Hidden Gems in the Northeast
Groups flock to the Northeast during leaf-peeping season, beach season, and holiday season, but there are many exciting, lesser-known experiences during the off-season as well. Here are some hidden gems several of the destinations featured in the Travel Resource column of the May/June issue of Destinations want to make sure you know about.
Delaware
Spring Blossoms at Hagley Museum
Blossoms pop up throughout the Hagley Museum property each spring, adding even more beauty to the timeless landscape.
The gorgeous purple blooms of the wisteria adorn the ancestral du Pont home, Eleutherian Mills, each spring.
In between the holidays and summer rush, the springtime blooms at the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Del., are a special sight to see. Whether it is the daffodils and tulips, the flowering dogwood and cherry trees, or the wisteria that graces the front of the du Pont family home, bursts of color provide a scenic backdrop to your tour of the 235-acre museum grounds.
Maryland
Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City
Mary Kate Martin, audience development and group sales manager at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, suggests heading to Maryland’s beaches for some holiday cheer. Scheduled for Nov. 20–Dec. 31, Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights is a magical, walk-through experience that includes a 50-foot Christmas tree, hot chocolate, fire pits, light displays, mini golf, photos with Santa, and more. Hot tip: Winter is also a great time to visit Assateague Island National Seashore. There are less crowds, and you can still see the wild horses, deer, seagulls, dolphins, and possibly even a snowy owl.
New York
Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods
As summer winds down and fall is in the air, groups staying at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center in New York’s Catskill Mountains are in for a treat. Taking place every Sunday from Aug. 31–Oct. 5, the Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts celebrates the bounty of local farms, artisans, and musicians. Held on the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, the annual event features over 100 vendors, live music, family-friendly activities, a corn maze, hay wagon rides, food trucks, and more.
bethelwoodscenter.org/events/detail/harvest-festival-2025
Pennsylvania
Chester County’s Hidden Gems
Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is a four-season destination, but when the weather is unpredictable or you simply want to dig a little deeper into the region’s local art, history, and culture, consider adding these hidden gems to your tour.
American Helicopter Museum and Education Center: Located in West Chester, the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center is dedicated to the incredible history of rotary flight. Through immersive exhibits, student and adult educational programs, and fun activities, groups will get up close and personal with well-preserved rotary-wing aircraft and discover the thrill of vertical flight. Climb into a cockpit to try your hands at the controls and even schedule a helicopter ride.
Baldwin’s Book Barn: For a more “down to earth” experience, Baldwin’s Book Barn in West Chester is a haven for book lovers. Built in 1822, the five-story building exudes bookish charm with its cozy nooks, stone walls, a wood-burning stove, and over 300,000 used and rare books, manuscripts, maps, and other valued collectibles. Groups will immerse themselves in the comforting scent of old books as they discover literary treasures and their next favorite story.
Vermont
No Snow? No Worries!
Groups can tour Palmer’s Sugarhouse throughout the year, but if you visit in March and April, you will have a chance to see maple syrup production in real time.
Natural history meets art at the Birds of Vermont Museum.
For immersive Vermont experiences that aren’t related to snow, check out these two group-friendly hidden gems:
Birds of Vermont Museum: With ample motorcoach parking, special group rates, add-on programs, and a gift shop, groups will “flock” to this unique museum in Huntington. Explore diorama-style exhibits about Vermont’s shore and wetland birds, endangered and extinct species, raptors, and more. Art exhibits, guided bird walks, special events, and 100 acres of grounds and trails will inspire both student and adult groups. Open Wednesday to Sunday, May through October (visit birdsofvermont.org/visit/plan-your-visit if you’d like to schedule a group tour off-season).
Palmer’s Sugarhouse: Groups can learn about the maple sugaring process all year long at Palmer’s Sugarhouse in Shelburne, but you’ll get a special peek behind the scenes of this favorite topping in March and April when their trees are tapped. Reservations are required, so please email [email protected] or call (802) 985-5054 to schedule your group visit—and be sure to allow up to two hours for the full Sugartime experience.
Photo credits: Courtesy of Hagley Museum & Library; Birds of Vermont Museum; Photography by Caleb Kenna; Palmer’s Sugarhouse.
United by natural beauty, vibrant culture, and history, the 13 states that make up the Northeast region of the U.S. are home to some of America’s most iconic attractions. Discover what you’ve been missing on your bucket list as we travel from Washington, D.C. to Vermont in the May/June Travel Resource column.
