Things to do in March in New England: Top 23 Most Unique Spots

March in New England is a bit of an in-betweener month—the snow’s still around, but spring in New England is trying to nudge its way in. It’s a unique time to explore if you’re up for the mix of chilly air and fresh traditions. Whether you’re skiing, sipping maple syrup, or hitting up cozy cities, there’s plenty to shake off those winter blues in New England. Read on for the highlights of New England weekend getaways in March, from maple syrup festivals to scenic towns that keep things sweet and interesting.

Ready to discover the best things to do in March in New England? Let’s get into it:

The Best Things to do in March in New England

Maple Harvest Season in New England

March means one thing around here: maple syrup time! This is when New England sugarhouses are in full swing, boiling sap and turning out that golden, sticky goodness. Here’s where you can tap into the experience:

• Massachusetts Maple Weekend
  Dates: March 8-9, 2025
  Where: Sugarhouses across Massachusetts
  Why Go: Sample fresh syrup, try “sugar on snow,” and watch syrup-making demos. Expect local crafts and food stands too.

• Vermont Maple Open House Weekend
  Dates: March 22-23, 2025
  Where: Sugarhouses all over Vermont
  Why Go: Vermont’s syrup is the stuff of legends. Visit sugarhouses, taste different syrup grades, and learn how it all happens. Some spots even throw in live music and tastings.

• Maine Maple Sunday
  Date: March 22-23, 2024
  Where: Various locations across Maine
  Why Go: Mainers know how to do maple right. Free syrup samples, guided tours, and some sugarhouses even have local artisans on-site for a full Maine experience.

• New Hampshire Maple Month
  Dates: All of March
  Where: Across New Hampshire
  Why Go: Here, it’s maple everything, all month long. Taste, tour, and see firsthand how syrup goes from tree to table.

• Hebron Maple Festival, Connecticut
  Dates: March 15-16, 2025
  Where: Hebron, CT
  Why Go: Pancake breakfasts, craft fairs, and live entertainment give this CT spring festival a small-town charm.

Maple Syrup Towns Worth the Trip

Want to check out some classic sugar shacks? Aside from CT maple syrup farms, are a few towns that do maple season right:

• Vermont

  • Woodstock: Try Sugarbush Farm—don’t miss the evaporator room!

  • Across Vermont: Weekends in March are perfect for sugar shack tours all over the state.

• New Hampshire

  • Merrimack: Visit Babel’s Sugar Shack, a family-run spot open for Maple Weekend.

  • Canterbury: North Family Farm is worth a stop.

  • Boscawen: Try Ice Mountain Maple or Richardson’s Sugar House for local flavors.

• Maine

  • New Castle: Sweetwoods Farm offers tours and a full syrup experience.

  • Greenwood: Visit Velvet Hollow Sugar Works and get a taste with a view.

  • Sidney: Bacon Farm is famous for maple whoopie pies—yes, they’re as good as they sound.

• Rhode Island

  • Ashaway: Uncle Buck’s Sugar House offers tastings and syrup-making education, adding a little sweetness to Rhode Island’s smaller maple scene.

St. Patrick’s Day Fun in New England

March in New England means one thing: St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! In these parts, it’s more than a day—it’s a season of green, Guinness, and a whole lot of Irish cheer. Boston leads the charge with one of the country’s biggest parades, but other towns get in on the action, too, with their own festivities. From parades and pub crawls to music and food, read on for some of the best ways to soak up the Irish spirit this March.

Major Parades & Events

• South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
  Date: March 16, 2025 (or the closest Sunday)
  Highlights: This one’s huge—think thousands of folks lining the streets, colorful floats, and pipe bands galore. You’ll want to wear green and plan for a crowd; this is New England’s biggest St. Paddy’s party!

• Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Newport, RI)
  Date: March 15, 2025
  Highlights: The longest-running parade in New England, starting at City Hall and winding through town with bands, local groups, and plenty of green pride.

• Manchester St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Manchester, NH)
  Date: March 16, 2025
  Highlights: Expect floats, family fun, and a good dose of Irish spirit—a great event to bring the kids or grandkids along.

• Worcester St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Worcester, MA)
  Date: March 17, 2025
  Highlights: Worcester’s parade brings out the community with local businesses and Irish pride on full display.

