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Wicked Winter Guide

Wicked Winter Guide

Wicked Winter Guide

6 New England Spots Make List Of Most Beautiful Winter Towns

By Bob Bronson

These are the 6 hot spots when it comes to beautiful cold spots

The folks at Travel and Leisure Magazine have rated 6 New England spots that make the list of the 20 most beautiful winter towns in the U.S.A. To us New Englanders it’s not surprising they made the list because we have so many worthy towns in our corner of the country. Plus, they are all just a nice scenic drive away from pretty much anywhere around the Boston area.

Snow good

There’s something about a coating of the white stuff (snow) to make a town look more beautiful, especially Old New England towns with picturesque mains streets and back roads (as they say). Snow makes everything prettier, that’s why we are always hoping for a white Christmas. If you look at a town’s main street in the summer time it doesn’t look as good as will with an inch or three of freshly fallen snow. That doesn’t mean these 6 spots are only good for wintertime, far from it, they are all very special places that are beautiful places to be any time of year, it’s just they look even better in the winter months.

Hit the road

Here it is early January and winter has set in. We have had a couple of significant snow storms and unfortunately lots of rain as well, but we all know that the season has just begun. That means we have to settle into it and not fight it. If you are already getting a sense of dreaded “cabin fever” (being inside the house too long) then it’s time to hit the road Jack and head to one of these great six New England towns. They are all worthy of their ranking as part of the top 20 most beautiful winter towns in the country and they’re all close by, so fill up the tank and pack a bag. You can hit the slopes, or take a scenic horse drawn ride through the town or relax by  a cozy fire with a hot drink on  a cold New England night.

  • 6. North Conway, NH

    Travel and Leisure magazine says; The picturesque New Hampshire town is a paradise for skiing, snowboarding, and family-friendly sledding, and if you’d prefer to take in your nature views from the comfort of a heated coach, you can, thanks to the Conway Scenic Railroad. Located just a 2.5 hour drive from Boston, North Conway has everything all year round, but you can’t beat it’s location for winter activities and much more.

  • 5. Stowe, VT

    Travel and Leisure says; Outdoor activities run the gamut from downhill skiing and ice skating to snowmobiling and fat biking. Photographers and sightseers, meanwhile, will love the frozen Bingham Falls, the town’s multiple covered bridges, and the quintessential New England architecture. Stowe is a 3.5 hour drive from Boston and well worth it. Beautiful mountain scenery for both skiers and non skiers alike, there’s nothing to not like about Stowe, so go!

  • 4. Mystic, CT

    Travel and Leisure says; Mystic is a quaint old town on the Connecticut shore that’s well known for its long-standing maritime traditions (and for the 1988 film “Mystic Pizza”), but it’s a sleeper hit in the winter. You can get to Mystic in just over 2 hours from Boston. Once there you will enjoy the amazing food scene and of course you have to go to Mystic Pizza and take in the charm of this amazing town.

  • 3. Kennebunkport, ME

    Travel and Leisure says; Most of the popular vacation towns in Maine are summer retreats that slow down considerably in the colder months. This means winter visitors to Kennebunkport can enjoy scenic coastal walks and a community that’s as charming as ever — minus the peak-season swarms. Kennebunkport is about a 90 minute drive from Boston and is just as fun in the winter as the summer months. The best news is, all the restaurants are open, but you won’t have the long waits, and the Bush family will be out of town so you won’t have to worry about the secret service scoping you out.

  • 2. Lenox, MA

    Travel and Leisure says; A well-established summer escape for New Englanders, Lenox is steadily growing its reputation as a winter getaway, too. During the colder months, snow-dusted scenery, as well as cultural happenings at the many museums, theaters, and music halls, make this Berkshires town an utterly enchanting choice. Lenox is located just over 2 hours west of Boston and if you have never been, then you literally don’t know what you are missing. Lenox is beautiful in all seasons, but comes alive in the winter months. Sure you know about Tanglewood and the great concerts and events but Lenox offers much more as well. You can plan a very fulfilling weekend in this wonderful town.

  • 1. Woodstock, VT

    Travel and Leisure says; Vermont isn’t lacking in outstanding winter escapes, but anyone who’s visited during the colder months will tell you that Woodstock is one of the best. This adorable town sets itself apart with rolling hills, old covered bridges, and historic architecture. Woodstock is just under 3 hours from Boston and offers some of the most charming Bed and Breakfast inn and cabins in all of New England. It is a beautiful town for all seasons, but there’s something special about Woodstock in the winter. Be sure to come home with a nice bottle of Vermont maple syrup!