12 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways in New England

Written by Lura Seavey
Updated Feb 15, 2023

Author Lura R. Seavey is a New Hampshire native who has been exploring New England for her entire life. She continues to live and play in New England, sharing adventures with both friends and family.

Known for its beauty in all four seasons, New England is full of ideal places to visit for a weekend retreat, whether you're seeking a quiet, romantic getaway or an activity-filled family excursion.

Downtown Boston, Massachusetts at dusk
Downtown Boston, Massachusetts at dusk

Vermont and New Hampshire are known for their quaint small towns, stunning autumn foliage, and winter skiing, while Maine is a nature-lover's paradise, with expansive national parks and a seemingly endless seashore.

Massachusetts is home to some of the most significant historic sites in the nation, and Connecticut is as well, with a historic port that brings the past back to life.

Plan your relaxing short break with our list of the best weekend getaways in New England.

Boston, Massachusetts

George Washington Statue in Boston Public Garden
George Washington Statue in Boston Public Garden

A weekend getaway to Boston is perfect for any time of year thanks to the city's abundance of attractions and things to do, both inside and outside. If you have a car, it's best to find a spot and use the T (Boston's subway system) to get around, since both driving and parking here can be daunting at best.

Historic Sites: If it's your first trip to Boston, you will likely want to visit at least a couple of its top historic sites, so a trek along the Freedom Trail is an excellent place to start. Head to the visitor center in Boston Common to grab a brochure for the self-guided tour, or sign up for a guided tour. Highlights include the Old Granary Burying Ground, the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and many other significant sites.

Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall

Shopping: If you like a good dose of shopping with your history, head to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, home to three huge market buildings, including the famous Quincy Market. If you're in town during December, Christmas shopping here is an absolute must. No matter when you visit, be sure to walk over to the North End to get your fill of goodies at Modern Pastry.

Parks: Most of Boston's best parks are part of the Emerald Necklace, a 1,100-acre network of green spaces designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Boston Common and the adjacent Boston Public Garden, which is home to the famous Swan Boats, are among the most popular places to visit during nice weather, featuring plenty of fountains for splashing, and live entertainment regularly.

Culture: Boston is also a top destination for entertainment, home to a theater district rivaling Broadway itself, and it's also home to several world-class museums. Art and history lovers will want to visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Families should plan on heading to the Boston Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium.

Sports: If you're in town during baseball season, be sure to catch a game at Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox and the iconic Green Monster—there is truly nothing like the enthusiasm that Bostonians have for their home team, for better or worse. If you aren't into the game but want the atmosphere, head to Yawkey Way to find restaurants, souvenirs, and a plethora of street food vendors.

North Conway, New Hampshire

Fall foliage along the Conway Scenic Railway
Fall foliage along the Conway Scenic Railway

It doesn't matter what season it is, North Conway and New Hampshire's White Mountains have activities for everyone.

Downtown North Conway is lined with quirky shops that have everything from penny candy to locally handcrafted items, just as fun to explore as they are to shop. There are several excellent restaurants, cafés, and ice-cream shops to choose from as well, and it is easy to spend an entire day just exploring the village on foot.

Right in the center of town, you will also find the main depot for the Conway Scenic Railroad, a top tourist attraction in the area. There are several train tours available, each narrated with fascinating facts about the train and the region and providing unparalleled views and photo-ops of the Mount Washington Valley. The train operates from April through the end of foliage season, with a special series of runs in December for the family-favorite "Polar Express" train ride.

Just a few minutes away in Glen, Story Land has been entertaining families since 1954. In addition to storybook-themed kiddie rides and interactive play spaces, Story Land has expanded over the years to include rides for kids of all ages, including roller coasters and other thrill rides, as well as a water park.

The smaller Clark's Trading Post is a great Sunday stop for families on their way home, located just off I-93 in Lincoln. Here, you will find the famous Clark family trained bears, along with a unique assortment of rides and attractions that are great for kids and pre-teens.

