Revealed: The Best Places to Vacation in New England with Kids

When looking for a destination for your next vacation with your kids, you’re likely to choose a location with numerous attractions and a plethora of kid-friendly activities. After all, your children need a record of events and beautiful captions to share with their loved ones when they return from the trip.

While there may be many destinations promising to be golden home gems for children, New England remains our top destination for an escape with kids.

Here Are the Best Places to Vacation in New England with Kids

New England has you covered, whether you are on the lookout for a place with protected shores, ski trails for kids, hiking trails, or affordable accommodation for long beach days. 

All you need is to pick one or several destinations from our list of best places to vacation in New England with kids.

Vermont

Vermont is a great destination, with various kids’ attractions like ski trails, hiking trails, water bodies, amusement parks, affordable accommodations, and food centers. There is also unlimited activities for family and kids in the Vermont area. 

You can get these amenities and many others in different Vermont locations, including:

Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock is a small paradise for kids. It rests peacefully in the east-central region of Vermont and is 15 miles drive from New Hampshire. After landing at the town center, you can head straight to the banks of the Ottauquechee River, where your kids will enjoy playing on the sandy beaches or just swimming in one of the designated areas along the river.

Alternatively, you can enjoy exploring the beautiful; shores of the river Ottauquechee using the designated hiking trails.

Do not let the breathtaking beauty at the shores of the Ottauquechee River keep you from taking your kids to other attractions within the woodland. After touring the river, you can introduce your kids to dairy farming by taking them to Billings Farm and the museum on Route 69 along Woodstock’s old river road.

Billings Farm and Museum is an exclusive jersey dairy farm. A visit to Billings means that your children will learn more about Jersey Milk Cows and how the milk is collected and processed into different dairy products via interactive programs, educational exhibits, and events offered to visitors of all ages.

Do not leave the museum without your kids tasting the savory dairy products like chocolates, yogurts, and ice creams offered at the museum’s dairy bar.

After your Billings Farm and Museum tour, head straight to the New England Falconry in the woodlands, where the kids will enjoy playing with the imitative birds and learn exciting facts about them. Make sure that you take memorable snaps and videos of your kids playing with the beautiful birds of woodland.

Besides the snaps and the videos, your kids need something physical for memory purposes or to show off to their friends when you get back home. That’s why you must take them to Woodland’s Collective Center to pick their favorite artistic products for taking home.

Let the kids finish their long day by eating their favorite food and drinks at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, Vermont. 

Vergennes, Vermont

Vergennes is another location worth your visit with kids in the Vermont region of New England. It lies in the northwest portion of Addison County, Vermont.

Once you land at this small heaven, your kids will enjoy learning about maritime technology in the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. This waterfront museum offers classes and exhibitions on boat building, underwater research, rowing, kayaking, and other aspects of maritime technology.

From the Maritime Museum, you can take your kids to the nearby Button Bay State Park, on the shore of Lake Champlain. Here, the kids can enjoy kayaking along with the tour guides or boat fishing on Lake Champlain.

If the kids don’t love water activities, you can take them around the museum’s landscape to allow them to explore the park along its trails or enjoy playing your favorite family game on the evergreen landscape or sit back and watch your kids play.

Do not leave Vergennes before you taste the local foods at the Basin Harbor Resort.

Manchester, Vermont

If you still have more days to stay, you can drive your kids to Manchester‘s equinox summit, where they will experience the breathtaking view of the white, tectonic, Berkshire, Adirondack, and green mountain ranges from a single point.

Besides the view, your kids will also enjoy taking turns on the ski trail networks in the region. Once tired from the day’s activities in Manchester, you can take the kids to the nearby Manchester View Resort to re-energize themselves with a hearty meal and drink.

Maine

Maine is the northeasternmost and the largest state of the North England region of the United States. The state is famous for its maritime history, rocky coastline, sandy beaches, nature areas, and other attractions and fun activities for people of all ages.

You can find the various amusement activities and attractions for kids at the following locations in the state:

Lincolnville, Maine

Lincolnville is in Waldo County, in the Maine state of the New England region, United States. The place has numerous attractions and amusements for kids.

