New England is a treasure trove of beautiful sights and exciting adventures. From coast to coast, the region abounds with charming villages, historic forts, scenic hiking trails, and so much more. Whether you want a relaxing or an action-packed adventure – maybe even both – weekend getaway in New England would be perfect.
Whether you like exploring natural beauty or sampling local cuisine, there is a perfect getaway in New England that will suit your tastes. If you are already planning the next trip, we have ideas for some of the best places to go in New England this weekend. Read on for details about each destination and how you can make your New England trip fun and exciting.
1. North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway will always provide impressive scenery and getaways regardless of the season. You can begin your tour downtown and marvel at the quirky shops where you can find virtually everything. Located here are also ice-cream shops, excellent restaurants, and cafes.
At the town’s center is the prominent Conway Scenic Railroad. Here you will enjoy narrated train tours that give more information about the place and the train. You will also experience unmatched views of Mount Washington Valley.
The other fascinating attraction in North Conway is the renowned Cranmore Mountain. It is a high-end resort with many outdoor activities all year round. Visitors can snowboard, ski, and engage in tubing and snowshoeing, among other activities. During summer, guests can enjoy the Aerial Adventure Park and experience an adrenaline rush at the zipline, lift rides, and bungee trampoline.
2. Portland, Maine
For the best weekend getaways in New England, visit Maine’s cultural capital. Portland is famous for its contemporary and historical attractions. Found on Casco Bay, Portland plays the beginning point of ferries and cruises heading to the Calendar Islands. Visitors that love whale watching will also have a great time in Portland.
Head over to the Portland HeadLight for impressive views of the Portland Harbor. It is where you will also find the lighthouse museum. Visitors can also get striking views of the bay from the Eastern Promenade Trail. You could also tour the Old Port District, where you will come across boutiques, cafes, antique shops, restaurants, and galleries in historic buildings. The other stunning landmark here is the Victoria Mansion, an old home built as an Italian Villa but now a museum.
Make sure you also visit the Portland Museum of Art to discover the brilliant decorative arts collection. Here you will uncover pieces from prominent people such as Winslow Homer, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, and Degas.
3. Ludlow, Vermont
Plan a visit to Ludlow to catch a glimpse of one of the most beautiful villages in Vermont. The best way to enjoy a stay here is to rent a bike or take an on-foot tour of this charming place. Go for an unhurried stroll down the narrow streets packed with antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants offering the best food. You could also go hiking up Mount Megunticook and marvel at the scenic views. Plenty of hiking trails here are perfect for anyone looking to lose weight while enjoying nature.
Check out the Okemo Mountain Resort to go ice climbing and skiing. The trails here are perfect for beginners, giving you enough time to enjoy the sun while learning new tricks. The cabins here provide a therapeutic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also close to Stowe, known for its ski slopes, golf courses, and restaurants serving fantastic food.
4. Stowe
Among the best weekend getaways in New England is Stowe. The beautiful town of Stowe is filled with small boutiques and fabulous boutiques. But its most prominent attraction is the Winter Carnival. The Carnival hosts many weekly celebrations, like Snow Ball, Mardi Gras, and the Ludlow Fair.
Stowe is known as the ski capital of this part of the country. The town pays homage to the renowned Stowe Mountain Resort, with trails and ski slopes on Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield. Check out the Smuggler’s Notch State Park for hiking in winter and swimming. Make sure you also tour the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum for a stunning exhibition of ski artifacts. Other attractions to marvel at in Stowe include Hyde Park Opera House and Stowe Theater Guild.
5. Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the most popular tourist spot in Maine. This small town is filled with charming landmarks, like the Abbe Museum, Egg Rock Lighthouse, and Bar Harbor Historical Society. Marvel at the Acadia National Park and enjoy the shorelines by fine dining at prestigious restaurants in town.
Bar Harbor is surrounded by several lush trails traversing Cadillac Mountain. The city is full of magnificent natural beauty encompassing incredible rocky beaches, sheer cliffs, ancient boreal forests, and glacier lakes. Check out the numerous stunning art galleries, artisanal shops, cafes, and good restaurants.
6. Block Island
This fascinating island is also one of the best weekend getaways in New England. Block Island is a popular destination for both day trippers and holidaymakers. The island’s main port town has been a tourist hotspot since 1872 and encompasses a perfect blend of breathtaking vistas, magnificent beaches, and miles of panoramic hiking trails. Block island is tiny but has over 50 artisanal shops and stores, gourmet restaurants, and several art galleries.
Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities on the island, including birdwatching, hiking, bike riding, snorkeling, fishing, parasailing, and kayaking. Explore the astonishing Southeast Lighthouse for remarkable views of the horizon. You can experience the Sachem Pond and the 1867 North Lighthouse to the island’s northern part. Here you can marvel at the island’s stunning views and flocks of swallows and gulls. Visit Block Island National Wildlife Refuge to discover the migratory songbirds that flock to the island yearly.
7. Cambridge
Cambridge is among the best places to visit near Boston. Situated 1.5 hours from Boston, Cambridge is a quaint town home to Harvard University and MIT and the largest reservoir in Massachusetts – The Quabbin Reservoir. Take an organized tour of Harvard or tour Harvard Square or walk along the banks of the Charles River. You can experience many outdoor activities in Cambridge, such as horseback riding, hiking, and birdwatching.
