Family Vacation in New England?

Question

I am looking for a vacation spot for my family this summer (July). I have two children, ages 12 and 1. Any advice on where to go. We are not big on camping. Any suggestions would be greatly apprciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Rent a cottage near a beach. There are great beaches in southern Maine - York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport, Goose Rocks (part of Kport), Biddeford Pool, Old Orchard Beach.



OOB has a small amusement park next to the beach and lots of beach junk /food places.



Alternative to Maine beaches would be Cape Cod beaches and if money is no object - Martha's Vineyard.



If the beach isn't your thing, then you could rent a cottage on one of the many lakes in Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont. If your willing to stray a little out of New England, Lake George NY is really nice.



I figure renting a cottage is the best bet with a 1 year old. Staying in a motel with babies can be a challenge. The older child would love having the water to play in.

Answer 2

There are plenty of places to go to in New Hampshire as well as Vermont. Have you considered NH's Lakes Region? That is on the edge of the White Mountains, and as the name suggests, there are numerous alpine lakes in the area, along with a lot of really nice small New England towns. There are lots of things to see and do, and the whole place is very family friendly. An alternative might be the NH seacoast area- that area too is also family friendly, and it's possible to drive from one end of NH's coast to the other in about 20 minutes- the coastline is only 18 miles long. There are lots of things to do here, too. From festivals like the Strawberry Banke in May to the Clam Feast in late summer, there is something for everyone here. The Lakes Region has Gunstock State Park, Endicott Rock State Beach and waterpark, Ellacoya State Beach, Mill Falls Inn and Marketplace in Meredith, ( which incidentally is a GREAT place to stay as well as shop and eat) and attractions like the Flume, Lost River, Canon Mountain ( home to the famous airial tramway) Castle in the Clouds, and steamboat cruises on Lake Winnepesaukee. A short drive to the east, and you can visit Conway and East Conway, and cross over the state line into Maine, if you want. These towns are famous for their association with one of the major tennis tournaments on the entire East coast- and they have played host to the US Open championships more than once.



Since I am not sure of your interests or budget, I hesitate to suggest actual activities, but I can tell you there are lots of nice places to stay in NH which are affordable. One of my favorites when I go to visit there ( I'm an NH native with strong family ties in that region) is the Landmark Hotel in Laconia. Although they are a limited service hotel ( they don't have a pool) they provide good service and free breakfast every morning, as well as reasonable rates. There are other resorts around which also offer good service, such as the Margate Resort, which is also owned and run by the same people who run the Landmark. Check them out- they are great places to be !!



I hope this helps you with your planning, and enjoy your trip !!

Answer 3

It would depend on what you like to go. The beaches are great in Maine, but they are COLD. If you want to swim in the ocean, I suggest you stay south of Cape Cod.



Sabago Lake is a great place for swimming. It is a state park and their are places to stay nearby. Also, in Windham (two towns over) their is a Fun Park with mini-golf and go-carts.



Kennebunkport is very pretty, but overpriced and crowded. And their is not much for the kids.



North Conway, NH is probably the best place for kids. Storyland is a great place for the little one. My daughter is two and she LOVED it last year. There are also parks for the older ones...a water park and a ride park. The mountians are pretty and you can drive to the top of Mount Washington if you dare.

Answer 4

Vermont - Most of the place is pretty beautiful. I would suggest going to Burlington. You can walk around Church Street Marketplace, go down by the waterfront (of Lake Champlain), or go up to the Lake Champlain Islands and go to Sand Bar Park. Most of the ski resorts have summer activities, you can go to the Trapp Family Lodge and hike around or drive to Waterbury and go on the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour, or drive to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne and take the tour there. It's a beautiful place to visit!

Answer 5

York, Maine. Beaches, woods, and a river. The scenery is great, be sure to visit Nubble Lighthouse. Sweet Josie's is a good candy shop, Hawaiian Jim's is a good place to go from Short Sands, you can get a snowcone and cool off.

Answer 6

innovations of issues to do in New England Boston innovations of issues to do in Boston Museums, lots of Museums: The MFA (paintings) Isabella Stuart Gardner (paintings) ICA (paintings) The Aquarium, The technological information Museum, Harvard and MIT museums, to not point out all the historic web sites; web sites alongside the liberty path, John Adams living house outdoors the Boston section Cape Cod/Islands lots of great seashores Cape Cod summer time baseball League lots of small museums lots of paying for in maximum cities P-city is the only Cape Cod city with an considerable nightlife lots of trails for trekking and viewing nature, maximum are run via MassAudubon, yet there are few state parks and a few on Cape Cod national coastline come across the Dunes in P-city via bike, or take a dune buggy excursion take a whale watch fishing/boating someplace else in new England Minute guy national ParkConcord/Lincoln/Lexington MA New Bedford Whaling Museum MA Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth MA Basketaball hall of repute Springfield MA Mass Moca paintings Museum North Adams MA Tanglewood Classical song concert activities Lenox MA Acadia national Park ME Baxter State Park ME Ogunquit ME White Mountains NH Burlington VT Ben and Jerry's production facility excursion, Waterbury VT previous mansions, Cliffwalk and Touro Synogogue, Newport RI great seashores in South County RI Mystic CT examine listings for concert activities, performs and different activities purple Sox pastime,or different activities adventure bypass to the Harbor Islands, Whale watch, Blue Hills State reservation paying for, lots of paying for in Quincy industry, Newbury highway or Harvard sq. in Cambridge, additionally bypass to the insanely overpriced Copley place Mall Duck excursions bypass to the right of the Prudential Tower for a great view you would be able to additionally desire to evaluate taking an element holiday to Salem, and notice all the witch stuff, the Peabody Essex Museum and the historic internet site run via the Park provider, the Commuter Rail, which leaves from North Station in Boston, will drop you off good outdoors the touristy element of Salem

Answer 7

you could go to cape cod. i love it there.