top of page

Romancing New England

Suzanne Carmel

Head to the East Coast for a romantic long weekend filled with scenic beauty, historic sites, fun-filled activities, and incredible seaside views.

Cape Poge: Sandy path winds through grassy meadow with pink flowers, leading to a distant lighthouse under a clear blue sky, evoking tranquility.
Photo credit: The Trustees of Reservations

The coastline of New England is as varied as the destinations along it—full of picturesque seaside towns, bustling harbors and marinas, charming inns and lavish resorts, and restaurants brimming with warmth and character. Pack your bags and head to the Cape for an East Coast romantic weekend.

 

Only a few days to unwind with someone special? Then narrow your focus to one section of the Eastern Seaboard. There is nothing better than an intimate, long weekend getaway to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Whether you hit all three or home in on one spot, it’s the perfect place to slow down for a memorable time with your other half.

 

For more quality alone time, plan a trip during spring or fall and not during the peak summer season when families flock to these destinations. You’ll experience less congestion on the roads, ferries, beaches, and tourist attractions, translating into a much more pleasant time with your loved one.

 

Cape Cod is really the only one of the three locations where you will definitely want a car; it’s about 65 miles in length and up to 20 miles across at its widest, with points of interest spread throughout. If you choose to head from here to the islands, you can leave your car in a lot near one of the ferry terminals and take the Steamship Authority or HyLine Cruises to either destination.

 

Cape Cod



While in Cape Cod, pay a visit to Sandwich for a leisurely stroll through the Heritage Museums & Gardens. Even if flowers aren’t in bloom, the trails around the grounds are lovely, and there is an impressive collection of antique autos on display in the Automobile Gallery, as well as temporary art exhibits in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. (Visit the website for information on what’s currently on view). Grab a casual lunch at Café Chew, where sandwiches take center stage (though salads are also delicious). Also stop by the Sandwich Glass Museum (book in advance online) where you can create a glass-blown souvenir to take home with the help of professional glass blowers. You can also watch an hourly glass blowing demonstration, view the museum glass exhibits, and purchase glass to bring home from the museum store.

 

For a bit of adventure and a completely different landscape, head north to the tip of Cape Cod and spend the afternoon in Provincetown. Learn all about the Provincetown Dunes in the National Seashore Park on one of Art’s Dune Tours. There are daily tours, sunset tours, and even tours combined with a boating excursion. Drive out to see the inspiring sandscape and the artists’ shacks where all manner of artists make short visits to be inspired and create in their mediums. Stroll along the colorful streets of this vibrant community before or after your dune tour and visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, site of the Mayflower Pilgrims’ first landing in 1620.

 

Spend a morning in Hyannis with coffee and bagels at Bagels & Beyond 2 on Main Street before stopping by the Kennedy Hyannis Museum to learn about the Kennedys, some of whom still have homes nearby. Take a leisurely stroll along the inner harbor and by colorful art shanties filled with unique souvenirs. Distinctive shops fill the downtown. Hop back in your car and take a half hour drive out to Chatham and the Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum, a fascinating little museum with interactive exhibits on Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi and the wireless receiving station he built here, to learn about maritime radio ship-to-shore communication. Grab a quick bite at the Chatham Filling Station, where all-day brunch includes a wide selection of breakfast and lunch dishes served in a nostalgic diner setting.

 

Yet another day in Cape Cod, visit the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis, part of the 22-acre Cape Cod Center for the Arts Campus, which includes a movie theater and a historic playhouse. Spend some time strolling through the outdoor sculpture garden before heading inside to peruse more than 2,000 works of art from the longest ongoing art colony in the country. The Underground Bakery in downtown Dennis is a great place for a quick but satisfying breakfast or lunch and enough sugary confections to satisfy any sweet tooth.

 

Where to Stay



You can easily spend your days on property at a luxury hotel in Cape Cod like Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, with 429 acres that include a golf course, restaurants, a full-service spa, tennis courts, pools, beach access, and other recreational activities. If you’re more inclined to be out and exploring for much of your day, consider a trio of properties—Pelham on Main, Pelham on Earle, and Pelham House. In particular, Pelham House is right on the water, with a restaurant, The Rooftop, perched on the second floor. There is free shuttle service between the three.

