14 Household Weekend Getaways in New England

If you happen to dwell in New England, you’re fortunate to have a wide range of totally different trip choices obtainable only a brief distance away. Generally, with household, it’s onerous to get away for every week, so an extended weekend (or perhaps a common weekend) is a a lot simpler choice.

Not solely are there so many nice weekend getaways in New England for households, however there are additionally fabulous New England household resorts to remain at. Planning a household weekend getaway in New England? Listed below are one of the best weekend getaways in New England – with charming small cities and enjoyable actions good for household journey.

Disclosure: We’ve stayed at a few of these areas and inns for free of charge for overview. We even have ridden the Amtrak Downeaster for free of charge. All opinions are my very own. This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order/click on by one in all these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us.

Household Weekend Getaways in New England

Portland, Maine

We traveled to Portland, Maine on quite a few events, and have at all times loved our stays.  There may be a lot to do, together with boat journeys on Casco Bay, procuring, and museums. There are additionally quite a few unbelievable eating places to take a look at.

You’ll in all probability wish to keep within the Previous Port part of Portland, which is crammed with outlets and eating places. You gained’t even want your automobile for many locations. If you’re touring from Boston (or North of Boston), you’ll be able to take the Amtrak Downeaster practice, which works proper into Portland.

Listed below are another issues to do in Portland, Maine:

• Portland Science Middle
• Portland Head Lighthouse
• Portland Museum of Artwork
• Scenic boat excursions

See inns in Portland Maine right here.

Freeport, Maine

Freeport, Maine is most identified for being the worldwide headquarters of LL Bean. The flagship retailer is certainly price a go to, particularly with children. You’ll be able to simply spend a number of hours there, and there are a variety of issues that attraction to children, particularly throughout the Christmas vacation season.

There are additionally a number of outlet shops and eating places to get pleasure from in that space of Freeport. You’ll be able to simply park your automobile, and stroll round to the assorted shops. If you’re already planning to go to Portland, Maine, it’s straightforward to drive as much as Freeport. The Amtrak Downeaster practice additionally travels as much as Freeport, in order that’s an choice in case you don’t wish to drive.

While you’re there, you might also wish to go to Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park and Wolfe’s Neck Farm. Throughout our fall go to to Freeport Maine a number of years in the past, we attended a wonderful harvest competition at Wolfe’s Neck. Undoubtedly check out their web site to see if there may be an occasion that coincides along with your go to.

We stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn, which was an reasonably priced place to stick with household.

Stowe, Vermont

Even in case you aren’t a skier, Stowe, Vermont is a superb place to go to with children. We usually go to in the summertime, once we can benefit from the stunning climate. There are additionally a number of unbelievable spas (we benefit from the spa at Stoweflake).

When visiting Stowe, I undoubtedly advocate driving by Waterbury, Vermont. There, you’ll discover the Chilly Hole Cider Mill, the place you’ll be able to see cider being made. Don’t miss the apple cider donuts. You’ll additionally wish to cease and tour the Ben and Jerry’s Manufacturing unit, after all grabbing an ice cream cone on the hooked up Ben and Jerry’s Cone Store.

Simply previous Stowe is Smugglers’ Notch, the place you’ll discover the well-known Smugglers’ Notch resort. It’s a four-season resort that’s good for households and provides so many nice actions for households.

See inns in Stowe right here.

The White Mountains, NH

Like Stowe, the White Mountains of New Hampshire is a superb trip vacation spot each within the winter and the summer season (in addition to within the fall, when you’ll be able to benefit from the beautiful fall foliage).

You’ll have the choice of staying in a number of totally different areas within the White Mountains. We like to remain in Lincoln, NH, close to Clark’s Buying and selling Publish, in addition to North Conway, New Hampshire, close to Story Land. You may also keep in one in all these spots and drive to the opposite – they’re simply an hour aside. There are a variety of inns and trip houses that you would be able to keep in, together with the Mountain Membership at Loon. There are even a number of family-friendly mattress and breakfasts.

Actions within the White Mountains embody:

• Loon Mountain
• Cranmore Mountain
• Attitash Mountain
• Story Land
• Santa’s Village
• Whale’s Story Water Park

See inns within the White Mountains right here.

Mystic, CT

Mystic Connecticut is a superb vacation spot for households. I’d advocate staying on the Hilton, which is correct in the midst of the motion. There are many issues to do with households in Mystic, together with Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Seaport. There’s additionally the Mystic Aquarium, which is my favourite aquarium within the space. While you’re there, you’ll undoubtedly wish to try the enjoyable and interactive beluga whales.

Mystic is a brief drive from Boston however can be on the Amtrak practice route from NYC to Boston. If you happen to keep on the Hilton, you’ll be able to stroll to Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium, however you would wish to drive to Mystic Seaport.

See inns in Mystic CT right here.

New Haven, CT

Most individuals consider New Haven as the house of each scrumptious pizza and Yale College, nevertheless it’s additionally an ideal vacation spot for households. We actually benefit from the Yale Peabody Museum of Pure Historical past in addition to the (free!) Yale Artwork Museum.

While you’re there, you’ll undoubtedly wish to eat your method by New Haven. There are such a lot of fabulous eating places within the space, together with many scrumptious pizza eating places. If your loved ones loves meals, I’d undoubtedly advocate that you just take a meals tour so you’ll be able to see all the sizzling spots.

