Question: Karen B. Jones posted on our FaceBook page: We're in Kansas and thinking of going somewhere in the northeast this summer. But we don't know the area at all (that's why we're going!). We want to get there by train and use a rental car once we're in the area. We have two girls, ages 5 and 2. Where would you recommend we visit? Anybody know any gems that we just "have" to include? We definitely want to have some cheap lobster. I think the girls would like walking on beaches, wading in streams, playing on playgrounds, short hikes in pretty scenery, and kid-friendly tourist traps. No sports, museums, or amusement parks, please.

Answer: Here are a few suggestions for a summer trip to the Northeast with two young children who would enjoy the outdoors. Check out Ogunquit, Maine. Here you'll find a peaceful spot for a summer retreat with oodles of outdoor activities. The kids will enjoy the sandy shores and wading in tidal pools. Hop on a trolley ride through town or drive up to the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region for gentle hikes (check trail guide) and pony rides. Family whale watching tours depart from Perkins Cove and you're sure to find plenty of places to enjoy lobster. Amtrak has rail service into Portland, Maine.

Another option would be to visit Cape Cod. There are family-friendly accommodations along the cape, many offering beach access, paddle boats and other water craft, and programs designed just for the kids with arts and crafts, games and movie nights. Outside the resorts there are plenty of places to explore like the ZooQuarium in West Yarmouth which features both land and aquatic animals. If you change your mind about museums, there's the Cape Cod Children's Museum in Mashpee. Amtrak has rail service into Boston which is 1-2 1/2  away, depending on how far along the cape you go.

A third possibility is the Burlington area of Vermont along Lake Champlain. There are a number of outdoor activities that will surely keep the kids entertained. There are sandy beaches along the lake coast with picnic and playground areas at North Beach Park. Visit ECO Lake Aquarium, enjoy the shops and other activities at the Church Street Marketplace or take a drive to Waterbury (I-89 to Waterbury-Stowe Road) and visit the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (only $3, kids free!), the Vermont Teddy Bear Company where you can tour the factory and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. If you feel like driving further, continue on into Stowe. Visit the quaint shops in town or go to Stowe Mountain where you can take the gondola sky ride and enjoy spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding area, and ride the alpine slide. Amtrak provides rail service into Burlington.

Please have a conversation with an Amtrak representative at 1-800-USA-RAIL about the time and trains changes required to travel from Kansas to the northeast U.S.-- that may be a consideration in your planning. 

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