New England News

What’s New from Discover New England

Connecticut

Bradley International Airport Welcomes Aer Lingus’ Flight Schedule Extension. Good news for visitors to New England! Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, has extended the schedule for its popular nonstop service from Dublin, Ireland to Hartford, Connecticut. The transatlantic service is now available almost year-round, offering more opportunities for the exploration of vibrant Connecticut and its surrounding states. Individuals traveling will also benefit from the added convenience of Dublin Airport, which offers U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance. This means that Bradley International Airport bound passengers will be able to complete all necessary US-entry requirements in Dublin ahead of their departure. Bradley International Airport is New England’s second largest airport. The airport is recognized nationally by leading travel publications and offers small airport convenience with the big airport-like amenities you need for a smooth journey.

Aer Ligus’ new schedule from Dublin to Hartford:

Now through October 26, 2023: Daily Flights
October 28, 2023 through January 5, 2024: 3 x Weekly Flights
January 6, 2024 through March 12, 2024: No Flight Operations
March 13, 2023 through March 28, 2024: 3 x Weekly Flights
March 30, 2024 through October 2024: Daily Flights

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Bradley International Airport

Major Renovations Complete at the Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven. The Yale Peabody Museum is set to reopen in early 2024 after a remarkable four-year renovation. The spacious and bright facility will exhibit 50% more of the museum’s vast collection of 14 million objects than ever before. The museum’s collection of natural history specimens ranges from enormous dinosaur bones to cultural artifacts from across the globe. One of the museum’s central attractions is a forty-foot-long Tylosaurus fossil suspended from above in the main gallery.

New Pedal Boat Cruises, Milford and Stamford. Party on the water on Connecticut’s pedal powered party boat operated on the beautiful Milford Harbor and out to Charles Island and the Milford Gulf in the Long Island Sound for groups of up to 20 people. The tour is 90 minutes on a custom crafted boat for 20 guests at 12 pedaling stations, a bar table, coolers, and blue tooth stereo. Stamford’s pedal cruise takes off from the city’s South End/Harbor Point neighborhood. The boats fit up to 26 people and have 12 pedaling stations.

Harbor View Landing New Houseboat Accommodations, Mystic. Nestled along the banks of the beautiful Mystic River, Harbor View Landing combines classic New England charm and modern luxury for a coastal retreat. Mystic’s authentic New England charm that has led to its world-wide fame. Home to family-friendly attractions, stunning scenery and an amazing heritage, Mystic is the perfect setting for the luxury Connecticut coastal accommodations. Newly added, the Patriot the sleek, European houseboat, will have you feeling like you’re staying in a floating, contemporary apartment.

The Kent Collection Newly Updated Properties, Litchfield Hills. located in the Litchfield Hills region of CT, offers three facilities loosely tied to the Gilmore Girls. Beautifully designed rooms and suites in three unique and fully renovated landmark properties. The Firefly Inn and the Victorian are inviting, small inns, while the Garden Cottages that are self-catering offer the comfort of home away from home.

Pickleball America Now Open, Stamford. One of the largest indoor pickleball venues in the world as it takes over an 80,000 square foot space in the Stamford Town Center Mall. The venue houses 28 indoor pickleball courts, showers, a lounge, café and area for childcare, and will partner with a number of professional associations, leagues and clubs, as well as the USA Pickleball Ambassadors and coaches in the tri-state area to offer private and group instruction.

New Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard. Featuring design elements that draw from the hit television show. The new restaurant will offer guests an immersive dining experience that combines the energy and excitement of a busy kitchen with upscale comfort and sophistication.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam. Reopened to the public for daily tours after nearly a year of renovations. The castle was the home of William Gillette, who was best known for his on-stage portrayal of Sherlock Holmes both in the US and UK.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport. Celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2022, this new is opening a new Andean bear exhibit habitat features a South American bear that decades ago was the model for the children’s book character Paddington. The new habitat features a waterfall, trees for climbing, two cave/dens and a hammock.

New Campus for the American Mural Project, Winstead. The largest indoor collaborative mural project in the world, 120 ft. long and 5 stories high is a tribute to American workers and highlights what has defined the U.S. over the last century.

Connecticut Accolades

DNE MEMBER PARTNER Bradley International Airport has been selected as a Top 10 airport in the United States for seven consecutive years has placed #6 in 2023 according to Conde Nast.
Mystic ranked 4^th top tourism destination in the U.S. by USA Today.
Ranked #1 spot for hiking by Why this Place
Ranked #6 most environmentally friend state by WalletHub
Fourth place for the percentage of land dedicated to state and national parks
Tenth place for number of state parks with 142
State with second largest number of charging ports in New England
New Haven was named by the New York Times as one of 52 places in the world you should visit
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina Named to Trips to Discover’s “15 Most Beautiful Hotels in the Country”
New Haven was a top summer destination for family Airbnb bookings

Maine

Wine Sails in Portland’s Casco Bay. Wine Wise is adding more of their popular Wine Sails to their schedule. Enjoy sailing in Casco Bay while tasting some of the finest wines in the world. The additional sails mean more Wine Sails, Wine & Oysters Sails, and Chef Series Wine & Food Sails.

Renovation of the Dune’s on the Waterfront, Ogunquit. After a $10 million renovation, the Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit will open their new cottages for the 2024 season. The property consists of 24 cottages on 12 acres of oceanfront lawns overlooking Ogunquit Beach. Hotelier and real estate developer Tim Harrington of Atlantic Hospitality acquired the property in 2023 and spent the off season renovating the interior, exterior, lobby, décor, grounds, and pool.

New Visitor Center at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Stacyville. The new center will tell the story of the region through the eyes of Native Americans. The center is now under construction and slated to open spring of 2024 is named “Tekαkαpimk” from the Penobscot Indian language meaning “as far as one can see.”

New Themed Experiences on the water with DoryWoman Rowing, Belfast. These unique experiences include a sunset oyster row, a yoga row and more. Trips are led by an experienced Maine Guide and use a traditional-style wooden dory in Belfast Bay.

Sugarloaf Ski Resort has new high-speed quad chairlift, Carrabassett Valley. Bucksaw Express is the name of the new high-speed quad that will service Sugarloaf’s planned West Mountain expansion. Sugarloaf began construction on the 450-acre expansion in mid-January, and it is expected to open to skiers in February 2024. The quad will span 6,574 feet with a vertical rise of 1,433 feet. The lift will move 2,400 skiers per hour up West Mountain with a ride time of seven minutes.

Plans Announced to Redevelop River Corridor with Trails & Whitewater Adventure, Skowhegan. The Skowhegan River Park (also known as Run of River) will redevelop an industrial downtown river corridor into an accessible outdoor recreation asset with an expanded trail network and enhanced whitewater activities.

Saddleback Unveiled Lift-serviced Mountain Biking and Began Construction on New Mid-Mountain Lodge, Rangeley. Saddleback, Maine’s largest independent Ski resort, unveiled lift-serviced mountain biking. The Bike Park also includes the South Branch Bike trails. The Saddleback Bike Shop offers a full fleet of rentals, bike accessories, service and repairs. Saddleback joins Mt. Abram for lift-serviced biking. Saddleback is also in the midst of building its new Mid Mountain Lodge, which is planned to be finished in 2023. The lodge is located in Bicknell’s thrush habitat and the resort is working with the Maine Audubon Society to protect the birds’ habitat.

The Spring River Preserve Expanded by 13,500 acres. The Nature Conservancy has acquired approximately 13,500 acres of forested land north of Tunk Mountain in Hancock County. The land, which will continue to be open for birding, hunting and fishing, abuts an existing preserve to the north of Tunk Mountain and the northwest corner of the state’s Donnell Pond Public Land. The acquisition will expand The Nature Conservancy’s 9,700-acre Spring River Preserve.

Maine’s Dark Skies, A National Monument, Dark Sky Sanctuary. The International Dark-Sky Association, the world’s recognized authority on combatting light pollution, has designated the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Only 13 exist throughout the entire world. And in the United States, there’s only one east of the Mississippi River. This region of Maine will also be in the path of totality during the 2024 solar eclipse.

New Marina with Restaurants and Accommodations Unveiled, Camden. Renowned boatbuilder, Lyman-Morse unveiled a 44,000 square-foot mixed-use marina redevelopment project on Camden’s inner harbor. Lyman-Morse Camden is a year-round destination to dine, shop, sightsee, work, and more. In addition to yacht services, marina amenities include Salt Wharf restaurant, Barren’s Restaurant & Distillery featuring locally distilled spirits along with casual cuisine, and the Crew Quarters at Lyman-Morse, boutique ocean-view accommodations.

