|
|
Post by cyndijane on Apr 22, 2016 19:31:38 GMT
We homeschool, our boys are not quite 9 and 6. This year has been our "US states" year in terms of geography/history type subjects. My younger DS is obsessed with Rhode Island. He loves all things tiny, and can't believe that whole state is the size of DFW (where we live). He desperately wants to go there. We don't have the time to do this any time soon, it might be possible for the next school year. I love the idea of them planning out the trip, researching where to go, what to do, create a budget, etc., but I should probably give them some suggestions/guidelines. For instance, we can't be driving every day. Nor can we go for a month.
Knowing my boys, and how much they want to visit each state- we'll be renting a car and driving all over the place just to get an idea of how close everything is (in comparison to Texas, where we could drive all day and not leave the state). I'm thinking of Maine, Vermont, NH, Connecticut. Probably Boston. Is it feasible to take a day trip and see several states, just to have seen them? Are we missing out on something unbelievably fantastic, just because I didn't know we needed to stop _____?
If we push it off until next spring/summer, then we'll go to as many MLB games as possible, which is DH's first choice. But since we're picking our time of year- when would be the best time to visit, and what would be the most interesting to early/middle elementary aged kids? When do you get the most inclement weather that we should avoid?!
And just in case you're wondering, my oldest said HE wants to visit Hawaii... don't we all!
|
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Apr 22, 2016 19:50:23 GMT
Boston would be my choice with kids that age as a central destination, because there are so many child-friendly history sites in the city and surrounding towns. You can also get around a lot by subway, which will save you parking and driving. From Boston, it is a very short drive to New Hampshire and Maine up the coast -- Portsmouth, which is very cute, is on that drive in NH, and there is a lot for kids in southern Maine, so you wouldn't have to go far into that state to see much. Vermont is a little more of a drive, and in a different direction, but the scenery on the way, depending on how you drive, can be nice, and there are some pretty towns (again, route dependent) where you can stop along the way.
From Boston, it's also not that far to RI, and that would also be an easy destination.
There are a few things (including an aquarium) in northern coastal CT that you might enjoy, although if you were asking me, and I had limiting time, resources, and desire to drive, the CT leg is what I'd skip (not that there aren't nice things in CT).
|
|
|
|
Post by marzbar71 on Apr 22, 2016 20:07:52 GMT
Have you learned about the Revolutionary War yet? I would think a trip to NE would be better suited in conjunction with a lot of history lessons. Freedom Trail, Tea Party, Salem witch trials, etc........
|
|
|
|
Post by caspad on Apr 22, 2016 20:16:16 GMT
Luckily most of New England is about a 2 hour drive away from Boston. Earlier this month I drove from south of Boston through New Hampshire to Vermont in about 3 hours - with stops at Hobby Lobby and the LL Bean outlet. Rhode Island: definitely go to a PawSox game. It's the Red Sox AAA affiliate. The prices are very reasonable and the stadium staff is wonderful. Have a Dell's frozen lemonade either at the park or in your travels. It's a local favorite. Clam cakes are another RI food to try. They are like fritters with clam in them. Delish. Providence also has Waterfire which is amazing and unique. Newport is beautiful for walking around and is home to the first oldest tavern in the US and the first synagogue. The Rustic Drive In is fun if your boys haven't been to one. Massachusetts: besides the Red Sox, you might want to try to get to a Cape Cod League baseball game and see some college stars that may be MLB stars in a few years. Spend some time on the Freedom Trail in Boston. Have pizza at Pizzeria Regina and a cannoli at Mike's Pastry. You go on a whale watching cruise in lots of places around the coast. That's a 3-4 hour outing but something you can't do in DFW. As a suggested touring plan, maybe fly into Boston, head up to Norwich VT, going through central NH and on the way back detour a little into Portsmouth NH and Ogunquit Maine, and then spend some time in Boston and work your way down to Rhode Island and Connecticut. You could fly home from New York and see the Yankees and Mets. Your DH could check off three MLB parks on the trip. LOL I'd be happy to answer any other questions or share what attractions are really great and which to avoid. I'm a native MA person who grew up on the RI border. |
|
|
|
Post by oliquig on Apr 22, 2016 20:51:42 GMT
Weather wise your best off May-June or September-Mid October. Otherwise there's a good chance of cold out hit and humid, and while it's hot and humid in Texas, I'm not sure that's what you want out of your vacation.
Flying into Logan (Boston) and taking day trips from there is very feasible, but not doing all the states in one day. You can get to the CT or the RI shore in 3 hours, but they are 1 to 1.5 hours away from each other. You can also reach southern NH in about 2 hours, but in the opposite direction.
I will tell you about CT, since I'm from there and it's what I know about.
CT- The Mystic area is popular, especially the aquarium and the sea port. Boston also has an excellent aquarium, so you could just do the seaport, which is actually my favorite and a great time for kids. Hartford (which would be on the way to the shore) has a great historical society, along with the Mark Twain house and the Harriet Beecher Stowe house.
In MA the town of Sturbridge has Sturbridge Village, which is a fabulous historical recreation place. They actually has homeschool programs and is a lot of fun.
Just know that staying in Boston is expensive, but there are plenty of surrounding address you can stay in as well that are more economical.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 0:36:38 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 20:58:45 GMT
This is probably off the wall to you, but we are in Texas, too. I wanted to go to Arcadia National Park. I started planning to fly into Boston and rent and car and drive up through some of the places you mentioned. Lodging was really expensive and there were no discounts because their season is short and they have to make it profitable.
We ended up doing a fall Cruise out of NYC because it was so much cheaper than driving. It was really a good decision for us. And we got to see NYC, as well, which I loved and totally was not expecting that. We did go to Rhode Island, as well... Newport and Boston, Arcadia NP, and 2 stops in Canada.
|
|