Cambridge offers visitors a wealth of cultural events, and they can delight in museums, theaters, art galleries, and concerts. Some remarkable museums in Cambridge to explore include the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Museum of Cambridge, and the Cambridge Museum of Technology. Among the top art galleries found here include The Cooper Gallery, Cambridge Multicultural Art Center, and Heong Gallery, Downing College. Make sure you tour Longfellow House, the headquarters in 1775 for General George Washington.
8. Burlington, Vermont
Burlington also offers the best weekend getaways in New England to tourists and visitors. The town is surrounded by numerous hiking trails near the Appalachian Mountain Range, and it has several museums, including Vermont’s smallest museum at the Vermont Historical Society. Burlington offers visitors a plethora of restaurants and shops to explore, with the top restaurants being Bistro De Margot, Pho Hong, and Penny Cluse Cafe.
You could choose to bring your bike along to discover the majestic streets of Burlington. Explore the Church Street Marketplace and Waterfront Park to discover the serene and breathtaking surroundings in Burlington. Visit the Burlington Farmer’s Market for exquisite beer and wine tasting. Burlington also offers views of Mount Mansfield. Make sure you dine at any restaurants for a Vermont meal at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill or Pascolo Ristorante, located in Burlington.
9. Montpelier, Vermont
The capital city of Vermont is a charming town to stay in. The trendy and scenic city introduces visitors to the world of 18th-century architecture and antique shops. That includes historical sites, such as Vermont’s State House, Green Mountain Cemetery, and the Montpelier apartments. This club welcomes visitors to view their indoor fishing pond, a more relaxing place to fish than regular lakes.
Downtown Montpelier has numerous boutique stores, including Manifest and Kilostock boutiques, where you can purchase stylish clothing or buy gifts for loved ones. You could also explore the Museo Fabre museum in town that features the art collection of French artist Jean Fabre. Make sure you tour the Vermont Farm Show, which offers visitors seasonal agricultural exhibits and helpful technology workshops.
10. Mystic, Connecticut
Located just a few hours’ drive from Boston and New Haven, Mystic is one of the spectacular weekend destinations you should visit. The town orchestrates an abundance of attractions majoring in history and marine life. You could board a cruise to explore the Mystic Harbor and Mystic River to enjoy a serene afternoon ride.
The top attractions include the Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, and the Mystic ICE Rink. All these attractions offer visitors a variety of fascinating exhibits and gorgeous natural landscapes to enjoy while in town.
Also, make sure you have time to relax on the “island” of Stonington, where you will find bustling shops, art galleries, restaurants, and bars for all ages. This picturesque community is home to less than 3,000 people yet boasts a spirit full of importance through its historical architectural elements. If you want somewhere to stay in Mystic, check in at the Whaler’s Inn for elegant services.
11. Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is also one of the best weekend getaways in New England, with lots of engaging activities for visitors. The town’s most popular attractions involve sacred ceremonies, architecture, and artistic exhibitions. The city has a rich history going back to its early days as the birthplace of the witchcraft movement and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
To embrace Salem’s rich past, you could visit various historical attractions, including the House of the Seven Gables and the 1692 Salem Witch Museum. You should also check out the Peabody Essex Museum, which has more than 840,000 history and artworks. Salem has several museums; you might want to spend several days exploring most of them if you love history.
The top state parks located nearby are Wilder’s Pond State Reservation and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Both have plenty for visitors interested in nature and outdoor activities.
12. Killington, Vermont
Killing is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Mansfield, one of New England’s most visited wilderness areas. The town is famous for its annual ski races at Killington Ski Resort, and Mt. Mansfield, which is just 3 miles away from Killington, is a popular hiking trail. You could visit several New England museums in addition to seeing some historical attractions such as Fort William Henry Museum, Museum at North Elba Mills, and Wilson Castle.
Additionally, you should plan a few free days to visit one or two villages with small-town charms like Stowe or Woodstock. Both towns have plenty of exciting things to do and see. Here you can engage in hiking, fishing, surfing, and paddleboarding.
13. Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake found on the Canadian and US border. The lake is sandwiched between the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Lake Champlain offers tourists scenic drives around the lake and impressive hiking trails. Several trails are accessible from car-accessible points of interest, including Alburgh Bay Beach and the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Champlain Islands National Recreation Area.
Visitors looking for a more relaxing experience could opt to take a cruise on the lake or rent a cabin at a New England inn nestled among the trees.
You should also plan to visit some of the region’s museums and historical sites. Some museums you can visit include North Star Underground Railroad Museum, Shelburne Museum, and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best weekend getaways in New England should not be hard. New England offers plenty of alluring itineraries to make your trip and experience memorable. You will love this part of the country with these attractions and beautiful places to visit.
FAQs
Where is the cheapest place to weekend getaways in New England?
Inexpensive weekend getaways in this part of the country may include Newport, Portland, Burlington, Rockport, Northampton, Providence, and Southwest Harbor.
Where do the rich vacation in New England?
The rich check in at Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Weekapaug Inn, The Wauwinet, Topnotch Resort, or The Tides Beach Club for their vacation in New England.
What is the prettiest New England state?
Rhode Island is the prettiest state, with sensational state parks, historical monuments, and national landmarks. All these are well-maintained and cared for, making the state the most picturesque.wee
