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While everyone else is at home pining for spring, savor the fall of every beautiful flake from a warm spot by the fireplace at a romantic inn or B&B that’s just a drive away.
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- DRIVE TIME: 3 hours, 45 minutes. For a romantic rendezvous, you won’t find a better setting than this comfy, classy Victorian perched on a hilltop. The views are unparalleled, and you’re only a short walk from the downtown spas, shops and more. RATES: $110-$225. WORTH NOTING: Algernon, the Master’s Room and the Parlor Room have whirlpool baths filled with water from the mineral springs; the Carriage House and Bathkeeper’s Quarters also have gas fireplaces. All come with a worth-the-trip, multicourse breakfast. Arrange your visit to coincide with one of innkeeper Sandra Kauffman’s memorable “silver service” dinners. Ask about the midweek Luxury Winter Package, which includes multiservice spa services for two and dinner at a downtown hot spot.
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- DRIVE TIME: 4 hours, 15 minutes. Built in 1827 and home to five generations of the Miller family, this newly renovated, country-chic inn, set on a knoll overlooking their 840-acre farm and the Shenandoah Mountains, makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. For a truly private getaway, there’s a two-story cabin with fireplace and kitchenette on the property. RATES: $249-$379. WORTH NOTING: Rates include a full breakfast. Current owner Cliff Miller is rightfully proud of the methods used in his sustainable, organic farm. If you’re interested, he’ll take you on a tour.
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- DRIVE TIME: 1 hour, 30 minutes. Back in the heyday of Jim Thorpe—a Victorian village at the entrance to the Poconos—Harry Packer was one of the richest men around. His 1874 mansion is now both a magnificent B&B and the perfect setting for the spooky murder mysteries that play out just about every weekend. (Its Gothic façade was the model for Disney World’s Haunted Mansion.) RATES: $150-$250; Murder Mystery Weekend $525-$650. WORTH NOTING: Breakfast included. Murder Mystery Weekend also includes one dinner. A guided wine tasting is held the first Friday of the month.
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- DRIVE TIME: 5 hours, 30 minutes. There aren’t too many places where you can play golf in the morning and hit the slopes that same afternoon—except for this 11,000-acre, amenity-loaded lodge, condo and villa complex that spans the eastern slopes of Central Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. You can stay in the valley, only 600 feet above sea level, or way up on the mountain, 4,000 feet above just about everything. RATES: $197-$268. WORTH NOTING: Most rooms have fireplaces and kitchens. The resort features 45 holes of championship golf on two courses; skiing, snowboarding and tubing; golf and ski lessons; and a full-service day spa. Ask about “Lodge & Lift,” “Stay, Learn & Ski” and “Ski & Tee” winter packages.
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- DRIVE TIME: 30 minutes. Treat yourself to a night (or two) of luxury, without the long drive, at this family-owned and -operated Old City boutique hotel. The transformation of this once-neglected, circa-1828 structure earned it an architectural award from the city, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. RATES: $159-$259. WORTH NOTING: Continental breakfast is included. Ask about the hotel’s “Weekend Escape Package,” which includes a two-night stay, champagne and dinner for two at Ristorante Panorama.
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- DRIVE TIME: 45 minutes. Haddonfield is the epitome of charming historic towns. The streets are lined with lovingly preserved Victorians and more than 200 downtown shops and eateries. It’s an easy five-block walk to it all from this luxury-loaded inn, where every room has its own distinctive character and décor reflecting a particular international culture.
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- RATES: $199-$299. WORTH NOTING: Most rooms have fireplaces and many have whirlpool baths. Breakfast, snacks, weekend wine and appetizers, and off-street parking are included.
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- DRIVE TIME: 1 hour, 15 minutes. This restored 18th-century mansion is tucked away in a valley on 120 acres, just minutes from Pennsylvania Dutch Country attractions. Winter weekends are among the best times to visit the more than 40 rescued wolves residing in the adjacent 22-acre sanctuary. RATES: $135-$270. WORTH NOTING: Three rooms in the main house and two private cottages are furnished with family heirlooms and Amish quilts. Most have fireplaces, whirlpool baths and meticulously maintained hardwood floors; cottages have kitchenettes. Especially nice is the Paymaster’s Office, with its magnificent fireplace, vaulted wood ceiling and creek view. A three-course breakfast is included.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes. For more than two centuries, the eight mineral springs on this property in the Allegheny Mountains have attracted the rich and famous (including two presidents) looking for relaxation and rejuvenation. A recent $120-million restoration and expansion transformed this once-neglected grand hotel into a modern oasis while preserving its original architecture and character. RATES: $195-$259. WORTH NOTING: Supervised activities keep the kids occupied and happy. The full-service Springs Eternal Spa features mineral-springs treatments and a heated indoor pool. Five distinct dining experiences range from upscale to super-casual. Ask about cooking lessons with the resort’s culinary team.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 45 minutes. Sussex County, in northwestern New Jersey’s mountainous Skylands, is a virtually unspoiled year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In winter, skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and boarding are available in abundance at nearby commercially operated and state-owned slopes and trails. Tucked away in the small town of Vernon, this charming late-1880s, Federal-style home is filled with antiques and thoughtful amenities. RATES: $110-$235. WORTH NOTING: Carriage House suites have gas fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs. A large, home-cooked breakfast is included, and concierge service is available.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 45 minutes. Instead of just a room or even a suite, you get an entire three-story, three-bedroom historic townhouse located only a block away from the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The free King Street trolley (it takes you just about everywhere) stops at the corner, so you won’t need your car to get around. RATES: $225. WORTH NOTING: Innkeepers Kathryn and Charlie Huettner have thought of everything, including cold beer with chilled mugs, wines, fresh fruit, and pastries. Rates also feature a private self-serve continental breakfast. A living room fireplace keeps you snug and warm.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes. Thanks to an $11 million renovation, this joined pair of Georgian-style mansions on 26 river-view acres offer a taste of the mid-19th-century lush life. On weekdays, Tarrytown House is a convention hotel, bustling with corporate guests and gatherings. But on weekends, the pace slows as it returns to its country-manor roots. Located in the Hudson River Valley, the setting for the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the inn is surrounded by so many other grand estates of the rich and famous (many open for tours) that the area was nicknamed the “Millionaire’s Colony.” RATES: $169-$279. WORTH NOTING: There’s an indoor pool. Cellar 49 is an upscale tavern open only to the inn’s overnight guests. Trade up to a “Bed and Breakfast” package, beginning at $199.
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- DRIVE TIME: 3 hours, 15 minutes. Innkeepers Carol and Roger Healey are as charming as their six-guestroom, circa-1760 home, which is an easy walk from downtown shopping and cultural attractions. Leesburg is located in the middle of Virginia Wine Country, so be sure to visit nearby Chrysalis Vineyards for a taste of vintner Jennifer McCloud’s native American Norton varieties. RATES: $145-$199. WORTH NOTING: The Norris Room has a whirlpool bath. All rooms are decorated with antiques. A bountiful breakfast in the conservatory is included.
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- RATES: $99-$269. All rooms are decorated with Empire- and Victorian-period antiques and reproductions. The suites are extra special, with their 12-foot ceilings, large windows, marble fireplaces (inactive but still beautiful), separate parlors and classic Southern ambiance.
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- DRIVE TIME: 4 hours, 30 minutes. Seven connecting early-18th-century townhomes fronted by stately white, balcony-crowned columns create one seamless boutique hotel in the historic Monroe Ward District of downtown Richmond.
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- WORTH NOTING: Continental breakfast is included, as is a shuttle service within two miles of downtown. Check out the impressive contemporary art in the inn’s public areas.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Owners Ron and Shelby Mitchell invested $2 million into the restoration of this 1874 mansion, located just a few steps away from Easton’s vibrant downtown art-and-theater district. All accommodations are tastefully themed to reflect the owners’ international travels, and furnished with antiques and reproductions. RATES: $279-$475. WORTH NOTING: All accommodations have air-jet tubs; suites have steam showers. If you want a gas fireplace, ask for the Asian or Safari suite. An elegant breakfast is included. The Peacock Restaurant & Lounge features American cuisine with global accents. On Wednesday afternoons, a traditional three-course tea is offered for an extra charge. In-room, spa-style massage therapy packages are available.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 15 minutes. With its 18th- and 19th-century Federal and Victorian design, Rachael’s Dowry is located in the Ridgely’s Delight neighborhood, an easy walk from all of Baltimore’s attractions, including the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. The six-guestroom inn is furnished with antiques and period pieces. Much of the original circa-1798 architecture remains intact, earning the building listings in both the National Register of Historic Places and the Maryland Historical Trust. RATES: $135-$265. WORTH NOTING: Rate includes a home-cooked breakfast, and each room features a working fireplace. Off-street parking is free—a big plus.
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- DRIVE TIME: 4 hours. The home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, Tioga County puts the “great” in “great outdoors,” with its rugged beauty and all-weather recreational options. Situated high on its own hill, this woodsy-luxe, North Country-style chalet is close to everything, including the picturesque town of Wellsboro, with its cute restaurants, shops and Victorian theater.
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- DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes. Located eight miles west of Gettysburg, this 1757 inn is one of only five in America in continuous operation since the 1700s, It has hosted numerous famous—and infamous—guests, including Patrick Henry, Thaddeus Stevens, and Gens. J.E.B. Stuart and Robert E. Lee. By uncovering original architectural elements and adding antique furnishings and accents, owners Joan and Sal Chandon have restored the inn to its pre-Civil War greatness. RATES: $130-$225. WORTH NOTING: A surprisingly homey continental breakfast is included. Most guestrooms have whirlpool baths. The on-site Mansion House Restaurant serves traditional American fare (the three-course, prix-fixe “General’s Bill of Fare” uses authentic Civil War-era recipes). Special dinner shows feature live period music and performances by a Civil War illusionist and storyteller.
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- RATES: $149-$199. WORTH NOTING: At first glance, the lodge’s appeal is rustic, but the amenities are everything you want in a winter getaway. Each room and suite is furnished with locally handcrafted beds, an in-room gas fireplace, and a whirlpool or hot tub. There’s no formal breakfast, but you’ll find the kitchen fully stocked with plenty of breakfast and brunch foods. If you’d rather go for a sit-down breakfast, use your complimentary meal ticket at the nearby Wellsboro Diner.
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- DRIVE TIME: 3 hours, 15 minutes. When you go on vacation, you expect the royal treatment. But it’s pretty rare to stay in a castle. Situated on Shawanguck Ridge just south of the Catskills, this National Historic Landmark Inn is a prime example of over-the-top (in a good way) Victorian architecture.
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- RATES: $540-$700. WORTH NOTING: While you’d never call Mohonk an inexpensive vacation destination, rates cover everything from three lavish meals a day to all the recreational activities you could possibly want, including equipment for ice skating skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool and an on-site spa. Get even more bang for your buck by planning your visit around Jazz on the Mountain, Scottish Weekend, the Art of Chocolate, Ballroom Dancing, Murder Mystery or one of the other special themed programs. And ask about the seriously discounted midweek Midwinter Getaway Package.
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- DRIVE TIME: 4 hours, 30 minutes. Spending the night in a gallery filled with early-20th-century American Impressionist art may sound like an uptight, don’t-touch-anything kind of experience. But Juniper Hill’s Bruce Digenti and David Kuranda have turned this lush, circa-1921 mansion near Ithaca into a warm, welcoming, four-guestroom retreat that will make any art aficionado feel like a kid in a candy shop. RATES: $199-$275. WORTH NOTING: If you want a fireplace and whirlpool tub, ask for the John Singer Sargent Room. And there has to be a word more regal than “breakfast” for the three-course fireside extravaganza Bruce Digenti prepares each morning. (Think Gorgonzola-and-pear-stuffed French toast and breakfast risotto.)
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- DRIVE TIME: 4 hours, 45 minutes. Located on five peaceful acres only three miles from Mystic Seaport and 15 minutes from the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, this two-guestroom, one-suite 1710 Colonial New England-style home is the perfect headquarters for day and evening recreation. RATES: $129-$189. WORTH NOTING: The rooms and suite have fireplaces, and two have jetted tubs. For breakfast, choose the deluxe five-course or the continental/budget option. Ask about winter-weekend hearth-cooking classes and February seal-watch cruises.
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