New Free Mobile App by Creative Portland. A new cultural app to increase access to the arts through a user-friendly mobile application. Free to download, the app promotes the cultural life of Portland and some artistic highlights throughout the state. The app will also give users access to Augmented Reality (AR) experiences through their phones.

Expanded Collection of Andrew Wyeth Art, Rockland. The Wyeth Foundation for American Art has announced that 7,000 works by Andrew Wyeth will be made accessible for exhibition, scholarship and loans through a partnership between the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine. The foundation was established in 2002 and only 15 percent of these artworks have been previously exhibited.

Reopened Visitor Center and Marine Exhibits, Bar Harbor. The Oceanarium in Bar Harbor has reopened after a five-year hiatus with upgraded exhibits and a refurbished interior. The three buildings include a visitor’s center and gift shop, a former lobster hatchery hosting marine-related exhibits and an Aquaria building with indoor tanks of live sea creatures from the Gulf of Maine.

James Beard Regional Winner, Nezinscot Farm, Turner. Named the Northeast Regional winner of the “American Classics” category by the James Beard Foundation. Known as the state’s first organic dairy farm, Nezinscot Farm is family run and includes the farm, cafe, bakery, fromagerie, and charcuterie business.

New Food & History Tour by Maine Day Ventures, Biddeford. The 2.5-hour walking tour takes you along revitalized Main Street and through town where textile mills and a thriving theatre and opera scene once took place. Along the way, guests are treated to offerings at a fourth generation, family owned and operated bakeshop, pizza from Maine’s original pizza maker and local ice cream.

New Opening of the York Beach Surf Club, York. New resort in York by the descendants of 1960s local surfing legend Sonny Perkins. The former motel has been reimagined as a world-class resort experience, while paying homage to the original 1960s surf club that Perkins began there. Overlooking Long Sand Beach, the resort has 42 guest rooms and 10 bungalows, heated saltwater pool with a pool bar, coffee shop, coastal-inspired eatery, and raw oyster and cocktail bar.

Newly Renovated Bluebird Ocean Point Inn. Boothbay Harbor. The redesigned coastal Maine summer getaway in the idyllic town of Boothbay Harbor. The eighth hotel to join the growing portfolio of Bluebird by Lark properties and the first Bluebird by Lark property in Maine, the inn offers cottages, rooms and suites suitable for families and couples alike. The inn’s 61 rooms reflect a modern take on New England cottage design, while the onsite dining offers sweeping views and locally sourced seafood.

AWOL, A New Retreat, Kennebunkport. A group of luxury cabins in a wooded landscape in picturesque Kennebunkport, just a short walk to the harbor and downtown. AWOL features rooms and suites in the main building and a range of cabin accommodation.

New Wellness Hotel, The Longfellow Hotel, Portland. Opening early 2024, a wellness-themed hotel in a five-story, ground-up building located in Portland’s historic West End neighborhood. The lobby has a communal lounge with casual seating and an intimate bar, handcrafted by local millworkers. The property has 48 rooms, and several have French balconies or bay windows.

Newly Restored Cottages at The Wanderer, Kennebunk. A newly restored and reimagined 17-cottage compound, opened in Kennebunk. Featuring a lounge pool, complimentary breakfast “treat bags” and classic cruiser bikes for guests to use, it’s also located near some of Maine’s best beaches. The property is owned by Atlantic Hospitality, which also transformed The Claremont in Southwest Harbor and Salt Cottages in Bar Harbor.

Opened Summer 2022, Moose Creek RV Resort, Greenville. The ultimate RV and tent site camping destination in the Moosehead Lake area. Situated on 88 acres in a wooded setting east of Greenville, Moose Creek offers many amenities including a pool and outdoor patio space, restaurant, bar, store, and even a pond stocked with brook trout. Not into camping? Consider staying nearby in a yurt at Northeast Whitewater.

