The Best of the Best: Our Favorite Weekend Getaways

We’re lucky enough to live in an area rich with amazing places to go and things to do and see. This means that as a New Englander, when you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, you certainly have a wealth of choices. And therein lies the problem! With so many incredible options and, sadly, so little time, how do you decide? We’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to the best of the best — where to go for the best fall foliage, the best family-friendly destinations and the best antiquing. Bon voyage!

Massachusetts

• Biking Nantucket - Massachusetts •
On Nantucket, bicycles are the main form of transportation. Excellent riding paths abound on the island, and most of them lead directly to the beach, making it a great destination for families on the go. With little ones, take the short path directly to Children’s Beach (where you’ll find a playscape); older kids will appreciate the skate park and watersports at Jetties Beach. Bring your own bikes or rent them on the island.

• Mount Washington, Massachusetts – Bash-Bish Falls State Park •
Bash-Bish Falls has been a Massachusetts tourist destination since the 19th century. You’ll find this gem of a state park in the southwestern corner of the state. Enter the park off of Route 41 in the town of Egremont. If you’re in the mood for a brief hike, stop near the entrance and take the 15-minute walk to view the falls — you won’t be disappointed. The view from the top of the falls is one of the most spectacular you’ll find anywhere in the state. Even if you don’t want to leave your car, you will still have plenty to see. Follow the park’s many twisting roads for a true flavor of Massachusetts’ fall colors, with bright red maple trees and dark evergreens rubbing shoulders all along the way.

• Route 7 - Sheffield, Massachusetts •
Sheffield is the headquarters for the Berkshire County Antiques and Art Dealers Association, and this makes it an excellent destination for any antiquing trip. There are dozens of dealers along Route 7 — most of them offer the association’s free Antiques Map & Guide, which will help you plan out your trip. You’ll find a little bit of everything in the dozens of shops in Sheffield; plenty of 18th- and 19th-century American and European furniture and other pieces, military memorabilia, antique birdhouses, weathervanes and just about anything else you could possibly imagine.

Some of Nantucket’s first famous families included: the Starbucks, Barneys, Coffins, Macys, Folgers, Gardners, Husseys, Colemans and Worths, to name a few.

Connecticut

• The Litchfield Hills, Connecticut •
These gently rolling foothills of the Berkshires have long been a favorite spot to experience stunning fall foliage and other favorite autumn activities — hiking, biking, scenic drives. One trip and it’s easy to see why; the hills seem to burst into life during the month of October. Your best course is to follow Route 7 as it winds along the Housatonic River. Colors will be at their most vibrant in the weeks around Columbus Day.

• Village Francais - Guilford, Connecticut •
No trip to France in your future? Visit this European outpost located just off Boston Post Road (near exit 57 off I-95). This 18th-century inn is a treasure trove of French furniture, home accessories, artwork and more. With over 6,000 square feet of space, you are sure to find that little something special. The store’s proprietors make special trips to France to find the best and most unique pieces to offer visitors. You’ll also find original pieces and faithful reproductions here.

• Essex, Connecticut •
Essex was recently named the best small town in America — and after one visit, you’ll see why. One of the oldest cities in the state, it was settled back in 1648; Essex is a town rich in history. It’s also a great family destination. If you have a budding train buff, hop on the scenic Essex Steam Train; adults will enjoy the scenery and kids will enjoy the ride. Essex is also famed for its watersports; enjoy the expansive views of the harbor, or if you feel like getting out, try kayaking or canoeing on the Connecticut River Estuary Kayak and Canoe Trail.
When getting ready to spend the day hiking and viewing fall foliage, eating breakfast is a must. Stop by Patty’s restaurant for delicious breakfast fare — big blueberry pancakes, raisin French toast, three-egg omelets and, always, homemade hash, the house specialty.

Vermont & New Hampshire

• Waterbury, Vermont •
What kid doesn’t love ice cream? Premium ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is headquartered in Waterbury, and ice cream lovers of all ages can take a tour and watch the delicious dairy confections being made on-site (and, of course, sample a few of the wares, and perhaps take some to go). Make your visit complete with a stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company store to pick up a friend for life.

• Newfane and Townshend, Vermont •
The picturesque towns of Newfane and Townshend are home to quite a few antique dealers, offering a range of unique items. But for those who really enjoy the hunt, the place to be is the Newfane Flea Market, located on Route 30 just north of Newfane — it happens every Sunday starting at 6 a.m., through October. You just might find a diamond in the rough.

• I-91 and Route 100, Vermont •
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to see the fall foliage in Vermont is to drive down the interstate. Along I-91, all the way from Newport to Brattleboro, the road winds through the beautiful countryside, aflame with colors all autumn. And it will be a lot less crowded than some of the popular back-road spots to catch a glimpse of fabulous fall foliage. For a slightly more off-the-beaten-path route, hop on Route 100 in Newport. This more rustic and scenic roadway winds up and down through the Green Mountains from Newport to Readsboro. Along the way, you’ll pass charming villages, covered bridges and some of the most breathtaking mountain views on the East Coast. Head north to have more space to yourselves.

When antique hunting, make sure to visit Schommer Antiques in Newfane Village. A lot of famous people have visited this shop including Paul Newman, Nicole Kidman, Lee Iacocca, lots of soap opera stars and Oprah.

• Crawford Notch, New Hampshire •
Crawford Notch is the premier location in New Hampshire for viewing the fall colors. Found in the heart of the White Mountains, this scenic area rests between two steep, heavily forested peaks. Beyond just the colors, you’ll also find some gorgeous waterfalls and picturesque hiking trails when you visit. Most of this gorgeous gorge is located within the bounds of Crawford Notch State Park. You’ll find Crawford Notch along US Highway 302 and the Saco River, starting near the town of Bartlett.

• Concord, New Hampshire •
Concord boasts a diverse range of activities for kids of all ages. You can take your family back in time 200 years by visiting the Canterbury Shaker Village, where this historical village showcases the traditional Shaker way of life. Take a guided tour of the 24 original buildings and learn about the customs and traditions of the Utopian Shaker society. On the other side of the coin, take a trip to the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium for a close-up view of the heavens. Young and old alike will thrill to the breathtaking astronomy show.

• Route 4 Antique Alley, New Hampshire •
More than 500 antique dealers line this stretch of highway running through the towns of Northwood, Lee, Epsom and Chichester, making it one of the must-shop spots for collectors and dealers from all around the world. You’ll find a little bit of everything here: antique quilts and textiles; pottery, china and stoneware; sports and music collectibles; postcards and vintage advertisements; bottles, pressed glass and other glassware…and the list goes on.
When visiting Crawford Notch, make sure to take a ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The ride to the top of Mount Washington is one-of-a-kind, featuring some of the steepest tracks that exist in the world. It is true that you climb above the clouds on your steam-powered trip to the top of the 6,288 foot summit for a truly unforgettable experience.

Ahead of the Pack
Perhaps the most important thing to pack for your trip is a small cooler filled with drinks and snacks. Stop at your local Big Y on the way for a bag of ice, bottles of water, juice and soda, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers and other travel-friendly foods.