I live in the Boston area and am expecting a baby in 2 weeks. We are looking for a place to go for a long weekend in July or August (baby will be 4mos). We were thinking Jersey shore, Cape Cod, Maine, Adirondacks. Someweher weher we can drive and not fly. Any suggestions??? Thank you

Lucy,
As an experienced parent (I have a 7 month old), the drive to NJ from Boston might be a bit long in the Summer. The traffic on I-95 through Connecticut can be brutal. It's conceivable that you could spend 6-7 hours in the car, in either direction.

That could be a bit long for a baby in a car seat in the hot sun. You might want to keep the distance a bit shorter, especially if this is your first real trip with the baby.

I'd suggest someplace like Portland, Maine or Newport, Rhode Island. There are some nice B&B's and hotels in both places.

(As I'm assuming you just had the baby, congratualtions. Assuming this is your first, we started taking our son out to restaurants when he was about a month old on the advice of friends. It realy helped as he's pretty comfortable with the activity level in a restaurant. This has helped us keep something of a normal social life.)

(

You started taking your baby to restaurants when he was a month old? Because you thought it would be good for him and your social life? What an inconsiderate boob you are...did you ever think about the other diners in these restaurants or is it always all about YOU?

Ignore the troll, maybe he'll crawl back into his cave and there'll be a landslide.

Anyway, you might consider Ogunquit-Sparhawk,Tides Inn, many good lodging choices, or Kennebunkport, we like the Yachtsman, however in the summer this may be a lttle too conjested. One forth of July we went to Stowe Vermont and stayed at Topnotch, Loved it, great pool and spa treatment. Ogunquit has the marginal walk to stroll with the baby, Stowe has a great bike path, Just some ideas Good luck

My baby was 6 months old when we took him on his first summer vacation.We took a house at the beach.It was perfect..From Boston,I guess Maine would be best, what about around Camden? Those were some of the best times, when our kids were small and we had our holidays at the beach..Good luck/have a wonderful time.

So you're the one who decides to give a dirty look. (We do notice.)

My son is a baby and can't help acting like a child. What's your excuse?

And by the way, he has actually never cried when he's been with us. But, we'll exercise our right to be there, and you can exercise your right to leave if you don't like it.

I have a feeling this is about to deteriorate, so before it does--my 2 cents is Maine would be perfect! Restful and lots of nice little places to explore.

We had a similar idea while I was pregnant with my first (now age 16). I think you should definitely go - you will be somewhat less sleep deprived by the time baby is that age, BUT, we found baby to be far less portable than we had planned/hoped. We went Cape Cod, rented a small house with kitchen so if baby was cranking up at 3 AM we were not also worried about waking up those in next room. However, long weekend and house and July may not be possible together. (most rentals are a week). I would limit drive to 2-3 hours (the length of a baby's nap), so that leaves Southern Maine/NH/VT or Cape Cod. I also flew with baby at that age, but with longer check-in times, delays, this could be a nightmare for just a long weekend. I would suggest near end of Cape, Lakes region of NH, or coastal Maine. Stick to places family-oriented. Depending on tempermant of your baby, you may or may not be able to do restaurants (with my first it was totally impossible - too noise-sensitive, my second was fine.) Have a good trip and congrats on the baby, but my advice is the readjust your travel thinking from BC (before children) type and you can have a great time. (The other thing YOU may want is a night away from the baby in a hotel for just you!)

Gail has some good advice. When we became new parents, we sort of assumed that vacationing, even with our new little sweetheart, would be a time to relax and have some fun. We were wrong. Now we are parents of 3 kids, close in age, who are nearly teenagers, and on family vacations we all have a blast. In the early days, though, we schlepped the baby gear--stroller, port-a-crib, changing bag, tons of little clothes which you have to launder constantly, only to have a baby who couldn't sleep in new surroundings, who usually came down with some bug to which babies are so vulnerable, who exhausted me from the work of baby care away from home, from worrying about where to find a pediatrician in a strange place for that sudden ear infection. I strongly recommend only travelling with babies when it is to visit relatives who dearly want to see them. Otherwise, spend money on a babysitter to leave them home, and give yourselves a break, even if it's only for an overnight.

Been there- done that!
Cape Cod or Maine woud be great, lots of options- also, have you considered the Berkshires. That would be about 3 hrs. from Boston and there are some beautiful B&B's etc. to choose from there as well- lots to do

Jersey Shore/Adirondacks would be too long in the car.

Let us know where you decide and have a wonderful time- Enjoy!

The Adirondacks are definitely too far for a long weekend. I used to make the commute on weekends from the naval base in Newport RI to the Adirondacks. Brutal. Only the fact that my new wife was finishing college there made it worthwhile.
I would recommend a trip up the Maine coast. Booth Bay is very nice. If you want to tour, the drive from Bath up to Castine is very nice. You could drive further and visit Acadia National Park.
If you like to camp, there is a state park at Turtle Island near Popham Beach which is on the ocean. Just turn right at Brunswick, basically. The campsites are on a knoll just above the water. Very nice.
On the way up and back you'll go by Kennebunkport and can stop at the L.L. Bean store which is open 24/7