Maine Accolades

Baxter State Park – 15 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Vacation Destinations in the U.S. – Trips to Discover
Portland – 25 Most Beautiful Landmarks in America – Trips to Discover
Best Summer Road Trips – 2023’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips – WalletHub
Ogunquit Beach – Best Beaches in the United States – Travelers’ Choice Awards – Tripadvisor
MidCoast Maine – Best weekend getaways in the US – The Points Guy
Portland – 10 Best Places to Live on the East Coast (travelandleisure.com)
Portland – 10 Best Beer City

Massachusetts

New Welcome Center and International Heart of Quincy Audio Tour, Quincy. The City’s Tourism Department has teamed up with international audio guide vendor Guide-ID, to unlock and explore the stories of Quincy Center, both past and present. This free audio guide is available at the City of Quincy Welcome Center, by scanning the QR code at any one of the 17 Heart of Quincy Tour stops across the Common and the Hancock Cemetery. The Welcome Center will be going through major renovations during the winter of 2023-2024.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Discover Quincy

Quincy 400. Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Quincy’s settlement in 2025! As we look forward to our celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Quincy’s settlement, we also look back and reflect on all that we have done as citizens of our great City to make it what it is today and what it will be in the future.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Discover Quincy

Now Open! A new sustainable, Multipurpose Performing Arts Center by Arts Empowering Life, Brewster. Arts Empowering Life (AEL) is a non-profit Arts foundation from Cape Cod, dedicated to the pursuit of beauty, truth, and faith in the Arts, sharing inspiration and education with people across many nationalities, cultures, and traditions. After thirty years of sustained artistic growth, Arts Empowering Life has put its roots down with a new, innovative, multi-purpose Arts facility.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Hotel Shelburne Springs Opened Summer 2023, Shelburne Falls. Beautiful boutique hotel in a 1914 mansion on 38 acres, seven suites with kitchens, heated floors, decks, views, and move. Full bar Thurs-Sun, patio with firepits, outdoors games, hiking, trails, sculpture gardens. Breakfast included.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Mohawk trail association

Special 2024 French Exhibition Coming to The Clark, Williamstown. Summer 2024 exhibition on French artist Guillaume Lethière – The Clark’s exhibition is the first major museum presentation on Lethière’s remarkable life and achievements and will provide new insights into questions relevant in the artist’s time regarding the reception and assessment of Caribbean art.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Mohawk trail association

Expanded Display Like Magic Opening at MASS MoCA October 2023, North Adams. The exhibition Like Magic brings together artists who employ technologies of magic to resist systems that attempt to surveil and control people’s lives and stories, often because of their race, ability, sexuality, gender identity, indigeneity, or immigration status. Contemporary artists use healing earth, witches’ brooms, AI, divination, and more to imagine care-full and joy-full futures into being despite the peril promised by the past and present.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Mohawk trail association

New Greyfinch Chatham Inn, Chatham. Formerly known as the Chatham Highlander Village Inn, Greyfinch is home to 30 newly renovated guestrooms, effortlessly combining Chatham’s seafaring legacy with modern elegance, featuring stylish decor and a relaxing atmosphere. Welcoming couples, families, and friends traveling together, Greyfinch offers a refreshed indoor and outdoor space, a heated pool, and grab + go convenience, just steps away from the nearby beaches, coastal activities and sister restaurant, Wild Goose Tavern.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

Newly Renovated Pelham on Main, West Dennis. This 27-room hotel opened summer 2022, is a quiet retreat near Dennis’s shops, restaurants and museums. Hop aboard the free shuttle to its sister hotel on the oceanfront, the Pelham House Resort’s private beach, Here guests can savor delicious cuisine and cocktails at the 14 Sea Street Rooftop Restaurant or in The Pelham House Sea Level and Patio.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Hotel, Pelham on Earle Hotel, West Harwich. Tucked among colorful hydrangea gardens in a quiet neighborhood under two miles from downtown Dennis Port, the Pelham on Earle hotel celebrates the best of Cape Cod’s charm with cozy, recently renovated rooms and a casual coastal aesthetic. With just a short 100-yard stroll, you can relax on the sands of Earle Road Beach.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Cape Cod Bus Service for Plymouth & Brockton Routes. Now commences daily bus service from Woods Hole and Falmouth Stations to South Station and Logan Airport in Boston, as well as service from Woods Hole and Falmouth Stations to T.F. Green Airport (Rhode Island TF Green International Airport).

