— By Laurie Bain Wilson —
The nation might be partying prefer it’s 1776 to have fun the 250th birthday of our nation subsequent July, and households can begin planning now. Specifically, New England is gearing up for the massive birthday bash, given its storied historical past, and already boasting their “first” and “oldest” taverns, inns, and battles forward of the event.
Listed below are some family-friendly historic spots in New England the place classroom historical past books come alive. That is the place America’s story started (and remains to be being written).
Observe: Plans are nonetheless fluid in some locations, so test the hyperlinks typically for up to date data.
Rhode Island
Bristol
Flag the small-town of Bristol in your itinerary. Simply 15 miles from bustling Newport, the coastal city is on the map for the parade of all Fourth of July parades. It’s been a practice right here since 1785, and Bristol is residence to the oldest steady Independence Day celebration within the nation. And there are different compelling causes to go to.
“Newport lives as much as its nickname as ‘America’s Summer season Playground’ with historic appeal, iconic mansions and scenic harbors,” mentioned Victoria Cimino, Uncover Newport CEO. “We additionally encourage guests to discover close by gems like Bristol — a historic port city wealthy in Revolutionary Struggle historical past, Portuguese tradition, and outside adventures.”
There are lots of actions for visiting households. The East Bay Bike Path embraces Bristol, a scenic coastal path for a stroll or bike journey that snakes alongside Narragansett Bay, all the way in which to Windfall. Alongside the way in which, colonial-style properties flank the streets. You’ll additionally discover a sea of eating places like The Lobster Pot, serving lobster dishes to the area for a long time.
A household vacay isn’t all in regards to the children. Mother will need to sneak away for some wellness on the Alayne White Spa, a colourful inventive spa situated proper on the town and well-known for its facials for greater than 25 years.
And, like Newport, Bristol has its assortment of mansions with plenty of outside gardens and lawns for youths to unfold out; Blithewold is particularly child pleasant.
Keep
Bristol Harbor Inn: A first-rate waterfront spot on the town and subsequent to the East Bay Bike Path that hugs the Narragansett Bay, this can be a family-friendly place to stick with 56 rooms and suites.
Bristol additionally hosts a handful of inns, just like the Bradford-Dimond-Norris Inn, inbuilt 1792 for Deputy Governor William Bradford with 5 beautiful visitor rooms and a porch for lazy summer time days. (Sure, children are invited and welcome.)
Massachusetts
Boston
Rock the cradle of the American Revolution subsequent summer time in Boston, the state capital. It is a nice metropolis to contemplate, as Boston will host a whole lot of actions in the course of the Independence Day vacation to have fun the semiquincentennial in 2026.
The USS Structure, Paul Revere’s Home, Bunker Hill Monument, and different historic websites children have realized about in class sit beside the two.5-mile Freedom Path; begin on the Boston Widespread and finish at Charlestown.
The Hatch Shell on the banks of the Charles River is at all times a banner spot for the annual Fourth of July live performance and fireworks, and subsequent yr might be additional particular, for certain.
Have a meal at The Union Oyster Home which turns 200 subsequent yr and is the oldest restaurant in Boston and oldest in steady service within the nation; you’ll discover a children’ menu and lots of attention-grabbing memorabilia when you’re inside. Enjoyable truth: Daniel Webster slurped oysters on the round bar, which remains to be right here.
Sail Boston will have fun maritime historical past subsequent summer time with tall ships and vessels for the birthday bash subsequent yr.
The Museum of Advantageous Arts, Boston (MFA) will debut its 18th-century Artwork of the Americas galleries subsequent yr simply in time for the July 4th social gathering. They’ll have all palms on deck at The USS Structure Museum, and the Boston Tea Occasion Ships & Museum can be planning for the massive birthday.
Batter up! Baseball-loving sluggers will love Fenway Park. Residence to the Pink Sox, Fenway is the oldest MLB ballpark within the nation (based in 1912) and might be grand slamming it subsequent summer time with particular occasions; excursions are additionally a enjoyable thought.
