Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin, West Virginia,  Washington,  Virginia,  Vermont,  Utah, Texas,  Tennessee,  South Dakota,  South Carolina,  Rhode Island,  Pennsylvania,  Oregon, Oklahoma,  Ohio, North Dakota,  North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey and now we’re moving on to….New Hampshire!

This state is rocking the social Web; they reached out to me to offer ideas and also helped by spreading the word on their networks that I was asking for input. Can I get a “Hell Yeah!” for the Live Free or Die folks?

New Hampshire state tourism is on Twitter, with E.J. tweeting at @VisitNH.  They are on Facebook (here is the New Hampshire Facebook Fan Page) and there’s a New Hampshire Flickr photo-sharing page, too.

When I asked for NH ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for New Hampshire

***  From Ski New Hampshire info via @MoeSnowNH on Twitter - I’m the spokes-snowball for winter in NH! January is Learn a Snow Sport month & there are 39 ski resorts for the whole family!

***  From Kayt Sukel via @TravelSavvyKayt on Twitter - Loved, loved, loved the Children’s Museum in Dover, NH. It was a lot of fun! And exploring Portsmouth is great, too.

*** From Tracy Lee Carroll via @StarrGazr on Twitter:   The Amoskeag Fishways in Manchester. Beaver Brook for snowshoeing, hiking, nature study in Hollis. Shaker Village and the NH Children’s museum in Dover. Winter time is great for skiing in New Hampshire! Check out @Crotched_Mtn! Also, check out @NHPT and http://nhphototour.com.

***  From EJ Powers via @ejpowers on Twitter - We love going to Jenness State Beach in Rye NH!  One of the many great @nhstateparks - http://www.nhstateparks.com/jenness.html.

***  From Jim Storer via @jimstorer on Twitter – Great rainy day activity in the Lakes Region of NH is The Rock Barn in Plymouth for indoor rock climbing.  Another good take in the Lakes Region is a hike up Rattlesnake in Holderness (ok for the little ones and the view is incredible.)  And because 3 is the magic number, my third recommendation in Lakes Region is Camp in Meredith for dinner. Nice for adults and kid-friendly.

***  From The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire via @kidmuseumnh on Twitter - The Children’s Museum of NH features unique hands-on exhibits made by local artisans. Waterfront park location is great for ages 1-12. We also have a Family Mardi Gras event on 14 February with live Cajun music, masks, beads, parade, etc.

***  From New Hampshire Tourism via @VisitNH on Twitter – From historical sites to museums & nature centers to train rides, NH has hundreds of family friendly attractions for you to enjoy. Here is the link to our Family Attractions site on visitnh.gov.   Each month we offer benefits to our Facebook fans. Families can get ski/stay/spa discounts this month in the Sunapee area.   Mt Washington Resort offers family-friend packages and special offers thru the winter incl a zip & ski package with a canopy tour and skiing.

***  From CC Chapman via @cc_chapman on Twitter - Franconia Notch with a stop at The Basin is the top place that comes to mind, also the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game and parade.

***  From Sarah Vela via @orchid8 on Twitter - Brown’s Seabrook Lobster Pound on Rte 286 in Seabrook. Old favorite of mine. Bonus view of the nuclear power plant!

***  From Michelle Riggen-Ransom via @mriggen on Twitter - re: NH – STORYLAND!  Loved this place as a kid, still cool as a mom.  Here are my pix from there from last summer [on Flickr.]

***  From Granite State Ambassador Judi Window via @judiwindow on Twitter - I am a 50 State-er. In #NH we have a “Twisitor Center” – @askNH – to help guests find what they need when visiting.

***  From Katie York via @ShoGrrl2 on Twitter - My favorite family-friendly activity in NH is hitting up @CanobieLakePark (in the warmer months)!

***  From Jacqueline Tourville via @jtourville on Twitter - I write a local family travel column for Parenting #NH magazine (print & online.)  We spotlight a NH town each month (here’s Bretton Woods.)

***  From the Rumbletree Marketing folks via @Rumbletree on Twitter – The @AtkinsonResort in Atkinson, NH has a delicious Sunday brunch for the whole family.

***  From the Currier Museum via @CurrierMuseum on Twitter - the Currier Museum in Manchester NH offers many family friendly programs. See more at:  http://www.currier.org/familyprograms.aspx

***  From Jeremy Milani via @jmilani on Twitter - Not so much a tip as a local resource, but have you seen Southern New Hampshire Parents online?

***  From Montagne Communications via @MontagneCom on Twitter - Getting to NH is super-convenient and hassle-free thanks to the Manchester Airport at @flymanchester!

***  From Laura Hurley via @lkhboston on Twitter  - NH’s great outdoors, 8 kid-friendly fall hike picks in the White Mountains, from Appalachian Mountain Club.

