Looking to plan a weekend getaway (2 nights) most likely around mid-March with my boyfriend.

I'm looking for a broad range of ideas. A romantic place is always good, but not necessary. I don't ski/snowboard, so I'm not sure what places north of NYC can offer, but if there are snow-y places in March that have more to offer than just skiing, then I'm open to that too.

Anywhere that has mild weather, not more than 4 hours away from the city, with good hiking/scenery?

Really just open to anything as long as we have something to do and the weather isn't awful.

Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
www.mohonk.com

Might I add that we're also on a budget, so Mohonk is pretty out of the question.

Some places I've been thinking about are Rhode Island, Maine, Cape Cod, B&B's in upstate NY. Are there places south of NY that would be ideal?

Aside from suggestions, any insight into the states/places I mentioned above would be appreciated.

Otesaga-Coopertstown, NY
Boulders-New Preston, CT
or how about the Hamptons?

Thanks, can you please give me more detail on those places and what there is to see/do there?

My suggestion would be to take the train to Providence, Rhode Island, and spend the weekend seeing this small scale, architecturally appealing, historic city on the water. Since March is a difficult month in terms of weather being so unpredictable and since you do not want to go anywhere to ski and since you are talking about going not more than four hours from New York City, I would say that Providence would be a great destination.

Museums include the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and the Cooking Museum at Johnson and Wales which has a renowned program in the culinary arts.

Here is a link for the RISD museum:
http://www.risd.edu/museum.cfm

Top Providence Attractions

* Fleet Skating Center
* Waterplace Park & Riverwalk
* The RISD Museum
* Providence-Newport Water Ferry
* Brown University
* Roger Williams Park Zoo
* Prospect Park
* Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum
* Providence Children's Museum
* Culinary Archives & Museum At Johnson & Wales University
* Providence Train Station
* John Brown House Museum


If you would rather go to a rural destination by car, I would suggest going to Litchfield County and meandering through the small towns and villages in the northwestern corner of Connecticut. Again, I'm thinking in terms of a maximum of four hours away from New York City.

thanks! i will look into those suggestions. what is there to see/do in that part of CT?

if you're looking for mild weather and good scenery, why aren't you looking to head south?? With a four hour range, I'll bet you could get to some places that are more appealing than New England in mid-March!

Northwestern Connecticut is one of my favorite areas, but the scenic appeal wouldn't be quite the same as a little later in the year! But it does offer quaint lodging, New England charm, antiquing, scenic roads and hiking, but again, you will be hiking among bare trees.

I have no ideas on where to go south, but hope some others will chime in!

If we are talking a 4 hour drive you won't get south enough for really good weather. 4 hours will get you to the Washington DC area, which is definetly milder than NYC, but not guaranteed good weather. 5 hours will get you to Middleburg, VA, which is a historical area with a beautiful downtown, shopping, and lovely scenery. Real horse country.

The Northwestern section of CT is a beautiful area, (also where I call home) with quaint towns, rolling hills and small farms. It is a very popular spot for NYC weekenders - and a place to own weekend homes.

It is a very pretty area, but it would be a quiet weekend getaway - rather than action packed. There are some pretty hiking spots, a wide selection of cute towns for boutique-type shopping and great antiquing, nice restaurants and beautiful scenery.

There are a few small theater companies (but nothing like the quality of NYC) and independant movie houses. Other than some bars in the area nightlife is limited.

Mohawk Mountain is really the only ski area - which is definetly not a destination in itself, and in March there is no guarantee of snow. If you were looking for a skiing trip where you could sightsee -- then one of the small-town Vermont or New Hampshire skiing areas might be a better bet.

The good thing about Northwestern CT is that it is only 1 1/2 - 2 hours from NYC city - which would be ideal for a 2 night getaway. The weather could be hit or miss. Mid-march could get you any kind of weather - snow or a warm spell.

If you have any more specific questions about the CT area, Im happy to help.

steviegene - thanks for the reply! what are specific towns in northwestern CT that NYC weekenders tend to go to? if you know of any B&B's or just a good place to stay in general, that would help too. it would even be nice to have a place with a fireplace and/or jacuzzi if the weather is bad. in the even of snow/rain, what is there to do? and if there is a warm spell, will hiking still be nice even if the trees are bare?

we're also on somewhat of a budget. we'd prefer to not spend more than 200-300 each for the entire weekend.

off topic - any ideas on cape cod?

This is a helpful site for activity and lodging ideas
http://www.litchfieldhills.com/app/index.jsp

New Yorkers love Washington, Litchfield, Roxbury, Salisbury, New Preston, Sharon, also in Massachusetts - Great Barrington area (another good area to visit with shopping, scenic beauty, antiquing, some hiking on Appalachian Trail/Monument Mountain, Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, etc).

I have of course not stayed at any of the B&Bs listed, but if you find one you like I can let you know if it is in a good area/on quiet road, etc.

My town recommendations on where to stay would depend on what you most want to do. Litchfield and Washington/New Preston are good bases with a decent (though not huge) selection of shopping and restaurants, Woodbuy has great antiquing, Sharon and Salisbury have beautiful scenic drives.

I think you would have to go into the trip realizing the limitations of March weather in New England. This area, as well as Cape Cod, has much more to do in the summer/spring months than in the winter.

In Northwest CT or Great Barrington area in MA in March, many of the things I would recommend doing would be low-key, involving scenic drives, just walking around the little towns, and stopping into one of the cozy restaurants for lunch. In terms of hiking, you could have snow or mud - it is not the ideal time to hike. The overlooks will have great views and the scenery will still be pretty, but it is not ideal - and of course would be prettier at other times in the year. (In Cape Cod you would have the beach, which would probably be better walking and the Cape tends to get less snow).

In bad weather there are a few small museums to tour - depending on your interests, art galleries, antique shops, covered bridges, etc.. I would spend some time on the above website and see if there are any activities that interest you, and try to narrow down what, if anything you might like to see.

We went to a really cute place in NH for a weekend a few years ago, stayed in a very cute B&B http://www.innatvalleyfarms.com, not far from the MA border. Nice little town not far from there w/good restaurants and reasonable! Here's a web-site about this area too:
http://www.nhliving.com/lodging/inns/monad.shtml

..or how about Newport, RI.? That is one nice town. And if you can afford it look at Castle Hill Inn and Resort.

what's there to do in Newport in March?