New England get-away weekend this June
April 23, 2021 11:44 AM
Where can we go in New England this June for a wedding anniversary get-away weekend?
Prefer outdoor activities like hiking. Not Boston or New York City, nor RI.
Since I now know that going to Montreal is off the table until next year, we need to stay in New England for our 25th anniversary getaway weekend this June.
We rarely take vacations -- and haven't done so without the kids since our 10th anniversary -- so somewhere nice is in order. For Reasons, it has to be in early June. We are vaccinated as of next week.
We want to go hiking, take a tour, maybe even get a massage -- so nothing crazy. Basically we need lodging that's open and access to the outdoors.
We live in Rhode Island, so that's probably not exciting enough. Portland, ME? (We visited Booth Bay Harbor in 2006 and loved it.) is much of Vermont open -- could we go to the King Arthur Baking classes, for example?
Since I now know that going to Montreal is off the table until next year, we need to stay in New England for our 25th anniversary getaway weekend this June.
We rarely take vacations -- and haven't done so without the kids since our 10th anniversary -- so somewhere nice is in order. For Reasons, it has to be in early June. We are vaccinated as of next week.
We want to go hiking, take a tour, maybe even get a massage -- so nothing crazy. Basically we need lodging that's open and access to the outdoors.
We live in Rhode Island, so that's probably not exciting enough. Portland, ME? (We visited Booth Bay Harbor in 2006 and loved it.) is much of Vermont open -- could we go to the King Arthur Baking classes, for example?
We spent a few days in far northern NH last summer and it sounds like it would meet your needs - we did a lot of hiking, grilling on a deck, and sitting in/near rivers. We used what was essentially a ski cabin near N Conway, but depending on your definition of "somewhere nice" you should really consider the Omni Mount Washington Inn - havent stayed there myself but it does look nice and there is a spa.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:04 PM on April 23, 2021
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:04 PM on April 23, 2021
If you come to Portland, maybe stay on Peaks Island? which is just a 20 minute boat ride away. You won't need the car, just park in a garage in town. The boat ride is fun and the island has a very chill feeling. Literally, if there's fog. Visit the Umbrella Cover Museum, which is corny and charming, if you can. I haven't stayed on the island in many years, but there are B&Bs and Inns and stuff. Portland is still an amazing town for great restaurants, walking around the Old Port, there's a nice trail around the Eastern Prom, Portland Head Light is the classic lighthouse, Two Lights State Park is down the road from the Lobster Shack, where you can sit outside on the rocky coast and eat very fresh lobster. last I knew, it was BYO wine/ beer. Nice hiking at Wolfe Neck State Park in Freeport, and LLBean will be back to 24 hours. (They had to install locks because of Pandemic restrictions on hours and they're pretty chuffed about removing them.) It's a tossup between going when all the stores are open, or quite late at night, which is a Maine ritual. Portland and Maine are awash in breweries and art galleries/ museums, most have re-opened, but may require reservations.
Of course, if you head further up the coast, Acadia NP really merits a visit, but it's a long drive and I'd recommend a long weekend for that.
posted by theora55 at 12:37 PM on April 23, 2021
Of course, if you head further up the coast, Acadia NP really merits a visit, but it's a long drive and I'd recommend a long weekend for that.
posted by theora55 at 12:37 PM on April 23, 2021
If you loved Booth Bay, head a little further north to Mount Desert Island. Acadia is stunning, there’s great food around the island (not all as pricey as in Bar Harbor), and there are all sorts of lodging options.