Keep
Ah, the irony. As soon as the notorious Charles Road Jail, the resort will have fun freedom subsequent summer time with a particular bundle. It is a spot that children will like to share of their “what I did on my summer time vacay” essays.
The unique, guest-only 250th Sail-abration Occasion for the Fourth will embrace fireworks you’ll see from The Yard and the fourth-floor catwalk. (Keep in mind, this can be a former jail.) The bundle additionally consists of waterfront views of the long-lasting Boston Pops live performance by the Charles River together with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, limitless water/seltzer, a stay DJ, face portray, and a photobooth.
Harvard Sq. in Cambridge, simply throughout the Charles River, is famously residence to Harvard College. As this space continues to make historical past, there are many relics of the previous to discover. It’s also residence to the Charles Lodge, a wise alternative for households visiting Boston (and a fast journey on the T will scoot you proper into the town). The rooms are handsomely embellished, and Henrietta’s Desk comes with an array of domestically sourced components. The resort is a skip from Harvard Yard, and also you would possibly take into account the student-led excursions for extra perception into your environment.
Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport District
Guide one of many visitor rooms with water views, and also you’ll get up to the dawn over Boston Harbor. There may be additionally a swimming pool, an out of doors deck with fireplace pits, a powerful (and included) breakfast buffet unfold, and room charges will be cheaper than different Boston motels.
Maine
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is famously identified for the Bush compound, the place the Bush household takes their summer time holidays. As such, the seaside city at all times exhibits its pink, white, and blue stripes on the Fourth with a parade that has sometimes included the previous presidents. Subsequent summer time, it’s a provided that Kennebunkport will go all out for the Fourth.
Kennebunkport can be the place vacationers take pleasure in lobster rolls, fried clams, and ice cream on sizzling summer time days. (The Clam Shack on the town by the water is a favourite; the lengthy strains will inform you you’re arrived.) Together with the nice eats, there are many family-friendly seashores to discover.
Keep
This unpretentious but stylish household resort has all of the feels of nostalgic childhood trip, and that’s why households maintain coming again technology after technology. The resort’s historical past dates again greater than a century, with maybe the perfect location in Kennebunkport. You’ll be able to take pleasure in a pleasant stroll into city or to the seaside, although there’s additionally a shuttle for even simpler entry.
You could discover that children gained’t even need to go away the resort, with a child’s camp together with all of the necessities for a dream summer time trip. (Assume: crab racing proper on the dock, swimming within the outside pool, wiffle ball video games, basketball…) At night time, fireplace pits dot the garden with tuckered-out children s’moring and oldsters sipping.
Joyful campers rule this tenting resort in Kennebunkport about 5 miles from city in RV’s, pop-up tents, glamping tents (i.e. chandeliers however no loos), and cabins with outside seating like picnic tables. Additionally, every unit has a fireplace pit to simply make s’mores and reminiscences as a household. Many of the models don’t have loos, however there are handy bathhouses close by with a non-public bathroom and bathe in a single area.
You’ll additionally discover a saltwater pool, a busy playground, garden video games like Bocce, and arranged video games like Sweet Bar Bingo. Head to a lodge to search out Maine souvenirs together with snacks (cheese, chips, Jiffy Pop popcorn to cook dinner over the campfire) and grownup bevs (together with frozen boozy ice pops). Subsequent summer time for the Fourth, count on a embellished kiddie bike parade, old style barbecues, cotton sweet, and different Yankee Doodle dandies.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth
The maritime heritage is wealthy on this historic cobblestoned seaport city that sits about an hour-and-a-half north of Boston on the busy Piscataqua River. Portsmouth was integrated in 1653, when the title first appeared with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Strawberry Banke Museum is an easy-to-do outside residing historical past museum that explores 300 years of New England, from the colonial days to the 20th century, with enjoyable actions like candle making and blacksmith instruments. And it’s only a skip from city. Subsequent summer time, gear up for the entire appeal you’d count on from an old style celebration of Americana.