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

Coming soon! New $15 Million State-of-the-Art Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, Provincetown. The visitor center will feature interactive exhibits on the natural history and cultural heritage of the region. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary intends to partner with the Town of Provincetown and the Center for Coastal Studies to advance awareness, understanding and appreciation of the marine ecosystems of Stellwagen Bank.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

New Interpretive Markers throughout Cape Cod and the Islands, Waypoints Trail. Waypoints are a series of modular cubes, panels and posts that allow for education. Each Waypoint features one or more viewfinders that focuses attention on a particular subject and invites further exploration of a network of other markers, surprising artifacts, and new points of interest. Each Waypoint encourages further exploration through the mobile web site, as well as an invitation to share experiences via social media.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

Launched in 2022, New Ptown Carts Available for Rent, Provincetown. Stylish Low Speed Electric Vehicles that are comfortable, safe and fun. Street legal with seatbelts, headlights, turn signals & more. Easy Pick Up & Drop Off. Free Cart Parking at our lot or municipal spots when available.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Cape Cod Chamber

The 250^th Anniversary of the Revolution for the Independence of America. The journey to American independence started in Massachusetts. To celebrate, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is developing opportunities for statewide engagement around Revolutionary history. Statewide signature events are being planned for 2025 and 2026. The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is developing programs with schools and libraries across the Commonwealth themed around the Revolution. As well as working to uncover untold stories and stories of diversity, and identifying opportunities for individuals, municipalities, and other actors across the Commonwealth to participate in celebrations of the anniversary and recognize the history of their geographical areas.

250^th Birthday of Johnny Appleseed, Leominster. John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) was born in Leominster, Massachusetts on September 26, 1774. The 31^st Annual Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival in Leominster, on Saturday 9/14/24, will honor the 250^th Birthday of Johnny Appleseed and kick off a series of events and celebrations in the region, running from the Johnny Appleseed Fair on September 14 through mid-October.

Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth. The historic landmark and popular tourist attraction in downtown Plymouth since 1824, kicked off its bicentennial year on March 1, 2024. The museum’s mission is to “foster thoughtful understandings of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the Wampanoag people, and the complex evolution of Plymouth as an impactful narrative of America’s history.” Events are planned throughout the year in celebration of the anniversary.

300th anniversary of Holliston. December 3, 2024 will mark the 300^th anniversary of Holliston incorporated as a town. They will be holding 300 celebrations throughout 2024. On May 11, there is a parade at the Celebrate Holliston festival, the Historical Society celebrates its 300th summer with a Strawberry Festival on June 23, and on July 4, there will be a Laser Show at the High School. The Mudville Baseball Club plays an Ole Time Baseball Tournament on July 13. Visit Willowbrook Farm to watch the talented equestrians and their horses on Sept. 8 and the town’s Fall Festival is on Oct. 8. Shop, catch a trolley ride, and enjoy the Holiday Stroll on Nov. 30.

Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn, Spencer marks its 50th anniversary. The 165-year-old barn has a dazzling selection of Christmas trees, and features thousands of ornaments, nativities, Santas, and carolers. Also, the Annual Spencer Fair (over 130 years old) takes place on Labor Day Weekend. The Spencer Fair is an old time, traditional country fair including ox and horse pulls, cattle, rabbit and poultry shows, hall exhibits, midway and outdoor entertainment, and should be a great time for all who attend.

Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown. New exhibit Emancipation. Conceived as a commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation visualizes what freedom looks like for Black Americans today and the legacy of the Civil War today and beyond. The seven installations span sculpture, photography, and paper and textile fabrications.

Coming to Historic Deerfield’s Flynt Center in May, 2024 is the exhibition: Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North. As a corrective to histories that define slavery and anti-Black racism as a largely Southern issue, this exhibition offers a new window onto Black representation in a region that is often overlooked in narratives of early African American history. Through 125 works including paintings, needlework, and photographs, this exhibition invites visitors to focus on figures who appear in—or are omitted from—early American images and will challenge conventional narratives that have minimized early Black histories in the North.

Adventure Park at Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich. The park features ziplines, courses and climbing bridges throughout the great outdoors. The five aerial treetop-canopy trails will give you an all-new perspective of the Cape’s scenic beauty.

