New England Family "Destination Resorts/Places?"

[ricapito]

While I am from New England originally and familiar with most of the regions, I'm looking for special family resort destinations-specifically lodging that includes kids programs. They can be rustic or posh. Importantly though, they must have kids activities or programs. The Balsams in Dixville Notch comes to mind....and a few campgrounds and ski areas- but does anyone have any places they go that cater to families? I'm planning my summer....

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[pumpkinboy]

Smugglers Notch and the Trapp Family Lodge in VT both have lots of kids activities, and at the latter, you also have a great restaurant and tea room for the grown-ups. Sadly, niether could guarantee us a unit without steps, so we could not do either since DS is wheelchair bound. But they both looked great if you are all able bodied. Take a look at the Trapp Family Lodge website for an enticing look at their menu, and also all the activities for adults and kids.

Since our kids are 5 and 7, Santa's Village in Jefferson NH works great for us; plus they really go the extra mile to enable DS to enjoy everything, not quite Disney levels, but the best I've seen in New England. The last time we went there, we stayed at Carlson's Lodge in Twin Mountain, a nice old-fashioned place, nothing fancy, but perfectly nice rooms, good prices, nice ppl and a great breakfast. Also in the Franconia Notch area, don't miss a breakfast (served until 3) at Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, NH. Wonderful pancakes (plain, oatmeal, cornmeal, whole wheat, and my fav' buckwheat) and locally cured ham and sausages; oh yeah, and plenty of maple syrup too.

I can only really opine on New England, as my kids don't travel well in the car; any farther than about 3 1/2 hours and we need to take a plane.

Good luck!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Take a look at the White Mountain area of NH> many great places to go to for kids in the summer.

 

[ricapito]

thanks. Von Trapp is beautiful.....

 

[saintphly]

My family has fallen in love with the Ocean's Edge Resort in Brewster MA. This townhouse community (gated) is built around a golf course, and has several great restaurants, tennis courts, pools, and entertainment nightly geared toward families. They even have a kids camp that you can choose to have your child attend - even just for a couple of hours or a pizza and movie night.
The town has a number of bay side beaches which kids love because when the tide goes out you can walk for miles and look at all the "creatures" (snails, hermit crabs, perriwinkles, etc).
The options for rent are similiar to DVC. You can either rent from the resort (hold on to your wallet), or rent from an owner. If you rent from an owner, make sure you get pool passes. Most of the time they are included, but sometimes they are not.
Good luck,
Lynn

 

[Cora]

The Tyler Place in Highgate Springs, VT great place, especially with small kids. All meals included. Adults only for dinner.

 

[4travelers]

There is no better place for small (under 5) children outside of Disney. We've gone during the summer with our extended family for the past three years and LOVE it. Every spring we all discuss where to go for the summer and end up back at Smuggs because its THAT good.

We actually like Smugglers better than Disney for our really little ones. Bring a jogging stroller and everything is within walking distance. You can easily get HUGE places that give you lots of room to spread out. The Mountainside childrens pool is the best in New England. They have playgrounds everywhere. During the summer there are lots of free children/family activities in the afternoons/evenings or you can opt into the childcare program and have your mornings to yourself. The childcare programs are great and the "camp" programs for the older kids is even better. Its very relaxing unlike the go-go atmosphere of Disney.

Two drawbacks, no lake and you can't use your DVC points to stay at Smuggs.

One piece of advice, if you don't need/want the childcare option look to renting directly from an owner. But going through smuggs you'll pay (a lot) more and generally get a nicer unit it also includes camp for children over 3 and daycare for children under 3 during the mornings.

 

[ricapito]

I'm sold on Smugglers Notch. Thanks!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Vote number 2 for Oceans edge in Brewster.

 

[Sammy]

Smuggler's Notch looks like a great choice for families. For those who have stayed there, what location is good? It looks like there are several "communities" you can stay in. What area would be close to the activities, but still not be in the center of all the "hubbub"? I'd like to be able to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee on a deck....overlooking the mountains and beautiful scenery....but also be able to get the kids to the pool/activities easily.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!
Sammy

 

[kristielee]

Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, NY

Love the resort...lots of organized outdoor family fun (ie, canoeing, hiking, etc). Superb dining (kids eat free if seated early). Plus the village of Lake Placid is a great place to spend a few days sight seeing...from the Olympic venue, great little shops and cafes, Whiteface Mtn just a short drive away. The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mtn Lake (maybe 40 min away) is also one of my kids fav places.

