7 Serene Towns in the Northern United States for a Weekend Retreat
In the northern U.S., there are plenty of small towns with lots of serenity and vibrance. Travelers may find a lot to see and do across various states, with plenty of locales and natural or historical landmarks to check out for a fulfilling weekend retreat. With options for both short-term getaways and long-term retirement, these serene towns may be just the perfect destinations to have in mind when considering newfound destinations!
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a quaint village town in northern Vermont with 842 residents. It is known for having some of the best suburban residential neighborhoods in the state and includes plenty of fun locales for a weekend retreat, such as Laughing Moon Chocolates, a vibrant chocolate shop with handmade desserts and sweet gifts for children! Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum offers snowboarding history and early 2000s artwork that may attract visitors for the weekend.
At Moss Glen Falls, tourists and retirement planners can enjoy a ravine walking path with serene waterfall sights, making for a casual or romantic weekend idea. Mount Mansfield and Stowe Recreation Path are good nature alternatives for anyone seeking more scenic vistas and biking trails along Route 108. Sunset Rock has amazing viewpoints of the famous white Stowe Community Church and presents a "fairy tale" vibrance for travelers who want to see the true beauty of a cultural landmark!
For where to stay, one can consider the Trapp Family Lodge for Austrian architectural views and mountain vibes, while Sun & Ski Inn and Suites have walkable distances from uptown plazas. The Lodge at Spruce Peak is also available for anyone who prefers being close to ski resorts.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
A small town in eastern Pennsylvania with 2,651 inhabitants, New Hope has the best riverside and cultural attractions for weekend getaways. The New Hope Railroad is one of the most iconic stops, with its vibrant railroad tours that make for a fun short-term itinerary. At Bucks County Playhouse, "America's Most Famous Summer Theater," one can find stunning theatrical performances and 17th to 19th-century ambiance.
Travelers may enjoy Parry Mansion Museum, a 1780s estate featuring 11 rooms filled with 125 years of history and decorations! Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve has lush wildflower shrubberies and calming pond sights that make for both peaceful getaways and long-term retirement. Solebury Orchards is also a great option for retirees, as the 80-acre berry farm boasts a cute market detour for happy shoppers!
For short-term weekend lodging, Olivia's Bridge Street Inn is a charming and colorful resort with serene views of the Delaware River. It is close to Main and Bridge Streets. The Inn at Bowman's Hill has more luxury and quality fireplace environments for wealthy tourists who want to stick around long-term, while Porches on the Towpath has vibrant porch seats and garden beauty with Delaware Canal sights mixed in.
Kennebunkport, Maine
A coastal town in southern Maine, Kennebunkport is home to 1,442 residents who love being around beaches. Kennebunkport is a wonderful weekend getaway option for summer and spring visitors, with Goose Rocks Beach being the most popular option for sandy beachside enjoyment with sunny vibrance. For those who prefer not to be near large crowds, Gooch's Beach has easy jogging areas and quiet ocean serenity. Dock Square has downtown Irish boutique shops, one-of-a-kind local artistry, and themed candy shops perfect for weekend comfort shopping.
At Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, travelers can enjoy more than 9,000 acres of the southern coastline, which is also a common migratory route for birds and marsh wildlife. For hungry weekend travelers, Nunan's Lobster Hut has satisfying lobster and other appetizing seafood cuisine options to make visitors and retirees alike feel right at home in this town.
Those who choose to visit can lodge at Kennebunkport Captains Collection, an upper-class hotel with the best dining window views of the town, while others can choose Nonatum Resort for historic charm mixed with Ocean Avenue shopping proximity and hospitality. The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel is also available for those who prefer simpler stays with evening pier vibrance.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Grand Marais, a harbor village in Minnesota on Lake Superior's North Shore with 1,360 residents, is equal parts Coast Guard station town and tourism-driven. The Au Sable Light Station is a magnificent stop with 1.5 miles of hiking routes and a vibrant farmhouse vibe that would suit nearby retirees. Sable Falls is a natural splendor with tranquil waterfall slopes and 168-step staircases!