Do not be glued to the bustling day and nightlife while holding the kids in your rented space when you get to the town. Instead, take them to Welch Village Ski Resort, where the kids can enjoy skiing over the trails in the snowy landscapes. Or, allow them to join skiing and snowboarding lessons offered to children aged four and above.

If skiing and snowboarding are not their favorite sports, the kids can engage in snow tubing and tobogganing or head to the beginner trails to work on their skiing trails.

If your kids have been to Welch Village Ski Resort before, then you can give them a different experience by taking them to Camden Hills State Park. At Camden Hills, the kids will find cross country skiing and snowboarding trails but on a diverse landscape.

Apart from skiing and snowboarding, your kids will enjoy riding on horseback and engaging in biking competitions. The other kid-friendly activities within Camden include leaf-peeping and exploring the whole park along its hiking trails.

Suppose you happen to be in Lincolnville with your kids on a Saturday night. In that case, you can take your kids to Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS), where they will enjoy watching live motor racing sports and other kid activities offered at the place.

Before leaving the Lincolnville village, head to one of Lincolnville’s shopping spots and pick something memorable for your kids. We all know that kids love creating memories of their experiences, especially on vacation, and what’s better than a souvenir to remember a family holiday in New England?

The various shopping spots in Lincolnville include the Ducktrap Basket Shop, Beachology Lincolnville, Maine Artisans, Green Tree Coffee & Tea, and Sadie’s Antiques, among others.

While in the city, you can live in the Glen Cove Inn & Suites or rent other residential locations in Lincolnville or the neighborhood.

Rockport, Maine

Rockport is your go-to place if you are looking for a getaway location with beautiful shores, tranquil harbors, artistic products, and plenty of other attractions and activities for kids.

Right at the heart of the town, you will find the Beech Hill Preserve, a conservation area covering more than 300 acres of land. Here, your children will enjoy walking along the beautiful trails that meander throughout the preserve.

Skiers will also have something to do along the ski trails that extend over two miles. Additionally, your kids will delight in viewing different bird species and learning more about them.

If the kids are interested in cattle keeping, perhaps, taking them to Aldermere Farms, Rockport, can help them broaden their knowledge in cattle breeding. Aldermere Farm is one of the top Galloway cattle breeders across the globe and they enlighten people on numerous aspects of cattle keeping.

Besides enlightening people, the other reasons for the establishment of the 136-acre farm were to offer ecological diversity, avail outdoor recreations, and add scenic beauty to coastal Maine.

So, you should expect your kids to benefit from not only the breeding classes but also from a plethora of other activities and attractions on the farm.

Don’t let your kids leave Rockport without watching some of the world’s top artists and actors perform live at the Rockport Opera House. Besides the entertainment, your kids will enjoy the gorgeous architectural design of the opera house.

If your kids love trying new foods, I’m sure you won’t mind taking them to the Graffam Bros Seafood Shack, where they will enjoy the local seafood which is on offer.

If the kids are not seafood enthusiasts, you can take them to Nina June Restaurant, where they can eat their favorite foods or try out the local cuisines.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is another state in the New England region of the U.S. It borders Vermont State to the west, Maine to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and Quebec to the north.

New Hampshire is popular for being a home for various attractions like the White Mountain National Forest and Mt. Washington, which offer many activities for persons of all ages. Below are the different places you can vacation with your kids in New Hampshire, New England.

North Conway, New Hampshire

Hidden within mountainous forests, North Conway is the right place to be if you are looking for a hidden paradise for an escape with your kids.

The Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum is one of the notable locations you can visit with your kids. The museum offers amenities that support children’s plays from infanthood to nine years.

The reason behind its establishment was to nurture the natural curiosity in kids. For instance, they might ask your child to drive a logging truck, climb a tree house or put on funny costumes at the drama center. Bigger children beyond nine years have their portion of activities too.

Since the museum is full of amenities for kids, taking your kid there will make it easier for you to pin out your kid’s talents and capabilities.

If the kids are not interested in the museum’s activities, you can drive them to Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway. Here, the kids will enjoy skiing over 57 ski trails running through glades in the forest.

