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A Romantic (and Luxurious) Honeymoon in New England

Couple at ocean with sailboat in backgroundConsidering a New England honeymoon? For many, the destination that newlyweds choose to spend their honeymoon often becomes a tradition where they return to celebrate their love annually. In choosing New England for your honeymoon, the most difficult decision will be deciding where to go.

Steeped in history, the roots of Americana run deep throughout the region. With its endless beaches, beautiful mountain ranges, glacial carved lakes and pristine wilderness, the six historic states that comprise New England offers an abundance of choices. You’ll find quaint villages encircling beautifully manicured commons, metropolitan centers with bright lights and big city life, rolling fields filled with orchards, seaside communities with lobster pounds and clam chowder, the sweet smell of brine on an ocean breeze, cozy mountain villages and towns, swift rivers crossed by wooden covered bridges, and fragrant pine forests. No matter the season or interest, New England has it all — from sailing and skiing to antiquing, hiking, and gastronomic delights — it has the best of everything.

Here are four destinations to consider for your New England honeymoon. By no means is it a definitive list. Hidden gems can be found anywhere and everywhere, urban and rural. From coastal Maine to the Woods of Maine, from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, from Narragansett Bay up the Connecticut River Valley north into the Green and White Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, romantic, idyllic hideaways await you and your loved one in beautiful New England.

Camden, Maine
Honeymooners will find the seaside town of Camden, the “Jewel of the Maine Coast,” enchanting and breathtaking. Situated mid-coast, Camden exemplifies the stark, rugged beauty of the Coast of Maine. Low mountains rise up sharply by the sea. In their shadows, you’ll find majestic harbors and expansive bays dotted with islands, trawlers, schooners, and sailboats. The charming town is filled with world-class restaurants and shops. Museums, theater, microbreweries, and vineyards dot the coast, and are all within a few minutes drive from the center of town. Camden Hills State Park has miles and miles of trails for hiking with stunning vistas to offer. Camden has been long known as a ‘getaway’ romantic destination, hotels such as the Camden Harbour Inn are the perfect setting for newlyweds to celebrate their love for each other. For centuries, travelers have embraced Camden and all its natural beauty. Today, honeymooners can too.

Newport, RI
The old colonial seaport town of Newport, Rhode Island, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a honeymoon. Once known as the summer playground for the Gilded Age’s rich and famous, today it’s known for its lively cultural scene, sightseeing, seashore elegance, and narrow, winding centuries-old streets lined with shops, galleries, and fine dining. There’s plenty to see and do. The extravagant Gilded Age mansions famous for copying the royal palaces of Europe are still there, and now many can be toured. Historic Fort Adams, dating back to the War of 1812, is home to the Museum of Yachting, and each year hosts both the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival. The Newport Cliff Walk is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Designated a National Recreation Trail, the 3.5-mile public access walkway borders the shoreline and offers panoramic views. There’s sailing and the Tennis Hall of Fame, too. Newport has a wide range of accommodations for honeymooners. Inns abound on the waterfront and the historic downtown alongside stylish hotels. The Castle Hill Inn has oceanfront views that make for an enchanting honeymoon destination.

Woodstock, VT
If you’re looking for white picket fences flanking a lush village green, that border a picturesque, vibrant downtown filled with boutique shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, then Woodstock, Vermont is the place you’ll want to spend your honeymoon. Voted the prettiest small town in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, it features all the historic character and charm of classic New England. There’s much to see; covered bridges connect to surrounding farmlands, orchards, and lakes. There are fantastic hiking trails, skiing, sleigh rides, biking, canoeing, and golf. The town has excellent local restaurants and breweries. Woodstock is enchanting, sophisticated, and the ideal Vermont town for romance. Consider the Village Inn of Woodstock to enjoy a romantic honeymoon.

Jackson Village, New Hampshire
The sheer vastness of the White Mountains awaits you and your loved one in Jackson, New Hampshire. With some of the most dramatic scenery in New England, the classic New Hampshire White Mountain Village of Jackson has attracted people from all over the world for centuries. Located on the edges of 750,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest, the village is surrounded by natural wonders. The Presidential Range and Mount Washington Valley offer spectacular beauty and four-season recreation. Fine dining, shopping, sightseeing, hiking, and numerous attractions throughout the region will keep you busy. As you explore, be careful of moose and other wildlife, they line the roadways everywhere. Take the time to visit the Honeymoon Bridge, a wooden covered bridge over the Ellis River dating from 1876, and take a ‘selfie’ for your grandchildren. Consider the Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa in Jackson for that romantic honeymoon. Recently voted one of the Top 25 Hotels for Romance in the United States, it’s an ideal romantic retreat amidst the beautiful setting of Jackson and the calming, sweet mountain air.

"There are so many special places in Maine, but if you’re looking for impeccable service and some serious pampering, this is the place."

Heather C. Bowdoinham, Maine

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