Grand Marais Historical Society may be favored by weekenders who want to see the town's local history and logging era come to life with old photography that has been around since 1900! North House Folk School may appeal to families with kids who want to learn more about Inuit kayak building, Scandinavian bowl creations, and classroom canoe workshops, making this locale worth it for long-term stay and retirement.
For weekend lodging, Best Western Plus Superior Inn has dramatic lakefront window views and a spectacular balcony to enjoy Lake Superior's rocky beach. Thomsonite Inn has welcoming s'mores nights and cycling routes close to town. As for lakeside vacations for big families who need a longer weekend, Cobblestone Cobe Villas has a private deck with panoramic vista views and marina scenery.
Lake Placid
A village town in New York State's Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is home to 2,183 locals. The town is best known for its sporting locales and museums, such as the Olympic Museum, a historic landmark dedicated to the Olympic Games and snow-based competitions. The Ski Jumping Complex is also a viable option for weekend winter getaways, with its adrenaline-filled ski jump routes and memorable snowy hills across the Adirondack Mountains!
At John Brown Farm State Historic Site, one can find 19th-century estates and burials of famous abolitionists, as well as the "Timbuctoo" community that was once part of the state's homestead history. Mirror Lake offers more natural exposure to the town with its scenic loops and trails, which are full of friendly hikers and fishing. As for hungry tourists, the Smoke Signals diner provides enough barbecue cuisine and vibrant lakefront brick patios to help visitors and retirees feel welcome on any weekend.
One can look to Cambria Lake Placid for a comforting and relaxing short or long-term stay or Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort for snowy Mirror Lake vibes and proximity to Olympic Village. Basecamp Lodges is also an option for weekenders who want to be closer to downtown locales.
Cooperstown
Another New York-centered town with 1,842 residents, Cooperstown is definitely on the list for weekend retreat scenery. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum alone is enough to entice weekenders to pay a visit here, with its baseball history exhibits and inspiring trinkets belonging to Hall of Fame legends! One can find neoclassical country mansion vibrance at Hyde Hall, an 18th-century housing complex with bygone relics and architecture.
Fans of bars and social outings may enjoy Brewery Ommegang for Belgian-inspired tap beer and 1540s culinary delights, making for a superb weekend itinerary! Mel's at 22 offers American classical cocktails and garlic dishes, an overlooked option for anyone in town craving fancy food and drinks. Glimmerglass State Park has 593 acres of Otsego Lake sights and wooded terrains full of wildlife and basketball enthusiasts for any visitor or retiring professional.
Weekenders can check out Bayside Inn & Marina, a peaceful lakeside resort with retro game rooms and spacious decks to view Otsego Lake. The Otesaga Resort Hotel is a luxury option for traveling parties who would like to have a weekend full of vibrant sunsets and spa activities, with an active golf course lounge.
Northampton, Massachusetts
A small Massachusetts town with 31,354 inhabitants, Northampton is excellent for both short and long-term tourism. Weekenders and retirees here may revel in the Botanic Garden of Smith College, a 127-acre public landmark with tropical and subtropical shrubberies and a vibrant arboretum. The Smith College Museum of Art may also be an option for weekend travelers, with its Greek artworks and vases and custom decor workshops for weekenders!
Entertainment lovers may enjoy the Academy of Music, a popular family-oriented or romance-friendly locale for classy art and film presentations. The Quarters video arcade is an amazing locale where vintage hamburgers are served in a retro 1980s atmosphere! For a truly underrated weekend itinerary, tourists can visit The Tunnel Bar, another vintage locale that has 1890s stone and brickwork martini bar enjoyment.
Anyone choosing to visit this town for the weekend or long-term retirement can stay at The Ellery, a New England colonial inn that has downtown proximity and stands out for its rustic farmhouse vibes. There is also Starlight Llama Solar Bed & Breakfast, the only hotel in the state where llamas can be seen right outside one's window!
These small towns across the northern U.S. region provide unique and pleasant experiences for travelers needing a weekend retreat. With many types of locales and landmarks to satisfy crowds of all ages, tourists will always find something new and adventurous. Those desiring a lot of vibrance and fun amenities with many accommodation options may find this list to be super handy when planning their next adventure!
