NorthEast Trip

QMastaD · 03-07-2015, 10:25 PM

We are starting to plan our summer family vacation. We have never really been north of Pennsylvania and would like to traverse up into the New England area. I would really love to make all the way to Maine to add my states i have been to. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good campground to stay for a week in the New England area. We have 4 small children (ages 6 down to a couple months). They love to walk trails in nature so that is a must. We also have a hybrid camper and having full hookups is a near must.

Thanks for all the help, you guys have never let me down!

I would also be interested if anyone had some good site seeing activities for a young family in the area.

deartruc · 03-07-2015, 10:45 PM

If staying in MA, Normandy Farms in Foxboro. If your stay is in ME, then Bayley's in Scarborough (Old Orchard Beach). Both have lots of sightseeing opportunities like Whale Watches and area attractions.

tmhudg · 03-08-2015, 09:10 AM

Hmm, Normandy Farms is nice and probably could be a good base of operations but be prepared to drive a bit for the attractions. Bayley's is (IMHO) a zoo. Admittedly, we were there without kids so were not in that "mode" but it just felt crazy to us. We found the sites to be very tight. Neither of these places have the feel of camping in the woods. I don't think either of them would have nature hike-type activities.

I would suggest you take a look at Point Sebago in Maine. We went there several years in a row and our kids loved it (we went with several other families). They have lots of organized activities and it's on a great lake. It's a big place and it's on the pricier side but it's nicely wooded and you are not jammed together with your neighbor. It's further from other major attractions so you'd have to weight that.

CTGREG · 03-08-2015, 09:59 AM

My wife and I have routinely stayed at the KOA in Mystic/Stonington area. It is within a 15 min ride to Westerly beaches, 10 min to the Foxwoods and Mohegan Casino, within 45 min to Providence, RI and within 1 hr. to significant part of CT. As for MA, I would say Normandy Farms in the Foxboro area is about the best you will find. The KOA in Middleboro near there is also good.

ChooChooMan74 · 03-08-2015, 10:27 AM

Normandy is great, but is a resort. They book VERY FAST and, you pay the resort price. We go there a few times a year.

Ashaway in RI is new and is going through growing pains. I personally think they did too much too fast. But, it is worth looking into. Sites are small, but a good base for South coast CT and RI destinations.

I hear good things about Peters Pond in the cape. I have not been there, yet. But, I have been to Maple Park in Wareham, on the cape. They have a nice pond that is drained every year. Could be a good base for eastern Mass.

Another one I want to try, but a friend has, is Pine Acres in Central Mass.

deartruc · 03-08-2015, 03:46 PM

And there's Odetah in CT too. Normandy does book fast (they actually start taking reservations for 2016 in April!). But, if you can get in, you have the 'T' in Foxboro that will take you into Boston to do all that Historic stuff or the museums. KOA in North Stonington is our cob web shaking off spot in April. You're really close to Mystic and the Aquarium and Sea Port. Now for Bayley's. All the activities are mainly in the front entrance. So registering and then driving there are people everywhere. But, the campground is HUGE. They opened up Bayley's South for those big rig, 'no kids' area. It has an adult only pool, hot tubs, and bar. Bayley's North is where all the activities are. Two heated pools, 4 hot tubs, a restaurant by the pool where you can have 'Lobsta' by the pool, and an entertainment band shell with live bands, magicians, karaoke and a hypnotist. Bayley's runs there own "Trolley style" shuttle that takes you to Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough Beach every hour. Old Orchard Beach has Palace Playland, an amusement park right on the beach. There is also an amusement park (Funtown Splashtown) and a waterpark (Aquaboggin) that the campground shuttles you to also. Scarborough also has a horse track (never been there) and a Nascar North track. So, for kids, you will have more than enough to do.

BTW, probably should high light where not to go in New England since most campgrounds have so much to do and see.

geotex1 · 03-08-2015, 03:55 PM

Once you venture our of CT (great suggestions so far) and you want to see some nice sites, venture on some nice trails, explore caverns, and every child loves a railroad, then check out Lost River Valley Campground in North Woodstock, NH.

ChooChooMan74 · 03-08-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deartruc

you have the 'T' in Foxboro that will take you into Boston to do all that Historic stuff or the museums.

Negative. You will have to get the T in Walpole or Mansfield. The Foxboro station at Gillette Stadium is for special events at the stadium. Although, in the years to come, this could change, as the state has bought the line from CSX, and want to upgrade it to at least 40mph from the current 10mph.

deartruc · 03-09-2015, 11:05 PM

Never Argue with a man that has "Choo Choo"in his handle. (Mansfield is the next town over). Also, here's a link to a discount to a days pass at Palace Playland: http://www.palaceplayland.com/public...fm?preview=yes

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