For kids who don’t love skiing, they can enjoy making turns in the Cranmore Mountain Roller Coaster or the giant swing. Alternatively, you can also join them in exploring the Cranmore Forest through the hiking trails.

After a day full of activity in the Cranmore Resort, ensure that you pass through the old village bakery in North Conway so that the kids can get some fresh bakery bites or get some bakery supplies for the day ahead. Or head to Adventure Suites for a complete meal.

Carroll, New Hampshire

You can find Carroll in the Coos County, of the New Hampshire state of New England region of the U.S. The Loon Mountain resort is one of the popular attractions where your kids can have a blast in Carroll town.

Here, your kids can enjoy the longest gondola sky ride to the loon mountain summit, where they can enjoy taking an aerial view of the White Mountains or the delicious food offered at the summit café.

During winter, your kids can enjoy skiing and snowboarding over the numerous trails that run through 2,100 feet of mountain terrain if you visit the place. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, your kids can also enjoy snowshoeing, snow tubing, and cross country skiing activities offered at the resort.

From the Loon Mountain Resort, you can drive your kids straight to Mount Washington state forest. Here, your kids can enjoy exploring the mountain through the hiking trails, feeding the friendly wildlife like bears and the monkeys, hunting, skiing, and snowboarding activities offered at the mountain.

If you don’t have something to do, you can join your kids in horse riding or compete with them on fat-tired bikes across the mountain trails.

Do not let the kids leave the Washington forest tired and hungry. Take them to the onsite Omni Mount Washington Resort to enjoy the local cuisines or take their favorite meal and drinks.

Bedford, New Hampshire

You can find Bedford in Hillsborough County, in the New Hampshire state of the New England region of the United States, and it’s just a fifty-mile drive from Boston. The town is full of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. For instance, you will find the Canvas Roadshow at the center of the town, where your crafty kids can enhance their artistic skills.

The canvas roadshow is a spacious and sunny studio at the center of Bedford town, where visitors of all ages nurture their artistic skills by painting, drawing, and performing other creative activities on boards under the guidance of professional artists.

This studio aims to help people rediscover their inner artistic potential. You can sit back with a glass of wine as you unveil the hidden creative abilities in your kids.

If you have run short of some kid supplies, head to the nearby Bedford mall and let the kids pick their essentials. Here, your kids will enjoy interacting with the friendly customer service team while shopping for their favorite items.

If you still have some more days to stay in Bedford, then why don’t you drive your kids for some farm training at the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill?

The educational farm is exclusively a training zone. Here, your kids can learn more about the different animals in the exhibitions and participate in classes available to visitors of all ages.

Besides the training, the kids will enjoy exploring the animal farm along the hiking trails under the guidance of one of the field personnel on the farm.

After the day’s activities, you should have some exhausted children on your hands. While taking them for a hearty meal at Country Inn & Suites By Radisson, why not book yourself for a relaxing massage?

Spoil yourself at the Bedford Body Works with some body treatments. Here, you’ll meet a team of licensed and passionate professionals who can also help you feel better and enhance your physical performance.

Francestown, New Hampshire

The next family escape location in New Hampshire is Francestown. Here you can find all sorts of kid attractions and activities at the Crotched Mountain Resort, which lies peacefully at the heart of Francestown, New Hampshire.

For instance, the resort features a games room with varied kids’ toys and activities to nurture their curiosity. There are also amenities for bigger ‘kids’ where you can pass the time waiting for the kids to have fun.

If the kids choose to explore the outdoors, you can accompany them on a walk along the resort trails as you explore the serene beauty of the landscape. Alternatively, you can enjoy swimming with the kids in the resort’s swimming grounds.

Do not forget to cast a few lines and spend some time fishing in the resort’s artificial lake.   

Other outdoor activities you can enjoy with your kids within the Crotched Mountain Resort include mountain biking, golfing, and ice skating, among others.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is another state in New England where you can find many attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. Below are the various locations in Massachusetts where you can find a plethora of kids’ activities.

Dennis port comprises five historic villages located in the lower end of Cape Cod. The five historical homes are for world-class theaters, beaches, museums, hiking trails, farms, and other attractions for kids and visitors of all ages.

