We’re so fortunate to reside in Massachusetts as a result of there are such a lot of incredible locations to go to in New England that are situated only a brief automobile experience away. We will drive in a single course to see among the greatest sandy seashores in the US, and we will drive in a unique course to see lovely mountains. There are such a lot of nice locations for New England holidays with children – together with cities and seashore cities.
With so many trip choices, you can simply do one thing totally different every season. There are such a lot of totally different choices for household enjoyable – outside actions, mountain climbing trails, museums, seashores, and rather 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 just a few totally different areas throughout your New England household trip, listed here are some locations to go in New England with children, together with some concepts of sights to go to.
If you’re particularly searching for New England household resorts, take a look at this put up. We now have additionally reviewed among the greatest locations to go to in New England on this website individually.
Be aware: We skilled a few of these New England holidays and sights in New England throughout media journeys or hosted stays/media charges and have additionally paid our personal approach many instances. Affiliate hyperlinks are included – in case you click on/buy by means of an affiliate hyperlink, we could make a small fee at no extra price to you. All opinions are my very own.
Locations to Go in New England With Youngsters: New England Household Trip Concepts
Maine
We don’t appear to go to Maine practically sufficient, and it’s actually only a fast drive from the Massachusetts border. Each time I go to, I simply like it. Kittery, Maine, simply over the New Hampshire border, affords a number of nice shops in addition to scrumptious seafood eating places.
Kittery can be proper close to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is one other nice waterfront vacation spot. It’s straightforward to go to each on the identical journey. It could appear shocking that the three states are all situated only a few minutes from one another, however that is the case proper on the shoreline.
For among the finest summer time Maine household holidays, go to the all-inclusive Migis Lodge, situated 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 cause, as a result of it’s a particular place. We loved a media keep there some time again and my children nonetheless speak about it.
In fact, you may’t miss the unique LL Bean retailer in Freeport, Maine. There are different outlet retailers in Freeport as effectively, in addition to a phenomenal state park. It’s an amazing place to go to for back-to-school or vacation purchasing.
For a enjoyable trip at any time of 12 months, go to Portland, Maine with children, the place you’ll get pleasure from scrumptious meals, nice purchasing lovely views, and enjoyable sights. Though you might consider it as a summer time trip spot, we often go to in the course of the winter and nonetheless like it. You’ll need to have at the least two nights there in an effort to benefit from the eating places and sights.
Portland has some nice museums, particularly for households. Whilst you’ll most likely must drive to these areas, the downtown Outdated Port space is extraordinarily walkable. You can too 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 situated in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Whilst you can’t go up within the lighthouse, it’s lovely to see. A little bit bit additional away is the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine.
Visiting in the course of the summer time? The quintessential seashore city of Ogunquit affords enjoyable retailers, scrumptious eating places, and a incredible seashore. Keep at one of many close by motels and stroll all over the place for the very best expertise. There may be fairly a little bit of visitors in the summertime, so it’s greatest to stroll when you may.
Acadia Nationwide Park and the close by city of Bar Harbor are additionally common Maine trip spots – particularly in the summertime.
In case you prefer to ski, there are some nice choices in Maine. In style ski resorts in Maine embrace Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Shawnee Peak.
Discover motels in Maine on TripAdvisor.
Vermont
Even in case you aren’t a skier, there are such a lot of locations to go along with children inside Vermont and so many issues to do in Vermont. We completely love visiting Smugglers’ Notch Resort. Though it’s a ski resort, it’s additionally among the finest locations to go to in Vermont in the summertime.
The youngsters actually 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 a number of snowboarding for the entire household.
Down the highway from Smugglers’ Notch is Stowe, Vermont, the place we will suggest two family-friendly resorts – Stoweflake and the Lodge at Spruce Peak. It’s additionally a preferred place to ski.
In Waterbury, on the best way into Stow, you may cease on the Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing facility, in addition to the Chilly Hole Cider Mill. Don’t miss the manufacturing facility tour at Ben and Jerry’s, which is certainly value visiting at the least as soon as.
We additionally actually loved our go to to the Montshire Museum of Science, situated over the NH border in Norwich, Vermont. We visited there on our approach to Smugglers’ Notch from Boston.
Different ski resorts in Vermont embrace Killington, Sugarbush, Jay Peak, and Okemo Mountain.
