Massachusetts
Boston
Boston Day Trip #1:
Park at the Aquarium lot on Milk Street. Visit the New England Aquarium, take a water taxi to USS Constitution and back, and have lunch at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. You can also pick up part of the Freedom Trail by Faneuil Hall.
http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/maps/maps.html Julie Marroitt
Boston Day Trip #2:
Park in Boston Common Garage (0 Charles St, Boston). Walk through the Statehouse (see the many paintings and murals), get a bite to eat on Charles Street (great window shopping), and see the newly refurbished fountains and gardens in Public Garden (swan boats, ducklings).
http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/emerald/public_garden.asp Julie Marriott
Boston Day Trip #3:
Park in Boston Common Parking Garage (0 Charles St, Boston)
Walk the Freedom Trail. 16 Historic sites along the red brick line throughout Boston. Do part or all of it!
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/maps/maps.html
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/visitor.html Julie Marroitt
Children’s Museum: 308 Congress St., Boston
Hands on exhibits, interactive spaces, performances – so much to do. Parking can be tricky, although there is a pay lot right across the street. Most Libraries have free passes available (link below).
http://www.bostonkids.org/membership/participating.html Julie Marriott
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: 208 The Fenway, Boston
Opened in 1903, the museum is a 3 story palace designed to house Isabella Steward Gardner’s private collection. Gardens, courtyards and a stunning collection of art and antiquities. Before you go, read The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Art Theft by Ulrich Boser.
http://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Heist-Worlds-Largest-Unsolved/dp/0061451835 Julie Marriott
Harvard Museum of Natural History: 26 Oxford St. Cambridge
This museum of natural history is a hidden treasure!!
http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/ Julie Marriott
Museum of Science: 1 Science Park, Boston
Museum, Imax movies, planetarium, interactive exhibits, restaurant overlooking the Charles River. Has it’s own parking structure.
http://www.mos.org/ Julie Marriott
*Boston Pops Holiday Concert: 301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston
Start the Christmas Season at Symphony Hall. This is an upbeat festive celebration of Christmas with music, song, sing-a-long and readings. Fun for the whole family. Floor seating is by tables of 4 where you can order snacks and drinks during the concert. Often celebrity appearances as well.
http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/content1.jsp?id=32600047 Julie Marriott
*Boston Ballet Nutcracker:
Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St, Boston
Since moving to the Opera House, the Boston Ballet performance of the Nutcracker has become a tighter, more energized performance. Fantastic costumes and lively choreography while preserving the classic tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Princess.
http://www.bostonballet.org/explorebb/videos/nut-kickoff.html Julie Marriott
Boston Harbor Islands-Take a ferry out to Georges Island to explore Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort. It's a great place to walk around with the kids, picnic and explore. The views of the city are really pretty. Whitney Fink
Boston Harbor Islands: For a closer to home little day trip, the Boston Harbor Islands are a lot of fun. Great views and hiking and even an old military fort to explore. Beautiful views of the Boston skyline. You can island "hop" by taking the ferries to different islands. Great beachcombing for "sea glass". Jasper White's Summer Shack is also on one of the islands for a quick lunch. Debbie Marcantano
Hull 16 miles south of Boston. Take Rt 3 south to Rt 228 The carousel and museum are opened late June through Labor Day. (1) Carousel Under the Clock: 205 Nantasket Ave. One of only 150 antique carousels still operating located next to Nantasket Beach. (2) Hull Lifesaving Museum: 1117 Nantasket Ave. Very fun for children. (3) Fort Revere water tower located next to the museum. The 1903 concrete water tower is no longer opened to climb but the bunkers located below are fun t explore and walk among. Adrene Gorman
Hull, MA:
Hull Lifesaving Museum, Paragon Carousel, Ft. Revere War bunkers (perfect for teenage boys)
http://www.lifesavingmuseum.org/
http://www.paragoncarousel.com/ Julie Marriott
Franklin Park Zoo: 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston
The Zoo has been refurbished in the last few years, and is really a great City zoo. Parking right outside the gates.
http://www.zoonewengland.org/Page.aspx?pid=237 Julie Marriott
Boston Suburbs
*Millis Wonderland: 60 Causeway St., Millis
A real Christmas spectacle. Ride through a privately decorated Winter Wonderland. Over 50 Christmas scenes are viewed to music and lights as you drive through this 25 acre property in your car. http://www.milliswonderland.com/ Julie Marriott
Tangerini Farm: 139 Spring St., Millis
Charming, family run farm. You-pick, fresh produce, CSA opportunity, homemade ice cream stand, farm animals, you-pick flowers, nursery and a great hay maze. Offers hands-on opportunities for adults and children in planting and harvesting.
http://www.tangerinisfarm.com/ Julie Marriott
Dowse Apple Orchard: 98 North Main St (Route 27), Sherborn
Great farm stand with fresh produce. The best thing about Dowse is the apple orchard ½ mile north of the farm stand. The only place you can drive right up and pick apples. No wait, no fuss – a huge orchard.
http://www.dowseorchards.com/ Julie Marriott
Lookout Farm: 89 Pleasant St, South Natick
Can’t beat the location. 2 minutes from Wellesley Center. Burlap maze, hay maze, orchards, you-pick, playground, petting zoo. Great to do once, but expensive with the mandatory train ride to activities and cost for you-pick
http://www.lookoutfarm.com/ Julie Marriott
Lands’ Sake Farm: 90 Wellesley St., Weston
Great location, right in Weston Center. Small, low-key farm open from May – October. You-pick produce and flowers and small farm stand. Good for a quick outing.
http://www.landssake.org/ Julie Marriott
Drumlin Farm: 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln
Walk through all outdoor animal habitats, barns for sheep, cows, horses and chickens. Small working farm and class offerings. Stop for ice cream at Dairy Joy after.
http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Drumlin_Farm/index.php
http://weallscreamforicecream.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/cedar-hill-dairy-joy-weston-ma/ Julie Marriott
DeCordova Museum: 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln
Beautiful outdoor sculpture park and museum
http://www.decordova.org/ Julie Marriott
DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, 51 Sandy Pond Road in Lincoln, Ma.
The Museum is open Tuesday–Saturdays, 10 am–5 pm; closed Mondays.
Over 40 outdoor works grace the park. The sculptures vary in media, size and color.
The only one of its kind in New England. Adrene Gorman
Concord offers so many things to see and do besides strolling the shops in the center of town.