Another top attraction in North Conway is Cranmore Mountain, a four-season resort that offers a myriad of outdoor activities all year long. In the winter, guests can enjoy 56 trails, with nine lifts for skiing and snowboarding, as well as areas for snowshoeing, tubing, and other winter sports. In the summer, the whole family can play at the Aerial Adventure Park, home to the Mountain Coaster, a zipline, bungee trampoline, scenic lift rides, and much more.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Beach at Provincetown
Beach at Provincetown

One of the most popular weekend getaways from Boston, Provincetown (affectionately called P-town by locals) sits at the tip of Cape Cod. The best way to arrive is by ferry from the city, providing you with stunning views, as well as a reprieve from the often-arduous traffic on the narrow stretch of coastal route 6.

One of the first things you will see as you approach by sea is the Pilgrim Monument, erected in 1910 to remind visitors that the Mayflower in fact landed here before settling at Plymouth. At the base of the monument, there is a fascinating museum that covers topics like the lives of the cape's native peoples and maritime life.

Shopping and browsing is one of the top things to do in P-town, and tourists will find an eclectic variety of shops, boutiques, and galleries. There is truly something for everyone here, including an old-fashioned military surplus store, specialty shops for pampering dogs, a 12-step recovery book store, artisan shops, and numerous galleries. There are, of course, plenty of restaurants and ice-cream shops as well to keep you fueled while perusing.

Dog lovers will appreciate the dog-friendly atmosphere in Provincetown, where four-footed family members are welcome nearly everywhere you go.

A visit is never complete without catching at least one show at one of the numerous venues like the Crown & Anchor, the Provincetown Theater, and the Pilgrim House & Landing Restaurant. While P-town is best known for its cabaret, comedy, and drag shows, there are also regular theatrical, dance, and musical performances as well.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence Skyline
Providence Skyline

As the capital city of the nation's smallest state, Providence has a surprising amount of attractions to offer, much of which is thanks to the creativity fostered by the communities at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence College, and the ivy-league Brown University.

If at all possible, visit Providence between May and November during the WaterFire events, which happen at least twice a month. This spectacular display consists of a series of braziers set in the river, with over 80 set aflame to light the Riverwalk and Wateplace Park.

In addition to this lovely sight, the area fills with vendors, music, and throngs of happy people. For an extra-special romantic evening, book an evening ride on the authentic Venetian La Gondola.

If you love art and history, be sure to stop by the RISD Museum of Art to see a full range of exhibits, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary artworks. If music and theater is more your style, head to the Beaux Arts Providence Performing Arts Center for a live show.

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy a visit to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, which is home to a large botanical center in addition to its exotic residents, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, kangaroos, and more.

If you are traveling with little ones up to age 11, though, be sure to stop by the Rhode Island Children's Museum for an afternoon of fun learning.

Portland, Maine

Portland Head Light at dusk
Portland Head Light at dusk

Portland is the cultural capital of Maine, full of both historic and contemporary attractions. Located on Casco Bay, it was once a busy shipping port, and today is the starting point for cruises and ferries headed to the Calendar Islands, as well as fishing charters and whale watching tours.

For views of Portland Harbor from the other side, take a ferry to Cape Elizabeth's Portland Head Light, where you will find a museum in the lighthouse's Keeper's Quarters. Tourists can also admire the bay from land by taking Portland's Eastern Promenade Trail, a set of twin paths (one paved), which follows an old railroad route along the water's edge at Back Cove.

Adjacent to the docks along the waterfront is the Old Port District, where you will find many of Portland's antique shops, boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants in historic buildings tucked along cobblestone streets.

Another landmark just a block form the wharf is Victoria Mansion, a 19th-century home built in the style of an Italian villa and open to the public as a museum.

Nearby, the Portland Museum of Art houses an immense collection of fine and decorative arts, featuring over 650 pieces by Winslow Homer, as well as works by Picasso, Monet, Degas, O'Keefe, and Renoir.

Families with younger kids who are spending the weekend in Portland will want to visit the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, a three-story play and learning center that features interactive exhibits like Discovery Woods, a tide pool touch tank, and a kid-sized town.

