Please suggest a VT and Maine town for family vacation
May 9th, 2009, 08:04 PM
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Please suggest a VT and Maine town for family vacation
Our family will be spending a week in New England in early June. We're flying into Providence, RI and want to spend 2 or 3 nights in Boston. We also want to spend 2 nights in a beautiful town in Vermont and 2 or 3 nights in a coastal town in southern Maine.
We'll have early elementary kids with us who are great travelers and don't mind spending several hours in the car between towns.
We'll have early elementary kids with us who are great travelers and don't mind spending several hours in the car between towns.
May 10th, 2009, 11:44 AM
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Early June could still be a bit chilly for water sports in New England. What types of activities do you and the kids enjoy?
In Woodstock VT, which is a beautiful Vermont town, there is the Billings Farm Museum. Quechee Gorge, which is fun to see is nearby.
Burlington is Vermont's largest city, but a college town with lots to do. The Lake Champlain waterfront is a main attraction, which includes the Echo Museum. The Church Street Market Place is a pedestrian mall with stores and restaurants. The Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms are just south, and both are very interesting.
Check out www.vermont.org.
South of Burlington is another college town, Middlebury. Nearby is the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, which offers tours. The Addison County Chamber of Commmerce website is www.midvermont.com.
If you would like to pay a visit to the Green Mountains, Stowe is the place to go. It's a lovely Vermont town, famous for skiing on the winter, but offering year-round activities. Ben & Jerry's, which offers tours, is nearby in Waterbury.
Try www.gostowe.com for ideas.
All of the websites offer calendars of events that might be helpful.
In Maine, Bar Harbor and Camden are my favorits coastal towns, but neither is on the southern coast. I am sure someone else will chirp in with suggestions for Maine.
Have a great time!
In Woodstock VT, which is a beautiful Vermont town, there is the Billings Farm Museum. Quechee Gorge, which is fun to see is nearby.
Burlington is Vermont's largest city, but a college town with lots to do. The Lake Champlain waterfront is a main attraction, which includes the Echo Museum. The Church Street Market Place is a pedestrian mall with stores and restaurants. The Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms are just south, and both are very interesting.
Check out www.vermont.org.
South of Burlington is another college town, Middlebury. Nearby is the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, which offers tours. The Addison County Chamber of Commmerce website is www.midvermont.com.
If you would like to pay a visit to the Green Mountains, Stowe is the place to go. It's a lovely Vermont town, famous for skiing on the winter, but offering year-round activities. Ben & Jerry's, which offers tours, is nearby in Waterbury.
Try www.gostowe.com for ideas.
All of the websites offer calendars of events that might be helpful.
In Maine, Bar Harbor and Camden are my favorits coastal towns, but neither is on the southern coast. I am sure someone else will chirp in with suggestions for Maine.
Have a great time!
May 10th, 2009, 08:53 PM
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Stowe is a beautiful place in a beautiful area. Woodstock is also incredibly charming, but it's not quite in the heart of the mountains. Another option would be Manchester, VT.
As for Maine -- like many others, my favorite coastal towns are north of Portland (I'm fond of Wiscasset and Damariscotta), but I understand that it's far from Boston / Providence and you want to focus on the South Coast. I think your two best options are probably Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. You can visit the lighthouses in Portland and Cape Neddick, and a side trip to Portsmouth, NH is definitely in order.
On your drive between VT and ME, don't miss the White Mountains in NH - Franconia Notch State Park, Kancamagus Highway, Mt. Washington Auto Rd., etc. If you're crossing the state further to the south, visit Lake Winnipesaukee (Meredith), Sandwich, Castle in the Clouds (Moultonborough), etc.
As for Maine -- like many others, my favorite coastal towns are north of Portland (I'm fond of Wiscasset and Damariscotta), but I understand that it's far from Boston / Providence and you want to focus on the South Coast. I think your two best options are probably Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. You can visit the lighthouses in Portland and Cape Neddick, and a side trip to Portsmouth, NH is definitely in order.
On your drive between VT and ME, don't miss the White Mountains in NH - Franconia Notch State Park, Kancamagus Highway, Mt. Washington Auto Rd., etc. If you're crossing the state further to the south, visit Lake Winnipesaukee (Meredith), Sandwich, Castle in the Clouds (Moultonborough), etc.
May 11th, 2009, 02:40 AM
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If you stayed in the Woodstock VT area there is also the Montshire Museum in Norwich VT. It's been many years since we visited but think it is geared for elementary school children. Second TerrMys suggestion to make the trip from VT to Maine via NH's White Mountains. Tons of things to do with children from hiking The Flume, visit to Clark's Trained Bears, tram up Cannon Mtn. Another place we haven't been to in many years is the Squam Lakes Science Center which would be near Sandwich. Boat ride looks pricey but I remember really enjoying it since Squam is a beautiful lake with very limited access for the public.
York ME is considered a family area with some great beaches. I would also include walking the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. Also agree with side trip to Portsmouth NH. Perhaps a boat ride or visit to the science center at Odiorne. If weather is warm enough for swimming you could cap your trip at Water Country near Portsmouth but it doesn't open until June 13.
If you don't go thru White Mountains, the other route is Rt 89 back to Concord NH, Rt 93N to Rt 393 to Rt 4. Mapquest will tell you Rt 101 from Manchester to seacoast which is faster but much less scenic.
