I'm looking for a special places to take my two children (ages 6 & 7) for a week befor Christmas, preferrably New England.

Scott,

Sounds to me like the Christmas Farm Inn http://www.christmasfarminn.com/ is in your future.

Then you'll need to make a trip north to visit Santa's Village.
http://www.santasvillage.com/

jmho

Look into Stowe Vermont. You can stay at the Von Trapp Lodge. It's a terrific family resort owened and operated by the 'Sound of Music" Von Trapp family.
Christmas is beautiful at the Lodge. The
kids can enjoy a visit to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory. There's a great holiday feel throughout Stowe in December. The Lodge offers activities for the kids. See www.trappfamily.com and www.gostowe.com. Remember to send us a trip report..happy holidays!

Scott, you just got two EXCELLENT suggestions. If it was me, I'd have a hard time choosing. Perhaps one this year, and the other one next? Happy Holidays, ho ho!

Consider Nordic Village (Jackson NH) www.luxurymountaingetaways.com) The lodging is suited to families, onsite pools, miniture hourses, Ice Skating, Snowshoing, Sleigh rides (Stop half way and the kids can feed the reindeer)
Spend 4 days there last winter and loved it.

Isn't Christmas already great enough for kids?

How about Disneyworld!! Stay at the Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian.

Scott,
I need to pile on here for the N. Conway/Jackson area.
1. If Inns aren't your thing, the Nordic village complex is an excellent condo resort. There are many hotels/motels in the area as well.
2. The downside of the area is traffic, but that is more of a negative for weekenders. For a week long stay, I wouldn't let it affect your plans.
3. The North Conway Scenic railway is Great! There's a small but neat model train display at the rail yard, and a working round house. If your kids are really into trains, there's an excellent hobby/train store to the north...ask around for specific info.
4. If you and the kids want to ski, Mt. Cranmore caters to families with young kids. Another plus is that it's a south (meaning sun) facing area, so it's difficult to freeze to death.8^)
Hope this is helpful!

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think my two daughters will really love going to a place that goes all out and exemplifies the Christmas traditions that they have read about in so many books and seen on video and tv.

Scott

You might also consider the Mt. Washington Hotel - a grand resort in the Bretton Woods area of the White Mountains. Its been renovated and winterized recently and is just gorgeous. Lots of activities for families - skiing, horsedrawn sleighs, ice skating, sitting around the fire. Jacket and tie is required for dinner and there is a band playing. Lots of daddies dancing with their little girls. Very special (though admittedly not everyone's cup of tea). Its close enough to Nordic Village that you could head over there for a special dinner. Nordic Village is great too. Stayed at both many times.

Love Stowe also - you won't go wrong either way.