Unforgettable New England Road Trip from Boston with Kids
Our 10-day trip in New England from Boston was one of my favorite trips we’ve taken. There was such a good variety of history, nature, adventure, and activities for adults and kids! We were also able to visit 6 states in a relatively short amount of time because the states are so small comparatively.
We started in Boston, Massachusetts. Then we did a loop to Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and back down to Boston. The flights to Boston are very reasonable, and it’s an amazing city to check out, so I highly recommend starting there.
We went in June, and the weather was amazing! We did not get to see the famous fall foliage, but we’re from an area with famous fall foliage too, so that was not a huge deal to us.
My sister and her family minus my niece came along with myself and my daughter. The kids were 10 and 12 at the time.
Our New England Road Trip Itinerary
Here is a map and a quick summary of the main activities we did each day throughout our trip along with estimated driving times. Below this, I go into detail for each day. I include information for cost, hours, etc., that is correct at the time of writing.
Day 1:
2 hrs. 15 min. flight time; 17 min. drive time
- Fly to Boston – 2 hrs. 15 min. and get rental car; flight landed at 8:45, so had most of the day
- Drive to Boston Marriott Copley Place – 17 min. from above
- Use Hop-on/hop-off trolley to do all of Freedom Trail – very specific directions below
- Swim in hotel pool
Day 2:
No driving
- Fenway Park Tour
- Boston Tea Party Ship
- Back Bay area
- Boston Public Garden
- Swim in hotel pool
- Stay in Boston again
Day 3:
3 hrs. 20 min. driving time
- Mayflower 2, Plymouth Rock – 55 min. from hotel
- Plimoth Patuxet Museum – 9 min. from above
- Newport Mansions (Rhode Island) – 1 hour 15 min. from above
- Tree Trails Adventure Mystic (Connecticut) – 1 hour from above
- Get to airbnb in Connecticut
Day 4:
4 hrs. 5 min. driving time
- USS Nautilus Submarine – 10 min. from rental
- Laser tag in woods (New Hampshire) – 2 hrs. 50 min. from above
- Sugarbush Farm (Vermont) – 45 min. from above
- Get to Fat Sheep Farms (Vermont) – 20 min. from above
Day 5:
45 min. driving time
- Morning chores at Fat Sheep Farms
- Quechee Gorge Trail – 22 min. from above
- Putt-putt – same area
- Stay at Fat Sheep Farms again
Day 6:
5 hrs. 50 min. driving time
- Lost River Gorge (New Hampshire) – 1 hour 25 min. from above
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway
- Bangor, Maine – 3 hours 50 min. from 1st stop
- Get to Airbnb in Ellsworth, Maine – 35 min. from above
Day 7:
2 hrs. driving time
- Beech Cliff Ladder Trail/Canada Loop in Acadia National Park 30 min. from rental
- Echo Lake in Acadia
- Main Street, Ellsworth – 30 min. back
- Bar Harbor, Maine – 30 min. from rental
- Stay in Ellsworth again
Day 8:
2 hrs. driving time
- Cadillac Summit in Acadia – 40 min. from rental
- Jordan Pond Trail/South Bubble Trail in Acadia – 15 min. from above
- Thunder Hole in Acadia – 20 min. from above
- Bar Harbor, Maine – 12 min. from above
- Stay in Ellsworth again – 30 min. back
Day 9:
4 hrs. 45 min. driving time
- Portland Head Light – 2 hrs. 45 min. from last rental
- Ogunquit Beach – 50 min. from above
- Salem, Massachusetts – 1 hour 10 min. from above
- Get to hotel in downtown Salem
Day 10:
1 hr. 20 min. driving time
- Salem
- Whale Watch Tour from Gloucester, Massachusetts – 25 min. from above
- Get to hotel in Boston – 50 min. from above
- Walk around Seaport district
- Swim in hotel pool
Day 11:
8 min. driving time; 2 hrs. 25 min. flight time
- Very early flight out of Boston – 8 min. from hotel
Day 1: Arrive in Boston, Freedom Trail
We arrived in Boston around 8:45 a.m., so once we picked up our rental car, we had most of the day to start exploring Boston. We went ahead and parked and dropped off our luggage at Boston Marriott Copley Place (details further below). I knew they’d hold our luggage for us, but shockingly, our rooms were ready, so we were actually able to get all of our stuff settled first.
When I booked the hotel, they were offering food credit and two tickets for the hop-on/hop-off trolley tour through Old Town Trolley around Boston. One of the stops was almost right by the doors of our hotel, so we decided to use the trolley to help us navigate the longer portions of the Freedom Trail including getting there.
