Best Weekend Getaways from Boston for Families

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Admission to Lake Compounce Amusement Park includes entry to Crocodile Cove Waterpark, which features a lazy river, multiple wave pools and water slides, interactive water play area, kiddie pool area and an actual lake!

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Lake Compounce is the oldest continually operating amusement park in North America. It's home to the top-rated wooden roller coaster in the world, Boulder Dash, plus additional thrill rides, family and kiddie rides and 8 water rides in their huge waterpark.

Open May-September

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The Berkshires is a great place to visit with your kids in tow. There are plenty of outdoor activities, museums, animals to see and shopping for that all important souvenir. For the book lovers, be sure to visit The Bookstore which offers plenty of children's books. At Hancock Shaker Village, kids can learn blacksmithing and even how to milk a cow!

Carly Follett said:  The village of Mystic in Connecticut is a charming little getaway for families. Mystic offers lots of places for fun with the kids like the Mystic Aquarium and The Museum of America and the Sea. Not everything in Mystic centers around the water. In fact, there's plenty to explore on land at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. To add to the fun adventure in Mystic, stop into the Alice and Wonderland themed restaurant, Alice in the Village Tea Room to enjoy some delectable sweets and tea!

Amanda Banta said:  Block Island's 17 miles of beaches make it a popular summer spot but the island can be a beautiful destination for a weekend any time of year. Active visitors will delight in the many options for keeping busy, while families in want of relaxation and nature won't have to look far for either one. The dining and shopping won't disappoint any visitor!

Though you can fly in, many people opt to take the ferry to the island. Once on island, visitors often rent bicycles or take taxis to get them where they want to go.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Each summer the Yawgoo Valley Ski Area is transformed into a waterpark featuring slides, swimming pool and kiddie pool. Sessions are offered in 1, 2 or 3 hour segments.

Carly Follett said:  You may think of Newport as a summer destination, but actually, Newport has lots to offer year round! Summer offers free beaches, great hikes, and fun outdoor concerts. In the winter enjoy public skating, the Newport Winter Festival and during the entire month of December is Christmas in Newport! A great way to see all of Newport is to hop on the Trolley for a tour around town. You can't take a trip to Newport without touring some of the gorgeous historic mansions including The Breakers, The Elms, and Rough Point.

Carly Follett said:  There is plenty to keep the kids busy all day and night at this park with features such as a wave pool, four-person tubing runs, the giant “wet” playground, a lazy river, an indoor/outdoor jacuzzi and even more tubing and body slides. Then when the little fishies are ready to dry off it's onto the climbing wall, ropes course, bowling alley, mini golf, arcade, and more!

Carly Follett said:  This quaint picturesque island known as "The Vineyard" is a great place for some laid back old fashion family fun. Depending on when you visit you can celebrate the Annual Grand Illumination Night, join in on the festive 4th of July parade or stroll South Beach to check out the Sand Sculpture contest. No matter when you come, the kids will love the Flying Horses Carousel and walking through The Campground looking at the gingerbread houses.

Amanda Banta said:  Though practically in Boston's backyard, Plymouth makes you feel like you're on vacation, whether you're there for an afternoon or a weekend. The waterfront area features tons of family-friendly restaurants, a mix of quaint shops and sites to see, all an easy walking distance. Enjoy fresh seafood on the upper deck of the Cabby Shack , explore Plymouth's history beyond the Rock and stroll through one of the numerous parks and beaches.

Kids will love the John Carver Inn & Spa, which has an indoor pool with waterfalls, a slide and a Mayflower II replica.

Amanda Banta said:  The Pilgrim Cove pool at the John Carver Inn combines Plymouth history with the fun of a waterpark. An 80-foot covered slide, which kept my boys busy for HOURS, winds through a replica of the Mayflower, dropping sliders into a splash zone that is part of the larger pool but roped off to keep everyone safe. The pool itself offers plenty of fun for all, including a shallow area for the littles. The elevated hot tub, in a replica of Plymouth Rock, provides some warmth and relaxation for the grown-ups. Day passes are available to the public based on availability.

Carly Follett said:  There is plenty to do in Stowe, VT, whether visiting when it’s a sparkling winter wonderland, when it’s lush and green in the summertime, or when the leaves are at their peak in the fall. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the winter or do some snowshoeing or skiing on one of the many trails at Stowe Mountain Resort. If you're visiting during the spring, summer or fall, be sure to rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board and ride through the Waterbury Reservoir at Waterbury Center State Park. A must when visiting Stowe is the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory!

Carly Follett said:  This nearby indoor water park option for Bostonian has something for kids of all ages; the little ones will love the kiddie pool and the lazy river options, and for the big kids there are four wild waterslides and the obstacle park area. When the kids are ready to dry off they can explore the arcade and grab a snack from the snack bar!

Carly Follett said:  Spend a weekend exploring all Salem has to offer! You can take the fast ferry out of Boston or take a coastal ride up to the North Shore right into Salem. A few must-sees are the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Witch Memorial and the nearby Burying Point Cemetery, the House of Seven Gables, and the kids will love the New England Pirate Museum. Salem even has some great beaches and parks at Forest River Park. Take the Sea Shuttle tour for an up-close glimpse at local wildlife or make your own adventure and hike the Misery Islands.

