Looking for a last-minute day trip to take before school starts? We’ve got you covered with 4 of the best.
As Granite Staters, some years it feels like we’re waiting on bated breath for summer to begin. We count down the days until the solstice and soak up every extra minute of sunlight along the way. Then, once the warmer weather finally arrives, it can often feel like everything’s passing in the blink of an eye.
With only a few precious weeks left in the season, now is a great time to plan a day trip to check out somewhere new before the kids have to head back to school. While New Hampshire itself is home to an abundance of options, many of which are accessible in our own counties, I decided to zoom out and pick four destinations elsewhere in New England for you to explore.
So, grab your sunblock, snack packs, water bottles, and comfortable shoes, and try not to cry at the gas pump when you’re getting fuel before you hit the road for one last summer hurrah.
From Southern New Hampshire: Salem, MA (about 1-hour drive)
When most people picture visiting Salem, Massachusetts, they’re usually envisioning themselves there in the fall. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing quite like Salem’s Haunted Happenings, but as someone who used to live in that city, I’m here to tell you it’s equally charming year-round. Plus, if you go in the summer instead, you’ll miss the roughly 1.1 million (!) people who visit in October.
Salem is an ideal day trip destination because it has everything you need: restaurants, museums, shopping, culture, and history. In a second, I’m going to suggest a few things to add to your itinerary, but first, here’s a helpful overview of some of the restaurants and shops in the city.
Now, some of the biggest hits among families are the usual haunts (listen, you can’t expect me to write about the Witch City without throwing in a few puns), like:
The Witch House
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission costs $12 for adults, $8 for children, and $10 for seniors. Children under the age of six are admitted for free. Purchased by Jonathan Corwin in 1675, it’s more formerly known as The Corwin House but is primarily referred to solely as The Witch House. That’s because Corwin and members of his family took part in the witch hunt leading up to the infamous Salem Witch Trials.
It’s one of the last surviving structures from that period of history and draws large crowds. I’d suggest getting there early—maybe even make this the first stop on your trip—to avoid crowds, take the tour, and snap as many pictures as you’d like outside before going about the rest of your day.
The House of the Seven Gables
Local author Nathaniel Hawthorne was so inspired by this historic house and its interesting history that he wrote a book about it under the same name. Constructed in 1668 by merchant John Turner, the unique structure sits along the harbor, making it one of the most stunning places to visit.
It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mansion tour tickets cost $26 per adult, $21 per senior, and $18 per child ages 5 to 12. Children under the age of five are admitted for free.
This one is a personal recommendation as I took the mansion tour several years ago and deeply enjoyed the experience. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, kind, and entertaining, and being able to walk through the house enhanced the overall experience.
The Ropes Mansion & Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Two free things you can do to save yourself some money while still making the most of your time in Salem are walking by the Ropes Mansion and the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. Technically speaking, the Ropes Mansion & Garden require paid tickets to access, but you can stand out front and take pictures without forking over the fee.
This is probably only a big draw if you’re a fan of the movie “Hocus Pocus,” as the Ropes Mansion is used for Allison’s house in the scene where Max and Dani drop by while trick-or-treating. You can also walk by Max and Dani’s house and other assorted filming locations. Click here to learn more about those.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a must for me whenever I’m in the city. It honors the 20 victims of the Salem Witch Trials with individual granite benches bearing their names. It’s a bit somber, but it helps drive the point home that these were senseless killings and lends to the spooky atmosphere of the area.
Bonus: Salem Willows
Ending the day at Salem Willows will earn you some serious brownie points with your kids. There’s popcorn, ice cream, and an arcade, plus a waterfront park and plenty of places to grab dinner. Not only will it give the little ones a chance to run around and get some energy out, but if you’re anything like me, it’ll make you feel nostalgic for a simpler time when all that really mattered was playing skeeball and keeping your ice cream from melting.
From Eastern New Hampshire: Kennebunkport, ME (about 1-hour drive)
When I plan family time, I want to, you know, actually spend time with my family. This is much easier to do when we’re somewhere scenic that has plenty of things to do but isn’t so overrun with other people that it becomes impossible to stick with your group or hear anything they’re saying. Enter: Kennebunkport, Maine.
Located roughly an hour’s drive from several Eastern New Hampshire towns, this coastal beauty has lobster rolls, live shows, boat tours, local souvenir shops, bike rentals, a beach, and a lighthouse. And that’s just naming a handful of the fun things you can do in Kennebunkport.
Going here is more of a “choose your own adventure” type of trip. First Chance Whale Watch is a great family outing if you and your brood want to get closer to nature. If staying inside is more your speed, the Seashore Trolley Museum is an instant classic. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and admission prices are as follows:
- Adults between 17-59: $15
- Adults 60+: $13
- Children 2 years old and under: Free
- Children between 3-6: $7
- Children between 6-16: $13
From Western New Hampshire: Bennington, VT (about 1.5-hour drive)
This next day trip is one for the literary lovers. Famous author Shirley Jackson (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Lottery”) spent about 20 years living and writing in Bennington, Vermont. Part of the appeal of visiting this quaint town is seeing the two houses she wrote some of her most famous works in—one on Prospect Street and the other on Main Street. Literary Hub has a fantastic article here detailing Jackson’s time in Bennington if you’d like to give it a read, perhaps out loud to everyone else, before you go.
There’s also Bennington College, which served as the inspiration for Donna Tartt’s debut novel “The Secret History.” Tartt attended Bennington College alongside fellow writer Bret Easton Ellis of “American Psycho” fame. It’s a beautiful place to take a stroll, and numerous events are scheduled to take place over the last remaining weeks of summer.
Other places you can check out include Hawkins House, the Village Chocolate Shoppe, Bennington Museum, Robert Frost Stone House Museum, Bennington Battle Monument, and the Robert Frost Trailhead. More information on each of those can be found at the following link.
Beyond that, Bennington has several shops and restaurants nestled in its walkable downtown area. As you’re walking around, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of your favorite novel or onto the soundstage of a Hallmark movie, both of which are equally appealing.
From Northern New Hampshire: Rangeley, ME (about 1.5-hour drive)
For our final day trip, we’re heading back to Maine, this time to Rangeley. Roughly 1.5 hours from a few Northern New Hampshire towns, Rangeley is an outdoorsman’s dream come true. Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust encompasses 14,000 acres with recreational trails spanning 35 miles. Stopping there first will give you some time to stretch your legs after being stuck in the car for a little while.
Up next is a picnic at Rangeley Lakes State Park, where you can also fish, observe wildlife, and go canoeing. To break things up on a hot afternoon, stop into the Maine Forestry Museum or the Outdoor Heritage Museum to learn more about the state’s logging history and Native American tribes, respectively.
You can also go bowling and grab lunch at Moose Alley, or just enjoy solid local fare at Portage Tap House. And if you’re looking for even more things to do, Reddit has you covered with additional restaurant and destination suggestions here.
