New England is a fantastic place for families who want to take a road trip with their kids. Our 11-day trip through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont helped us understand why so many people love this region. We explored Maine’s rocky shores and national parks, drove the misty mountain roads of New Hampshire, and relaxed in Vermont’s quiet countryside. In this guide, we’ll share our favorite stops, hidden gems, and helpful tips to make planning your family adventure easier. Whether you’re after outdoor activities, historic sites, or farm-to-table meals, this New England road trip has something for everyone. After our trip, we’re convinced that New England earns a place on every family’s travel list.
New England: America’s Historic Heart
New England is made up of six northeastern states, including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The area has a deep colonial history going back to the 1600s. You can see this history in its old villages, lighthouses, and coastal traditions. But New England is also famous for its natural beauty, with rocky coastlines, forested mountains, and peaceful farmland. While fall is popular for its colorful leaves, summer and early fall are just as special and less crowded. Most places are only a few hours apart, so it’s easy for families to visit several states without spending too much time in the car.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 1: Boston to Freeport, Maine
We started our New England road trip by heading north from Boston to Freeport, Maine. The 90-minute drive took us from the busy city to the relaxed charm of coastal Maine. Freeport is now a popular spot, with outdoor activities, shopping, and great restaurants in its lovely downtown. The town sits on Casco Bay and offers harbor views that gave us a taste of the coastal adventures to come.
That evening we ate at a local seafood restaurant and tried real Maine lobster rolls for the first time. The fresh seafood and laid-back New England dining created the perfect mood for our trip, showing us it would be full of adventure and delicious, region-specific food.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions around Portland, check out our post on Portland Maine with Kids.
New England Road Trip with Kids Days 2-3: Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of the Maine coast and a key stop on any New England road trip with kids. This 47,000-acre park encompasses impressive cliffs, mountain peaks, lake views, and miles of carriage roads perfect for families. We dedicated two full days to exploring Acadia’s varied attractions, and even that felt too short to take in everything this spectacular park offers.
Day 2 began with a scenic drive on Park Loop Road, one of the most spectacular drives in America. We stopped at Thunder Hole to experience the dramatic rock formations and the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs. Jordan Pond offered mirror-like reflections of the mountains and provided excellent photography opportunities. We hiked the easy Jordan Pond Shore Trail, which both girls loved for its manageable distance and stunning views. The girls were fascinated by geology and how the glaciers had carved these valleys millennia ago.
We visited Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, one of New England’s most iconic lighthouses, and enjoyed lunch in a local café before heading to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Although we arrived after peak sunset, the views from 1,530 feet were still breathtaking, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, islands, and coastline. Spider Monkey loved the idea that this was one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise, while Buttercup appreciated the geology and effort to reach the summit.
For a comprehensive guide to exploring Acadia National Park with your family, check out our detailed post on Acadia National Park with Kids.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 4: Portland Arrival and Exploration
After two days in Acadia, we drove south to Portland, Maine’s most vibrant city and a cultural hub worth dedicating a full day to exploring. Portland sits on the picturesque waterfront and combines historic charm with modern energy, excellent restaurants, and authentic seafaring traditions that make this New England city special. Our first stop was Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses. We explored the grounds, learned about the lighthouse’s history dating back to 1791, and enjoyed coastal views. The nearby Two Lights State Park offered additional dramatic coastal scenery and easy walking paths for the girls.
We spent the afternoon in Portland’s Old Port District, a pedestrian-friendly area with historic buildings, brick streets, shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants. The girls loved exploring independent bookstores and shops, while we appreciated the walkable neighborhood atmosphere, which let us experience the city at a relaxed pace, perfect for families.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions around Portland, check out our post on Portland Maine with Kids.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 5: Authentic Maritime Experiences
Day 5 was a highlight for Buttercup! We went on a maritime adventure that brought the state’s seafood culture to life! We took a traditional lobster boat tour out of Portland and learned how to trap, measure, and band lobsters.
The girls got to hold real lobsters and learned interesting facts about them. Buttercup enjoyed learning about marine biology and asked lots of questions about the ecosystem, while Spider Monkey was excited by the hands-on experience and seeing the boats and fishermen in action.
After returning to shore, we visited a local lobster pound where we selected and cooked our own dinner. Definitely a memorable experience that changed our knowledge of this iconic Maine food! The girls felt genuine pride in serving lobster they’d helped catch and eating it at a picnic table overlooking the harbor where the boats were moored.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions around Portland, check out our post on Portland Maine with Kids.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 6: Lighthouses and Kennebunkport
Day 6 took us to Kennebunkport, a charming coastal town famous for pristine beaches, historic lighthouses, and elegant architecture. The town sits where the Mousam River meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating scenic vistas at nearly every turn and making it a photographer’s paradise.
In Kennebunkport, we walked through the charming downtown filled with boutique shops, galleries, and ice cream parlors. We explored Dock Square, the historic center of town, and strolled along the river path, watching sailboats and other boats go by. The town’s grand buildings and neat gardens reflected its long history as a favorite spot for wealthy families and artists seeking New England’s coastal beauty.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions around Portland, check out our post on Portland Maine with Kids.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 7: North Conway, New Hampshire
After leaving Portland, we crossed into New Hampshire and stopped in the charming mountain town of North Conway. Situated in the heart of the White Mountains, this area is known for its stunning scenery, outdoor adventures, and classic New England charm. The town itself seemed to have stepped back in time, with its quaint downtown filled with unique shops, cafes, and old-fashioned general stores that immediately captured our hearts.
