We are so lucky to live in Massachusetts because there are so many fantastic places to visit in New England which are located just a short car ride away. We can drive in one direction to see some of the best sandy beaches in the United States, and we can drive in a different direction to see beautiful mountains. 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.
If you are specifically looking for New England family resorts, check out this post. We have also reviewed some of the best places to visit in New England on this site individually.
Note: We experienced some of these New England vacations and attractions in New England during media trips or hosted stays/media rates and have also paid our own way many times. Affiliate links are included – if you click/purchase through an affiliate link, we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Places to Go in New England With Kids: New England Family Vacation Ideas
Maine
We don’t seem to go to Maine nearly enough, and it’s really just a quick drive from the Massachusetts border. Every time I visit, I just love it. 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.
For one of the best summer Maine family vacations, visit the all-inclusive Migis Lodge, located on Sebago Lake. It’s a luxury family vacation spot that is rustic and fun. Families return year after year, and with good reason, because it’s a special place. We enjoyed a media stay there a while back and my kids still talk about it.
Of course, 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.
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.
Portland has some great museums, especially for families. While you’ll probably need to drive to those locations, the downtown Old Port area is extremely walkable. You can also take the Amtrak Downeaster train from Boston to Portland.
When visiting Portland, you can take a quick trip to the beautiful Portland Head Light, which is located in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. While you can’t go up in the lighthouse, it’s beautiful to see. A little bit further away is the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine.
Visiting during the summer? The quintessential beach town of Ogunquit offers fun shops, delicious restaurants, and a fantastic beach. Stay at one of the nearby hotels and walk everywhere for the best experience. There is quite a bit of traffic in the summer, so it’s best to walk when possible.
Acadia National Park and the nearby town of Bar Harbor are also popular Maine vacation spots – especially in the summer.
If you like to ski, there are some great options in Maine. Popular ski resorts in Maine include Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Shawnee Peak.
Find hotels in Maine on TripAdvisor.
Vermont
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.
The kids enjoy the day camp, and my husband and I spend the afternoons exploring the area (including the Boyden Valley Winery). It’s also a fantastic spot to visit in the winter – with lots of skiing for the whole family.
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.
We also really enjoyed our visit to the Montshire Museum of Science, located over the NH border in Norwich, Vermont. We visited there on our way to Smugglers’ Notch from Boston.
Other ski resorts in Vermont include Killington, Sugarbush, Jay Peak, and Okemo Mountain.
Find hotels in Vermont on TripAdvisor.
New Hampshire
I’ve enjoyed family vacations in New Hampshire since I was a child, visiting with my parents. It’s not a huge state, but there are so many things to do in New Hampshire with kids.
My family recently enjoyed our stay at the Mountain Club at Loon in Lincoln, NH. While on that side of the famous, scenic Kancamagus Highway, be sure to stop at Clark’s Trading Post – home to a fun, unique trained bear show. In the summer, you can also visit Whale’s Tale Water Park.
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). Enjoy the drive – it’s absolutely beautiful!
We’ve stayed at several hotels in North Conway New Hampshire and enjoyed our stays at the North Conway Grand, and the Residence Inn. 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.
In the winter, Attitash is a great family ski resort. There are so many things for kids to do in New Hampshire.
Another popular New England vacation spot with kids is Lake Winnipesaukee. There are various motels, inns, hotels, and home rentals on the lake.
If visiting New Hampshire without kids, you’ll find plenty of quaint bed and breakfasts. Some are kid-friendly, but you’d want to check that before visiting.
Find hotels in New Hampshire on TripAdvisor.
Rhode Island
My home state of Rhode Island may be small, but it has a lot to offer. The capital city, Providence, is just an hour from Boston and has quite a few family-friendly attractions.
On weekend nights in the summer, you can enjoy WaterFire, a performance work of art. WaterFire is one of the more unique outdoor shows to experience. It takes place in Providence, the capital city of RI. Providence is a fun place to explore – while it’s a small city, it offers a lot of things to see.
Our top vacation choice in Rhode Island is Newport, which is just a quick ride from Providence. We recommend a stay at the Hotel Viking, which is located within walking distance of many Newport restaurants and shops.
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.
For a nice day trip, consider taking the ferry over to Block Island, which is part of Rhode Island. It’s a great day trip, and a beautiful, unspoiled area of the state.
Find Rhode Island hotels on TripAdvisor.
Massachusetts
I’ve lived in Massachusetts for over 20 years now, and still find fun places to explore in the state. Of course, the capital city of Boston is a must-visit, especially in the warmer months. There’s so much to do right in the city, including the Boston Museum of Science, Fenway Park, and the New England Aquarium.
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 definitely worth doing. As you’d expect, these outdoor activities are best in the summer months. July and August are especially busy in the Boston area.
See more to do in Boston with kids here.
Cape Cod and the Islands, including the Cape Cod National Seashore, are another beautiful New England vacation spot. There are several hotels we recommend in Cape Cod Massachusetts – the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, Ocean Edge in Brewster, and the Harbor Hotel in Provincetown. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are also absolutely beautiful in the summer.
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.
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.
Springfield, MA, located in the Western part of the state, is another spot that offers great attractions for families. Basketball lovers will want to visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. There’s also a new Dr. Seuss Museum, located in Springfield.
Find hotels in Massachusetts on TripAdvisor.
Connecticut
Last winter, we visited Mystic, Connecticut, which 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. During our trip, we stayed at the Hilton Mystic, right across the street from the aquarium.
This winter, we spent two nights in New Haven, about midway between Boston and NYC. We stayed at the Study at Yale, and enjoyed visiting the Yale Museum of Art and the Peabody Museum of Natural History. It’s a surprising city with loads of culture and delicious restaurants.
Find hotels in Connecticut on TripAdvisor.
What is your favorite destination for a New England vacation?