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is 2.5 mi (one way) and connects 16 of Boston’s most important and historic sites. This is why we incorporated the trolley for parts of it, but it is certainly doable without the trolley if you don’t have whiny kids…or adults! The trail follows a path of red bricks. As we did the trail, we listened to the stops on the free walking tour. If you google, “free tours by foot Boston”, you can scroll down to self-guided audio tours and select “Freedom Trail Audio Tour”.
Of course, you can always book a tour, but I found that the tours only covered portions of the Freedom Trail, and I wasn’t sure about how bored the kids would get. I also liked the idea of going at our own pace, stopping for food and whatnot as it pleased us, and going fast or slow at each area depending on our interest.
Freedom Trail: Path We Took
This could be done more than one way, but I am going to list specifically what we did. It was still a lot of walking, but having all the stops broke it up to where it was manageable. Plus, using the trolley some, helped with a few of the longer sections. You could use the trolley more though. Below the stops, I have included a google map of our path. The map only allows me to go up to “J”, so I had to start the letters over twice just to fit them all on there!
- Get on hop-on/hop-off trolley at 100 Huntington Ave. (#10 stop: directly outside the revolving door entrance to Copley Place) and get off at stop 13 in front of the Massachusetts State House.
- Park Street Church
- Granary Burying Ground
- Optional: get Boston Cream pie at Omni Parker House in the School Street Coffee House
- King’s Chapel and Burying Ground
- Boston Latin School and Ben Franklin Statue
- Old Corner Bookstore
- Old South Meeting House (optional: admission with Old State House is $15 (adults)/$8 (kids) – has a scavenger hunt within exhibits)
- Old State House
- Boston Massacre Site
- Faneuil Hall (free) Could eat at Quincy Market which has a lot of options (other options nearby include: Union Oyster House (clam chowder), Durgin Park – primerib, Union Square Donuts, Neptune Oyster – best lobster sandwich, Regina Pizzeria – highly rated pizza.
- Optional: Stop at Modern Pastry to get cannoli but cash only
- Paul Revere House (optional $6)
- Paul Revere Statue
- Old North Church ($5 general, $10 bell tower or crypt)
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
- Get back on trolley at 561 Commercial Street, in front of the Steriti Ice Rink. Stand at the bus stop located at the corner of Commercial Street and Hull Street. This is stop 2
- Stop 3: USS Constitution (ship is free with id required for adults but museum cost money)
- Bunker Hill Monument (free to climb but passes are first come and last climb is 4)
- Walk back and get back on trolley at stop 3
- Skip stops 4 and 5
- Get off at stop 6
- Go to Acorn Street
- Boston Common and Public Garden – this has swan boats that are 15 to 20 min. $4.50 for adults and $3 for kids and no advance reservations
- Go to stop 7 at the Cheers Bar (not real bar inside) located at 85 Beacon Street
- Skip stop 8 (we did Fenway Park the following morning)
- Skip stop 9
- Get off at stop 10 for hotel
Worth Mentioning
I obviously could do an entire blog post about the Freedom Trail, and at some point, probably will, but for now, here are the things I think are worth mentioning. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trail!
One of the stops we made off of the trail was at the Omni Parker House to try the Boston Cream Pie. Perhaps the pie at their actual restaurant is good, but I’ve had way better than the grab and go they have for sale.
For lunch we did stop at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. I actually walked and also got clam chowder soup from Union Oyster House which was as good as I had read about. I don’t remember what I ate in the hall, but there were a lot of options. For other lunch choices, look at step 11 above as they were all well reviewed.
There is a big debate in Boston for the best cannoli. After some research, we went with Modern Pastry over Mike’s Pastry, and it was absolutely delicious! I still dream about that cannoli! (optional stop 12 above)
We did go in the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House and both were neat to see. We did not end up going inside the Paul Revere House or the North Church. Also, we did the USS Constitution which was a highlight especially for the kids. We also walked the 294 steps to get to the top of Bunker Hill Monument. I’m glad we did it, but my legs were TIRED going up especially after all of the walking we had already done!
Our last stop before going back to the hotel was the Cheer’s Bar. We decided to wait for the trolley to get back to our hotel instead of walking, but walking would’ve been much quicker at this location and time of day. We got on as rush hour traffic was going, and it took way longer to get back than if we had walked.
Where We Stayed in Boston:
I wanted us to be right in downtown Boston for convenience, but you do pay with higher hotel rates and parking fees if you have a car, so that’s something to consider.
We stayed at the Boston Marriott Copley Place because it wasn’t as expensive as some of the others, was very nice, had a pool, and was in a great location – scores a 100 for the walking score on TripAdvisor.
On the first night, we ate at the hotel’s restaurant since our stay included a dining credit, but since this hotel is attached to the Copley Place, there are a multitude of dining options close by along with shopping.
