Funky and fun New England destinations to add to your next road trip

The L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, Maine, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—and that’s probably still not long enough to see everything this outdoor outfitters wonderland has to offer. With more than 3 million annual visitors streaming past the 16.5-foot-tall version of the classic all-weather Bean boot positioned at the entrance, this multi-level mega-store has something for everyone. There are three other L.L. Bean stores in Freeport alone, but with endless aisles of merchandise, an extensive taxidermy collection, and in-store cafe, you can find everything you need right here, and more.

The Bordens—Andrew and his second wife Abby, along with Andrew’s daughters, Emma and Lizzie—lived at 92 Second Street in downtown Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1872 to 1892. Located about 3 hours northeast of New York City, the address became notorious on August 4, 1892, when Abby and Andrew were murdered with a hatchet in separate rooms of their home. Lizzie was famously tried and acquitted of the crime nearly a year later; the murders remain unsolved, but intrepid visitors can stay overnight at the home, which operates today as a bed and breakfast and museum (daytime tours are also available).

Between the towns of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut, looms a castle designed and built by stage actor William Gillette. Gillette lived in the medieval Gothic 24-room, 14,000-square-foot home overlooking the Connecticut River from 1919 until he died in 1937. Built of wood, cement, and covered Connecticut fieldstone, the home and grounds were purchased by the State of Connecticut in 1943. Now operating as a state park, the 122-acre property includes hiking, picnicking, and camping facilities; tours of the castle operate seasonally beginning in May.