Festivals & Special Events

• Free Jacks St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Quincy, MA)
  Date: March 15, 2025
  Highlights: How about a little rugby with your revelry? Catch the Free Jacks in action, enjoy live Celtic music, and sample craft stouts.

• Burlington Irish Heritage Festival (Burlington, VT)
  Date: March (dates vary)
  Highlights: Celebrate all things Irish with music, dance, and traditional Irish fare in this charming Vermont town.

Good Eats & Irish Drinks

• Irish Pubs
  For the full Irish experience, head to local pubs serving up dishes like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie. Here are some spots to try:

  • The Burren (Somerville, MA): Known for its lively music scene and full Irish vibe.

  • Wild Rover (Manchester, NH): Come hungry for a real Irish breakfast and stay for the festivities.

• Pub Crawls
  Boston’s historic pubs open their doors for St. Paddy’s crawls with Irish tunes and drinks. It’s a great excuse to explore some of the city’s oldest watering holes.

More Ways to Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day

• Get Active with Local Races
  Many towns kick off St. Patrick’s Day with a 5K race! For a unique start to your celebrations, try the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race before the big parade.

• Dance & Music Shows
  Catch live Irish music and dance performances throughout New England all month long. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Irish culture, whether you’re tapping your toes or joining in a jig.

Breathtaking Spring Blooms Across New England

While winter hangs on tight, spring is quietly peeking through. That said, even in late March, trees are often bare, marking a period called ‘stick season’. But you can still see spring blooms, if you know where to look. Here are some highlights to help you get into the spirit of the season on a spring road trip across New England.

Smith College Spring Bulb Show

If you’re itching for some spring colors, head to the Smith College Spring Bulb Show in Northampton. This greenhouse extravaganza features tulips, daffodils, and more in full bloom—a sweet escape from winter’s grip!

Other Must-See Spring Shows

March is bursting with floral gems across New England. Here are a few more spring bloom shows to lift your spirits:

• Berkshire Botanical Garden Bulb Show (Stockbridge, MA)
  Dates: Feb 21 – March 17, 2025
  Highlights: Thousands of vibrant bulbs (admission’s free!). Open daily, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Naumkeag Daffodil and Tulip Festival (Stockbridge, MA)
  Dates: April 19 – May 12, 2025
  Highlights: Eight acres of gardens, daffodils, tulips, and a chance to explore a historic mansion.

• Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens Spring Celebration (North Andover, MA)
  Dates: April 24 – May 12, 2025
  Highlights: Stroll through colorful spring blooms in a lovely historic New England setting.

• Bridge of Flowers (Shelburne Falls, MA)
  Opens in April in New England
  Highlights: A former trolley bridge turned into a “floating” garden with daffodils, tulips, and more—a picture-perfect spot for a spring walk.

Outdoor Adventures

March is a good time for activities like ice skating, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing.

• Skiing & Snowboarding
  March is still prime time to hit the ski slopes! Vermont and New Hampshire resorts keep the trails fresh for skiing and snowboarding until the last snowflake melts.

• Ice Castles (Lincoln, NH)
  Ever dreamed of a winter wonderland made of ice? The Ice Castles in New Hampshire feature frozen slides, icy sculptures, and LED-lit tunnels that will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. Perfect for families or anyone who loves a little snow magic!

Cultural Escapes: Museums & Indoor Fun

For those chilly March days, there’s plenty of indoor fun to be had. Museums, galleries, and historic sites across New England are packed with history and charm:

• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, MA)
  A slice of Venice in Boston. This museum’s gorgeous courtyard and art collection make it unforgettable.

• Portland Museum of Art (Portland, ME)
  Offers American, European, and contemporary art with a building as beautiful as the exhibits inside.

• Yale Center for British Art (New Haven, CT)
  The largest British art collection outside the UK, featuring works from the 16th century to today.

• New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain, CT)
  Meander through three centuries of American art, from classics to modern works.

• Salem Witch Museum (Salem, MA)
  For a dose of New England history, explore the eerie and fascinating Salem witch trials.

