I like dwelling in New England as a result of there are quite a few enjoyable and fascinating locations only a brief drive away. As an alternative of driving hours and hours, a few of these spots are only one or two hours away from my residence.
There are additionally a number of fabulous New England household resorts to remain in throughout your journey. Whether or not you reside in New England and are in search of some enjoyable new locations to discover, or are visiting the world and wish to see as a lot as potential, listed below are some quaint cities and cities in New England to go to with children. Did I miss your favourite? Go away a remark!
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, which signifies that we could get a small fee when a hyperlink is clicked and/or a purchase order is made. We skilled a number of of those sights for free of charge for functions of overview. All opinions are my very own.
Cute New England Cities to Go to
Rockport, MA
Rockport might be my favourite quaint city in Massachusetts. Positioned on Cape Ann in Massachusetts, Rockport boasts a small-town allure, that includes scrumptious eating places, cozy retailers, and beautiful views. Do not miss seeing Motif #1, a frequently-photographed reproduction fishing shack.
You’ll be able to spot Motif #1 from the adjoining Barefoot Neck space, a downtown space the place you’ll be able to eat, store, and discover amongst present retailers, seafood eating places, and artwork galleries. Park in a single spot after which stroll round the entire space. There are a number of seashores in Rockport and adjoining Gloucester, so it is a good spot to go to through the summer time.
Freeport, ME
Freeport, Maine, is famend for being the worldwide headquarters of L.L. Bean, however the space additionally boasts a number of outlet shops and smaller retailers. My children at all times love exploring the flagship L.L. Bean retailer, the place you may discover children’ actions along with clothes and different outside gear. It is greater than a retailer, it is a full expertise.
For a very completely different expertise, head to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, which presents a number of household packages and has free admission on daily basis. Freeport can be conveniently situated close to different standard Maine cities, so you’ll be able to cease by on a day journey should you’d favor. That is additionally an excellent place to go to if you wish to see the attractive New England fall foliage.
Mystic, CT
I’ve fond recollections of visiting Mystic, Connecticut, once I was a child rising up in Rhode Island, and I’ve beloved bringing my children again there as adults. Mystic presents a wide range of actions for households, together with Olde Mistick Village, a shopping mall comprised of small buildings designed to resemble a 1700s village. It is a enjoyable spot to discover and seems like a historic city.
Mystic can be residence to the Mystic Aquarium, which is a implausible aquarium to go to with children. It is an excellent dimension for youths and presents reveals and different family-friendly occasions. In case your children are tweens or older, they’re going to admire visiting Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum with interactive reveals and reveals.
I might advocate staying in Mystic for at the very least a weekend, as you may wish to have about two full days there to discover the Seaport, Aquarium, and Village. Do not forget to cease at Mystic Pizza.
Stowe, VT
Foodies will love the drive into Stowe, Vermont, with the Ben and Jerry’s Manufacturing unit and the Chilly Hole Cider Mill situated proper off the freeway. Make sure to go away sufficient time to go to each in your technique to Stowe.
When you arrive in Stowe, you may have a number of enjoyable actions for households, together with these at Stowe Mountain. It is an attractive, quintessential New England city with eating places, retailers, and plenty of lovely sights to see.
See lodges in Stowe, Vermont right here.
Newport, RI
Newport, Rhode Island, is a surprising metropolis with quite a few nice sights. Brick Market and the adjoining Thames Avenue function enjoyable retailers and scrumptious eating places in an attractive atmosphere. If you happen to go to Newport, I might advocate spending a while on the waterfront.
As well as, Newport is residence to a number of beautiful Gilded Age mansions which you can tour. My favourite for households is the youngsters’s audio tour at The Breakers – my children loved studying in regards to the historical past of this historic residence. Tennis lovers might also get pleasure from visiting the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, which is situated proper on the town.
Wish to spend a while on the water? There are a number of completely different sailboats and different boat rides which you can catch proper from the waterfront. Newport is greatest visited in the summertime months, though a few of the mansions are embellished for Christmas.
Portland, ME
Portland, Maine, not not like the same-named metropolis on the West Coast, is understood for its artsy vibe and scrumptious meals (together with lobster rolls!). In case you are visiting through the summer time, you’ll be able to take one of many many boat excursions and cruises provided and attend a Portland Sea Canines baseball Recreation.
However even should you select to go to within the low season, there are fabulous museums, enjoyable retailers, and naturally, nice meals. I like visiting Portland within the winter when the crowds have all left. Please word that water actions are solely accessible seasonally.
Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is situated close to two states: Massachusetts and Maine. This seaside city presents kid-friendly museums, retailers, and eating places, in addition to harbor cruises.
When you are there, head to neighboring Kittery, Maine, to buy the assorted outlet shops. Understand that New Hampshire would not have any gross sales tax, so it is nice to buy there as nicely.
Nantucket, MA
Nantucket is a metropolis and island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Well-liked creator Elin Hilderbrand romanticized it, but it surely’s beautiful and charming. Like its sister island, Martha’s Winery, Nantucket is a stylish summer time trip vacation spot. But it surely’s price visiting for a quintessential New England summer time trip.
Whilst you can go for the day, attempt to keep for at the very least an in a single day with the intention to totally discover the island. Nonetheless, I might advocate an extended keep so you’ll be able to actually discover. In December, they host a
Newburyport, MA
Newburyport, on the north shore of Massachusetts, is residence to retailers, eating places, and an attractive waterfront. As well as, you may discover the Parker River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and Plum Island, which options an attractive seashore. You can cease there on a day journey or a highway journey.
Chatham, MA
Whereas I like all the quaint cities on Cape Cod, Chatham is considered one of my favorites. This charming waterfront city boasts a vibrant downtown space that includes a wide range of retailers and eating places. At any time when I am on the Cape, I attempt to go to Chatham to do some buying.
There’s additionally the Chatham Fish Pier, the place harbor seals are frolicking within the water. There’s additionally the enduring Chatham lighthouse. Throughout choose days of the summer time, you’ll be able to take a lighthouse tour.
