Suggestions for Fun on East Coast

You may also want to look at Trip Advisor's forum for those areas. It was a great help to me on a recent vacation.

There is some kind of Sesame St park out that way. I have a friend that went and loved it. Jon & Kate + 8 just went too.

Newport, RI is known for their mansions. You can tour them. I don't know if your boys will enjoy that but you might. Also the last time I was there( 1986,lol) they had this fish place on the water that was an all you can eat place. It was very casual (sit on benches) and was fun. I don't remember the name.

Hi,

Mystic Aquarium (in CT) is fun for kids.

http://www.ife.org/

Have fun!

I'm a native Rhode Islander and I go back with my family (3 boys ages 1,3,5) at least once a year.

The beaches of southern RI are beautiful. Contact me if you want specific names and I'll ask my mom. In the Providence area there is the Children's Museum and a hands-on reptile museum close by. See if WaterFire (waterfire.org) is happening while you are there. It starts at dusk but if your kids are on a West Coast schedule, it might work out bedtimewise. Also Roger Williams Park has a zoo, carousel, playground and other cool stuff.

There are ferries to different places like Newport and Block Island. The East Coast bike path is beautiful. In Seekonk there is a restaurant we take the kids to called Bugaboo Creek Steak House where there are talking creatures on the walls and kid-friendly service.

Take the fairy to Block Island . Grandpa (who is from conn.) said it's beautiful . have fun!!

Highlights magazine, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils,washable finger paints, Where's Waldo book. Go to the beach, collect seashells and make a sandcastle.

I've been in Los Angeles for seven years, but I grew up in Rhode Island. In the summer my family headed to the wonderful beaches of Narragansett and South Kingstown. In Providence there is a great children's museum, and the fabulous Roger Williams Park complete with zoo, play area, carousel and boat rides.

I don't know where exactly you'll be but nothing is too far : ). I'm from Connecticut so my best advice is to go to Mystic Seaport. It's beautiful and they have an aquarium as well. That is lots of fun! Plus, if you'll be in Rhode Island I absolutely have to suggest going over to Block Island. It might even be worth staying over night. We would go one week every summer. It's just lovely.
Hope this helps!

You may want to try Co City Kids:http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/choose-a-city/
I know they have stuff listed for Providence, RI, but I am not sure about Connecticut...

You will be so close to NY by train that you could probably go into the city for the day and go to Central Park or sightsee there.

Have fun!

RI and Connecticut are both absolutely beautiful. Definitely visit the Mystic Seaport in CT while you're there. I would say just driving around and stopping to enjoy the beauty of the east coast and its beaches and plush surroundings is enough to put you in awe.

The beaches are probably where the kids, and you, will have the most fun and it tires them out a little, so getting to bed won't be as tough. Enjoy your trip! I'm heading back for a visit there in a month and can't wait!

Do you have AAA? They offer books on all areas. Some times you have to order it in but it doesn't usually take but a day or two. They also will tell you all the place where you can get discounts!!! Hope you have a fabulous vacation.

I am from CT and used to summer in Newport with my family. Here are few ideas for you:
I am assuming you will be along the coast? :

CT - Mystic Seaport - very educational about early America and our Whaling History. Drive along the coast and hit Stonington and East beach.. nothing to touristy just nice Old New England towns. East Beach is known for its huge round rocks and a place to stop if the kids want to get out and take a dip. As you head up into RI you can go to Narragansett Beach which is a nice big beach or head straight up to Newport RI where, as others have mentioned, is known for its Mansions. The Rockefeller Mansion on Bellevue Avenue is the one most hit and had a house that was just for the kids to play in. Very interesting and good tours…. It is amazing the amount of money these people had! If you are into sports, on the same road before the mansions there is the Tennis Hall of Fame and some nice art galleries/stores. If the kids want to hit the beaches you can continue down Bellevue to Gooseberry beach which is a nice local beach or head back out Memorial Boulevard to First or further on to Second Beach. Both are nice for kids and easy to get to. At second beach you can climb the rocks and see where people have been etching their names for centuries… might be fun for your 6 year old.

You can do the Cliff walk which takes you around the back of the mansions – it is paved but I am not sure if it is stroller proof check first.

There are also the Polo Fields north of Newport which can be fun to watch the horses and people and you can bring the kids. They have matches on the weekends. Call to get the summer schedule. Oh and there is the Kennedy mansion which I think is also still open to the public. We used to watch the America’s cup from the lawn when it was in Newport.

Downtown Newport is great to walk around I am sure they have historic walking tours that you can do to get the lay of the land. Great food all around definitely get some steamed little necks and lobster roll while you are there! Newport Creamery has good ice cream if they are still in business! Oh and be sure to have a real dunkin doughnuts ice coffee and cruller for breakfast ;) Dels lemon ice is also a local specialty and they used to sell it at the beach.

If you are still in the mood to keep driving north you can head up to Providence and Brown University – little Compton on the other side is pretty but it is mostly farmland. Newport alone will keep you and the kids busy and I have the most happy memories there with my family – I am sure you will build some too!

I also have in laws in CT and my kids love...
Mystic Seaport and Aquarium (where the stars of the live show are CA sea lions which the kids think is funny). The kids love the different sea life in the touch tank also (purple sea stars!) and the dinosaurs at Peabody Museum at Yale are also a big hit.