The highlight of our North Conway experience was boarding the Conway Scenic Railway, a beautifully restored classic train that winds along the valleys and forests of the Mount Washington region. The ride offered incredible views of rolling hills, covered bridges, and spotting streams as the train moved at a leisurely pace. Buttercup was fascinated by the railroad’s history, while Spider Monkey loved the nostalgic feel of traveling by train and couldn’t resist waving to onlookers as we passed.
North Conway is also known as the entrance to outdoor adventures, with easy access to close hiking trails and ski resorts. The town’s position in the heart of the White Mountains made it the perfect stop between Portland and Vermont, supplying a mix of relaxation, history, and adventure that appealed to our entire family.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 8: The Kancamagus Highway
The next day we set out from Conway to Lincoln along the famous Kancamagus Scenic Byway, one of New England’s most breathtaking drives. Even though the rain dropped slowly throughout the day, it only added to the magic of the foggy mountains and lush forest views. Known locally as “The Kanc”, this 34-mile stretch winds through the White Mountain National Forest, yielding endless scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and picnic spots.
We often stopped to admire the sweeping valleys, covered bridges, and rivers that flow along the road. The girls loved seeing tiny waterfalls hidden among the trees, and the moody weather made the yellow leaves and evergreens shine even brighter. The Byway is known for its incredible hiking trails and photo-worthy viewpoints such as Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge, which we explored during brief stops on our scenic drive.
The Kancamagus Highway represents everything wonderful about a New England road trip with kids! There is natural beauty, manageable stops for families with different energy levels, and numerous opportunities to stretch legs and take photos. By afternoon, we left the mountains behind and entered Vermont’s flatter pasture landscape, having completed one of America’s most scenic drives.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions in Vermont, check out our post on Vermont.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 9: Vermont Farm Experiences
When we arrived in Vermont, we immersed ourselves in farm experiences that showed us why the state is known for its farming traditions and farm-to-table food. We visited Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks to learn how maple sap is turned into syrup using old methods passed down through generations. We tasted maple cream and learned why real Vermont maple syrup is so special.
We also visited Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury. We toured the ice cream production facility and learned the company’s story of turning a small Vermont operation into a global brand.
Our final farm stop for the day was Cabot Creamery, where we tasted aged Vermont cheddar and learned about artisanal cheese production. Cold Hollow Cider Mill rounded out our farm experiences with fresh cider donuts and orchard views that represent Vermont’s agricultural character.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions in Vermont, check out our post on Vermont.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 10: Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms represents the pinnacle of Vermont farm experience! A 1,400-acre working farm and sustainable agriculture center that offers real hands-on learning for families. This historic property combines a thriving farm operation with educational programs and beautiful landscapes overlooking Lake Champlain. Both girls loved getting immersed in real farm work and understanding how food production connects to land stewardship.
We participated in daily farm chores, assisted in animal care, and experienced the rhythms of agricultural work that sustained Vermont families for centuries. The girls’ genuine enthusiasm for the farm activities surprised us. Buttercup appreciated the physical work and responsibility of animal care, while Spider Monkey enjoyed interacting with farm animals and learning about their roles in the farm ecosystem. The farm’s commitment to eco-friendly practices and its educational mission aligned harmoniously with our family values regarding travel and learning.
Shelburne Farms also features an excellent farmstead cheese production facility, where we watched cheddar being made and sampled aged varieties that showed how Vermont’s agricultural tradition extends beyond maple syrup to artisanal food production. The combination of hands-on learning, beautiful scenery, and real connection to agriculture made this the most transformative day of our Vermont experiences.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions in Vermont, check out our post on Vermont.
New England Road Trip with Kids Day 11: Vermont Route 100 and Burlington
Our final day featured Vermont Route 100, a legendary scenic byway that winds through Vermont’s Green Mountains, showcasing the quintessential New England landscape. Route 100, often called “the road to Vermont’s soul, passes through covered bridges, past white-steeple churches, and through small towns that embody everything charismatic about rural New England. We drove at a leisurely pace, stopping whenever scenery caught our attention or when small towns invited exploration.
We visited covered bridges that exemplify the iconic vision of New England, learned about their engineering and history, and photographed them in different light as we continued to the north. Each town we passed through offered unique character and demonstrated how Vermont has preserved small-town America while adapting to modern realities through farm-to-table restaurants and artisanal businesses.
Our journey ended in Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, where we explored the vibrant downtown, walked along Lake Champlain, and reflected on our 11-day New England road trip with kids. Burlington’s progressive character, excellent restaurants and waterfront setting provided the perfect ending to our journey, allowing us to transition from rural Vermont back to urban life while continuing the sense of exploration and insight which defined our entire trip.
For a detailed guide to must-see attractions in Vermont, check out our post on Vermont.
Family Verdict
New England stole our hearts completely. What made this New England road trip with kids so remarkable was the way in which it balanced adventure with accessibility. There were dramatic lighthouses and mountain drives along family-friendly farms and charming downtowns. Every day revealed new magic, whether we were standing on a mountain, watching an old-fashioned train thread through valleys, or helping animals on a working farm. We came home absolutely certain that we would return to New England many times, each visit delving further into regions we fell in love with and discovering new corners of this remarkable part of America.
Make sure to check out our nearby adventures in Acadia, Portland, Maine, and Vermont. Also follow along on our full family adventure through New England!
Follow along with our adventure travel family and explore more amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
