These Towns in New England Come Alive in Winter
New England is a region comprising six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. While many travelers may choose to keep cozy indoors during the winter months, the region of New England offers plenty of room for adventure and excitement. It is not just the ski slopes of Vermont or New Hampshire that draw visitors to the region in winter, but also opportunities for activities such as birdwatching, frosty festivals and local events, and breathtaking sights that are especially unique when sprinkled in snow. With so much to see and do, the small towns scattered across New England come alive in winter.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
One of the most picturesque towns in Massachusetts, Stockbridge is a small resort town where artist Norman Rockwell spent much of his life. The artist's works now reside in the Norman Rockwell Museum, featuring paintings of the town's landscape. For history lovers, the Red Lion Inn is an excellent place to stay, dating back 250 years and still home to some of the original buildings and features.
For those looking to brave the cold, skiing is a popular activity in winter. In the warmer months, Hilltop Orchards offers wine tasting and moonlight hikes, but in winter, travelers may strap on their skis or snowshoes and head out on the trails. The Stockbridge Bowl, a 372-acre pond, also transforms in winter, and travelers may skate or ice fish on the frozen water.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is one of the coolest New Hampshire towns for a summer vacation, but it does not fail to impress in the winter. The town sits on the Piscataqua River, near the Atlantic Coast, boasting a maritime heritage and scenic landscape. Travelers may enjoy a self-guided walking tour along the streets of the historic downtown, marveling at the oldest still-standing house (built in 1664) or the 1855 North Church.
Labrie Family Skate on Puddle Dock Pond, run by the Strawbery Banke Museum, is a great place to spend the day skating, generally operating between November to March. Visitors may also strap on their hiking boots or snow shoes, depending on snowfall, and traverse along the trails of the nearby Odiorne Point State Park, which features breathtaking views of the coast.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is one of the most picturesque small towns in Maine, most famous for its beachfront, such as Goose Rocks Beach. The town sits along the ocean and Kennebunk River, which runs through Dock Square and separates the towns of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk.
Cross-country skiing in the Smith Preserve is an ideal way to spend a snowy winter day. Travelers may also enjoy the town's charm with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Rockin Horse Maine. Winter fun does not end there, as the Kennebunkport Inn offers romantic and cozy stationary gondolas with dinner service. Plus, Goose Rocks Beach is not only meant for summer, as snow paints the beach in white and stunning views line the horizon.
North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway is a must-visit small town in New Hampshire, surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington. There are over 1,600 skiable acres and 337 trails in the area, including seven alpine resorts, such as the Eastern Slope Inn Resort. Tubing, snowmobiling, and skating are also popular activities in the White Mountains.
Visitors may also hop aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad at the North Conway Village station for a wintery journey to the Attitash Mountain Village. North Conway Village offers plenty of interest to shopping visitors as well, such as The Rugged Mill, The Penguin Gallery, and Settlers Crossing. For those keen on scenery, take a drive along the Mount Washington Auto Road, which climbs to the summit of Mount Washington.
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is one of the most unforgettable small towns in Vermont, where locals and visitors take to the slopes and trails of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Woodstock also sits along the banks of the Ottauquechee River, backdropped by Mount Peg and Mount Tom, where travelers may wander, taking in the beauty of a winter's day, or hike to the top of one of the mountains for panoramic views of the town.
The indoor rink at Union Arena is a great place to go ice skating with the family, while the 84-acre Silver Lake is a good spot for a day spent ice fishing. Finally, Billings Farm & Museum is the ideal snowshoeing destination, as well as crafts with the kids and visiting with animals such as draft horses, oxen, chickens, and sheep.
Essex, Connecticut
One of the most adorable small towns in Connecticut, Essex sits along the Connecticut River. The town houses the cozy Griswold Inn, which sits on Main Street in Essex Village. The inn transports visitors back in time, featuring rooms decorated in traditional New England pieces and styles. The Connecticut River Museum is a must-see for those with an interest in history, home to exhibits that focus on the river’s historic legacy.
Visitors may also pay a visit to Essex’s 1892 train station and board the North Pole Express on the Essex Steam Train, featuring on-board performances of The Night Before Christmas. The train passes through the Connecticut River Valley, with views of state parks, wetlands, birding habitats, and scenic coves.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Boothbay Harbor ranks amongst the US favorite small towns in Maine. Though it is a top destination in summer for its fresh seafood, whale-watching boat tours, and festivals, it boasts plenty to do in the winter as well. The Boothbay Railway Village is a great place to start, a historic replica village featuring historic buildings, vehicles, and a steam train.
There are also several winter festivals and events, such as the Harbor Lights Festival and the Festival of Trees. Visitors and locals also participate in the Penguin Plunge, diving into the harbor to support the local aquatics department. There is also plenty of room for entertainment to escape the cold, including the Harbor Theater.
Enjoy a Winter Getaway in New England!
The small towns of New England offer a spectacular winter adventure, exploding with a plethora of outdoor activities that are sure to help visitors enjoy the beauty of the season. From twirling and skating around Puddle Dock Pond in Portsmouth to the summit of Mount Washington, there is something special about winter in New England's most charming small towns. The picturesque views are unsurprisingly beautiful in the summer months, but they do not fail to delight when sprinkled in snow.