Margaritaville Resort, Plymouth. The global lifestyle brand, has announced the debut of Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, slated to welcome visitors in summer 2024. Following a $30 million top-to-bottom reimagination, the resort, presently operating as the Cape Codder Resort & Spa, will feature 272 rooms and features and amenities for visitors of all ages. The design will seamlessly blend Margaritaville’s casual luxury with the natural aesthetic of Hyannis and the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

New Mayflower Landing Splash Pad at Hotel 1620, Plymouth. Opened this past Summer to the delight of visitors. Admission to the Plymouth-inspired water feature is included with all reservations.

Jellystone Campground Added 83 cabins and a 21,000-square-foot New Water Park, Carver. Open from July through September 4^th, this new water park is located on the grounds of Jellystone Park in Carver, Massachusetts. This instant hit with kids and adults alike is complete with two long water slides, two kiddie water slides, water blasters and water cannons.

New, Free Electric Transportation with Ride Circuit, Plymouth. Free rides in all-electric vehicles throughout the Plymouth historic district, the bus station and Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Simply download the Ride Circuit app on your smart phone, enter your location and see the sites.

New Self-Pour Wine Tastings with Uva Wine Bar, Plymouth. 48 wines from different regions that are dispensed via self-serve WineStations.

New Hotel Faraway Martha’s Vineyard Opened July 2023, Martha’s Vineyard. Formerly Kelley House re-imagined and re-launched as Faraway Martha’s Vineyard. the historic Kelley House returns includes two restaurants, a new guest-only pool, fitness center, jacuzzi tub, Snack Shack and a new luxury retail partner. All rooms are custom-designed

New Hotel The Coco Opened July 2023, Nantucket. Each of its eight rooms has its own design scheme by Rachel Reider Interiors. All have original architectural details — crown moldings, built-in shelving and drawers, lofted ceilings. Jewel tones like deep purple, emerald green, and teal complement the property’s neutral palate, and natural materials in light fixtures and wall coverings are offset by layered patterns and wallpaper designs. A staircase is The Coco’s centerpiece, where built-in bookshelves house literature for guest use.

New Hotel Blue Iris Opened May 2022, Nantucket. 12-room hotel located in the heart of Nantucket bringing with it plenty of luxury offerings and Greek Revival Art and Portuguese design.

New Hotel The Brant House Opening 2024, Nantucket. Anchor Line Partners and Nauset Strategies purchased former Brant Point Inn; they will develop a renovated property to be called The Brant House and will increase the inn’s current 19 guest rooms to a total of 29 if all the changes are approved. The existing single-family home on Dolphin Court will be expanded and converted to an eight-room guest house, and a new one-story building will be constructed with two guest suites and a guest-services area.

New Hotel the Salt House Opened July 2022, Nantucket. Salt House Nantucket features luxuriously appointed new guest rooms and bathrooms, an expansive lawn with lawn games, fire pits, and plenty of quiet corners to enjoy a delicious, handcrafted cocktail. Furry companions are more than welcome to stay at Salt House Nantucket, ensuring that your entire family can enjoy a memorable getaway.

New Bike Attraction Sandy Pedals Launched June 2022, Nantucket. Sandy Pedals brings accessibility and convenience of electric bikes to everyone age 18 to 75. Sandy Pedal bikes have pedal assist motors that can go up to 14 miles per hour, making a bike ride from downtown Nantucket out to Surfside Beach for a day in the sun or out to Cisco Brewers for some live music and a cold brew doable for almost anyone.

Massive Renovation Underway of the The Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center, Framingham. Currently being transformed into a Marriott TriBrand Destination. Once completed, the iconic location will offer a 200-room full-service Sheraton, a 95 room TownePlace Suites, and a 75 room Fairfield Inn, all connected to 25,000 square feet of event space with 23 flexible meeting rooms, suitable for any type of group travel. The hotel is open during the renovations, which will be completed fall 2023.

New Hotel Home2 Suites by Hilton Opening January 2024, Boston/Franklin. Offering free hot breakfast, indoor pool, and state-of-the-art business center, will open January 2024.

New Cutting Edge Indoor Mini Golf Course Puttshack Opened 2023, Natick. The national chain of indoor mini golf courses, is due to open in Natick, MA this year. They’ve reinvented the game of mini golf by infusing it with patented ball-tracking technology, Instagrammable aesthetics, and world-class cuisine.

