The 12 Best Winter Getaways in New England

Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit New England! You can plan a winter getaway in New England to visit ice castles, go snowshoeing, ride scenic trains, go skiing, or cuddle up by the fire in a cute inn. No matter what you want to do in the winter, New England has something for you!

I love exploring New England in the winter because most areas have fewer crowds than in the summer and fall. It is a nice change of pace to be able to enjoy the scenic views and fun activities with fewer people!

You honestly cannot go wrong with any place you choose for a winter getaway in New England, but there are a few places that stand out! This guide has everything you need to know about the best winter getaways in New England to plan an incredible trip!

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Things to Know For Planning a Winter Getaway in New England

Pack warm clothes. Winters in New England are cold and snowy, making it crucial to pack warm clothes. The weather in the mountains can also change quickly, and having the appropriate layers and gear is necessary when exploring. I recommend packing warm boots and multiple layers.

Be careful. Winter brings many risks, and you must take caution with anything you do and ensure you have the proper equipment and skills for your adventure. There are many tours and guides that you can take to adventure in New England in winter that provide you with the appropriate gear and have trained guides to ensure your safety.
Reserve your hotel far in advance. If you plan on skiing during your winter getaway in a popular ski town, I recommend booking your hotels far in advance. It will allow you to get the best deals and secure a room of your choice. I booked a hotel last minute once, and it was not the best experience because I had to pay a lot of money for it since it was the only hotel with availability.
Buy any tickets in advance. If you plan on skiing, tubing, taking a tour, or anything that includes buying tickets, I recommend getting them in advance. Typically, you can find the best deals online when you purchase the tickets ahead of time instead of buying them when you arrive.
Start your days early. Although winter is not the busiest time in New England, there will still be crowds, especially at the ski resorts, and I recommend starting your day early to avoid most crowds.
Always remember toleave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Map of the Winter Getaways in New England

The Best Winter Getaways in New England

North Conway, New Hampshire

North Conway is one of the best places for a winter getaway in New England because it is in the heart of the White Mountains. This stunning mountain town offers something for everyone! I love visiting North Conway in the winter because it has fewer crowds, and the snow-capped mountain views are unmatched.

There are five ski resorts within an hour from North Conway, and one of them (Cranmore Mountain) is downtown, so if you love skiing and snowboarding with scenic mountain views, there are plenty of ski areas.

If you enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, North Conway has over 250 miles of trails nearby, including the Great Glen Trails, Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoeing Center, and King Pine Ski Area.

If you are looking for something unique to do, you can hike to frozen waterfalls, like Diana’s Bath, or go ice climbing with a guide!

Not looking for an outdoor adventure for your winter getaway? North Conway has a scenic train that brings you through the mountains, providing incredible views from the warmth of the train cart. You can also take a SnowCoach Tour to Mount Washington’s treeline, which has stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Or you could do a self-drive tour of a beautiful scenic byway, the Kancamagus Highway. Driving the Kancamagus Highway is one of my favorite things to do in the winter because the snowy mountain views are breathtaking!

North Conway is the perfect place for a winter getaway in New England, no matter what you want to do!

**Best North Conway Winter Getaway Lodging **

Jackson, New Hampshire

Jackson is not too far from North Conway and offers similar winter activities for a winter getaway! If you want to stay in a quieter town, Jackson is perfect.

You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Black Mountain Ski Area, a smaller mountain that is great for all ski levels, or Wildcat Mountain Resort, one of the most scenic ski resorts in New Hampshire with the second-largest vertical drop in the state!

Jackson is also home to one of the top cross-country ski areas, with over 60 miles of trails. I always love cross-country skiing in Jackson when I visit in the winter.

Similar to North Conway, you can take a SnowCoach Tour to Mount Washington’s treeline or do a self-drive tour of the Kancamagus Highway, both of which are not far from Jackson.

Jackson is also close to the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls. If you want to explore the beautiful frozen waterfall, you can hike 3-miles roundtrip to Arethusa Falls!

Best Jackson Winter Getaway Lodging

great glen trail views near jackson in the winter

things to do in new hampshire in winter

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Lincoln is a cute mountain town on the west side of the White Mountains that’s perfect for a winter getaway in New England! Lincoln is a small town but is near many of the best winter activities in the area.

If you want to ski, Loon Mountain Resort is in the heart of Lincoln and has over 60 skiable trails over 370 acres. Loon also has a great cross-country ski trail system. Cannon Mountain Ski Resort is also nearby and offers 97 ski trails over 265 acres. Both are among the best ski areas in New Hampshire!

Lincoln is also near one of the most beautiful state parks in New Hampshire, Franconia Notch State Park. Franconia Notch State Park has many things to do, including hiking through the Flume, snowshoeing to Lonesome Lake, and taking a scenic drive through the park.

If you are looking for one of the most unique things to do in the area, you can visit the Ice Castles! Professionals build the ice castle each year, using hundreds of thousands of icicles. You can walk around the Ice Castles and explore ice slides, fountains, and tunnels. And yes, it is as beautiful and fun as it sounds!

Best Lincoln Winter Getaway Lodging

best winter activites in Lincoln

best things to do near Lincoln

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is one of the most beautiful cities on the east coast and is one of the best winter getaways in New England! Not only can you walk around the stunning city, but there are many winter activities you can enjoy, too!

If you are looking for something romantic, you can ice skate on Frog Pond at night. The area is beautiful when it’s lit up! If you visit during the holidays, you can enjoy the tree lightings or explore holiday markets. If you are a sports fan, you can attend a Boston Bruins and Celtics game.

Once you are ready to warm up from your outdoor adventures, you can enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate. L.A. Burdick is known for some of the best cocoa in the area, so you will not be disappointed with enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate! You can also tour the Taza Chocolate Factory and taste its delicious chocolate.

If chocolate is not your thing, you can enjoy warming up in one of the many museums in Boston, including the Museum of Scenic and Museum of Fine Art. The Museum of Science is one of the world’s largest science centers and is fantastic for all ages. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, featuring over 450,000 pieces of art.

I love visiting Boston in the winter because it has fewer crowds and the snow-covered city is stunning. Boston is one of the best winter getaways in New England for everyone!

Best Boston Winter Getaway Lodging

bbest things to do in boston

how to spend one day in boston

Portland, Maine

Portland is another stunning city and one of the best places for a winter getaway in New England! Although it is much smaller than Boston, it does not lack things to do. You can stroll down the streets to shop and enjoy the ocean views.

One of my things to do in the winter is to explore its many lighthouses. Winter is one of the best times to visit because there are fewer crowds. You can enjoy iconic lighthouses, like the Portland Head Light, and small lighthouses, like Bud Light and Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse.

Portland also has fun winter outdoor activities, like ice skating at The Rink at Thompsons Point and cross-country skiing at Pineland Farms.

After you finish the outdoor activities, you can warm up in one of the incredible restaurants in Portland! The food in Portland is delicious, so make sure to enjoy yourself. And don’t forget dessert! Portland has delicious baked goods at Standard Baking Co, The Holy Donut, Katie Made Bakery, and more!

Best Portland Winter Getaway Lodging

magical things to do in portland maine in winter

beautiful lighthouses in southern maine

Bethel, Maine

If you want to ski during your winter getaway in New England, Bethel is the perfect town for you! This cute mountain town may be small, but it is one of the best areas for all things outdoor activities.

Sunday River is one of the best ski areas in Maine, offering 135 trails on 870 acres, and is in the heart of Bethel. You can ski, snowboard, ski bike, and ice skate all at Sunday River. Bethel also has miles of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking.

If you are looking for a unique experience, you can go ice climbing with a guide! Equinox Guiding Service offers fun ice climbing experiences in Grafton Notch State Park, not far from Bethel.

Bethel also has dog sledding trips, which is a fun experience! If you want a relaxing getaway, you can still enjoy a scenic drive through Grafton Notch State Park.

Best Bethel Winter Getaway Lodging

things to do in bethel maine

beautiful hikes near bethel maine

Bar Harbor, Maine

Although Bar Harbor is near one of the most visited national parks in the US, not many people visit in the winter, but it is one of the best winter getaways in New England! Bar Harbor is on Mount Desert Island and is only minutes from the entrance of Acadia National Park.

I love visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in the winter because it is quiet compared to the peak season! You can enjoy a stroll through the stunning downtown area and enjoy delicious food or explore Acadia National Park.

If you want to visit Acadia National Park, you can drive the beautiful scenic Ocean Drive to some of the most iconic spots, including Schooner Head Overlook, Thunder Hole, and Sand Beach. You can also enjoy a walk around Jordan Pond or hike a more strenuous hike to the Bubbles.

If snowshoeing or cross-country skiing is your thing, there are over 45 miles of Carriage Roads to explore. The Carriage Roads are groomed, and one of my favorite places to enjoy snowshoeing in the winter near Bar Harbor.

Best Bar Harbor Winter Getaway Lodging

jordan pond in acadia national park in the winter

fun things to do in Acadia National Park in winter

Rangeley, Maine

If you are looking for one of the best outdoor winter getaways in New England, Rangeley is for you! Rangeley is a stunning area in northern Maine that has everything from snowmobile trails, ski trails, ice fishing, and scenic drives.

Rangeley has one of the best snowmobiling trail systems in New England, so if you love snowmobiling, this area is for you! Rangeley is also home to Saddleback Mountain, which has over 68 trails, some of which have a 2,000-foot vertical drop! If you prefer cross-country skiing, the Rangeley Lakes Trail Center has over 30 miles of trails.

If you want to enjoy winter inside, there are plenty of inns in Rangeley to get cozy in. You can also enjoy one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Maine from the comfort and warmth of your car! The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is a 52-mile scenic drive around Rangeley Lake and the surrounding mountains, providing stunning views.

Rangeley is one of my favorite places for a winter getaway in New England, and I know you will quickly fall in love with the quaint town!

Best Rangeley Winter Getaway Lodging

best things to do in Rangeley Maine

best hikes in rangeley maine

Newport, Rhode Island

Even though Rhode Island is not typically a spot people think about as a winter destination, do not overlook it! Although Newport is a popular place to visit in the summer, it is one of the best winter getaways in New England!

Newport is a stunning city near the ocean that holds so much history. Some of the best things to do in the winter are to explore the Newport Mansions and walk through the Gilded Age. Many of the mansions are museums that you can explore inside, too!

If you want to enjoy a scenic walk near the Newport Mansions, you can walk the 3.5-mile cliff walk along the ocean.

If you are looking for a unique experience, you can get cozy in one of the igloos at Gurney’s, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks!

Best Newport Winter Getaway Lodging

sunset near the cliff walk in newport rhode island in the winter

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is one of the most beautiful areas in Vermont, making it one of the best winter getaways in New England!

Stowe has one of the best ski resorts in Vermont, Stowe Mountain Resort, which has 116 trails over 465 acres on the tallest mountain in Vermont, Mount Mansfield. It also has over 45 miles of cross-country ski trails. Stowe Mountain Resort also offers ice skating, which is a beautiful thing to do at night when it’s lit up.

If you don’t want to ski but still want to enjoy scenic views, you can enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the top of Mount Mansfield, where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You can also take a scenic drive through Smugglers’ Notch and enjoy the mountain views and hiking trails.

Best Stowe Winter Getaway Lodging

Woodstock, Vermont

If you want a quieter winter getaway in Vermont, Woodstock is perfect for you! Woodstock is one of my favorite places to visit in the winter. This quaint mountain town is the perfect place for a winter getaway, no matter what you want to do.

If you like to ski or snowboard, you can ski the day away at Killington Ski Resort, which has over 1,900 skiable acres! For cross-country ski lovers, the Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center has over 27 miles of trails. Or you can try a new activity, like fat biking on their trails!

If you would rather stay off the trails, you can explore the covered bridges in Woodstock! New England is known for its beautiful covered bridges, and Woodstock has four near its downtown area. You can explore the Lincoln Covered Bridge, Middle Covered Bridge, Taftsville Covered Bridge, and Quechee Covered Bridge all in one scenic drive.

Best Woodstock Winter Getaway Lodging

Litchfield, Connecticut

Although Connecticut is not the state most people think of when planning a winter getaway in New England, it does not lack things to do, especially in Litchfield! Litchfield is one of the most beautiful residential areas in the US. In the winter, the town turns into a stunning winter wonderland, so don’t overlook it for a winter getaway.

One of the best things to do in the winter in Litchfield is skiing at Mohawk Mountain. Mohawk Mountain has 26 ski trails and is the perfect place for beginner skiers. The nearby White Memorial Foundation has over 40 miles of trails perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

If you prefer to stay off the trails, you can explore the beautiful downtown area or see a play at Warner Theatre.

Best Litchfield Winter Getaway Lodging

Litchfield Inn

New England has many beautiful areas for winter getaways, so you really cannot go wrong with any place you choose. This guide has everything you need to know about the best winter getaways in New England and the best things to do!