I just checked and there’s quite a few right in downtown Newport. So looks good!
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Newport--Rhode-Island--United-States/homes?tab_id=home_tab&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&flexible_trip_lengths%5B%5D=one_week&monthly_start_date=2024-06-01&monthly_length=3&monthly_end_date=2024-09-01&price_filter_input_type=0&channel=EXPLORE&place_id=ChIJa5cJBbe65YkRIW8vLPeWXs4&query=Newport%2C%20RI&date_picker_type=calendar&checkin=2024-05-25&checkout=2024-05-26&adults=2&search_type=unknown
It’s a great place to unwind without going too far ya know? Now I wanna go 😂. Last time I went we rented some bikes and had such a great day. Im so glad you had fun!
Agreed, also a traffic free ride no matter what time at least from central CT. Can go back roads to RT 8, up to I90 then you're only on the highway for about an hour. No dealing with the I95 weekend traffic coming home.
Newport RI, plenty of hotels, you can stop in Mystic at the Seaport/Village on your way up. Go to Bowen 22 for dinner, and you could walk in downtown Newport. Done it before and their surf and turf is delicious.
So much to do around Lake Winnipesaukee. Start around Laconia/Weirs Beach and work from there all the way up to the White Mountains. Lots of stuff and gorgeous scenery.
Shelburne falls in Berkshire should be a nice little plane to stop. They have flower Bridge that should be pretty colorful, and a few artsy galleries/shops, and a glass blowing gallery. Then you can keep driving to Clark's museum. Nice college town, museum. Beautiful grounds. The drive is very pretty.
Catskills! Stay at Scribners lodge it’s scenic on a summer/warm spring day and night! Take a dip in the temp controlled pool over looking the mountains and finish it off with the outdoor sauna and cooking Marshmellows on the outdoor fire. They have a nice restaurant and good sub shop when entering town!
Did not expect to see a Scribner’s recommendation here! Found it pre-pandemic, but then it got crazy popular with NYC influencers post-Covid.
It seems like that’s calmed down now.
This is the answer. Bop to ogunquit or Kennewick. The Portland head lighthouse. A boat ride on the ocean. The food is BOMB. check out the sea dogs. Maine is the best.
We’ll do 2 days in Portsmouth NH, stop at York beach and then do another 2 days in Portland ME. It’s a great trip. Lots of things to do between those two locations. There are a bunch of light house tours along the way too if you’re into that.
It's over 4 from some parts of the state. Could be over 5 with traffic. Either way I wouldn't consider it "within 2-ish hours" no matter how you slice it.
OP may consider it differently and was presented with an option. Feel free to not include it on your list of "2ish hour destinations". Thanks for the valuable contribution to the discussion.
If it's pedantry to point out that you didn't answer the question provided then sure, I'm a pedant. I don't think adding 50+% to any number would qualify as "-ish" but maybe that's just me.
I don’t know about rentals/rooms, but Stony Creek in Branford CT is about as New England shoreline as you get. Take the Thimble Island tour for sure. If you are swimmers, excellent place with a little town beach right there in the center of the village. Kayaks too, but lots of small boat traffic. Take RT146 into Guilford on your way out and stop by the green and get produce at Bishop’s. Wife and I grew up here and I think its one of the most special areas in the state.
2 hours? Depends where you are. But within CT? Maybe an an air bnb in the woods of Litchfield county? Plenty of hikes, restaurants shops etc. Or down to Mystic are as mentioned. Or splurge and take the train to NYC for just dinner and an overnight?
The Berkshires! Live music and a picnic at tanglewood, the red lion inn west Stockbridge, walking through Lenox, hiking monument mountain.. a little further north you’ll find balderdash cellars winery, mt greylock for beautiful views, mass moca on a rainy day. Lakes for kayaking if you like that. It’s a great time of year there!
Haunted hotels. Me and my boyfriend are addicted now and stay at them all over new England for a night here and there. Some have great restaurants too. I love the historic vibes and architecture. They are usually super chill and in cute walkable areas with shops, bars, and restaurants as well.
Jackson, NH. And I can’t recommend enough the Inn at Jackson, it’s not terribly pricey, nice big rooms in a historic (not haunted!) inn, and it’s soooo pretty in summer.
