Scenic Six

This week: Patriotic getaways, free June events in Boston, the rise of car camping, and more.

Share

Send this article to your social connections.

You’re reading the award-winning Scenic Six, Boston.com’s guide to New England travel. Sign up to get hidden gems, travel tips, and must-visit spots in your inbox every week.

Welcome back to Scenic Six.

Travel is such a gift — and it was literally a gift this past weekend when my parents flew me to Florida’s Panama City Beach for a girls’ trip for my birthday. We dined on fresh fish oceanside at sunset, relaxed on a gorgeous beach, and even caught a pop-up performance by country star Riley Green.

This week, I’m sharing all-American getaways across New England in celebration of our nation’s semiquincentennial, car camping in Massachusetts, the Newport Folk Festival, a kayaking special in Maine, and more.

Enjoy an all-American getaway this summer in New England

Plenty of destinations are leaning into America’s 250th birthday this year, and Forbes Travel Guide recently named the most all-American getaways right now in each state. Check out where you should book in New England. 

Save money at these free Boston events in June 

From outdoor workouts to live music to World Cup parties, there are plenty of lively events happening in Boston in June, and many don’t cost a thing. Check out 10 free things to do in Boston this month. 

Sleep in the car? Yes, please, say campers

I once slept in the car, albeit unintentionally, during a White Mountains camping trip when my young daughter was seeking refuge from wild animal noises. It turns out plenty of people sleep in their car on purpose. It’s called car camping and it’s on the rise, according to Hipcamp. Find out more about the trend and where you can car camp in Massachusetts.

Travel tips

• There’s good news for air travelers who love Mike’s Pastry in the North End. The iconic bakery just announced it is opening a location at Logan Airport later this year.

• Discover five buzzy restaurants opening in Greater Boston in June, including an international food hall in Allston and Danny Meyer’s latest Seaport debut.

• The Newport Folk Festival is taking place July 24-26 at Fort Adams State Park. Check out the lineup as well as lodging options in the area.  

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. 

• Enjoy free rides on the MBTA commuter rail during Free Summer Fridays, when service is free on 13 Fridays between June and August. 

• Campers can watch World Cup matches in the wild this summer with Huttopia’s World Cup package, which includes a 20% discount on weekday stays, live match screenings, and soccer-themed programming for kids. Use the code HUTTOWORLDCUP when booking by June 19 for stays from June 14 to July 16. Huttopia has locations in the Berkshires, Southern Maine, and New Hampshire’s White Mountains. 

• Get out on the water in Maine with Boothbay Harbor’s Linekin Bay Resort Kayaking Special, June 22-25. It includes three nights of waterfront accommodations, two days of sea kayaking with Maine Kayak, and a Maine lobster dinner. Availability is limited and the price is $1,500 for two people and $1,000 for one person. 

I’ll leave you with this photo I took this past weekend when I went to Panama City Beach.

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