Day 2: Fenway Park, Boston Tea Party Ship, Back Bay
Fenway Park Tour
The Fenway Public Park Tour lasts 1 hour and allows you to see multiple areas of the stadium. You cannot bring larger bags inside, but there is a barber shop around the corner that will hold your bag for a fee – at the time it was $5. The guides at Fenway Park can point out the location. Just leave extra time if needed. We had a great time on this tour!
| Cost: | Public Tour: Adults – $30, Kids (3-12) – $21 |
| Hours: | April 1 – October 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 – March 31: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Address: | 4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215 |
| Parking: | Walk or public transportation is recommended Prudential Center Garage, 100 Clarendon Street Garage Fenway Park Spot Hero Parking Garage (can reserve ahead) |
Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum
This is an interactive museum which allows you to relive the event that started the American Revolution. Included are historical guides, interactive exhibits, and a full-scale replica of a ship from that time period. You get to enjoy a reenactment of a town meeting and get to throw tea into the harbor. This was my daughter’s favorite part! The tour lasts 1 hour.
| Cost: | Some dynamic pricing (within a few dollars) Adults – $35, Kids (3-12) – $26 |
| Hours: | Tours every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift shop from 9:30 a.m. to 5 |
| Address: | 306 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 |
| Parking: | Atlantic Wharf Garage, Farnsworth Street Garage Spot Hero Parking Garage |
Once we finished here, we ate lunch at the Smoke Shop BBQ which was really good and then walked over to the Back Bay area.
Back Bay
There were three main things we walked to in this area, but we also go to experience a parade and a protest on the way which was interesting and two totally different vibes. The first place we went was to The Trinity Church. Then we went to the Boston Public Library. Both of these buildings were gorgeous. The last place we checked out was the finish line of the Boston Marathon. We all pretended to run across (on the sidewalk)!
All of these things were free!
At this point, we went back to our hotel and swam and just relaxed since the next day we were getting up early to start driving to our next point.
Day 3: Plimoth Patuxet Museum, Newport Mansions, Tree Trails Adventure Mystic, Abbott’s Lobster
Before we got to our first main stop of the day, we decided to check out the famous “Plymouth Rock”. We were right by it, so I am glad we hopped out, but do not go out of your way. It was the most uneventful part of our trip!
We also looked at the Mayflower 2 which is a part of the combo ticket with the museum below. I had read that it wasn’t all that much, and we were pressed for time as far as how much we could fit in this day, so we decided to just look at it from a distance.
Plimoth Patuxet Museum
We decided to do this museum alone, but there are also options to add on the Mayflower 2 and/or the Grist Mill as well. We were pressed for time, so the museum was all we did. It was excellent and informative. There are two main sections. The first is the Patuxet Homesite where you can learn about the Native people. There were guides explaining different areas such as the dug-out canoes they were working on, the crops, and the teepee with everything inside it.
The second section is a 17th century English Village. Here there are modern guides to explain things along with people playing character roles that you can witness and ask questions as well. My daughter had a great time dressing up in some of the kids’ clothes and playing some of the period games and activities.
There is also a craft center towards the front, but it was not open the day we went.
| Cost: | Just the museum – adult: $35, senior: $31.50, kids: $20 Museum and Mayflower – $44, $39.60, $27 Everything – $46, $41.40, $29 |
| Hours: | Mid-March – Sunday after Thanksgiving typically 9 to 5 |
| Address: | 137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Parking: | Free and big parking lot |
Lunch and Newport Mansions
On our way from Massachusetts to Connecticut, we decided to eat and then check out the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island. We ate at the Lobster Bar which was delicious. It was also close by to the mansions, so it made sense location wise as well.
Our original plan for the mansions was to walk from Narragansett Ave. to Ruggles Ave which is about an 11-minute walk. Unfortunately, it started pouring around this time, so we just got out to check couple of the ones towards the beginning.
This is free but if you want to park at 40 Steps, which is at the end of Narragansett Avenue, then it will cost a little money. When we were there, it was $2 per hour. If that lot is full, you can also park at Memorial Blvd at Easton’s Beach.
Tree Trails Adventure Mystic
After all of the history, it was time to do a more adventurous activity! Tree Trails has different levels of ropes courses available for kids or adults who love action up high. You could be anywhere from 10 to 50 feet off of the ground! There are a variety of obstacles including zip lines.
I reserved the very last time of the day which was 3:30 at the time we did it. This is why we were rushed earlier.
To climb on the main park, you have to be at least 7 years old, but they also have a kids’ area for kids aged 4 to 7 that is just a little off of the ground. They also have axe throwing if you have people who don’t want to climb at all.
