My husband has a meeting in Boston in May, and we're planning a family vacation around it. The time of year is a bit of a problem - if it was later, we'd definitely spend time in Boston, then head up to Maine. We used to live in Boston, so the touristy stuff isn't quite so important, though the kids will want to do the Freemdom Trail, etc.; and we love the Maine coast. But given that it will be May, would it be better to head south? The Cape, or Rhode Island, or even Connecticut? We don't need to lie on the beach, just have good enough weather to be outside and have places be open - and be able to eat lobster, wherever we are! I'd appreciate any suggestions to help start narrowing the possibilities.

Maybe I am missing something. I don't understand the problem with Boston in May - I was there in May and had such a wonderful time.

Weather end or beginning of May can be very different )but if you lived here, you know that).

We used to go to Cape every Memorial Day and stopped because 7 out of 8 years it was cold, foggy, drizzly - despite decent weather in Boston over same time period - there is some weather thing over especially the Outer Cape mid to late May that creates this type of weather.

I might head south from Boston to coastal Rhode Island - Newport, Bristol, etc or even Block Island. Depending on time, you could add trip to Mystic, CT. Although that is not really lobster country and no guarantee wather will be any better there.

Other option would be southern Maine - more lobster, likely less expensive. My non-scientific impression makes me think weather might be sunnier, though colder there.

I'd head to Newport, the weather will be slightly warmer than the Cape, easier to walk around and shop/eat/sightsee....it's actually quite amazing how behind the Cape is in the Spring....doesn't usually change over until June...even the foliage will be less.

I think Newport is a great idea. Of course the weather could be iffy or fabulous but there's so much to do there.

Just to clarify, we will spend time in Boston, but would like to visit elsewhere as well, as we've all visited Boston since we've moved away (though our youngest was only 2 at the time of our latest visit).

Keep the ideas coming - hubby and I visited Newport pre-kids and enjoyed it, so we're up for returning (though I admit the visit was partly to add state #49 to my tally).

Well I'll throw out Portsmouth NH. You could stay at the beautiful Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle and explore downtown with it's shops, restaurants and museums. Plenty of opportunity to eat lobster as well. I'd recommend Chauncy Creek in Kittery ME, just over the border from Portsmouth. There's some great beaches in Rye NH if the weather cooperates but also plenty to do if it doesn't.