9 New England Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
You are in your flip flops, traipsing through a cobblestoned street lined with stately red-brick buildings. The soft breeze parts your hair, and the ambiance is sweet and laid back. There is no whirl of cars, no loud honkings that fill the environment with noise. Every building has character; every smile looks genuine. Bonus point? The little, family-owned restaurants that whip up delicious, home-style meals. But where is such a utopia to be found, such a dream to be lived? Starting with Woodstock, Vermont, the following are 9 New England towns with a slower pace of life.
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock, with its rolling hills and working farms, is a quaint New England beauty that moves at a slow, restful rhythm. Although there are several inviting restaurants in Woodstock’s bustling main hub, you will want to enjoy a slower dining experience at the nearby Cloudland Farm, a tucked-away space that offers some of the best farm-to-table experiences in Vermont. Bonus point? The road trip to the restaurant is unbelievably scenic. Other fun spots to slow you down include the Ottauquechee River, which sings through the town; the Historic Middle Covered Bridge, a rustic piece of history in a picturesque setting, and Billings Farm & Museum, a relaxing space where you can mingle with cows, explore a gorgeous apple orchard, or wander through an extensive museum and gift shop.
Camden, Maine
Camden is tastefully positioned at the foot of Camden Hills on the peaceful Penobscot Bay. Its endearing slogan, “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea,” is all you need to know to appreciate its postcard beauty. Camden does not just look like the setting of a movie. It has actually played that role and was the location for the filming of Peyton Place, a highly successful Hollywood production released in 1957. You can charge up Mt Battie and enjoy spectacular views of the harbour, visit the public library on Main Street and snap beautiful pictures, or just wander through the mind-bending Camden Hills State Park, whose impressive hiking trails lead to some of the most photogenic views in the world.
Peterborough, New Hampshire
Peterborough is a bashful Hillsborough County gem quietly nestled along the beautiful Contoocook River. Time slows down here as almost everything about the landscape is rebelliously quaint and laid back. Peterborough is home to MacDowell Colony, an artists’ hub that has hosted several big names in the industry, including Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. It is one of the world's most exclusive artist retreats. Depot Square, the town's main hub, is between the confluence of two scenic rivers and the lush green spaces of two parks in the heart of Peterborough. It is next to the River Walk, along a stunning bike trail, and is a lovely stretch to amble through. The trail itself, known as the Common Pathway, closely follows the Contoocook River with all its rustic charm and allure. There is the Shieling Forest State Park, a great place for an easy hike and a good place if you don't want to burn your muscles.
Brattleboro, Vermont
Stately red-brick buildings, most of which exude the grandeur of centuries-old oak trees, are among Brattleboro’s most prominent features. And like trees, they look timeless and imbue the town with an unhurried ambiance. Life moves slowly and intentionally, especially as one explores the shops that dot the downtown area, which is handsomely set along the Connecticut River, with Main Street running along New England's longest waterway. Browse the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center, a mind-rousing space that has been around since 1972. There is the Brattleboro Books, where you can find a rare Dostoevsky or Tolstoy classic. At Retreat Farm, you will find awesome trails to walk and beautiful farm animals to slow down with.
Kent, Connecticut
With its quiet back roads and rural elegance, Kent, one of the best fall foliage towns in New England, has an environment perfect for kicking off and relaxing. Kent is a tad more wooded, a tad more pastoral, a tad more soothing than the average New England town. Kent Falls Brewing Company, a lovely place to go after hiking Kent Falls, is an awesome outdoor space loved for its calming atmosphere and heart-ravishing scenery. It is Connecticut’s first farm brewery. The nearby East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve, a spellbinding oasis that spans nearly 260 acres, features several quiet trails to explore. But Kent also has an artsy personality, an aspect you will find at places such as Foreign Cargo & Gallery Upstairs, where every nook is filled with imported antiques, clothing, and interesting traditional handicrafts.
Rockport, Massachusetts
To some, Rockport is a scenic fishing village, the kind you can find on a postcard or a classic New England painting. To others, it is an arts haven, especially because it boasts several galleries and one of the oldest and active art associations in the nation. Whatever your perspective, Rockport looks and feels timeless, an ambiance enhanced by the rocky coastlines and dramatic ocean views. Rockport Art Association & Museum, which is set in an 18th-century building on Main Street, is a wonderful place with a fascinating history. You will find high-quality art at Mercury Gallery on Main Street, one of the finest art venues in New England. Across the road is Brothers Brew Coffee Shop, a small establishment with a surprisingly large array of delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches. The thing to remember is that a slower pace brings out the best in Rockport, whether it's granite walls, narrow lanes, or historic homes.
Middlebury, Vermont
Welcome to a tranquil college town with walkable streets and a pastoral feel. Middlebury hosts Middlebury College, one of the oldest and most well-respected liberal arts institutions in the United States. It was founded in 1800. Laid-back meets intellectual in a soothing setting deeply tied to the rhythms of nature. The Historic Pulp Mill Covered Bridge is one of a kind, especially because of its two lanes and walkway. It was built in 1820 and is today one of about seven two-lane covered bridges in the nation. There is Otter Creek, which flows through the town and adds to its rustic appeal, and Ralph Myhre Golf Course, a beautiful public course with a restaurant that serves delicious chicken quesadillas. Keep in mind that Branbury State Park, a swoon-worthy space set on the shimmering Lake Dunmore, is a short drive away.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Brace yourself for a mix of Colonial charm and coastal calm at Newburyport, the birthplace of the US Coast Guard. William Lloyd Garrison, who spent his life in the pursuit of racial justice, was born here in 1805. Today, Newburyport is loved for its quiet beauty and rich maritime history. You will want to mingle with shorebirds at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a vast space with unspoilt beauty that spans more than 4,600 acres, or catch an afternoon show at the historic Firehouse Center, an intimate space with comfortable seats. Nab a chair at Loretta on Pleasant Street, especially if you have a thing for crispy Brussels sprouts. Afterward, stroll down to Cashman Park, a beautiful place to sit by the water and people-watch.
Littleton, New Hampshire
Littleton, a hidden gem near the White Mountains, boasts a picturesque Main Street that parallels the Ammonoosuc River. The setting, which features a beautiful mountain backdrop, represents a sleeker, slower side of small-town America. You will be torn between exploring endless trails and lakes, ambling through a storybook hub, and savoring a morsel of mountain-town stillness. There is an opportunity to step back in time at the Littleton Historical Museum, an excellent institution with knowledgeable curators that offers a wealth of information about the area's historical tidbits. The Littleton Opera House is in the same stretch and boasts a history that goes back to 1895. Outdoor lovers can float down the river or burn their muscles at the well-marked Parker Mountain Trails.
Tired of the rat race? An escape into a town with a restful rhythm can prove to be unbelievably therapeutic. You need to spend a weekend where the soft breeze teases your hair, a spot that whispers, “Take your time.” Fortunately, this dreamy side of New England does not just exist in passed-down stories, glossy travel brochures, or Hollywood movies. There are real towns in New England where time slows down, yet they are vibrant and criminally photogenic.