Have fun choosing. FYI, We have also stayed at Ocean Edge.....not for us. Found it very, very crowded. Plus the Cape is wall to wall people in the summertime. Very expensive. We wouldn't go back

 

[4travelers]

Sammy you don't say how old your children are which at Smuggs makes a difference which pool they'd like better. Highland Hills, West Hill or North Hill will give you more of a "being in the woods" feeling.

We've stayed at Creekside in the village center and loved the location. Just walking to the afternoon activities which happen at the village center or walking to the Mountain Side pool is great for infants and children under 5. Our 3yo. just biked everywhere, it was so close to everything. The units are older and done in the older Swiss ski resort style.

The Trailside executives in the Highland Hills are VERY nice. And it was a hilly walk to Notchville park, which is fun but better for the 5 to teen crowd. It was also really close to nice strolls in the woods. We did take our cars to go down the hill to the Village Center and Mountainside pool everyday.

This time we are trying to get into the new Northhill Community, its new and offers the nicer/newer amenities. And its not too far of a walk downhill to the Village center. We've toured the rooms and they are perfect for those moments of quiet and for our very extended family.

West Hill is nice if you hate crowds and like to really be out of the action. But you'd have to drive or ride mountain bikes to get to the Village center. It does have its own pool though.

If you go through Smuggs and you don't like your room or location, go back and ask if they have others available. Also on the Smuggs website you can view a lot of the floorplans for the rooms.

Bring the jogging stroller if you have little ones. Or if your children are older bring their mountain bikes. All of Smuggs is on the mountain, so everything is either uphill or downhill. Smuggs maps really don't show the hills. Don't forget Stow is just over the mountain and has a great bike path and very nice town center.

 

[Sammy]

4travelers: Thank you very much for the detailed reply! My kids are older (9, 13, 15), so the hills won't be a problem for them, but might be for me!! I've been looking on the Smuggs website a bit and everything looks so nice! It might be a destination for us this Summer!

Thanks again,
Sammy

 

[Rpsemont]

YOu may also want to check out the White Mountain Hotel in NH. The website doesn't really focus on kids programs, but they used have them as well as pool, golf, tennis. Not too far away, you could plan a day trip to Storyland, which is a theme park geared towards the under 12 set.

 

[vtgreenboy]

Having grown up and worked at Smuggs during my childhood, teens, and college days, it is so nice to hear great things about the number one family resort in mountain country any where in the country.
As a skiier and then camp counselor, they strive for great activities in the beautiful outdoors of VT. Although not Disney, it is a perfect place for families that want outdoor, family fun. Horseback riding, waterslides, tennis, hiking, and babysitting! And more...
What no one has mentioned is that Stowe is 15 minutes away (shopping, movies, alpine slide) and that Burlington, one of the most livable cities in the country, is only an hour away and on the shores of Lake Champlain (the 6th largest lake in N America) which is a beautiful lake with beaches, a science center, and an amazing bike path. Burlington, has more culture and night life than most cities twice its size.
Ok, I am biased (note my member name), but I do know the region well.
And, it is not a place to go if you like amusement rides, sidewalks, or city life. But man, the beautiful sunsets from atop the tallest mountain in VT (Mt Mansfield, by the way) will knock you sideways!
Hope you all come visit soon! It's maple sugar season and the air even smells sweet!

 

[4travelers]

Sammy, the other thing I forgot to mention is that Smuggs feels a lot like a big extended family when you are there. Most of the kids know each other from the morning camps so you might find that they will get themselves around just fine without you.

 

[ricapito]

We've done the Storyland thing as well as Santa's village...both worthy of our time.

We also spend a weekend and sometimes a week every summer at a place called Papoose Pond Resort up in Waterford Maine. When summer is in full swing it is the best camping/cottages place we've ever encountered for kids in New England. Not only do they have activities every hour on the hour for kids all day, but the place is actually "scenic," rather than just a congested zoo full of RV's and pavement, and it offers big spacious wooded campsites.

 

[KimWDW]

I love the Lake Winnepasaukee area of NH (Laconia). Lots of great resorts. The lake is warm and clear, great for swimming. Weirs Beach is nice and it's day-trippable to Storyland.

 

[sweetinmaine]

We've pretty much made up our minds to buy into the DVC. We haven't received our info yet but can anyone tell me if there is a resort in southern, coastal Maine that we could use? Maybe in Kennebunk, Wells or Ogunquit? Next to Disney our favorite vacation spot is in Maine. Thank you...