We had a blast here!
| Cost: | $69 for main course for 2 hours |
| Hours: | Hours depend on date; most start reserve times are at 10 a.m. and last is either 3:30 or 7:30 p.m. |
| Address: | 715 Noank Ledyard Rd, Mystic, CT 06355 |
| Parking: | Ample parking included in price |
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough
I researched a lot for the best place to get a lobster roll, and this place popped up again and again, and it was just as good as everyone said. It was the best lobster I had on this entire trip!
Where We Stayed in Connecticut:
We were only in Connecticut for one night. We stayed in a VRBO near New London. Typically, I share exactly where we stayed, but I thought the location was just a tad sketchy. I certainly didn’t feel unsafe, but it wasn’t good enough to recommend to others.
There are plenty of other rentals and hotels in the area that I’m sure would be great.
Day 4: USS Nautilus, Laser Tag, Sugar Bush Farm, Fat Sheep Farms
USS Nautilus Submarine Museum
This museum was very cool and free! There was a lot of information inside, and then you could go outside and tour a real submarine. The kids found this fascinating, and it was incredible to see how they lived in such cramped areas. It’s definitely something to experience.
| Cost: | Free |
| Hours: | May 1 to Oct. 31: 9 to 4 Nov. 1 – April 30: 9 to 5 Closed on Tuesdays and some holidays |
| Address: | 1 Crystal Lake Rd Groton, CT 06340 |
| Parking: | Free ample parking |
About a two hour drive up from here on our way to the next place, we stopped for lunch at The Vermont Country Deli. They had a lot of different options, and everything we got was excellent!
Laser Tag at Morningside Flight Park
I originally found Morningside Flight because I was interested in tandem hang gliding, but you had to be at least 14, and no one else was interested. In addition to hang gliding though, they also have ziplines and outdoor laser tag. In addition, this location was a good break point on our drive up to our next location.
For laser tag, they drove us up in a van to a wooded area. I don’t do much laser tag, but the equipment seemed sophisticated but very easy to use. We split up into two teams. We had so much fun running through the boundary area in the woods hiding behind trees and hills and what not! Towards the end, our instructor joined in on a couple of games at our insistence, and he obliterated us!
| Cost: | 1 hour session: 4 people: $25 each 5 to 6: $20 each 7 to 10: $15 each |
| Hours: | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. *Laser tag is May to October |
| Address: | 357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH 03603 |
| Parking: | Ample parking |
Sugarbush Farm
Vermont is known for maple syrup and cheese, and this farm is famous for both. We got to taste both here for free. We also got to see where the syrup is actually made and see a video that showed the process of making it.
If you come here in the spring, you can see more since that is when the syrup is made. Since we came in the summer, we didn’t see that, but we did get to see some goats and a calf.
There is also a farm store with different cheese, meats, jams, spreads, etc. We got some cheese, jam, pancake mix, and syrup. We used all of it the next morning at breakfast.
Right near there, we also saw a beautiful, covered bridge that New England is known for!
| Cost: | Free |
| Hours: | 9 to 5 except some holidays |
| Address: | 591 Sugarbush Farm Road Woodstock, VT 05091 |
| Parking: | Medium size lot, but plenty of parking when we were there |
Where We Stayed in Vermont: Fat Sheep Farms
Fat Sheep Farms was one of the best places we’ve stayed. We each had a cabin on the farm with a gorgeous view of the beautiful hills. The cabin had free WIFI and air conditioning along with everything else you need to be comfortable. One additional treat were the farm fresh eggs and homemade scones that were left as our welcome treat!
There were no TVs here, but I appreciated that. We only stayed two nights, and it gave us a chance to unplug a little even though, with WIFI, we could access stuff on our own devices. We were outside a bunch and played some board games that they had in the cabins.
There were various fun areas around the farm including a sand pit, corn hole, other lawn games, natural playground, and a large fire pit.
Day 5: Morning Farm Chores, Quechee Gorge, Putt-putt and Village Shops
Morning Chores at Fat Sheep Farms
One of the coolest things about Fat Sheep Farms was the opportunity to join in and help with the morning chores. We got to help milk sheep, collect eggs, feed the sheep, and walk a few goats out to a pasture. It was so neat to really get to experience farm life especially for my daughter since we live in the suburbs. This was free and optional.
Once we finished helping with everything, we went back and had a delicious breakfast using the farm fresh eggs, scones, pancake mix, and syrup from Fat Sheep and Sugarbush Farm along with a couple of other things we picked up.
Quechee Gorge
Quechee Gorge is Vermont’s deepest gorge, and it’s close to the farm where we were staying, so we decided to go explore there. When we went, there was some construction, but we were still able to enjoy it. Once we got to the dam, we decided to hike on to the Dewey Pond. We also stopped at the Ottauquechee River on the way down.
At the pond, the kids had a great time playing in the water and finding tons of tadpoles! We hung out there for a while because they did not want to leave, and this day was one of our more relaxing days, so we took advantage of it.
| Cost: | Free |
| Hours: | 10 a.m. to sunset Visitor Center: 9 to 5 |
| Address: | 5800 Woodstock Rd Hartford, VT 05047 |
| Parking: | Ample lot at the visitor center; not busy when we were there, but I’ve read it can get busy |
Quechee Gorge Mini Golf and Quechee Gorge Village Shops
Once we left Quechee Gorge, we went and ate at the Quechee Pizza Chef and the played putt-putt behind their building (owned by the same people). The pizza was good, and we all love putt-putt, so of course, that was a hit.
After that we went and browsed some of the shops at the Quechee Gorge Village Shops.
We considered visiting one of the swimming holes such as Warren Falls or Bartlett Falls, but they were a little further than we wanted to drive (about an hour) considering it was a non-driving day for us. We also considered walking Woodstock’s Main Street.
Ultimately, we decided to grill out and just go back and relax/enjoy one last night on the farm.
| Cost: | $8.50 to $10; $60 for 4 people unlimited golf, pizza, and drinks on Mondays/Thursdays |
| Hours: | Pizza/Putt-putt 11 to 8 (9 on Fri./Sat.); closed Mondays Village Shops: 10 to 5 |
| Address: | Pizza Place: 5893 Woodstock Rd, White River Junction, VT 05001 Village Shops: 5573 Woodstock Rd, Quechee, VT 05059 |
| Parking: | Both good parking for locations |
Day 6: Lost River Gorge, Kancamagus Scenic Byway, Bangor, ME, Ellsworth, ME
Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
Our main objective this day was to get from Vermont to Ellsworth, Maine which is near Acadia National Park. It was a long day of driving, so I wanted to sprinkle in this very fun activity.
Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is a 1-mile boardwalk with 11 caves formed by huge, stacked boulders. There are also some waterfalls and beautiful forest views. It took us an hour or two, and there are over 1,000 stairs, so you’ll get your steps in which is perfect on a long driving day!
The kids loved going through all of the tight spaces in the boulders. I tried to do them all, but there was one that I turned back around and went the easy way. It was so tight I didn’t think I’d make it. The kids were also much better at crawling around on their knees and what not. The cool thing is you could do all of the boulder caves or none of them and just stay on the boardwalk – whichever you prefer.
There is also a nice gift shop, and we bought a few things here.
| Cost: | May, June, Sept. – $24 in advance and $28 walk up (4+) July, Aug., Oct.- $25 in advance and $29 walk up (4+) Ages 0 to 3 are free |
| Hours: | In general – May to mid-October Most dates are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; some parts of the season, they’re closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and other parts of the season, they’re open daily |
| Address: | 1712 Lost River Road North Woodstock, NH 03262 |
| Parking: | Free, ample parking |
Lunch and Kancamagus Scenic Byway
After hiking around the boulders, it was about lunch time, and we were all starving. We ate Woodstock Inn Brewery which was just about 8 minutes down the road. They had a lot of different food, and it was really good!
To get to our next location, we took the route that allowed us to drive on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. This is a 34.5-mile highway running through New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. This is especially famous for dramatic fall foliage, but even in the summer, it was gorgeous.
We decided not to do any additional hikes, but there are plenty right off of the highway if you want to break up the drive a little more. One easy one is Sabbaday Falls which is only 0.7 miles long.
Bangor, Maine
We happened to be going right through Bangor, Maine to get to our ultimate next stop which was Acadia National Forest. There is actually quite a bit to do in Bangor, but we just made two famous stops before heading on.
The first stop was Stephen King’s old house. This was right in a neighborhood, so we just parked along the street and walked over. We were not the only ones there, but it wasn’t crowded.
The second was the Paul Bunyan Statue. I think many people park at the Cross Center, but we just parked behind the Circle K right next door. We walked over, got our pictures, and then headed on our way.
Where We Stayed the Next 3 Nights: Ellsworth, Maine
After Bangor, Maine, we were only about 30 minutes from our next home-away-from-home in Ellsworth, Maine. Our main mission in this area was Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. I had initially looked at staying in Bar Harbor, but the prices were much higher, and we could get much more for our buck by staying a little outside the area.
I decided to book a promising Airbnb in Ellsworth, Maine which was about 30 minutes from Bar Harbor. This ended up being one of the best vacation rentals we’ve been to. It was immaculate, gorgeous, had a hot tub, and access to the beautiful river. The pictures and reviews were a big reason we went with this house, and it lived up to its hype!
On our first night here, we enjoyed walking down to the river and playing some, got in the hot tub, and just relaxed. We had also picked up groceries on the way, so we made a quick dinner ourselves.
