1. Students

If you are a non-US student you should buy an International Student Identification Card before traveling to New England, for numerous discounts at hostels, museums, and theaters. US students can use their student ID cards for the same discounts. Young travelers should carry their passports or driver’s license for entry to bars and to purchase alcohol at restaurants.

2. Seniors

Seniors are eligible for discounts on car rentals, National Park entrance fees, and many museums. Contact the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) for more information. Boston-based Road Scholar offers educational programs with discounted lodging as well as field trips for travelers over age 55.

AARP • 888 687 2277 • www.aarp.org

Road Scholar • 617 426 7788 • www.roadscholar.org

3. Disabled Travelers

Wheelchair-accessible entrances and restrooms are mandatory for public facilities built since 1987 – except for historic buildings and most B&Bs. For information on accessibility for disabled travelers, contact the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH).SATH • 212 447 7284 • www.sath.org

4. Gay Travelers

New England has several vibrant gay communities, including Provincetown on Cape Cod; Ogunquit, Maine; and Boston’s South End. Bay Windows, New England’s largest gay and lesbian weekly, includes arts and cultural listings for all six states.

5. Children

New England is a family-friendly place. Museums, zoos, and aquariums offer hands-on experiences for kids. Many restaurants offer children’s menus. Most hotels or motels will supply an extra cot in a room for a modest fee. Some chain motels permit under-12s to stay free.

6. Hiking Holidays

Several companies arrange two- to five-day hiking excursions in the New England country-side. One of the best is New England Hiking Holidays.P.O. Box 1648, North Conway, NH 03860 • 603 356 9696 • www.nehikingholidays.com

7. Bicycling Holidays

Several outfitters organize multi-day group bicycling tours in some of the most scenic parts of Vermont and Maine. VBT, for example, even provides a “sag van” that gives exhausted riders a lift.614 Monkton Rd, Bristol, VT 05443 • 800 245 3868 • www.vbt.com

8. Water-Sport Holidays

The Allagash Waterway undoubtedly provides the ultimate canoeing adventure in New England, while various outfitters will arrange Maine white-water river rafting (for both, see Other Outdoor Activities and Sports). Many expert sea kayakers tackle the popular Maine Island Trail from Portland to Machias on their own. Contact the Maine Island Trail Association for information.58 Fore St., Portland, ME 04101 • 207 761 8225 • www.mita.org

9. Sporting Camps

Backwoods Maine has a long tradition of “sporting camps,” often located many miles from civilization and accessible only by float plane. TV is unavailable and cell phones rarely work in these remote locations. Instead, campers can commune with nature by paddling, fishing, and hiking.Maine Sporting Camp Association • P.O. Box 119, Millinocket, ME 04462 • 207 723 6622 • www.mainesportingcamps.com

10. Windjammer Cruises

Sailing vacations, largely aboard schooner-rigged sailing vessels, are popular excursions on the Maine coast. Most of these give travelers the opportunity to participate in rigging and hauling sails (for further details see Other Outdoor Activities and Sports).