7 Ideal Northern United States Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
Sometimes, you need to just get away and enjoy a brief change of scenery. While the cost of living has made true vacations unaffordable for many, quick three-day weekend getaways can inspire the mind and sustain the soul. The northern U.S. has many wonderful towns that make ideal short vacation destinations. From Massachusetts to Connecticut, here’s our guide to seven of the best towns for a three-day getaway.
Northampton, Massachusetts
Just off the I-91 interstate in western Massachusetts, Northampton is the ideal space for a weekend filled with art and nature. Start with a leisurely hike up a mountain in the Mount Holyoke Range State Park, and then sate your thirst at Artifact Cider, a locally sourced hard cidery not far away. Peruse great works of art at the Smith College Museum of Art, then after working up an appetite, check out any of the stellar restaurants along Main Street in Northampton. Check out the old-fashioned Galleria of Thornes Marketplace, a mini-mall featuring local bookshops, artisans, and makers vending their wares, and finish it off with a delightful cocktail at the Tunnel Bar. Best yet, Northampton is accessible by train and bike as it is the northern terminus of the Farmington Canal Trail. It is highly recommended to stay at the Hotel Northampton.
Woodstock, New York
Tune in, turn on, and drop out in Woodstock, New York, an artist’s haven amid the Catskill Mountains. While not technically where the Woodstock of the 1960s took place, the town has taken the de facto hippie mantle. Celebrate Woodstock’s artistic heritage at the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, or celebrate the beauty of nature with one of several hikes on and near Overlook Mountain, which gives stunning vistas of the Catskill Mountains, especially during peak foliage time in the fall. Take in Shakespeare in the Park at the nearby Comeau property, and drive around the area to see quaint villages and sample some farm-fresh produce at one of the region’s dozens of farmer’s markets and farm stands. While slightly out of town, the hippie experience can’t be beat at the Hotel Dylan, a boutique hotel with impeccable midcentury design.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Lashed by the feisty waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Bar Harbor, Maine, is the gateway to Acadia National Park, a seaside national park of stunning natural beauty, vigorous hikes (have you ever used handles to climb a cliff?), and ample wildlife, including puffins. Get a lobster roll and stroll along the Shore Path, a walking trail that runs along the coast of Bar Harbor and provides excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Nature less appealing? If it’s raining or you’d like to be indoors, go to the Bar Harbor Historical Society and learn about the town’s long maritime history. Speaking of maritime: whale watching tours are available in Bar Harbor, should you want to take to the seas yourself. While you could camp at Acadia National Park, bed enthusiasts are advised to stay at the Balance Rock Inn for stunning sea views.
Stowe, Vermont
Like skiing? Stowe away to Stowe, Vermont, the Green Mountain State’s ski capital. Most famous for Stowe Mountain and its resort for skiing, Stowe offers a winter wonderland but a full summer’s worth of hiking, too. Give your body a break by touring the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, which shows the powdery history of skiing and snowboarding in Vermont, or go for an ice cream and a tour at the world-famous Ben & Jerry’s Factory. Beer enthusiasts rejoice: Vermont is a beer state, and Stowe is home to some of the best, including Von Trapp, the Alchemist (home of nationally famous Heady Topper), and Stowe Cider Company. Check out Stowe Mountain Resort for accommodations to maximize your apres ski experience.
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan, is the gateway to the state’s Upper Peninsula, or UP, known as a haven for nature lovers and summer tourists. Nestled on shores of Lake Michigan, Traverse City brings the beach: go to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a short drive away to explore actual sand dunes, hiking trails, and scenic drives, or stick to the West End Beach or Bryant Park Beach in town to get your tan on in the summer. Buy something tasty at the Farmer’s Market just outside Clinch Park, then walk the lakeshore, and catch a show at the City Opera House at night, featuring a historic venue with several different types of arts programming. Downtown has many shops, breweries, and restaurants- well worth a three day weekend. For a quaint stay, check in to the Wellington Inn.
Mystic, Connecticut
It doesn’t get more classic New England than Mystic, CT, one of the northeasternmost towns in the Nutmeg State, just across the border from Rhode Island. A historic seaport town with a historic Seaport Museum, a love of tall ships is a must here. The museum features several tall ships to explore, including the historic whaling ship Charles W. Morgan, which is sometimes home to demonstrations of whaling as well as sea chanteys. Are you more interested in whales than whaling? Go to the nationally acclaimed Mystic Aquarium, home to all sea creatures, including beluga whales and sea lions. Nearby the aquarium is Olde Mystic Village, a ramshackle collection of touristy shops, artisans, and food vendors well worth an afternoon’s stroll. Visit the Daniel Packer Inn for a real historic taste: it’s been in business since the 18th century. We recommend staying at the Whaler’s Inn for the full nautical experience.
Galena, Illinois
Not far from Chicago, Galena, Illinois, is a quaint little town that sports incredible 19th-century architecture and rare rolling hills in the middle of Illinois. Home to former president Ulysses S. Grant, you can visit his house, now a museum filled with memorabilia from the president. Stroll down Main Street in Galena for an architectural feast—not to mention a literal feast at one of its many restaurants. Want to learn more about the town? Check out the Galena Historical Society and Museum, which showcases the area’s history over the last few centuries. For an authentic stay, check out the highly-rated Aldrich Guest House.
No matter what season, any of these fine towns are an escape in and of themselves, with cultural attractions, stunning nature, and several tasty things to eat and drink. The perfect three-day weekend is full of excitement yet not exhausting, and all of these towns fit the bill. Many prove to be places to return to again and again—like coming to a home away from home.
