— By Laurie Bain Wilson —
The nation will likely be partying prefer it’s 1776 to have fun the 250th birthday of our nation subsequent July, and households can begin planning now. Specifically, New England is gearing up for the large birthday bash, given its storied historical past, and already boasting their “first” and “oldest” taverns, inns, and battles forward of the event.
Listed here are some family-friendly historic spots in New England the place classroom historical past books come alive. That is the place America’s story started (and continues to be being written).
Word: Plans are nonetheless fluid in some locations, so verify the hyperlinks usually for up to date data.
Rhode Island
Bristol
Flag the small-town of Bristol on your itinerary. Simply 15 miles from bustling Newport, the coastal city is on the map for the parade of all Fourth of July parades. It’s been a convention right here since 1785, and Bristol is house to the oldest steady Independence Day celebration within the nation. And there are different compelling causes to go to.
“Newport lives as much as its nickname as ‘America’s Summer time Playground’ with historic appeal, iconic mansions and scenic harbors,” stated Victoria Cimino, Uncover Newport CEO. “We additionally encourage guests to discover close by gems like Bristol — a historic port city wealthy in Revolutionary Warfare historical past, Portuguese tradition, and out of doors adventures.”
There are various actions for visiting households. The East Bay Bike Path embraces Bristol, a scenic coastal path for a stroll or bike experience that snakes alongside Narragansett Bay, all the way in which to Windfall. Alongside the way in which, colonial-style properties flank the streets. You’ll additionally discover a sea of eating places like The Lobster Pot, serving lobster dishes to the area for many years.
A household vacay isn’t all in regards to the children. Mother will wish to sneak away for some wellness on the Alayne White Spa, a colourful inventive spa positioned proper on the town and well-known for its facials for greater than 25 years.
And, like Newport, Bristol has its assortment of mansions with a lot of out of doors gardens and lawns for youths to unfold out; Blithewold is particularly child pleasant.
Picture courtesy of Bristol Harbor Inn
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Bristol Harbor Inn: A first-rate waterfront spot on the town and subsequent to the East Bay Bike Path that hugs the Narragansett Bay, this can be a family-friendly place to stick with 56 rooms and suites.
Bristol additionally hosts a handful of inns, just like the Bradford-Dimond-Norris Inn, inbuilt 1792 for Deputy Governor William Bradford with 5 beautiful visitor rooms and a porch for lazy summer season days. (Sure, children are invited and welcome.)
Massachusetts
Boston
Rock the cradle of the American Revolution subsequent summer season in Boston, the state capital. It is a nice metropolis to think about, as Boston will host lots of of actions in the course of the Independence Day vacation to have fun the semiquincentennial in 2026.
The USS Structure, Paul Revere’s Home, Bunker Hill Monument, and different historic websites children have discovered about in class sit beside the two.5-mile Freedom Path; begin on the Boston Frequent and finish at Charlestown.
The Hatch Shell on the banks of the Charles River is all the time a banner spot for the annual Fourth of July live performance and fireworks, and subsequent yr will likely be additional particular, for positive.
Have a meal at The Union Oyster Home which turns 200 subsequent yr and is the oldest restaurant in Boston and oldest in steady service within the nation; you’ll discover a children’ menu and numerous attention-grabbing memorabilia when you’re inside. Enjoyable truth: Daniel Webster slurped oysters on the round bar, which continues to be right here.
Sail Boston will have fun maritime historical past subsequent summer season with tall ships and vessels for the birthday bash subsequent yr.
The Museum of Wonderful Arts, Boston (MFA) will debut its 18th-century Artwork of the Americas galleries subsequent yr simply in time for the July 4th get together. They’ll have all arms on deck at The USS Structure Museum, and the Boston Tea Get together Ships & Museum can be planning for the large birthday.
Batter up! Baseball-loving sluggers will love Fenway Park. Residence to the Purple Sox, Fenway is the oldest MLB ballpark within the nation (based in 1912) and will likely be grand slamming it subsequent summer season with particular occasions; excursions are additionally a enjoyable thought.
