Best New England Road Trip for Families: Guide and Itinerary

Looking for a road trip idea for your next family adventure? Head to New England!

You and your kids will adventure in historic cities and towns, walk through the boyhood home of an American president, spend time outdoors at a national park, hiking through prehistoric-looking gorges, experience the location of the world’s worst weather, and even meet 5 trolls!

Along the way, you’ll try lobster rolls and fresh maple syrup, and come away with incredible memories that you’ll talk about forever.

In the guide below, you’re getting all of my best tips for planning this road trip, from suggested places to camp and kid-friendly restaurants to must-do hikes and activities.

The author and her 2 children standing next to a red covered bridge in New England

What could be more New England than a covered bridge photo?!

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New England with Kids: An Overview

What exactly is New England and where is it?

Blue welcome to Maine sign on the side of I-95

Heading north on I-95 into Maine

If you’re just getting started on your travels in the United States, New England is a great place to do so.

It’s a compact area in the northeast area of the country composed of 6 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine.

The name “New England” comes from the fact that the original European settlers here were largely from the original/old England, so they dubbed this the new version.

Why would you take kids to New England?

New England is a great family vacation destination for several reasons:

  • It’s easily driveable, and all of the adventures below can be done in a regular rental vehicle with no need for 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

  • You’re never far from great restaurants and shopping, even in the smaller towns.

  • You can go from the ocean to the mountains in just a few hours.

  • There are outdoor adventures of all kinds here, including easy hikes, wildlife watching, kayaking, beach days, and bird sanctuaries.

  • There’s also so much history in this part of the United States since it was one of the first areas to be settled in the colonial period. The first successful colony, Plymouth Plantation, was in Massachusetts, Paul Revere’s ride started in Boston, the elite of the 19th century summered in Bar Harbor, Maine, and President Calvin Coolidge grew up in Vermont.

It would be hard to take your kids on my recommended road trip and not come away with a better understanding of American history, agriculture, and the outdoors.

Where should I start my family’s New England road trip?

New England only has one major city—Boston, Massachusetts—as even the capitals in most of the region’s states are relatively small and quaint.

I’d recommend flying into/out of Boston as you’re liking to get the best deals there. The itinerary below reflects that suggestion.

However, if you’d rather start your road trip in Maine, you can also stumble on a good flight price to Portland, Maine, especially if you’re starting on the East Coast.

If you decide on this starting point, you can still make the suggested loop below; just begin your travels at Stop 2 and go from there.

If you’re driving in rather than flying, both Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine, are on I-95, the major interstate on the East Coast. It will connect you with everything from Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. to Savannah, Georgia, and Miami, Florida.

We live near I-95 in South Carolina, and I’ve driven every mile of the interstate on our travels. Other than my home state, I-95 is a decent interstate with 3 or more lanes of traffic, plenty of signage, and constant places to stop for gas and food. (South Carolina, on the other hand, has the absolute worst potholes on the interstate and only 2 lanes.)

New England Trip Map

See all of the stops, including every one of the recommended hotels and campgrounds below, on this interactive map:

And here is a map of the driving directions and general overview of the road trip:

New England Road Trip Itinerary: Stop-by-Stop

Ready to road trip through New England?

You’re going to find everything you will need to know in advance in my complete itinerary. For each day, you’ll find driving times, must-see stops, where to eat and where to sleep.

I’ve balanced outdoor adventures with educational opportunities, so that the fun and learning never stops.

You’ll find both camping options and local hotel options so that you can customize your trip to your family’s travel style.

The best part of this road trip itinerary is that you can see all of it in about 10 days, though I’ve included suggestions on how to extend your time in most of the locations below if you want to do and see more.

Stop 1: Boston, MA

Suggested time here: 1-2 days

Ready explore the past?

If your kids have learned about Paul Revere, the Tea Party, or Old Ironsides, this is where those stories from their history books come alive.

Boston is a great city for a lot of reasons, but it’s particularly fantastic for helping kids immerse themselves in our country’s early colonial history.

Fly into Boston, which is the largest city along this route, and then devote at least one full day to the Freedom Trail, which is a series of stops in downtown Boston maintained by the NPS.

It’s easily walkable, and you can see many things, including Paul Revere’s house, the USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill.

If you’d rather cover a bit more ground than just walking, the Boston Duck Tour is great for kids!

You’ll ride an amphibious vehicle that’s designed to cruise the streets of Boston and sail along the Charles River. The novelty of it alone will keep your kids engaged, but the tour also passes by many of Boston’s most iconic sites, too.

Another great option with kids (and one we’ve done in many cities!) is the Hop on Hop off Trolley Tour.

We love the fact that we can park our car once in the morning and then easily get around the city. Plus, the guided commentary helps us understand what we’re seeing at every turn.

If your kids get fussy or need a break, it’s easy to hop off at the next stop, walk around, get a snack, and then resume the loop when you’re ready.

Where to Camp near Boston

For those families with a camper doing this road trip, this area is the most challenging for a campsite.

As with many big cities, the camping options close to downtown are slim, so you’ll need to build in some driving time.

I recommend the Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort, which is about 35 miles southwest of downtown Boston.

Not only is it one of the closest campgrounds to the city, but you’ll also find an indoor AND outdoor pool, splash pad, daily activities, an arcade, and onsite massages.

Where to Stay in Boston

If you’re going the more traditional route of hotels in the city, stay at the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill.

This beautiful hotel is located within walking distance to several of the historic sites in Bunker Hill (including the Boston Commons), and it’s right around the corner from one of the hop on, hop off bus stops.

Plus, there’s a pool onsite to help your kids cool down after a long day of sightseeing.

Stop 2: Portland, ME

Total daily drive time: 2 hours

Suggested time here: 1-2 days

Bug Light with Portland Harbor in the background

Bug Light in South Portland

After exploring Boston, it’s time to head north!

You’ll leave the hustle and bustle behind for the smaller city of Portland, Maine, which is best known for its vibrant Old Port area and many area lighthouses.

Old Port is filled with cute shops and restaurants, and it’s a great place to look for a souvenir or two.

The Maine Souvenir Shop on Exchange Street sells only items designed and made by Maine-based artists, and you’ll find everything from cute stickers to t-shirts here.

In one corner of the shop, you can get a cute photo of your kids on the wooden swing that overlooks Fore Street.

If you’re ready for lunch, try the fast casual Amato’s Sandwich Shop on 71 India Street. They offer up huge portions of pasta, pizza, and sandwiches for picky eaters, and there is an outdoor patio for customers to eat.

Bug Light Park is a great option if you want to see a lighthouse that’s not far from Portland proper.

Here, you’ll find two points of interest: the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse and an outdoor site devoted to the shipyard that once stood here.

The lighthouse is nicknamed “Bug Light” since it is so small and cute, and you can walk out onto the lighthouse’s base for great views.

The Liberty Ship Memorial features a minimal reconstruction of one of the World War II ships that were built here nearly a century ago.

You can also take a city-wide trolley tour that will scoot you over to the more well-known (and much larger) Portland Head Lighthouse.

It includes live narration, so you can learn about other city highlights, including the Victoria Mansion and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s childhood home.

How to Extend Your Time in Portland:

Two children standing in front of Cascade Falls in Saco, Maine

The Camping Kiddos at Cascade Falls

There’s much more to do in this area of Maine than you could possibly squeeze into a single day.

Fort Gorges is a historic (and long abandoned) fort in the middle of Portland Harbor.

Kayak over to it on a guided tour for a memorable half day experience. Kids as young as 10 can go on this tour, though 10-15 year olds will need to share a tandem kayak with a parent.

If you have extra time on your drive from Boston to Portland, or if you want a fun day trip idea from Portland, head to Kennebunkport, Maine.

This classic coastal town has shopping and waterfront views. Be sure to try the lobster rolls at the Clam Shack, which also has plenty of outdoor seating for your family.

For older kids, the Kennebunkport Ghost Tour is a fun and spooky way to add more history into your visit.

We also loved the small but beautiful Cascade Falls area in Saco, Maine. Here, you can hike to a waterfall, make fairy houses, and explore on a short loop trail.

Where to Camp in Portland

We loved our time at the Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach (that name is a mouthful!).

It’s about 25 minutes south of Old Port, but the campground’s proximity to I-95 means that getting around Portland is super easy.

There are multiple options for RV and campers here, including paved pull through and back-in spots.