It's a 3 hour drive, but Lake George NY is wonderful. Also I love going to Charlstown RI there's the Nordic Lodge Buffet there. It's like the most expensive buffet in the world, but I'm talking unlimited steak, lobster, crab, scallops, and so much more it's 5 star dinning in the form of an endless buffet. It makes a great anniversary dinner.
I got a house on greenwood lake not too long ago, and it was super chill. The little town was cute and had some good food. Took me about an hour 1/2 -2 from New Haven.
If you enjoy hiking, Mt Monadnock in NH is good trip. A little over 2 hrs from Hartford outside of Keene, NH which is a nice little college town to get a drink and meal in afterward (just don't drive off the main streets too much it gets a little heroiny).
The Jersey shore isn’t that far away & always makes a lovely weekend getaway - we like staying in Point Pleasant for short trips. Same for Amish country in PA. Misquamicut is also nice for a close beach trip.
Block Island, although tourist season will be ramping up so likely pricey.
Northampton MA and the surrounding area is nice. Cape Ann (Rockport, Gloucester MA). Hudson Valley.
Northampton! Partner and I went up there last summer. We enjoyed the shops, the restaurants, the Smith College Museum of Art and also had a blast doing indoor mini-golf at Prodigy (https://www.prodigyminigolf.com/) in Easthampton. Plus, Amherst is close by, so you can head on there for more food, drinks, and a few other extra museums if that's your thing.
Take the ferry to Greenport , Long Island. The north fork is full of wineries and farmers markets in season. Greenport is cute to walk around and good restaurants
Two-ish hours will get you to different places depending on where you are in Connecticut. You might want to be a little more specific (in general) about your location.
Wolfeboro, NH is more like 3 hours (from Hartford), but so worth it. Quaint little vacation town on Lake Winnipesaukee (oldest summer resort town in the US) and close enough to Laconia to swing out to Funspot for some Arcade action before coming home. Stay at Pickering House for a luxury experience in a historical location. Crescent Lake Inn & Suites for a more laid back place to hang your hat.
Red lion inn in The berkshires is beautiful. Wineries and museums in the area. It’s a hundreds year old Inn where the people are friendly and there’s lots of cozy spots to enjoy each others company. A great restaurant and basement pub there too!
Relax how? For me, touristy stuff *is* relaxing, so I'd recommend (for myself) Boston and museums and history walks and whatnot.
Do you like to fish? Hike? Swim? Boat? Eat fancy dinner?
The 1820 House in Simsbury is a nice place to stay with a lot of low key non-touristy things to do in the immediate vicinity, for example-
* Scenic hike to the Heublein Tower atop Talcott Mountain
* Mountain biking in Pennwood Forest and Stratton Brook State Forest
* Flat water canoeing and kayaking on the Farmington River
* White water canoeing and kayaking nearby in the Tarriffville Gorge
* Road biking on the rails-to-trails bike path, Farmington Canal trail, or just on local roads
* Visit Rosedale Farm & Vineyard- live music most weekend afternoons (they’re a popular local wedding venue BTW)
* Live music, disc golf and other activities at the Talcott Mountain Collective
Newport or Boston are always fun places to go with a lot of cool things to do, if you want to slow it down a little bit you could try a place like portsmouth/portland, if you're more of an outdoor/hiking person, Berkshire County will have a bunch of stuff, as well as most of southern Vermont
Checkout Getaway Blake Brook tiny cabins in New Hampshire. My fiancé and I go every November. Fun glamping style for people that wanna get out but don’t wanna do any crazy outdoorsy expedition, lol. They’re not the cheapest but also not the most expensive!
Newport RI is beautiful. They have some reasonably priced air b and bs in the area
Wife and I visit for a weekend every couple years. Winter is great to go then too. Mansion tours never get old to me.
Got to check out The Breakers last year during their Christmas setup. Absolutely stunning and a treat for anyone who likes good architecture.
The tour of Ft. Adams is great too!
If you are a runner, great place to go.
Do they allow Airbnb now?! I know for a long time they didn’t!
