11 Most Peaceful Small Towns In New England
In the northeastern US, the states of Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire make up the region of New England. The area is known for its rich colonial history, diverse landscapes with distinct seasonal beauty, Ivy League universities, and friendly small towns where you are guaranteed to find a delicious lobster roll. From the Green Mountains of Vermont to the rocky coast of Maine, there is a draw for anyone to visit New England and enjoy a genuinely peaceful escape.
Blue Hill, Maine
Located on Maine's Blue Hill Peninsula, surrounded by the coasts of bodies of water such as the Mt Desert Narrows and Blue Hill Bay, are several artsy hidden gem towns. One of these is the namesake town of Blue Hill, known for its stunning natural surroundings and its historic village center full of boutique shops and cafes, many of which are housed in 18th and 19th-century buildings.
Blue Hill is perfect for a peaceful escape from bigger and busier towns, especially during the colder months, when it gets even quieter than in the summer. In warm weather, the tourists who visit to attend the annual Blue Hill Fair in early September, or hike to the summit of Blue Hill Mountain, find this town and the surrounding areas to be incredibly relaxing. If it is indeed cold outside when you are there, consider warming up inside community-based independent bookshop Blue Hill Books while casually browsing their collection of bestsellers, rare finds, and stationery. Or, savor a hot drink and a breakfast sandwich at Humblebee Cafe, a local favorite for its fresh menu items and cute greenhouse seating area.
Lenox, Massachusetts
Massachusetts' famous Berkshire Hills, an Appalachian highland region rich in woodlands and lakes, is a tranquil escape for many New England residents who live in large cities. The Berkshires are full of naturally stunning and quiet little towns, such as Lenox. With just around 5,000 residents, it is certainly peaceful and much less crowded than many of its neighbors, but it remains a culturally vibrant place.
The town is home to several iconic Massachusetts locations, such as Tanglewood, where the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra performs in the summer, and The Mount, the glamorous Gilded Age mansion of renowned writer Edith Wharton, now restored as a museum and cultural center. In Lenox, you can also catch a classic production at the epic performing arts venue, Shakespeare & Company.
Stowe, Vermont
In the Green Mountains of Vermont, the relaxing town of Stowe, known for Stowe Mountain Resort, which draws many skiing enthusiasts in the winter months, sits at the base of Mount Mansfield. This mountain is Vermont's tallest peak, and it helps make Stowe a great destination for lovers of the outdoors. Hiking is another popular activity here, especially on the Long Trail, which is the oldest long-distance foot path in the US.
Stowe has a great downtown as well, and if you like to chill and enjoy a good drink, this is a perfect place to visit. Here, you will find the Alchemist Brewery, renowned for its IPAs, plus two cideries, Stowe Cider and Cold Hollow Cider Mill. The latter offers both hard and non-alcoholic cider varieties, plus donuts and other apple treats.
Franconia, New Hampshire
Another mountain town, this one in New Hampshire's White Mountains, is Franconia. In a gorgeous location surrounded by towering peaks with huge gorges in between, dotted with lakes and waterfalls, the scenery here simply cannot be beat. Only about 1,000 people live in Franconia full-time, so despite being the gateway to the popular attraction Franconia Notch State Park, it stays very calm here year-round.
The state park is known for geological wonders like Echo Lake and Flume Gorge. The former sits at an elevation of almost 2,000 feet and offers breathtaking views of enormous peaks such as Cannon Mountain, which towers above at 4,000 feet and is popular for rock and ice climbing, as well as skiing at the highest ski-area summit in New Hampshire. Flume Gorge is striking for a different reason, with granite walls up to 90 feet tall surrounding you as you journey along its two-mile boardwalk.
Litchfield, Connecticut
Just west of the state capital, Litchfield, Connecticut, has a quintessential New England feeling to it, thanks to a curated downtown packed with 18th-century colonial architecture and a traditional Town Green. The town is proud of its heritage and traditions, evident in unique, independent businesses like Litchfield Distillery, a family-owned craft distillery selling a variety of spirits and offering complimentary tours and tastings, or the Bantam Cinema and Art Center, a quirky art house theater that shows new releases as well as festival films. Many of the town's eateries are also destinations unto themselves, like Materia Ristorante, an upscale Italian restaurant inside a stone mansion, and highly-rated West Street Grill, fine American dining in a historic building across from the green.
Jamestown, Rhode Island
The rural, quiet village of Jamestown is almost entirely on Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay off the coast of Rhode Island, meaning it is primarily known for its scenic waterfront and peaceful isolation. With its massive harbor and mix of protected waters and favorable winds, Jamestown is a very popular spot for boating.
