Happy Friday!

 

Now that New England is, in the words of the New York Times, “behaving like Europe” with regard to its Covid-19 mitigation, we are seeing our economy reopen and seeing our lives regaining some semblance of normalcy.

 

Today, Massachusetts announced a travel restriction on all but 8 states, requiring a two-week quarantine for all visitors from affected states. If not followed, violators will face a $500 fine each day that they are in violation.

 

Understandably, this might throw a wrench in some families’ desire to take a summer road trip (while social-distancing, of course!). But never fear, for there are many fascinating local landmarks in New England that you can visit without being subject to a quarantine upon returning to Massachusetts!

 

Since it’s summer, it might be worthwhile to visit one of the Northeast’s most impactful natural landmarks, Acadia National Park. Located in Maine, the state does still require Massachusetts visitors (along with tourists from Rhode Island) to quarantine upon arrival. In any case, you will not have to quarantine upon returning to MA, so this remains a solid option!

 

For more detail on visiting Acadia National Park, follow this link: nps.gov.

 

If you don’t want to leave the state - which is very understandable - it might be interesting to visit the dependable destination of Oak Bluffs on the Vineyard. Accessible via an easy ferry ride over from Woods Hole on the southern shore of Massachusetts, Oak Bluffs is a quaint town on the island that is absolutely, quintessentially Massachusetts at its best - quiet, storybook charm secluded on an island.

 

While there are myriad opportunities to explore New England, you can just as easily stay here, on the North Shore. The beauty of living here is that you can always find new hidden gems in our local towns, if you just look hard enough!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!