Swan Boat in Boston, Mass. (by Eric H.)

Article and photo by Eric H.

We recently received an inquiry from a parent at our Twitter New England Info page, asking for recommendations on where to travel with their toddler in New England. Thanks for the great question! No pun intended, but here's our "short" list of recommended travel attractions: 

1. Children's Museum of Easton, Easton, Mass. Especially geared for children, ages one through eight, the Children's Museum of Easton features an indoor rustic cabin and camp, firepole to climb, performance center with stage and make-up area, fishing boat with toy lobsters to catch, an outdoor two-story treehouse, a butterfly garden and dinosaur garden with fossil pit. Housed in a former fire station, the Children's Museum of Easton was formed in 1986 by four local moms. This is a fantastic neighborhood museum in a beautiful, historic town! Children's Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton, MA 02356 Tel. (508) 230-3789 

2. Easton's Beach, Newport, R.I. This inviting 3/4 mile stretch of ocean beach also has with a beautiful carousel, an aquarium, children's playground, snack bar (parents, they have lobster rolls!) covered picnic pavilion, and summer activities featuring children's entertainment including singers, jugglers, and magic. Easton's Beach, 75 Memorial Blvd., Newport, R.I.  Tel. (401) 845-5810

3. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Tour , Waterbury, Vt. The Ben and Jerry's tour includes a view of the manufacturing process, a short movie on Ben and Jerry's humble beginnings en route to a true American success story, and, of course, free ice cream samples! Ben and Jerry's,1281 Waterbury Stowe Rd., Waterbury, Vt.
Tel. (802) 882-1240, 

4. Capron Park Zoo, Attleboro, Mass. A small zoo with a surprisingly large variety of familiar and unusual animals, extremely low admission price and a park area with playground in an extremely well-maintained, clean setting make the Capron Zoo a worthy kids destination. Capron Park Zoo 201 County St., Attleboro Mass., Tel. (774) 203-2208 

5. Butterfly Place, Westford, Mass. This longtime beloved indoor Massachusetts travel attraction is delightful with an amazing variety of New England and other species from all over the world. Butterfly Place, 120 Tyngsboro Rd., Westford, Mass. Tel. (978) 392-0955 

6. Mardi Gras at Jordan's Furniture, Natick, Mass. Jordan's Furniture has recreated a New Orleans Bourbon St. scene (don't worry parents, this is a sanitized version) with a music show including smoke billowing, lights flashing and "animatronics" robots. You'll see incredible life-like recreations of the Village People, Elvis, Diana Ross, the Beatles, the Supremes and Louis Armstrong (my favorite here) entertaining through this fantastic presentation. The Mardi Gras at Jordan's in Natick also features a Streetcar Named Dessert ice cream bar and a full-sized full-sized riverboat!  Jordan's Furniture, 1 Underprice Way, Natick, Mass. Tel. (508) 424-0088 

7. Clark's Trading Post, Lincoln, N.H. A famous New England landmark, Clark's is best known for its trained bear show, a train ride through the scenic New Hampshire woods and by the Pemigewasset River, and a great gift shop. Clark's Trading Post, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Lincoln, N.H. Tel. (603) 745-8913 

8. Story Land, Glen, N.H. Fiction comes to life at interactive play areas where Peter Pumpkineater, Mother Goose, Cinderella, Three Little Pigs and other storybook characters live in a colorful, village-like setting. The 21 rides include a pumpkin coach and a pirate ship, while live shows allow children to interact in farm and astronaut settings. There is also a circus, sure to please the whole family. Story Land, 850 NH Route, 16 Glen, N.H.  Tel. (603) 383-4186 

9. Chutters, Littleton, N.H. Chutters has reportedly the longest candy counter in the world at nearly 112 ft. long. Here, you'll find popular and hard-to-find candies. It's all good! Chutters 43 Main St., Littleton, N.H. Tel. (603) 444-5787 

10. Swan Boats of Boston, Boston, Mass.  Kids will love the novelty of riding on a pedal-powered swan boat cruise around the Boston Public Garden lagoon area. This a 130-year-old Boston tradition that we highly recommend!
Swan Boats of Boston, Boston Public Garden, Boston, Mass.
Tel. (617) 522-1966