VT, NH, ME with 10 year old
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Anonymous
| Hi. We are planning to take a road trip this August with our 10 year old DS through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. For those who’ve traveled through there with that age child, what are some stops/sights you thought were great. Which towns did you stay in? All recommendations welcome! We are planning to take about 11-12 days. |
Anonymous
| How many spots do you want to stay in? How many times are you willing to pack and unpack? |
Anonymous
| What do you like to do? Are you hikers? History buffs? Shoppers? There are lots of things to do in New England but it depends on what you enjoy to figure out recommendations. |
Anonymous
| Visit the Owls Head Transportation Museum, outside of Rockland, Maine. |
Anonymous
| Ben & Jerry's factory? |
Anonymous
Op here. We are open to doing whatever feels truly New England-y. My kid has never been and I haven’t been since I was his age. We travel a lot but never an “American road trip” (which I realize there are more Americana road trips than this, but this is where we decided to go). We lean more toward the hiking, history, foody side of things than shopping. I imagine we will stay in maybe 3 or 4 places and take day trips from there. So far we are thinking about Woodstock, VT, and a hotel on/near the beach in ME (don’t want to invest a whole week in a beach house in one location). I stayed in kennebunkport a few times as a kid. Is that still a thing or would folks recommend other places? Same question with Woodstock. |
Anonymous
| Not that much for kids in Woodstock. I would rather be in Kennebunkport. |
Anonymous
|
The Montshire museum is not far from Woodstock, I think, but I agree there isn't much else for kids. A 10 year old would like Burlington, as would many adults.
Portsmouth and Portland have great food. Mt Desert Island is more interesting than Kennebunkport IMO, but getting nice lodging at this point might be tricky. And if you don't like crowds it will take some planning. If you drive from northern VT to Maine and choose the northern route, Littleton is a nice town. Generally speaking, a nicer vibe and better restaurants in VT than in NH, but the mountains and lakes in NH are more dramatic. |
Anonymous
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In Maine, my kids love the Casco Bay Lines ferry in Portland. We generally go to Peaks Island, rent bikes to ride around and wander the various beaches, then grab food (great pizza at https://illeone.me) and ice cream before heading back. It's an easy day trip.
Personally, I love to stay in Camden, which is really scenic. Camden State Park has fabulous views. Lots of good food and little shops too. |
Anonymous
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Maine: Acadia national park and Bar Harbor (some mini golf, kayakiing excursions etc)
Vermont: Ben and Jerry's as someone else noted. New Hampshire: Mt Washington |
Anonymous
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Definitely stop in North Conway, NH. Your 10 year old might be a little old for Storyland, but I know I have fond memories of it. There is also a lot of good, manageable hiking around there. Also visit the Man in the Mountain.
Then drive across New Hampshire on the Kangamangus Highway. In Vermont you could go up to Stowe. |
Anonymous
The Old Man of the Mountain fell off the mountain in 2003. I would recommend a car ride up Mt Washington. You can also take the cog railway to the top if you don't want to drive on the (narrow, terrifying) road. |
Anonymous
| We had fun last summer in the Boothbay Harbor arra of ME. Did a Puffin tour, botanical gardens (with the trolls), titdal pool wading at Popham Beach. Pretty magical. But that’s just ME. |
Anonymous
|
New Hampshire - Laconia/Weirs Beach Boardwalk. They used to do fireworks every Friday night in the summers.
Weirs Beach Go-Karts Funspot in Laconia. Indoor water park in North Conway (which also has a lot of outlet stores if you need back-to-school clothes). Kellerhaus in Laconia. |