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau Launching Itineraries & Translated Resources. The visitors bureau serving areas southwest of Boston released an all-new Visitors Guide which features itineraries for 2 to 10 days, including seasonal hub-and-spoke tours specifically targeted to international travelers who might be looking to use MetroWest as a home base for longer holidays. The MBVB is also happy to help arrange custom tours and itineraries for group tour operators. A variety of new international microsites will be launched soon with translations in Dutch, Italian, German, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Vacation Rental Company Shared Estates Expands Property Portfolio, Lenox. Winthrop Estate has been acquired and will be added to their lodging offerings.

New Hotel Downstreet, North Adams. Opened 2023 on Main Street with 90 rooms adjacent to the MASS MoCA. Newly renovated and under new management.

The Immersive Wellness Resort Canyon Ranch released new Mobile App, Lenox. The Canyon Ranch Mobile App is now available as well as a new Immersive Sleep Retreat allowing guests to work directly with personal trainers and performance scientists so guests can continue their personalized wellness plan at home.

New Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Sheffield. The new outdoor pavilion was opened this year and hosted the Berkshire Busk music series.

New Construction Plans Announced for Jacob’s Pillow Theatre to be Completed 2025, Becket. Jacob’s Pillow is excited to announce building plans for the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre, a flexible theater on the site of the original Doris Duke Theatre, which was lost to a fire. The new design creates year-round space of approximately 20,000 sq ft and the new building includes state-of-the-art technology and a second indoor space for programming.

Natural Bridge State Park Begins Redesign Plan, North Adams. A redesign plan expected to span several years began in May 2023. The project will improve safety and accessibility to enhance visitor experiences and make better use of the many natural and cultural features of the park. The Park will remain open during construction, with some limitations.

Expanded Accessible Trails at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley, Lenox. Added a one-mile expansion of a All Persons Trail (APT) to Pike’s Pond and now offering multi-sensory programming; audio tours and tactile signage; history of natural world and climate change.

Berkshire Bike Path Getting a $1.4 Million Expansion, Pittsfield. The City of Pittsfield is expanding its bike path along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail allowing for a 10-ft paved multiuse path to extend farther into the city. Completion expected spring 2024.

Construction has Begun to Expand The Porches Inn, North Adams. The Porches, a 47 room boutique inn steps from MASS MoCa, will be expanding with a new structure with 11 rooms, 4 studios, and 7 underground parking spaces.

Newly Designed Boutique Inn The TRAIL, Adams. Purchased by new owners and operators re-envisioned the 9-room Topia Inn as the Berkshires’ Art Hotel on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, offering art, events and workshops and wellbeing.

Construction has Begun for New Outdoor Center Greylock Glen, Adams. Approximately one mile from downtown Adams and nestled some 2,200 feet below the Mount Greylock summit is Greylock Glen, the site for an outfitter, environmental education programs, events, café and retail.

New Hampshire

Completed Multi-Year Restoration Project at The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem. A 1,400-acre forest reservation, owned and managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. After undergoing a multi-year restoration and renovation project which began in 2020, they celebrated a grand reopening of their Carriage Barn and trails. The rebuilding of the Carriage Barn started in 2019 after a fire at the site destroyed two historic buildings. The new facility will provide space for youth educational programming on forestry, conservation, natural history, maple sugaring and the Christmas tree operation while at the same time serving as a center where visitors can learn about the Rocks history and find out about on-site and regional recreational activities. A new gift shop and program space will open in November. The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm offers cut-your-own trees, horse-drawn carriage rides, fire pits, and festive activities.

DNE MEMBER PARTNER – Town of Bethlehem

Moguls & Dual Moguls World Cup Returned to Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, Waterville Valley. Waterville Valley Resort welcomed the world’s top international mogul skiers when it hosted the 2024 FIS World Cup from Jan. 26-27, 2024. The 2024 World Cup took place on Lower Bobby’s Run, a beloved double-black diamond run named after the late Robert F. Kennedy. At 246 meters long with a pitch of 28 degrees, the eastern-facing course is perfect for mogul-style events, especially considering the expansive viewing area. Fans and spectators cheered on these incredible freestyle skiers while taking in spectacular views of the course and surrounding beautiful White Mountains.