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10+ New England Vacation Ideas With Kids

There are so many great places for New England vacations with kids – including cities and beach towns. With so many vacation options, you could easily do something different each season. There are so many different options for family fun – outdoor activities, hiking trails, museums, beaches, and much more. This past winter break, we spent our break visiting Boston, Portland, and New Haven – all just a quick drive away from each other. Whether you live in New England or are planning to visit a few different locations during your New England family vacation, here are some places to go in New England with kids, along with some ideas of attractions to visit.

Kittery, Maine/Portsmouth, NH

Boat in harbor and pier in Portsmouth
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Kittery, Maine, just over the New Hampshire border, offers lots of great outlets as well as delicious seafood restaurants. Kittery is also right near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is another great waterfront destination. It’s easy to visit both on the same trip. It may seem surprising that the three states are all located just a few minutes from each other, but this is the case right at the coastline.

Freeport, Maine

Exterior of LLBean with giant boot
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

You can’t miss the original LL Bean store in Freeport, Maine. There are other outlet shops in Freeport as well, as well as a beautiful state park. It’s a great place to visit for back-to-school or holiday shopping.

Portland, Maine

Portland Harbor with boats and buildings along the sides
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

For a fun vacation at any time of year, visit Portland, Maine with kids, where you’ll enjoy delicious food, great shopping beautiful views, and fun attractions. Although you may think of it as a summer vacation spot, we usually visit during the winter and still love it. You’ll want to have at least two nights there so that you can enjoy the restaurants and attractions.

Smugglers Notch/Stowe/Waterbury, Vermont

Gazebo and ski lift among mountains and buildings
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Even if you aren’t a skier, there are so many places to go with kids within Vermont and so many things to do in Vermont. We love visiting Smugglers’ Notch Resort. Although it’s a ski resort, it’s also one of the best places to visit in Vermont in the summer. Down the road from Smugglers’ Notch is Stowe, Vermont, where we can recommend two family-friendly resorts – Stoweflake and the Lodge at Spruce Peak. It’s also a popular place to ski. In Waterbury, on the way into Stow, you can stop at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Don’t miss the factory tour at Ben and Jerry’s, which is worth visiting at least once.

White Mountains, NH

Greenery on mountains by roadside
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Connected by the Kancamagus Highway is North Conway and Lincoln. While in Lincoln, be sure to stop at Clark’s Trading Post – home to a fun, unique trained bear show. When visiting Lincoln, NH with kids, another popular spot in the area is Franconia Notch State Park. On the other side of the highway, within the White Mountains, you’ll find North Conway, NH, home to lots of premium outlets (and NO sales tax). If you have little kids, be sure to visit one of the best attractions for kids in New Hampshire – Story Land in Glen, NH. Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH is also worth the trip.

Newport, RI

The exterior of the Breakers mansion
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Our top vacation choice in Rhode Island is Newport, which is just a quick ride from Providence. Don’t miss the kids’ tour at the Breakers mansion, located along the famed Cliff Walk. There are also plenty of beaches in Newport and the surrounding area, as well as Fort Adams State Park. If you love tennis, be sure to stop in for a visit at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, located right in Newport.

Boston, MA

Boston from the Boston Harbor with boats in foreground
Image credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

In the summer, don’t miss a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands, a quick ferry ride away from the Boston waterfront. Several different islands can be explored, so check out the list in advance. It’s a great option for a day trip. Boston is a great destination to learn more about US history. Walking tours (or self-guided tours) are available on the Freedom Trail, and it is worth doing. Other popular attractions for kids include Boston Museum of Science, Fenway Park, and the New England Aquarium

Cape Cod, MA

Beach with seagrass and a large boardwalk
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Cape Cod and the Islands, including the Cape Cod National Seashore, are another beautiful New England vacation spot. While you could visit Cape Cod for the day, we recommend staying there for a longer trip. You’ll want to enjoy the beach, eat seafood outdoors, try some great ice cream, and just enjoy the relaxed vacation atmosphere. On your way down to the Cape, you can also stop in Plymouth, MA to check out Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which is a must-do for history buffs. This is an easy stop on your drive – you won’t have to stay in Plymouth overnight.

Cape Ann, MA

waterfront in gloucester with boats
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

North of Boston is a different cape. Cape Ann is where you’ll find many family-friendly coastal towns, such as Rockport and Gloucester. Also on the North Shore is Newburyport, MA, as well as Salem.

All four are great places to shop, eat, and explore the waterfront. You can also do whale-watching tours leaving Gloucester. There are some beautiful beaches in this area of the state. If you want to visit one of the Gloucester beaches in season, be sure to book your parking in advance.

Mystic, CT

Penguin exhibit in Mystic
Image Credit: Jodi Grundig/Family Travel Magazine

Mystic, Connecticut, offers several great things to do with kids, including the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. Stay overnight so you can spend much of the day at both attractions. It’s a beautiful place and there are several nice areas to walk around and shop. See our post, 23+ Ideas for New England vacations with kids here.

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