Summer Weekend Getaway: Newport Jazz Fest, Kayaking, Garden Tour

Looking for a fast and fun getaway from Melrose this weekend? Summer in New England is filled with options. Check out what's happening this weekend in a few favorite summer spots:

Cape Cod and the Islands

Weather: Partly sunny both days, a humid Saturday with highs around 80 and lows in the upper 60s, and on Sunday, a 30 percent chance of showers with highs in the upper 70s and lows around 70.

Guided kayak tour: Join a Felix Neck naturalist on an on Saturday morning. Paddle by Sarson’s Island to see nesting shorebirds. Watch American oystercatchers, cormorants and shorebirds feed and frolic. Explore the salt marsh and search for pond wildlife. All trips focus on the natural history of saltwater communities found on Martha’s Vineyard. Must be age 11 or older to paddle and accompanied by an adult. Registration required.

For more events and summer news, check out Patch's Cape and Islands Summer Guide.

Rhode Island

Weather: A slight chance of thunderstorms (20 percent) on Saturday afternoon, otherwise partly sunny with a high near 77, low around 70 at night. A slight chance of showers on Sunday, otherwise partly sunny with a high near 79. Sunday night, 50 percent chance of showers with a low around 71.

Newport Jazz Festival 2012: The , featuring artists such as the Tedeschi Trucks Band (check out the attached video of festival founder George Wein interviewing Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks), Dr. John and the Lower 911, Pat Metheny Unity Band, and more.

For more events and summer news, check out Patch's Rhode Island Summer Guide.

Seacoast New Hampshire

Weather: A slight chance of showers Saturday afternoon (20 percent), otherwise mostly sunny with a high near 84 and a low around 66 at night. On Sunday, a chance of showers and thunderstorms (40 percent), mostly cloudy, with a high near 83 and a low around 66 at night.

Cookout to thank the troops: The garden at Rundlet-May House is one of Portsmouth, New Hampshire's best-kept secrets. The beautifully landscaped garden follows much of the same patterns of parterres, pathways, and plantings laid out more than 200 years ago. that looks at the garden's changes and evolution over time. Use your ticket for a half-price tour of the house, too.

For more events and summer news, check out Patch's Seacoast New Hampshire Summer Guide.