All ages will enjoy the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, home to not only exhibits but also an operational narrow-gauge sightseeing train that tours the Eastern Promenade. Tourists who are interested in the odd and bizarre will also want to be sure to visit the International Cryptozoology Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to the study of hidden or unknown animals.

Read More: Best Beaches near Portland, Maine

Ludlow, Vermont

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow
Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow

Ludlow is a charming small town in central Vermont, tucked away in the Green Mountains. Tourists will find many locally owned shops that sell vintage memorabilia, handcrafted wares, and even wool from Vermont sheep, as well as two bakeries and several excellent restaurants.

There is also an abundance of sporting equipment shops thanks to the town's main attraction, Okemo Mountain Resort, a year-round outdoor playground best known for its top-notch ski conditions and industry-leading environmental sustainability efforts.

Okemo's snowmaking is what really sets it apart as a premiere ski resort, ensuring that there is great skiing and boarding even in the barest of winters. There are a staggering 121 trails across its 655 acres, 98 percent of which have snowmaking. The mountain is serviced by 20 lifts, one of which is a high-speed six-seater with heated seats, with several featuring protective bubbles to keep out the wind.

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster is a great thrill ride during off-slope time, and it operates year-round. Once the snow is gone, the rest of the activities get into full swing, including two 18-hole golf courses. Among other activities are scenic lift rides, zipline tours, and a mountain bike park, as well as stuff for the kids, like a climbing wall, mineral-panning, and a day camp that gives parents a chance to enjoy some alone time.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Gardens at Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
Gardens at Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth was one of the earliest port settlements during colonial times, and fortunately it is also one of the best-preserved.

Along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail there are numerous historic sites, including the 1716 Warner House, the 1758 John Paul Jones House, and the 1763 Moffat-Ladd House, which are all open for tours.

An equally important historic route is the Black Heritage Trail, which highlights former slave auction sites, the abolitionist movement, and civil rights events, spanning over three centuries.

Tourists interested in seeing history in action will want to visit the Strawberry Banke Museum, a living history museum that brings Portsmouth's first settlement to life. In addition to having many buildings and homes representing its first years, dating back to 1623, this 10-acre exhibit also features representations of various periods throughout time, including a 1770 tavern and a 1940s market among many others. Throughout, there are costumed interpreters who interact with visitors, demonstrating daily chores, crafts, cooking, and other activities from their time period.

Market Square is a lovely place to explore, surrounded by brick buildings and filled with shops and boutiques, as well as a fine bakery with outdoor seating, perfect for people-watching. Portsmouth's cultural community is always active, and the majority of fair-weather events are held here in the center of town.

For a more peaceful stroll, explore Prescott Park, also host to events including the annual Prescott Park Arts Festival and numerous performances. The park, which includes lovely gardens, public docks, and plenty of harbor-view seating, sits on the bank of the Piscataqua River.

Those who want to explore the area by water can choose from several cruise operators that offer a variety of options, from sightseeing cruises around the harbor to see Fort Constitution and the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse to longer trips to the beautiful Isles of Shoals. Maritime enthusiasts will also want to visit the USS Albacore, a navy submarine which is now open to the public for exploration.

Mystic, Connecticut

The Joseph Conrad at Mystic Seaport
The Joseph Conrad at Mystic Seaport

One of Connecticut's most beautiful small towns, Mystic is just an hour from New Haven and two hours from Boston, making it an easy weekend getaway. It is known for its abundance of attractions that are focused on maritime life and history and has things to do for all ages, making this a great family destination.

Cruises on the Mystic River and Mystic Harbor are a wonderful way to enjoy an afternoon and get a view of the area as so many did as they approached the busy seaport.

One of the main attractions is Mystic Seaport Museum, a huge open-air museum that recreates a 19th-century village and port. Among the dozens of buildings, you will find numerous homes, a general store, doctor's office, church, bank, and printing press, as well as a shipsmith shop, rigging loft, ship chandlery, and many other sites dedicated to seafaring life, including docked boats. All of the structures are authentic, recovered, and re-located from their original coastal homes, and living history interpreters conduct regular demonstrations.

