4 New England Towns Make List of Best Oktoberfest Celebrations

Well, everyone, it’s September. So, in the spirit of those who stock the seasonal aisle at CVS, let’s skip ahead to Oktoberfest!

New Englanders in search of beer are in luck, as four cities in the region made the list of best Oktoberfest celebrations, according to the travel website TripsToDiscover.com.

Unsurprisingly, Boston made the list for its annual autumn warmup for St. Patrick’s Day. The experts cite the presence of the Samuel Adams Brewery, which hosts a celebration each fall.

TripsToDiscover calls Faneuil Hall a must-visit spot for tourists, adding, “have the opportunity to taste a variety of beers. And afterward, you can always take a walk on the Freedom Trail.”

True, but you might also overdo it and try to steal a police horse.

Chatham joins Boston as another Boston town that stood out for its festivities. This relatively tiny city evidently provides a pleasant mix of Germany and the Cape.

As a history major, I wouldn’t necessarily expect Germans to associate beaches with fun. Alas, David Hasselhoff is indeed a true pioneer.

The two remaining New England towns on the list came as something of a surprise.

One might think Massachusetts would have a stronghold on Oktoberfest, perhaps giving way to a city such as Providence, Rhode Island or even Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But it’s Vermont that steals the spotlight.

The Mount Snow Oktoberfest in Dover, Vermont is described as ideal, due to its concurrence with leap-peeping. There are activities for the kids, such as pumpkin-painting and a bounce house, and activities for adults, such as lying down.

And Stowe, Vermont, rounds out New England’s Mount Rushmore of autumn beer, famous for being the location of the Trapp Family Lodge. In addition to German traditions, the town offers Austrian-inspired beers, or as those vacation from Boston would call it, “Gimme anothah pint o’ Shwarzeneggah!”

From a genuine German to those honoring my people, Happy Early Oktoberfest!