5 romantic getaways in New England

When the most heartwarming holiday happens to occur during the coldest month of the year, New Englanders might differ in what they consider to be “hot.” But romance comes in many forms: Whatever your idea of a romantic getaway may be, we’ve got a place for you.

The picturesque village of Jackson, New Hampshire, sits in the shadows of the majestic Presidential Mountain Range, surrounded by the nearly 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest. It’s one giant playground for outdoor lovers.

Get your hearts pumping with cross-country skiing at the renowned JacksonXC, with 100 kilometers of trails, covering some 60 square miles across 2 river valleys. The resort also has 40 kilometers of snowshoeing trails and offers guided tours on winter weekends. If you prefer downhill skiing or boarding, head to Black Mountain, with 45 trails spread over 143 acres, and relatively sparse crowds.

And how’s this for romantic: hand-in-hand ice skating on Emerald Lake, followed by a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the 65-acre Nestlenook Farm Resort.

At the end of the day, check into a deluxe room at The Wentworth (rates start at $165), an elegantly restored country estate, with fine dining, a lounge, and an outdoor ice bar. End the night with a soak in your private outdoor hot tub under starlit skies.

Think grand, as in the grand AAA Four Diamond Omni Mount Washington Resort (rates start at $209) in northern New Hampshire. When this National Historic Landmark opened in 1902, it was the most luxurious hotel of its day, with fine dining, modern conveniences, spectacular mountain views, and a staff of no less than 350. This Grande Dame only gets better with age (and a few well-executed face-lifts).

There’s plenty to do outdoors, including snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, zip-line canopy tours, and sleigh rides. But consider a more sybaritic sojourn, beginning with a day at the 25,000-square-foot, world-class spa, with eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, sauna, whirlpool, relaxation lounge, and a full menu of state-of-the-art services. Popular treatments include the Age Defense Lifting facial using ultrasonic technology, the lemongrass mimosa body scrub, and the espresso mud wrap.

Start your evening watching the setting sun cast an alpine glow on the Presidential Range, and then enjoy a fireside glass of wine or cocktail in the Great Hall (be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol). Have dinner in the opulent 1902 Main Dining Room, starting with the vintage bread board or beet salad with lemon ricotta, followed with entrées like cote du boeuf, pork chop schnitzel, or lobster pie.

After dinner, head to your plush room in the new Presidential Wing (rates start at $469), fill up the soaking tub, and hang out the DO NOT DISTURB sign.

Love good food? Love learning something new? Love being with your partner? Yes. Yes. Yes. Then get to The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa (rates start at $129) near Burlington, the perfect destination for romantic epicureans. A wide selection of small-size classes is offered at the resort’s acclaimed Cook’s Academy, ranging from knife-skills workshops to cake decorating to sushi making. Professional chefs lead the fun and instructive classes that are held in 2 teaching kitchens and range from 60 minutes to 3 hours.

When you’re not in class with your bon vivant partner, relax at the full-service spa’s fitness center, indoor pool, hot tub, and treatment rooms. Spring for a couples massage, and maybe one of the signature body treatments, like the luxurious hot oil wrap.

Complete your stay with a meal at Junction, a warm and inviting restaurant, with an open kitchen and a seasonally changing menu. The food is sophisticated at this AAA Four Diamond eatery, but since this is Vermont, feel free to wear your jeans.

Your final destination is the award-winning Rabbit Hill Inn (rates start at $219, including breakfast), consistently named one of New England’s most romantic inns. The 19-room inn sits along the Connecticut River in the peaceful village of Lower Waterford, flanked by mountain peaks. Splurge for a luxury room with a fireplace and spa tub, and don’t miss dinner in the low-lit, intimate dining room, where Chef Andrew Hunter might showcase his talent and farm-to-table ethos with seasonal soups, artisanal charcuterie, house-made pâtés, and classical entrées with just enough creative flourish.

The Atlantic seashore is especially beguiling in winter, when the pace slows, the crowds thin, the sea roars, and a hot toddy sipped next to a warm fire never tasted so good. Head to York, Maine, and you’ll have 3 beaches to stroll in near solitude. Long Sands Beach, located between the villages of York Harbor and York Beach, stretches for a mile. Shorts Sands Beach, about a quarter of a mile long, is tucked in a cove, flanked by rocky cliffs. York Harbor Beach is a small, crescent-shaped sandy beach, popular with locals.

After your stroll, knock the sand off your boots and take a short drive out to the historic 1879 Nubble Light, perched on a rocky islet overlooking the southern Maine coastline. Spend a little time listening to the crash of the waves and taking in the brisk seaside air, before enjoying a late lunch at the casual Lobster Cove restaurant. (May we suggest the lobster bisque?)

The York Harbor Inn (rates start at $149) is the place to stay, with a range of accommodations, including plush, luxury rooms, some with ocean views, private decks, gas fireplaces, and jacuzzi tubs. Cozy up in the Ship’s Cellar Pub, a lounge with beautiful woodwork, leather banquettes, and a bowed ceiling that mimics a fine yacht. When you’re ready, head upstairs to the inn’s 1637 Ocean View Restaurant; the seafood ravioli and the lobster stuffed chicken are customer favorites.

New England–based writers Diane Bair and Pamela Wright cover food and travel for several publications and are frequent Boston Globe contributors.