The heart of this coastal village is centered around Narragansett Avenue in its small downtown, filled with a cluster of cute shops and cafes, all within walking distance of the Conanicut Marina. One place locals would say you should visit is Slice of Heaven, a bakery and daytime cafe with a breakfast and lunch menu, plus homemade pastries. For dinner, Our Table Jamestown is a popular choice, offering seasonal dishes and both a savory and sweet menu. If you are looking to buy a unique gift, Clancy Designs is a glassblowing studio that sells art pieces as well as handmade functional home decor, like colorful vases and dishes.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
While the state of Massachusetts is often visited for its rocky coasts and beautiful, wide-open Atlantic bays, it also has a diverse inland region with dramatic hills, lush green valleys, and charming little mining towns. Sturbridge is one of those, tucked into a rural area at a spot called the "Crossroads of New England" because of its position at the intersection of major routes to cities like Boston and Hartford, Connecticut.
Sturbridge has several attractions that make it an essential stop on your New England bucket list. One of these is a living history museum called Old Sturbridge Village. This is a great thing to do with kids, as it has fun things like guides in period costumes, hands-on displays, and farm animals, all while being an educational experience on life in the early 1800s. Afterward, enjoy some Southern-style barbecue at highly popular BT's Smokehouse, or enjoy a drink or pastry at top-rated cafe Saw Dust Coffee House, which is open until 11 pm for cocktails and dessert on weekends.
Chester, Connecticut
Chester, a peaceful town in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, is a rural stay with great proximity to busier areas, including the Long Island Sound, which is only 10 miles away. It offers a relaxing escape from metropolitan centers like Boston and New York City, with its small-town charm and friendly New England vibes.
You could spend your entire visit along Chester's picturesque Main Street, one of the best in Connecticut. Catch a musical or play at The Terris Theater, the second stage and development theater of the popular Goodspeed Opera House. Another popular local spot, Little House Brewing Company, creates innovative craft brews inside a historic building and often has live music. Meanwhile, Chester staple Simon's Marketplace has been referred to as "the living room of Chester" because of its cozy atmosphere, steady population of regular customers, and delicious food and coffee.
Lisbon, New Hampshire
Lisbon is located in the isolated western North Country region of New Hampshire, an area enriched by the breathtaking White Mountains and Ammonoosuc River. In the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, Lisbon is a perfect stop any time of year for people who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and fishing. Downtown is also a treat, with fun places to visit such as beloved local coffee shop and bakery Wildflour Cafe, family-friendly restaurant Mikey's Seafood Pub & Grill, or the annual Lilac Festival in late May, a fairytale-like event in celebration of the state flower, which has a parade, vendors, fireworks, and carnival rides.
Grafton, Vermont
With only around 650 residents, the town of Grafton, in southeastern Vermont, is the definition of peaceful. Very scenic, especially in the fall, this little New England village feels like stepping back in time, surrounded by natural beauty and filled with historic buildings. The small village center is slow-paced, but has plenty of shops and local galleries, including the Hunter Gallery of Fine Art, and MKT Grafton, a general store selling everything from fresh-made soups and sandwiches to local produce and Vermont-made gifts. The Grafton Inn, an iconic colonial hotel with a restaurant that features farm-to-table dining, is the pinnacle of relaxation in this town, known for its great food, friendly service, and beautiful historic grounds.
Bridgton, Maine
Maine has an area in its interior known as the Lakes Region, and the small town of Bridgton is located between Long Lake and Highland Lake, with several large ponds around it as well. Given its immediate proximity to water, this town does get more popular in the summer. People come looking to enjoy kayaking, boating, and swimming, but even then, it maintains a welcoming, small-town feeling.
Outdoor attractions definitely reign supreme in Bridgton. If you do not want to get into the water, you can explore Pondicherry Park, a 66-acre public nature preserve right outside Bridgton's downtown. The park has endless stunning scenery, woodlands, wetlands, and babbling streams, all of which you can navigate by following the two miles of walking trails. Indoor options downtown include shopping at Gallery 302, an eclectic artist co-operative that displays and sells everything from paintings to jewelry, all handmade by local artists. Or, see a film at Magic Lantern Movie Theater, a local favorite with a storied history dating to the 1920s. You can even have a beer in the on-site tavern!
Looking For a Peaceful Weekend Away?
These small towns are sure to do the trick. Some, like Lisbon, New Hampshire, or Blue Hill, Maine, are perfect for lovers of the outdoors who enjoy activities like hiking or skiing. For those more interested in a cute little downtown area to explore, New England has that too, in places like Stowe, Vermont, or Chester, Connecticut. Even better, most of these towns have both! Whatever your pleasure, visit New England for peak relaxation and a unique adventure.