Once you land at the center of the town, you can walk your kids into Wee Packet, where they enjoy downing their favorite meal or the local cuisines. For instance, kids can enjoy the traditional Irish breakfast or just delight in taking New England Clambake or take the local seafood for lunch or dinner.

Another great attraction for kids in Dennis Port is the Hokum Rock Blueberry Farm. Here, your kids will enjoy exploring the blueberry farm through the trails that run across the farm.

Your kids can learn about how blueberries grow from the exhibitions offered at the farm, thanks to Stephen Spear and his parents, who are the farm owners.

Alternatively, you can drive your kids to Mashantum Tennis Club, where there are four tennis courts that are perfect for larger family matches. If you don’t have tennis balls and other accessories, you can pick them from the onsite pro shop.

If you have some more time to stay, you can drive your kids to Eventide Theater Company, where they will enjoy watching artists’ live performances from all corners of the United States.

If you are looking for a place where your kids can have dinner or stay for the entire vacation in Dennis Port, then look no further than Corsair and Crossrip Oceanfront Resort.

Here, you can enjoy your favorite meals before heading to your room, suite, or home.

The resort is right on the beach, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the kids entertained, and complimentary wifi will keep you in touch with urgent work if you need to catch up on emails.

For instance, you will find a living area, dining area, bathroom, kitchenette, and bedroom in each suite. 

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Martha’s Vineyard is an island in Massachusetts, which sits in Dukes County, south of Cape Cod. Visitors praise this island for its numerous attractions, including farmlands, sandy beaches, lighthouses, and harbor towns. The 226.6 square kilometer paradise is only accessible by water or air.

Once you land at the center of Martha’s island, head straight to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, located at the Barrier Beach in Chappaquiddick Island. Here, your kids will enjoy the mesmerizing views of the ocean or enjoy comfortable play on the sandy beaches.

If the kids love floating on water, then you can join them in kayaking, boat fishing, swimming, or even floating on tubes.

If your kids have not seen a lighthouse before, then you can take them to the impressive lighthouse at the Katama Bay entrance and Edgartown harbor. Here, the kids will delight in playing around the grounds at the lighthouse and enjoying the sunset view at the top of the tower.

Alternatively, you can take the kids for boogie boarding and kite flying at Katama Beach or the south beach. The other activities that the kids can enjoy at the south beach include kayaking, swimming, playing on the sandy beaches, or just basking in the sun as they watch giant sea waves forming.

If you still have some time to stay in the isolated paradise, then you can set out with your kids to the Island Alpaca Company of Martha’s Vineyard in Oak Bluffs. Here, the kids will delight in meeting friendly and lovely alpacas and walking them around the trails in the Vineyard.

Note: Children under the age of 14 are not supposed to walk an alpaca alone. A parent or a guardian should accompany them.

Do not let the kids go hungry while on the island. Winnetu Oceanside Resort at South Beach offers local and international cuisines, and it’s a great place for kids to eat and have fun.

The resort has plenty of accommodation rental options, meaning that you can make the resort your residence for your entire vacation.

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Falmouth is in Cape Cod, near Martha’s Vineyard. An example of the greatest attractions in this coastal town is the Falmouth Heights Motor Lodge, where the kids can enjoy their stay in well-customized suites with all amenities.

Besides the comfortable stay, the place offers a great outdoor environment. For instance, the kids can enjoy strolling along the hiking trails in the landscape as they enjoy the morning sun.

Alternatively, the kids can set out to the Falmouth Heights beach, where they can enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, or exploring the ocean using the vineyard ferries.

Do not leave Falmouth without driving along route 6-A, which stretches six miles across the coastal town. This route will give your kids the scenic view of the antique shops, seaside villages, and historic Victorian houses which abound the coastal region.

Get Out to These Best Places to Vacation in New England with Kids

Now that you know the various locations you can tour with your kids in New England, it’s your turn to pick your favorite escape location with your kids.

When choosing the best places to vacation in New England with kids, make sure that you check out the accommodation available at the destination.

Also, ensure that you check out the post-customer reviews of the destination to get more insights about the destination. That way, you will land a destination where your kids will get an experience they have never had before.Are you looking for more destinations you can explore as a family? Check out our other travel guides for inspiration.