The Old North Bridge is one of our favorite places to visit any time of the year. The Minuteman Historic Visitors Center located on Rt 2A offers a free 25 minute award winning multi-media video based on the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Bedford Street is host to Author's Ridge and the graves of Emerson, Thoreau, the Alcott family, Hawthorne and Margaret Sidney. One expects to see the
Headless Horseman ride through the cemetery at any moment! The 100 year old South Bridge Boathouse located on Main Street open April through October is a great place to rent canoes, or kayaks and paddle up to the historic Concord River to the Old North Bridge or Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Adrene Gorman
Bike Ride the Battle Road Trail: 250 North Great Rd., Lincoln
Park at the Minuteman Visitors Center on Route 2A. Bike the Battle Road Trail (5 miles). Start by visiting the Minuteman Visitors Center. Signs and placards along the way: Paul Revere Capture Site, Hartwell Tavern, Merriam’s Corner, boardwalk through the marshes.
Continue into Concord Center and go by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House, Orchard House (home of Louisa May Alcott) and don’t miss the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Eat lunch in Concord Center and go another ¼ mile to the Old North Bridge.
http://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
http://www.concordma.gov/pages/concordma_cemetery/sleepy
Julie Marriott
Canoe to The Old North Bridge:
South Bridge Boathouse: 496 Main St (Route 62), Concord
Rent canoes and paddle 1 ½ miles to the Old North Bridge. Dock the canoes and walk on the Bridge, visit the Old Manse and the Buttrick Mansion Visitors Center, and canoe back again.
http://www.canoeconcord.com/rentals.htm
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/go/maboston_west/concord/sights/northbridge.html Julie Marriott
Patriot’s Day Reenactment: Minuteman National Park, Concord
April 9 -18, 2011 : Schedule: http://www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm
Reenactments, fife and drum brigades, mock battles, British and Minutemen campsites, town markets
In addition to the early morning (5:30 am) reenactment on Monday, April 18 there are many other way to relive the Revolution! Julie Marriott
Tougas Family Farm in Northboro. This is a fun farm to go blueberry picking (late June/early July). They have a great playground and a kitchen that sells treats made from whatever is currently in season. This is one of my favorite farms to take the kids. Whitney Fink
Southwick Zoo: 2 Southwick St, Mendon
A real jewel of a zoo. The drive out Route 16 is gorgeous, particularly in the Fall. This privately owned zoo has everything imaginable, including a huge playground and petting zoo. Rides in the summer. It will surprise you!
http://www.southwickszoo.com/ Julie Marriott
WALKS AND TRAILS - Julie Marriott
Mt. Auburn Cemetery: 508 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge
A classic example of mature landscape and landscape architecture. Beautiful grounds in a park-like setting, 360 degrees view of Boston from the tower.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary: 280 Eliot Street, South Natick
9 miles of trails through the woods, rock, bridges, nature center.
http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broadmoor/index.php
Elmbank – MA Horticultural Society:
900 Washington St (Route 16), Wellesley
Wooded walks along the Charles River (dog friendly), Weezie’s Children’s Garden, extensive gardens throughout.
Blue Hills Reservation: 695 Hillside St., Milton
Gentle hiking trail to observatory, nature center, great views of Boston. Parking lot at nature center right at base of trail. Small ski hill (with ski rentals) in the winter.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm
Lake Waban: 727 Washington St (Route 16), Wellesley
Park in the Wellesley College Club parking lot and walk this 2 ½ mile trail around the lake at Wellesley College. Gorgeous lake views, topiary gardens, wooden platforms perfect for picnicking. Visit the Wellesley College Greenhouse after.
http://mysecretboston.com/do/college-tour
Walden Pond: 915 Walden St, Concord
Parking lot on Route 126. Gorgeous 1 ½ mile trail around Walden Pond. Beach, Thoreau cabin site.
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/go/ma/boston_west/concord/sights/waldenpond.html
North Shore
Salem- Peabody Essex Museum has rooms dedicated to the seafaring life and China trade, a reconstructed street and home from China, and changing exhibitions. Salem is also a fun town to poke around in because of the Salem witch trial history as well as the House of Seven Gables from Hawthorne's tale. Shann Wood
Gloucester has a small secluded beach, town green, and playground near the town center, Halibut Point and old stone quarry north of town, and the rugged beach of Cape Anne to the south. The Pilot House near the Glouscester House Restaurant is a good indoor place for lunch with lots of local flavor (reminiscent of " A Perfect Storm" ) and basic home cooking, Connelly's at the north end of the commercial district is a great fish market where you can get seafood fresh off the boat at wholesale prices, but you must pay cash. Shann Wood
Hammond Castle Museum: 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester
Explore the many rooms in this medieval castle and museum. The grounds are beautiful to explore as well. http://www.hammondcastle.org/common/index.php?com=HAMM&div=AA&nav=AA&page=A91 Julie Marriott
Rockport - My favorite day trip is to Front beach in Rockport Ma. The beach is almost private, there is shade from a great stone wall, the tide goes way out, there are rocks to climb on and a shaded grassy playground across the street with a bubbling brook and pond and swings. It is a great place to picnic without the sand. It is quiet and a great place to play a ball game. It is really a hidden treasure. Jane Murphy
Rockport-This is my favorite town in MA . I love walking down Bearskin Neck, a tiny peninsula of land with one lane going out to the end (too small to be called a street). The lane is lined with shops and galleries. If you want to try some lobster, you must try the Roy Moore Lobster Company. You pick out your lobster and they will cook it and bring it out back to you, while you sit on lobster traps and enjoy the incredibly fresh, sweet lobster with pretty views of the harbor. It's very casual and fun. After munching on lobster (or crab cakes or shrimp cocktail) we love to head up to the tip of the peninsula and look at the views of the ocean. If you're in the mood for a delicious pastry, check out Helmut's Strudel. You will not be disappointed! Their cinnamon rolls are amazing. Whitney Fink
Halibut Point State Park in Rockport-I went here and hiked with the kids one fall day and it is just beautiful! It's a great place to picnic. Whitney Fink
Ipswich-A fun day trip to Crane Beach is not complete without a stop at Russell Orchards, a farm on the road to the beach. Stop in for some cider donuts and some fresh cider (even in the summer) or go their for their Strawberry Festival sometime in June. Their farm store always has some tasty, in season, homemade treats. I love getting their fresh strawberry parfaits on the way home from a day at the beach. You can also take a tour of Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. I have driven through the grounds before and walked around (I was not able to tour the castle) and it's really incredible, especially the view! Whitney Fink
Castle Hill at Crane Estate: 290 Argilla Rd , Ipswich, MA (Memorial Day – Columbus Day)
Try to fit all of these in on your day in Ipswich. The Orchard has you-pick, a bakery and a neat, old barn. Crane Beach has 5 miles of walking trails in sand dunes as well as a beautiful, clean beach. Just up the hill from the beach is Castle Hill. The Great House is open to tour, but the views from the grounds are breathtaking, and the rolling lawns are unbelievable.
