20 Reasons New England is Still Awesome in Winter
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11. Sleigh rides are so romantic
The White Mountains provide the perfect wintry backdrop for a romantic sleigh ride. The Victorian inspired Nestlenook Farms offers a picturesque “Narnia like” setting for snowshoeing, ice skating, and sleigh rides.
Grab a hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and enjoy your relaxing ride on a jingling Austrian sleigh around the property’s 65 acre Victorian estate. This was my first ever sleigh ride and I really enjoyed the scenery; it’s one of my top pre-Christmas activities to date.
The Victorian ice rink, the chime music, the snowy mountain background – this is the type of place where you could see a Hallmark Christmas movie being filmed. As I mentioned earlier, the ice rink here is so amazing: the most enchanting I’ve ever skated on.
12. Covered bridges dazzle even more with snow in the backdrop
Driving through a roadside covered bridge, like the beautiful one pictured above in Jackson, New Hampshire, really feels like a charming step back in time! The region is home to some of the highest number of remaining bridges in the country. Here’s your chance to see the last remaining before they too are gone.
I really love exploring old covered bridges; it’s like taking a temporary blast to the past. The more modern our world becomes, the more I seek out these old-fashioned gems which are disappearing more and more each year.
Covered bridges to add to your bucket list
13. Cozy local coffee shops provide a relaxing escape from the cold
There is no better way to escape the bitter cold than watching the snow fall down while relaxing in front of a cozy fireplace with a good book and an even better cup of coffee. One of my favorite local coffeeshops is Somethin’s Brewin’ in charming Lakeville, Massachusetts. This laid-back local shop is housed in the historical Lakeville Library of 1912, and provides a quaint, quiet setting (love the wood floors, old fireplace, and walls lined with endless books) for a relaxing coffee break. Another cozy gem is Cafe Vittoria (est 1920) as the first Italian cafe in Boston. This local gem is walkable to many city attractions.
14. Charming coastal towns like Newport & Plymouth see a dramatic decrease in crowds
Winter is a great time to explore coastal towns at your own leisure, without the hot sun in your face. I love not having go barge through tourists to enjoy the historic sites. Plymouth and Newport are 2 of my favorites as they both offer an abundance of year-round activities and events, excellent waterfront dining, and great views of the coast.
Some of my favorite things to do this time of year include: admiring the historic architecture, taking in the harbor scenery, strolling art galleries, and visiting local museums. Both cities offer a number of great seafood restaurants (I recommend Woods in Plymouth and The Lobster Bar in Newport). There are endless activities to enjoy, no matter the time of year.
15. Plenty of fantastic indoor attractions will keep you busy
Even if you prefer not to step out into the bitter cold, there are more than enough indoor attractions to keep you cozy. For starters, Boston is home to the New England Aquarium, The Museum of Fine Arts, and many unique historical museums.
In Worcester, I highly recommend a visit to the art museum where you can see the largest floor mosaic and an incredible stained glass collection. In Providence, I recommend exploring the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art. Seeing a holiday classic like White Christmas at the Jane Pickens historic theater would be number 1 on my Newport list.
In Connecticut, The Mohegan Sun provides endless opportunities for indoor fun including several fantastic restaurants (check out Todd English’s Tuscany), a beautiful shopping area, live entertainment, and a fabulous spa.
History buffs will want to plan a visit to Fall River to take a tour of the haunted Lizzie Borden House. As you can see there are endless museums to explore and historical sites to check out, so add a few of the listed attractions to your itinerary, as well a few more unique treasures of your own!
16. Looking for seaglass is so much easier on a deserted beach
Seaglass is basically pieces of discarded glass which have had years to tumble and are now smooth and frosted like a gem. Put on your winter gear and head out to any beach known for having a lot of seaglass (most will be completely deserted) in search of these colorful gems.
It’s amazing that former pieces of broken glass have turned into amazing natural gems via the hands of nature. I have been collecting these treasured pieces for many years now. Massachusetts is home to many seaglass loaded beaches; I’ve added a number of great pieces to my collection since moving here.
Scusset State Beach (pictured above) is a great Southeastern Massachusetts choice. I have found a lot of unique pieces here including an old Coke bottle piece. Jamestown Island, Gloucester, Plymouth, and Teddy’s Beach (Portsmouth, RI) are other prime shelling destinations where I added numerous colorful pieces to my collection. Tip: the best finds always wash ashore after a major storm.
17. It’s the best time of the year to a book a stay at an inn
Cozying up to a warm fire, sipping hot chocolate while taking in amazing mountain views, relaxing in a steaming hot tub, and waking up to a hot home-cooked breakfast – all the traditional inn activities – are so much better during the cold winter months. There’s no denying this region of the country is home to some of the best inns in the country.
One of these great inns is Bear Mountain Lodge, a quaint bed and breakfast in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This charming property, complete with floor-to-ceiling views of the stunning snow capped White Mountains, provides endless opportunities for winter fun including a year-round hot tub to soak in the mountain views, on-site snowshoeing trails with complimentary snowshoe use, and snowmobile trails.
I loved just sitting in the lobby with a hot cocoa enjoying the mountain scenery. While I usually prefer resorts, nothing beats a cozy inn during the snowy season.
18. Off season hotel rates
Many magnificent, normally super expensive coastal areas and fancy city hotels, offer lower rates due to the drop in tourist numbers. You’ll score big deals during the non-prime season to summer hotspots like Cape Cod and Newport. Check Groupon frequently, as well as the property’s website, to stay updated on special deals.
If you are willing to travel this time of the year (or take a nice staycation if you are lucky enough to already live in the area), then you’ll soak in the benefits of incredibly cheap rates.
19. Italian food never tasted so good!
Enjoying a nice Italian dinner in the city is the perfect winter date activity. You can’t beat authentic Italian comfort food on a cold winter’s day. Boston’s North End neighborhood and Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood are 2 of your best bets for the highest quality cuisine.
These areas offer dozens of choices – try out the Lobster Ravioli at Boston’s Giacomo’s restaurant: it’s quite possibly the best Italian dish I have ever ordered! As for Providence, I recommend Andino’s, serving old style Italian fare in a cozy setting.
20. There are so many festive holiday events
Every area in this region, from big cities like Boston to quaint coastal towns, all have their own unique holiday traditions. Downtown Boston looks amazing this time of year with festively lit trees, a beautiful skating rink, and a towering Christmas tree. Special theater productions, events, and festivals are always on the lineup. I loved skating at gorgeous Frog Pond; one of my best Christmas Eve memories took place here.
Here’s a few great events to start you out: Zoo Lights at Zoo New England, La Salette Shrine Lights Festival in Attleboro, MA, Cape Cod’s Victorian Christmas, special holiday concerts and plays (Boston’s The Nutcracker Ballet, The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff), and the beloved annual holiday tradition of “Enchanted Village” at all Jordan’s Furniture stores.
No matter where you are, you will find some special lighting ceremony, holiday celebration, or event to get you into the holiday spirit. Add in the chance of snow and typically brisk, overcast weather, and the feeling of Christmas is definitely in the air!
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