One of the best things about spring is the great weather. It\u2019s perfect for taking a day trip or a weekend getaway to explore a nearby locale. Getting out to explore new places is beneficial in a lot of ways, including for your energy bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right now is prime travel time for people in the northeast who want to explore New England\u2019s uniquely beautiful coastline. There are dozens of quaint villages with tons of character as well as bustling vacation spots that attract people from all over the country. No matter what type of experience you\u2019re looking for, we\u2019ve found seven New England coastal towns that won\u2019t disappoint. Plus, we\u2019ve provided a few suggestions for saving energy while you\u2019re away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
New to New England? This checklist for moving to New England<\/a> will help you get things done so you have time to tour around the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a beach town, Nantucket is the perfect spot. New England isn\u2019t known for its beaches, but Nantucket is one of the exceptions. Most notable is that every square foot of the beaches are public. There\u2019s also a lot of variety in one place. You can find gentle waves at Children\u2019s Beach or sizable waves on the south shore. If you want to get close to the sealife, make time to visit the Coatue Wildlife Refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want more of a vintage beach vibe? You can\u2019t get better than Cape Cod. It\u2019s actually a collection of small towns that have largely remained unchanged for decades. Many consider Cape Cod to be the epicenter of Americana culture, and it\u2019s easy to see why when you visit. At every turn there are American flags, lighthouses and artwork that amplifies pride in the USA. If you\u2019d prefer to get out in nature than go shopping, check out the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If stunning views are what you\u2019re after, Watch Hill won\u2019t disappoint. The town sits high up on a cliffside where you can see the Atlantic Ocean, Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay. With all the water around it\u2019s not surprising that sailboating is a major pastime in Watch Hill. Visitors all enjoy kayaking up the river and fly-fishing. While you\u2019re in Watch Hill stop by The Preserve for a full day of outdoor activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Martha\u2019s Vineyard is a regular retreat for professionals that grind away in Washington, D.C. and New York City. If you\u2019re there over the weekend you\u2019re likely to see a politician or two. But what you\u2019ll really want to check out is the beachfront real estate. Martha\u2019s Vineyard is home to some of New England\u2019s most impressive houses from elaborate, cozy cottages to expansive mansions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bar Harbor is a family-friendly spot where kids of all ages can take part in activities. This historic town is where you\u2019ll find the well-known Acadia National Park. The 2.2-mile Ocean Path bike trail and 45 miles of carriage roads have earned Bar Harbor the designation of being one of the most bikeable beach towns in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have heard about the movie Mystic Pizza<\/em> that launched Julia Roberts career. That pizza joint is in Mystic, CT where you\u2019ll find many other attractions and museums. It\u2019s a great getaway for anyone who wants to use their vacation time to learn something new. Visit the Mystic Aquarium to learn about the local aquatic life, stop by the Mystic Seaport Museum for a look at a fishing village from the 1800s or stroll through Olde Mistick Village for modern day shopping in beautiful historic buildings with unique stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People come to Portsmouth to sample the fresh seafood, take a relaxing stroll around Market Square and enjoy live entertainment at Prescott Park once the sun goes down. It\u2019s more active than many other smaller coastal towns in New England, which is great for couples or groups that want to relax during the day then have fun experiencing the local nightlife. It\u2019s especially convenient for Bostonians that live just an hour away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While you\u2019re away from home exploring the New England coastline you can help fund your trip by saving energy. Here are a few energy saving essentials for travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest energy saver is going to be adjusting your programmable thermostat. Hopefully you\u2019ve already made adjustments to your thermostat for summer energy savings<\/a>, but you can save even more by using the Away or Vacation setting rather than your normal daily schedule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Away\/Vacation setting overrides schedules that you\u2019ve created. Instead of going by the regular presets, when a thermostat is in Away\/Vacation mode it will automatically adjust the temperature for optimal savings rather than comfort or preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7 New England Coastal Towns to Explore in Spring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nantucket, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cape Cod, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Watch Hill, Rhode Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Martha\u2019s Vineyard, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bar Harbor, Maine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mystic, Connecticut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Portsmouth, New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Save Energy While You\u2019re Exploring the New England Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Put the Programmable Thermostat in Away\/Vacation Mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Put Smart Bulbs on a Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n