Getting to know New England requires equal amounts of patience and persistence. Your most memorable experience might come at a roadside lobster pound marked only with a scrawled paper sign, at the end of a mountainside hiking trail that overlooks a peaceful lake, or while exploring a cobblestone alley that's not on any map.

Trust your instincts as much as your GPS while you’re on the road in New England. Your most memorable experience might await at a lobster shack you hear about from locals, at the end of a hiking trail that overlooks a peaceful lake, or along a tree-lined back road that is the prettiest—not the fastest—route from here to there.

Racing around with a checklist and a beat-the-clock attitude is a recipe for missing out. The happiest visitors to New England are those who stay awhile in one spot, getting to know a manageable area through a mix of well-crafted day trips and serendipitous exploration. Read on for strategies that can help you organize your time.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.