9 Ideal New England Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024

New England, comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, is a bounty of natural wonders like the White Mountain Range, historical attractions like the USS Nautilus, and cultural diversities like the pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock. It is no wonder that some of the best locales to spend a weekend are within the borders of this section of northeastern America. From Woodstock and the Ottauquechee River to Tiverton and Fogland Beach, uncover nine of the most ideal New England destinations that are perfect for spending that three-day weekend in 2024 with friends, the family, or even alone.

Woodstock, Vermont

An ideal destination within Vermont is the shire town of Woodstock, which includes Woodstock Village and Taftsville Village. This quaint town of three thousand people is home to a variety of amenities perfect for a weekend getaway. The Billings Farm Museum and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park offer a footstep into the heritage of the area, while the Taftsville Covered Bridge, built in 1836 and spanning the Ottauquechee River, supplies a blending of the natural and historical. There are several restaurants and Bed & Breakfast inns in Woodstock as well. The Prince and the Pauper restaurant is on Elm Street, the Woodstock B&B is on River Street, and the Lincoln Inn & Restaurant on Woodstock Road covers both.

Bar Harbor, Maine

The picturesque town of Bar Harbor, located on the other side of New England, is a haven for natural and historical attractions. Positioned along the rugged coast of the Atlantic Ocean, this town of five thousand residents has everything an outdoor enthusiast would crave, including the Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain, and Mount Desert Island. Several eateries and lodging choices are also available, like 2 Cats Bar Harbor, serving up a tasty salmon benedict; West Street Cafe, with its succulent lobster rolls; and Yellow House Bed & Breakfast, which has free wifi and free breakfast the next morning. There are also a variety of festivals happening in Bar Harbor, like the Bar Harbor Music Festival, which takes place downtown every year in July.

Lenox, Massachusetts

Hidden away in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, the town of Lenox has a historical heritage that is awe-inspiring as well as breathtaking. Home of the First Lenox Library, established in 1856, and the Ventford Hall Mansion, built in 1893, this town of barely five thousand people is well worth spending the weekend. Along with an exceptional history, Lenox has several natural attributes that add even more to its charm, including Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Kennedy Park, and Woods Pond, which is a hidden gem known to only a few nature enthusiasts. There are also several lodging choices in Lenox, including the Eastgate Inn, which serves up a tasty breakfast every morning.

Hanover, New Hampshire

Home to Dartmouth College and the stunning panorama in the Hood Museum of Art, housing "The Epic of American Civilization" mural by José Clemente Orozco, the town of Hanover is an exhilarating place to spend a 3-day weekend with friends or family. From Lou’s Restaurant, which has been serving delicious food since 1947, to the Norwich Inn, dating back to 1797, which offers comfy rooms and cozy fireplaces, not to mention a wrap-around porch, in a house that dates back to the end of the 18th century. There are also several attributes to downtown Hanover that make it an excellent choice for a 3-day weekend, including Nathan’s Garden, which is a serene and secluded place, and Kendal Riverfront Park, bordering the Connecticut River and offers a break from the hustle of home.

Charlestown, Rhode Island

Charlestown might be considered the town of beaches, as there are several nearby. Blue Shutters Beach, East Beach, and Charlestown Beach all call this picturesque town of barely six thousand people home, while Narragansett Beach, Scarborough Beach, Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, and South Kingstown Beach are less than ten miles up the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Along with sun, sand, and salt water, the town of Charlestown is also home to the Frosty Drew Observatory, which showcases wondrous views of the stars overhead, and Burlingame State Park, offering chances for hiking, fishing, and even camping. There are also several dining and lodging choices in Charlestown, including the Nordic on Nordic Trail and Krystal Penguin Inn on Post Road.

Mystic, Connecticut

Known best for its seaport museum and aquarium, the town of Mystic is also home to the Olde Mystic Village, which showcases shops like Penguins, Otters & Others. This town of just over four thousand permanent residents also offers a variety of activities for those planning on visiting for more than just a day. Downtown Mystic has several Colonial-era-built houses of the captains who had cruised the Atlantic Ocean in the 17th century. The Charles W. Morgan, a gently restored 19th-century whaling ship that was first launched in 1841, awaits on the waterfront for all those who wish to take a tour. There are even some great lodging choices in downtown Mystic, including the Whaler’s Inn on Main Street and the Taber Inn on Williams Avenue.

Stowe, Vermont

The picturesque town of Stowe, known for some of the most exhilarating skiing and snowboarding opportunities within Vermont, is a great destination for the family during the summer months as well. Moss Glen Falls has an awe-inspiring waterfall, the Stowe Mountain Auto Road offers a breathtaking scenic drive through pristine forests, and Smuggler’s Notch State Park presents opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing, and nature-watching options, as well as the choice of whether to camp overnight with a tent or in an RV. Downtown Stowe also offers several great dining and lodging options, including Harrison’s Restaurant and Hobble Inn. There are also a variety of attractions close to town, like checking out all the mom-and-pop shops running along downtown Main Street.

Meredith, New Hampshire

The little town of Meredith is a hidden gem that most people miss on their way to bigger places. Yet, this town of six thousand residents is well worth stopping to smell the roses, perhaps at Cackleberries Gardens out on Daniel Webster Highway. Home of Mill Falls Marketplace and 92 the Farm, where a wide variety of treasures await the avid peruser, this pastoral town is full of thrills and excitement around every corner. There are even several eateries and inns guaranteed to bring you right back to Grandma’s house, including 104 Diner and the Nutmeg Inn. Plus, Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Waukewan both offer a plethora of activities like fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming, and even camping.

Tiverton, Rhode Island

The town of Tiverton, across Mount Hope Bay from the city of Bristol, is a haven for spending that perfect 3-day weekend with the family. Home to several natural and historical attributes, like Fogland Beach and Fort Barton, the area around Tiverton possesses something for everyone. Only a mile or two out of town, the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge offers some great opportunities to check out the thrill and excitement of nature at its best, while the Sakonnet River Bridge, located downtown, is well worth a visit. There are also some great eateries in Tiverton, including the Boathouse Waterfront Dining, which serves a tasty Hall of Fame Chowder with Chorizo and Maine Shrimp, and some great lodging choices, like the Hartnoll Hotel, which offers free breakfast and free wifi.

Discover the Charm of New England

Whether you are in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or even Connecticut, the northeastern portion of the United States that is lovingly known as New England has the ideal three-day weekend destination for you. If you like nature, Bar Harbor has everything from Acadia National Park to the Bar Harbor Music Festival. If history is more to your liking, Hanover has a stunning mural dedicated to the Epic of American Civilization. And if you would rather check out the mom-and-pop shops that New England is known and loved for, Mystic is the home of a gift shop titled Penguins, Otters, and Others.