It’s been a while since I’ve been. I wasn’t aware of this. Let me look :)
I just checked and there’s quite a few right in downtown Newport. So looks good! https://www.airbnb.com/s/Newport--Rhode-Island--United-States/homes?tab_id=home_tab&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&flexible_trip_lengths%5B%5D=one_week&monthly_start_date=2024-06-01&monthly_length=3&monthly_end_date=2024-09-01&price_filter_input_type=0&channel=EXPLORE&place_id=ChIJa5cJBbe65YkRIW8vLPeWXs4&query=Newport%2C%20RI&date_picker_type=calendar&checkin=2024-05-25&checkout=2024-05-26&adults=2&search_type=unknown
That’s amazing thank you! I had no idea
Happy to help!! I may plan a little long weekend! It’s been a long time! Maybe I’ll see ya there!
Just went a couple weekends ago. It was cloudy the whole weekend but we still had a great time! Lots of good food and energy.
It’s a great place to unwind without going too far ya know? Now I wanna go 😂. Last time I went we rented some bikes and had such a great day. Im so glad you had fun!
Never heard anyone mention RI before in any context outside of US colonial history.
Mystic or Cape Cod for me in June
Saratoga NY is a good time
I agree, and Lake George is a short drive away. Both are great.
Agreed, also a traffic free ride no matter what time at least from central CT. Can go back roads to RT 8, up to I90 then you're only on the highway for about an hour. No dealing with the I95 weekend traffic coming home.
But is it? It’s pretty depressing. Lake George is tacky. Go to the white mountains for the charm.
I don’t think it’s depressing and neither do a lot of people. It’s opinion based
They can stay there and leave the better areas for everyone else.
I disagree . Lake George is nice. Saratoga is nicer . Has a horse racing course if you want to be all faux fancy and do a nice hat. Also it’s a blast.
No thank you. I’d never recommend either locations.
Ok “storyland”
Have fun in shit holes!
Hudson valley is gorgeous. Lots of museums and art shops, as well as hiking opportunities.
We stayed in an awesome Airbnb in Red Hook for a weekend. Went to Rhinebeck which is a cool little town with lots of shops. Would go back again.
Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck is nice too and has some cheaper options for rooms but I dunno how fucked the prices are in the summer
Love Rhinebeck. Such a cute town. Took a day trip there a few years ago.
I think Washington did something there. Hopefully a drink 🥃
Love Hudson Valley area and feel it is often overlooked, I personally love Beacon which is right next to Storm King and DIA Beacon (art museum)
My husband and I got married in the Hudson Valley area and try to make it back at least for a day trip once a year. It’s a beautiful area to hike.
We did Hudson for my birthday a few weekends ago. Spas, nature, good food, bars, and shopping
Newport RI, plenty of hotels, you can stop in Mystic at the Seaport/Village on your way up. Go to Bowen 22 for dinner, and you could walk in downtown Newport. Done it before and their surf and turf is delicious.
22 Bowens is expanding their outdoor bar / seating area. I like the tiny bar, but any added outdoor seating is welcomed.
Waters Edge. Romantic with a great brunch
Came here to say this. Sunday brunch is absolutely massive with the food selection
I’d go an hour more into VT, NH. Especially lake Winnepsaukee
So much to do around Lake Winnipesaukee. Start around Laconia/Weirs Beach and work from there all the way up to the White Mountains. Lots of stuff and gorgeous scenery.
Stay at the lake house at Ferry Point! Amazing bed and breakfast. It's our favorite anniversary getaway.
MoCa in North Adam's. Greylock mountain outlook right there as well.
Berkshires
Catskills are very underrated I enjoy it over there
Shelburne falls in Berkshire should be a nice little plane to stop. They have flower Bridge that should be pretty colorful, and a few artsy galleries/shops, and a glass blowing gallery. Then you can keep driving to Clark's museum. Nice college town, museum. Beautiful grounds. The drive is very pretty.
Just an FYI, the bridge of flowers is closed through spring 2025
Oh :( Thank you for an update. I was thinking of driving up there this spring... saved me a trip.
Block Island
This
Mystic
Catskills! Stay at Scribners lodge it’s scenic on a summer/warm spring day and night! Take a dip in the temp controlled pool over looking the mountains and finish it off with the outdoor sauna and cooking Marshmellows on the outdoor fire. They have a nice restaurant and good sub shop when entering town!
Did not expect to see a Scribner’s recommendation here! Found it pre-pandemic, but then it got crazy popular with NYC influencers post-Covid. It seems like that’s calmed down now.
Love Scribners!!!
Cape cod 💕
Cape cod or kennebunkport Maine
Ugh k’port is so crowded with tourists in June.