If you’re up for glamping instead, the property also offers multiple wooden cabins.

My kids loved the heated pool and camp store, and the bath houses were spacious and very clean.

Where to Stay in Portland

Stay close to everything that the city has to offer when you book at the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront.

You can walk to all of the restaurants and shops in Old Port, making this super convenient to just park and explore.

Kids will love the indoor pool!

Stop 3: Boothbay, ME

Total daily drive time: 1 hour 12 minutes

Suggested time here: 1 day

Located on one of the many peninsulas in this part of coastal Maine, Boothbay is well worth a day of your New England road trip.

Make your first stop at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Here, you can wander through stunning flower gardens and wooded areas as you look for 5 wooden troll sculptures.

These trolls are made by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, and we’ve become obsessed with finding them on our travels. We’ve also seen Rita the Rock Planter in Colorado, and Mama Mimi in Wyoming. Thomas Dambo has made over 150 trolls all over the world, so we’ve still got a bunch to find!

There are plenty of other kid-friendly things to do here, including a kid’s guide to the gardens (they can turn it in at the end of your visit for a sticker!), guided programs, a storybook-inspired play area, and a fairy house building area.

Plan to stay here at least a half-day, though there’s plenty to do for a full day if you want to bring a picnic lunch or eat at the onsite grill.

Next, head into the village of Boothbay, where you can see a working harbor, go shopping or take a puffin and wildlife watching tour to see these colorful birds up close.

Another option for your time in Boothbay is the Boothbay Village Museum, which offers up train rides on a vintage steam powered locomotive, antique cars and trucks, a large model train display, and guided tours.

How to Extend Your Time near Boothbay

Spend some time in the cute towns of Newcastle and Damariscotta, which are equidistant between stops 3 and 4.

This classic coastal Maine towns are right across the Damariscotta River from one another, so you can make a half or full day of exploring here.

There are bookstores and coffee shops here, as well as boutiques and an old-fashioned soda shop at the Waltz Soda Fountain.

Your kids will enjoy a schooner tour of Boothbay Harbor and beyond. You’ll cruise along the Maine coast in a historic schooner while you get live narration about the history and wildlife of this area.

Where to Camp and Stay near Boothbay

Lake and trees as seen from the author's camper at Duck Puddle Campground

The view from our camper at Duck Puddle Campground

We camped in nearby Nobleboro to see both Boothbay and Pemaquid (suggested Stop 4, below), and that worked out well.

Duck Puddle Campground is a cute, family run campground that has lots for just about every RV and camping trailer. Just look at the photos and descriptions of each site so you’ll get one that works for you.

There are also cabins there if you have family members visiting with you who don’t have a camper, or if you prefer a fun alternative to a local hotel.

The property feels like a summer camp with playgrounds, live music, and lake access.

Stop 4: Pemaquid, ME

Total daily drive time: 45 minutes

Suggested time here: 1 day

Pemaquid is on the next peninsula as you work your way up the Maine coast.

It and Boothbay are fairly close together, which is why I recommend staying inland near where the two peninsulas join and then head out to each individually.

While you’re here, you’ll want to visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. It’s one of the prettiest lighthouses along the Maine coast (which is saying something as there are so many of them!), and it’s perched on a granite cliff overlooking Lighthouse Cove.

On the way out to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is Fort William Henry and Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site.

Your admission gets you access to the fort, the small museum, and the live colonial demonstrations.

In the fort, you’ll be able to walk all of the floors, including the roof area which has beautiful views of Pemaquid Harbor and Knowles Rocks. There are interpretive materials throughout the fort to help you learn more about its history.

In the warmer months, the colonial actors are a highlight of your visit. You can stop by the small cottage between the museum and fort to learn more about the way that settlers lived day-to-day.

The man who works here built the cottage by hand over the course of several years! He’s since added a table, beds, ladder, bowls, and a hand-placed stone fireplace, all of which were made by him and are in working order.

We stayed for nearly 45 minutes here, talking with him about the process of building everything and how it related to the actual lives of the people who settled on this windy, cold spit of land.

We’re from Charleston, South Carolina, which also has a rich colonial history, so it was interesting to learn how different these early colonists were from those who settled in the much warmer areas south of Maine.

