New England is an exciting place to visit in the summer or anytime of year. Here are ten summer vacation ideas that will introduce you to the six fabulous New England states. You are sure to find one that will suit you and your family.

~Newport RI

Late in the 19th Century, a handful of the richest men in the United States decided to make Newport Rhode Island their summer vacation destination. In order to maintain their lifestyle they built 'cottages" where they could entertain and be entertained. Today visitors can tour these magnificent cottages.and see how the other half vacationed. Stop by the Visitors Center at 23 Americas Cup Ave to find out what is going on and to pick up maps and brochures. You will enjoy the quaint shops and the water front dining as well.

~Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge MA

Take a trip back in time with a visit to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge MA. An entire village has been created here with authentic homes, a church, a school and stores. Costumes villagers go about their lives, as they would have in 1828. You can sit in the school house and learn what school would have been like, watch a blacksmith or a cooper as they perform their tasks, take a wagon ride through the village or walk the lanes to a farm where the crops are being tended. This is a living history lesson that will be enjoyed by every member of the family.

~Lake Compounce Amusement Park Bristol CT

Called New England's Family Theme Park, Lake Compounce is the oldest continually operating amusement park in the country. They have expanded their small town park and fresh water lake to include state of the art rides and a water park. This truly is a family destination where you can spend a whole day or a whole week enjoying the small town feel.

~Boston's Freedom Trail

Boston is a city that makes a great summer vacation destination and one of the things that many families want to take part in is walking the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile brick trail will take you to the places that are significant in the road leading up to the American Revolution. In addition, there are duck tours, great Italian food and Quincy Marketplace.

~Attitash Mountain NH

This wintertime ski resort just doesn't stand idle all summer; they have an Alpine Slide, waterslides, a Euro-bungy trampoline, mountain biking, scenic sky ride and plenty of other outdoor activities to keep the sports minded family happy.

~Burlington VT

Burlington VT. is a great vacation destination. Not only do you have all the amazing activities that are available on Lake Champlain and the downtown market Place in Burlington is a great place to browse. You can roller blade or bike in the designated area along Lake Champlain and enjoy the crisp mountain air. Close by is Shelburne Farm, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. More than enough to do to have a great getaway.

~Freeport ME

Freeport ME. is the home to the only desert in New England. Yes I did say desert, take a tour it will be a unique experience. While you are in Freeport, you can visit the flagship LL Bean Store that brings many people for Freeport on its own.

~Cape Cod MA

Cap Cod is the quintessential summer vacation experience. You can visit the National Seashore, The John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis, The Race Point Light House, Sandwich Glass Museum, The Heritage Museum and visit the Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole. There are ferries that will take you to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket and whale watch tours from Provincetown. These are just a few of the things you can do on Cape Cod.

~Santasland Bellows Falls VT

If you have younger children they will be delighted to see Santa Claus and have their picture taken, ride the rides and see the reindeer. It is a charming place to visit, reminiscent of the 1950's. Not a lot of glitz but certainly lots of simple fun.

~Mystic Seaport Mystic CT

Mystic Seaport is a whaling village complete with ships and plenty of ocean going fun. You can climb aboard a whaling vessel and walk through the recreated whaling village. It is a history lesson at every turn.

These are just ten of the hundreds of summer vacation ideas for New England. There is somewhere in New England that will make just the perfect vacation destination for you.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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