Discover motels in Vermont on TripAdvisor.
New Hampshire
I’ve loved household holidays in New Hampshire since I used to be a baby, visiting with my mother and father. It’s not an enormous state, however there are such a lot of issues to do in New Hampshire with children.
My household just lately 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 Publish – residence to a enjoyable, distinctive skilled bear present. In the summertime, you too can go to Whale’s Story Water Park.
When visiting Lincoln, NH with children, one other common spot within the space is Franconia Notch State Park.
On the opposite aspect of the freeway, inside the White Mountains, you’ll discover North Conway, NH, residence to a number of premium shops (and NO gross sales tax). Benefit from the drive – it’s completely lovely!
We’ve stayed at a number of motels in North Conway New Hampshire and loved our stays on the Pink Jacket Mountain View, the North Conway Grand, and the Residence Inn. When you’ve got little children, you’ll want to go to among the finest sights for teenagers in New Hampshire – Story Land in Glen, NH. Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH can be definitely worth the journey.
Within the winter, Attitash is a superb household ski resort. There are such a lot of issues for teenagers to do in New Hampshire.
One other common New England trip spot with children is Lake Winnipesaukee. There are numerous motels, inns, motels, and residential leases on the lake.
If visiting New Hampshire with out children, you’ll discover loads of quaint mattress and breakfasts. Some are kid-friendly, however you’d positively need to examine that earlier than visiting.
Discover motels in New Hampshire on TripAdvisor.
Rhode Island
My residence state of Rhode Island could also be small, but it surely has rather a lot to supply. The capital metropolis, Windfall, is simply an hour from Boston and has fairly just a few 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 outside reveals 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 affords a number of issues to see.
Our high trip alternative in Rhode Island is Newport, which is only a fast experience from Windfall. We suggest a keep on the Resort Viking, which is situated inside strolling distance of many Newport eating places and retailers.
Don’t miss the children’ tour on the Breakers mansion, situated alongside the famed Cliff Stroll. There are additionally loads of seashores in Newport and the encompassing space, in addition to Fort Adams State Park. In case you love tennis, you’ll want to cease in for a go to on the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, situated proper in Newport.
For a pleasant day journey, contemplate taking the ferry over to Block Island, which is a part of Rhode Island. It’s an amazing day journey, and a phenomenal, unspoiled space of the state.
Discover Rhode Island motels 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 will be explored, so take a look at the listing prematurely. It’s an amazing choice for a day journey.
Boston is a superb vacation spot to study extra about US historical past. Strolling excursions (or self-guided excursions) can be found on the Freedom Path, and it’s positively value doing. As you’d anticipate, these outside actions are greatest in the summertime months. July and August are particularly busy within the Boston space.
See extra to do in Boston with children right here.
Cape Cod and the Islands, together with the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore, are one other lovely New England trip spot. There are a number of motels we suggest in Cape Cod Massachusetts – the Sea Crest Seaside Resort in Falmouth, Ocean Edge in Brewster, and the Harbor Resort in Provincetown. Martha’s Winery and Nantucket are additionally completely lovely in the summertime.
Whilst you may go to Cape Cod for the day, we suggest staying there for an extended journey. You’ll need to benefit from the seashore, eat seafood outside, strive some nice ice cream, and simply benefit from the relaxed trip ambiance.
In your approach right down to the Cape, you too can cease in Plymouth, MA to take a look at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which is certainly a must-do for historical past buffs. That is a straightforward cease in your drive – you received’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, equivalent to 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 too do whale-watching excursions leaving Gloucester. There are some lovely 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, situated 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, situated in Springfield.
Discover motels in Massachusetts on TripAdvisor.
Connecticut
Final winter, we visited Mystic, Connecticut, which affords a number of nice issues to do with children, 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, which is correct throughout the road from the aquarium.
This winter, we spent two nights in New Haven, which is about halfway between Boston and NYC. We stayed on the Research at Yale, and loved visiting the Yale Museum of Artwork and the Peabody Museum of Pure Historical past. It’s a shocking metropolis with a great deal of tradition and scrumptious eating places.
Discover motels in Connecticut on TripAdvisor.
What’s your favourite vacation spot for a New England trip?
See our story on locations to go in New England.