More Indoor Fun

• Indoor Water Parks
  When you’re ready to splash around, check out the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, MA, or Kalahari Resorts just outside New England for waterslides, wave pools, and plenty of family fun.

• Historic House Museums
  Step back in time with a tour of famous homes, like the Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT, or Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in Concord, MA.

• Catch a Theater Show
  From the Boston Opera House to local stages across New England, you’ll find plenty of shows this month—from plays to musicals.

• Special Exhibitions
  Many local museums and historic spots have March exhibitions focused on New England history. Try the Eustis Estate in Milton, MA, for rotating exhibits and community stories.

Best Weekend Getaways in New England for March

It’s a great month to pack a bag and escape for a weekend—whether you’re looking for coastal charm, mountain air, or just a cozy spot to unwind. Here are some of the top places to head when you need a break.

Classic Getaway Spots

• Newport, Rhode Island
  Walk the iconic Cliff Walk for ocean views and a peek at historic mansions. Stroll downtown on the cobblestone streets, pop into unique shops, and soak up the salty air.

• Portland, Maine
  The Old Port district has fresh seafood, waterfront views, and lots of character. Check out local art galleries, boutique shops, and cozy cafés. If you’re a seafood lover, March is prime time for those lobster rolls.

• Cape Cod, Massachusetts
  Cape Cod in March? Yes, really! It’s the calm before the tourist rush. Spring is just starting to wake up the trails and beaches. Great for long, peaceful walks and early-season birdwatching.

• Block Island
  Towering bluffs, Victorian hotels, and cedar-shingled saltbox houses, make Block Island feel like a bit of England off the coast of Rhode Island. Just 13 miles out, it’s a place to cruise down country lanes, wander open fields, and admire beach views—just be sure to bundle up!

More March Escapes

• Boston, Massachusetts
  Head to Boston to join in one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country. And while you’re in town, visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, then top it off with some of Boston’s incredible food options.

• Woodstock, Vermont
  A peaceful spring getaway, perfect for a little R&R. Take in the early blooms at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, get a massage at the spa, or explore the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park for a scenic hike.

• Mystic, Connecticut
  Mystic’s a gem for families or anyone who loves a bit of history. Visit the Mystic Aquarium, explore the old seaport village, and grab a bite at local breweries or wineries.

Great Inns to Stay In March in New England

These inns are perfect for a cozy March retreat, each with a unique flavor of New England charm:

• Stanton House Inn (Greenwich, CT)
  What were borderlands during the American Revolution is now a posh town worth exploring anytime of year. And Stanton House Inn makes for a peaceful retreat close to downtown for exploring March in Greenwich, CT. Plus, you can hop on a Metro-North train to explore the lengthy list of things to do in NYC in March from here, too.

• Woodstock Inn & Resort (Woodstock, VT)
  Relaxed and peaceful, with a spa and blooming gardens. Great for a quiet spring escape.

• The Red Lion Inn (Stockbridge, MA)
  Open since 1773, this historic inn is a classic in the Berkshires.

• Ocean House (Westerly, Rhode Island)
  If you want luxury by the sea, Ocean House is unbeatable, with ocean views, a top-notch spa, and even croquet lessons.

• Chatham Bars Inn (Cape Cod, MA)
  Right by the sea on Cape Cod, this inn offers luxurious rooms, a spa, and a gorgeous dining experience.

• The Middlebury Inn (Middlebury, VT)
  In operation for over 180 years, this inn has loads of Vermont charm and a taste of history.

• Center Harbor Inn (New Hampshire)
  Great for visiting maple houses during New Hampshire Maple Weekend, plus they have an outdoor hot tub with views of Lake Winnipesaukee.

What’s the Weather Like in March in New England?

In one word? Unpredictable. March in New England might bring snow, rain, or a surprise sunny day. Average temperatures hover in the chilly zone, but don’t be shocked if you get a taste of every season in one weekend. Snow, sleet, or shine—pack layers and prepare for just about anything.

Tl;dr

March in New England is a quirky blend of winter’s last stretch and spring’s early days. Whether you’re tasting fresh maple syrup, catching a parade, or simply relaxing at a cozy inn, there’s a little something for everyone. So grab your coat, maybe an umbrella, and head out to explore New England as it shakes off winter and starts to bloom.