 

Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard



Cozy up indoors or brave the sun and wind outdoors on the ferry ride over to each of the islands. For your Martha’s Vineyard romantic weekend, spend some time in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown, each with its own unique flavor. Take a two-and-a-half-hour tour from Oak Bluffs Land & Wharf Company with a stop at Aquinnah to see the cliffs and view the Gay Head Lighthouse. Tours depart from Dockside Inn at Oak Bluffs. Grab lunch before or after your tour at Nancy’s, right on the waterfront, with an extensive menu of casual fare and fun libations. Spend an hour or two in Vineyard Haven at Island Alpaca, where you can visit the farm and learn more about these gentle animals. You can sign up in advance for a yoga class or a walk with alpacas and be sure to stop in the extensive gift shop, full of clothing, toys, and other souvenirs made with alpaca fiber. In the evening, head to Edgartown to stroll through town and grab casual dinner with a harbor-side view from The Seafood Shanty; the seafood-heavy menu also features sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. Save some room for homemade ice cream at Mad Martha’s (there are also scoop shops in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven).

 

On Nantucket, orient yourselves with a private tour led by Hugh Lloyd-Thomas of Discover Nantucket. He’ll fill you in on the island’s rich history and drive you to sites including Sconset Village, Sankaty Lighthouse, and the Old Mill. For more active sightseeing, select one of his tours on foot or by bike. Spend some time downtown exploring shops and restaurants lining cobblestone streets. Lemon Press is a lovely spot to grab a leisurely lunch on Main Street, with Persian-inspired, healthful cuisine. Pay a visit to the Whaling Museum (your admission ticket will get you into several area attractions). Learn about the island’s whaling history in nine exhibits filled with art and artifacts. Take the time to ascend to Tucker’s Roofwalk for a panoramic view of Nantucket Harbor. Walk several blocks from here to Hadwen House, also on the admission ticket, built in 1846. The Greek Revival Mansion is the only publicly accessible mansion of its time in the area. Head to the second floor to learn about Nantucket lightship baskets and see more than 100 examples from historic and current day weavers. Cap off your island stay with a daytime or sunset sail on Lynx, a tall ship inspired by the historic ships from the War of 1812. Lynx winters at St. Simons Island, Georgia, and spends late spring to early fall at Nantucket Island. You can board your two-and-a-half-hour excursion at Nantucket Harbor (reserve tickets in advance online). Spend a romantic evening dining al fresco on the porch of The Nantucket Hotel at Sailor’s Valentine, the perfect place to unwind from island adventures.

 

Where to stay


An aerial view of the Nantucket Hotel & Resort
The Nantucket Hotel & Resort. Photo credit: Nantucket Hotel

Luxury sister properties, Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha’s Vineyard and The Nantucket Hotel & Resort on Nantucket, afford guests a full resort experience with well appointed rooms, restaurants, fitness facilities, and pools.


 

**Please keep in mind when booking an East Coast romantic vacation for spring or fall to check business websites for opening dates and hours. Some restaurants and attractions, especially on the islands, close down in the winter or have altered hours/schedules.


 

For more information on Cape Cod, go to www.capecodchamber.org or call 888-33CAPECOD. For information on ferry transportation between Cape Cod and the Islands, visit www.hylinecruises.com or call 800-492-8082, and visit www.steamshipauthority.com or call 508-477.8600.

 

For more information on Martha’s Vineyard, visit www.mvy.com or call 508-693-0085.

 

For more information on Nantucket, visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce at www.nantucketchamber.org or call 508-228-1700.

 

Comentarios


© 2025 by Kelly Media Productions, LLC.

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
KMP_4C_shadow.jpg
download.jpg
Subscribe to the
Colleen Kelly Travel Newsletter

For updates on new destinations, travel tips, blog posts & podcast episodes, subscribe to our newsletter!

bottom of page