Things to Do This Weekend at a New England Inn

New England is known for its spectacular scenery and quaint villages; add a luxury New England inn to the mix, and you have all the makings of a great weekend getaway. After a long week, there’s nothing like treating yourself to some new scenery, easygoing activities and, best of all, peace.

Your list of things to do this weekend in New England has just gotten shorter. Here are six luxury New England inns to consider when you need a little rest and relaxation.

Grace White Barn Inn & Spa
Kennebunk, Maine

Located in one of Maine’s most charming towns, the White Barn Inn & Spa is a longtime New England favorite. Stay in a suite within the main house or in one of the private cottages. Cooking classes, afternoon tea and spa treatments are just a few of the guest amenities. And the namesake barn houses a AAA Five Diamond restaurant that turns out dishes like Maine lobster springs rolls and prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin. Kennebunkport, the coastal town not far from the inn, has shops and art galleries for you to enjoy when you’d like to leave the Inn for a bit.

Inn at Hastings Park
Lexington, MA

Less than an hour’s drive from Boston is this luxurious New England inn, housed in three restored 19th century buildings. The 22 rooms are stylish with patriotic twists, such as a vintage-style American flag on the wall and many come with gas fireplaces and deep soaking tubs. After a day of sightseeing (the Battle Green, where the first shots of the Revolutionary War broke out, is just down the road) treat yourself to a three-course gourmet meal of seasonal ingredients at the inn’s Colonial-style restaurant Artistry on the Green.

Francis Malbone House
Newport, RI

Many of Newport’s Colonial-era building have been transformed into hotels and one of the most beautiful is the Francis Malbone House, a luxury inn on Thames Street. This former shipping merchant’s three-story mansion has 20 antique-filled rooms (many feature four-poster beds), a charming breakfast room where you can start the day with a frittata or blueberry pancakes, and several common rooms where you can relax with afternoon tea after you’ve toured the Gilded Age mansions or taken a harbor tour. Touring historic Newport is a one of those things to do in New England that completes a newcomer’s experience. Some rooms include private garden patios, double hot tubs and gas fireplaces.

The serene Mayflower Grace Inn & Spa. (Photo: AAA Hotels)

Grace Mayflower Inn & Spa
Washington, CT

If you’re looking to get away from it all, you’ll do well at this rural 58-acre retreat in the tiny village of Washington in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. The 30-rooms are traditional in style with canopied beds and wood furnishings. The Mayflower Dining Room serves upscale American dishes using local New England ingredients, while The Tap Room is a more casual eatery. And one of the most lauded aspects of the inn is its sleek and oh-so-comfortable spa, offering treatments such as shiatsu, reflexology and mud wraps. For a day out on the town, visit Litchfield Hills to see what “America’s Antique Capital” has to offer.

Pitcher Inn
Warren, VT

A quintessential New England inn, the white clapboard Pitcher Inn has 11 rooms and suites, many with rich woods, leather chairs and fireplaces. Unwind by booking a massage in your private room. It’s tempting to simply hole up and relax but don’t miss a meal in the restaurant, 275 Main, with a farm-to-table menu and a large wine cellar. After a day of exploring the quaint town of Warren or hiking or biking in the Green Mountains, hit the Tracks tavern with a pool table, dart board and craft beers to cap off the day. The special packages for honeymooners and other couples make staying at this inn one of the most romantic things to do in New England.

Adair Country Inn
Bethlehem, NH

This luxury inn housed in a mansion dating from 1927, sits in a scenic spot with views of New Hampshire’s spectacular White Mountains. Daytime activities include strolling the inn’s grounds, sampling afternoon tea or hitting the area art galleries and antique shops. Stay in one of the traditionally decorated rooms (several feature either a fireplace or a cast-iron stove) and enjoy a fireside dinner in the Adair Restaurant. Don’t forget to check out the unique library pub and walking trails on the grounds of the inn.

Have you ever stayed at a luxury New England inn? What are some other things to do in New England for a weekend getaway? Tell us in the comments below!

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