Hilary,

I agree with Neal and Sara. I also live in suburban Philadelphia, very close to Poconos. Honestly I would not vacation there for even a weekend, and think you have much better options as mentioned in prior posts. Lancaster, PA is charming, but only for a day or two. Think if you ever fly into New York, you could stay in Philadelphia and take a train to Lancaster...but that is for another trip.
Having traveled with teenagers, this is a 'sticky wicket'...
Thinking perhaps Boston then on to Nantucket...also think Neal and Sara have excellent suggestions.
Your mention of 'brilliant' reminds me of my dear friend who lives in London!
I just cannot endorse the Poconos, even though located in my home state.
Elaine

If anyone's there, hello again. I've finally found five minutes to say that we've now abandoned the Poconos (we were going there!) and are looking seriously at Lake Winnipesaukee etc. All your other suggestions have been carefully noted for future trips so many many thanks for those, but on this occasion we've decided we'd prefer the East Coast - the flight's shorter for one thing! I'm now just trying to figure out how best to split our trip, and may come back again to the N.H. experts amongst you if that's okay .... not right now though as it's my birthday & I'm having a rare few hours off from the kids amdram show I've been so involved in producing lately (only two weeks to go!) & am being taken out to lunch. It's a tough life but someone has to live it ....

Thanks again to everyone.

Quickie response to Sophie - brilliant e-mail address. Love it!

Neal's "no humidity" remarks to the contrary, as Brits, you really do need to be prepared for some much hotter (and very possibly humid) weather than you're used to if you do any of the cities mentioned. Not to say you shouldn't go ahead with whatever plan you make, but temps here (esp on e. coast and midwest) are ever so much warmer than what is typical in Britain. Do keep us posted on what you decide - All the posts have sure stirred my wanderlust. (We're planning a September driving trip east, and I can't wait!)

Me again. Raeona, tks, just thought I'd say that this humid thing only came about because we were considering Florida again at one point and got put off by people saying August was just TOO hot. We can take a fair amount of heat, just didn't want 100 in the shade or anything. Surprisingly it can get pretty humid in Britain on occasions ... I have a 'tropical' plant in my garden that's grown beyond belief these last few years!

Re our plans, we decided on two full days in Boston, a few days on the Maine coast, and a week in the N.H. lake/mountain area. I'm waiting to hear back on e-mailed cottage rental enquiries for Lake Winnipesaukee but responses are few on the ground so far, i.e. one, saying they're full up. Ah well. Que sera & all that.

Hi,
I agree with Neal regarding the humidity at the end of August.It really should not be a problem.The last 2 weeks in August will be a nice time to visit, because it has started to cool down a bit and you feel more energetic than you might in July or the beg. of Aug. When you visit Boston take the DUCK TOUR. Your hotel should have info on it, but basically it's a tour around Boston in an amphibious(I think that's how you spell it) vehicle. It goes on the street and also into the Charles River, so you get a lovely view of Boston and Cambridge(that's where Harvard and MIT are located). Make sure you get your tickets early, as they sell out fast. You will love New England.

Back again. When I first posted to this forum a fortnight ago I'd never heard of Lake Winnipesaukee, and now thanks to you lot I've just paid a deposit on a house rental there! Before we arrive there we'll have five days to play with, two of them in Boston (Duck tour included probably), one earmarked for a whale watching trip, either out of Boston or somewhere in Southern Maine, and the other two days ....well, where ???? Any suggestions anyone? I'm thinking the coast but I'm open to ideas. Don't want to do too much driving. A reminder : we have two easily bored teenage boys. Thanks again if anyone's listening!

You could also take your whale watch from Gloucester, on the north shore of Massachusetts. You might spend a night somewhere in that vicinity, and see Hammond Castle too, or maybe go to the beach.

In Boston you may want to consider the Science Museum and the Aquarium which the kids should like. Take in a show at the Omnimax theater at the Science musuem, if you've never seen one before its really great. Also, its still possible to get Red Sox tickets in August. I don't know if your family likes baseball, but its a very All-American thing to do, and Fenway Park is one of the best places see a game. You could easily stay 3 days in Boston and have plenty to do.

