https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:16:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772737 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 10:25:26 +0000 yoursilverlining 2772737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Portland does have beaches, but it isn’t a "beach-town" in the same way some of the other places you’ve mentioned are. There isn’t like a big beach, or a big beachy area you can walk to from the downtown for instance. There are some “hidden” gems of beaches though in Portland itself. There are also two really nice big sandy beaches about 15 minutes south of Portland in Scarborough, and another about 20 minutes north of Portland in Freeport. There are probably also good beaches in between those towns too; those are just the ones I like the best and go to. You would most likely want/need to rent a car but there are tons of options within 20 minutes of Portland for beaches. </p> <p>Within Portland itself, check out Mackworth Island (this may technically be in Falmouth, actually) and East End beach. South Portland has Willard beach. In Scarborough, check out Higgins beach, Scarborough State Park and Ferry beach. In Freeport, check out Winslow Memorial Park. </p> <p>I’m less familiar with the beaches between Portland the NH border just because we don’t need to go that far south to go to the beach, but of course Kennebunk/K'port and Oqunquit are great options too. A beach that’s often mentioned is Old Orchard Beach. Personally, that’s the last on my list because it’s not as nice as the other beaches and also doesn’t have the same vibe as some of the others. I don’t know; I just don’t really like it (and neither do a ton of people up here) though there isn’t anything wrong with it either. It’s also really touristy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772713 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:25:09 +0000 ShootingStar 2772713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: The house we use is listed on weneedavacation.com. </p> <p>Just a warning that Provincetown itself can be a little overwhelming. Every time we're there it's super busy to the point where you can barely walk down the street. It's like Time Square at Christmas, but with the culture of Greenwich Village, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772710 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:18:57 +0000 Anagram 2772710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I think Provincetown is amazing and right up our alley, but when I look at the usual websites--like vrbo, airbnb, there's practically nothing listed. Like 3 for all of Provincetown that have 3+ bedrooms, and I know that can't be right.</p> <p>Are there other websites I should be using? But yes, a mix of beach and a cute town/things to do are what we are looking for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772685 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 08:02:29 +0000 ShootingStar 2772685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I know this wasn't directed at me, but I'd say to aim for somewhere near Orleans. I love Skaket and First Encounter Beach (both on the bay side). We usually rent a house in Eastham, which has pluses and minuses. It's centrally located so we can drive all over the cape, but there's not much in Eastham itself except for houses and beaches. Orleans has more restaurants and that's where Skaket beach is. </p> <p>I'm not big on Hyannis or the towns closer to the bridges. We mostly go to Orleans, Chatham, or Provincetown. Unless we're doing First encounter beach, which is close to where we stay. </p> <p>It also kind of depends on what activities you like to do. Do you want to go to the beach every day? Do you want shopping and restaurants? Personally I like a mix of beach time and walking around the cute towns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772681 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 07:52:39 +0000 Adira 2772681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about Old Orchard Beach in Maine?</p> <p><a href="https://oldorchardbeachmaine.com/" rel="nofollow">https://oldorchardbeachmaine.com/</a></p> <p>There's a bunch of kid-friendly things to do around there too - water parks, amusement parks, mini-golfing. Plus the beach of course! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772559 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 14:27:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2772559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I only know brewster because we have a relative there, but it's nice! Ice cream shops, mini golf, there is a little museum... and we usually go to breakwater beach near their house but you need a resident parking permit unless you can walk there. No waves and cute tide pools at the right time of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772544 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 11:15:40 +0000 Anagram 2772544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: so does Portland itself have beaches? I do love lobster rolls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772543 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 11:14:53 +0000 Anagram 2772543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: any specific towns you would recommend on the bay side? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772493 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 21:08:54 +0000 nana87 2772493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww I was going to say North Fork before I saw you've already been lol. We love it now that we have kiddos-- we've gone the past 3 summers. Super laid back and kid friendly but fun adult stuff too like delicious food and vineyards/breweries </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772444 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 16:19:20 +0000 Foodnerd81 2772444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I was going to suggest cape cod before I saw it on your list a lot of rental houses run Saturday to Saturday, so of course traffic willbe the worst those days too. I personally wouldn't bother doing Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard unless you were going to fly straight from Logan- driving to the Cape then getting a ferry would be a lot. But on Martha's Vineyard you don't even need a car, they have shuttles that go around the different towns. I've only been once and it was pre kids though. I really like bay side beaches on the Cape- warmer and very little waves, which is nice for the little kids. </p> <p>One specific option- my in laws had a family reunion of sorts and rented multiple small cabins next to each other in the Ocean Edge village in Brewster. So they could walk back and forth to each other but each family had their own space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772423 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:32:37 +0000 yoursilverlining 2772423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Maine so I’m obv biased but Maine is pretty close to Heaven in the summer and definitely has all you mentioned above (as well as lobster rolls cheap lol).</p> <p>So Portland is a 2 hour drive from Boston Logan (but there are also busses and an Amtrack train that you can take vs. driving). Portland also has a really nice little airport served by most of the airlines. There are tons of rental homes on the millions of lakes out here, many of which have nice sandy beaches. Then of course is the coast and sandy beaches and rocky beaches.</p> <p>If you stay near Portland, you’re also well situated to (day) travel to many places. Portsmouth, NH (which I LOVE) is only 45 minutes away. VT is like 3 hours away, Boston 2, even Canada is only a 6 hour drive. </p> <p>Bar Harbor is about 4 hours from Portland and it’s beautiful but also REALLY expensive in the summer and books up very early. From up there though you can access Acadia if you want any level of hiking (easy to insane). </p> <p>Boothbay Harbor is another coastal city we like a lot; as well as Rockland/Camden and Belfast. </p> <p>Most larger (relative term!) cities on the coast will have fishing charters, whale and nature watch boats, etc. All of the cities I mentioned above definitely do and all also have really charming little downtowns. </p> <p>There is very little pretentiousness anywhere in Maine. Portland is a foodie-haven and even there there is only one restaurant I wouldn’t bring my LO to, because I know they will be pretentious but no one else (even the white linen places) are pretentious at all. Many won’t have children’s menus but will gladly make something simple like pasta or whatnot for kids if you just ask. </p> <p>Finding a vacation rental house with a pool might be a real challenge.t. Some resorts have more individual/small buildings versus like just hotel rooms and would be more likely to have pools. Pools are not very useful up here so most places won't have them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772397 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 13:12:12 +0000 Anagram 2772397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: yeah, I have a friend with a house in North Fork, so it's on my list, but I might prefer somewhere I've never been before myself, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772390 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:49:26 +0000 snowjewelz 2772390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can only chime in for Hamptons/Eastern Long Island since I live an hour or so away... </p> <p>I don't know about budget, but of Hamptons is expensive, Montauk/Greenport/North Fork areas are all lovely. If everyone can get into cars, the possibilities are endless. You can beach town stuff, fishing, shopping (there is a big outlet), splish splash, wineries, farms for kids.... So much to do! The only thing is coming from NYC airports it's def gonna be a bit of a drive depending on when. But I feel like everything you listed will not be that close to the major airport anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772388 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:18:09 +0000 NorthStar 2772388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually just got back from vacation to Kennebunkport this past week! We loved it! We were with another family and rented an AirBnB that held all of us, which was perfect. There are two great beaches there that were perfect for the kids to play (6 months, 13 months, and 5 years old). The town is cute and there is plenty to do. I think that Portland is about 30 minutes from there and Boston is only 1.5 hours. I've also heard that Portsmouth, NH is nice too and that isn't very far from many of the south Maine beach towns. I know that Airbnb has many places to rent all down the south coast of Maine. If you want any more specifics, feel free to PM me.</p> <p>p.s., there were whale watching and other charters in town and I would recommend Allison's as a kid friendly restaurant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772363 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:21:34 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2772363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've run into 3 people who went to Maine on vacation this past summer and said that it's a must to do once the boys are older. I'm looking forward to that.</p> <p>We vacation in Avalon, NJ every year and we LOVE it. Avalon is north of Wildwood and Cape May. It's a little more upscale than Wildwood, but not as much history as Cape May. The nice thing about Avalon is that the town is very walkable as long as you stay within a few blocks of it, and you can rent a large house with a pool easily. You're also about a half hour from Ocean City where there's a boardwalk and rides for the kids. Wildwood is about 15 minutes south, and Cape May is also about 25 minutes south. The Cape May County Zoo is free and within about 15 minutes.</p> <p>We'll go to the beach a few days, then take the kids somewhere. We also rent bikes and ride down to Stone Harbor with the kiddos in the trailer behind us. There are a ton of water sports and fishing excursions that you can do, and the Jersey Shore points have such cute shopping areas. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772357 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:55:27 +0000 PurplePumps 2772357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first thought was Maine also! A ton of people have told me that Ogunquit is great and has really nice beaches too. (As nice as a northern Atlantic beach can be since it'll still probably be pretty cold waters!) And from there you can easily visit Kenebunkport, Portland, or Freeport too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772356 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:52:51 +0000 catlady 2772356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Cape is great and we go almost every year. I'd highly suggest trying to time it so that you aren't driving to/from the airport on the weekend though. The traffic on the drive down is always the worst part for me. Nantucket is so lovely and you could fly directly from Logan and avoid traffic altogether. It's a bit sleepier there than on the Cape itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772351 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:40:27 +0000 ShootingStar 2772351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go to Cape Cod every year with my family and love it. There are tons of houses for rent and a lot of activities. It also tends to max out in the 70s, so it doesn't get very hot. A pool may be difficult to find depending on budget. But the beaches on the Cape side are great for kids, especially at low tide. </p> <p>Martha's Vineyard is fun and has lots of little towns, but it might feel restricting to have to stay on the island or take a long ferry ride to get off. Plus, it'll be further from the airport. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772347 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:29:05 +0000 sillymilly 2772347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Uncle lives in Rehoboth Beach, DE, so I grew up going to the beach there. There are plenty of houses for rent in Rehoboth or neighboring Dewey Beach which is less crowded and family friendly. There is a large wood boardwalk in Rehoboth, and it is a short (maybe 15-20 minute) drive to Lewes where you can board a ferry to go to Cape May. We mostly went to the beach and hung out at my uncle's house, so unfortunately I don't have a lot of input for other activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772336 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:56:20 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2772336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cape Cod is great and there are plenty of house rentals in addition to cottages and B&amp;Bs depending on exactly what you want/need. You can also take a ferry over to Martha's Vineyard if you just want to do a day trip without staying on the island. There are a lot of great things to do, walking trails, a bike path that stretches for miles connecting several towns, the National seashore, along with great quirky towns with shopping and food, lighthouses, wineries, a brewery, you can charter fishing boats or go for a whale watch, most towns have several mini golf places and Wellfleet has a drive in movie theater that does double features a kids movie first and then a more adult movie as the second showing. My grandfather lives on the cape so we go every year, if you have questions feel free to ask. I am also from the NJ area and spend a lot of time in Ocean City NJ during the summers. I am less apt to think of that as a destination though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772333 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:52:50 +0000 Anagram 2772333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: any specific suggestions? I didn't put it on my list because I know so little. I've been to Portland 1 time, for 2 days, and that was years ago.</p> <p>I have some coworkers that go to Kennebunkport, but I know nothing else about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772327 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:43:20 +0000 looch 2772327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about Maine? I don't know anything about the logistics of it, but I would include it in the exploratory phase at least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-2018-vacation-planning-where-east-coast-edition#post-2772322 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:33:07 +0000 Anagram 2772322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's about a year away, but one of my friend groups wants to attempt a multi-family vacation next summer and we want to pick a location and a week far in advance, so everyone can plan their 2018 vacation time. It's going to be 3 families: a family with 2 kids, and the other families each have 1 kid. Two of the families will either be TTC or pregnant, so they are *serious* about no potential Zika exposure. Everyone also prefers location that aren't super hot in summer. Two families will be flying, so a major airport nearby(ish-within 2 hours or so) is preferred. We also prefer to rent a house, so we can put the kids to bed and still socialize with each other. We definitely want a beach and a pool would be a plus. Bonus points for non-beach activity potential too, like maybe fishing charter, or whale watching, or lighthouse exploring, or whatever. And a few good restaurants. Kid friendly and not pretentious.</p> <p>A lot of places are on my radar, but I don't have personal experience there. So if you have any recommendations or tips or comparisons or even just general descriptions, please weigh in.</p> <p>Here are places I'm considering:</p> <p>Boston Airport: Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, possible Newport, Narragansett, or Block Island (Not all of them, just picking 1 of them). I've only been to Cape Cod, and only once, so I'm definitely not an expert.</p> <p>NYC airports: Hamptons, northern part of Jersey shore</p> <p>Philly airport: Cape May/Wildwood, Delaware beaches</p> <p>How do I narrow this down? I've only been to Cape May, Wildwood, a handful of northern Jersey beaches, Cape Cod, and Providence. But I stayed in hotels at all of them and not a house rental.</p> <p>help? </p>