I like dwelling in New England as a result of there are quite a few enjoyable and attention-grabbing locations only a quick drive away. As an alternative of driving hours and hours, a few of these spots are only one or two hours away from my dwelling.
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 searching for some enjoyable new locations to discover, or are visiting the realm and need to see as a lot as doable, listed below are some quaint cities and cities in New England to go to with youngsters. Did I miss your favourite? Go away a remark!
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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 appeal, that includes scrumptious eating places, cozy retailers, and beautiful views. Do not miss seeing Motif #1, a frequently-photographed duplicate fishing shack.
You may spot Motif #1 from the adjoining Bearskin Neck space, a downtown space the place you’ll be able to eat, store, and discover amongst reward 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 its adjoining city of Gloucester, making it a pleasant spot to go to throughout 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 youngsters all the time love exploring the flagship L.L. Bean retailer, the place you may discover youngsters’ 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 provides a number of household applications and has free admission on daily basis. Freeport can be conveniently situated close to different fashionable Maine cities, so you’ll be able to cease by on a day journey when you’d favor. That is additionally an amazing place to go to if you wish to see the gorgeous New England fall foliage.


Mystic, CT
I’ve fond reminiscences of visiting Mystic, Connecticut, after I was a child rising up in Rhode Island, and I’ve cherished bringing my youngsters again there as adults. Mystic provides 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 looks like a historic city.
Mystic can be dwelling to the Mystic Aquarium, which is a unbelievable aquarium to go to with youngsters. It is an amazing dimension for youths and provides reveals and different family-friendly occasions. In case your youngsters are tweens or older, they will recognize visiting Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum with interactive displays and reveals.
I might advocate staying in Mystic for at the very least a weekend, as you may need to have about two full days there to discover the Seaport, Aquarium, and Village. Remember to cease at Mystic Pizza.
Stowe, VT
Foodies will love the drive into Stowe, Vermont, with the Ben and Jerry’s Manufacturing facility and the Chilly Hole Cider Mill situated proper off the freeway. You should definitely depart 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 exquisite, quintessential New England city with eating places, retailers, and plenty of lovely sights to see.
See accommodations 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 exquisite atmosphere. For those who go to Newport, I might advocate spending a while on the waterfront.
As well as, Newport is dwelling to a number of beautiful Gilded Age mansions that you would be able to tour. My favourite for households is the kids’s audio tour at The Breakers – my youngsters loved studying concerning the historical past of this historic dwelling. Tennis lovers may take pleasure in visiting the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, which is situated proper on the town.
Need to spend a while on the water? There are a number of completely different sailboats and different boat rides that you would be able to catch proper from the waterfront. Newport is finest visited in the summertime months, though a number of the mansions are embellished for Christmas.


Portland, ME
Portland, Maine, not in contrast to 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 throughout the summer time, you’ll be able to take one of many many boat excursions and cruises provided and attend a Portland Sea Canine baseball Sport.
However even when 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 observe that water actions are solely out there seasonally.
Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is situated close to two states: Massachusetts and Maine. This seaside city provides kid-friendly museums, retailers, and eating places, in addition to harbor cruises.
While you’re there, head to neighboring Kittery, Maine, to buy the varied outlet shops. Needless to say New Hampshire does not have any gross sales tax, so it is nice to buy there as effectively.


Nantucket, MA
Nantucket is a metropolis and island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Common creator Elin Hilderbrand romanticized it, but it surely’s beautiful and charming. Like its sister island, Martha’s Winery, Nantucket is a classy 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 so to absolutely discover the island. Nevertheless, 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 dwelling to retailers, eating places, and an exquisite waterfront. As well as, you may discover the Parker River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and Plum Island, which options an exquisite seaside. You possibly 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 one among 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 procuring.
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.

