I really like dwelling in New England, as a result of there are such a lot of enjoyable and fascinating locations which can be only a brief journey away. As an alternative of driving hours and hours, a few of these spots are only one or two hours away from my house.
There are additionally quite a few fabulous New England household resorts to remain in throughout your journey. Whether or not you reside in New England and are in search of some enjoyable new locations to discover, or are visiting the world and need to see as a lot as attainable, listed here are some quaint cities and cities in New England to go to with youngsters. Did I miss your favourite? Go away a remark!
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, which implies that we could get a small fee when a hyperlink is clicked and/or a purchase order is made. We skilled a couple of of those sights for free of charge for functions of evaluate. All opinions are my very own.
Cute New England Cities to Go to
Rockport, MA
Rockport might be my favourite quaint city in Massachusetts. Positioned on Cape Ann in Massachusetts, Rockport has a small-town allure, with scrumptious eating places, cozy retailers, and exquisite views. Don’t miss seeing Motif #1, a frequently-photographed reproduction fishing shack.
You possibly can spot Motif #1 from the adjoining Barefoot Neck space, a downtown space the place you possibly can eat, store, and discover amongst reward retailers, seafood eating places, and artwork galleries. Park in a single spot after which stroll round the entire space. There are a number of seashores in Rockport and adjoining Gloucester, so it’s positively a pleasant spot to go to through the summer season.
See our issues to do in Rockport right here, and lodge opinions in Rockport right here.
Freeport, ME
Freeport Maine is known for being the worldwide headquarters of L.L. Bean, however the space additionally options quite a few outlet shops and smaller retailers. My youngsters at all times love exploring the flagship L.L. Bean retailer, the place you’ll discover youngsters’ actions along with clothes and different outside gear. It’s greater than a retailer, it’s a full expertise.
For a totally completely different expertise, head to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, which presents quite a few household applications and has free admission day-after-day. Freeport can be conveniently situated close to different standard Maine cities, so you possibly can cease by on a day journey in the event you’d want. That is additionally a terrific place to go to if you wish to see the attractive New England fall foliage.
Discover inns in Freeport right here.
Mystic, CT
I’ve such fond reminiscences of visiting Mystic Connecticut once I was a child rising up in Rhode Island, and so I’ve liked bringing my youngsters again there as an grownup. Mystic presents quite a few actions for households, together with Olde Mistick Village, a shopping mall made up of small buildings designed to appear to be a village of the 1700s. It’s a enjoyable spot to discover and appears like a historic city.
Mystic can be house to the Mystic Aquarium, which is a unbelievable aquarium to go to with youngsters. It’s a terrific measurement for teenagers and presents exhibits and different occasions for households. In case your youngsters are tweens or older, they’ll admire visiting Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum with interactive reveals and exhibits.
I’d suggest staying in Mystic for a minimum of a weekend because you’ll need to have about two full days there to see the Seaport, Aquarium, and Village. Don’t neglect to cease at Mystic Pizza.
See our issues to do in Mystic, CT with youngsters right here, and opinions of Mystic inns right here.
Stowe, VT
Foodies will love the drive into Stowe, Vermont – with the Ben and Jerry’s Manufacturing facility and the Chilly Hole Cider Mill situated proper on the drive off the freeway. Be sure you depart sufficient time to go to each in your method into Stowe.
When you arrive in Stowe, you’ll have quite a few enjoyable actions for households, together with these at Stowe Mountain. It’s such a fantastic, quintessential New England city with eating places, retailers, and exquisite issues to see.
See inns in Stowe, Vermont right here.
Newport, RI
Newport, Rhode Island is a beautiful metropolis, with plenty of nice issues to do. Brick Market and the adjoining Thames Road characteristic enjoyable retailers and scrumptious eating places in a fantastic surroundings. In the event you go to Newport, I’d positively suggest spending a while on the waterfront.
As well as, Newport is house to a number of beautiful Gilded-age mansions that you would be able to tour. My favourite for households is the youngsters’s audio tour at The Breakers – my youngsters actually loved studying in regards to the historical past of this historic house. Tennis lovers might also get pleasure from visiting the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, which is situated proper on the town.
Wish to spend a while on the water? There are a number of completely different sailboats and different boat rides that you would be able to catch proper from the waterfront. Newport is finest visited in the summertime months, though a few of the mansions are adorned for Christmas.
See Newport lodge opinions right here.
Portland, ME
Portland Maine, not in contrast to the same-named metropolis on the West Coast, is thought for its artsy vibe and scrumptious meals (together with lobster rolls!). If you’re visiting through the summer season, you possibly can take one of many many boat excursions and cruises which can be provided and might see a Portland Sea Canine baseball Recreation.
However even in the event you select to go to within the low season, there are fabulous museums, enjoyable retailers, and naturally, nice meals. I really like visiting Portland within the winter when the crowds have all left. Simply understand that the water actions are solely open seasonally.
See our issues to do with youngsters in Portland, Maine right here, and learn Portland lodge opinions right here.
Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth New Hampshire is situated proper close to two states – Massachusetts and Maine. This seaside city presents kid-friendly museums, retailers, and eating places in addition to harbor cruises. While you’re there, head to neighboring Kittery, Maine to buy the varied outlet shops. Though, understand that New Hampshire doesn’t have any gross sales tax, so it’s nice to buy there as nicely.
See inns in Portsmouth, NH right here
Nantucket, MA
Nantucket is a metropolis and an island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Whereas it’s romanticized by the favored creator Elin Hilderbrand, Nantucket actually is gorgeous and charming. Like its sister island Martha’s Winery, Nantucket is an extremely standard summer season trip vacation spot. But it surely’s positively price visiting for a quintessential New England summer season trip.
When you can simply go for the day, attempt to keep for a minimum of an in a single day so as to absolutely discover the island. Nonetheless, I’d suggest an extended keep so you possibly can actually discover. In December, they host a
See inns in Nantucket right here.
Newburyport, MA
Newburyport, on the north shore of Massachusetts, is house to retailers, eating places, and a fantastic waterfront. As well as, you’ll discover the Parker River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge in addition to Plum Island, which options a fantastic seaside. You could possibly cease there on a day journey or a highway journey.
See inns in Newburyport right here.
Chatham, MA
Whereas I really like the entire quaint cities on Cape Cod, Chatham is one in all my favorites. This charming waterfront down has a terrific downtown space, with retailers and eating places. Every time I’m on the Cape, I attempt to go to Chatham to do some buying.
There’s additionally the Chatham Fish Pier, the place you’ll discover harbor seals frolicking within the water. There’s additionally the enduring Chatham lighthouse. Throughout choose days of the summer season, you possibly can take a lighthouse tour.
See extra about locations to go in New England with youngsters right here.
