Summer is finally here (whether the weather agrees or not is another story), and there are plenty of things to do in and around New England besides heading to the packed beaches. So grab your sunnies, some snacks, and your best friends, because this summer will be one for the books!

1. Festivals!

From the Governor's Ball Music Festival in NYC to the Old Port Festival in Portland, Maine, there's always something to look out for this summer. Governor's Ball takes place at Randall's Island Park from June 2-4 and includes a dazzling lineup featuring Chance the Rapper, Flume, Schoolboy Q,Childish Gambino, and Wiz Khalifa. In Portland, the Old Port Festival features live music, a ferris wheel, vendors, and lively restaurant happy hours on the water. Closer to home, Boston holds its annual Harborfest from June 30-July 4 on the Long Wharf. Harborfest is meant to celebrate the history of Boston and includes fireworks, Duck Boat tours, Freedom Trail walks, and sailing on a Tall Ship cruise! From June 30-July 4, there is a summer carnival in Lexington Center, and for those 21+, there is a Beer Bash at Ned Devine's in Faneuil Hall on July 3! The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular of course takes place on July 4 on the banks of the Charles River at 10:30 PM and admission is free, but be prepared for strict security. On July 8, you can expect a Chinatown Festival on the Rose Kennedy Greenway also with free admission, live music, and street vendors. Another beer festival pops up on July 15 at WGBH studios for those 21+ from 7-10 PM with 20 craft brews, food trucks, and live entertainment. Shakespeare on the Common begins on July 19 and runs until August 6, and this year's performance is Romeo and Juliet. Don't miss it at the Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common. The magnificent sand sculptures return to Revere Beach starting on July 21 until the 23, and on Saturday enjoy free fireworks, live music, and food trucks. At the end of August from the 17-20, you can enjoy the Fisherman's Feast in Boston's North End filled with food, music, and culture. The last feast of the summer is St. Anthony's Feast, which runs from August 24-27, and has similar vendors, music, and fun as the Fisherman's Feast.

2. It's always lake time

One of the best things about living in New England is the proximity of ponds, lakes, and oceans. Take the time to drive out to a lake on a weekend and spend the day on the beach or rent a jet ski or water bike. Some lakes even offer paddle board rentals now! There's nothing better than an afternoon spent on the lake tubing, wake boarding or knee boarding until the sun sets and it's time to grill for dinner. New Hampshire boasts Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake while Maine offers Sebago Lake and Rangeley Lake as a few of the greats. Closer to Massachusetts is Long Pond in Plymouth and Walden Pond in Concord. For a fun day trip, Lake Champlain is located in Vermont and the city of Burlington boasts trendy restaurants, boutiques, and several university campuses to tour.

3. The best seafood joints

Arguably one of the best parts of Boston is its wide selection of fresh seafood available at most restaurants nearby, and if you are headed to the North Shore for a beach day, you can bet you will find some hole-in-the-wall places along the way. If you're looking for a sit-down option, the best of Boston includes Island Creek Oyster Bar, Ostra, and Neptune Oyster. For more casual seafood fare in Boston, you can turn to The Daily Catch or Yankee Lobster Company for beautiful views and a buttery lobster roll. Outside of the city, you can turn to Turner's Seafood in Melrose for a fresh catch or on the South Shore in Scituate, Oro offers fresh local fish and shellfish. On the North Shore, you can find the crowded and delicious joints such as Woodman's in Essex or the Clam Box of Ipswich. These two seafood restaurants boast the New England tradition of fresh seafood fried and served on a bed of crispy french fries.

4. Day trips

On those rare days off from work, take advantage of the best day trips available from Boston. You can take the train or the bus to New York City, drive out to the Berkshires, or head to the coast in New Hampshire or Maine. Kennebunkport is a historic seaside town in Maine located only an hour and a half away from Boston that offers local taverns with fresh seafood, quaint shops, and gorgeous views of the ocean. Rockport is another cute New England town about 50 minutes from Boston by car that offers the same historic charm as Kennebunkport, and it was even featured in the film The Proposal with Sandra Bullock! Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester is also 50 minutes away, but careful--parking prices and traffic can chew up your time if you don't plan carefully. About an hour away is the city of Portsmouth in New Hampshire where you can eat, drink, and shop. Provincetown in Rhode Island boasts a lively scene of art galleries, shops, and local restaurants on the water.

5. A mission for the best sundae

The best part of every summer is ice cream, whether it be for dinner, in the middle of a hot day, or any time of the day. If you've made it your mission to find the best cone or sundae around, it won't be a problem as Boston and the nearby states of New Hampshire and Maine offer tough competition. Near Boston, you can find Toscanini's Ice Cream, J.P. Licks, and Christina's Homemade Ice Cream in Cambridge. Down the Cape, Sundae School offers the best hot, homemade fudge around. Cape Cod Creamery, Schoolhouse Ice Cream, Smitty's Homemade Ice Cream, and Nauset Ice Cream are also competitors, but at the end of a long beach day, any melting cone will do.