I'm going to be visiting family on the east coast this summer and plan to spend most of the time in/near Boston. However, I'd also like to see some relatives from New Jersey and neither of us really want to travel the full 4 hours between the cities. I'm hoping to meet at a midpoint somewhere, but want a place where there are fun things to do with kids. We will have at least six children between us, ranging in age from 2.5 - 7, and might throw in a few more kids too if another cousin meets us (oldest then would be 9).
So, can anyone recommend a place with fun things to do with kids? Maybe in Hartford or New Haven? Are there any good truly vacation spots we could go to? A couple of days at the beach would be nice!
We'd probably drive but would consider taking the train. Thanks!
Just to be clear - we do NOT want to go all the way to New York City. That will be another vacation for another time. I want something about halfway between NYC and Boston. Thanks for the input so far!
Hi! How about Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill? It will definitely keep the kids busy all day. Make sure you bring the things you need to make a casting with. I have our first beside my bed and it still makes me smile after all these years. There's also the Carousel Museum in Bristol. Closer to NJ is Rye Playland in NY. Have fun!
Personally id either
- head into the city, and take the kids to Natural History Museum & CP. Maybe take the Staten Island Ferry for our lady of liberty.
Or
- Colonial Williamsburg.
Both are farther, but both are educational DONT MISS! when you have the opportunity.
CT beaches are not very nice - you are better off going to RI
The Dinosaur Place (different than the state park). It's closer to MA and RI than NYC but nice if the weather is good and has stuff to do inside that is pretty cool if the weather is not good.
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic, CT in general
You should meet at Mystic Aquarium - closer to the CT/RI border. It has lots of stuff for the kids. The Aquarium is great (they have my favorite Beluga Whales) and it is much more pleasant than going to Hartford or New Haven. There are also little shops across the way.
Have fun!
For that age range, my kids at that age loved Mystic, CT with aquarium & seaport village. It's not as close as New Haven for the ones coming from NJ, but its fun. New Haven has the Village on the Green where Yale puts on their festival if you go out at the right time & East Rock is fun to climb but I think my kids like New Haven more now as tweens.
