Vacation Spots In New England For Families – New England has something special to offer families for all seasons, or at least three seasons, spring (also known as mud or “stick” season) is not always reliable. After living in Rhode Island for over 20 years and spending my childhood vacations in Vermont, I’ve been able to find great family vacations in New England.
When our daughter was young, we enjoyed visiting New England family vacation spots like Storyland in New Hampshire (one of the best amusement parks for young kids) and skiing on the Sunday River in Maine. Growing up, we vacationed in New England like Cape Cod and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Whether you crave mountain air, sea life or coastal scenery, New England has it all
Vacation Spots In New England For Families
While the range is compact enough to visit all of the New England states (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine), a New England road trip is ideal for choosing and setting a destination – just get there and enjoy. Another trip. A relaxing family holiday.
Family Vacation Template: New England Road Trip
The best time to visit New England depends on what you want to experience. Many prefer to come from late September to mid-October for the fall foliage. If that’s your thing, you’ll want to keep an eye on forecasts for the best places to visit during peak season. I’ve rounded up some ideas for the best fall road trips in New England, including one of my favorites on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and a fun road trip in Vermont.
Winter in New England is all about skiing and outdoor winter sports like snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, skating, ice fishing and hunting. Northern New Hampshire and Maine offer off-road vehicle trails that turn into snowmobile trails in the winter.
Personally, I love New England in the summer. It’s a season that offers something for everyone. You have the vibe of Vineyard Vines from Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket or Newport. Maine’s classic rocky coastline, the lake regions of Maine and New Hampshire, the small towns and mountain resorts of Vermont, and the historic beach towns of southern New England. See more ideas for where to go in Maine in the summer.
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New England Travel, Tourism & Vacation Guide
Manchester, Vermont is one of my favorite New England towns, and not just because of the wonderful Northshire Bookstore. With so much to do in and around Manchester, it’s an ideal base for exploring southern Vermont, from historic Bennington in the south to artsy Brattleboro in the east.
You’ll find covered bridges, local stores, maple sugar shacks, creameries, chocolate factories, designer establishments, farm-to-table restaurants and everything else that makes Vermont special. Nearby, enjoy some history at Hildene, the home of Robert Lincoln, the surviving son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Although the story may seem “boring” to youngsters, Thomas the Tank fans will enjoy riding the Pullman train cars around the property and roaming the gardens.
Speaking of walking, there are plenty of hikes to enjoy, such as Upper Brook Falls or the Flatlands Trail around Equinox Pond. If you’d rather drive than walk, take a scenic summer drive on the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, the longest privately owned paved highway in the United States. Climb 3,248 feet over 8.2 miles to the summit of Mount Equinox, taking in several overlooks and picnic areas along the way.
Manchester is the home of Orvis and at the Orvis Fly Fishing School you can take your lessons wherever you want, tying, correct fly selection and learn how to cast, land and release.
Nantucket Travel Guide
Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, Basin Harbor Resort in Vergennes, Vermont offers the perfect family vacation destination. This lakeside resort has hosted families from generation to generation and is the kind of place where families come together year after year. You can read my full review of Basin Harbor , but this resort offers kids-only activities and a fun atmosphere for a multi-generational family vacation.
Families can rent one of 74 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments or choose one of 45 apartments. With lawn games, lakeside activities like free paddle boat and kayak rentals, paddle boards and canoes, and programming for kids, there’s no reason to leave the resort. However, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do nearby.
The Shelburne Museum is the largest art and history museum in northern New England. The 45-acre campus consists of 39 buildings, 25 of which are historic, including the Shaker-designed Round Barn, a general store, a carousel and the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens of 22 gardens.
The Echo Lehigh Center on Burlington’s waterfront is another nature and science museum that families will love to explore. Vermont’s Teddy Bear Company is also only 30 minutes away, as well as many breweries and farms to visit. See more things to do in Burlington, VT.
Five New England Resorts That Are Attractions On Their Own
Stowe is a popular winter vacation destination with skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowmobiling and other winter sports in both Stowe and the family-friendly nearby Smuggler’s Knot. However, winter can be a great time to visit Stowe as the ski mountains transform into family outdoor adventure centers. There are many attractions in and around Stowe, including Cold Hollow Cider Mill (amazing cider donuts with hard and regular cider) and Cabot’s Cheese Shop, and it’s not far from the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.
Of course, most things you’ll want to do in Stowe during the summer are outdoors, from outdoor activities at mountain resorts to nearby waterfalls, mountain biking and all kinds of llama trekking. The quaint ski town of Stowe offers tons of nearby restaurants, shops, and breweries (I highly recommend eating at Stowe’s Bench).
For more Vermont ideas, check out my Vermont road trip suggestions, including a day trip to Burlington.
Lake Winnipesaukee and the entire New Hampshire lake region is a popular summer vacation destination for families. In the year Remember the 1991 comedy with Bill Murray,
New England Beach Vacation Lodging Ideas
Yes, it was Lake Winnipesaukee. New Hampshire Lakes has a relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect place for families or groups to rent a lakeside vacation home and spend days swimming, boating, and fishing. End the day with a sunset as you watch the sun set.
Of course, there are lovely towns nearby like Meredith and Wolfeboro. You can go to Weirs Beach, take an amazing boat ride, paddleboard, kayak, water ski, ride the scenic railroad, go to the playground or try ziplining at nearby Gunstock Mountain Resort. If you’re feeling ambitious, take out the Major or take the grandparents to the historic Castle in the Clouds. Your days will fly by on this New England family vacation.
If you want to be active on your family vacation, North Conway, New Hampshire is an ideal base for exploring and adventure. There are endless hikes and all kinds of adventures in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, ziplining, rock climbing, roller coasters, alpine adventure parks, scenic drives, and snowshoeing.This area is especially beautiful in the fall.
Also as a large LL. Bean Outlet, great restaurants, inns and family hotels. You can try glamping nearby at Hutpia Resort, Alpine Garden Glamping or Lumen Nature Retreat in Lincoln.
15 Incredible New England Resorts & Spas For Your Next Getaway (2024)
Some of our favorite hikes include Lightning at Diana Baths Falls, the Cancamagus Highway, or Mt. Washington (although this can be a bit scary at times), caving in the Lost River Gorge, enjoy mountain activities. Hike to Mount Atitash or Cranmore, and among the waterfalls of Flume Gorge.
If you count all the beaches and inlets, Maine has over 3,000 miles of coastline to explore. Although much of this coastline is rocky, Maine’s beaches in southern Maine, just a short drive from Boston, offer great stretches of soft sand perfect for a family vacation. Kittery is known for its department stores (and Bob’s Clam Hut), Cape Neddick is one of the most famous lighthouses on the Nubile Light coast, Ogunquit offers beaches and charming Peggy’s Cove.
Old Orchard Beach offers seven miles of waterfront with beautiful beaches. This beach resort is popular with families with young children, with all kinds of attractions and attractions on the cliff and near the beach. The Funtown Splashtown theme park is nearby, along with York Wild Kingdom and Aquabogen Water Park.
One of my favorite beach towns in Maine is Kennebunkport. There are beautiful beaches with calm waters, such as Goth Rocks Beach, a beautiful town center with good restaurants and shops.