And on a sizzling summer time day, there’s nothing higher than licking an ice cream cone and watching the passersby whereas sitting in Market Sq. or on a bench in Prescott Park, with its beautiful gardens.
Keep
The Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Lodge
The indoor pool is motive sufficient for households to like this large resort. The placement is one other compelling perk, only a fast stroll to all of the motion together with the waterfront, eating places, ice cream retailers, and Strawberry Banke Museum.
A fast 15-minute drive to Portsmouth (there may be additionally a complimentary shuttle), this sprawling historic resort in New Fortress has all of the bells and whistles. The Gilded Age retreat debuted in 1874, internet hosting many presidents and dignitaries since. For households, there are clay tennis courts, a pair of swimming swimming pools, a spa, and a picturesque marina. On the marina, you’ll discover Latitudes restaurant and its iconic lobster rolls (together with a children’ menu).
Connecticut
Mystic
Mystic will present its maritime stripes subsequent summer time. It’s residence to the Nineteenth-century maritime Mystic Seaport Museum, which pays homage to the nation’s earliest seafaring days and whaling business. Youngsters like to climb the Charles W. Morgan, the one remaining picket whaling vessel; courting to 1841, it’s the nation’s oldest business ship nonetheless afloat. There might be costumed interpreters and reenactments for the Fourth subsequent summer time, in addition to 19th century video games.
The Mystic Aquarium has a splashy sea lion present and is situated subsequent to Olde Mistick Village, an excellent spot to whereas away a day with fudge and ice cream retailers; go to Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop, it raises the bar for bookstores — plenty of enjoyable for each children and oldsters.
Additionally, go to downtown Mystic and seize slices and pies from the pizza store that starred within the flick Mystic Pizza.
Keep
Youngsters love this resort, because of the indoor pool and “dive-in” motion pictures, the place they will swim and watch family-friendly motion pictures whereas within the water; scavenger hunts and prizes; craft actions; and the Mystic Aquarium proper throughout the road. The Irons restaurant is energetic and pays homage to the area’s shipbuilding heritage.
The resort is much less expensive and rather more budget-friendly than another Mystic choices. It’s additionally only a brief stroll (or two-minute drive) to Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium. Connecting and pet-friendly rooms are another choice, and the complimentary breakfast, bagel, and low bar are additionally family-friendly. If your loved ones is a fan of beating the warmth within the water, the outside pool right here sees lots of motion!
Vermont
Woodstock
It will likely be a Yankee Doodle summer time subsequent yr in Woodstock, a darling historic village situated within the Inexperienced Mountains; Woodstock predates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, because it was chartered in 1761. And it affords Americana eye sweet at each flip.
Woodstock’s Fourth of July facilities round a small-town parade with large ambition, maple cremees galore, swimming holes, a carnival celebration on the native highschool, and the largest fireworks show within the state. Subsequent yr might be no exception.
Keep
The 142-room historic resort is an instance of well-preserved New England craftsmanship and heritage. It’s obtained a plum location on the inexperienced, proper subsequent to the library (take a look at the e-book gross sales) and a skip from the boutiques and eating places. There are family-friendly experiences to entertain the entire squad: tennis, golf, swimming (two swimming pools), fly fishing, spa therapies, mountaineering, biking, a retro recreation room, and s’mores by the fireplace pit on the garden, after all.
Wanting Forward to America’s 250th
With the Fourth of July proper across the nook, it’s the right time to assume forward to subsequent yr and the numerous festivities set to happen to honor America’s 250th birthday. Within the meantime, Joyful Independence Day! Whereas subsequent yr is a giant one, take pleasure in celebrating the nation’s 249th along with your family and friends in 2025!
—
In regards to the Writer: Laurie Bain Wilson’s work has appeared in Actual Easy, Working Mom, OpenTable, PBS/Subsequent Avenue, Journey Channel, CNN Journey, Journey Market Report, Eat This, Chowhound, Dad and mom, Salon, Wine Fanatic, VinePair, and New York Instances. She can be a longtime correspondent at The Boston Globe. Discover extra from Laurie at weekendsandcupcakes.com and her Muckrack profile.