Waterbury or Stowe VT also make for great bases for exploring a lot of outdoorsy options, with more easy access to great food and beer.
posted by amelioration at 12:39 PM on April 23, 2021
Waterbury or Stowe VT also make for great bases for exploring a lot of outdoorsy options, with more easy access to great food and beer.
posted by amelioration at 12:39 PM on April 23, 2021
North of Acadia in Maine is The Gold Coast. It's a bit quieter and less touristy. There's not a ton to do in terms of restaurants but with COVID that's not something you really want to do much of anyway. There are enough places you can get take-out or dine outside. You can go to Quoddy Head and hike around and maybe spot some whales.
posted by bondcliff at 12:58 PM on April 23, 2021
posted by bondcliff at 12:58 PM on April 23, 2021
Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm also pro-Maine for your June celebration, particularly if the successful Booth Bay trip served as your tenth-anniversary getaway. The Samoset, the AAA Four-Diamond oceanfront resort, re-opens April 30; it's near the Breakwater Lighthouse, on Penobscot Bay, and has water-view guest cottages with kitchens (4 restaurants on the property, but check on separate opening dates just in case), spa services, golf, etc. There's a 15% off "good neighbor" discount for New England residents right now. Milestone anniversary = Maine trip is a nice tradition.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:32 PM on April 23, 2021
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:32 PM on April 23, 2021
How about Bath? It's a charming little, not-touristy town with a great restaurants (Salt Pine Social, the Cabin, Bath Brewing company, Winnegance, Mae's Bakery), Maine Maritime Museum. It's at the top of the peninsula which leads to Phippsburg. There is Popham beach which is my very favorite beach in Maine (almost anywhere). Go towards low tide for a LONG beach walk. There is a wonderful, wood sailboat you can charter for the two of you (Memail for deets) with a really awesome captain. A great super secret 2 mile hike to a secret-ish beach (secret memail me).
Bath is also a great base to head to tourist-ier Boothbay, shops in Damariscotta, antique shops in Wiscasset, and the incredible Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Also within an hour of Reid State park and Five Islands Lobster.
posted by ReluctantViking at 1:49 PM on April 23, 2021
Bath is also a great base to head to tourist-ier Boothbay, shops in Damariscotta, antique shops in Wiscasset, and the incredible Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Also within an hour of Reid State park and Five Islands Lobster.
posted by ReluctantViking at 1:49 PM on April 23, 2021
You don't mention museums or cultural sites, but a nice combo for a Maine trip is a Colby, Bowdoin, Bates campus visits. The students are gone by June, but the museums on campus are open, and almost completely empty. Might be a nice combo with heading to Mount Desert Island or other points north in Maine for the outdoorsy stuff. The Bowdoin Art Museum is especially good if you are only going to choose one.
posted by hworth at 1:52 PM on April 23, 2021
posted by hworth at 1:52 PM on April 23, 2021
Field Farm in the Berkshires. It is lovely!
It really is. And if you can't stay there, maybe try nearby Porches Inn in North Adams, right across the street from Mass MoCA. Plenty of access to outdoorsy stuff from there.
posted by schoolgirl report at 3:04 PM on April 23, 2021
It really is. And if you can't stay there, maybe try nearby Porches Inn in North Adams, right across the street from Mass MoCA. Plenty of access to outdoorsy stuff from there.
posted by schoolgirl report at 3:04 PM on April 23, 2021
Rentals, hotels, and such are filling up fast here on Martha's Vineyard, but we have plenty on conservation land with trails for hiking and exploring, awesome beaches and history of course, and we could meet up for drinks. I'm in the local restaurant mafia here, so I could steer you clear of the tourist trap places that suck. Mefemail me if you decide to give MV a try!
posted by vrakatar at 7:23 PM on April 23, 2021
posted by vrakatar at 7:23 PM on April 23, 2021
Western Mass for sure. The Williamstown/ North Adams area has a host of art museums and is proximate to MT Greylock, the high point of MA. There are roads to the top, but the Appalachian Trail runs over the peak so there is plenty of hiking.
The SW corner has Stockbridge and surrounding area which is also popular for weekend getaways.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:48 AM on April 24, 2021
The SW corner has Stockbridge and surrounding area which is also popular for weekend getaways.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:48 AM on April 24, 2021
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There are great museums nearby, awesome hikes (from easy to strenuous), and I am sure some of the more pampering-type activities are available in the area as well.
posted by chiefthe at 12:02 PM on April 23, 2021