Unearth The Voyage
New England is packed with incredible places to visit, but locals know the best spots are the ones tourists haven’t crowded yet. From treehouse stays to car-free islands, these getaways offer something special beyond the usual vacation routine. Whether you’re craving ocean views, mountain hikes, or a quirky glamping experience, these hidden treasures are booking up fast as word spreads about their charm.
1. Glamp on the Coast at Under Canvas Acadia (Surry, Maine)
Love the idea of visiting Acadia National Park but not excited about sleeping on the ground? Under Canvas Acadia solves that problem beautifully. Located in Surry on about 100 acres, this glamping resort features safari-style tents with real beds, private bathrooms, and wood stoves.
You’ll have more than 1,200 feet of coastline to explore right on the property. It’s about a 35-minute drive to Cadillac Mountain and the main park attractions, so you get easy access without the campground crowds.
The best part is waking up to ocean views and starry skies at night, then heading into the park refreshed. Catch sunrise or sunset from the shoreline, and plan at least one full day hiking Acadia’s famous park loop. This spot combines outdoor adventure with comfortable accommodations perfectly.
2. A Castle Stay at The Norumbega Inn (Camden, Maine)
Ever wanted to sleep in a castle? The Norumbega Inn in Camden makes that fantasy real. Built in the 1880s, this stone mansion looks like it belongs in Europe, not coastal Maine, and sits right on Route 1 overlooking Penobscot Bay.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this boutique hotel offers 11 unique rooms. Many feature fireplaces or private terraces where you can soak in bay views. The historic charm is everywhere, from the architecture to the carefully styled interiors.
What makes this special is the location. You’re staying in an actual castle-style mansion but can easily walk or drive to Camden’s harbor, shops, and restaurants. Start your evening with a cocktail in the inn’s intimate bar, then head into town for dinner and harbor strolls. It’s old-world elegance meets New England coastal charm.
3. Wes-Anderson-Style Glamping at Sandy Pines Campground (Kennebunkport, Maine)
Sandy Pines Campground takes glamping to a whole new level of fun. Forget boring tents. This Kennebunkport spot offers themed tiny houses, safari tents, and A-frame cabins decorated with whimsical touches that feel straight out of a Wes Anderson movie.
The campground sits quietly in a beach forest bordered by salt marsh, less than a mile from Goose Rocks Beach. Downtown Dock Square is just a short drive away, so you get both nature and town access. Standard RV and tent sites are also available if you prefer traditional camping.
Choose from storybook tiny homes or stylish tents that look like they belong in a design magazine. Borrow bikes to explore the area, spend the day at Goose Rocks Beach, and finish with s’mores around your private fire pit. It’s playful, comfortable, and totally Instagram-worthy.
4. Car-Free Escape on Monhegan Island (Maine)
About 10 miles off the Maine coast sits Monhegan Island, a tiny escape where cars and even bikes aren’t allowed. This keeps everything peaceful and slow-paced, exactly what you need when modern life feels too hectic.
The island is famous for rugged cliffs, excellent hiking trails, and a thriving artist colony that’s been around for generations. Visitors explore entirely on foot, wandering between inns, art studios, and a working fishing village. Ocean views stretch in every direction, no matter where you walk.
Hike the coastal trails around the island’s perimeter and browse local galleries showcasing paintings inspired by the dramatic scenery. For the full unplugged experience, overnight at one of the historic inns. No traffic sounds, no car horns, just waves, seabirds, and the rhythm of island life.
5. Peaks Island by Ferry (Portland, Maine)
Need a quick escape from Portland without driving far? Peaks Island delivers. A 15 to 20-minute ferry ride from downtown drops you on this quiet island in Casco Bay, where life moves at a completely different pace.
Rent bikes or golf carts to loop the island and explore its quiet streets, rocky coves, and WWII history sites. Check out the quirky Umbrella Cover Museum if you’re in the mood for something offbeat. The Inn on Peaks Island offers overnight stays if you want to extend your visit beyond a day trip.
