This winter, fall “inn love” with romantic winter getaways at Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE). Nothing says romantic like falling asleep to the flicker of a fire or an exhilarating walk by the harbor. We all know that February is for lovers and when it comes to matters of the heart, travel to any of the nine DINE inns tops the list for romance. We’ve been exploring all the fun there is to be had during the winter months at DINE inns. Last week, we took you to the Chesterfield Inn, offering five great reasons to choose New Hampshire for your next getaway. Before that, we explored all the Maine fun and the Paint the Town Red festivities at Kennebunkport and the Inn at English Meadows. Today, our blog takes you to Marblehead, MA, offering some great reasons to visit the Harbor Light Inn.
Top five ideas for outdoor fun and indoor romance at the Harbor Light Inn
Stroll through the historic town of Marblehead
Marblehead, MA is a picturesque coastal town that is steeped in history dating back to its involvement in the Revolutionary War. Simply step out the front door of the Harbor Light Inn, and walk down Washington Street. You’ll pass beautiful, historically preserved homes. A trip into town will offer up wonderful shopping and locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and more. This is a fun walking town in any season, and winter offers a quiet vibe perfect for romantic strolls.
Visit Fort Sewall
Fort Sewall is a public park consisting of approximately two and one-half acres located off of Front Street at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor, less than a 10 minute walk from the Harbor Light Inn. It is located at Gale’s Head, the northeastern point of the main Marblehead peninsula, on a promontory that overlooks beautiful views of the entrance to Marblehead Harbor. Formerly a military reservation, an Act of the United States Congress turned the land over to the Town of Marblehead on February 25, 1922, for perpetual use as a public park. Stroll through the park passing the underground bunkers of the fort. For history buffs, this makes a cool place for a winter proposal!
Witches, Art & History in nearby Salem, MA
Take a ten minute drive and you can be in the heart of Salem’s famous seat of witchcraft and the Salem Witch Museum. Yet there’s more to this cool New England town than witches. The Peabody Essex Museum offers an internationally acclaimed collection of contemporary and history art depicting New England’s colorful history. The House of the Seven Gables, built in 1668 by John Turner, a Salem Sea Captain and Merchant, is the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansion in New England. There’s plenty to see and do in Salem for a day or more. (Photo: From Salem Witch Museum Facebook page).
Fireside chats in the Red Parlor
Ask any guest at the Harbor Light Inn and they’ll tell you their favorite place to hang out by the fire is in the inn’s Red Parlor. While there are a number of cozy and comfortable common areas at the inn, the Red Parlor’s fireplace is spacious with plenty of places for a private fireside chat or to meet other guests. “It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail from our tavern! It’s the perfect room to cozy up on a couch for a cuddle, or hang as a group with some friends,” says innkeeper, Carolyn Pyburn.
Take advantage of the Midweek Escape Package at Harbor Light Inn
Book a fireplace room, four-poster or canopy guest room and you’ll enjoy a number of amenities that go with the Romantic Midweek Winter Escape package including the inn’s breakfast buffet, afternoon coffee/tea/cookies, a $50 gift certificate at one of Marblehead’s best restaurants (The Landing) or your dining credit can be used in the inn’s Tavern. This package is available Sunday-Thursday, now through March, 2023. The package is not available during holidays or with other discounts or gift cards and does not apply to reservations booked in the Deluxe Queen room category. Simply call to book or book your reservation online for package pricing in the room of your choice.
There are so many choices among the Distinctive Inns of New England for romantic New England getaways. Don’t forget to book directly with the inn when you make your reservations for the best availability and price.
In Maine: Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport.
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield
In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod