Weekend Getaway: Mystic, CT
MYSTIC, CT
To Do:
- Mystic Seaport Museum, great for kids of all ages. The area is stroller friendly. You can climb aboard the ships, see demonstrations, go inside an old house converted into a play area for kids with so many fun games and a boat to play in. Outside there are also a few play spaces. You can also check their events calendar for live music and demonstrations. We went in April so the crowds were very sparse.
- The Aquarium, we bought tickets in advance and got there early. It’s a beautiful aquarium with so many outdoor exhibits and animals to see. Walking around with a stroller is easy, and there are lots of ramps and stairs which made it fun for our toddler. We saw the Sea Lion demonstration inside( free) and sat outside and had lunch. There are lots of vendors inside the park, but you can also bring your own and sit at the many tables.
- Historic Mystic Village, this was a little kitschy but was a great area to walk around and let the kids explore. Lots to see and food options.
- Downtown Seaport was very quaint, we walked along the river and down the main streets. We stopped for ice cream, chocolates, there are also a few cute kids store and of course some tourist spots. We also explored a few local playgrounds: one was just two blocks from the drawbridge so we walked around town after play. The other is on the water and a short drive north of town: this has a small sandy beach for swimming and an awesome playground which is located at William Beach Park/Nyaic Family YMCA.
Where we ate: Taqueria, no frills outdoor taco spot with beers at a former gas station. Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream (so many options, delicious), The Engine Room (fancier), and our favorite breakfast spot: Sift Bake Shop (sit outside!) and Sea View Shack (outdoor on the river walk-up burger shack). Of course there is also the famed Mystic Pizza, from the 80’s Julia Roberts movie.
Where we shopped: The Spice and Tea Exchange, Mystic Sweetshop, Trove
TRIP ADD ON:
On our drive back we stopped at the Roger Williams Zoo which is huge. We could have spent more time, but after such a packed weekend we spent 2 hours and that was adequate and made for a good car nap. I highly recommend a stroller or renting one at the zoo, there are lots of hills and shady spots were hard to find in some areas. My kids did get really tired on the long walk back to the car. There are a lot of interactive exhibits in addition to just watching the animals!
Weekend getaways: Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Tips: Book early. Make a ferry reservation and bring a car. Do not expect to bike the island and mopeds are super dangerous on the tiny winding roads.
Stay:
- Biased because I grew up here and now own an Airbnb in Chilmark. If you’re looking to disconnect then I would recommend Aquinnah or Chilmark or Chappy. If you would like to stay somewhere that’s close to shops and restaurants then you should look into Edgartown or Oak Bluffs. The most affordable option for families is probably Airbnb/VRBO/WeNeedAVacation rental. If you don’t have a budget and want to stay in town then The Harbor View in Edgartown is your best bet it has an onsite restaurant and pool and views of the Harbor. You can also walk to town. If you prefer to be near the beach, The Winnetu Resort out in Katama is another great option. I'm happy to answer any questions!
- When to go? Anytime from May-October is a great time to visit. If you prefer the summer make sure you book early. Ferry reservations are very difficult to obtain. If you’re going in the shoulder season (May-Jun, Sept-Oct) the weather can be a little dicey but there are far fewer crowds. Shops/restaurants have reduced staff and hours.
To Do:
Each Island town is completely different! You can divide the island into two parts “Up-Island” (Chilmark, Aquinna/Gay Head, West Tisbury) and “Down-Island” (Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven/Tisbury). The down-island towns have more shopping, restaurants, night-life and hotels. The Up-island towns are quieter, have more farm lands, rolling hills, beaches and hiking trails. Here are a few of my favorite things to do on the island with the kids:
Menemsha:
- Menemsha Beach Sunset Picnic
- Beach walks for seashells, swimming, sand castles, seaglass and
- Ice Cream at The Galley
- Watching the fisherman at Dutcher Dock unload their catch (again biased as my brother is a 3rd generation fisherman of the Little Lady)
Chilmark:
- Lucy Vincent Beach (open to residents or Chilmark rental guests only w/sticker)
- Kayaking in Nashaquitsa Pond
- Visiting Grey Barn to see the animals, the store (great cheese) and local goods
- Chilmark Store for some great people watching, the playground at The Community Center/Chilmark School
- Trails! SO many to pick from:Great Rock Bight, The Brickyard, Fulling Mill
Aquinnah:
- Visit the Gay Head Cliffs and Lighthouse
- Beaches (Philbin or Moshup Beach)
- Shops at Wampanoag Cultural District at the Cliffs (and food!)
West Tisbury:
- Walks around Poly Hill Arboretum
- Events at The Agricultural Hall/Grange Hall
- Alley’s General Store, lunch at 7a, the library
- Horseback Riding at Pond View Farm
- Hikes at Sepiessa Point, Cedar Tree Neck and Lamberts Cove
Vineyard Haven
- Shopping on Main Street
- Kayaking at the pond
- Longpointe Wildlife Refuge
- MV Museum
Oak Bluffs
- Shopping on Circuit Ave
- The Flying Horses Carosel
- Walking the Gingerbread Cottages
- The fishing pier/beach near the Steamship
- State Beach (no waves, great for kids)
- Alpaca Farm or Felix Neck
Edgartown
- Shopping on Main Street
- Walking on Water Street to see the Old Whaling Houses
- Katama Airfield/South Beach
- Morning Glory Farm (baked goods, fresh produce, handmade local items)
- Visit Chappaquiddick by taking the little ferry to visit the beach and Mytoi Gardens and Cape Poge Wildlife Refugee (plan ahead, you need a reservation or an all wheel drive car)
- Lighthouse Tour and little beach on the harbor is a great spot to watch all of the harbor traffic
Weekend getaways: Woodstock, VT
Woodstock, VT
Tips: I’ve been in all seasons and the weather on almost all of my trips was not as expected (a week in July had lots of rain, a weekend in February had no snow) so be ready with contingency plans.
