A Warm Welcome: East Coast Winter Retreats

From the rolling hills and farmland of New Jersey to the South Carolina Lowcountry punctuated with live oaks, the states along the United States’ East Coast offer a wide range of places where travelers can embrace the shorter days and cooler nights of winter, with everything from roaring fires and a hot chocolate to nature hikes and waterfront towns.

The Garden State lives up to its name by delivering the perfect balance of bucolic countryside and grand estates. Just an hour outside New York City, the region is a world apart when it comes to open space. Walk or rent a bike to cycle around Duke Farms, stopping at the peaceful meditation garden and marveling at the Orchid Range. See the state burst into color with early spring blooms at Leonard J. Buck Garden.

Stay in manorial elegance at Pendry Natirar, where you can embrace every type of weather with nature hikes and outdoor adventure amid a 500-acre estate, including horseback riding in the Somerset Hills along miles of scenic trails. Follow up a full day of activity with a feast of farm-to-fork meals or a soothing seasonal treatment at the spa.

Lapped by the placid waters of the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels in Maryland is a rural idyll where historic, shingle-clad buildings welcome travelers to a place where time slows down as you stroll along red-brick sidewalks. Look out for Valentine’s Day decorations posted on porches in February while browsing a treasure trove of independent stores with books, interiors, and artisanal buys.

Fall asleep to the sound of the water at Inn at Perry Cabin before waking to immerse yourself in all things nautical. An important seaport in the era of sailing ships, St. Michaels still maintains its historic seagoing identity, from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to the pier area, where you’ll get a taste of the incredible local fare. Choose from oysters, rockfish, and the star of the show, crabs – served steamed and dusted with Old Bay seasoning – often dumped right on a butcher paper-covered table for easy shell clean-up – or in the form of delicious crab cakes dipped in a house-made rémoulade.

Natural beauty flourishes in the area around Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where small towns and historic estates are surrounded by lakes, forests, and low-lying wetlands. It’s an ideal escape for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking and biking trails offering sweeping mountain views, and horseback rides winding through scenic terrain.

Local wineries and farm stores add to the charm, with hillside vineyards serving up tastings that pair perfectly with Virginia’s famed oysters, each with its own distinct flavor, from creamy to briny and sweet.

Settle into the rhythm of the countryside at Keswick Hall, a luxurious retreat near Charlottesville, or embrace equestrian elegance at Salamander Middleburg, where refined comfort meets outdoor adventure. Both offer a serene base for exploring the natural beauty of the region.

Southern hospitality shines in Charleston, where pastel buildings, cobblestone streets, and colonial mansions evoke a timeless elegance. In the cooler months, palmetto trees twinkle with lights and historic homes are dressed for the season, adding to the city’s festive charm.

Explore the French Quarter on foot, admiring wrought-iron gates, colorful window boxes, and tucked-away courtyard gardens. Charleston’s relaxed pace blends old-world character with modern touches – cozy cafés, boutique shopping, and vibrant art galleries all add to its appeal. Hotel Bennett, Charleston offers refined luxury in the heart of downtown, while The Cooper, perched along the waterfront, brings a fresh, contemporary take on the city’s historic appeal. Just steps away, The Charleston Place anchors the experience with timeless style and easy access to the city’s cultural landmarks.

Beyond Charleston, the Lowcountry opens up to a slower pace. In Bluffton, Montage Palmetto Bluff invites guests to unwind on wide porches, paddle through peaceful waterways, and explore nature trails beneath moss-draped oaks. On Hilton Head Island, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town blends coastal elegance with access to pristine beaches and world-class golf. Further south, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers a serene retreat, where windswept dunes and coastal forests create a tranquil backdrop for oceanfront walks and wildlife spotting no matter the time of year.