We’re so fortunate to dwell in Massachusetts as a result of there are such a lot of incredible locations to go to in New England, that are only a quick automotive experience away. We will drive in a single course to see a number of the finest sandy seashores in the USA, and we are able to drive in a unique course to see stunning mountains. There are such a lot of nice locations for New England holidays with youngsters, together with cities and seaside cities.
With so many trip choices, you may simply do one thing totally different every season. There are a lot of choices for household enjoyable – out of doors actions, climbing trails, museums, seashores, and way more. This previous winter break, we spent our break visiting Boston, Portland, and New Haven – all only a fast drive away from one another.
Whether or not you reside in New England or are planning to go to a couple of totally different areas throughout your New England household trip, listed here are some locations to go along with youngsters and a few concepts of sights to go to.
In order for you New England household resorts, take a look at this publish. We have now additionally individually reviewed a number of the finest locations to go to in New England on this website.
Word: We skilled a few of these New England holidays and sights throughout media journeys or hosted stays/media charges and have additionally paid our personal manner many occasions. Affiliate hyperlinks are included—should you click on/buy via an affiliate hyperlink, we could make a small fee at no extra value to you. All opinions are my very own.
Locations to Go in New England With Children: New England Household Trip Concepts
Maine
We don’t appear to go to Maine practically sufficient, and it’s only a fast drive from the Massachusetts border. Each time I go to, I simply find it irresistible. Kittery, Maine, simply over the New Hampshire border, gives plenty of nice retailers in addition to scrumptious seafood eating places.
Kittery can also be close to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, one other nice waterfront vacation spot. It’s straightforward to go to each on the identical journey. It might appear stunning that the three states are positioned just some minutes from one another, however that is the case proper on the shoreline.
For among the best summer season Maine household holidays, go to the all-inclusive Migis Lodge, positioned on Sebago Lake. It’s a luxurious household trip spot that’s rustic and enjoyable. Households return 12 months after 12 months, and with good purpose: It’s a particular place. We loved a media keep there some time again, and my youngsters nonetheless discuss it.
In fact, you may’t miss the unique LL Bean retailer in Freeport, Maine. There are different outlet outlets in Freeport as effectively, in addition to a lovely state park. It’s an excellent place to go to for back-to-school or vacation buying.
For a enjoyable trip at any time of 12 months, go to Portland, Maine, with youngsters. You’ll get pleasure from scrumptious meals, nice buying, stunning views, and enjoyable sights. Though chances are you’ll consider it as a summer season trip spot, we often go to throughout the winter and nonetheless find it irresistible. You’ll need to spend at the least two nights there so that you could benefit from the eating places and sights.
Portland has some nice museums, particularly for households. Whilst you’ll most likely have to drive to these areas, the downtown Previous Port space is extraordinarily walkable. You can even take the Amtrak Downeaster prepare from Boston to Portland.
When visiting Portland, you may take a fast journey to the gorgeous Portland Head Mild, which is positioned in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Whilst you can’t go up within the lighthouse, it’s stunning to see. Somewhat bit additional away is the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine.
Visiting throughout the summer season? The quintessential seaside city of Ogunquit gives enjoyable outlets, scrumptious eating places, and a incredible seaside. Keep at one of many close by inns and stroll in every single place for one of the best expertise. There may be loads of site visitors in the summertime, so it’s finest to stroll when attainable.
Acadia Nationwide Park and the close by city of Bar Harbor are additionally widespread Maine trip spots – particularly in the summertime.
When you prefer to ski, there are some nice choices in Maine. Standard ski resorts in Maine embody Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Shawnee Peak.
Discover inns in Maine on TripAdvisor.
Vermont
Even should you aren’t a skier, there are such a lot of locations to go along with youngsters inside Vermont and so many issues to do in Vermont. We love visiting Smugglers’ Notch Resort. Though it’s a ski resort, it’s additionally among the best locations to go to in Vermont in the summertime.
The youngsters benefit from the day camp, and my husband and I spend the afternoons exploring the realm (together with the Boyden Valley Vineyard). It’s additionally a incredible spot to go to within the winter – with plenty of snowboarding for the entire household.
Down the highway from Smugglers’ Notch is Stowe, Vermont, the place we are able to advocate two family-friendly resorts – Stoweflake and the Lodge at Spruce Peak. It’s additionally a well-liked place to ski.
In Waterbury, on the best way into Stow, you may cease on the Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing unit and the Chilly Hole Cider Mill. Don’t miss the Ben and Jerry’s manufacturing unit tour, which is value visiting at the least as soon as.
We additionally actually loved visiting the Montshire Museum of Science, positioned over the NH border in Norwich, Vermont. We visited there on our method to Smugglers’ Notch from Boston.
Different ski resorts in Vermont embody Killington, Sugarbush, Jay Peak, and Okemo Mountain.
Discover inns in Vermont on TripAdvisor.
New Hampshire
I’ve loved household holidays in New Hampshire since childhood, visiting with my mother and father. It’s not an enormous state, however there are such a lot of issues to do with youngsters in New Hampshire.
My household not too long ago loved our keep on the Mountain Membership at Loon in Lincoln, NH. Whereas on that aspect of the well-known, scenic Kancamagus Freeway, you’ll want to cease at Clark’s Buying and selling Put up – dwelling to a enjoyable, distinctive skilled bear present. In the summertime, you may also go to Whale’s Story Water Park.
When visiting Lincoln, NH with youngsters, Franconia Notch State Park is one other widespread spot within the space.
On the opposite aspect of the freeway, inside the White Mountains, you’ll discover North Conway, NH, dwelling to plenty of premium retailers (and NO gross sales tax). Benefit from the drive – it’s completely stunning!
We’ve stayed at a number of inns in North Conway New Hampshire and loved our stays on the North Conway Grand, and the Residence Inn. When you have little youngsters, you’ll want to go to among the best sights for youths in New Hampshire – Story Land in Glen, NH. Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH can also be definitely worth the journey.
Within the winter, Attitash is a superb household ski resort. There are such a lot of issues for youths to do in New Hampshire.
One other widespread New England trip spot with youngsters is Lake Winnipesaukee. There are numerous motels, inns, inns, and residential leases on the lake.
If visiting New Hampshire with out youngsters, you’ll discover loads of quaint mattress and breakfasts. Some are kid-friendly, however you’d need to verify that earlier than visiting.
Discover inns in New Hampshire on TripAdvisor.
Rhode Island
My dwelling state of Rhode Island could also be small, nevertheless it has quite a bit to supply. The capital metropolis, Windfall, is simply an hour from Boston and has fairly a couple of family-friendly sights.
On weekend nights in the summertime, you may get pleasure from WaterFire, a efficiency murals. WaterFire is likely one of the extra distinctive out of doors exhibits to expertise. It takes place in Windfall, the capital metropolis of RI. Windfall is a enjoyable place to discover – whereas it’s a small metropolis, it gives loads of issues to see.
Our high trip selection in Rhode Island is Newport, only a fast experience from Windfall. We advocate a keep on the Resort Viking, which is positioned inside strolling distance of many Newport eating places and outlets.
Don’t miss the youngsters’ tour on the Breakers mansion, positioned alongside the famed Cliff Stroll. There are additionally loads of seashores in Newport and the encompassing space, in addition to Fort Adams State Park. When you love tennis, you’ll want to go to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, positioned proper in Newport.
For a pleasant day journey, take into account taking the ferry to Block Island, which is a part of Rhode Island. It’s a lovely, unspoiled space of the state.
Discover Rhode Island inns on TripAdvisor.
Massachusetts
I’ve lived in Massachusetts for over 20 years now, and nonetheless discover enjoyable locations to discover within the state. In fact, the capital metropolis of Boston is a must-visit, particularly within the hotter months. There’s a lot to do proper within the metropolis, together with the Boston Museum of Science, Fenway Park, and the New England Aquarium.
In the summertime, don’t miss a visit to the Boston Harbor Islands, a fast ferry experience away from the Boston waterfront. A number of totally different islands may be explored, so take a look at the checklist prematurely. It’s an excellent choice for a day journey.
Boston is a superb vacation spot to be taught extra about US historical past. The Freedom Path gives strolling excursions (or self-guided excursions), and they’re positively value doing. As you’d anticipate, these out of doors actions are finest in the summertime months, and July and August are particularly busy within the Boston space.
See extra to do in Boston with youngsters right here.
Cape Cod and the Islands, together with the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore, are one other stunning New England trip spot. There are a number of inns we advocate in Cape Cod Massachusetts – the Sea Crest Seashore Resort in Falmouth, Ocean Edge in Brewster, and the Harbor Resort in Provincetown. Martha’s Winery and Nantucket are additionally completely stunning in the summertime.
Whilst you may go to Cape Cod for the day, we advocate staying there for an extended journey. You’ll need to benefit from the seaside, eat seafood open air, attempt some nice ice cream, and simply benefit from the relaxed trip environment.
In your manner all the way down to the Cape, you may also cease in Plymouth, MA to take a look at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which is a must-do for historical past buffs. That is a straightforward cease in your drive – you gained’t have to remain in Plymouth in a single day.
North of Boston is a unique cape. Cape Ann is the place you’ll discover many family-friendly coastal cities, reminiscent of Rockport and Gloucester. Additionally on the North Shore is Newburyport, MA, in addition to Salem.
All 4 are nice locations to buy, eat, and discover the waterfront. You can even do whale-watching excursions leaving Gloucester. There are some stunning seashores on this space of the state. If you wish to go to one of many Gloucester seashores in season, you’ll want to ebook your parking prematurely.
Springfield, MA, positioned within the Western a part of the state, is one other spot that provides nice sights for households. Basketball lovers will need to go to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame. There’s additionally a brand new Dr. Seuss Museum, positioned in Springfield.
Discover inns in Massachusetts on TripAdvisor.
Connecticut
Final winter, we visited Mystic, Connecticut, which gives a number of nice issues to do with youngsters, together with the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. Keep in a single day so you may spend a lot of the day at each sights. Throughout our journey, we stayed on the Hilton Mystic, proper throughout the road from the aquarium.
This winter, we spent two nights in New Haven, about halfway between Boston and NYC. We stayed on the Examine at Yale, and loved visiting the Yale Museum of Artwork and the Peabody Museum of Pure Historical past. It’s a stunning metropolis with a great deal of tradition and scrumptious eating places.
Discover inns in Connecticut on TripAdvisor.
What’s your favourite vacation spot for a New England trip?