Learn opinions of New Haven inns right here.

Boston, MA

You’ll be able to undoubtedly spend a weekend in Boston, however you’ll wish to return for a for much longer go to. There’s sufficient to do this you could possibly simply keep for every week. I normally advocate visiting within the fall, when the climate is crisp and funky. Nevertheless, no matter while you go to, there’s at all times one thing nice to do.

Our favourite actions in Boston are the Boston Museum of Science, Fenway Park (take a tour in case you can’t catch a recreation), the Boston Youngsters’s Museum (for youthful children), and the Duck Excursions. You’ll additionally wish to stroll by the Boston Public Backyard and the Boston Frequent.

If you’re visiting in the summertime, I’d undoubtedly advocate visiting the Boston Harbor Islands. This state and nationwide park is a part of town. Select which island you wish to go to, and also you’ll take a ferry there. It’s good for a day away.

Learn extra about the place to remain in Boston right here.

Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod is among the most good summer season trip locations. We love the Sea Crest Seashore Resort, which is correct on Previous Silver Seashore, in addition to Ocean Edge Resort. There are additionally a wide range of seaside houses obtainable for weekly leases.

In your method all the way down to the Cape, contemplate stopping in Plymouth for a go to to Plimoth Plantation. There are a lot of nice Cape Cod cities to remain in and go to, all the best way to the coastal city of Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod.

Cape Cod is mostly finest to go to in the summertime. It undoubtedly slows down after Labor Day. Nevertheless, I normally love visiting the Cape in late summer season, as a result of all the crowds are gone and the climate can nonetheless be very nice. Don’t miss all the recent seafood you will get – together with lobster rolls and oysters.

Learn Cape Cod lodge opinions right here.

Newport, Rhode Island

I spent my summers working in Newport, RI, and it’s nonetheless one in all my favourite locations. Along with eating places and outlets, there are additionally some actually enjoyable mansions to go to. My children particularly liked visiting the Breakers, which provides a children’ tour. We advocate staying on the Resort Viking.

Listed below are some issues that you just’ll get pleasure from in Newport:

• Newport Mansions
• Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame
• Fort Adams State Park
• The Norman Chicken Sanctuary
• Crusing tour/speedboat
• Newport Gulls baseball recreation
• Cliff Stroll
• Trolley Tour
• Buying on Thames Road/Brick Market
• Seashores

See inns in Newport, RI right here.

Rockport, MA

Surprisingly, I hadn’t visited Rockport, MA till only a few years in the past. It’s such a enjoyable place, with quaint outlets, stunning surroundings, and scrumptious seafood. Head to Bearskin Neck, the part of city with outlets and eating places. You’ll have to discover a parking spot and stroll across the space, or select a lodge/inn proper in Bearskin Neck. I particularly love getting seafood in Rockport – it’s so recent and scrumptious.

For many who get pleasure from being on the water, you can too hire kayaks and discover. Be sure you get a photograph of Motif #1, an outdated fishing shack that is among the most acknowledged buildings in America.

If you wish to get in some seaside time, head to close by Gloucester. There, you’ll discover some fabulous seashores, together with Good Harbor Seashore and Wingaersheek. Each are nice for households.

See inns in Rockport right here.

Block Island Rhode Island

Block Island is a small island off the coast of Rhode Island. It’s accessible in quite a few methods, together with a ferry from Level Judith RI, Newport RI, Fall River MA, New London CT, and Montauk NY (most of those run seasonally). The island is a pleasant, quiet escape from the mainland. Actions embody biking, procuring, parks, and seashores. The island is residence to inns, inns, mattress and breakfasts, and residential leases.

See inns on Block Island right here.

Portsmouth New Hampshire

Portsmouth is correct over the Massachusetts border in New Hampshire. This seaside city options outlets, eating places, museums, and a lot extra. Households will love a visit to Water Nation, a water park that has a wide range of totally different slides for youths.

If you happen to get pleasure from outlet procuring, drive a couple of minutes over the Maine border to Kittery, Maine. There, you’ll discover a complete road lined with numerous outlet malls, together with Beneath Armor, Crate and Barrel, and Lululemon. We normally attempt to go to at the very least as soon as per yr, as a result of there are such a lot of nice offers.

See inns in Portsmouth, NH right here.

Martha’s Winery, MA & Nantucket, MA

I really like the islands in Massachusetts. They’re a brief distance away, however nearly really feel like one other nation. The tempo is a lot extra relaxed. Each supply nice household resorts in addition to outlets, eating places, and lovely seashores. Martha’s Winery and Nantucket are accessible by way of aircraft or ferry, however make reservations nicely prematurely. They are often very busy throughout peak season.

The summer season is mostly one of the best time to go to each islands. Nevertheless, Nantucket can be an exquisite place to go to throughout the Christmas season. Every year, the island hosts the Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend, the place you’ll be able to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive on a ship. You’ll additionally have the ability to see the Pageant of Bushes on the Whaling Museum, hearken to carolers, and accomplish that rather more. We visited as soon as throughout the stroll and completely liked it.

See inns on Martha’s Winery right here and Nantucket right here.

Often Requested Questions

What are your favourite locations for one of the best household weekend getaways in New England?

See extra New England holidays right here.