It feels like a mini-vacation from the city without any long travel time. Just hop the ferry and you’re suddenly wandering an island village. Bike around the perimeter, then settle in for sunset drinks or dinner with harbor views before heading back to Portland.
6. Lakefront Glamping at Huttopia White Mountains (Conway, New Hampshire)
Huttopia White Mountains brings a touch of France to New Hampshire. This French glamping brand set up camp on 50 acres of forest surrounding a small lake, offering wood-and-canvas tents and cabins that feel worlds away from typical camping.
The resort includes a heated pool, café with food-truck options, and plenty of on-site activities. Think espresso, wine, and bistro food in the middle of the White Mountains. It’s a totally different vibe from rustic American campgrounds, blending European style with New England nature.
Paddle on the lake first thing in the morning when mist rises off the water. Then head out to explore White Mountain National Forest trails nearby. Return to camp for a relaxed evening with good food and comfortable accommodations. It’s glamping done right, European-style.
7. Lupine Season in Sugar Hill (New Hampshire)
For a few magical weeks each June, Sugar Hill transforms into something out of a painting. This tiny town northwest of the White Mountains becomes covered in wild lupines, with hillsides and meadows bursting with purple and pink blooms.
The flowers frame stunning views of the Franconia and Presidential mountain ranges. Photographers and travelers make pilgrimages here during early June just to see the spectacle. It’s like nature’s own flower festival, completely free and breathtakingly beautiful.
Visit during sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic lighting over the lupine fields. The bloom window is short, usually early June, so timing matters. Outside of bloom season, Sugar Hill still makes a quiet, charming base for exploring Franconia Notch and surrounding mountain areas. But if you catch lupine season, you’ll never forget it.
8. Sleep in a Luxury Treehouse at Moose Meadow Lodge (Waterbury, Vermont)
Remember dreaming about treehouses as a kid? Moose Meadow Lodge brings that dream back, but with grown-up upgrades. Near Waterbury, this top-rated bed and breakfast offers a two-story treehouse built around a maple tree, complete with a lofted queen bed and wraparound deck.
The treehouse overlooks peaceful forest, giving you that elevated, nestled-in-nature feeling. It’s rustic-cozy but still comfortable, with thoughtful touches that make it special. The property itself ranks number one among Waterbury B&Bs on Tripadvisor with a perfect 5.0 rating.
Location is another bonus. You’re close to Waterbury and Stowe, both known for craft breweries and excellent food. Split your day between hiking local trails and tasting your way through nearby breweries and eateries. Sleeping in a treehouse adds that extra layer of adventure to an already great Vermont getaway.
9. Classic Village Charm in Woodstock (Vermont)
Woodstock might just be the most photogenic town in all of New England. Multiple covered bridges dot the village and surrounding area, historic homes line walkable streets, and the village green looks like a postcard come to life.
Boutique stays like On the River Inn and the Woodstock Inn & Resort offer spa amenities and farm-to-table dining. Several on-site restaurants source ingredients from local farms, so you’re eating Vermont-fresh meals without leaving your hotel. The combination of upscale lodging and classic New England scenery is hard to beat.
Stroll between covered bridges, browse local shops selling Vermont-made goods, and book dinner at one of the resort restaurants. Everything is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore without rushing. You get covered-bridge scenery, village green vibes, and excellent food all in one beautiful place.
10. Gilmore-Girls-Vibes at the Mayflower Inn & Spa (Washington, Connecticut)
Fans of Gilmore Girls will feel right at home here. The Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut, is widely believed to have inspired Stars Hollow. The show’s creator stayed in the area while developing the series, soaking in the small-town charm that defines this Litchfield County retreat.
Spread across 58 acres, this luxury resort features a holistic spa, outdoor sauna, on-site distillery, archery, and tennis. Condé Nast Traveler has repeatedly ranked it among New England’s top resorts. The interiors are cozy yet modern, with manicured gardens and woodland trails perfect for peaceful walks.
Book a spa treatment, explore the property’s gardens, and take a slow drive through neighboring Litchfield County villages. It’s basically a real-life TV small-town resort with serious food and spa credentials. You might not run into Lorelai and Rory, but the vibe is unmistakably there.
