Hottest Trends for Irish Visitors to New England in 2019
With 2019 upon us, check out some hottest trends for Irish visitors to New England for the year ahead…
Weekend Breaks to Providence
With direct flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon, the vibrant city of Providence has never been more accessible and makes a great destination for a special weekend break. The city has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past 50 years and has a thriving arts community, diverse neighbourhoods, fantastic hotels, a renowned restaurant scene and countless things to do.
Known as America’s ‘Creative Capital’, Providence is a hotbed of culture, innovation and design. There’s an incredible range of world-class museums, art galleries and cultural institutions, such as the ArtProv gallery (contemporary art), the Annmary Brown Memorial gallery (masterpieces from 17th to 19th century America and Europe), Brown University and the Providence Athenæum (library and cultural centre).
Taking place at various times throughout the summer months, WaterFire is an environmental art installation that consists of about 100 bonfires which blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. With a heady atmosphere, the magic of fire, the scent of fragrant wood smoke and classic music meld at this truly unique experience.
Providence also has a thriving, multi-ethnic culinary scene and routinely features as one of the best US cities for food in Travel + Leisure and Zagat. There’s a great array of restaurants, ranging from exquisite fine-dining to wholesome and affordable diners. Providence is also famous for its amazing food trucks, many of which have featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show.
With direct flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to TF Green Airport with Norwegian Airlines, it’s never been easier to get to Providence. Fares start from €129 (one way) and the flight time is approx. 7hrs.
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Check out our article on Weekend Breaks in Providence.
Christmas Shopping Trips to Rhode Island
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Rhode Island and there’s no place better for a shopping break! With awesome shopping malls, grand department stores, suave boutiques and outlet stores, there’s something for every shopper, every budget and every Christmas list!
Stroll around the winding streets of Providence and soak up the heady Christmas atmosphere! With stately department stores, chic boutiques, quirky markets and awesome malls, Providence provides an incredible range of shopping opportunities.
Located in the heart of the city, the Providence Place Mall boasts over 170 shops. These include anchor stores, Macy’s and Nordstrom, along with Apple, CVS, Footlocker, GAP, Hollister, Tiffany & Co. and Victoria’s Secret.
The scenic, coastal city of Newport is chock full of Christmas cheer and sports a great selection of upmarket shops, including art galleries, jewellers and boutiques. Famous for its maritime heritage, Newport also has some amazing stores selling nautical-related goods.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Providence, Wrentham Village Premium Outlets offers unbeatable value on designer label goods! With over 170 stores, Wrentham Village is New England’s biggest outlet centre. Stores include Armani, Boss, Burberry, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fossil, GAP, Karen Millen, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Nautica, Old Navy Polo Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, and Tommy Hilfiger. Regular shuttle buses run from downtown Providence to Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.
With direct flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to TF Green Airport with Norwegian Airlines, it’s never been easier to get to Providence. Fares start from €129 (one way) and the flight time is approx. 7hrs.
Click here for more information.
Check out our article on Christmas Shopping in Rhode Island.
Winter Breaks in New England
Looking for a fresh and fun destination for a ski holiday this winter? New England has 60 world-class skiing and snowboarding areas, most of which are within a four-hour drive of downtown Boston!
Known for their New England charm and distinctly personal touch, these resorts cater for all levels of expertise, with welcoming beginner-oriented slopes for first-timers and challenging back runs for experts.
But it’s not just about skiing and snowboarding! Whizz through the frozen wilderness on a snowmobile, snow tube down the specially groomed slopes, dogsled through snowy forest trails or take a snow safari over the roughest terrain in a 4X4.
When you’ve had an invigorating time on the slopes, retire to the roaring fire of a New England ski lodge or experience the lively warmth and hospitality of the après ski bars and restaurants.
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Check out our article on Winter Ski Breaks in New England.
Portland Food Scene
Portland, Maine, a delightful harbourside city, has long been a favourite destination of food lovers from around the world. Portland’s restaurants and craft breweries offer all the flavours of this New England state and it’s a true reflection of the city’s culture that it was named Bon Appetit’s “Restaurant City of the Year 2018.”
Visitors enjoy strolling along the Old Port’s cobblestone streets, where classic pubs pour drafts of Black Fly Stout and Vacationland Ale, and award-winning restaurants are on every block. Food trucks of all sorts can be found throughout the city – ensuring you can eat well as you explore. Fall is the best time to enjoy Portland’s farm-to-table dining as the changing foliage provides a breathtaking backdrop.
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Plymouth 400th
Also on the horizon…America is poised for an anniversary of national and international significance, the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony. Taking place in 2020, the Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.