OT: Calling New Englanders... where would you go?

[divabell]

DH just got an unexpected bonus at work so we're talking about a quick weekend getaway this weekend--somewhere we can drive to fairly easily, that has enough to do for two days--but things we can do in winter with a 2-month-old! We're having trouble thinking of good options (BTW, we're not into skiing, etc.). Any suggestions? Thanks!

Edited to add: we live near Boston (guess that would help, huh?).

[Rachels]

Stockbridge, Portland, or Portsmouth, NH. All three are small and quaint with wonderful places to stay and also great restaurants and shopping. Stockbridge is probably the quietest, with less to do. I love Portsmouth and hear nothing but raves for Portland.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[toomanystrollers]

Hmmmm, maybe Mystic, CT - great aquarium, seaport, etc. I'm also thinking that Foxwoods is nearby to Mystic but I'm not sure what their policies are on children.

I could easily spend two days at the Hanna Andersson outlet in Kittery, ME LOL

[Rachels]

...Except that the cold has apparently mottled my brain. I forgot-- it's freaking freezing here. Forget what I said. Those places are amazing, but not in subzero weather. (I need a vacation, too. Somewhere warm. Anywhere on the equator would do.)

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[AJsMom]

I would suggest North Conway, NH. Again, cold and snowy, but where isn't it these days?! Lots of tax free outlet shopping, good restaurants, tons of motels/hotels, and beautiful views of Mt Washington! We go every year to do our Xmas shopping. Sometimes the traffic on Rte 16 (the only road through town) can be tough, but not always.

Whatever you do, stay warm!
Kristen

[divabell]

We went to Portsmouth for our anniversary last year--loved it! But yeah, the cold is a problem. Such a problem that we decided not to go away this weekend. I think we'll postpone until my birthday weekend in March and maybe make it a longer trip. I'm interested in Quebec City--but it will probably still be frigid there then!

I tried desperately to convince DH that a last-minute deal I saw to Charlotte was the way to go... I think he's afraid to fly with the baby! Maybe for March I can change his mind... want to give a pitch for your stomping grounds? :)

[aliceinwonderland]

MONTREAL, but we postponed our Valentine weekend there due to the cold!! Maybe in March...

[dogmom]

I live an hour outside of Boston, and work in Boston, but I'd be tempted to actually go to Boston for the weekend. (Can you tell I miss living in the city?) We went and stayed for our anniversary for our first night away from the baby, it was great to walk around the common and be within a stone's throw of great food. I know I live within a hour drive of Boston, but I haven't taken my DS to the Aquarium or anything else he would enjoy yet because it is always there. I would love to spend a weekend and just be able to go in and out of a hotel withing stroller/walking distance of everything. Along those lines, NY City IS within 5 hours drive ;).

Jeanne
Mom to Harvey
1/16/03

[divabell]

I think we actually might venture into the city tomorrow. You must be psychic! :) DH wants to do the MFA and the Gardner museum. Not sure how that will go with the baby, but we'll see... if I can shop at Copley or something I'll go along for the ride!

I would *love* to do NYC since I've never been there. But DH has no interest. Sigh.

[momma_boo]

Here is another suggestion:

Newport, Rhode Island. You can do a tour of some of those great mansions so that the cold weather wouldn't hamper you too much. Granted, I'm not sure how stroller friendly those mansions are. We stopped there for a day on our way up to Boston/Newton last year and definitely wanted to go back.

I went to school near Boston (Wellesley) and we used to take day trips up to Freeport, Maine. Definitely something you want to do in nicer weather, though.

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

How far is Stowe Vermont from you...sure it's known for it's skiing, but my mom always raves about the Vontrap Family Lodge there, she claims it was great food...they are the family from the Sound of Music...a week-end there might be nice :)...
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[divabell]

Montreal is amazing. If you take advantage of the underground network of shopping and restaurants, you don't really have to go outside that much! The Wyndham hotel where we stayed connects right to the underground mall and for how nice it is, it seemed like a great deal.

[flagger]

I don't know how much of a bonus your hubby got. But for our seventh anniversary we stayed at the Four Columns Inn in Newfane, VT

http://www.fourcolumnsinn.com/

They have a two night getaway that includes:

• breakfast each morning
• a gourmet dinner on the evening of your choice, prepared by our James Beard Award-winning Chef Greg Parks (Laura loved the Chilean Sea Bass)
• a one-hour therapeutic massage given in the privacy of your room

We had a Luxury Suite with the fireplace visible from both the bedroom and the bathroom. Plus the two person jacuzzi was just divine.

Stop by the Chocolate Factory in Brattleboro on the way and get some Chocolate Body Paint and you have one helluva romantic weekend.

[divabell]

That sounds pretty fabulous. But how would they feel about a baby tagging along? :) We don't have anyone nearby lined up for babysitting, much less a getaway by ourselves... but I'll make note of this for sometime down the road!!