8 New England Vacation Ideas for Couples

Join Yankee magazine as we discover eight weekend destinations across New England that promise something fun for everyone.

As much as we New Englanders love to go skiing or ice skating in the winter, summers are simply magical. On any given summer weekend we’re touring a history museum, looking for that perfect find in an antique shop, gazing at the stars, or enjoying dinner and a perfect cocktail. And why not? We have pristine beaches, lakes, bike trails, award-winning brews, open space, cozy small towns, and anything else you could want. With all the excitement, it’s best to start on a full stomach, which is why we love Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Portsmouth is home to some of the best chefs in New England. One James Beard Foundation nominee is known for his Moroccan and Latin American dishes, such as fattoush salad, chicken sausage with figs, and a sublime mussels dish. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, venture across the bridge into Maine for a lunch of lobster-in-the-rough. While Maine is well-known for lobster, it’s also a destination for lighthouse aficionados. There are more than 60 lighthouses on the Maine coast, and the best way to see them is aboard a 1927 windjammer. Take a three-day lighthouses and lobster cruise and you’ll be clicking photo after picturesque photo alongside a co-captain known for innovative and tasty fare. Does it get any better than watching the sun set with a plate of sun-dried tomato fettuccine and lobster on your table?

Heading inland, another weekend getaway we love is all about the arts. In North Adams, Massachusetts, New England art lovers can find the largest center for contemporary art in the United States. Spread across 16 acres, the museum is home to 26 structures, one of which is devoted entirely to the massive wall drawings of the late Connecticut painter Sol LeWitt. But there’s more than one place for art in the Berkshires. You’ll find boutique hotels and another art museum filled with an impressive collection from Impressionist painters such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. You may not find a Monet in an antique shop (although if you do, we’d recommend buying it!), but you will find an antique flea market and more than 30 antique shops in one Connecticut town. Miles of handcrafted stone walls and classic colonial homesteads set the stage for this weekend shopping adventure. Whether you’re looking for furniture, porcelain, books, mirrors, or rugs, you’ll find a dealer catering to your wishes. When you’re ready to take a break, relax and rest at an inn that’s been operating since 1754. That should certainly put you in the right frame of mind to go antiquing! Discover these and four more weekend getaways, in 8 Perfect New England Weekend Getaways! Find an oasis of award-winning microbrews, discover a coastal community perfectly suited for history buffs, or learn where you can become a constellation connoisseur and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. In 8 Perfect New England Weekend Getaways you’ll discover the weekend getaway you’ve been looking for. Find the perfect old-fashioned ice cream, sleep in a cottage perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, or ride along miles of bike trails. Ready to plan your next New England weekend? You’ll have to read 8 Perfect New England Weekend Getaways. Look through our Yankee Special Collection: Summer Destinations to discover the perfect Upper Valley getaway, the ideal New Hampshire lake for a day trip, the hidden spots that locals love, and the little beach towns that make New England so special. We’ll share our favorite day trips, weekend getaways, beach destinations, and more all across New England. Plan your fun summer weekends right now. Find out more in our Yankee Special Collection: Summer Destinations! From the “Great Lakes” of New England to the most-loved coastal destinations to lobster shacks you don’t want to miss, you’ll discover what makes summer in New England so special. Our Yankee Special Collection: Summer Destinations takes you from sunny seasides to the top of New England’s famous peaks. With your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership, you have full access to everything in the Yankee Special Collection: Summer Destinations, including:

• 10 New England Summer Vacations You Need To Book NOW!, where you can get a head start on an unforgettable summer
• A dive into the sparkling waters of Rhode Island, where every local has a favorite ‘secret’ beach, in Beaches of South County, Rhode Island
• Where you can go to relax and unwind, with the ocean just steps away from your door, in Sandcastles by the Sea: Favorite New England Beachside Lodging
• Where you can find the ultimate in true New England flavor, in 12 Best Lobster Shacks in New England
• Dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations you don’t want to miss out on, in Best Hidden Places in New England

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