York ME is considered a family area with some great beaches. I would also include walking the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. Also agree with side trip to Portsmouth NH. Perhaps a boat ride or visit to the science center at Odiorne. If weather is warm enough for swimming you could cap your trip at Water Country near Portsmouth but it doesn't open until June 13.
If you don't go thru White Mountains, the other route is Rt 89 back to Concord NH, Rt 93N to Rt 393 to Rt 4. Mapquest will tell you Rt 101 from Manchester to seacoast which is faster but much less scenic.
May 14th, 2009, 04:38 AM
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I don't know how far away you are flying from, but if this is a once in a lifetime trip - and if the kids can truly travel well - then do see if you can make the trip up to Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park, the famous Loop Road, Jordan Pond House and Mt Desert Island generally is not to be missed. It is about 3 hours from Portland, or 6 hours from Burlington. You would not regret the trip.
There are lots of towns to choose from if you feel the need to stick to Southern Maine. To explore what is available, you might review the different locales and events at www.maine.info
gckmac
There are lots of towns to choose from if you feel the need to stick to Southern Maine. To explore what is available, you might review the different locales and events at www.maine.info
gckmac
May 28th, 2009, 04:49 AM
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Yes, the water will still be cool in MAine in June but depending on your goals, there is still much quality visiting to be enjoyed. Wells BEach, Old ORchard BEach to the south. Kennebunkport is charming. Pine Point is nice without the honky tonk. Camden and Rockport in the midcoast area are beautiful settings-go for a windjammer cruise, have chowder overlooking the bay. Some fabulous museums-from the Owls HEad transportation museum to the Farnsworth with its collection of Wyeths and Homers Great restaurants. Check out the performances schedule at the Rockport Opera House. Even farther up the coast but enjoy a lobster roll as you enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, is BAr HArbor and Acadia NAtional Park-the most visited national park in the US. Watch the sun rise over Cadillac Mountain-the first sunrise in the US-and enjoy hiking along the old Rockefeller carriage trails.
Vermont is an entirely different creature, though likewise beautiful. IT is so aptly named as it is full of lush green mountains. Stowe is lovely. If you want a little extra fun for the kids, stay at Smugglers Notch for a few days and have a blast all inclusive there-from daytime activities to send the kids off to while adults go do grown up camping activities such as canoeing and wine tasting to family events and fun. NEstled in the mountains not far from Stowe, it is a great place to go for a family who wants a little "more" activity wise.
Enjoy!
Vermont is an entirely different creature, though likewise beautiful. IT is so aptly named as it is full of lush green mountains. Stowe is lovely. If you want a little extra fun for the kids, stay at Smugglers Notch for a few days and have a blast all inclusive there-from daytime activities to send the kids off to while adults go do grown up camping activities such as canoeing and wine tasting to family events and fun. NEstled in the mountains not far from Stowe, it is a great place to go for a family who wants a little "more" activity wise.
Enjoy!
May 28th, 2009, 07:57 AM
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We took our children to Ogunquit Beach for many years: the sand is much better and waves nicer. You can still take a morning or afternoon and go to the zoo at York as it is a very short drive of maybe 15-20 minutes away.
Ogunquit also has a nice playhouse, shops, restaurants and terrific ice cream stops for everyone. And of course there is the walk along the beach up on the cliffs - which we did even before it was beautified. Cliffwalk. cannot beat it for a memorable experience. We would walk from the hotel to the little harbor for dinner every evening.
It is far superior to York Beach. Very easy to rent a hotel room with kitchenette or kitchen.
Enjoy!
Ogunquit also has a nice playhouse, shops, restaurants and terrific ice cream stops for everyone. And of course there is the walk along the beach up on the cliffs - which we did even before it was beautified. Cliffwalk. cannot beat it for a memorable experience. We would walk from the hotel to the little harbor for dinner every evening.
It is far superior to York Beach. Very easy to rent a hotel room with kitchenette or kitchen.
Enjoy!
May 28th, 2009, 09:10 AM
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The farther you go in Maine (which isn't really all that far -- we in New England think 100 miles is a big deal -- the more space you'll find for kids to be themselves and appreciate the great outdoors along the Maine coast. Camden and Rockland/Rockport have all sorts of family-friendly diversions that showcase what you came to Maine to see -- day sails, ferry rides, sea kayaking. And there's a new place Point Lookout in Northport (20 min north of Camden) with cabins, trails and a private ocean beach. It used to be an MBNA corporate retreat and now the 'executive cabins' are going for just $150 a night for a 2-bedroom with kitchen, air conditioning and a screened porch for enjoying the pine-y air.
Jun 4th, 2009, 07:10 PM
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Thank you all for your kind and helpful replies. Our plans have changed slightly and we've decided to narrow our vacation down to Boston with 3 nights leftover for either the White Mountains in New Hampshire and/or the Stowe, Vermont area. Thanks everyone!
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:56 AM
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Not sure where Publius is coming from. I'm not a retiree and I love Camden. Not a place to spend a whole week, but nice for a day or two. In addition to the shops, the schooners in the harbor are great to see. Kids love the waterfall that runs under Route 1 and beneath some shops. And Camden Hills State park definitely has kid-friendly options.
