The northeastern United States is one of the most beautiful places to visit during the cold winter months. During this time of year, landscapes, historic buildings, and other popular landmarks are enhanced by glistening snow, giving every location the appearance of a magical winter wonderland.

 If you are planning a vacation or a weekend getaway to the area this winter, here are a few of our top suggestions for the best cities to visit in the Northeast in winter.

A Baltimore ghost tour – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

 

Baltimore, MD 

Baltimore, Maryland, is a pleasant place to visit during the cold winter months, especially if you want to avoid crowded spaces. You can find plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to take part in that are educational, festive, and fun, with plenty of opportunities to learn more about the foundation of America.

The George Peabody Library  is an excellent place in Baltimore to check out. Recognized as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, this library opened in 1878 and was originally known as the Library of the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore. It was dedicated to the citizens of Baltimore by local philanthropist George Peabody. The library contains a staggering collection of more than 300,000 volumes from the 19th century covering topics including religion, romance, science, geography, and American history.

If you would rather experience some outdoor winter activities while in Baltimore, Patterson Park offers plenty of snowy hills where you can enjoy sledding or simply take in the beauty of the area. Be sure to snap a few photos in front of the park’s enchanting pagoda, which sits atop the highest sledding hill in the city.

For something a bit more mysterious and gothic, a visit to the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is an excellent choice. The museum, which was actually Poe’s home from 1833 to 1835, is located on North Amity Street and offers self-guided private tours for up to six guests at a time. Indoors you’ll find some interesting artifacts that belonged to the author, such as his writing desk and chair, as well as beautifully preserved wooden walls and flooring.

And if you would like to learn more about the darker side of Baltimore while you’re in the area, be sure to book a ghost tour with the haunted history experts at Baltimore Ghosts. Take a tour of the most haunting places in the city while you discover tales about ruthless pirates, murder mysteries, and tragic deaths dating back to the 1600s. 

 

Stowe, VT

Stereoscopic views of Stowe, Vermont, in the late 1800s – Public domain image

Stowe, Vermont, is one of the most charming towns to visit all throughout the year, but especially during the winter season. This city has a little something for everyone, whether you enjoy shopping or trying out the local brews.

If you’re looking for the best accommodations while staying in Stowe, VT, look no further than the Von Trapp Family Lodge. This Austrian-inspired location looks like it was taken directly from The Sound of Music and placed in the northeastern United States. The exterior architecture is quite impressive, and inside the lodge is just as warm and inviting. Inside the rooms you’ll find roaring fireplaces, exquisite views, and movie posters from the classic film. You can also take a tour of the lodge and hear tales about the real Von Trapp family that the movie was inspired by.

The Downtown Stowe area may be small, but it has everything you need to make your winter getaway complete. There are several boutiques where you can buy items sold by locals, including Stowe Mercantile and Shaw’s General Store. There are also a few restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a cup of coffee along with a fresh pastry or breakfast sandwich.

Vermont is well known for its breweries, and one of the most popular is The Alchemist Brewery, a microbrewery that specializes in the Heady Topper, a double IPA. The Alchemist provides tours of its innovative solar-powered building that include in-depth details about their beer production process and tastings. They also have a beer café that is open every day from 11am to 7pm.

 

Lake Placid, NY 

Lake Placid, NY – Public domain image

 

For a mix of history, culture, and adventure, you can’t go wrong by visiting Lake Placid, New York, in the winter. And one of the coolest places to visit is the Olympic Center, which is home to three historic ice skating rinks: the 1932 Jack Shea Arena, the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, and the USA Rink, aka the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. This historic rink is where Eric Heiden won five Olympic gold medals for Team USA during the 1980 Olympics. It’s a great place to visit for casual or competitive skating during the winter.

The Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain gives you a bird’s-eye view of the mountain range as you travel to the top of the mountain for skiing or hiking through the thick forest. Enjoy the one-of-a-kind view of Lake Placid, the Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain. And more as you soar over the tallest mountain peaks in the state of New York.

If you want to visit a historic location, the John Brown Farm, located just three miles away from Lake Placid in the town of North Elba, is where abolitionist John Brown lived and is now buried. On October 16, 1859, Brown and his followers assaulted the U.S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, hoping to use the captured arms in a campaign for the liberation of slaves in the South. He was captured two days later and imprisoned in Virginia, where he was tried and hanged on December 2nd, 1859. Visitors can tour Brown’s home May through October; however, the grounds are open to the public all year long.

 

Annapolis, MD 

 

The US Naval Academy – Public domain image

Annapolis is another city in Maryland that you should visit during the winter months. This town is full of excellent historical sites and beautiful scenery that appears even more extravagant during the chilliest time of year.

For a look back at military history in the Northeast, the U.S. Naval Academy is the ideal place to visit while staying in Annapolis. Founded in 1845, this Naval undergrad school recently celebrated 180 years of developing leaders for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. While visiting USNA in the winter, you have the chance to see the campus decorated for the holidays with enchanting lights and smaller crowds. Be sure to check out key sites such as the chapel, the museum, and the crypt of John Paul Jones.

The William Paca House and Garden is a lovely five-part Georgian mansion that was built in the 1760s. It was home to William Paca, who was one of the four signers of the Declaration of Independence. Guided tours of the house are available, where you can see antique furnishings and other artifacts from the upper-class household. If you plan to visit the home during the winter, be sure to go before December 23rd, when the location closes for the season. We recommend visiting after December 8th, when the house is decorated for the holidays.

Visiting the Maryland State House during the winter offers a unique experience where you can take a self-guided tour through the historic building all decked out for the winter season. The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in the nation that is in continuous legislative use. And it is the only state house to have served as the nation’s capital when the Continental Congress gathered there between 1783 and 1779. It was during that time when George Washington stood before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. This led to the Treaty of Paris being ratified and the end of the Revolutionary War. 

If you would like to take a closer look at the mysteries and haunting urban legends of Annapolis, we highly recommend you book a ghost tour with the experts at Annapolis Ghosts. While on the tour, you will learn more about the darker side of the Maryland State House as well as the ghost tales behind other historic places throughout Annapolis.

 

Make the Most of Your Winter Getaway 

Visiting these and other cities in the northeastern United States during the winter is an excellent way to relax, slow down, and enjoy some peaceful moments with your travel companions. Whether you love visiting historic places, participating in winter sports, or embarking on a spooky ghost tour, you can find something to enjoy while spending time in the Northeast this winter season.