Another great place, if you are headed up to southern Maine, is Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Its a beautiful, historic town. Lots of old houses, and Strawberry Banke is pretty interesting.

Hope you have a great vacation!

I agree with Beth about spending maybe 3 days in Boston. I would think the boys would definately enjoy the Museum of Science, Omni Theater, and the Aquarium. You could spend a good part of one day at the museum. The Omni Theater is located there and I think the movie is on sharks. Get your tickets for the show(whatever time is available that day) and if you have to wait (it's usually a sellout) than just do the museum part first. Also there is a good planetarium show at the museum, also. By the time everyone eats breakfast and gets going part of your morning will be gone, that's why I say you could spend most of the day at the museum doing many things. Also if you go to the Omni, sit from the middle-top, so your neck doesn't hurt while looking up if you sit in the front. Also, the ride from Maine to New Hampshire will take you quite a bit of your day probably, because there are no highways that go east-west. The smaller country roads take longer, but the scenery is lovely. Have a great vacation.

I was talking(listening) to my sister on the phone when I wrote my last response, and I forgot to memtion a few other thoughts I had. By the way, that also explains why a couple of my sentences seem disjointed, but hopefully you understood them all right. Now--- As interesting as adults might find Hammond Castle and the Portsmouth area, I don't think your boys would-especially since you have many BEAUTIFUL castles in England. What a vacation with kids boils down to is making them happy, because if they're not YOUR NOT!

If you should drive up to Maine, don't do so on the week end if possible. The traffic is terrible! If a Sat. is the only day you can go there, leave no later than 8AM and I would even depart earlier if you can get the boys going! Also, that will get you out of the city before there are a lot of cars and you will be free to concentrate on driving "on the other side of the road"(for you). Boston is under going the largest road construction project in the world at the moment, so the earlier you get on the road the better. Boston is not the easiest place to get around in unless your hotel is near the highway off/on ramps.
Elsa

Your boys ought to love Water Country in Portsmouth on Rt 1. Expensive but you can easily stay the whole day. There's shady areas and easy gentle water "rides" (I like the lazy river) and the boys can outdo each other in bravery going on the giant water slides. It's a very nice family park. There's lockers for your belongings and it's a good idea to rent your own tube. It would be a nice active change after visiting the city. Our son enjoyed mini gold. You will find some elaborate courses in the York Me area and Pirates Cove (near Lake Winnepesaukee). In the Concord NH area there are several places where you can rent canoes. Playing in the waves and climbing the rocks on Maine beaches should be fun. The NH mountains aren't far from Lake W, you can take a gondola ride up to the top of Cannon Mtn and Mt Sunapee. There a many easy hikes in the mountains. I liked the one to Arethusia Falls near Twin Mtn (take a picnic lunch). Let the boys complete the route but you can go back down the easy part and enjoy some quiet time. Hiking in the White Mtn with Children is a good guide. Don't forget, you can visit local libraries on your visit. You might want to visit a country fair and let the boys visit the midway and eat lots of junk food. Some feature demolition derbies which are a big hit with teenage boys. You might also visit Star Speedway in Hudson NH (near Nashua) or the Speedway in Epping (near Portsmouth) for exciting dirt track car races. (make sure to bring ear plugs). Have a great time. Try a lobster roll at the Tamarack Drive-in near Weirs Beach, Lake Winnepesaukee.

Hilary, Where do you live in England? It wouldn't work this year, but would you like to do a home exchange sometime during the next couple of summers? We live an hour north of San Francisco right on the coast, three bedrooms, great views, pool, wonderful hiking and surfing/boogie boarding, birdwatching, etc. etc. etc. We'd love to trade for a house in/near London or the west counties ( or just about anyplace interesting.

Hi team,

31 posts! I'm so grateful for all your help. You just can't beat first hand recommendations from the natives. The speedway suggestion from Donna, for example, is very useful to our particular family ... my husband is amongst other things a racing driver and my eldest son races karts, so anything wheels/speed related is always a hit. I'm carefully noting all the other tips and trying to work out some kind of plan, taking in the Gloucester area. Just wanted to say thanks again!

Donna, I'll reply to you separately about the house swap idea.

Cheers m'dears ...

Oops, I meant Cindy, not Donna. Sorry, it's late.

H.