Picture courtesy of Massachusetts Workplace of Journey and Tourism
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Ah, the irony. As soon as the notorious Charles Road Jail, the resort will have fun freedom subsequent summer season with a particular package deal. It is a spot that youngsters will like to share of their “what I did on my summer season vacay” essays.
The unique, guest-only 250th Sail-abration Occasion for the Fourth will embody fireworks you’ll see from The Yard and the fourth-floor catwalk. (Bear in mind, this can be a former jail.) The package deal additionally consists of waterfront views of the long-lasting Boston Pops live performance by the Charles River together with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, limitless water/seltzer, a stay DJ, face portray, and a photobooth.
Harvard Sq. in Cambridge, simply throughout the Charles River, is famously house to Harvard College. As this space continues to make historical past, there are many relics of the previous to discover. It is usually house to the Charles Resort, a sensible alternative for households visiting Boston (and a fast experience on the T will scoot you proper into the town). The rooms are handsomely embellished, and Henrietta’s Desk comes with an array of regionally sourced substances. The resort is a skip from Harvard Yard, and also you would possibly think about the student-led excursions for extra perception into your environment.
Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport District
E book one of many visitor rooms with water views, and also you’ll get up to the dawn over Boston Harbor. There may be additionally a swimming pool, an out of doors deck with fireplace pits, a formidable (and included) breakfast buffet unfold, and room charges will be cheaper than different Boston accommodations.
Liberty Resort Fourth of July celebration / Picture courtesy of The Liberty Resort
Maine
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is famously identified for the Bush compound, the place the Bush household takes their summer season holidays. As such, the seaside city all the time reveals its crimson, white, and blue stripes on the Fourth with a parade that has usually included the previous presidents. Subsequent summer season, it’s a provided that Kennebunkport will go all out for the Fourth.
Kennebunkport can be the place vacationers take pleasure in lobster rolls, fried clams, and ice cream on scorching summer season days. (The Clam Shack on the town by the water is a favourite; the lengthy traces will inform you you’re arrived.) Together with the nice eats, there are many family-friendly seashores to discover.
Kennebunkport / Picture by Laurie Bain Wilson
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This unpretentious but elegant household resort has all of the feels of nostalgic childhood trip, and that’s why households hold coming again era after era. The resort’s historical past dates again greater than a century, with maybe the perfect location in Kennebunkport. You possibly can take pleasure in a pleasant stroll into city or to the seashore, although there’s additionally a shuttle for even simpler entry.
You might discover that youngsters received’t even wish to depart the resort, with a child’s camp together with all of the necessities for a dream summer season trip. (Assume: crab racing proper on the dock, swimming within the out of doors pool, wiffle ball video games, basketball…) At evening, fireplace pits dot the garden with tuckered-out children s’moring and fogeys sipping.
Completely happy campers rule this tenting resort in Kennebunkport about 5 miles from city in RV’s, pop-up tents, glamping tents (i.e. chandeliers however no loos), and cabins with out of doors seating like picnic tables. Additionally, every unit has a hearth pit to simply make s’mores and recollections as a household. Many of the items don’t have loos, however there are handy bathhouses close by with a personal rest room and bathe in a single area.
You’ll additionally discover a saltwater pool, a busy playground, garden video games like Bocce, and arranged video games like Sweet Bar Bingo. Head to a lodge to seek out Maine souvenirs together with snacks (cheese, chips, Jiffy Pop popcorn to prepare dinner over the campfire) and grownup bevs (together with frozen boozy ice pops). Subsequent summer season for the Fourth, anticipate a embellished kiddie bike parade, old style barbecues, cotton sweet, and different Yankee Doodle dandies.
Sandy Pines Campground / Picture by Laurie Bain Wilson
New Hampshire
Portsmouth
The maritime heritage is wealthy on this historic cobblestoned seaport city that sits about an hour-and-a-half north of Boston on the busy Piscataqua River. Portsmouth was integrated in 1653, when the identify first appeared with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Strawberry Banke Museum is an easy-to-do out of doors residing historical past museum that explores 300 years of New England, from the colonial days to the 20th century, with enjoyable actions like candle making and blacksmith instruments. And it’s only a skip from city. Subsequent summer season, gear up for the entire appeal you’d anticipate from an old style celebration of Americana.