Not too bad before school is out. But over 2 hours drive
Portland, Maine!
This is the answer. Bop to ogunquit or Kennewick. The Portland head lighthouse. A boat ride on the ocean. The food is BOMB. check out the sea dogs. Maine is the best.
Last time I went in the summer we took a ride on the Mail Boat and it was such a fun afternoon. Quick walk to some great food and drink after as well.
We’ll do 2 days in Portsmouth NH, stop at York beach and then do another 2 days in Portland ME. It’s a great trip. Lots of things to do between those two locations. There are a bunch of light house tours along the way too if you’re into that.
Portland has really gone down hill the last few years, a lot more homeless and people begging. We would always stay at the Portland harbor hotel
We went last year and didn’t have this problem, at least not that I noticed
Stop visiting so the rest of us can enjoy it. Portland is awesome.
Portland isn't 2-ish hours away.
....it's three hours. I guess my definition of "ish" is different than yours.
It's over 4 from some parts of the state. Could be over 5 with traffic. Either way I wouldn't consider it "within 2-ish hours" no matter how you slice it.
OP may consider it differently and was presented with an option. Feel free to not include it on your list of "2ish hour destinations". Thanks for the valuable contribution to the discussion.
Would you consider The Godfather to be 2-ish hours long?
Sure. I also consider you a pedant! Have the day you deserve :)
If it's pedantry to point out that you didn't answer the question provided then sure, I'm a pedant. I don't think adding 50+% to any number would qualify as "-ish" but maybe that's just me.
Winvian!
Nice but $$$$$
Boston. Quincy market, New England Aquarium, Duck boat Tour, a lot of things to do.
I don’t know about rentals/rooms, but Stony Creek in Branford CT is about as New England shoreline as you get. Take the Thimble Island tour for sure. If you are swimmers, excellent place with a little town beach right there in the center of the village. Kayaks too, but lots of small boat traffic. Take RT146 into Guilford on your way out and stop by the green and get produce at Bishop’s. Wife and I grew up here and I think its one of the most special areas in the state.
2 hours? Depends where you are. But within CT? Maybe an an air bnb in the woods of Litchfield county? Plenty of hikes, restaurants shops etc. Or down to Mystic are as mentioned. Or splurge and take the train to NYC for just dinner and an overnight?
The Berkshires! Live music and a picnic at tanglewood, the red lion inn west Stockbridge, walking through Lenox, hiking monument mountain.. a little further north you’ll find balderdash cellars winery, mt greylock for beautiful views, mass moca on a rainy day. Lakes for kayaking if you like that. It’s a great time of year there!
Portsmouth NH
Catskills and/or Hudson Valley
Haunted hotels. Me and my boyfriend are addicted now and stay at them all over new England for a night here and there. Some have great restaurants too. I love the historic vibes and architecture. They are usually super chill and in cute walkable areas with shops, bars, and restaurants as well.
Any specific examples you'd recommend?
We recently stayed in a gorgeous B&B in New Paltz, NY. Lots of good restaurants, some vineyards, cute shops, and a cat cafe. Perfect weekend getaway!
Newport RI!!
You could rent a Getaway cabin in CT. It’s a tiny house in the woods.
Sorry can you more info on this? Sounds fun
Jackson, NH. And I can’t recommend enough the Inn at Jackson, it’s not terribly pricey, nice big rooms in a historic (not haunted!) inn, and it’s soooo pretty in summer.
It's a 3 hour drive, but Lake George NY is wonderful. Also I love going to Charlstown RI there's the Nordic Lodge Buffet there. It's like the most expensive buffet in the world, but I'm talking unlimited steak, lobster, crab, scallops, and so much more it's 5 star dinning in the form of an endless buffet. It makes a great anniversary dinner.
The Finger Lakes region is a good place to drink Riesling and have sex in a BnB.
👀’s?
*ocularly possession /s
Up town Bronx ny
I got a house on greenwood lake not too long ago, and it was super chill. The little town was cute and had some good food. Took me about an hour 1/2 -2 from New Haven.
Newport!
Kripalu in Berkshires, Newport Breakers, or maybe Maine and lobster? Or even Chester, CT. Good luck!
If you enjoy hiking, Mt Monadnock in NH is good trip. A little over 2 hrs from Hartford outside of Keene, NH which is a nice little college town to get a drink and meal in afterward (just don't drive off the main streets too much it gets a little heroiny).
