The New England states offer many, inexpensive getaway options for a couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Whether traveling off-season, off the beaten path or simply finding a new place to explore, there are a variety of unique and romantic places to visit in New England.
New England evokes images of white churches with tall steeples surrounded by trees with yellow, red and orange leaves;which is a good description of Litchfield Hills. The area is rich with antique shops and art galleries, vineyards and farm stands. Guests at the Hopkins Vineyard can tour the vineyard and winery and enjoy a glass of wine (tastings cost $6 per person, including a take home glass). After touring the winery couples can stay at the neighboring Hopkins Inn. The inn has a private beach on Lake Waramaug and offers affordable rooms ($130 for a room with a lake view). (Rates current as of March 2010.)
Hopkins Vineyard
25 Hopkins Rd.
New Preston, CT 06777
860-868-7954
hopkinsvineyard.com
Hopkins Inn
22 Hopkins Rd.
New Preston, CT 06777
860-868-7295
thehopkinsinn.com
If you can avoid the summer high-season the Berkshires can be an affordable anniversary getaway. The Berkshire Visitors Bureau official website regularly publicizes special deals for lodgings and has printable coupons for dining, shopping and other activities. Places to visit include Ventfort Hall, the stunning Victorian gilded age mansion featured in the movie "The Cider House Rules," and the Chocolate Springs Café, a local favorite serving handcrafted chocolates, ice cream, pastries and hot drinks.
Berkshire Visitors Bureau
3 Hoosac St.
Adams, MA 01229
413-743-4500
berkshires.org
Chocolate Springs Café
55 Pittsfield/Lenox Road
Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-9820
chocolatesprings.com
Ventfort Hall Mansion
104 Walker St.
Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-3206
gildedage.org
You'll light the flame of romance with a visit to the exhibit of 100 bonfires burning on the river as they reflect on the water and fill the air with the pleasing scent of wood aflame. Waterfire is a free, fire-based arts installation that has been delighting visitors in downtown Providence since 1994. On select weekend nights from May through October walk along the river and enjoy music, performers, food vendors and a warm atmosphere. For a $5 donation a couple may light its own candle to celebrate their anniversary. There are numerous hotels and bed-and-breakfasts within walking distance of Waterfire. A short walk away is Federal Hill, the Little Italy of Providence, with its many restaurants, specialty shops and cafes.
Waterfire Providence Office
101 Regent Ave.
Providence, RI 02908
401-273-1155
waterfire.org/contact
ProvidenceFederalHill.com
387 Atwells Ave.
Providence, RI 02909
providencefederalhill.com
The Camden Harbour Inn and Ledges by the Bay regularly have midweek and off-season value packages for overnight lodgings that often include meals. The main attraction in Camden is the sea, and there are boat rentals, fishing and water sports. In the winter there is cross country skiing, and throughout the year there are artist's studios, galleries and museums to visit.
Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 919
Camden, ME 04843
800-223-5459
camdenme.org
Camden Harbour Inn
83 Bayview St.
Camden, ME 04843
800-236-4266
camdenharbourinn.com/
Ledges by the Bay
930 Commercial St
Rockport, ME 04856
800-898-8944
ledgesbythebay.com
The Vermont hills are alive with the sound of music at the Trapp Family Lodge, the Austrian-inspired home of the Von Trapp family made famous by "The Sound of Music" movie. A couple celebrating a silver anniversary can be inspired by the true love story of the real life couple, Maria and Captain Von Trapp, who founded the lodge. While overnight accommodations cost about $200 per night, the grounds and the gift shop are open to the public at no charge. Near Stowe is the famous Ben & Jerry's factory, which offers tours for $3 per person. The tour highlight is the finale, a sampling of the flavor of the day. There are a large selection of budget lodgings in the areas, from small bed-and-breakfasts to chain hotels. (Rate current as of March 2010.)
Trapp Family Lodge
700 Trapp Hill Rd.
Stowe, VT 05672
800-826-7000
trappfamily.com
Ben & Jerry's
1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.
Waterbury, VT 05676
802-882-1240
benjerry.com
Bargains abound in the White Mountains when the leaf peepers and skiers go away. Throughout most of the year their mountains hiking trails to follow. Franconia Notch State Park has a natural granite gorge, the Flume Gorge, accessible by footpaths and bridges that pass waterfalls and picturesque, historic covered bridges. In summer there is swimming at Echo Lake. The area has camping, hotels, rental houses, and inns. The Franconia Inn is a colonial-style country inn that regularly offers romance packages and bed-and-breakfast specials for as little as $100 per night outside of peak season. (Rates current as of March 2010.)
Franconia Inn
Easton Rd.
Franconia, NH 03580
800-473-5299
franconiainn.com
New Hampshire Parks & Recreation
172 Pembroke Rd.
P.O. Box 1856
Concord, NH 03302-1856
603-271-3556
nhstateparks.org
