February school vacation week is almost here, and while you know the kids need rest, you’d really like to inject some fun family time into your week. What if every day of that week could be a family trip of its very own?
Consider this vacation week itinerary – all of it or part of it – for some easy-to-access and great last minute fun around New England.
Monday: It’s President’s Day, so after letting the kids sleep a little later, head to Quincy, one of the best cities for presidential history there is. Park and, if the weather is right or you bundle up, walk the “President’s Trail,” (discoverquincy.com/presidents-trail/) a just-over-one-mile long route that takes you into and past the homes of early presidents and other leaders. There’s Peacefield (the summer White House of John Adams), the “Church of the Presidents” where you can sit in the pew favored by Adams and family and visit the crypt where they are buried and more.
It’s not just history; Quincy is lovely and fun and has an incredible food scene.
Tuesday: Tuesday can be for tubing, and we’ve got plenty of options around the Bay State. Nashoba Valley Ski Area (https://skinashoba.com/) is a great choice. With its own dedicated tubing area, you’ll have space to really enjoy. Follow up with cocoa and crepes – a Nashoba tradition.
There are other great choices too, like Bousquet Ski Area (https://bousquetmountain.com/snow-tubing) where the tubing is great. Do it under the lights and you’ll be where night skiing was born. Ski Ward (https://skiward.com/) has a great tubing set up as well. For any of these, do purchase your tickets in advance on line as they can sell out on holiday weeks.
Wednesday: Winter beach days are the things core memories are made of. Take the family down the Cape and check into Falmouth’s Seacrest Beach Resort (https://www.seacrestbeachresort.com/) where you can bundle up and search for sea glass along the sweeping beachfront, head just up the road to Nob Light, or tuck into some on-site vacation week fun while the winter waves crash just outside.
Sea Crest Beach Resort hosts vacation week activities like arts & crafts, movie nights, a kids’ cooking class, and more. And how about a swim? There’s a warm indoor pool – or you can brave things and do a family polar plunge. There’s on site dining, but just up the road downtown Falmouth has great choices. Must do: Stop in at Cupcake Charlie’s for a vacation week treat. Spend the night or more – the quieter winter Cape is a joy.
Thursday: Throwback Thursday can be a great vacation week option. Head to Boston’s Seaport and see a movie (get the popcorn and Snowballs!) and then have a family bowling competition – old school fun done 21st century at King’s (www.playatkings.com/location/boston-seaport/). There’s more throwback fun with arcade games, table games like pool and all kinds of food and snacks.
Friday: Embrace fearless and if you’re not a ski family yet, sign up for lessons at Wachusett Mountain Resort (https://www.wachusett.com/). One of the nation’s most respected ski schools, Wachusett can get just about anyone turning on skis or a snowboard with confidence. Book lessons and rentals ahead of time and then make it a full day, practicing your new skills and savoring the great food choices across the mountain, from the amazing Red Apple Farm fresh made cider doughnuts (out on the hill or in the base lodge) to the classic waffle cabin on site.
And if you really want to score with the kids, stay overnight at the nearby Great Wolf Lodge (www.greatwolf.com/), less than seven miles from Wachusett. Splash, dive and play that night, then head back for more skiing. Now that’s a vacation Friday.