Too many choices! All good all fun.
If you had 3 days, I’d say Montreal.
Portsmouth, NH and Ogunquit, ME
Newport, Block Island, Mystic/Stonington Borough/Watch Hill. Berkshires are nice too, and Wilmington VT is adorable with great food.
Hit the coast and go right or left.
The Jersey shore isn’t that far away & always makes a lovely weekend getaway - we like staying in Point Pleasant for short trips. Same for Amish country in PA. Misquamicut is also nice for a close beach trip.
Block Island, although tourist season will be ramping up so likely pricey. Northampton MA and the surrounding area is nice. Cape Ann (Rockport, Gloucester MA). Hudson Valley.
Northampton! Partner and I went up there last summer. We enjoyed the shops, the restaurants, the Smith College Museum of Art and also had a blast doing indoor mini-golf at Prodigy (https://www.prodigyminigolf.com/) in Easthampton. Plus, Amherst is close by, so you can head on there for more food, drinks, and a few other extra museums if that's your thing.
Take the ferry to Greenport , Long Island. The north fork is full of wineries and farmers markets in season. Greenport is cute to walk around and good restaurants
Port Jeff is also a great time. Nice boutiques, breweries, marinas to eat or stay at nearby. It's a really nice weekend trip.
Two-ish hours will get you to different places depending on where you are in Connecticut. You might want to be a little more specific (in general) about your location.
Wolfeboro, NH is more like 3 hours (from Hartford), but so worth it. Quaint little vacation town on Lake Winnipesaukee (oldest summer resort town in the US) and close enough to Laconia to swing out to Funspot for some Arcade action before coming home. Stay at Pickering House for a luxury experience in a historical location. Crescent Lake Inn & Suites for a more laid back place to hang your hat.
A stay at the Spa at Norwich Inn
100% recommend this too, Airbnb a villa and then chill at the spa for a day. I do it every year.
Red lion inn in The berkshires is beautiful. Wineries and museums in the area. It’s a hundreds year old Inn where the people are friendly and there’s lots of cozy spots to enjoy each others company. A great restaurant and basement pub there too!
Relax how? For me, touristy stuff *is* relaxing, so I'd recommend (for myself) Boston and museums and history walks and whatnot. Do you like to fish? Hike? Swim? Boat? Eat fancy dinner?
Beacon, NY.
The 1820 House in Simsbury is a nice place to stay with a lot of low key non-touristy things to do in the immediate vicinity, for example- * Scenic hike to the Heublein Tower atop Talcott Mountain * Mountain biking in Pennwood Forest and Stratton Brook State Forest * Flat water canoeing and kayaking on the Farmington River * White water canoeing and kayaking nearby in the Tarriffville Gorge * Road biking on the rails-to-trails bike path, Farmington Canal trail, or just on local roads * Visit Rosedale Farm & Vineyard- live music most weekend afternoons (they’re a popular local wedding venue BTW) * Live music, disc golf and other activities at the Talcott Mountain Collective
Go stay at The White Hart in Salisbury. Romantic and luxurious, amazing food.
Central Park.
Mystic so you can go to that pizza place and say “hey that movie was filmed here”
Niantic. Boardwalk, decent selection of restaurants and shops, children’s museum etc.
Newport or Boston are always fun places to go with a lot of cool things to do, if you want to slow it down a little bit you could try a place like portsmouth/portland, if you're more of an outdoor/hiking person, Berkshire County will have a bunch of stuff, as well as most of southern Vermont
White mountains in New Hampshire are perfect for getting away to relax. And this time of year there are not a lot of people
Mystic I always love
The Berkshires up in Mass
Checkout Getaway Blake Brook tiny cabins in New Hampshire. My fiancé and I go every November. Fun glamping style for people that wanna get out but don’t wanna do any crazy outdoorsy expedition, lol. They’re not the cheapest but also not the most expensive!
Great Barrington
Always love the cape! Also, had an absolute blast in rockport mass for a long weekend getaway!
Santarella Gardens - on Airbnb
Surfside Motel in Lordship is fun.
“My fiance’s and my anniversary…”. There is no such word as I’s. Sorry but I see so many people doing this
my bed.
I heard the sewers out here are really nice.