, eating lobster at Barnacle Billy’s, and belting out tunes at The Front Porch piano bar. 

Travel tips

• It’ll be easier to cool down on hot days in the city now that the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool has opened for the season (opening day is June 23). 

• Get your country music fix on the coast during the Hampton Beach Country Music Fest, taking place July 7-9.

• While in Newtown, Conn. this summer, enjoy goat yoga, llama hikes, bee keeping, equestrian trails, and more on the 34-acre Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, which pays tribute to the life of a 6-year-old victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

Deals and steals

Note: Scenic Six arrives in inboxes Tuesdays at noon. If these deals are reaching you too late, sign up now to be the first in the know.

• Wine lovers, take advantage of Wine Down Wednesdays in the White Mountains at the Common Man in Lincoln, N.H. for half off selected bottles of wine (with a food purchase) or 30% off bottles of reserve wines that cost $50 or more.

• Travelers who stay at The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina in Newport and book the Stay Local, Shop Local package get 10% off accommodations plus a $25 gift certificate to use at the boutiques and galleries on popular Bowen’s Wharf.

• Traveling with high schoolers who don’t want to miss a gym sesh while on vacation? Planet Fitness has a High School Summer Pass program in which kids age 14 to 19 can work out for free through Aug. 31. 

If you’re spending time in Boston, check out 10 free things to do in the city in June. 

I’ll leave you with this photo from a packed BankNH Pavilion on the first night of Jack Johnson’s SURFILMUSIC 2026 tour. 

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