The crisp autumn air and hues of red and yellow crowning the local maple trees have made me realize that winter really is just around the corner. Instead of lamenting the loss of summer, I think it’s time we appreciate the bright blue skies and brilliantly snowy landscapes that the coldest season has to offer.
If you want to immerse yourself in all that is wintertime, head to one (or more!) of these five New England towns.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
There’s more to Cambridge than Harvard and MIT — the city just outside Boston sits right on Charles River. A winter stroll allows you to enjoy views of the Boston skyline reflecting off the icy river. Check out the African-American Heritage Trail that honours notable African-Americans throughout history. One of my favourite things to do in any city is browse bookstores — they’re quiet, yet warm and inviting. In Cambridge, you can go back in time (to 1856!) to Schoenhof’s Foreign Books, a shop boasting the largest choice of foreign language books in North America.
Milford, Connecticut
Milford, Connecticut offers miles of coastline that’s great in the summer — but what is there to do in the winter? Milford is a sleepy city with beautiful scenery and quaint houses, covered in snow. My recommendation for Milford is to stay at a local bed-and-breakfast, eat, drink, and be merry. If you want to venture outside, downtown Milford offers an eclectic array of restaurants, bars, and — let’s not forget — Milford Lanes AMF Bowling alley.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth is known as “American’s Hometown”— it’s where the Mayflower first landed, bringing one of the first groups of European settlers to North America. This New England town is perfect for history buffs. See famous Plymouth Rock that commemorates the place where the Pilgrims landed or head to Plimoth Plantation (and that’s not a typo! — the Plimoth spelling typically denotes a historical site) to see a live re-enactment of early life in America.
Bangor, Maine
We know that there’s a Cambridge in Britain, but did you know that there’s a Bangor, too? Well, in this case I’m not talking about the small Welsh town, but one of Maine’s most chill cities. Bangor, Maine is a great place for travelling with kids — head to Maine Discovery Museum for fun and educational entertainment!
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is Rhode Island’s capital, rife with culture, historic parks, views, and diverse neighbourhoods with great nightlife. In the snowy winter, head to Museum of Natural History or the starry-skied Cormack Planetarium for some indoor fun. During this season, you’ll be able to visit Providence Rink at Bank of America City Center — a 14,000 square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Providence. Once you’ve worn yourself out, the neighbourhood is a great place to grab a bite to eat or a mocha on the go.
Winter is cosy and heartening — it’s the only time of the year where you can bundle up, eat comfort food, snuggle with your favourite people, and drink hot cocoa by a wood-burning fire! Take a trip to one of these lesser-known New England destinations and have yourself a merry winter wonderland experience!