11. Farm Yurt Glamping at Finnegan’s Farm, West (New Milford, Connecticut)
Finnegan’s Farm, West offers a completely different kind of getaway. This working farm and agritainment destination in New Milford features a glamping yurt on an 18-acre property where Highland cows roam and gardens flourish.
The bell-style yurt includes a queen bed, farm views, and access to walking areas and gardens. It feels more like staying with friends on their farm than checking into a big resort. Perfect for couples who want quiet, stars, and animals instead of nightlife and crowds.
Visit the farm animals during your stay and pick up fresh produce or flowers when they’re in season. Nearby Hidden Valley Preserve offers excellent hiking if you want to explore beyond the farm. Evenings are for relaxing under the stars, listening to farm sounds, and enjoying the slower pace of rural Connecticut life.
12. Seaport History & Pizza Fame in Mystic (Connecticut)
Mystic went from shipbuilding hub to buzzy coastal escape, and it’s easy to see why visitors keep coming back. This small waterfront town along the Mystic River packs serious history, great food, and pop-culture nostalgia into one charming destination.
Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the United States, covering 19 acres with historic ships, exhibits, and a recreated 19th-century seafaring village. The town’s streets and harborfront overflow with shops, bakeries, and restaurants, including newer spots like Cucina Al Pantheon and Off The Hook.
Of course, Mystic Pizza still operates at 56 West Main Street, the pizzeria that inspired the 1988 movie. Grab a slice and soak in the nostalgia. Spend a full day at the seaport museum, stroll the historic district, and enjoy the mix of maritime history and small-town waterfront charm that makes Mystic so special.
13. Vintage Airstreams at Melville Ponds Campground (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)
Melville Ponds Campground on Aquidneck Island offers a retro twist on camping. Renovated 1970s Airstream trailers provide glamping accommodations alongside more traditional RV and tent sites. Sleeping in a vintage Airstream on a wooded Rhode Island campground creates a totally different vibe from Newport’s high-end hotels.
The campground sits about five miles from Newport and the ocean beaches, making it an affordable but fun base for exploring the famous mansions and harbor. You get the best of both worlds: quirky, budget-friendly accommodations and easy access to one of New England’s most popular coastal towns.
Spend the day touring Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and waterfront, then return to your Airstream for a quiet campfire evening. It’s a creative way to experience the area without spending a fortune on hotels, and the vintage trailers add personality that chain accommodations can’t match.
14. Slow Island Time on Block Island (Rhode Island)
Block Island feels like stepping back to an old-fashioned seaside holiday. Located off the Rhode Island coast, this island is known for dramatic bluffs, rolling dunes, and Victorian architecture that gives the whole place a timeless feel.
Nearly half the island’s land is preserved for conservation, keeping development minimal and nature front and center. Highlights include Mohegan Bluffs with its steep stairs down to the beach and miles of coastline to explore. You can even stay in a restored lighthouse keeper’s house for a truly unique overnight experience.
Ferry access, bikes, walking, and charming inns replace big chain hotels and traffic. Climb down the stairs at Mohegan Bluffs, visit the lighthouses, and catch sunset on the island’s west side. It’s the perfect place to slow down, unplug, and remember what vacations felt like before everything got so rushed.
15. Walk the Reopened Marginal Way in Ogunquit (Maine)
Ogunquit combines a beautiful sandy beach with one of New England’s most scenic coastal walks. Marginal Way is a 1.5-mile paved path hugging the Atlantic from Shore Road to Perkins Cove, offering stunning ocean views the entire way.
Winter storm damage in 2024 temporarily closed the trail, but recent updates confirm it has reopened. Visitors can once again enjoy those famous oceanfront views without obstacles. The path is easily accessible for most fitness levels, making it a favorite for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Take an early-morning or golden-hour stroll on Marginal Way for the best light and smaller crowds. Spend time on Ogunquit Beach, which is long and sandy, perfect for swimming or just relaxing. The town offers a wide range of hotels and inns, from rustic to upscale, so you can find accommodations that fit your style and budget perfectly.
