The Ultimate 10-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary for Families
If you’ve ever dreamed of a family vacation where you spend your days exploring charming coastal towns, hiking mountain trails, eating fresh lobster while you watch the sunset over the bay, and ending each evening with ice cream from a local shop, then this New England road trip belongs at the top of your family travel bucket list.
When we started planning our 10-day New England adventure, we knew we wanted a little bit of everything. The perfect mix of history, city exploring, mountains, sea life, charming villages, and plenty of outdoor adventure. What we ended up with was one of our favorite family road trips we’ve ever taken.
Over the course of ten days, we explored Boston’s historic streets, ate our way through freshly caught lobster in Portland, took in the sights of Acadia National Park, drove scenic mountain roads through New Hampshire, and finished our trip surrounded by the postcard-perfect beauty of Vermont.
If you’re planning your own New England road trip, here’s exactly how we did it.
New England Road Trip Overview
Length: 10 Days
States Visited:
Best For:
- Families
- Outdoor lovers
- National Park enthusiasts
- Fall foliage trips
- Summer vacations
Route:
Boston → Portland → Acadia National Park → White Mountains → Stowe → Boston
Search for flights:
Days 1-3: Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the perfect place to begin your New England road trip. Not only is it easy to fly into from almost anywhere in the country, but it also offers a fascinating mix of history, museums and family-friendly attractions.
We spent three days exploring the city and still left with places we want to return to someday.
Some of our favorite experiences included:
- Walking portions of the Freedom Trail
- Touring the Boston Tea Party Museum
- Visiting the New England Aquarium
- Taking a Boston Harbor Cruise
- Exploring the Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Strolling through Boston Common
One of the things we loved most about Boston was how walkable it felt. Between the historic neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and kid-friendly attractions, it was easy to fill several days without ever feeling rushed. No need to rent a car for your time in Boston; public transportation is inexpensive and easy to navigate.
Read Next: 3 Days in Boston with Kids
Day 4: Portland, Maine
Grab your rental car on your way out of Boston, then make the 90 minute drive up to Portland, Maine for the next stop on your New England road trip.
Portland immediately became one of our favorite cities of the trip. It somehow manages to feel both vibrant and relaxed at the same time, while also giving off the small town coastal vibe, but also having so many great places to spend your day exploring.
Highlights of Portland include:
- Exploring the Old Port District
- Visiting Portland Head Light
- Walking the waterfront
- Lobster boat tour with Lucky Catch Cruises
Even if you only have one day here, Portland packs a surprising amount of charm and should not be missed!
Read Next: One Perfect Day in Portland, Maine with Kids
Days 5-6: Acadia National Park
If there was one destination that completely exceeded our expectations, it was Acadia National Park.
Located about 3 hours north of Portland, Acadia combines dramatic coastal scenery, mountain views, rocky shorelines, and family-friendly hiking trails unlike anywhere else in the country.
Two days felt like the perfect amount of time to experience many of the park’s highlights.
Some must-see stops include:
- Jordan Pond
- Sand Beach
- Thunder Hole
- Tide pooling on the Wonderland Trail
- Riding e-bikes along the carriage roads
What makes Acadia especially appealing for families is how accessible many of the viewpoints and trails are. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy some truly spectacular scenery or unique spots, which make it perfect for families.
We spent our time here enjoying a little bit of everything this unique National Park has to offer – from hunting for starfish in tide pools, to munching on popovers at Jordan Pond House, and spending the day on the beach. Acadia National Park is a destination in its own!
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Acadia National Park with Kids: Everything You Need to Know ; 2-day Acadia National Park Itinerary with Kids ; 10 Kid-Friendly Hikes in Acadia National Park
Days 7-8: White Mountains, New Hampshire
After leaving the Maine coast behind, we headed west into New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
This portion of the trip felt completely different from Acadia, which is one of the reasons we loved this itinerary so much.
Some of the highlights we recommend include:
- Flume Gorge
- Lost River Gorge
- Mount Washington cog
- The Kancamagus Highway
- Artist’s Bluff lookout
The Kancamagus Highway alone is worth the visit. This scenic drive winds through some of the most beautiful landscapes in New England and offers countless opportunities to stop for short hikes, overlooks, and waterfalls. While we visited in the early summer, I can only imagine how stunningly beautiful it would be in the fall.
Read Next: Ultimate Family Guide to Spending 2 days in the White Mountains
Days 9-10: Stowe, Vermont
Our final stop on our New England road trip was Stowe, Vermont, and it felt so uniquely different than any of the other locations we visited!
Nestled among rolling green mountains, covered bridges, farms, and charming downtown streets, Stowe was the perfect place to get a feel for the beauty of Vermont.
Some of our favorite experiences included:
- Exploring Smugglers’ Notch
- Visiting Ben & Jerry’s Factory
- Shopping and exploring downtown Stowe
- Hunting for covered bridges
- Visiting Cold Hollow Cider Mill
- Day trip to Woodstock to visit Billings Farm & Museum and Sugarbush Farm
Vermont was the perfect contrast to the busy city energy of Boston and the adventure-packed days in Acadia, and we adored immersing ourselves in the this rich history and culture of this charming state.
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities, local food, and beautiful scenery to keep everyone entertained.
Read Next: Family Guide to Visiting Stowe, Vermont
Bonus Days: Connecticut & Rhode Island
If you have a few extra days available before heading back to Boston to fly home, consider extending your road trip to include the final two New England states that are often overlooked but absolutely worth exploring: Connecticut and Rhode Island.
While we didn’t get to add on these states to our itinerary for this trip, here’s exactly what I would do if I had an extra 2-3 days to explore Rhode Island & Connecticut.
Day 11: Mystic, Connecticut
After exploring some of the attractions around Woodstock, head down to coastal Connecticut to spend a day or 2 exploring this charming state.
Families will love the combination of maritime history, waterfront views, and kid-friendly attractions.
Some of the top things to do include:
- Exploring Mystic Seaport Museum
- Visiting the Mystic Aquarium (they have beluga’s!)
- Walking through downtown Mystic
- Watching the historic drawbridge in action
- Enjoying homemade pizza at the famous Mystic Pizza
Day 12: Newport, Rhode Island
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside a real-life Gilded Age mansion, Newport should be your first stop. Only an hour from Mystic, and less than 2 hours from Boston, this would make the perfect final stop on your New England road trip.
Perched along Rhode Island’s stunning coastline, Newport is known for its extravagant summer “cottages,” scenic ocean views, and walkable downtown area.
Some family-friendly highlights include:
- Walking a portion of the famous Cliff Walk
- Touring one of Newport’s historic mansions
- Exploring Bowen’s Wharf
- Enjoying fresh seafood along the waterfront
- Relaxing at Easton’s Beach
Where to Stay on a New England Road Trip
One of the easiest ways to make this itinerary work is by choosing accommodations that put you close to the attractions you plan to visit, which can help cut down significantly on drive time and distance.
Things we typically look for:
- Hotels with complimentary breakfast
- Vacation rentals with kitchens
- Properties with pools
- Locations close to major attractions
This road trip includes several destinations where you’ll likely want to stay two or more nights, making vacation rentals especially valuable for families. Check out each individual location guide to see where I recommend staying for this particular road trip.
What to Pack for a New England Road Trip
One thing we quickly learned is that New England weather is unpredictable and can change fast.
If you’re visiting during summer, you definitely want to pack:
- Light layers
- Rain jackets
- Comfortable walking shoes (bonus if they are waterproof)
- Refillable water bottles
- Bug spray
- Swimsuits
If you’re visiting during fall foliage season, temperatures can vary dramatically from morning to afternoon.
When is the Best Time to Visit New England?
Summer
Perfect for hiking, national parks, beaches, and outdoor adventures, but expect lots of other families visiting at this time too.
Fall
Arguably the most popular time to visit thanks to New England’s famous fall foliage. Plan ahead and come prepared for crowds.
Spring
Fewer crowds and blooming landscapes, but weather can be cool/rainy and unpredictable.
Winter
Ideal for skiing, snow sports, and cozy mountain towns, but less ideal for outdoor adventures/hiking.
Final Thoughts on This New England Road Trip
What I loved most about this trip was how much variety we experienced in just ten days.
One day we were exploring century-old streets in Boston, learning about the American Revolution and seeing where our country began. The next we were standing on rocky cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A few days later we were driving through mountain passes in New Hampshire and eating fresh cider donuts in Vermont.
For families looking for a road trip that combines outdoor adventure, charming towns, incredible scenery, and unforgettable memories, this New England road trip itinerary is hard to beat.
And if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably leave with a list of places you can’t wait to return to.
