Suggestions wanted for short winter getaway in the Northeast
November 21, 2014 4:52 PM Subscribe
A close friend and I want to celebrate our birthdays together this winter and are looking for suggestions for a short getaway somewhere near New York City, Boston, or in between. Any recommendations, hivemind?
Some details:
- We live in NYC and Boston. Anywhere in the greater Boston or NYC area would be good for us, or anywhere in between. We've got a car, so we're not limited to what's accessible by public transit.
- We both enjoy the outdoors but we're wimps about weather, so any place that *only* has good scenery and outdoor activities is a no-go.
- In terms of activities: we're big readers, theater-goers, and music-listeners/makers. We also love history and science and museums in general. We're planning to spend a day and a half, so quality is more important than quantity in terms of stuff to do.
- We'd like to keep this low budget but will entertain all options. :)
We've been googling for recommendations but having trouble sorting through the results. Most of the sites that talk about the experience of a particular place are geared towards romantic getaways. We're hoping that MeFites will have some better advice.
Some details:
- We live in NYC and Boston. Anywhere in the greater Boston or NYC area would be good for us, or anywhere in between. We've got a car, so we're not limited to what's accessible by public transit.
- We both enjoy the outdoors but we're wimps about weather, so any place that *only* has good scenery and outdoor activities is a no-go.
- In terms of activities: we're big readers, theater-goers, and music-listeners/makers. We also love history and science and museums in general. We're planning to spend a day and a half, so quality is more important than quantity in terms of stuff to do.
- We'd like to keep this low budget but will entertain all options. :)
We've been googling for recommendations but having trouble sorting through the results. Most of the sites that talk about the experience of a particular place are geared towards romantic getaways. We're hoping that MeFites will have some better advice.
Best answer: If you only have a day and a half, I'd aim for someplace kinda halfway in between, so you can maximize the time together.
I'd vote for New Haven. The Beinecke Library is truly amazing -- I'd go for that alone -- and Yale has a number of other great museums, including the Peabody Museum of Natural History. And I'm sure you can find some theater/music happening in a college town.
Have a fantastic time, whatever you choose!
posted by argonauta at 5:33 PM on November 21, 2014
I'd vote for New Haven. The Beinecke Library is truly amazing -- I'd go for that alone -- and Yale has a number of other great museums, including the Peabody Museum of Natural History. And I'm sure you can find some theater/music happening in a college town.
Have a fantastic time, whatever you choose!
posted by argonauta at 5:33 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: I really liked the Yale art museum and had the Botanical garden totally to myself, although that was between classes. I'm sure there would be a good play in production in the area. Interesting restaurants.
posted by sammyo at 5:37 PM on November 21, 2014
posted by sammyo at 5:37 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: New Haven has Sleeping Giant Park near it. There's a relatively short trail that has a castle up top!
It's not a bad small outdoor jaunt in addition to other stuff, like getting some tasty burgs at Louis' Lunch a place that claims to have invented the Hamburger.
posted by Ferreous at 5:39 PM on November 21, 2014
It's not a bad small outdoor jaunt in addition to other stuff, like getting some tasty burgs at Louis' Lunch a place that claims to have invented the Hamburger.
posted by Ferreous at 5:39 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: Newport mansions? Check out the Breakers, maybe do part of Cliff Walk if you feel up to it (or just walk around downtown).
There's also Mystic Seaport and/or Aquarium.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:17 PM on November 21, 2014
There's also Mystic Seaport and/or Aquarium.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:17 PM on November 21, 2014
North Adams, Mass. Visit MassMOCA and the Clark museums. Lots of good restaurants. Stay at Porches. Plus the Berkshires are pretty to drive to and around.
posted by Sukey Says at 6:56 PM on November 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Sukey Says at 6:56 PM on November 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
Or somewhere in the Hudson Valley! Good food, fun shops, not as far as Mass MOCA.
Or Portland ME would be great - the NYC friend could take the train up to Boston, and you could drive to Portland together.
posted by barnone at 8:35 PM on November 21, 2014
Or Portland ME would be great - the NYC friend could take the train up to Boston, and you could drive to Portland together.
posted by barnone at 8:35 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: Providence would be nice. Lots to do, museums, concerts, coffee shops, restaurants.
Mystic would be OK if your heart isn't set on the Seaport. Mystic Seaport shuts down for a period of time in the winter, so be sure to check on that.The town itself is a cozy place and great for a short getaway from your 2 locations.
North Adams is a great place but a 3- hour or so drive West from Boston in winter. I agree with your short time you may want to pick somewhere close.
posted by Miko at 9:07 PM on November 21, 2014
Mystic would be OK if your heart isn't set on the Seaport. Mystic Seaport shuts down for a period of time in the winter, so be sure to check on that.The town itself is a cozy place and great for a short getaway from your 2 locations.
North Adams is a great place but a 3- hour or so drive West from Boston in winter. I agree with your short time you may want to pick somewhere close.
posted by Miko at 9:07 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: Salem!! Great history (witch trials, colonial, maritime, literary), beautiful & quaint town with lovely sea views, and a robust tourist trade so there must be plenty of room & food options. Salem's never once let me down.
posted by AthenaPolias at 9:09 PM on November 21, 2014
posted by AthenaPolias at 9:09 PM on November 21, 2014
Why not Northampton? Go take in a show, visit a farm or two, hit some of the good restaurants in town and/or go for a hike or ice skating nearby.
posted by Toddles at 10:28 PM on November 21, 2014
posted by Toddles at 10:28 PM on November 21, 2014
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