I have a few days at the end of August for a short break with my kids (8 year old boy, 13 year old girl) before they head off to Disney World with their Dad. I had hoped to go to Acadia, but it's really too far for such a short time - 3-4 days. Any ideas? Someplace we can hike, bike (especially bike), swim (even in a heated pool, ocean too cold at end of August). Any place with other attractions besides nature? Not more than three hours from Boston, please. Thanks.

At the end of August the water on Cape Cod is perfect. You might consider going there, or else going to Martha's Vineyard. Leave the car and take your bikes on the ferry.

Andrea,
Head for Camden, Maine. Spend a day on a schooner - the kids (and you) will love it. Beautiful country around there.

I'd suggest York, Maine; take a ride up there now and look around; there are two beaches, Long Sands and Short Sands; the lodging near Short Sands is a little more expensive than near Long Sands, but you'll probably find all ranges at both. If you stay near Short Sands Beach, you and your kids can walk to Nubble Lighthouse (and a good ice cream place), into the little town to see salt-water taffy being made and visit the (some) tacky little shops. Best of all, York is a jumping off spot to visit Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport, and Portland to the north; Kittery and Portsmouth to the south and there is plenty to do for kids your kids' ages. And sometimes by the end of August, most of NH has gone back to school, and you'll have the place to yourselves.

There's a book called "Guide to Hiking in the White Mountains with Children". You can pick a hike based on the description, length, and difficulty. There are swimming areas such as Echo Lake. NH has a lot of state parks. Our son used to like to bike at Bear Brook Park in Epsom (not too far from Rt 93 in Concord). A friend enjoyed the paved bike path thru Concord NH. If you get rainy weather there would also be the Christa McCauliff planetarium to visit and the Indian Museum in Warner NH. From there you can also take an easy hike to the top of Mt Kearsarge. There is also a variety of places to rent a canoe, even in downtown Concord (by the Everett Arena on Loudon Rd). In August the Merrimack River can get pretty shallow around Exit 17 where you can rent a canoe at Hannah's Paddles. There is a beach on the river for swimming. There are also a lot of old abandoned roads in NH near flood control dams which were built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Elmbrook in Contoocook NH is an example of a resulting park which a swimming and picnic area. You might be able to get information on the hundreds of acres that is open to recreation but not publicized. Contoocook is next to Warner NH. (off Rt 89 about 20 minutes from Concord NH) If your talking about Labor Day weekend, the Hopkinton State Fair will be going on. Not the same kind of rides as Disney but the demo derby at night is very popular (and loud). For swimming you might also consider the state parks at Sunapee and on Lake Winnipesaukee. But for the very best water attractions go to the water park outside of Portsmouth NH. Water Country! They have lockers. You can take a picnic lunch or buy there, rent tubes and have a great time. The water rides range from toddler pools to scarey water slides.