Places to Vacation in Maine or NH Cost

Are you looking for towns, or specific hotels? You are usually safe at a chain hotel. Hampton Beach is a popular destination but FYI there is traffic gridlock, so get there and stay there. Canobie Lake is an amusement/water park in NH. Most of the Maine-goers I know go to Ogunquit, York or Wells. Be advised that the water is good and cold in Maine.

If you want warmer water, go to Cape Cod. That's where we always go. It offers warm water in Massachusetts Bay (the "bicep" of arm-shaped Cape Cod), light surf and slightly colder water in Nantucket Sound (below the arm sort of the "triceps" area), and regular ocean water and big surf from the "elbow" to the "hand" of the Cape. If you want to try that and need more info, let me know.

You could also do a whale watch which is great for kids of different ages. Whale watch boats leave from the Cape Ann area, south of NH but north of Boston, as well as Cape Cod. It's a long day but really interesting and they always see whales. Take sunscreen and your own food to save money but there's also food available on the boat.

Most seaside towns have stuff like mini golf. Not sure how old your older son is but most kids and adults can enjoy that.

There is phenomenal stuff to do in Boston too - if that interests you, let me know.

Cape Cod! So many great beaches and things to do with kids. You could go anywhere, but Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, welfleet or Falmouth are good options. Martha's Vineyard if you want an island. Just try not to come on a Friday night and make sure you leave early Sunday or a different day due to traffic on the bridge. There is also Hampton beach on the NH coast and Salisbury. Bar Harbor Maine is great. And Kennebunkport Maine. Have fun!!!!

In Maine - there are several great places to go. York is very family friendly and is on the lesser side of expensive. It's probably not too late to rent a house within a few minute walk to the beach. Then there's Ogunquit. It's moderately priced and very nice. For the snooty people, there is Kennebunkport. This is where the Bush family vacations. All three are awesome. And close by so you can venture to each town.

If you are more the hiking in the mountains type of family, you can try Bar Harbor. It's further North and has a different vibe to it. Again, very nice. So do some Googling and see what fits your family. And have fun!

And I agree about the cold water!! Newport, RI is really nice to ans so is Narraganset!

Portsmith NH. Anywhere in Maine. You can go whale watching. Bar Harbor is very very nice to. Just check on hotels before you go.

Check out areas that have Red Jacket resorts/hotels. They're very reasonably priced especially if you call them directly to book. They price out MUCH more cheaply than if you use hotels.com or hotwire.com or any of the other online booking places. I saved over $350 AND got a room upgrade and amenities upgrade from what we would have received from hotwire or hotels.com. Plus my husband gets a military discount with his military id.

This summer we'll be staying in North Conway at the Fox Ridge Resort, which is a Red Jacket resort. This is in the Mt. Washington Valley and there's SO MUCH to do I couldn't possibly list everything.

You could of course go down to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, but I hope you have money if you go to either place...they are pricey!

Glouchester Beach, Cape May, Hampton Beach, Rye Beach...those are all NH and Mass. I was born in Maine, but I'm not sure of beaches there...

Have fun!