The weather outside may be frightful and cold, and the recent news on the economy isn’t that cheery, nonetheless this may just be the perfect time for a New England Getaway.

I’m back after an extended break and being housebound for way too long. I thought I’d celebrate my return by giving you some of my favorite locations in New England for a Winter Getaway Weekend. Okay? Well, you’re going to get them anyways.

As an aside before I begin, due to lots of feedback to Cliff we will now be including a resource section at the bottom of each post so everything you need for further information is in one place. Makes sense to me, but enough of that stuff and now onto real information.

There’s plenty of winter getaway deals available especially if you avoid more popular destinations and head for quieter locations. Here are three places where the cold and snow won’t impact a warm and cozy weekend for two.

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE:

If you love seafood and shopping and staying in inns then the picturesque southern Maine seaport of Kennebunkport may be just the antidote to winter blues you need. Most well-known these days as the retirement home of former President Bush (the first one, maybe the second one soon) it was once better known in the 19^th century for shipbuilding. A trip to the Landing Boat School will let you watch modern day wooden boats being built by students.

Popular restaurants include the Hurricane Restaurant in Dock Square for seafood, the Bandaloop has a large selection of vegetarian choices and Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brewpub provides more casual fare. Accommodation choices are large and include the historical Captain Lord Mansion, the White Barn Inn & Spa with its AAA 5-diamond restaurant and the Rhumb Line Inn with outdoor hot tubs and indoor heated pool.

PLUM ISLAND, MASSACHUSETTS:

While many winter “snowbirds” in Massachusetts head south to Cape Cod for a weekend break there’s a growing fan base that motor in the opposite direction to the north shore beyond Boston and to Newburyport and Plum Island. It remains almost hidden and secret from prying eyes and a place where footsteps in the sand can last for days – at least mine do, especially after all those holiday dinners!

Plum Island is an 11-mile barrier island about 4-miles from Newburyport and contains a 77-acre park, a wildlife refuge, and the landmark Plum Island Lighthouse. In the winter you’ll have the beach and walking trails to yourself most week days.

Newburyport is full of lodging and restaurants and Cliff did an informative article in 2007 about Plum Island and you can find the link to it below in the resource section.

OLD LYME TO MIDDLETOWN – CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY:

New England’s longest river continues to serve many purposes to those willing to look more closely. In the past and today the Connecticut River has served as a power generator at the many mills that once lined its banks; acts as the state line between Vermont and New Hampshire, and it provides a three season playground for boating and visitors.

But it’s in its final few miles before it plunges into Long Island Sound in Connecticut that appeal to museum and theater lovers along with shoppers looking for something special. Start at Old Lyme on the Connecticut shoreline and work up Route 9 towards Middletown.

The cluster of towns you’ll pass through include Essex, a town of colonial charm and where you can view the Connecticut River Museum and popular steamboat train, Deep River worth a stop to visit Celebrations for local hand crafts, and Chester, a little bit of Europe tucked away in Connecticut. Across the river in East Haddam is Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House – both unfortunately closed after December until spring.

For lodging and dining there is the Griswold Inn – a historic inn in Essex, and the Copper Beach Inn in nearby Ivoryton. The distance between Old Lyme and Middletown can be driven in 30-minues but like so much in Connecticut and New England the best things are found taking your time.

RESOURCES:

More details on Landing Boat School

Deals on lodging in Kennebunkport

More information on Plum Island Destination

Deals on lodging in Newburyport

More destinations in Connecticut

Deals on lodging in Essex region

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Yankee Traveler
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

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