Roadtrip through Northeastern states

[LilaQ]

I hope this is the right place to post this. We're planning a 2 week road trip in mid-April through the NE states. We know we want to hit Baltimore, NYC, Boston and Philly for the big cities, but we'd love to visit some great smaller cities/towns too. We're planning on going all the way up to Acadia National Park in Maine. We'd like to do some camping along the way, but mostly plan to stay in hotels.

Our son will be 19 months. NE mommas, can you suggest things to do/see that he will love?

TIAI!!

[Daffodil]

I don't have any great suggestions about activities, but I just wanted to warn you that mid-April in Maine (or NH or VT) is still pretty cold.  There may well still be snow on the ground.  I wouldn't count on a lot of outside activities there.

[LCBMAX]

Some ideas that the great mdc mamas gave us last summer - find them here:

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1251510/best-stuff-to-do-with-toddlers-in-your-state-ok-ks-mo-il-in-ky-oh-pa-nj-ny-ct-ma-more

(sorry - I can't figure out how to test this ridiculously long link... will submit and test.)

[34me]

Ben and Jerry's factory tour, Yankee Candle Company..........

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Daffodil 

I don't have any great suggestions about activities, but I just wanted to warn you that mid-April in Maine (or NH or VT) is still pretty cold.  There may well still be snow on the ground.  I wouldn't count on a lot of outside activities there.

This... and I can't imagine camping in ME (or anywhere else in New England) in April...

MA:

Springfield Museums & Dr. Seuss Garden -- I think there are 5 museums all around a courtyard so you can easily go from one to the next & let the toddler run & the museums have little activities for the kids

Boston Children's Museum is awesome & you could easily spend a whole day there

CT:

Essex Steam Train (haven't done it myself but my parents have)

Mystic Seaport (historical, will be cold though) & I especially recommend Mystic Aquarium, though admission is pricey it's one of the best aquariums I've ever been to

RI:

Roger Williams Zoo is beautiful & DS loves running around there!

Wickford is a nice little artsy town with cute shops & water views/kayaking, etc.

Newport is another great town with beaches, shopping, historic mansion tours, etc.

VT:

Stowe is a little town with a beautiful bike path, tons of hiking & skiing trails, amazing views, and a few tourist attractions (i.e. Ben & Jerry's factory)

NH:

Storyland is an amusement park specifically for little kids, though I'm not sure when they open for the season... the entire White Mountains area is a great destination though! There are things like Polar Caves, scenic railroads, hiking, etc., I went there a lot as a kid & loved it

ME:

My favorite destination is Ogunquit but it will probably be too cold to spend much time there in April... it's has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world & a 100% walkable town, though the town will be mostly shut down until late May

That's all I can think of right now but I'll update if I think of more... you can also post in Finding Your Tribe for the regions you're planning on visiting!

[LilaQ]

Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions!

Maybe we'll rethink the camping idea. We're in SC where April is perfect for camping. :) I figured it would be colder but not unbearable. My hubby lived in Boston so he should know better...

[crunchy_mommy]

We went camping in southern ME in late August once (just after the hottest weekes of the year) and were shocked by how cold it got at night!! We also didn't have very warm camping gear though. My sister has sub-zero gear and goes camping in NH in late spring but I don't think even she would go earlier than May or June.

[chel]

we've moved from the GA to the midwest and our bodies still ache for spring in march when in reality it doesn't arrive till may up here.

we've camping in Acadia (labor day weekend and it was very cold then, though the bugs were able to bite us through our fleece)  the town there is wonderful.  lots of little shops and a small but amazing public library.

[Bebe's Mom]

In Baltimore, I would visit the aquarium...Fun for kids and adults. In Pa, there's Hershey Park, of course. I recommend packing your lunch if you go there, the food is outrageously priced. Admission is also expensive, but it is fun-you can get discounted tickets at local grocery stores, just ask at the customer service desk... There's also the Strasburg RR, which is a bit off the beaten path, but if DS likes trains, then definitely take him there. You could also go to Dutch Wonderland, but I don't know how fun that is these days, haven't been there in many many years. It is geared toward very little kids though...If you are going towards Philly, there is the Zoo, of course and Sesame Place isn't too far from the city, about a half hour or so. Sounds like fun, hope you have a great trip!!

[justKate]

I second the Aquarium in Baltimore.  There is also a Children's Museum/Science Center right there that is very hands-on and great fun for kids and adults.  Skip the National Zoo (in DC).  Poe's burial place is in Baltimore near UM Law. Point Lookout in So. MD is a nice park on the water, with a lighthouse and camping.