Day 7: Beech Cliff Ladder Trail, Echo Lake, Main Street Ellsworth, Bar Harbor
Beech Cliff Ladder Trail/Canada Loop (Acadia National Park)
When going to Acadia National Park, you must have an entrance pass. You can get a standard one for 7 days for $35 or use your America the Beautiful Pass if you have one.
Acadia National Park has several trails that involve ladders, iron rungs, etc., but some of them are known to be dangerous. I had read about Precipice and Beehive, and I did not want to attempt those with kids.
Beech Cliff Ladder Trail also has some fun elements with ladders and stuff, but it’s not nearly as dangerous. There are still some steep areas, long ladders going straight up, and exposed cliffs, so it’s not suitable for little kids, but older kids will love it! There is also a gorgeous view from the top.
To access this trail, we parked at the Echo Lake Beach entrance. We took the trail on the right of the parking lot up to the summit and then came back down Canada Cliffs Trail back to the Echo Lake Beach parking lot. This hike was about 1.8 miles.
The hike was a huge success. We all enjoyed the different elements that we’re not used to seeing on trails! Any time the kids don’t complain with an almost 2-mile hike is a success.
| Cost: | Free |
| Hours: | 24/7 |
| Address: | Echo Lake Beach Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 |
| Parking | Good size lot but fills up early in peak season |
Echo Lake (Acadia National Park)
After our hike, we went to Echo Lake which is right where we were parked. The kids swam around for a while, and we found some shade to relax under while watching the kids. The kids also found the biggest tadpoles I’ve seen in my life! The only mistake we made here was not bringing the kids’ bathing suits.
This is the same address and parking information as above.
Main Street in Ellsworth
When we got back from our morning adventure and relaxed for a little while, we decided to check out the Main Street area in Ellsworth. We would’ve gone to Bar Harbor, but it was a cruise day, so we were avoiding it until later.
We walked around some of the shops, got ice cream from Morton’s Moo Homemade Ice Cream, and pizza from Zeppa’s Pizza both of which were outstanding!
Once we were finished, we headed back to the house to relax for a little while.
Bar Harbor, Maine
That evening, we decided to make the drive back out to Bar Harbor, Maine. Finding parking was not easy, but we did find it at Agamont Park near Ellis Pier. There were also public restrooms right there.
If you can’t find parking in Bar Harbor, you can park at Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and catch the Island Explorer Shuttle. It usually comes every 30 minutes at 10 and 40 after the hour, but check the times if using this option beforehand.
I loved Bar Harbor! There were so many restaurants, snack spots, shops, etc. We had a fantastic time walking around this area. Before leaving, we ate at Testa’s Bar and Grill, and it was delicious!
We also tried the famous popovers at The Stadium. They are more associated with Jordan Pond House, but that place is usually so busy, it’s hard to get them. They’re just as good at The Stadium and much more convenient!
My advice for here is to check the cruise schedule like I did. It is always going to be busy, but while a cruise is here, it’s that much more so.
Day 8: Cadillac Summit, South Bubble Trail, Thunder Hole, Bar Harbor
Cadillac Summit (Acadia National Park)
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic seaboard, offering 360-degree views of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.
You have to make a reservation through Recreation.gov and pay a small fee to be able to go to the top of Cadillac Mountain. To get the most popular sunrise or sunset times, you have to book as soon as they open. They release 30% of the tickets 90 days in advance and the other 70% 2 days in advance at 10 a.m.
Our half-hour window was between 11 and 11:30 a.m. It is a 3.5 mile drive up on a windy road, but it was fine. When we got to the top, I was thankful I told everyone to bring a sweatshirt or jacket because it is super windy up there which makes it chilly!
The views up here are absolutely stunning! We did also hike the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail which is only 0.3 miles long.
| Cost: | Vehicle Pass – $6 plus entrance pass for Acadia |
| Hours: | April 15 to November 30 Vehicle reservations from May to October Before sunrise to 9 p.m. |
| Address: | Bar Harbor, ME 04609 |
| Parking: | Ample parking since only so many tickets are released for each half hour |
South Bubble Trail (Acadia National Park)
The easiest way to access this trail in Acadia National Park is to park at the Bubbles Divide Lot and stay on the Bubbles Divide Trail until South Bubble forks off. You can also do the North Bubble and hike down to the pond if you’d like. We got super lucky in getting a parking spot here! There happened to be a car leaving as we were pulling in to find a spot.
If that lot is full, then you’ll have to hike a little more. Instead, you’ll park at the main lot at Jordan Pond, go around the pond counterclockwise and up Bubbles Divide trail to South Bubble trail (don’t take South Bubble straight from pond trail, keep going to Bubble Divide Trail). The Island Explorer Shuttle will also drop you off at the Jordan Pond House for access to this trail if it’s very busy.
Once we got to the “bubble rock”, we got some cool photos, hung around for a while taking a snack break and relaxing, and then proceeded back down to our car.
*Many of the photos I’ve seen from this iconic location show people in front of the rock as if they’re holding it up, but that looked a little dangerous to me especially for our kids, so we made it look like they were pushing the rock from behind which was much safer!
| Cost: | Free |
| Hours: | 24/7 |
| Address: | Bubbles Divide Lot: approximately 5 miles past the two-way section of the Park Loop Road, north of Jordan Pond Jordan Pond Lot: Directly off the Park Loop Road, approximately 30 minutes from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center |
| Parking: | Bubbles Divide Lot: small Jordan Pond Lot: Large but fills up fast |
Thunder Hole (Acadia National Park)
Thunder Hole is a popular rock-carved inlet in Acadia renowned for creating a thunderous boom and 40-foot water sprays. It’s best to go about 2 hours before high tide which is what we did.
There is parking near Thunder Hole but not a ton. There are about 35 spots in the main lot and people also park along the road. The Island Explorer Shuttle also drops off here.
Thunder Hole was impressive, but a little underwhelming based on what I had read and was expecting.
| Cost: | Free other than park pass |
| Hours: | 24/7 |
| Address: | Located directly on Park Loop Road in Bar Harbor; it is situated on the Ocean Path, roughly 2 miles south of Sand Beach |
| Parking: | small lot and can park along the side of the road |
After Thunder Hole, we went back to Bar Harbor and walked around again before heading back to our rental.
Day 9: Portland Head Light, Ogunquit Beach, Salem
Portland Head Light
This was the day we were officially heading back to our starting point. We had a decently long drive this day, but we had two good stops to break it up. The first was the Portland Head Light. It is located in Cape Elizabeth and is Maine’s oldest and most iconic lighthouse.
The lighthouse is situated within the 90-acre Fort Williams Park, which offers stunning ocean views, hiking trails, and historic fort ruins.
We had a great time here, and it was definitely worth the stop and allowed us to get some energy out! We hiked some of their Cliff Walk Trail, but we did not do the museum or gift shop here. They also had some food trucks here, but we were waiting on lunch for our next stop.
| Cost: | Free Museum is $2 for adults and $1 for kids |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sunset Museum and gift shop: Memorial Day to Oct. 31 from 10 to 4 |
| Address: | 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine |
| Parking: | Multiple large lots $6 for first two hours (minimum); $2 per hour after that Free overflow lot |
Ogunquit Beach
Our next stop heading back down was Ogunquit Beach. We parked at Obed’s lot located on Cottage Street since it was close to our lunch spot and the path we wanted to take after lunch. It was $5 per hour.
First, we ate at Patio 03907 which is the only indoor/outdoor restaurant with ocean views right off of Main Street. The menu had a lot of options, and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our service and meal.
Next, we headed to the starting point of Marginal Way. We walked to the small lighthouse which was 9 minutes down the path. We also stopped and played at the beach right before the lighthouse for quite some time. The kids loved playing in this area as there was the beach and lots of opportunities for climbing.
Salem, Massachusetts
Our final stop for the day was Salem, Massachusetts. There are so many things to do in Salem, so we could only fit in some of it, but we all had a great time here.
The first thing we did after getting settled at our hotel was go see the Gallows Hill Main Show. This is a 22-minute show that runs every 30 minutes. There is some audience participation and a few jump scares.
| Cost: | Adults: $18, Kids 7-13: $13, Kids under 7: Free |
| Hours: | Summer through fall Hours vary from season to season |
| Address: | 7 Lynde Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
| Parking: | We walked from our hotel Downtown garages, such as the Church Street lot or South Harbor Garage ($0.75-$1.50/hr.) |
We then walked and did a bunch of free things in the following order:
- Witch Dungeon Museum – just to get pics of the kids in shackles
- The Witch House at Salem
- Bewitched Statue – from famous 1960s TV sitcom
- Old Town Hall – famous party spot in Hocus Pocus movie
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial – spent a little time here walking through
At this point, we decided to walk back to our hotel, but The House of Seven Gables is also not too far from the last item above if that’s something that interests you.
I looked into some other options, but nixed them mainly because the reviews weren’t good, so check those out before committing to something else.
Where We Stayed in Salem
I wanted a location right in downtown Salem, so we could easily walk and see everything, so we stayed at the Hampton Inn in downtown Salem. It had an indoor pool and a free breakfast which were also big selling points for us! There was a parking fee, but in my opinion, it was worth it. We were only here one night, but it was a great hotel and served its purpose very well.
Day 10: Salem, Whale Watch Tour, Seaport in Boston
A Little More in Salem
The day before we did everything within easy walking distance of our hotel. Since we were back in the car, we decided to hit up two more spots in Salem before doing our main activity for the day.
First, we drove by the Hocus Pocus house which is located at 4 Ocean Ave in Salem, MA. Then, we went to The Old Burial Hill Cemetery in Marblehead since it wasn’t much out of the way. It’s also associated with the Hocus Pocus movies. It was established in 1638 and is one of the oldest graveyards in New England.
To get to the cemetery, you can either enter via a stairway at the intersection of Pond and Orne Streets or a walkway near Redd’s Pond. We did the stairway, but parking there was very limited though there was only one other car there when we went, so it was fine.
7 Seas Whale Watch Tour
I researched a lot of different whale watch tours and booked this one out of Gloucester, Massachusetts because all of the reviews were outstanding. This was a 4-hour tour. We did the one from 1:30 to 5:30, and we had to be there by 1. There are food and snacks on board, but you can also bring your own food and snacks as long as there is no alcohol or glass containers which is what we did. There are also multiple restrooms.
If you like sandwiches and want to bring some, check and see if Virgilio’s Bakery is open nearby. They have really good stuff!
I easily get motion sickness, but I came prepared with my motion sickness medicine and was completely fine! We also brought sunscreen and rain jackets/layers.
We got to see A LOT of whales on this tour, and we all had a magical time!
| Cost: | Adult: $65 3 to 17: $50 Under 3: $10 55+: $60 |
| Hours: | April 15 to Oct. 30 April 15 – June 21st and Sept. 8 to Oct. 30: weekdays at 10:30 and weekends at 8:30 and 1:30 June 22 – Sept. 7: daily at 8:30 and 1:30 |
| Address: | Seas Wharf, 63 Rogers St #7, Gloucester, MA 01930 |
| Parking: | Two municipal parking lots located adjacent to their boat dock and cost $5 for the day |
Seaport District in Boston
After the whale watch tour, we made our way back to Boston, but this time, we stayed in the Seaport District. This put us close to the airport for our very early flight. We walked around the Seaport area a little bit, but mainly relaxed at the hotel.
Where We Stayed:
This time in Boston, we stayed at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. We had a dining credit, so we used that at the restaurant by the pool, and the food was actually very good even though it was expensive.
This hotel has a rooftop pool, so we took advantage of that, but you do have to reserve pool chairs ahead of time, which is kind of a pain, but also nice since it ensures you’ll have a chair. I reserved ours from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., so it was a lot of time per time slot which was good since I didn’t know exactly when we’d get up there.
Day 11: Flight Back Home
The next morning, we made our way back to the airport and flew back home.
I absolutely loved this trip and so did everyone else. I would love to be able to come back to this area in the future and fine even more special places to make memories.
Recommended Items:
There wasn’t a ton I thought I needed for this trip other than having some layers, but I do think the following can be helpful. Each of the items below are an affiliate link to Amazon at no cost to you.
Probably my most used item is my bag which I love! It is lightweight, has multiple pockets, good space, water bottle holder, and nice shoulder pads, sternum strap, and hip strap. It is the Osprey Daylite Plus which I LOVE, and I have used it for almost every trip since I bought it.
Next would be a good pair of shoes to walk in! My daughter can get away with wearing Crocs everywhere, but I need more! I love Brooks. Here is a cheaper pair designed for walking and running and one that’s a little nicer with more options. I also just recently ordered these which I’m very excited about the gel part.
Next, are a good pair of hiking boots since there is some hiking, but honestly the hiking done on this trip does not probably require hiking boots. If you’re interested though, I brought these Timberland Timberdry boots which are waterproof, durable, and have just enough pink to make them not boring. They are also very comfortable. I also got several pairs of Smart Wool socks. They are expensive, but very high quality, moisture wicking, odor resistant, comfortable, and perfect for hot and cold conditions.
To keep the sun off my daughter’s face, she brought her trusty hat which we’ve used for a very long time!
I brought Bonine Non-Drowsy Motion Sickness Relief – I personally prefer Bonine to Dramamine – for our Whale Watch Tour.
The only other thing I brought specifically for this trip was our binoculars. I can’t find the specific ones I own, but these are similar spec and price wise. I also think some compact ones like these would be nice because I do find the ones I have are a little bit of a pain to carry around. These are similar size wise but much cheaper!
Additional Fun Activities around the Entire Area
There are so many other things you could do if you have more time or different interests! Just check out the additional activities below. There is, of course, way more activities than I can list just because this whole area is pretty expansive. I kept it within the boundary area for the most part of where we were extending out a little bit.
Each picture below is linked to their site for more information.
Please leave suggestions for cool activities or places to visit in New England that I missed so future readers and myself can learn from your knowledge and experience!
If you like road trips, you can also check out the following:
