Scenic Six

From reader-voted favorites to flight changes and a Vermont festival.

• ...

Send this article to your social connections.

You’re reading 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.

Over the past two weeks, more than 10,000 votes were cast in our Battle of the Beach Towns bracket and — drum roll please — Ogunquit, Maine has been crowned New England’s best beach town. The votes were extremely close in some instances. So, really, I think we’re all the winners for having so many amazing beach towns in our region.

This week, I’m also sharing details about another enthusiastic reader vote — for the best Cape Cod town (and I wholeheartedly agree with the choice), why JetBlue is pulling out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport this summer, Vermont’s Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival, a discounted stay in Maine, and more.

The best beach town in New England is Ogunquit

Our two-week Battle of the Beach Towns bracket ended in a showdown between two Maine destinations: Ogunquit and Bar Harbor. It was an exciting bracket, with several close matchups (just two votes separated Wellfleet and Bar Harbor in round 2 and also Block Island and Eastham in round 3!). Ogunquit, in my opinion, is worthy of the title. I love visiting the nationally renowned beach, charming boutiques, delicious restaurants, historic theater, and, of course, strolling the majestic Marginal Way.

JetBlue is pulling its service from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

Say it isn’t so, JetBlue! I have flown to Florida from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on JetBlue and it was such a pleasant experience — no crowds, no lines, easy parking. So I was sad to hear the airline is pulling its service from the airport as of July 8. Find out what JetBlue had to say about the decision. 

This is the best Cape Cod town, according to Boston.com readers

When I asked readers to tell me their favorite Cape Cod town, more than 850 votes poured in and Harwich came out on top. I love this for Harwich, which deserves all the praise. We have been renting the same house in Harwich for the past 12 summers and it’s a magical place with beautiful beaches, friendly people, a quaint downtown, and a lovely lavender farm.   

Travel tips:

• There’s good news for travelers flying through Logan Airport: Passengers can now get real-time security checkpoint wait times before heading there. 

• Enjoy classical music in Portland, Maine at the Portland Bach Experience, a 10-day festival taking place from May 28 to June 7 featuring concerts, immersive events, and interactive educational programs.

• It will be quite a sight at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival, taking place June 19-21 in Quechee, Vermont. The event will include live music, food vendors, and, of course, plenty of hot air balloons.  

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.

• Massachusetts residents can enjoy free admission to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts during its Memorial Day Open House on May 25.

• Diners will enjoy discounted prices in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley during Ludlow’s second annual Restaurant Week, taking place June 6-14.

• For a Maine getaway this summer that includes food deals, book the SPF Stay package at the Cottages at Cabot Cove in Kennebunkport, which includes up to a 20% room discount and a $100 nightly resort credit at any Kennebunkport Resort Collection hotel or restaurant. Travelers must stay a minimum of three nights by Aug. 31.

• Heading into the city? Check out 10 free things to do in Boston in May.

I’ll leave you with this photo taken by our multimedia producer Hussein Hammouda during a visit to Newburyport.

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 Palma