Kristy Pepping said:  A short drive or ferry ride from Boston, Cape Cod is an ideal spot for a family weekend getaway. Stay on the Cape and visit the nearby islands for fun sightseeing and shopping. Get outdoors and enjoy biking, mini-golf or a fishing excursion. For indoor fun, try a drive-in theatre or the Cape Cod Children's Museum. There are plenty of places to stay and eat making for a fantastic getaway even if you only have a couple of days.

Kristy Pepping said:  Lake Winnipesaukee is home to several summer camps, but it's also a great place to visit for a family weekend getaway. Enjoy views of the lake on a Mount Washington cruise which offers both day and evening boat tours. For a souvenir, head over to Mill Fall on the Lake in Meredith. This shopping area has restaurants, bookstores and ice cream places, perfect for a trip memento and dining spot. Another great place to look around in for both kids and parents is The Old Country Store in Moultonborough. Hotels, great places for lunch/dinner, this Lake has it all!

Amanda Banta said:  Though it may be known widely as a ski resort town, Lincoln, NH, offers year-round fun for the entire family. Kid-approved activities include the Flume Gorge, the Ice Castles, Clark's Trading Post, and any of the activities at Loon Mountain.

There are tons of hiking options in the area, but The Basin is my recommendation if you have young kids. There are paved paths that are easy for their little legs and any type of stroller.

Carly Follett said:  Looking for a quick getaway, check out Provincetown. It's just a quick ferry ride out of Boston's seaport! Being right on the tip of the hook in Massachusetts, PTown is surrounded by water which means there are beautiful beaches everywhere you look! A favorite is Race Point Beach and it's beautiful Race Point Lighthouse, occasionally offers tours June through October. Another great family activity is the dolphin or whale watch, it's quite amazing to be able to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

Carly Follett said:  Portsmouth is a great place for a family mini-vaca! The summer offers water fun and boat cruising and in the winter enjoy all the joyous holiday festivities. Make sure when visiting Portsmouth you explore the salt marshes and tidal pools at Pierce Island, experience the thrill of Water Country's water slides, hop aboard and tour the USS Albacore, and visit the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. If you head there during the winter months, you don't want to miss the Candlelight Stroll or the beautiful sights at Vintage Christmas.

Carly Follett said:  Bring the family and dive into a water park adventure at Jay Peak's The Pump House! The Pump House offers waterslides, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and even a poolside bar (for adults of course!). Thrill seekers will love La Chute and its 65-foot drop at 45 miles per hour, and visitors seeking a more relaxing experience can cruise down Big River. Day passes are available but schedule in advance to ensure admission. If you're interested in a weekend jam packed with lots of family fun, Jay Peak Resort is great during any season.

Amanda Banta said:  Ogunquit is a picture-perfect slice of Maine and there is so much to do you'll want to come back again and again. You can browse the local shops, bike along the shore, golf, take in a relaxing day at the beach or go on a fishing adventure. Check out the Ogunquit Playhouse for Broadway quality shows, including children's shows.

There is a wide variety of restaurant options and you're sure to find something perfect for your family. Stonewall Kitchen has a company store in nearby York, in case you need to get a fix of jams and jellies.

Amanda Banta said:  Ask your friends where they want to go this year and you'll definitely hear several say, "North Conway." There is so much to do there that families return year after year and still find new activities. Skiing, swimming, hiking and much more keep families busy.

Young families love Storyland and Santa's Village. Stop into Zeb's General Store for an intriguing food item or sweet treat. Drive up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The Kancamagus Highway is an adventure in and of itself and provides marvelous sites any time of year.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The Hampton Inn and Suites in North Conway features a small indoor water park featuring two waterslides and a small kiddie pool splash area that is just right for young children. The hotel is situated in an ideal location, within easy driving distance of Story Land Theme Park, Santa's Village, Attitash Ski Resort and Mt. Washington and is just minutes from plenty of great outlet shopping and restaurants. The hotel also offers free WiFi and a complimentary hot breakfast each morning which makes it a great destination for families to enjoy a quick getaway or longer vacation.

Amanda Banta said:  Kids can slide and splash their way through the Christmas-themed water park at Santa's Village, which is included in the price of admission to the larger theme park during the summer months. Enjoy slides, sprayers and a huge dump bucket at Ho Ho H2O, whoosh down one of the JOY Ride Slides, sit poolside in Polar Paradise, or play at Poogee’s Splash Pad. Be sure to bring your own towels and bathing suits!

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Generations of kids and their families, including mine, have visited Story Land where fairytales are brought to life. The park offers many kid-friendly attractions that are uniquely designed for children and parents to enjoy together. Kids will also get a chance to visit with storybook characters Cinderella, Mother Goose, the Woman in the Shoe and more.

May-October

Carly Follett said:  Portland Maine has so much to offer and is a great family vacation spot! Check out the beautiful artsy shops and museums, rent kayaks and explore the Casco Bay Islands, catch a Portland Sea Dogs game, or take a scenic ride on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad.