There’s something quietly transformative about New Hampshire. The mountains stretch endlessly, the lakes shimmer with calm, and the towns invite you in with candlelit windows and creaky floorboards. Each place we visited held a different kind of stillness—whether wrapped in snow or drenched in summer light. I remember thinking, “This isn’t just a getaway—it’s a gentle return to the parts of ourselves that slow down and look up.”
Best Weekend Getaways in New Hampshire:
Historic charm at Omni Bretton Arms Inn - 2 hours 15 minutes from Portland, Maine
Tucked into the White Mountains, the Omni Bretton Arms Inn felt like an old soul—quiet, warm, and steeped in grace. We arrived just as the sun dipped behind Mount Washington, casting everything in gold. As we settled into our room with mountain views and antique furniture, I found myself thinking, “This is where elegance meets comfort—with nothing forced.”
What I Loved Most: Waking up to soft light filtering through lace curtains and the stillness of snow outside, untouched and perfect.
My highlights? Dinner at the main dining room: pan-roasted duck with a cranberry port reduction, served with maple-glazed carrots and creamy polenta. It tasted like fall wrapped in velvet.
Omni Bretton Arms Inn At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~3 hours north
- Vibe: Classic, serene, mountain elegance
- Highlights: Fine dining, cozy rooms, spa access
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage, winter for snow
- Cost: High-end
- Hours: Check-in 4pm, dinner 5–9pm
- Address: 173 Mount Washington Rd, Bretton Woods, NH
Whimsical comfort at The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa - 3 hours from Boston
Even in the off-season, The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa in Jackson made everything feel festive. Maybe it was the fairy lights strung across the beams, or the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air, but I couldn’t stop smiling. As we walked back from the spa wrapped in robes and contentment, I had the thought, “This is joy—in its coziest form.”
What I Loved Most: Curling up by the fireplace in the carriage house suite after a snowfall, hot cider in hand.
My highlights? Breakfast the next morning: cinnamon apple pancakes with maple butter and thick-cut bacon, served with fresh coffee in handmade mugs. It felt like a hug in breakfast form.
The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~2.5 hours north
- Vibe: Playful, rustic, inviting
- Highlights: Full-service spa, fireplace rooms, festive atmosphere
- Best Time to Visit: Winter or holiday season
- Cost: Mid-range
- Hours: Spa open 9am–7pm daily
- Address: 3 Blitzen Way, Jackson, NH
Peaceful countryside at Chesterfield Inn
Chesterfield Inn felt like we were stepping into a dream where the only sounds were wind, birds, and the clinking of silverware on ceramic. The inn sits quietly on a hill, and that quiet followed us everywhere. One afternoon, sitting by the window with a view of snow-covered fields, I thought, “This is what it means to rest without guilt.”
What I Loved Most: Reading by the fireplace with no agenda, no rush—just time to be in the moment.
My highlights? Dinner in the cozy dining room: herb-roasted chicken with wild rice and a side of roasted Brussels sprouts with honey glaze. It was simple, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying.
Chesterfield Inn At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~2 hours northwest
- Vibe: Tranquil, pastoral, understated
- Highlights: Garden views, farm-to-table dining, porch rocking chairs
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early fall
- Cost: Mid-range
- Hours: Check-in 3pm, dinner 5:30–8pm
- Address: 20 Cross Rd, West Chesterfield, NH
Colonial romance at Inn by the Bandstand - 1 hour from Boston
In the heart of Exeter, Inn By The Bandstand brought history to life. Our suite had four-poster beds, gilded mirrors, and the kind of wallpaper you only see in stories. But nothing felt stuffy—just well loved. That night, over glasses of wine in the parlor, I had this thought: “Some places make romance feel effortless.”
What I Loved Most: Walking to the riverside after dark, hearing only the water and our footsteps on cobblestone.
My highlights? A candlelit dinner at Ambrose (onsite): duck breast with cherry port reduction and truffle mash. Refined and comforting in all the right ways.
Inn by the Bandstand At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~1 hour north
- Vibe: Romantic, historic, polished
- Highlights: Elegant rooms, walkable downtown, fine dining
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall
- Cost: High-end
- Hours: Check-in 3pm, Ambrose open Thurs–Sat
- Address: 6 Front St, Exeter, NH
Lakeside warmth at Squam Lake Inn
Squam Lake Inn was the kind of place where you instantly breathe deeper. Tucked near the water with pine trees all around, it made every moment feel like a retreat. We spent the afternoon walking by the shoreline and the evening sipping wine under twinkle lights. At some point, I realized, “This place has a way of filling you back up.”
What I Loved Most: The screened porch swing, a blanket around us, and the scent of woodsmoke rising in the background.
My highlights? Dinner at Inn Kitchen + Bar: the maple-glazed pork tenderloin with roasted root vegetables, finished with a warm chocolate lava cake. Every flavor felt like it belonged exactly there.
Squam Lake Inn At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~2 hours north
- Vibe: Rustic, calming, lakeside
- Highlights: Proximity to lake, local dining, cozy rooms
- Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall
- Cost: Mid-range
- Hours: Check-in 3pm, restaurant open seasonally
- Address: 28 Shepard Hill Rd, Holderness, NH
Mountain luxury at White Mountain Hotel and Resort
With the cliffs of Echo Lake State Park just beyond the windows, the White Mountain Hotel and Resort felt like a true alpine escape. Our room overlooked the mountains, and the indoor-outdoor hot tub was a highlight we didn’t know we needed. As the stars appeared over the peaks, I thought, “The best views aren’t always about the scenery—they’re about who you share them with.”
What I Loved Most: The crackling fireplace in the lounge after dinner and the quiet hush of mountain air drifting through the windows.
My highlights? Dinner at Ledges Restaurant: pan-seared scallops with lemon risotto and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Romantic and completely satisfying.
White Mountain Hotel and Resort At a Glance
- Drive Time from Boston: ~3 hours north
- Vibe: Upscale, scenic, classic New England
- Highlights: Pool, hot tub, mountain views
- Best Time to Visit: Fall or winter
- Cost: Mid to high range
- Hours: Check-in 4pm, Ledges open nightly
- Address: 2560 West Side Rd, North Conway, NH
Conclusion
By the end of the weekend, I didn’t feel like I’d escaped anything—I felt like I’d reconnected. With nature. With quiet. With us. Whether we were sipping cider by a fire or walking hand-in-hand through a covered bridge, New Hampshire gave us space to be present. And that, more than anything, is what I’ll remember when the days start to feel too fast again.