Castle-Like Hotel with Modern Conveniences

Imposing, fortress-like towers and a façade crisscrossed by wooden beams lend the Radisson Hotel Nashua the look of a Tudor castle. Inside, though, the lobby is surprisingly airy, with elegant wood paneling and modern artwork adorning the walls. The hotel manages to balance a medieval demeanor with contemporary décor and 21st-century amenities such as WiFi and Sleep Number beds. Outside, 17 acres of pastoral, tree-dotted grounds comprise a serene backdrop for any era at a spot located less than 50 miles from Boston and a few minutes’ drive from Nashua’s historical downtown.

Sunlight filters through leaded windows in many of the spacious guest rooms. An in-room movie can be called up at any time from the TV menu, and pairs well with the complimentary bottle of wine included with this Getaway. Downstairs, the Granite Lounge serves up a daily breakfast buffet as well as dinner fare ranging from brick-oven pizzas to prosciutto-wrapped cod. To counteract calories, the onsite Atlantis Sports Club offers exercise equipment, a sauna, and a pool in addition to a daily schedule of classes such as yoga and underwater jousting.

Nashua, New Hampshire: History-Rich New England Town with Vibrant Arts Scene

About a 10-minute drive from the hotel, the city of Nashua bustles at the confluence of the Merrimack and Nashua Rivers. One of America’s oldest towns, it underwent a textile boom in the 19th and early 20th centuries, remnants of which are still visible today in its mill-yard section. A thriving arts community has sprouted in this area in recent years. The Picker Building houses more than 30 studios showcasing jewelry, photography, pottery, and paintings of the Founding Fathers' dogs playing poker.

On the other side of the canal, the city’s history is preserved in a pair of museums: the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum and the Abbot-Spalding House, which was once the home of the city's founder. Just a few blocks away, Mine Falls Park contains a section of the Nashua River Rail Trail, a 17-mile bike path that follows the river into Massachusetts.