Another excellent attraction is the Mystic Aquarium, a world-class facility with extensive aquatic galleries, which is home to a wide variety of sea life. Many of the exhibits are hands-on and interactive, like the stingray touch pool, and guests are able to see the animal rescue program operated by the aquarium. Visitors also have the option of booking up-close encounters with aquarium residents including sea lions, beluga whales, and penguins.

Burlington, Vermont

Colorful chairs on the dock in Burlington, Vermont
Colorful chairs on the dock in Burlington, Vermont

The lively college town of Burlington sits on the southeastern shore of Lake Champlain. Tourists can learn all about the area's natural history at the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which overlooks the water.

Lake Champlain cruises are a popular activity in Burlington, and visitors should always be on the lookout for "Champ," the North-American equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster, of whom there have been reported sightings since Samuel de Champlain himself first visited the lake.

Waterfront Park is also right on the lake, home to gardens, walking and cycling trails, and picnic areas, as well as host to many events.

One of the city's biggest draws is its sense of community, the center of which is Church Street Marketplace in downtown Burlington. In addition to the shopping and dining, this pedestrian-only thoroughfare is almost always alive with various entertainers, artists, and passersby. Burlington's cultural and arts community is evidenced by the large number of galleries, craft shops, and performance venues, such as the Flynn Theater.

The University of Vermont campus sits on the hill overlooking the city, and here you can find the Robert Hull Fleming Museum of Art, which includes exhibits representing art throughout human history, from ancient Egypt to the present.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Best known for the infamous Witch Trials of 1692, Salem Massachusetts has far more to offer than tourist traps set to capitalize on the town's unfortunate past.

Located in the state's beautiful North Shore region, Salem is home to a number of fine museums and historic homes, many of which are open to visitors. It is also adjacent to Cape Ann, where you can find the lovely seaside towns of Gloucester and Rockport, and just across the water from the pretty town of Marblehead.

The best-known of Salem's historic homes is the House of the Seven Gables, constructed in 1668 and made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The site includes multiple buildings, including the Retire Beckett House (1655); the Hooper-Hathaway House (1682); the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace (c.1750), which was moved to the grounds in 1958; and a Counting House (c.1830).

There is also a visitor center, which houses a museum; guided tours are available, and the center hosts educational programming, special exhibits, and other events on a regular basis.

The Peabody Essex Museum is another top attraction in Salem, with main exhibit halls filled with collections of art from around the world. The museum complex also includes several historic buildings that are open to the public.

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is another collection of historically significant buildings and exhibits.

The single authentic site connected with Salem's dark days is the Witch House (Corwin House), the former home of one of the trials' magistrates. As opposed to focusing on the sensationalist side of the era, the home provides a look at 17th-century life and an informative narrative about the owner's connection with the trials.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket
Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket

If you really want to get away from the "real world" for a weekend, head to the island community of Nantucket. Nantucket's population swells in the summer to five times its usual size, a testament to the beautiful escape it provides in the Atlantic, south of Cape Cod.

It's popular for many reasons, but its miles of sandy beaches are definitely a big draw for anyone hoping to soak up some sun. It's also home to several of the best resorts in Massachusetts, allowing visitors to leave all their worries behind and simply enjoy being pampered.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine

The pier at Old Orchard Beach
The pier at Old Orchard Beach

No summer in New England is complete without a visit to Old Orchard Beach, a seaside destination that is often considered one of the best beaches in Maine.

One of the biggest draws here is Palace Playland Park, a carnival-style oceanfront amusement park that offers kiddie and thrill rides, a massive coin-op arcade, and, of course, a Ferris wheel. Tourists will find plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants all along the beach, from takeout pizza at Lisa's to fresh seafood served right out on the pier.

If you're not up for battling for a parking space, hop aboard the Amtrak Downeaster, which offers speedy train service to its station just a block from the water. It operates almost around the clock in summer, connecting Old Orchard Beach with the Massachusetts cities of Boston, Woburn, and Haverhill, as well as several towns in New Hampshire and Maine.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Maine