And on a scorching summer season day, there’s nothing higher than licking an ice cream cone and watching the passersby whereas sitting in Market Sq. or on a bench in Prescott Park, with its beautiful gardens.
Portsmouth / Picture by Laurie Bain Wilson
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The Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Resort
The indoor pool is motive sufficient for households to like this massive resort. The situation is one other compelling perk, only a fast stroll to all of the motion together with the waterfront, eating places, ice cream retailers, and Strawberry Banke Museum.
A fast 15-minute drive to Portsmouth (there’s additionally a complimentary shuttle), this sprawling historic resort in New Citadel has all of the bells and whistles. The Gilded Age retreat debuted in 1874, internet hosting many presidents and dignitaries since. For households, there are clay tennis courts, a pair of swimming swimming pools, a spa, and a picturesque marina. On the marina, you’ll discover Latitudes restaurant and its iconic lobster rolls (together with a children’ menu).
Picture courtesy Wentworth by the Sea
Connecticut
Mystic
Mystic will present its maritime stripes subsequent summer season. It’s house to the Nineteenth-century maritime Mystic Seaport Museum, which pays homage to the nation’s earliest seafaring days and whaling business. Youngsters like to climb the Charles W. Morgan, the one remaining wood whaling vessel; courting to 1841, it’s the nation’s oldest business ship nonetheless afloat. There will likely be costumed interpreters and reenactments for the Fourth subsequent summer season, in addition to 19th century video games.
The Mystic Aquarium has a splashy sea lion present and is positioned subsequent to Olde Mistick Village, an incredible spot to whereas away a day with fudge and ice cream retailers; go to Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop, it raises the bar for bookstores — a lot of enjoyable for each children and fogeys.
Additionally, go to downtown Mystic and seize slices and pies from the pizza store that starred within the flick Mystic Pizza.
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Youngsters love this resort, due to the indoor pool and “dive-in” motion pictures, the place they will swim and watch family-friendly motion pictures whereas within the water; scavenger hunts and prizes; craft actions; and the Mystic Aquarium proper throughout the road. The Irons restaurant is full of life and pays homage to the area’s shipbuilding heritage.
The resort is much less dear and rather more budget-friendly than another Mystic choices. It’s additionally only a brief stroll (or two-minute drive) to Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium. Connecting and pet-friendly rooms are an alternative choice, and the complimentary breakfast, bagel, and low bar are additionally family-friendly. If your loved ones is a fan of beating the warmth within the water, the out of doors pool right here sees numerous motion!
Vermont
Woodstock
Will probably be a Yankee Doodle summer season subsequent yr in Woodstock, a darling historic village positioned within the Inexperienced Mountains; Woodstock predates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, because it was chartered in 1761. And it affords Americana eye sweet at each flip.
Woodstock’s Fourth of July facilities round a small-town parade with massive ambition, maple cremees galore, swimming holes, a carnival celebration on the native highschool, and the most important fireworks show within the state. Subsequent yr will likely be no exception.
Picture courtesy of Woodstock Inn & Resort
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The 142-room historic resort is an instance of well-preserved New England craftsmanship and heritage. It’s acquired a plum location on the inexperienced, proper subsequent to the library (try the e book gross sales) and a skip from the boutiques and eating places. There are family-friendly experiences to entertain the entire squad: tennis, golf, swimming (two swimming pools), fly fishing, spa remedies, climbing, biking, a retro sport room, and s’mores by the fireplace pit on the garden, after all.
Wanting Forward to America’s 250th
With the Fourth of July proper across the nook, it’s the right time to suppose forward to subsequent yr and the various festivities set to happen to honor America’s 250th birthday. Within the meantime, Completely happy Independence Day! Whereas subsequent yr is a giant one, take pleasure in celebrating the nation’s 249th together with your family and friends in 2025!
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