Stay:
- On one trip we had a large group of extended family so we rented a large house with a pool just outside of Woodstock. It was still only about 20 min to town and didn’t feel inconvenient at all. I have also splurged and stayed at The Woodstock Inn (really nice) and also stayed at The Shire which was perfectly find and still walkable to town. The Vesper is also a middle of the road option!
To Do:
- Billings Farm and Museum (meet the animals, lots of events throughout the year)
- Explore town (covered bridges, river, picnic spots,, shops, restaurants, cafes events and art galleries)
- Close to Killington for skiing or
- Sugarbush Farm has cheesemaking
- Hiking/Walks: Mount Tom, or Queeche Gorge
- Neighboring Queeche also has The Queeche General Store with all things local including Cabot Cheese tasting, a visit to Simon Pierce Glassworks
- Spa at the Woostock Inn
- Lunch from Woodstock Farms Market (great sandwiches and breakfast items)
- Longtrail Brewery (on the river, tours but also outdoor dining/tasting/fire pits)
- If your kids are a bit older, evening Killington Mountain snowmobile tours
Weekend getaways: Kennebunkport, ME
Kennebunkport, Maine
Tips: Book early! Plan ahead with reservations and timed entry to various activities also be sure to look at local pages for events
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Stay:
- There are so many options depending on your budget. You can stay farther from the water in larger/hotel chain or motel, in town at any of the smaller boutique hotels, camping or at high end spots like (Hidden Pond). Nonantum Resort is great for kids - on the river, heated pool, activities and on-site dining. The lodge on the cove (a KRC local hotel chain) has lots of options to pick from and kid friendly amenities
- Kennebunk's Lower Village & Kennebunkport's Dock Square are located along the ocean and Kennebunk River
To Do:
- Explore Dock Square shops
- Ride the Intown Trolley and visit the Trolley Museum
- Sail on The Pineapple Ketch
- Visit any of the beaches, Goose Rocks has small waves and lots of rocks to play in
- Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge
- Rugosa Lobster Boat tour
- Berry picking (a number of spots around!)
- Ice Cream
- Playground at Mother’s Beach
- Palace Playground at Old Orchard Beach is just 25 min north and feels a little like visiting Coney Island. The beaches just to the South at low tide create wonderful tide pools and a huge beach for playing on.
- TimberPoint Nature Preserve for a relatively flat oceanfront hike
- Lobsters! The Clam Shack is a great spot but Mabels is a landmark
- Bike rentals
- A trip to Cape Porpoise to see the lobster boats and Goat Island Lighthouse
Weekend Getaways: Stowe, VT
Stowe, VT
This is definitely a place you can visit in any season. Below are suggestions for all seasons.
Tips: Plan ahead with reservations and timed entry to various activities also be sure to look at local pages for events. There may be fees to enter various parks, all are open to the public but some charge for parking. The town and the mountains offers many events from music festivals to hot air balloons, so make sure you look!
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Stay:
Airbnb and VRBO are great options that will definitely make this more affordable. Ski rentals in the summer months are discounted significantly.
To Do
- Skiing/snowshoeing (obviously)
- Gondola Rides at Stowe
- Hiking: the Stowe Pinnacle Trail - it’s short but steep and has great views from the top or Moose Glenn Falls or Waterbury Center State Park or Smugglers Notch State Park, Stowe Lane Trust
- Maple Sugarhouse (Bragg Farm in East Montpelier)
- Visit Ben & Jerrys
- Jackwax for outdoor snowcones and large lawn games
- Cider Mill and Cider Donuts @ Cold Hollow
- Trapp Family Lodge, ending at the Kaffeehaus for a treat
- Outdoor patio at von Trapp Brewing & Bierhall
- Spruce Peak (Winter: Skating Rink, Summer: lawn games+events), shops,
- Enchanted Forest: wetlands, secret pathways, stream and outdoor play area with/rock wall
- Arbortrek Canopy adventures
- Catamount Fishing
- Spa @ Stowe
- Lots of different kayak/canoe rental and tour options
- Explore one of the many Stowe outdoor swimming holes or the heated indoor one at “The Swimming Hole”
- Memorial Park Playground
Weekend Getaways: Newport, RI
Newport, Rhode Island
This is also a spot you can visit in any season, but spring, summer and fall allow you to do and see the best of the town.
Tips: Plan ahead especially in the summer as rentals and hotels book up well in advance. Parking is tricky, but having a car makes it easier to get out to the neighboring communities (Narragansett, Portsmouth, Jamestown).
Stay:
Airbnb and VRBO are great options that will definitely make this more affordable.
Castle Hill Inn, Hammetts Hotel, The Vanderbilt, The Sea Breeze Inn, Samuel Durfee House
To Do:
- Explore the Cliffwalk
- Shopping on Thames
- Bodhi Spa
- Tour the Newport Mansions
- Thames Street Glass Blowers
- Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown
- Newport Vineyards (wine tasting,events)
- A number of craft breweries in the area
- Newport Polo
- 12 Meter Charters or McCurdy sailing
- The Breakers
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Fort Adams State Park
- Peabody’s Beach
Dining:
Bouchard Inn (French restaurant), Mamma Luisa, Thames Street Kitchen, Clarke Cooke House, Beech (Jamestown, RI), Mooring (Lunch), Giusto, Forty 1 North, The Dining Room @ Castle Hill Inn, Bowen’s Wharf. Travel outside of downtown and enjoy a sunset wine and cheese at the Newport Winery.