10 Small Towns in New England to Visit for a Weekend Getaway
One of the oldest colonial settlements in America, New England, was first established by settlers fleeing religious persecution in England. Leading the Industrial Revolution in America, New England became a manufacturing and financial hub by the 1840s. Today, New England stands out as a diverse region of English, Canadian, Polish, German, and Italian settlers who added their unique take on the region. Despite its heritage and unique developing history, New England is modernly recognized for its Vermont maple syrup, Boston Creampie, Maine lobsters, and more. This is the ideal setting for your next weekend getaway, with endless small towns to discover.
Westerly, Rhode Island
One of the best small towns in New England to visit for a weekend getaway is the waterfront town of Westerly. With a settling history that dates back to 1661, Westerly is almost as historic as it is naturally beautiful. Once renowned for its stone-cutting industry of Pink Granite that can be found in many of the town’s government buildings like the Town Hall, Westerly today stands out as one of Rhode Island’s best summer getaways.
Westerly Town Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, and East Beach are among the most popular destinations in town. The blend of historic small-town atmospheres and summer escape amenities like the Ocean House Hotel makes it one of the best weekend escapes and the perfect place to start your exploration journey of the rest of New England, thanks to its convenient setting on the Connecticut-Rhode Island borders.
Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic is an Aqua-centric village, not only for its scenic harbor, proximity to Manson Island, and waters of the Mystic River that run through the community. But for two of its main tourist attractions, The Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport Museum, the nation’s largest Maritime museum. Adding to its waterfront quirk are historical attractions like the oldest steam-powered cider mill, the Charles W Morgan Ship exhibition, and the Olde Mistick Village with its small businesses and fairytale-like small gardens.
Visitors can witness Mystic at its most vibrant state in the winter and catch holiday light displays, community events like Holiday Carnival, and a downtown packed with local dining and beverage options like the Tea and Spice Exchange and old-school colorful Alice in the Village.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown is one of the more popular destinations in New England. The beachside community is state-renowned for being the ultimate summer escape and is particularly popular amongst the LGBTQ+ community. Beautified with luxurious accommodations and resorts, Princetown celebrates individuality through a supportive community, one of the oldest artistic art colonies, and a range of community events that bring locals together.
From the Women’s Week in October to the Princetown Carnival in August, visitors to this New England town will quickly discover the welcoming, cozy home feel, with events, small businesses, and galleries for all interests. Influencing the thriving art scene in the area is the first art school, which was established in 1899 by Charles Hawthorne. Some of the oldest local galleries in the area include The Rice Polak Gallery, the Julie Heller Gallery, and the Schoolhouse Gallery.
Bar Harbor, Maine
The New England town of Bar Harbor has a nationwide reputation as one of the best vacation destinations for its nature-centric experiences. From Acadia National Park to Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor inherits the waterside setting of other New England towns but is further enhanced with various environmental settings, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over.
Highlights of your escape to Bar Harbor include Whale Watching tours with tour guides like the Whale Watch Co, slamming waves of the infamous Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park, and the Asticou Azalea Japanese Garden bursting in an array of colors of pink cherry trees.
Freeport, Maine
Freeport defines the New England getaway experience with everything from its lobstering tours to its breathtaking botanical gardens and art galleries. Elaborating upon the town’s many attractions is the historical element that can be experienced through exploring the Freeport Historical Society, stopping by the Harrington House built in 1830, and the Pettengill saltwater flower farm that dates back to the 19th century.
Once renowned for being a transportation hub for both the railroad and steamboat systems, Freeport today represents the perfect balance of history, nature, and shoppable attractions. Differentiating itself from other Maine towns by its many retail outlets, you can find everything from locally owned brands like LL Bean that are open 24/7 to household name brands like North Face, Coach, and Old Navy.
Camden, Maine
While the majority of New England towns emphasize nature, a visit to Camden is an adventure of cuisines and cultures. However, despite being a cozy cultural hub, its unique setting in Mt. Battie and Mt. Megunticook qualify the town to be one of the most beautiful small towns in New England, as the town’s slogan suggests, "Where the Mountains Meet The Sea."
Events like Jazz in June, Camden Arts and Book Fair, Christmas By The Sea, and the U.S National Toboggan Championships are only a few of the many community events to experience during your escape to Camden. With all its beauty and touristy destinations, no trip to Camden is complete without visiting locally renowned restaurants like 40 Paper, which serves modern Italian cuisines, Franny’s Bistro, and Long Grain for fresh local seafood with an Asian culinary twist.
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead, nicknamed the Birthplace of the American Navy, makes up the perfect small-town escape from the busy, bustling city life, sitting 16.3 miles from Boston. Historically recognized as a fishing town, Marblehead today enjoys a population of over 20,000 residents, making it one of the largest and best New England town escapes.
Highlights of any visit to Marblehead include the colorful historic homes, the small isolated Crowninshield Island that stretches over 5 acres, and live events at the Marblehead Little Theatre with year-round performances. Other must-see attractions in town include the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Abbot Hall Maritime Museum, and the iconic Marblehead lighthouse.
Stowe, Vermont
Away from the summer and watersport activities, Stowe, Vermont, is the perfect winter resort town for its 4,393 feet Mount Mansfield and one of the best towns in New England to catch fall foliage for its panoramic vistas. The nature-steeped, cozy community is home to the original Ben and Jerry’s factory, Bingham Falls, and the Gondola Skyride at Stowe Mountain Resort. Visitors can also pay tribute to the forgotten flavors of Ice cream in the "Flavor Graveyard" at Ben and Jerry’s and explore many outdoor destinations like the Sterling Pond and Smugglers Notch, or try something new like snowmobiling or mountain biking for a memorable escape to Stowe.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Another popular town in New England is Portsmouth, a waterfront town with stunning, brightly-colored waterside residential buildings and a history of being New Hampshire’s oldest settlement. Enhanced with a range of quirky museums, Portsmouth makes up the perfect New England family escape, with places that cannot be found anywhere else, like the USS Albacore Museum, Market Square, The Music Hall, and the Portsmouth Athenaeum that combines a library and art gallery in the heart of the historic Market Square.
Ipswich, Massachusetts
The agricultural and coastal community of Ipswich is synonymous with scenic fall seasons, orchards, and freshly caught local clams. Located 13 miles from the popular city of Salem and 35 miles from Boston, Ipswich ranks for its proximity to major metropolitan cities. Attracting annual visitors for its Chowderfest, Ipswich is home to Appleton, the oldest operating dairy farm. Architecture and history are also a significant part of the town’s unique edge, with the iconic 59-room Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, the 1640 Haunted Hart House Restaurant, and the Ipswich Museum and its 1677 Whipple House.
New England is one of the best escapes for a weekend getaway to learn about America's developing history while enjoying the calm beauty of the North. Travel back in time to embrace tales and structural remnants of early American settlers and find more than just a calming escape.
