Stickney’s Terrace | New England Honeymoon Destinations
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort
After saying your “I do”s, you might be inclined to just fly off to some tropical island to snooze in a hammock. But a New England honeymoon is an affordable and richly diverse alternative — one filled with exhilarating possibilities for moments you’ll remember for years to come. Plus, our region’s compact size means you can visit more than one of these New England honeymoon destinations on your post-nuptials getaway.
5 Best New England Honeymoon Destinations
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
The White Mountains are a four-season playground where you can further seal your bond by embracing new activities together. Maybe you’ve skied, but have you tried snowmobiling or dogsledding? How are your fly fishing and golfing skills? Have you flown tree-to-tree on a canopy tour, tubed a river, shot a bow, biked downhill? Here in the midst of New England’s highest peaks, where even porch-sitting is a thrill, you’ll find plentiful pampering, too, from side-by-side massages to sumptuous meals. The mountain towns that ring Bretton Woods — Jackson, Conway, Franconia, Gorham — multiply your options for outdoor fun and photo ops. Take selfies at Jackson’s Honeymoon Bridge or at scenic stops along the twisting Kancamagus Highway, with a kaleidoscope of fall colors behind you at Franconia Notch, or snap “moosies” when you venture out with Gorham Moose Tours.
Where to stay: In the tower suite at the idyllic Omni Mount Washington, where you’ll receive the keys to your own private staircase and fireplace-outfitted hideaway.
Chatham Bars Inn outdoor massage booths | New England Honeymoon Destinations Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Chatham Bars Inn
Chatham, Massachusetts
Cape Cod’s easternmost town is both an ideal jumping-off point for exploring this storied peninsula and a place you needn’t leave to find everything two people require for contentment. Wander in and out of colorful Main Street shops, treating yourselves to hand-dipped chocolates, matching sunglasses, and accents for your home. Picnic on the green during a nostalgic band concert on a summer Friday eve. Dress up or down: Even casual restaurants serve superfresh seafood. Splurge on extraordinary experiences like Adventure Chatham’s Sunset Glow Tour: Fish and squid will swim straight toward the underwater light on your paddleboard. Or, for the ultimate adrenaline rush, join the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on a research mission to identify and tag great whites. Like a bridal veil swept wild by a heavy breeze, the eight miles of sand splayed south of Chatham’s quiet, laze-on-a-blanket-perfect Lighthouse Beach are constantly reshaped by the ocean’s tumult. On a Monomoy Island boat trip, you’ll see these shifting sands and be reminded — by playful seals — to hang on through marriage’s inevitable changing tides.
Where to stay: In one of Chatham Bars Inn’s adults-only spa suites, and enjoy personalized amenities and pampering treatments featuring ingredients harvested from the sea and the inn’s own farm.
Sandy Pines glamping tent | New England Honeymoon Destinations Photo Credit : Courtesy of Sandy Pines Campground
Kennebunkport, Maine
If you’re dreaming of storybook New England backdrops for your honeymoon photos, Kennebunkport delivers the rippled beaches, sparkling waves, lobster and pleasure boats, and adorable village you’re imagining. Authentic, yet a notch more resort-y than any other Maine coast town, it’s your destination for not only unwinding but also accumulating memorable experiences. Kayak, sail, cruise out to where the whales feast: Getting out on the water is a must. Wear your beach-chic best for happy hour at the Tides Beach Club. Dine aboard the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts, in the enchantingly candlelit outdoors at Earth at Hidden Pond, or in the rustic elegance of the renowned White Barn Restaurant. Hear a memorable performance in the intimate barn setting of the Vinegar Hill Music Theatre. You’re ideally situated for day-tripping to lighthouses, outlet stores, Portland’s museums, and the hiking trails atop Mount Agamenticus. But you’ll always be eager to return to home port.
Where to stay: In a safari-style glamp tent at Sandy Pines Campground, where you can have lobster dinner delivered to your luxurious nest and toast marshmallows for s’mores over your own fire pit.
Topper’s Deck at the Wauwinet | New England Honeymoon Destinations Photo Credit : Courtesy of Nantucket Island Resorts
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Don’t overlook New England’s isles in your search for a honeymoon spot that feels like a total escape. The cobblestone streets, pristine beaches, and preppy vibe of Nantucket are a quick hop away by plane. But opt for the ferry, and there is near-wizardry in the way stress — even wedding-planning stress — melts away on the journey. Here, 30 miles out at sea, you’ll find restaurants like Company of the Cauldron that outshine their urban rivals. Yet nearly half of the island is undeveloped, and a succession of blooms, from spring’s three million daffodils to summer’s cottage-climbing roses and puffball hydrangeas, paints even residential areas in nature’s inimitable hues. Feeling energetic? Bike to ’Sconset, go clamming with Shearwater Excursions, or take surfing lessons. Just keep an eye on the time, because sunsets at Madaket Beach are a sight you’ll remember all your lives. On summer Monday and Wednesday nights, you can view celestial phenomena through the Loines Observatory’s antique and state-of-the-art telescopes. Have your wishes ready in case you spot a shooting star.
Where to stay: At the Wauwinet, where honeymooners can enjoy beach picnics, massages, and complimentary bicycles for two.
WaterFire Providence | New England Honeymoon Destinations Photo Credit : N.Millard/GoProvidence.com
Providence, Rhode Island
The dining scene alone makes this easy-to-navigate little city New England’s date-night capital. Toss in a bouquet of cultural attractions, nightlife options, and outdoor adventures, and you’ve got an ideal place for your celebratory getaway. Carb-load at PVDonuts or Knead Doughnuts — both have passionate devotees — before you kayak on the Providence River or pedal the East Bay Bike Path along Narragansett Bay. Whatever your interests — art, architecture, vintage shops, the weirdness of H.P. Lovecraft — you can make a scavenger hunt out of exploring the city. And you’re less than an hour’s drive from Rhode Island’s best beaches and Newport’s sailing excursions, mansion tours, and romantic Cliff Walk. Save sleeping for when you’re oldly-weds: Now’s your time to savor seven courses at Gracie’s, to hear live bands at indoor and outdoor venues, to cuddle up on a rooftop sofa at Providence G, to sip cappuccino at a fountainside cafe table in Federal Hill’s DePasquale Square. Providence’s signature experience for couples evokes the magic of Italy, too. La Gondola’s services are never more in demand than during WaterFire evenings, when Providence’s rivers sparkle with bonfire light.
Where to stay: In historic yet updated grandeur at the Providence Biltmore, where the Suite Romance package includes champagne, chocolates, and late checkout.
Did you enjoy a New England honeymoon? Do you hope to someday? Tell us where!
This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated.
Kim Knox Beckius is Yankee Magazine's Travel & Branded Content Editor. A longtime freelance writer/photographer and Yankee contributing editor based in Connecticut, she has explored every corner of the region while writing six books on travel in the Northeast and contributing updates to New England guidebooks published by Fodor's, Frommer's, and Michelin. For more than 20 years, Kim served as New England Travel Expert for TripSavvy (formerly About.com). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and is frequently called on by the media to discuss New England travel and events. She is likely the only person who has hugged both Art Garfunkel and a baby moose.
