7 New England Family Road Trips

Don’t let the pinch of record-high gas prices keep you from taking a family vacation this year. Here are seven vacation destinations that offer big city stays, beach getaways, mountain retreats and more—all just a couple hours’ drive from greater Boston. 

1)    Boston

Do your kids really know New England’s largest city? With tons of museums, historical sites and interesting multi-ethnic neighborhoods, Boston is a natural choice for an action-packed family vacation.

Learning really is child’s play in Boston. The Children’s Museum, New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science are all great choices for hands-on fun.  

In Boston, history is all around you. That red-painted line you see throughout the city is the Freedom Trail—the 2.5 mile path passes 16 historically important Boston sites. Take the Freedom Trail Foundation’s walking tour. The 18th century costumed guides are highly entertaining and your kids will definitely “get it.” 

The North End, Chinatown, and Cambridge are great places for kids who enjoy ethnic eats. In the North End, try Antico Forno for wood-oven pizza, East Ocean City in Chinatown for sizzling hot rice lunch plates and Café Algiers in Cambridge for awesome hummus. Finally, a ride on the Swan Boats in the Public Garden is the quintessential Boston family vacation experience.

• The Cape Cod National Seashore extends for nearly 40 miles down the Massachusetts coast.
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2)    Cape Cod

Lounging by the ocean, making sandcastles with the kids and eating ice cream is what a New England summer beach vacation is all about.

With big dunes and crashing Atlantic surf, the 40-mile stretch of beach known as the Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the finest beaches in the world. Coast Guard Beach in Eastham has a broad swath of beigy-white sand and just-right conditions for swimming. Kids can explore lighthouses and Nauset Light allows visitors to climb up to the top during scheduled summer open houses.

After you hit the beach, get an ice cream cone at Emack & Bolio’s in Orleans, a quaint ice cream parlor with cool flavors like “Trippin’ On Espresso” and “Deep Purple Cow.”

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 22-mile dedicated bike trail on the path of the Old Colony Railroad. Scenic and flat, this trail is perfect for both new and not-so-new cyclists. Rent your wheels at the Bike Depot in Harwich.

• Echo Lake can be found at Franconia Notch State Park, former home to New Hampshire’s ill-fated Old Man of the Mountain.
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A visit to the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich is low-key educational fun. There’s an impressive automobile collection, antique toys and beautifully landscaped grounds. The carved wooden carousel is fun for all ages, and you can take unlimited rides. Whee!

Humpback, right and minke whales. A whale sighting will definitely earn vacation bragging rights for the kids. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises leave from Barnstable Harbor for the waters of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

3)    The White Mountains, New Hampshire

Dense forests, majestic granite peaks and regional theme parks, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are an especially popular destination with on-the-go families.

There are several amusement parks in the area, favorites for generations of New England families. Story Land is the largest children’s park with fairytale-themed rides. It’s Christmas in summer at Santa’s Village theme park. And Six-Gun City and Fort Splash is all about exciting rides and a water park with a Western theme.

Mount Washington is New England’s highest peak. There is no easier way to climb to the summit than by taking the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, a coal fueled mountain- climbing marvel.

• Cruise the Newport Harbor and surrounding coastline for some spectacular scenery.
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There are several, short looping trails that make ideal first hiking experiences at Franconia Notch State Park. Or check out the Polar Caves where it’s always cool, even on a hot summer day. This is a walk-through cave experience; no special equipment is required!

4)    Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is a maritime city with a strong sailing heritage, scenic beaches and quite the reputation for glamour. 

Newport’s summer cottages—oceanside estates built for rich U.S. industrialists during the Gilded Age—are the city’s big-deal attraction. But mansion-hopping has been known to cause children’s eyes to glaze over. Try the Astors’ Beechwood Mansion. Here, kids can interact with the costumed actors that portray the servants, houseguests and family of wealthy Newport socialite Caroline Astor.

Take in a polo match at the Newport Polo Club. “The sport of kings” is a sight your kids will not soon forget and inexpensive, too—just $10 for adults and free for children ages 15 and under. 

Located on a protected cove, Gooseberry Beach is a private beach club that is open to the public and a wonderful choice for the sand-pail set. Set out on the water to get the full Newport experience. Classic Cruises of Newport offers tours of Newport Harbor by motor boat or sailboat.