The sun is shining and temps are on the rise. Perfect weather for a family road trip!  Here are a few day trip ideas that are kid-friendly, won't bust your budget, and are custom-made to beat the winter blahs. Enjoy!

Road Trip #1: Burlington, VT

Visit the ECHO Center along Burlington's waterfront and spend hours learning about science, the environment, and aquatic life in Lake Champlain. Eat at a restaurant along Church Street or head to City Market on South Union --- it's a combo food coop/grocery store that offers plenty of prepared food and cafe seating. Stop to shop along Church Street -- check out Sprout Baby, a fun new natural  parenting store (slings, cloth diapers and more). Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy all the funky stores and college atmosphere or head out to Dorset Street for mall and big box store shopping. 

Road Trip #2: Portland and Southern Maine

Portland offers lots of New England charm. The old port city boasts a top notch children's museum (Children's Museum of Maine), a walkable dowtown/harbor area (be on the lookout for the harbor seals!), and the Portland Public Market is the perfect destination for a healthy family lunch (and it's a fun shopping destination as well). If you are headed to Portland from New Hampshire (heading north on I-95), be prepared to pay tolls. It costs about $5.00 total to make it to Portland from the NH border. Take the scenic route along the coast for a visually stunning ride -- and one that is toll-free! Once you reach Portland, though, free or low-cost metered parking is plentiful!

Road Trip #3 Portsmouth and Seacoast

Our family's favorite! Here's the perfect, low-stress, low-cost Saturday day trip...  Take Exit #7 off I-95 (Market St.). Head towards downtown and follow signs for the public parking garage (low hourly rates).  From there, head up to Market Square where you will have a choice of family-friendly eating spots. For sandwiches, try Me and Ollie's. For pizza, Flat Bread on Islington Street can't be beat! After eating, walk to Prescott Park (short walk). Cross the bridge and head to Pierce Island (be on the lookout for Harbor Seals)! Turn around and head back over the bridge, emerging on Marcy Street. Cross the street and spend hours of fun at the Children's Museum of Portsmouth. Eat, exercise, and  play! A great day in Portsmouth!

Planning the day around a kid-center event or activity is a sure-fire way to make sure everyone has a lot of fun. In addition to the children's museums located in the above locations, construct your family's perfect road trip by checking out northernnewengland.babyzone.com for exciting events and happenings taking place throughout the region!