Russell’s Orchard: 143 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA ( Memorial Day – Nov)
Crane Beach: Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA
http://www.russellorchards.com/
http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/crane-beach-on-the-crane.html
http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/castle-hill-on-the-crane.html Julie Marriott
Plum Island Bike Trip (Youth bike trip 2010) Turn right onto Sunset Drive from the Plum Island Turnpike. Sunset Drive turns into Plum Island Drive. There are parking areas along Plum Island Drive. We parked our cars in a big lot on the left. Everyone got on their bikes at this point and rode down Plum Island Drive. The road goes from being paved to being gravel. There are cars that travel the road as well but their speed is so slow that it wasn't an issue. The route is very scenic with marshland along the way. The distance to the end of the island is approximately six miles (very doable). At that point we got off our bikes and walked them along a path to the beach. I'm pretty sure there are bathrooms down there. We spent a couple hours at the beach and as I remember, it was a pretty gradual beach so it didn't get deep very quick. We biked back to the cars and then on the way home we stopped for ice cream at a place right on the Plum Island Turnpike. I believe you can also get regular food there besides ice cream. It was a great trip and we all had a lot of fun. Darsi Dowling
South Shore
Cranberry Harvesting: 158 Tihonet Rd, Wareham
OCT 8-9, 2011
Watch a cranberry bog be flooded and harvested. A fascinating outing.
http://www.cranberries.org/festival/festival.html Julie Marriott
King Richard’s Renaissance Faire: 235 Main Street, Carver, MA
Fall Fair – Labor Day through Columbus Day. A permanent Fairground housing the full Medieval experience; jousting, food, games, costumes, handicraft, maze, and more.
http://kingrichardsfaire.net/ Julie Marriott
Plymouth Plantation: 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA
Pilgrim Village reconstructed with complete accuracy just as the original Plymouth Plantation was settled by the Pilgrims. Staffed by “period” actors throughout. Includes a Wampanoag Indian Village, museum, fort and handicraft demonstrations. Also visit Plymouth Rock, First Parish Church Cemetery, Mayflower II
http://www.plimoth.org/features/village.php Julie Marriott
Plymouth is fun to go and see the Mayflower, Plymouth Plantation, and some of the other early Historic Homes in the town. We stayed in a great Bed and Breakfast called the Bayberry Inn which used to be Robert’s grandmothers house. There are other cute places, but that one is our favorite. Amanda Cunningham
The Cape
Provincetown is a great place to go whale watching. There is also an obelisk atop a hill with a good view where the pilgrims first landed, then sailed on to Plymouth. It has a history museum (good for a rainy day). P-town also has lots of art galleries, transvestites, beaches, etc. Stop at the Marconi Beach off Rt. 6 on the way down or back to see the site where the first intercontinental telegraph message was transmitted (another expansive view of dunes and ocean.) Shann Wood
Falmouth has a lot to offer and is not as long a trip as to the outer beach. To experience old Cape Cod, Waquoit Bay, FalmoutMashpee is a great place to swim and has easy access to the ocean. It is also an ideal place to kayak or canoe, and to catch crabs, or to fish off the jetty. It is in Falmouth on the Mashpee/Falmouth line near Mashpee Common. On the ocean end of Waquoit Bay is South Cape Beach owned by the state, which looks across Vineyard Sound to Martha's Vineyard. The beach itself is not as pristine or dramatic as some, but swimming is fun especially on very hot days. There is a sand covered old asphalt path behind the dunes that has inland ponds with swans, marshlands, rosa rugosa (like the Kennedy Museum has on its waterfront,)beach plum bushes, beach pea and of course poison ivy. At the end of the path on the right is a beach edging Waquoit Bay. The entrance to the marshponds from the beach is a great swimming hole up to 5 feet deep in spots at high tide, It is fun to float on the current, but there it can get quite strong when the tide is flowing fast. Kiteboarding is very popular here on windy days and is beautiful to watch. If a 30-45 minute walk sounds a bit much, you can also reach Waquoit Bay by launching kayaks from the road to the Mashpee town beach just beyond the South Cape Beach parking lot entrance.
Across the jetty from the beach is Washburn Island, also owned by the state. It is a mile long, wooded, uninhabited island which has an asphalt path running the length of it, built for the transport of supplies for troops training for the invasion of Normandy on the island. There are great views through the woods of a river outlet to the ocean, and of the bay as you walk down the middle and there are beaches for sitting or swimming. It has 14 or so public campsites that can be reserved. My favorite time to go to the island is on Memorial Day weekend when the lady slippers are in bloom along the path, but the swimming is more comfortable later in the season. It is also possible to rent kayaks at Edwards boatyard on Rt. 28 and to paddle to Washburn Island from there. There is a pond and an inlet to it at the ocean end of the island that kayakers often explore when the tide is high enough. Because the only way to get to the island is by boat, it is never crowded except near the jetty on weekends when boats anchor for swimming, grilling, and playing on the beach. Mashpee Commons, which is a charming Main Street Disneyland style upscale outdoor mall has a variety of good restaurants, but my favorite place to eat is on Rt. 28 soon after entering Falmouth from Mashpee. It is called the Moonakis Cafe, and has creative downhome cooking for breakfast and lunch. Falmouth center has the house of Katherine Lee Bates, who wrote "America the Beautiful ", Highfield Hall which is a beautifully restored mansion and hosts lectures, art shows, and concerts, College Light Opera (a summer stock company with great up and coming college student singers), and a curling rink among other more usual Cape finds. On Friday evenings in the summer, the Episcopal Church offers lobster rolls, hot dogs, chips, and lemon meringue or apple pie at tables on the lawn. There is also the Clam Shack tucked away at the end of the pier on Falmouth Harbor. Falmouth and Woods Hole both have ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Falmouth also has the Singing Sands bike path going from the ferry landing in Falmouth across to the beaches on the other side of town.
Woods Hole at the end of Falmouth has a replica of the Alvin that dives to do underwater sea explorations, there is the Woods Hole Aquarium (not big or fancy, but with a hands on back room,) and Nobska lighthouse which is very picturesque, has a great view of Falmouth, Martha's Vineyard, Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. The lighthouse itself is occasionally open to the public. Falmouth doesn't have the drama of the outer beach, the victorian gingerbread style houses of Sandwich, or the generally upscale feel of Osterville, but it has easy access to all of them, plus a scientific community, but for outdoor walking, kayaking, or biking, or swimming, it has great history, naturalness and if you swim in Waquoit Bay, you can use our outdoor shower. Shann Wood
CAPE BIKE TRAILS -- Jamie Larsen
Cape Cod Canal (tel. 508/759-5991): On this 14-mile loop maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, you can race alongside the varied craft taking shortcuts through the world's widest sea-level canal.
Shining Sea Bikeway (tel. 508/548-8500): Connecting Falmouth to Woods Hole by way of the shore and the picturesque Nobska Lighthouse, this 4-mile path -- soon to be increased to 12 miles -- lets you dash to the ferry or dally at the beach of your choice.
Cape Cod Rail Trail (tel. 508/896-3491): Reclaimed by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, this paved railroad bed currently stretches some 25 miles from South Dennis all the way to Wellfleet, with innumerable detours that beckon en route. Several sections of the bike path have recently been rehabilitated to make for an even smoother ride.
Province Lands Trail (tel. 508/487-1256): Offering a rigorous workout, this 7-mile network swoops among the dunes and stunted forests at the very tip of the Cape. Take your time enjoying this moonscape. Be sure to stop off at Race Point Beach for a bracing dip, and at the Province Lands Visitor Center (tel. 508/487-1256) as well.
Nantucket Town to Madaket (tel. 508/228-1700): Only 3 miles wide and 14 miles long, Nantucket is a snap to cover by bike. The 6-mile Madaket path crosses undulating moors to reach a beach with boisterous surf.
Nantucket Town to Surfside (tel. 508/228-1700): An easy, flat few miles from town, Surfside Beach is a perfect miniexcursion for the whole family. There are even benches along the route if you'd like to stop and admire the scrub pine and beach plums. When you return to town, pause at Brant Point to watch the yachts maneuver in and out of Nantucket Harbor.
Oak Bluffs to Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard; tel. 508/693-0085): All of Martha's Vineyard is easily accessible for two-wheel recreationists. This 6-mile path hugs the water almost all the way, so you're never far from a refreshing dip.
Chilmark to Aquinnah (Martha's Vineyard; tel. 508/693-0085): The Vineyard's awe-inspiring vistas of ponds, inlets, and ocean greet you at every turn as you bike along State Road and then turn onto the Moshup Trail, a road that takes you along the coast up to Aquinnah. It's a strenuous ride with perhaps the best views in the region. On the way back, treat yourself to a bike-ferry ride to the fishing village of Menemsha. Jamie Larsen
Central/Western MA
The Higgons Armory: 100 Barber Ave, Worcester
Private collection of medieval armor and weapons housed in a 2 story castle.
http://www.higgins.org/ Julie Marriott
Purgatory Chasm: 198 Purgatory Rd. Sutton MA 01590 (508-234-3733) Purgatory Chasm is a great way to spend an afternoon with kids. It's a short drive from Weston on Rt 90. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/purg.htm
It's a (fairly) short maze of giant boulders and tall granite walls, perfect for scrambling over. When my kids were little, I would make them go back and forth through the center and then scale the sides. There are picnic tables and hiking trails to make it a longer outing. It's isn't big enough to entertain teens for long, but if they had a great picnic lunch and some friends along, it would be fun for them too. It's too big for kids under 3, unless you have an extra grown-up to help.
Because my kids say that life with me is really an adventure from food to food, we always stop at Wholly Cannoli on our way back. Be sure to buy a dynamite stick! Sometimes we drive to Wholly Cannoli JUST to buy a dynamite stick. (yikes) http://www.whollycannoli.com/top-sellers.html Diane Zenger
Old Sturbridge Village: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge
Boston’s version of Williamsburg. A colonial settlement of 59 buildings, water mills, farm, blacksmith, riverboat ride, restaurants, homes, etc. A full day!
http://www.osv.org/ Julie Marriott
Old Sturbridge Village is also another fun historic place which is what a New England town was supposed to look like around the 1830’s. They have a Mill, a Masonic Lodge, churches, a tavern, a school house, a kiln, early cottage textile manufacture like making yarn and dying wool. I think they also have animal demonstrations like sheep shearing and milking cows? They had a video showing how they made butter and cheese because those kept longer before refrigeration and could be transported for sale on a wider scale. Amanda Cunningham
Deerfield Historic Deerfield was fun for the afternoon and the Deerfield Inn had great food. It reminded me a little bit of Nauvoo Illinois which made sense since many of the settlers were from New England. Amanda Cunningham
Berkshire Long Weekend - We drove west on the beautiful Mohawk Trail, which is especially picturesque in the fall. Our first stop was at Deerfield, a restored colonial town, where we learned to make cookies on an open hearth, painted tea cups and dressed in colonial attire, among other fun things. Our next stop was the Yankee Candle Factory. My kids love this place! We watched old fashion beeswax candles dipped and then chose our own molds and dipped candles ourselves. The kids had their hands dipped in wax and took home the molds of their hands and they made their own candles. They also loved choosing, from a selection of hundreds, a few scented votives to take home. Our last stop of the day was Shelburne Falls. (Only worth the stop if you are in the area.) The next day we stopped at the Hancock Shaker Village. This historic village is in a beautiful setting. We learned all about the Shakers and their way of life, toured several buildings and spent time in the children’s barn dressing up as Shakers, making wool, milking a life size pretend cow, etc. We were there over Spring break, during which they fill their round stone barn with baby animals that the children can hold. For us, this was a magical stop. We stopped in Stockbridge, a quintessential New England town, where we visited the Norman Rockwell museum. We met several docents who were models for his pictures! The next day we stopped at MoCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. Once again, they had the greatest activities for children during Spring break. The kids made instruments and then were led as a group through the galleries and performed their instruments for visitors in the museum. They also have a children’s room. The contemporary art exhibits gave my children quite a bit to talk about! I think this is the type of place in which you may want to check their schedule before going. We happened to time it perfectly and had another magical afternoon! We also brought our bikes and rode on several of the local rail trails. On our way home we stopped at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst. I felt like since we were driving past it was worth the stop, but I wouldn’t recommend driving out just to see this museum. They had a fun children’s art room as well as a children’s library and, of course, exhibits of Carle’s work. The Berkshires are so beautiful and full of fun things to do. I felt like we just scratched the surface! Camille Ebert
Stockbridge, Massachusetts-This is a beautiful little town in the Berkshires. We have enjoyed taking visitors to the Norman Rockwell Museum (I have done the tour a few times when Riley was a baby and was content to sit in her stroller). The town of Stockbridge is beautiful and incredibly charming. Main Street is actually a backdrop for one of Norman Rockwell's paintings. Have lunch at one of the cafes, get some old-fashioned candy at the country store and then check out The Red Lion Inn, a historic hotel that is quite incredible to walk through.
Whitney Fink
Berkshires: I think the Norman Rockwell museum is fabulous. http://www.nrm.org/. It's a different category than the MoMA, of course, but it is a little awe-inspiring to see Rockwell's interpretation of American life close up. Edith Wharton's house, the Mount, is expensive and not ready for prime time--but the gardens are (used to be) free and they are beautiful. Diane Zenger
Connecticut
Mystic, CT: http://www.mystic.org/browse/what-to-do Mystic is a wonderful overnight, but I have made this trip more often as a day trip. Although it's a longish drive--nearly 2 hours from Dover--it's a pleasant drive. We leave early and return late. When my kids were little, this was their favorite place to go overnight.
Mystic Aquarium: I think that the Mystic Aquarium is better than the Boston Aquarium, certainly more satisfying.
Mystic Seaport: If you like Plimoth or Sturbridge, you will probably like the Mystic Seaport. The scrimshaw exhibit was particularly memorable for me.
Mashantucket Pequot Museum: This is a New England tribe museum. My kids thought this was great.
The town of Mystic is a sweet spot and we love to wander around. We have also eaten at Mystic Pizza, which was the title to Julia Roberts' break out movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095690/ It's good enough pizza.
It's a short trip to the ocean and to great seafood. We find a local joint and get clams. Here's a link to local ocean attractions: http://www.visitconnecticut.com/current_category.1475/companies_list_region.html?Advertiser_Region=1-4&page_region=mystic_eastern Diane Zenger
Fairfield County: Greenwich/New Canaan Area: The town where my parents live is very quaint and cozy. The Rodger Sherman Inn is one of my favorite restaurants in Town. The other is Called the New Canaan Inn and is right in town and seems nice too. Versailles Bakery on Greenwich Avenue is my favorite French restaurant in town. It is great for lunch. New York City is less than an hour away. Amanda Cunningham
Rhode Island
Block Island, Rhode Island: Take a ferry over from Point Judith. Bring bikes for a day of exploring. There is the traditional ferry which takes about an hour, or the high speed which takes 1/2 hour. The Nature Conservancy calls Block Island "one of the last great places on earth" because it has seen relatively little development and the amount of natural green space on the island.(600 pristine acres on an island that is only 11 square miles!) It is a hiker's paradise(30 miles of interconnected hiking trails) and the beaches are beautiful. Stop by the Nature Conservancy on High Street for a map of trails to explore! Our favorites are Clayhead Trail, Rodman's Hollow. Our favorite beach is Scotch Beach. Nice waves for body surfing or boogy boarding, can take long walks on the beach and it is a short walk to the town beach where there are bathroom facilities and a snack bar. Nice bike rides include rides out to North and Southeast Lighthouses. (Note to families with younger children: there are no designated bike lanes or paths...share road space with autos. There are also hills, so you will get a nice little workout while bicyling around the island!) Mohegan Bluffs, 200 feet above the sea provides a beautiful view and over 100 steps down to a sometimes sandy sometimes rocky beach with clay cliffs and gorgeous views. Manisses Petting Zoo is sure to please the kid in all of us with llamas and emus and camels. In town, (the only town on the island is where the ferry comes in and is called Old Harbor), there are shops and restaurants. For places to eat, we would arrive on an early morning ferry, head to Ernie's for breakfast on the back porch overlooking the harbor with a view of the ferries coming and going. For lunch at the beach pick up a few wraps and amazing homemade cookies at the Three Sister's. For a quick dinner before your ferry leaves for home stop by the Beachhead or Oar with lovely water views. For finer dining, tapas and terrific sunsets try the Atlantic Inn. Mopeds, cars and bikes can easily be rented on the island right by the ferries. Weekends are crowded....I would pick a weekday to go for the first time. If you want to stay overnight there are several victorian hotels and b&b's... a great b&b you can walk to from town and the ferry is the Rose Farm Inn. Block Island is our favorite place on earth!
Stats on Block Island:
Area: 11 square miles
Population: 1200
Miles of Beaches: 17
Number of Freshwater ponds: 365
Distance from mainland: 12 miles
Debbie Marcantano
Newport-We loved the "Cliff Walk" there. The views are just beautiful and the mansions are incredible. The kids had fun running around the back lawns of some of the mansions. There are so many places to eat in downtown Newport and there are many darling shops and stores to check out. We loved eating seafood (I can't remember the name of the restaurant) outside on big picnic tables and then walking through the town and grabbing ice cream. One thing I would like to try and do this year is go to the Topiary Gardens near here and picnic. Whitney Fink
Newport Mansions and cliff walk in Newport, RI.
A free walkway developed by estate owners during Newport's Guilded Age goes for 3-1/2 miles
between dozens of mansions along the shoreline, including our favorite at Christmas time to tour, the Vanderbilt's summer
home, The Breakers. Bring a kite or two to sail on the beaches as the wind is always blowing. The walkway
begins on Memorial Boulevard near Newport Beach. Adrene Gorman
Newport, Rhode Island: Only 1.5 hours from metrowest, this is a great day or weekend getaway. Take a sail on the Adirondack II in Newport Harbor. Have lunch at the Red Parrot or the Black Pearl. Walk along Thames Street and explore the shops and wharfs in Newport Harbor. For hiking try the Cliff Walk: views of the Atlantic on one side with magnificent mansions on the other. Tour the mansions which were the summer "cottages" of the Asters, Whitneys and Vanderbilts. Mini aquarium at Easton's (or First) Beach as well as a merry-go-round with views of the ocean. Drive to second beach in Middletown for a day at the beach. Hike the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown as well for a great hike along pounding ocean surf. Drive along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive, be sure to fly a kite at Brenton Point State Park, get a Del's frozen lemonade, and have dinner at Inn at Castle Hill or Puerini's. Newport is one of our favorite places to be! Debbie Marcantano
Newport is a fun town with lots to see and do. It is close enough for a day trip, but would also be a fun weekend trip.I would recommend: Tours of the historic mansions or "summer cottages." 11 mile drive on Ocean Ave. for scenic views of the coast. The Thames St. neighborhood is great for lunch, ice cream, and antique/window shopping. The Cliff Walk, a trail along the coast that leads past many of the historic mansions. Heather Adams
Newport, RI:
Visit the Mansions and walk the Cliff Walk. Start the Cliff Walk at Memorial Blvd. and turn leave on Ruggles Rd. after The Breakers. On the drive down, definitely stop at The Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth).
http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/newportatractions/a/aagreenanimals.htm
http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect1.htm
http://www.newportmansions.org/page7016.cfm Julie Marriott
Newport is famous for its elaborate turn of the century mansions ("The Great Gatsby" was filmed here). and also for its earlier historic homes. Some of the mansions are decorated during the Christmas season. There are stunning views along the Cliff Walk by foot, or from Ocean Drive. I especially like to stop at the park on Ocean Drive with a picnic lunch (there are a few tables) and a kite or two. You can go for a sail in Newport Harbor (perhaps with a college sailing team skipper) if you want to be on the water when the wind is good. There are lots of little shops for browsing in town and a very helpful tourist information center. Newport is also famous for its jazz and chamber music concert series in the summer. Of course it is very crowded during tourist seasons, so I would avoid weekends if possible. Weekdays in Early June or September might be good times. Shann Wood
The Newport Rhode Island Flower Show…Fri June 24th through Sun June 26th
Enjoy a breathtaking escape to one of my favorite places in the world…Newport Rhode Island and more specifically, Bellevue Avenue, home to some of the most gorgeous, historical mansions in this area. The flower show (also one of my favorite things) is being held this year at the Rosecliffe mansion (circa 1902) located on 548 Bellevue Avenue (site of the filming of The Great Gatsby). There will also be lectures on flowers and gardening by leading experts. What better way to be inspired by the beauty of flowers, get out of the winter doldrums and to see some ideas for your own garden.
There is an array of fun boutique type shops and restaurants in downtown Newport as well as whale watching excursions or harbor cruises. It is a lovely town, with a great vibe – offering great historical sites (it has one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Jewish Synagogues in the United States) as well as some really beautiful scenery. It is a great place to visit with friends or even family. My favorite mansions to visit are The Breakers (circa 1895) and The Marble House (circa 1892). But any and all of these historic mansions offer you a taste of this amazing time period.
Flower show prices are as follows:
Friday June 25th 10:30 – 5 adults $25 children 13-17 $6 children under 6 are free
Saturday June 25th 9-5 adults $23 children 13-17 $6 children under 6 are free
Sunday June 26th 9-5 adults $23 children 13-17 $6 children under 6 are free
http://www.newportmansions.org/page11511.cfm
Enjoy!!
Carole Ann Baer
Providence (Spring/Summer/Fall), Roger Williams Zoo (one of the best local zoos), Roger Williams Park with Carousel and Duck Boats, Providence Place Mall is a teenagers dream and has a Dave and Busters restaurant/arcade, Right outside the mall you can watch Waterfire which is a water show put to music. Becky Cyr
Roger Williams Park Zoo: I000 Elmwood Ave, Providence
Large and yet very warm and accessible. Much closer than you think, and very family friendly. Well maintained with great walking paths throughout. http://www.rwpzoo.org/ Julie Marroitt
Roger Williams Zoo, 1000 Elm wood Avenue Providence, RI
South I-95, take exit 17 to Elmwood Avenue.
Roger Williams Zoo has been named one of America's top ten zoos by Travel and Leisure Family Magazine.
Its home to hundreds of rare and fascinating animals from around the world numbering over 1000 animals
with some 156 different species on display at any given time. Adrene Gorman
Vermont
Weekend VT Trip: A two day trip to Vermont for us includes a stop over at Hanover where we admire Dartmouth--the prettiest college in America. We haven't ever taken the canoe trip in the area, but one day we will. We keep going to Woodstock, where we wander around the beautiful town. Then we hike down the one mile (?) trail to Quechee Gorge (http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?name=Quechee%20Gorge) and put our feet in the very cold water at the bottom. At some point we have to stop at the King Arthur Baking Shop because I have to buy a sour dough starter every year that will rot in my fridge before I decide to become a sourdough queen next year. One year, I intend to take a bread making class there. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/baking/baking-education-center.html We go to Sharon and visit the Camp Joseph memorial. I love the flower gardens at Camp Joseph. Usually we sleep over at least ONE night there. We always make it to Stowe (and I recommend the Green Mountain Inn http://www.greenmountaininn.com/), but we have to stop at Ben & Jerry's for a short ice cream tour and a big ice cream cone. Diane Zenger
Weekend VT Trip: Last fall we took a rode trip to Vermont for an extended weekend. These were some of the sights/activities we found memorable: Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury (fun tour and free samples at the end), Window shopping in quaint Stowe, Eden Mills Dog Sledding in Eden Mills (This was an incredible experience that our kids still talk about. In the off-season, the dogs pull you on a cart on wheels - it keeps them trained and fit. We were able to interact with the dogs, help choose our dog team, help hitch them to the cart, and go for a ride.) and Joseph Smith Birthplace in Sharon (monument and visitor's center) Elisha Rotar
Joseph Smith Birth Sites After research and a few family home evenings about Joseph Smith, we headed up to Vermont to see where our church began. We stopped in Sharon at the visitor center where we saw where the home was in which Joseph Smith was born. We followed the remains of the old turnpike behind the visitor center to see the Mack family homesites. We then drove to West Lebanon NH and had lunch at the KFC (197 South Main Street) that now stands where Joseph’s Smith’s home was in which he had his leg operation. We then stopped in Turnbridge VT to see the village store that Lucy Mack was working in when she met Joseph Smith Sr. There are so many church sites MA, VT and NH! Camille Ebert
Woodstock -I have been up to the Sugarbush Farm many times to take friends and family. It's a pretty working farm on a hill where you can sample (and purchase) all kinds of their very own maple syrup and cheese. My kids enjoy seeing the farm animals as well. This is a fun place to stop at on your way to visit the Joseph Smith Birthplace and is absolutely breathtaking in the fall. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can head up to Burlington to the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. My sister and I did this drive in one day. We left early in the morning from Boston and were home around 8 pm that evening. We stopped in Woodstock, Sharon and Burlington and although it was a lot of driving, it was fun to see most of Vermont. Whitney Fink
Burlington area (Spring): Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tour, Ben & Jerry Factory Tour, Lake Champlain Factory Tour, Sugar Shacks, Burlington Town Center, Lake Champlain Ferry, Endless Artist Studios. Becky Cyr
New Hampshire
Mason - Parkers Maple Barn and Sugar House is great during the maple sugar season. They have great food as well as sugaring. Gail Murphy
Lake Winnipesaukee Area (Wolfeboro side) -Castle in the Clouds is a beautiful property set upon a hill. There is a fun hike up to the castle or you can park and take a trolley car. The views of the lakes region are gorgeous from the home on top of the hill. For adults, the Woodshed has wonderful food. It would work for kids too but it's expensive. It's about 30 min from town center in Wolfeboro. Hiking Mt Major is fun for the family. The MT Washington is a cruiser boat that gives a tour of the whole lake. I think its 3 hrs long. The dockside restaurant in town center of Wolfeboro has good family food that kids will like. It has changed owners a couple times so I'm not sure that's still the name. The General Store in Moultonboro is over 100 yrs old and has a lot of random things. We always go there every summer. They carry a lot of fun toys and games for kids and kitchen, household items. Tons of random stuff. It's a blast to go through there. The over night accommodations aren't that great, but it would be a good day trip. MaryAlice Hatch
Storyland-Last summer we took the kids up to North Conway to visit Storyland. We stayed in the cute little town of Jackson and then spent the following day with the kids at Storyland. I think Storyland is great for kids eight and under and it's perfect for preschoolers. Riley still talks about her trip to this amusement park.
Whitney Fink
Franconia Notch State Park: In the fall we love taking a Saturday and driving up to this beautiful part of NH. If you take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway you will have an incredible view. I would like to try and hike the Flume Gorge with the kids sometime-which I have heard is quite fun to do. Whitney Fink
The Flume Gorge in New Hampshire: http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/flume-gorge.aspx This is also a long drive, but a great way to spend a summer day. It's PR says it is one of the ten prettiest parks in the US. I am not sure about that, but it is a lovely walk through a natural chasm. It's a long walk for the toddler set, but the paths are wide and it's not hard to have a baby in a backpack. The Franconia region in New Hampshire is so beautiful that it begs for an overnight and some additional exploration. Diane Zenger
White Mountains: I am a newbie to the New England scene, but my family and I really enjoyed chasing after the famous New England fall leaves last year. We especially enjoyed driving on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. It's a 26 mile drive located in the White Mountains. Along the way are beautiful vistas, covered bridges, rivers, waterfalls and little hikes suitable for children. Several people think that Columbus Day weekend is the best time to take this drive. We've enjoyed the Yankee Foliage Website: http://www.www.yankeefoliage.com. It is a handy resource that tells you when leaf color is at its peak in various areas across New England. Rebecca Lewis
Lincoln -Last fall we took a three day vacation to Lincoln. We stayed at the Inn Seasons Resort, enjoyed their outdoor hot spa and heated pool, had s’mores around the fire and enjoyed music by some of the guests on a clear night. A short hike from the resort leads you to the Loon Mountain where we took a gondola ride to the top of the summit. The views were spectacular. At the top there is a restaurant where we had outdoor lunch, looking down to the most amazing lake nestled at the top of the mountain. After lunch we went on a self guided nature hike of the glacial caves. It was so much fun getting in and out of the caves. Some were so small they can only fit one person at a time. They were challenging at times but a lot of fun. My girls loved the whole experience we didn’t want to come back home! This adventure was the highlight of the trip. Lesly Perez
Mt. Washington (Summer/Fall): Stay in a ski rental condominium or camp out, Endless Hiking/Biking opportunities, Storyland (best for kids ages 2-10), North Conway Outlet Shopping, Cog Railroad will take you up the top of Mt. Washington or drive the Auto Road. Becky Cyr
Maine
Week Long maine Trip: Last summer we spent a week driving up the coast of Maine and visiting various spots along the way. Maine is such a beautiful state to visit!
The first day we enjoyed the drive to So. Portland, Maine. On the way we stopped to view the lighthouse at Cape Neddick in Southern Maine. The kids enjoyed exploring and climbing on the rocks nearby. We stayed for a few nights in a hotel in So. Portand. While there we visited Old Orchard Beach. This is not only a nice beach with sand, small waves, and shops out into the ocean built on stilts, but there is an amusement park right there on the beach as well with all kinds of rides. It was very fun. We also went to a waterpark in Saco, ME called Splashtown USA. This was an incredible water park! It had the typical waterslides and also a couple that all 4 of us could go on at a time. Our favorite, the torado, included a large raft in which 4 people could sit and ride some incredible drops. Even Cami loved it! In addition, we visited Cape Elizabeth where the oldest lighthouse in Maine is - the Portland Head Light. At Cape Elizabeth there is also Fort Williams Park. . . a location where World War II troops were stationed to be on the look out for ships and submarines to protect the US shoreline. We explored ruins of old batteries. Our favorite restaurant in the Portland area was Dimillos. This restaurant is built on a converted ferry and is actually in the water.
Then we continued up the coast towards Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor for the second half of our week. We stayed at a hotel in Ellsworth, ME which is close to Acadia and Bar Harbor but not as expensive to stay. There are so many options of things to see in Acadia National Park based on what ages of children you have with you and activity levels desired. We enjoyed a hike around Jordan Pond. This is a beautiful hike and easy for even little children. . . flat ground around a lake. We drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain for the spectacular views. In addition, we drove around the coastline taking the Park Loop Road and stopped at several sights along the way like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. The beauty of this National Park is incredible - from mountains and lakes to sea cliffs and ocean water - amazingly beautiful!!! One of our kids favorite activities in this area was a boat excursion we took with a company called the Dive in Theatre with Diver Ed. This crew takes you out on the water for an amazing experience! Diver Ed takes a small playmobile toy with him which he calls Mini-Ed (along with a camera and a microphone attached to his helmet) diving below and around the ship. On the ship there is a big screen and a speaker so that we can see and hear what Diver Ed is doing. He uses Mini Ed to compare size of sea life he finds below. In his mesh bag, he collects items like sea cucumbers, seastars, crabs, and lobsters and brings them back up to the surface. Then, after a brief instructional period, the children get to come up and touch and handle these creatures before they are returned to the sea. It is such a fun, entertaining, and educational experience for the whole family. We also spent some time in Bar Harbor exploring the quaint downtown shops and enjoying some ice cream at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium. We also experienced the opportunity to walk out along the sandbar at low tide to Bar Island (there is only a certain window of time during the day that you can do this when the tide is low). Our favorite restaurants to eat at where the Bar Harbor Inn Restaurant (beautiful views right on the coast of Bar Harbor - a little more fancy) and the Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth (right by the river - casual and family owned). Elisha Rotar
York/Ogunquit One of our favorite places for a day trip is Southern Maine. We go up to York for a treat at Golden Rod Kisses, take a walk across the Wiggly Bridge, stop at Nubble Light House and sometimes eat Lobster at the little restaurant right next to the light. We never miss ice cream at the stand just up the street and then take the scenic drive from York to Ogunquit. (Stop at the visitor center for directions.) In Ogunquit was play on the beach, take a walk along the Marginal Way, a mile long walk along cliffs above the Atlantic and then take the trolly back up to our car. Camille Ebert
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park- This is our annual family vacation spot. Both are on Mt. Deseret Island in Maine:
Bar Harbor-We walk almost every day over to Bar Island, a very small island that is only accessed at low tide. We have been caught only once running through thigh high water to make it back to the mainland! In town there is also an old theater complete with balconies and velvet seats and curtains that has been converted into a movie theater. We catch at least one movie there every year. Also is it great just to go down to harbor skip rocks and watch the boats come in and out. Our favorite gift shop is Cool as a Moose. There is also a gazebo in the center of town where several times a week during the summer they have concerts you listen to as you eat your ice cream!
Acadia National Park- Entrances only a few miles away from Bar Harbor. Our favorite spot is Hunter's Beach. A very secluded beach limited because there are only 5 parking spots and then you have to walk in through the woods for a quarter of a mile or so. There are cliffs to climb and flat rocks to sunbath besides spectacular views. Favorite bike ride- There are miles and miles of carriage roads that are now bikes trails in the park. Our annual family bike ride is a 20 mile loop around Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond. Jordon Pond has the Jordan Pond House where their famous turnovers and jellies are served. Lunch and dinner are served there also. Great food and after you can sit out back with views of Jordan Pond and the Bubbles (small hills). There is also a walking path around the pond. One evening after dinner Nate and I saw otters swimming and playing in the water. We watched them until it was almost dark. The ocean is still really cold in August to swim pleasurably, so one day we go to one of the only warm water swimming there is- Echo Lake on the west side of the Island. Best Hike with smaller kids- Gorham Mountain. One mile of effort with great views of ocean. Best Hike in general- Can't pinpoint one, they are all great! Beth Vanduzer
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, (Summer/Fall): Beautiful coastline drive on Rt 1 with many coastal town stops, Whale Watching, Lobster Shacks, Hiking/Biking/Camping, Windjammer Cruises. Becky Cyr
New York
New York City - Of course this may seem overwhelming for a family, but if you pick a theme for your weekend the sights and experience will be much more rewarding. Also staying downtown can be VERY expensive, but there are many places right outside the city (Stamford, CT), that have easy train access straight to downtown. A few of the many themes weekends could be: Historic Sites-Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero; Broadway/Times Square-The older kids will love this; Central Park-Zoo, Playgrounds, Boat Rentals, enjoy the free entertainment, landscape galore; Famous Sites; Museums. Becky Cyr
New York City-The Sherry Netherlands hotel is one of my favorite in New York City and the Parker Meridian was pretty nice too. Robert and my favorite restaurant in NYC is this place called Plantation which was right next to the Essex House Hotel. All of these places are around central park, which is one of the nicest parts of NYC. Lincoln Center is always great, and with the Temple right across the street it doesn’t get any better. I love the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet is fabulous. We have never done Jazz at Lincoln center but there are always a lot of musicians that I would love to hear. There are a lot of great art museums; my favorite is the American Craft Museum and after that is the MOMA. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is always nice with the small pyramid on the inside. I like the outside of the Guggenheim better than some of the exhibits on the inside, but it just depends on what they are showing. Amanda Cunningham
Ithaca and the Finger Lakes: A trip out to Palmyra ought to include visiting Cornell and swimming in the Ithaca waterfalls. The hike from the top to the bottom at Lucifer Falls (start at the top) may be too long for small children, but you can go part of the way with almost any sized kid and the gorge is amazing. (I have walked down with kids as young as 5.) The path is safe and wide enough. At the bottom end of Robert Treman State Park is a swimming area at the base of a waterfall. The water is brisk, but the kids don't mind because they can jump from a diving board into the heavy flow. (Watch the flow of pics until you see one with the kids on the diving board.) http://nyfalls.com/treman.html. It's one of my very favorite walks and makes the Flume look a little homegrown. The Finger Lakes are subject to unpredictable weather, but little towns with names like Canandaigua and Skaneateles are so lovely. Watkins Glen is definitely worth a visit. http://www.nysparks.com/parks/142/details.aspx. It's cheap to stay in towns 45 minutes away from water--like Henrietta--so spending a few days won't break the bank. You can rent a boat and skis for a day from one of the many marinas if you are feeling flush! Diane Zenger
Rochester (6 hour drive from Boston) - Each July in the Corn Hill area, which is one of the most charming neighborhoods of Rochester, they have the Corn Hill Arts Festival. This will be the 43rd year. There are artisans on multiple streets ranging from painters to jewelry, furniture, food, clothing, very elegant to the very strange! Music of all kinds is showcased in the center gazebo non stop during the two days. I have purchased there paintings, purses, jewelry, BBQ sauce, huge metal bubble wands and our current dining room set! It is very kid friendly also so don't hesitate to take kids. Check it out at http://www.cornhillartsfestival.com/
Palmyra- Hill Cumorah pageant and church sites. This year dates are July 8,9 and 12-16. This is very close to Rochester (maybe 30-45 minutes) so as a family get away you could tour church sites and go to pageant on the 8th and make the Corn Hill festival the next day! Beth Vanduzer
Canada
Quebec City, Quebec: Old Town in Quebec is the closest thing to being in a small European city you can find within driving distance (or without going to a small European city). Every building has flower boxes; the streets are cobblestone; the people speak French and serve crepes. Yum! This is my favorite short trip. We spent three days in Old Town and didn't ever see the rest of Quebec City. Quebec City is known for its festivals. We were there during a summer festival time, and the streets at night were filled with street performers and seemingly impromptu parades. It's a small town, really, so we were completely relaxed wondering around with young kids. Here are the dates for the 2011 summer festival. http://www.infofestival.com/index.php?lang=en&page=festival. And here is a link to the New France festival: http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/events-directory/festival-special-event/saq-new-france-festival_1403244.html. This winter, I intend to make it to the Winter Festival: http://www.quebecregion.com/en/what_to_do/ideas/quebec_winter_carnival?a=vis. Diane Zenger
