We are planning a one week trip in NE this summer. We have a 9 year old (will be 10 by then) and want to cover historic as well as fun places. Our itinerary may be a little too grand and I'm looking for feedback. Here's what we are thinking about: two days in Boston, third day down to Plymouth, see Plymouth planation (1/2 day) then drive to Newport RI. Overnight there and day 4 tour houses 1/2 day, then to Mystic Conn. Overnight there and day 5 tour town 1/2 day, then long drive up to Glouster MA. Whale watching day 6 and drive up to somewhere in NH for overnight. Day 7 fly out of Boston late in the day. Thoughts? Too much driving? What are we missing that a 10 year old would love? Should we skip driving down to Newport and Mystic and stay around Boston/NH and Maine areas?? Your honest opinions would be welcome!!!

All I can say is whatever you do, don't cut out Plimoth Plantation. We went the summer before last with our then 17 year old daughter and 13 year old son. We all loved it! It's truly an experience.

Everyone's vacation style is different. If yu really enjoy being i na new location almost every day, then this itinerary could work -- even the longest drive (Mystic to Gloucester ) is under 3 hours. BUT you can do a whale watch out of Boston. I woud skip the Gloucester/NH parts and spend more time in the southern states. In summer crowds, you'd be lucky to get to see 2 of the Newport homes in a half-day.

The Indian Museum at Foxwoods in CT is not far from Mystic. You don't have to go near the casino.
I wouldn't change hotels again after the whale watch. There's a wonderful water park near Portsmouth NH on Route 1. Just have a quiet, fun day. Or if you still want to take advantage of the seacoast, there's a Science center at Odiorne Point, a popular place for school field trips.

Your plan is doable, but very hectic. Can you add on a couple days? I'm sure you've done driving trips before, so you are probably used to this type of "hotel hopping," but I think a trip is so much more enjoyable, and more of a "vacation," when you spend at least two nights everywhere. You can see things and explore coming/going, and still have one whole day at your destination.

I would definitely not skip Newport. The mansions are incredible, and the Cliff Walk, beaches, restaurants wonderful. When I took my kids a few years ago they were your son's age, and loved it. One of the mansions (Astor's, I believe) had a murder mystery show one night a week. That was so much fun! Everyone was searching the rooms for clues, and talking to actors planted among us.

If you make it up to Gloucester, be sure to visit the Hammond Castle Museum. Very unique! If in that area, I'd also recommend a visit to Salem. The Witch Museum (not Witch House) has a succint and theatrical historical presentation of the Witch Trials. The House of Seven Gables has interesting literary ties (Hawthorne), historical significance, and lovely views.

If you want to visit New Hampshire, Portsmouth makes the most sense, as DFrost suggests above. Water Country is a hit with the kids, Odiorne State Park is very low-key but excellent for tide pooling, and the Fuller Rose Garden makes a nice stop by the coast, as well. Plus Portsmouth has a wonderful historic area called Strawberry Banke, and harbor cruises. It is also a direct shoot into Boston for your flight out (probably an hour's drive if not during rush hour).

Speaking of which, don't try to drive into Boston on a Monday morning, or out on a Friday afternoon.

You could consider a slight change in your itinerary by spending two nights in Boston, two in Newport, and two in Portsmouth. See Plymouth en route from Boston to Newport, and the Northshore en route from Newport to Portsmouth. Of course, that omits Mystic, which you may not want to do.

Good luck!

dklein2 - Everyone's style of travel is different but your itinerary would have my 10 yo exhausted and cranky. You might want to skip the NH portion of your trip, book a hotel somewhere on the North Shore of Boston - Peabody/Danvers. From there you could do your whale watch in Gloucester and maybe spend the next day at Crane's Beach in Ipswich and chill out.

HOwever, if you do go to NH stay at the Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle - small town right outside Portsmouth. You can see Ordione State Park from the hotel - they are across a small inlet from each other. Very very pretty area for a walk.

Skip Mystic and add a beach day at the end of the trip.

Agree that your schedule is a little over the top. I would skip Mystic and add that time to Newport. This is not a shot at Mystic, but I just think you can get as much enjoyment out of an extra 24 hours in Newport and skip the drive time and check in/out procedure that going down to Mystic would entail. Use the extra time in Newport to go to the Beach, visit the small aquarium there (has a bunch of interactive stuff for your child), take a harbor cruise, and stroll the waterfront for boat watching, shopping, and admiring the many fine examples of Colonial-period architecture. If you want to visit a museum pertaining to Native American culture, the Haffernreffer Museum of Anthropology has a renowned collection and is located about 25 minutes north of Newport in Bristol, RI.

Since you are going to be in Plymouth anyway, why not take the whale watch from there? They have a 99% sighting rate. In Newport, one mansion tour is enough. Especially for a 10 year old. Both Mystic and Boston have Aquariums. Providence is great to visit, but not for a 10 year old (not much to do for kids). I would skip NH and spend an extra day in Boston. If you can, get tickets for Blue Man Group. It is great entertainment for any age. Great Science museum. Take the Duck tour.
Enjoy your visit.

I second the idea of whale watching in Plymouth. We took the afternoon trip which was great because the crew knew where the whales WEREN'T in the morning, so they tried a different area where we had great luck. because it took much longer to get to that area, the trip was extended an hour so we could have enough time to whale watch.

I also second the duck tour in Boston.

My suggestions for 7 days: 3 days Boston, 2 days Plymouth, 2 days Newport.

Another thumbs up for whale watching out of Plymouth. Also add the Wax Museum, Mayflower/Plymouth Rock, as well as lunch at the Lobster Hut. You can easily spend 1 and 1/2 days there before heading to Newport.

I took my 9 & 11-yr-olds to one mansion during non-crowded Thanksgiving week. I can't imagine making them to do 2, let alone 4. There's only so much gilded excess kids can look at in a day. I would recommend the Breakers and Marble House. Then take a walk on the Cliff Walk www.cliffwalk.com. You can see the backs of the mansions on one side and the ocean on the other. I think this may be more enjoyable for a 10 y-o.

LVK- I don't think dklein2 intends to visit 4 mansions in one day, rather visit a mansion on "day 4" of their vacation.

Thanks to all for your honest feedback. It is much appreciated!! In thinking through this more and with the multiple reminders about what too much driving/hopping around hotels can to do a 10 year old was right on -- if we had gone through with the original schedule, I'm envisioning a dulled, glazed and/or upset, tempermental child on about day 4 or 5 as I type this. We are now going to either do Boston and go up to NH or do Boston and go down to Newport. Will miss some of our "must do" things but hey -- that means we'll just have to take another trip! Thanks again to all!!!