NEW ENGLAND STATES - Maine/Massachusetts

Salisbury SP North of Boston, right next to Newburyport which is a neat small town to visit. As mentioned Normandy Farms south of Boston, but it's in the $75 range.

I've not camped around Kittery but Libbys is supposed to be nice, if not even more expensive then Normandy Farms.

I'd probably try to get in Hampton Beach SP just down the highway in NH. If you want to go farther north to the Freeport area Wolfs Neck Farm was very nice last time we were there, but it's been more then a few years. Also called Recompence Shore Campground.

The Discovery Museum in Acton, MA, will be good for the 2 year old. Minuteman National Historical Park (hq in Lincoln, MA) is a great place to just go for a walk. Great Brook State Park in Carlisle, MA is one of those "hidden gems". Another great place to walk plus it's a working dairy farm that offers tours. The park also offers kid's activities. I haven't stated there, but the Littleton, MA, KOA gets good reviews and allows for good access to Boston and the other places I've mentioned. Portsmouth, NH (in between Maine and MA) has a decent water park called Water Country that has a large kid's area. Fills up quick on weekends so a weekday would be best. As someone else above stated, Canobie Lake Park is a more traditional park, although they are transitioning to something more modern. There is something for everyone there and the musical entertainment is pretty decent.

We've been to Boston a number of times and always stay at Minute Man north of the city. The location is good for travelling into the states north of Mass and the campground has a shuttle to the local train station to get you into Boston quickly for site-seeing.

kjyoung24 wrote:
Any cool places to visit that are hidden gems of the Boston area or in the Southern Maine area?

Perkins cove Ogunquit Maine, Makes a great day trip, shops, scenery, fine restaurants.

Mike

Try Plimoth Plantation -- The historic Pilgrim Village, right on Rte 3 below Boston, also Old Sturbridge Village off I-90 mid-state. Both well worth it.

Thanks for all the info in the thread.

We're looking for a summer ocean / beach vacation so will look into Salisbury Beach SR and Hampton Beach SP. Any other recommendations? Any beachfront State Parks or County Parks near Old Orchard?

Let us know. Thanks.

We love the Old Orchard Beach area, lots to do. Our favorite campgrounds are Bayley's, Wild Acres and Powderhorn. Lots of activities, beach, amusements. From there it is easy to get to Portland and the ride south on route 1 is scenic and plenty to see as you travel through Wells and Kittery. In MA, Boston Minuteman is a good place to stay to see Boston. It is west of the city and years ago was a KOA but not anymore. North of the city there are a number of places in Salisbury and as mentioned, south in Foxboro is Normandy Farms. Have a great trip.

michelb wrote:
Thanks for all the info in the thread.

We're looking for a summer ocean / beach vacation so will look into Salisbury Beach SR and Hampton Beach SP. Any other recommendations? Any beachfront State Parks or County Parks near Old Orchard?

Let us know. Thanks.

Salisbury beach state reservation is a good choice if your looking for valve, one of the few campgrounds in NE that's actually on beachfront. Book fast if you hope to get a prime summer time.

OOB, not aware of any beach front campgrounds, but lots of clean, maintained family campgrounds. Bayley's, Hid'n Pines, Paradise Park are a few. Keep in mind the campgrounds at OOB will be more $$$$

Mike

The $$$$$$ is why we stayed at Ne're Family Campground. It is IN town, 3 blocks from the beach and was cheap.