If you live in New England, you are lucky to have a variety of different vacation options available just a short distance away. Sometimes, with family, it’s hard to get away for a week, so a long weekend (or even a regular weekend) is a much easier option.
Not only are there so many great weekend getaways in New England for families, but there are also fabulous New England family resorts to stay at. Planning a family weekend getaway in New England? Here are the best weekend getaways in New England – with charming small towns and fun activities perfect for family travel.
Disclosure: We’ve stayed at some of these locations and hotels at no cost for review. We’ve also ridden the Amtrak Downeaster at no cost. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase or click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us.
Family Weekend Getaways in New England
Portland, Maine
We have traveled to Portland, Maine, on numerous occasions and have always enjoyed our stays. There is much to do, including boat trips on Casco Bay, shopping, and museums. There are also many fantastic restaurants to check out.
You’ll probably want to stay in the Old Port section of Portland, which is filled with shops and restaurants. You won’t even need your car for most destinations. If traveling from Boston (or North of Boston), you can take the Amtrak Downeaster train, which goes right into Portland.
Here are some other things to do in Portland, Maine:
- Portland Science Center
- Portland Head Lighthouse
- Portland Museum of Art
- Scenic boat tours
See hotels in Portland, Maine, here.
Freeport, Maine
Freeport, Maine, is best known for being the headquarters of LL Bean. The flagship store is definitely worth a visit, especially with kids. You can easily spend several hours there, and there are a number of things that appeal to kids, especially during the Christmas holiday season.
There are also many outlet stores and restaurants to enjoy in that area of Freeport. You can just park your car and walk around to the various outlets. If you are planning to visit Portland, Maine, driving up to Freeport is easy. The Amtrak Downeaster train also travels up to Freeport, so that’s an option if you don’t want to drive.
While there, you may also want to visit Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park and Wolfe’s Neck Farm. During our fall visit to Freeport, Maine, a few years ago, we attended a fabulous harvest festival at Wolfe’s Neck. Take a look at their website to see if there is an event that coincides with your visit.
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, an affordable place to stay with family.
Stowe, Vermont
Even if you aren’t a skier, Stowe, Vermont is a great place to visit with kids. We typically visit in the summer, when we can enjoy the beautiful weather. There are also several fantastic spas (we enjoy the spa at Stoweflake).
When visiting Stowe, I recommend driving through Waterbury, Vermont. There, you’ll find the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can see cider being made. Don’t miss the apple cider donuts. Of course, you’ll also want to stop and tour the Ben and Jerry’s Factory and grab an ice cream cone at the Ben and Jerry’s Cone Shop.
Just past Stowe is Smugglers’ Notch, where you’ll find the famous Smugglers’ Notch resort. This four-season resort is perfect for families and offers many great activities.
See hotels in Stowe here.
The White Mountains, NH
Like Stowe, the White Mountains of New Hampshire is a great vacation destination both in the winter and the summer (as well as in the fall, when you can enjoy the gorgeous fall foliage).
You’ll have the option of staying in a few different locations in the White Mountains. We like to stay in Lincoln, NH, near Clark’s Trading Post, and North Conway, New Hampshire, near Story Land.
You can also stay in one of these spots and drive to the other—they are just an hour apart. There are several hotels and vacation homes that you can stay in, including the Mountain Club at Loon. There are even a few family-friendly bed and breakfasts.
Activities in the White Mountains include:
- Loon Mountain
- Cranmore Mountain
- Attitash Mountain
- Story Land
- Santa’s Village
- Whale’s Tale Water Park
See hotels in the White Mountains here.
Mystic, CT
Mystic, Connecticut, is a great destination for families. I recommend staying at the Hilton, which is right in the middle of the action. There are many things to do with families in Mystic, including Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Seaport. There’s also the Mystic Aquarium, my favorite aquarium in the area. While you are there, you’ll want to check out the fun and interactive beluga whales.
Mystic is a short drive from Boston but is also on the Amtrak train route from NYC to Boston. If you stay at the Hilton, you can walk to Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium, but you would need to drive to Mystic Seaport.
See hotels in Mystic CT here.
New Haven, CT
Most people think of New Haven as the home of delicious pizza and Yale University, but it’s also a great destination for families. We really enjoy the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and the (free!) Yale Art Museum.
While you are there, you’ll want to eat your way through New Haven. The area has many fabulous restaurants, including many delicious pizza restaurants. If your family loves food, I’d recommend that you take a food tour so you can see all of the hot spots.
Read reviews of New Haven hotels here.
Boston, MA
You can spend a weekend in Boston, but you’ll want to return for a much longer visit. There’s enough to do that you could easily stay for a week. I recommend visiting in the fall when the weather is crisp and cool. However, there’s always something great to do regardless of when you visit.
Our favorite activities in Boston are the Boston Museum of Science, Fenway Park (take a tour if you can’t catch a game), the Boston Children’s Museum (for younger kids), and the Duck Tours. You’ll also want to walk through the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common.
If you are visiting in the summer, I’d recommend visiting the Boston Harbor Islands. This state and national park is part of the city. Choose which island you want to see, and you’ll take a ferry there. It’s perfect for an afternoon away.
Read more about where to stay in Boston here.
Cape Cod, MA
Cape Cod is one of the perfect summer vacation destinations. We love the Sea Crest Beach Hotel, which is right on Old Silver Beach, and Ocean Edge Resort. There are also a variety of beach homes available for weekly rentals.
On your way to the Cape, consider stopping in Plymouth to visit Plimoth and Paxtuxet Museums. There are many great Cape Cod towns to stay in and see, all the way to the coastal town of Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod.
Cape Cod is generally best to visit in the summer. It slows down after Labor Day. However, I usually love visiting the Cape in late summer because all the crowds are gone, and the weather can still be really nice. Don’t miss all the fresh seafood you can get, including lobster rolls and oysters.
Read Cape Cod hotel reviews here.
Newport, Rhode Island
I spent my summers working in Newport, RI, and it’s still one of my favorite places. In addition to restaurants and shops, there are some fun mansions to visit. My kids especially loved visiting the Breakers, which offers a kids’ tour. We recommend staying at the Hotel Viking.
Here are some things that you’ll enjoy in Newport:
- Newport Mansions
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Fort Adams State Park
- The Norman Bird Sanctuary
- Sailing excursion/speedboat
- Newport Gulls baseball game
- Cliff Walk
- Trolley Tour
- Shopping on Thames Street/Brick Marketplace
- Beaches
See hotels in Newport, RI here.
Rockport, MA
Surprisingly, I hadn’t visited Rockport, MA, until just a few years ago. It’s a fun place, with quaint shops, beautiful scenery, and delicious seafood. Head to Bearskin Neck, the town section with shops and restaurants. You’ll need to find a parking spot, walk around the area, or choose a hotel/inn in Bearskin Neck. I especially love getting seafood in Rockport – it’s so fresh and delicious.
Those who enjoy being on the water can also rent kayaks and explore. Be sure to get a photo of Motif #1, an old fishing shack that is one of the most recognized buildings in America.
If you want to spend time at the beach, head to nearby Gloucester. You’ll find some fabulous beaches there, including Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek. Both are great for families.
See hotels in Rockport here.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island is a small island off the coast of Rhode Island. It’s accessible in a number of ways, including a ferry from Point Judith RI, Newport RI, Fall River MA, New London CT, and Montauk NY (most of these run seasonally). The island is a nice, quiet escape from the mainland. Activities include biking, shopping, parks, and beaches. The island has inns, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and home rentals.
See hotels on Block Island here.
Portsmouth New Hampshire
Portsmouth is right over the Massachusetts border in New Hampshire. This seaside town features shops, restaurants, museums, and more. Families will love a trip to Water Country, a water park with a variety of slides for kids.
If you enjoy outlet shopping, drive to Kittery, Maine, a few minutes over the Maine border. You’ll find a whole street lined with various outlet malls, including Under Armor, Crate and Barrel, and Lululemon. We usually try to visit at least once yearly because there are so many great deals.
See hotels in Portsmouth, NH here.
Martha’s Vineyard, MA & Nantucket, MA
I love the islands in Massachusetts. They are a short distance away but almost feel like another country. The pace is so much more relaxed. Both offer great family resorts, shops, restaurants, and gorgeous beaches. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are accessible via plane or ferry but make reservations well in advance. They can be very busy during peak season.
The summer is generally the best time to visit both islands. However, Nantucket is also a wonderful place to visit during Christmas. The island hosts the Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend each year, where you can see Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive on a ship. You’ll also be able to see the Festival of Trees at the Whaling Museum, listen to carolers, and do so much more. We visited once during the stroll and loved it.
See hotels on Martha’s Vineyard here and Nantucket here.
What are your favorite places for New England family weekend getaways?
See more New England vacations here.