How to Extend Your Time near Pemaquid

See suggestions for stop 3, which are also close to Pemaquid.

Where to Camp and Stay near Pemaquid

See suggestions for stop 3, which are conveniently located between both Boothbay and Pemaquid.

Stop 5: Bar Harbor, ME

Total daily drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Suggested time here: 2-4 days

This part of Maine is one of my absolute favorites, and you could absolutely spend your entire family vacation right here.

Not only do you have the adorable town of Bar Harbor with its many shops and restaurants, you’re also right next to Acadia National Park.

Inside the park you have all sorts of hiking options, scenic drives, biking on the historic carriage roads, and tidepooling.

Keep in mind that Acadia National Park is spread out, and that there is more to it than what you’ll find on Mt. Desert right next to Bar Harbor. Getting out into the lesser visited areas is highly recommended, even if you’ll have to do a little more driving.

 

While you’re driving around the park and Bar Harbor, be sure to have your self-guided GuideAlong audio tour going! We love these guides and have used them in many national parks and scenic highways.

You don’t need wifi or cell signal once the tour is downloaded to your phone, and each point of interest starts automatically. You’ll learn SO much about the history, geology, and important figures in the park as you drive around.

 

Some helpful posts for planning your time at Acadia National Park:

In Bar Harbor, your family has plenty to do as well, including whale watching tours, listening to live music on the Village Green, and walking the Shore Path to see the glacial erratic.

How to Extend Your Time near Bar Harbor

If you’re short on time, concentrate your time to easter Mount Desert Island, which includes Bar Harbor and the most visited area of Acadia, including Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, and Sandy Beach.

However, if you can spare another 1-2 days here, you’ll be able to add in so much more.

You can explore the lesser visited western half of Mount Desert Island, which has multiple hikes, picnic areas, and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Another option would be to drive the 45 minutes from Bar Harbor to the Schoodic Peninsula where you’ll find beautiful, craggy beaches and overlooks with a fraction of the crowds back in Bar Harbor.

You can even make a day trip from Bar Harbor to Bangor, Maine, if you’re interested in visiting another city on your vacation. There’s a huge statue of Paul Bunyon here, a children’s museum, and multiple riverwalk areas.

Where to Camp in Bar Harbor

We stayed at the Bar Harbor KOA, which is about 15 minutes north of Bar Harbor and the main entrance to Acadia National Park.

It was a great base for our time there, as the campground was a great place to relax after long days exploring the town and national park.

Kids will love the playground, onsite snack bar, and bike rentals. You can even go tidepooling right from the shore of the campground! We found hundreds of periwinkles and even a lion’s mane jellyfish.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

My parents stayed at the cabins at the Bar Harbor KOA, and they really enjoyed it. There are cute Airstreams to rent if you’d like to glamp while you’re in this area.

If you’d like something a bit more traditional as a home base here, the Bar Harbor Cottages and Suites allow your family dedicated space with rustic charm.

We love staying in cabins whenever we don’t have our camper, as it still feels more private and cozy than a hotel room.

The Bar Harbor Cottages are so cute with little screened in porches, private bedrooms and living space, basic kitchenettes (with fridges and microwaves), and outdoor space for grilling out and hanging out by a campfire.

These are north of Bar Harbor like the KOA, but are slightly closer into the town.

Stop 6: Woodstock, NH

Total daily drive time: 4.5 hours

Suggested time here: 2 days

Start off early on the day you’re going to drive from Bah Hahbah to Woodstock, New Hampshire, as you’ve got a lot to see!

Be sure to take I-95 to Danville Corner, and then Highway 122 to Highway 11. At Naples, you’ll pick up Highway 302, which will take you to Conway, New Hampshire, and the start of Kancamagus Highway.

Follow the winding, beautiful Kancamagus Highway (known as “the Kanc” to locals) for scenic overlooks and plenty of places to get out and stretch your legs.

If you’re looking for a few good stop for your kids, try:

  • Sabbaday Falls is a quick, easy hike to some gorgeous cascades.

  • Big Eddy is a swimming hole in the Swift River.

  • The Russell-Colbath Homestead has an old house, barn, graveyard, and interpretive materials to help you learn about the families who once called this area home.

Once you’re done exploring the Kancamagus Highway for today, head into Lincoln, New Hampshire for dinner.

Black Mountain Burger Co. is casual and great for families, and it serves up huge burgers, fries, chicken dip, grilled cheese, and other comfort foods.

You’re probably tired at this point, so head over to my suggested area for camping/glamping or to your hotel.

The next day, plan to ride the cog railway to Mt. Washington.

Mt. Washington is known as the location of the world’s worst weather, as the highest wind speed ever recorded was 231 MPH at the top of the mountain back in 1934.

Today, it’s still windy and wild, and hikers on the Appalachian Trail, which runs right by the station on the top of the Mt. Washington, routinely have to slog through pouring rain, crazy winds, and plummeting temperatures.

With that being said, it’s so much fun to visit and see that wild weather first hand!

You can drive the road to Mt. Washington, but, be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Instead, take the cog railway to the summit, where you’ll be (slowly) chauffeured up the side of the mountain, taking on inclines as steep as 37 degrees in the process.

You’ll have time at the summit before heading back down again.

After that, it’s time to hike the Flume Gorge loop at Franconia Notch State Park. This gorgeous hike takes you through a gorge covered in ferns with a swiftly flowing river and a waterfall at one end.

While that’s what it’s best known for, the hike has several other highlights, including multiple smaller waterfalls, covered bridges, and even actual bathrooms along the trail!

How to Extend Your Time near Woodstock, New Hampshire

If you end up with another day or two on this part of your road trip, there are several other great add-ons for families.

You can ride the scenic gondola to the top of Loon Mountain, where there are caves to explore, hiking trails to tackle, and a disc golf course.

The Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is another great option if you liked Flume Gorge and want a different version of it.

The two aren’t as similar as the names might imply, and you won’t feel as if you’re duplicating previous activities by adding this to the itinerary, too.

Franconia Notch State Park has much more to offer than just the Flume Gorge trail, so I’d suggest a return visit if you like hiking in that area. Check out Franconia Falls and Cloudland Falls for scenic hike.

Where to Camp in Woodstock

The author's son with his face in a cut out wooden sign for Lincoln Woodstock KOA

Having fun at the Lincoln/Woodstock KOA!

Stay in the Lincoln/Woodstock KOA for camping and glamping options!

These camping sites are large and many have mature tree cover for added comfort and privacy. We stayed here in a pull-through end site, which had a brick patio, chairs and table, and provided grill.

There are also glamping cabins onsite, if you don’t have an RV or tent. The KOA also has a safari glamping tent if you want the fun of tent camping without any of the hassle.

Where to Stay in Woodstock

If you prefer a hotel over glamping or camping, the RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain has everything you need and more.

This large resort is located on Highway 112 in Lincoln, New Hampshire, at one end of the Kancamagus Highway. It’s also very close to I-93, which will take you to Mt. Washington and Franconia Notch State Park.

The rooms come with kitchenettes, which are great for making breakfasts and snacks throughout your stay. There’s also a pool and on-site dining.

Stop 7: Woodstock, VT

Total daily drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Suggested time here: 1-2 days

You’re going from Woodstock, New Hampshire, to Woodstock, Vermont, today!

(And yet, neither of these Woodstocks was where the famed 1969 music festival took place. That’s in New York!)

Woodstock, Vermont, is a quaint, picture perfect New England town that’s filled with boutique shops and artisan restaurants. You’ll definitely want to grab a snack and hang out on the green in the middle of town. In the summer, you’ll find the Market on the Green each Wednesday from 3-6 PM, which is a lot of fun.

Within easy driving distance are several other fantastic and kid-friendly things to add to your itinerary.

Start your day off at the King Arthur Flour Bakery in Norwich, Vermont, where you can snack on some of the most delicious pastries you’ve ever had. We went back to the counter three times to order different things, and all of them were incredible.

Stay for a little while to watch the bakers as they mix, knead, and shape more pastries via the viewing area inside the bakery.

Then, head over to the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, where you can walk through the entire village where President Coolidge grew up. And by “entire village,” I really do mean the entire village: there’s a barn, his father’s store, the house he lived in as an older child, the house where he was born, his stepmom’s house and rental cottages, and his school.

You can wander through these buildings on your own, but I recommend jumping on one of the tours that are included in your entrance fee.

Kids can look out for Rebecca the raccoon throughout the property. (Coolidge’s wife had a pet raccoon named Rebecca when she was first lady!) If they find all of them, kids can get a surprise at the general store.

Another fun stop you can make is to Sugarbush Farms, where you can learn about the process of making cheese and maple syrup directly from the family that produce both.

There are free cheese and maple syrup tastings onsite, and you can watch the employees as they prepare orders for shipping.

We picked up so many fun souvenirs here, including blocks of cheese, jugs of maple syrup, and the most incredible Fox Hollow Farm mustard.

With a second day in this area, you can spend some time outdoors, first at Quechee Gorge and then at the VINS Nature Center.

Quechee Gorge isn’t quite as dramatic as Flume Gorge in New Hampshire, but there are two great hikes to do along the river here.

VINS Nature Center is a working bird rehabilitation facility where your kids can get up close to raptors of all kinds.

There are several indoor play areas with hands-on learning, dress-up corners, and climbing areas, and the outdoor exhibits show different birds in their natural habitats.

Don’t miss the treetop walk or the live flight demonstrations, both of which are free with admission.

How to Extend Your Time near Woodstock, Vermont

While 2 days is a good start in this area, you could easily spend another 1-2 days here and not run out of things to do.

The Billings Farm and Museum provides interactive, hands-on learning about agriculture and life in the late 1800s. Kids will love meeting the farm’s many animals, walking through the historic buildings, and exploring the sunflower maze.

Montshire Museum of Science is a great option for your little scientist. It’s less than 20 minutes from Woodstock, but has over 100 exhibits indoors and out.

Learn about outer space, gravity, the science of playtime, biology, and the scientific process. Outside, you can play at their children’s garden or hike on one of the many trails.

Where to Camp in Woodstock, Vermont

Quechee Pine Valley Campground is a family owned and operated campground between Woodstock and White River Junction.

You’ll find large lots with both pull-through and back-in options, a pool, playground, camp store, and laundry.

We loved our stay here as it was close to everything in the area, but also very peaceful and relaxing.

Where to Stay in Woodstock, Vermont

There are a lot of B&Bs and boutique hotels that aren’t great for kids in this area, so I recommend staying at the cabins in the Quechee Pine Valley Campground.

These are spacious enough for families to spread out, while still being affordable. You can choose your level of glamping, as some of the cabins are rustic without ensuites bathrooms, while others have bathrooms and kitchens.

Stop 8: Back to Boston, MA

You’re only about 2 hours from Boston at this point in the road trip, making it a very easy return trip back to the airport.

What to Bring Along on Your Road Trip

Lightweight jacket

The author's children and husband hiking in New England while wearing rain jackets

Wearing lightweight jackets while hiking in Maine

Even if you’re visiting in the summer, you’re still going to want a jacket or sweatshirt for those early mornings and late evenings when the temperatures inevitably dip.

You’ll also be grateful for the extra layer when you’re up on the top of Mt. Washington, too!

These super packable waterproof jackets are perfect to keep nearby if there’s a shift in the weather or a chill in the air.

Hiking shoes

New England is ready for adventure, so you need to make sure you’re packing something sturdier than your favorite tennis shoes.

Whether you choose a hiking boot, a trail runner, or a hiking sandal is up to you, but all of these provide needed traction and foot support on the trails suggested above.

I’ve hiked in many different shoes, but my favorites are:

GuideAlong audio tours

These are so great for learning more about the areas that you’re driving through! We’ve used them across the U.S. in national parks and on scenic highways.

Check out these GuideAlong tour for this trip:

Final Thoughts on Road Tripping New England with Kids

The author's camper at the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site with river in background

Our truck and camper parked near the Pemaquid River

We’ve traveled a lot with my kids and, at the time of writing this, have been to 34 states across the U.S.

This particular road trip is one that my kids talk about a lot, as it packed so many incredible locations into a short time period. Since New England is a relatively compact region, we also spent less time driving than, say, the month we spent doing the Utah Mighty 5 national park with our kids.

There’s something for everyone here: history buffs, hikers, national park geeks, and city explorers, to name a few.

Since you’re hitting the highlights of New England, you’ll come away with a sample of city and country, coast and mountains. I personally love those sorts of road trips the most since they’re so dynamic!


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