6 unique overnight experiences in the Northeast to book this season
This two-story treehouse is one of the spaces available for overnight stays at Moose Meadow Lodge in Waterbury, VT. Credit: Carolyn Bates
When booking your next getaway, skip the traditional hotel route and experience a stay at a unique destination worthy of a bucketlist trip. From luxury glamping to a picturesque tree house escape, here are six overnight stays to take in the Northeast this season:
COVID restrictions vary per venue; be sure to check what’s presently in effect before visiting.
VERMONT: A TREE HOUSE
Tucked away upon sheltered acres in the Green Mountains, the Moose Meadow Lodge offers an actual tree house among its luxury spaces — but this arboreal abode goes way beyond the sort of structures you might have known as a child — as this is a two-story treehouse, complete with a dining room, living room and bedroom. Overlooking a trout pond, it has a wraparound deck with an outdoor bathroom that’s equipped with a sink carved from a rock found on the grounds. Breakfast is served daily in the main lodge, but “tree service” is also offered by request, so that breakfast is delivered directly to the treehouse; a fire pit and hiking trails are also among the amenities. Available May through October; $650 nightly with a four-guest capacity.
INFO 607 Crossett Hill, Waterbury; 802-244-5378, moosemeadowlodge.net.
CONNECTICUT: A HELICOPTER
Guests staying at Winvian Farm in Morris, CT., can stay in a cottage where a restored 1968 Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican rescue helicopter is set; the cockpit is available for sitting, watching TV and relaxing with cocktails. Credit: Winvian Farm
Winvian Farm, a boutique respite in the Litchfield Hills region has taken a restored 1968 Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican rescue chopper and transformed it into the centerpiece of a cottage (one of 19 resort accommodations available). The copter still has the pilot and co-pilot seats, but the cockpit has also been updated with a sofa and flat-screen TV. There’s also a wood stove and chairs near the fuselage and king-size bed outside the defunct aircraft. Stays also include a homemade breakfast, but the farm also has restaurants, an outdoor pool, complimentary bicycles and a spa providing a variety of treatments. Rates for the copter cottage start at $799.
INFO 155 Alain White Rd., Morris; 860-567-9600, winvian.com.
RHODE ISLAND: ON AN ISLAND, IN A LIGHTHOUSE
A view of the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport, RI, from one of its Narragansett Bay beaches. Credit: Michael Healy
Built on the bulwark of an 18th-century fort, the Rose Island Lighthouse was constructed in the 19th century on a small island in Narragansett Bay. You can take a ferry there (jamestownnewportferry.com), but guests can also use the lighthouse’s water transportation service (from May to October) or travel via canoe, kayak or SUP (admission to just visit the island is $12, $8 for those under 12). Once on the island, there are two beaches and lots of nature and wildlife to observe (between March 1-Aug. 15, walking around is limited strictly to the lighthouse reservation to protect nesting birds from human disturbance). Those looking to stay can rent either the upstairs or downstairs of the lighthouse ((in the lighthouse museum), or in the Foghorn room. There’s also a room built from the barracks of the original fort (neither the Foghorn nor the Barracks rooms have electricity or bathrooms; an outdoor toilet facility is available). Except for the second-floor space, no rooms have indoor showers; a solar-heated outdoor shower is available for use. The museum is open daily between Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day, which includes tours of the structure’s living areas. Guests can take historical tours, fish, grill, kayak or sit around a fire pit (where s’mores can be roasted). Guests must be at least 5 years old; two-night minimum stays required May-October. Nightly rates start at $220.
INFO 1 Washington St., Newport; 401-847-4242, roseisland.org.
MASSACHUSETTS: A HOUSEBOAT
This houseboat is one of two domiciles available for stays in Boston Harbor, belonging to Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast. Credit: Green Turtle
There are plenty of hotels found around Beantown, but to actually stay on Boston Harbor, Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast features a marine domicile with skyline views that is divided into two luxury suites, each with its own kitchenette and private bathroom. The house is docked about a half-mile from the city’s historic Charlestown Navy Yard (1st Ave.-3rd St.; 617 242-5601, nps.gov), which in turn connects to Boston's Freedom Trail (thefreedomtrail.org), which means more than a dozen of the city’s iconic sites are approximately within a 3-mile stroll. Guests can also reserve a 45-foot yacht, and continental breakfasts are included; both boats are stocked with juice, coffee, tea and water. Houseboats rates are $310-325 nightly; the yacht is $399 for 1-2 people plus $75 for each additional person.
INFO 1 Pier 8, 13th St., Boston; 617-337-0202, greenturtlebb.com.
MAINE: A CONESTOGA WAGON
The exterior of the "Wild Blue Yonder" Conestoga Wagon, one of the “Unique Retreats” glamping options available at Sandy Pines Campground, located in Kennebunkport, ME. Credit: Douglas Merriam
Located in a resort coastal town, Sandy Pines Campground has a selection of glamping experiences, among them a pair of rooms crafted from covered wagons: the “Chuck Wagon” and the “Wild Blue Yonder.” Recognized as the conveyances used by settlers heading west back in the 1800s, both are placed along a waterfront and feature bedding inside and outdoor dining areas. Other options for stays include “Glass House,” the “Shepherd’s Hut,” a vintage fan trailer and a pair of airstreams. There are also tents for families of four. Campers can also buy food at the campground’s General Store and Snack Bar and there’s also a heated saltwater swimming pool and alfresco social space where guests can gather, play lawn games and sit around bonfires. Unique Retreats glamping couples quarters start at $109 nightly; $209 nightly for families.
INFO 277 Mills Rd., Kennebunkport; 207-967-2483, sandypinescamping.com.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A BREWERY
The exterior of Woodstock Inn Brewery, located in North Woodstock, NH. Credit: Woodstock Inn Brewery
Located in the majestic White Mountains, the Woodstock Inn Brewery started as a B&B with a bar and restaurant, but expanded over its 40-year history and now not only offers 41 guests rooms (and three houses) at which to stay, but also sports a 30-barrel production facility. The beer is brewed and packaged directly behind the main bar. A complimentary breakfast for two is also included, and brewery tours are also available. There are also occasional “brewers weekends,” which involve guests learning the entire beer-making process. Twelve beers are on tap to try as is its homemade root beer. The grounds also feature gardens manicured by the owner, and guests can hike and bike around the area. Live music, karaoke nights and musical bingo are also part of the event calendar. Rates start at $165-$290, depending on the season.
INFO 135 Main St., North Woodstock; 603-745-3951, woodstockinnbrewery.com.
