summer trip ideas in New England

[dolbsss]

Hi all...wife said "let's go to Maine this summer"... as in for our 2 week summer trip. We have a 5 year old girl and 2 year old boy. Just starting the process of looking into attractions/hiking spots, etc. We enjoy the full hook up/kid friendly campgrounds like Jellystone and KOA so I've found a lot of locations for those already. Looking to hear of experiences anyone has had with places to visit(Acadia NP for example)... Thanks in advance for responses. ohhh, almost forgot...We run Tough mudder races so I was trying to possibly fit one or 2 TM's in along the way. One is Aug 4 near andover NY and the other is Aug 18 near Saugerties NY. Also, Columbus, Ohio is our start/end point.

[drenjoey]

Welcome to Maine.

As you said, kids that age want to go to fun places. I would suggest Old Orchard Beach....... Seven miles beach, amusement parks, water slide parks etc etc.
Close by, is York with the animal kingdom, and fun rides. Our favorite campground is Hid'n Pines which we have a site reserved the first week of July year after year. There's a shuttle bus that brings you to the beach and a grocery store is conveniently located next to the campground.

Don't get me wrong.......I love Acadia National Park(we go there every year), but with the ages of your kids (5 and 2), you probably will end up carrying them.

[Matt_Colie]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Dolbsss,

Of the kids and from my experience, the 5yo will soak up everything and drive you all crazy about what she saw for years, and the 2yo, will still soak up a lot, but will not have the vocabulary to tell you about it for another year and an half.

Matt

dolbsss wrote:
sorry, I have a Jayco Flight SLX284bhsw pulled by a 2500 HD. I took it over Newfound Gap last year and on many sections of the Blue Ridge pkwy. My trailer skills are pretty good because I own a landscape company and drive trailers daily. Very comfortable on routes that don't have 9% grades, lol.

Also, we do crazy trips every year so this won't be the last...hopefully these 2 are less city dwellers than myself in a few years.

I almost hate to tell you this, but the kids will go nuts in the truck cab after just a few hours. If you can set it up to arrive at/near a destination for the overnight. In the morning, do/see whatever and then travel when the kids are worn out. This plan served us well for many years, even before we RVed.

We have now used this plan with the grands and it still works, but then we now travel by MH so kinder have more elbow room and can even play table games underway.

Enjoy it while you can. They will gone all too soon.

Matt

[dolbsss]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Dolbsss,

You neglected to tell us what the rig is and this can make a serious difference in suggested routes and stops. Some are not trailer friendly and if you need FHU every night, that makes a big change.

I an a refugee from the east coast megaopolis that is required by family to still venture that way on occasion, I and other can probably be more help with knowing what you can/want to do. The dates and locations are a help.

Of the kids and from my experience, the 5yo will soak up everything and drive you all crazy about what she saw for years, and the 2yo, will still soak up a lot, but will not have the vocabulary to tell you about it for another year and an half.

Matt

sorry, I have a Jayco Flight SLX284bhsw pulled by a 2500 HD. I took it over Newfound Gap last year and on many sections of the Blue Ridge pkwy. My trailer skills are pretty good because I own a landscape company and drive trailers daily. Very comfortable on routes that don't have 9% grades, lol.

Also, we do crazy trips every year so this won't be the last...hopefully these 2 are less city dwellers than myself in a few years.

[gregrc75]

Not in New England but Rip Van Winkle in Saugerties is a great campground for adults and kids. Been there about 6 times.
In southern Maine is Beaver Dam Campground, another terrific campground for kids. Been there a few times.
Normandy Farms in MA is recommended as well but far from Maine.

[jplante4]

There are 2 parks near Saugerties a KOA and Rip Van Winkle. The KOA is a KOA but Rip Van Winkle looked like it would be fun for kids.

Rip Van Winkle

A popular spot around here for campers with kids is Normandy Farms

[Matt_Colie]

Dolbsss,

You neglected to tell us what the rig is and this can make a serious difference in suggested routes and stops. Some are not trailer friendly and if you need FHU every night, that makes a big change.

I an a refugee from the east coast megaopolis that is required by family to still venture that way on occasion, I and other can probably be more help with knowing what you can/want to do. The dates and locations are a help.

Of the kids and from my experience, the 5yo will soak up everything and drive you all crazy about what she saw for years, and the 2yo, will still soak up a lot, but will not have the vocabulary to tell you about it for another year and an half.

Matt

[Flan]

Sebago Lake campground has lots of kid activities

[Crabbypatty]

Ok Ive been to all of these so check out.

NY: http://www.lakegeorgeescape.com/the-park/resort-map/
NH: https://www.danforthbay.com/
ME: https://koa.com/campgrounds/bar-harbor-oceanside/

Each rv park has to much to do for the kids. In NY tubing down the Scroon River. Free shuttle service to down town lake George. Danforth Bay in the White Mountains activities all day for the kids and get in you rride and explore the White Mountains. Yankee BBQ offers the feast for 4. In Maine Bar Harbor has a guy cooking lobster dinners on premise and also has free Mountain explorer shuttle service around the island.

We would go back to each of these again without hesitation. Happy Trails

[ACZL]

Lake George region (1 hour north of Albany). To add to GepBoy's post, it's 11 hours/570 miles from Syracuse to Bar Harbor. Only stops we made were at NY/MA line for fuel, TA in NH for fuel and near Bangor, ME for fuel. Turning Stone Casino's campground approx 3 miles from exit 33 of the NYS T-way. Junious Ponds CG right next to T-way (x43?). Once past x33 going east, CG are few/far between IMO near 90

[Rover_Bill]

Take a look at the White Mountains area in New Hampshire. Beautiful mountain scenery for adults and plenty of tourists spots to entertain the kids.

[GeoBoy]

Columbus to Albany, NY is 10 hours then 9 hours to Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a great place to relax, hike, bike, kayak, etc., plenty to see and do, I am there every year, never miss it. Enjoy your time there.

[Crowe]

Too far for that age group.

Pshaw. And that's not what he asked.

Kids that age are not big on history or scenic drives.

Have you ever been to Maine? There are beaches, amusement parks, zoos, fairs, etc.

Dolbss, with kids that age I would find a halfway point and drive to that the first day, spend a day (maybe two) and then continue and reverse on the way back. Southern Maine is a great spot for kids-the beaches there are very nice, York's Wild Kingdom is a combination zoo/amusement park just perfect for kids that age. The family campgrounds in the area will have lots of kids activities. If you choose the Acadia NP area the Bar Harbor KOA is great for kids. Sand Beach in the park has ice cold water but great sand for digging. There are carriage rides in the park that they would enjoy. Try this website for kid's activities: http://www.barharborinfo.com/Things-to-Do/Family-Activities.aspx
You don't say where in Ohio you live but with a full two weeks you should be OK, especially if you break up the travel days.

[Dick_B]

Too far for that age group. Kids that age are not big on history or scenic drives. Take them to the local Yogi Bear campground instead. Or do a Google search for `ohio tourism' and read what the specialists recommend.