I love living in New England, because there are so many fun and interesting places that are just a short ride away. Instead of driving hours and hours, some of these spots are just one or two hours away from my home.
There are also a number of fabulous New England family resorts to stay in during your trip. Whether you live in New England and are looking for some fun new places to explore, or are visiting the area and want to see as much as possible, here are some quaint cities and towns in New England to visit with kids. Did I miss your favorite? Leave a comment!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may get a small commission when a link is clicked and/or a purchase is made. We experienced a few of these attractions at no cost for purposes of review. All opinions are my own.
Cute New England Towns to Visit
Rockport, MA
Rockport is probably my favorite quaint town in Massachusetts. Located on Cape Ann in Massachusetts, Rockport has a small-town charm, with delicious restaurants, cozy shops, and beautiful views. Don’t miss seeing Motif #1, a frequently-photographed replica fishing shack.
You can spot Motif #1 from the adjacent Barefoot Neck area, a downtown area where you can eat, shop, and explore among gift shops, seafood restaurants, and art galleries. Park in one spot and then walk around the whole area. There are several beaches in Rockport and adjacent Gloucester, so it’s definitely a nice spot to visit during the summer.
See our things to do in Rockport here, and hotel reviews in Rockport here.
Freeport, ME
Freeport Maine is famous for being the worldwide headquarters of L.L. Bean, but the area also features a number of outlet stores and smaller shops. My kids always love exploring the flagship L.L. Bean store, where you’ll find kids’ activities in addition to clothing and other outdoor gear. It’s more than a store, it’s a full experience.
For a completely different experience, head to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, which offers a number of family programs and has free admission every day. Freeport is also conveniently located near other popular Maine towns, so you can stop by on a day trip if you’d prefer. This is also a great place to visit if you want to see the beautiful New England fall foliage.
Find hotels in Freeport here.
Mystic, CT
I have such fond memories of visiting Mystic Connecticut when I was a kid growing up in Rhode Island, and so I have loved bringing my kids back there as an adult. Mystic offers a number of activities for families, including Olde Mistick Village, a shopping center made up of small buildings designed to look like a village of the 1700s. It’s a fun spot to explore and feels like a historical town.
Mystic is also home to the Mystic Aquarium, which is a fantastic aquarium to visit with kids. It’s a great size for kids and offers shows and other events for families. If your kids are tweens or older, they’ll appreciate visiting Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum with interactive exhibits and shows.
I’d recommend staying in Mystic for at least a weekend since you’ll want to have about two full days there to see the Seaport, Aquarium, and Village. Don’t forget to stop at Mystic Pizza.
See our things to do in Mystic, CT with kids here, and reviews of Mystic hotels here.
Stowe, VT
Foodies will love the drive into Stowe, Vermont – with the Ben and Jerry’s Factory and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill located right on the drive off the highway. Make sure you leave enough time to visit both on your way into Stowe.
Once you arrive in Stowe, you’ll have a number of fun activities for families, including those at Stowe Mountain. It’s such a beautiful, quintessential New England town with restaurants, shops, and beautiful things to see.
See hotels in Stowe, Vermont here.
Newport, RI
Newport, Rhode Island is a gorgeous city, with lots of great things to do. Brick Marketplace and the adjacent Thames Street feature fun shops and delicious restaurants in a beautiful environment. If you visit Newport, I’d definitely recommend spending some time on the waterfront.
In addition, Newport is home to several stunning Gilded-age mansions that you can tour. My favorite for families is the children’s audio tour at The Breakers – my kids really enjoyed learning about the history of this historic home. Tennis lovers may also enjoy visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is located right in town.
Want to spend some time on the water? There are several different sailboats and other boat rides that you can catch right from the waterfront. Newport is best visited in the summer months, although some of the mansions are decorated for Christmas.
See Newport hotel reviews here.
Portland, ME
Portland Maine, not unlike the same-named city on the West Coast, is known for its artsy vibe and delicious food (including lobster rolls!). If you are visiting during the summer, you can take one of the many boat tours and cruises that are offered and can see a Portland Sea Dogs baseball Game.
But even if you choose to visit in the off-season, there are fabulous museums, fun shops, and of course, great food. I love visiting Portland in the winter when the crowds have all left. Just keep in mind that the water activities are only open seasonally.
See our things to do with kids in Portland, Maine here, and read Portland hotel reviews here.
Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth New Hampshire is located right near two states – Massachusetts and Maine. This seaside town offers kid-friendly museums, shops, and restaurants as well as harbor cruises. While you are there, head to neighboring Kittery, Maine to shop the various outlet stores. Although, keep in mind that New Hampshire doesn’t have any sales tax, so it’s great to shop there as well.
See hotels in Portsmouth, NH here
Nantucket, MA
Nantucket is a city and an island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. While it’s romanticized by the popular author Elin Hilderbrand, Nantucket really is beautiful and charming. Like its sister island Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket is an incredibly popular summer vacation destination. But it’s definitely worth visiting for a quintessential New England summer vacation.
While you can just go for the day, try to stay for at least an overnight so that you can fully explore the island. However, I’d recommend a longer stay so you can really explore. In December, they host a
Newburyport, MA
Newburyport, on the north shore of Massachusetts, is home to shops, restaurants, and a beautiful waterfront. In addition, you’ll find the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge as well as Plum Island, which features a beautiful beach. You could stop there on a day trip or a road trip.
See hotels in Newburyport here.
Chatham, MA
While I love all of the quaint towns on Cape Cod, Chatham is one of my favorites. This charming waterfront down has a great downtown area, with shops and restaurants. Whenever I’m on the Cape, I try to go to Chatham to do some shopping.
There’s also the Chatham Fish Pier, where you’ll find harbor seals frolicking in the water. There’s also the iconic Chatham lighthouse. During select days of the summer, you can take a lighthouse tour.
See more about places to go in New England with kids here.
