Four sisters are planning a weekend away at the end of July. Three of us live in NJ and one in RI (all 50+). We're looking for a nice town to spend a weekend. With either great scenery , bike riding, some shopping...mellow.

We're looking for somewhere between NJ & RI, or not too long (<2 hrs) of a drive outside of RI (Northeast corner). Maybe CT, RI or MA. We've been to the obvious places...Mystic, Boston, Newport, etc.

Any recommendations??

It may be tough to get reservations this late, but I seem to be recommending Great Barrington, MA, a lot these days. It has scenery, shopping, music and plays, historic houses, good restaurants.

The Litchfield, CT area is beautiful, tho low key. Raally, all of NW Connecticut.

If you like antiques, Hudson, NY.

Tarrytown, NY could be nice. It's not really a vacation destination so you might have better luck with hotels and prices.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g4...rk-Hotels.html
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate is nearby as are some other mansions to tour. Hudsonvalley.org
Woodbury Commons outlet mall is about a 40 min. drive and you also have the more upscale shopping in White Plains nearby.

PS Rhinebeck/Rhinecliff, NY is more picturesque.

I second Ackislander's suggestion of Great Barrington, or other nearby towns in the Berkshires, such as Stockbridge, Lee, or Lenox. There is beautiful scenery, biking, hiking, canoeing, shopping, & dining. You could also go to Norman Rockwell's Museum in Stockbridge, or Edith Wharton's home, The Mount, in Lee (or Lenox). You could attend a concert or dance show at Tanglewood or Jacob's Pillow. There are great restaurants in all of these towns. A trip to the Berkshires can be as active or mellow as you like.

Northampton or Amherst MA

We actually did Great Barrington about 4 years ago and we loved it!!

I'll check out the other suggestions and see what else comes up! Thanks for your responses so far.

How about Simsbury CT? A few nice inns right on the main street with shops and restaurants you can walk to. Great Bike Trail and easy access to Talcott Mountain to walk (or hike) up to the tower on top for great views. Outdoor music too.

Stoning ton,CT, near RI...Inn at Stonington is beautiful.

Ridgefield CT or New Canaan CT

Three areas to think about :
Northwest CT area--New Milford, Kent, Washington, etc.
CT Shoreline towns: Essex, Chester, Old Lyme, Madison area
or
New Haven--lots to do--both indoors and out!

I'm seconding the above recs of Litchfield County and NW CT. I might add Bridgewater, and Lake Waramaug, Woodbury CT, Washington CT, New Milford CT, New Preston, CT

Go to one of the Ma. or R.I.islands is you haven't been yet

I will 2nd Rhinebeck - great little town in the Hudson River Valley. Great shops to walk around and explore with many great places to grab a bite. There is a farmers market in the center of town on Sundays as well.

If you like historic homes there are many great options such as F.D.R and Vanderbilt close by.

Have you gone yet?
I like Bristol, RI. Right on the East Bay Biking trail (13 miles)which goes through Colt Neck State Park, some really good restaurants, a few shops and historic houses to tour. Very mellow (unlike Newport at this time of the year) but still enough to do for a weekend

North Fork Long Island with a base in Greenport?