A New England summer trip is just about the greatest thing there is! Start in Mystic, CT (small but cute), head north into RI to the beaches in South County, stop for oysters at Matunuck Oyster Bar (sit on the roof - awesome view), and Ocean Mist for drinks. There's a huge amount of history throughout RI and the rest of NE, so I'd suggest googling "oldests" and "firsts" to find things you're interested in. Newport is awesome for history, mansions, architecture, lighthouses, and oldest Tavern in U.S. (Whitehorse, est 1673). Providence is a culinary paradise, with tons of history too. RI has many of the oldest churches & houses of worship in the U.S. because it was founded on the belief of religious tolerance, which is cool. Be sure to try coffee milk (RI' s state drink), Del's Lemonade (you'll find it at the beach), stuffies (stuffed quahogs, which are clams), clam cakes, hot wieners, RI chowder, and Italian food on Federal Hill. That's a pretty solid visit to RI :)

New England seems to be about old stuff especially with a maritime background. I’d start in Mystic CT for the ships and aquarium and then into Newport RI. Newport has everything from the restaurants, cliff walk, beaches, mansions, harbor cruises, to Fort Adams to shopping. Then hit Providence for Brown University/RISD Museum/East side/Wickenden St for perfect vibe of old Ivy League mixed with young energy. Downtown try PPAC and more restaurants. I’d then skip Cape Cod because of summer traffic and head to Boston MA Too many things to list but it started the Revolution so packed with history. Then I’d head to Portland Maine to end with a relaxing few days with more memorable food, shopping, and shoreline.

Burlingame state pRk to camp or hike very nice place and can see or stop at many places

Visit the coast line if you can. Narragansett, Jamestown, Newport, Little Compton are a few towns/cities along the coast in RI worth checking out. Lots of good places to eat in the area as well. Obviously seafood is a big one but all kinds of stuff can be had around here. Most of the better food is not from places you may have seen on tv or from food review shows. Ask the locals. RI is a small state and you can drive it in a couple hours. It encompasses all kinds of people in a relatively small area.

If you like to eat, try the Nordic Lodge. We take our relatives and friends here when they visit. They talk about it for years afterwards. All you can eat seafood, steak buffet. Best in New England, not cheap either. Around $135/person last time I checked. https://www.thenordic.com/menu.htm

Massachusetts.