Facebook Travel Tips for New Hampshire

***  From Kara Skruck Williams on Facebook  –  Oh, where to begin with my childhood state….

1. Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in the White Mountains, where you can try to squeeze through the “Lemon Squeezer” cave (not for the claustrophobic – though little kids have no problem!)
2. Weirs Beach in Lakes Region for a honky-tonk (so my mother calls it) boardwalk scene w/ arcades and bumper cars.
3. StoryLand in Glen, for amusement-park rides that keep kids about ages eight and under happy (one section of park w/ nursery rhyme attractions dates back 50 years.)
4. Canobie Lake Park in Windham (another theme park) reaches older kids w/ more thrill rides….

A ride on the M/S Mt. Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee and/or Scenic Winnipesaukee Railroad ride is good for kids, too!

***  From Wendy Wagner on Facebook  –  The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is small, especially compared to the Smithsonian Air/Space Museum, but we found it to be delightful! We loved the Polar Caves (very similar to Boulder Caves?)  We went to Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill before we went to the Polar Caves.  The hike to the Zealand Falls Hut is about 3 miles in the summer, and it’s do-able for kids, though our 5 year flagged a little at the end. The great part is the falls, which have a flat rocky area that the kids can play in;  perfect for the midpoint of a summer hike!

We stayed at the Profile Deluxe in Twin Mountain, and I can’t say enough about the proprietors. Nice people. The motel is basic and comfortable, and it has a great pool. My kids always ask to go back!

Storyland was a big hit, but Kara covered it already.

***  From Andrea Schulle on Facebook  –  Has anybody mentioned the Mt. Washington hotel and the cogway there?

***  From Peter Davison on Facebook - Hey Sheila, Alrighty, looking a bit more north of Concord ..not any particular event but you have to include Wolfboro, NH and surrounding area re: Lake Winnipesaukee. Lots of good stuff!!

***  From Gary Arndt on Facebook – The home, studio and gardens of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at http://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm.

Thanks so much for the contributions, everyone!

The BootsnAll Travel Network has a New Hampshire Travel Guide as well.

The next state in the series is Nevada.

Send your Nevada highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or write them on my Facebook Wall (please tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own New Hampshire suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina and now we’re moving on to….Rhode Island!

I couldn’t find their state tourism organization on Twitter or on Facebook.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Rhode Island

***  From Donna Tuttle via @WriteOnTime on Twitter  –  Proud to be identified as a RI girl. Beaver Tail Beach is amazing. Also, grab a bag of clamcakes in Narragansett and sit on the beach, watch sunset. [Try these RI foods] Coffee syrup, spinach pies, Caserta pizza, grinders, cabinets, jimmies….

***  From Meg Keough via @BackpackToBuggy on Twitter  — WaterFire http://www.waterfire.org in Providence!

***  From Mike Redbord via @redbord on Twitter  — Block Island! Particularly Mansion Beach is a great family beach. If people need lifeguards, State Beach is just down the road.

***  From Shane Donaldson via @Shane_Donaldson on Twitter  –  In downtown Newport, there are the Newport Gulls, a summer college baseball team. Fun atmosphere, low cost. http://www.newportgulls.com

***  From Eric via @NewEnglandInfo on Twitter  –  We have family-friendly RI travel suggestions at http://www.visitingnewengland.com/newengland-rhodeisland.html.

***  From Dominique King via @midwestguest on Twitter — Newport, RI also home to several old houses of worship–one of the more interesting might be Touro Synagogue = oldest synagogue in US. Taking the short synagogue tour at Touro might be interesting for an older child near bar or bat mitzvah. Gansett Cruises – harbor cruises out of Newport (http://www.gansettcruises.com) – the mid-day version includes ice cream & Del’s Frozen Lemonade….we did the sunset version ourselves-great tour and opp for lighthouse photos.

***  From Michelle Riggen-Rans via @mriggen on Twitter  — This is the best family guide to RI around: http://kidoinfo.com/ri Will be happy to provide feedback.

***  From @CheapFlightsFAM on Twitter  — WaterFire is very cool and fun for families.  Stay overnight at the Roger Williams Zoo.

***  From the state’s Massachusetts neighbors, Destination Salem MA via @DestSalem on Twitter  –  We love going to see the PawSox [minor league baseball team] in Pawtucket, and Roger Williams Zoo in Providence.

*** From Shelly Rivoli via @travelswithbaby on Twitter  –  Rhode Island: Fun train rides with the family – http://www.ocnrr.com

Facebook Travel Tips for Rhode Island

From Wendy Wagner on Facebook  –  Well, if you’ve lived in RI, you know that the East Bay Bike Path is wonderful. We like to start at Haines Park in Barrington, RI and bike to Colt State Park in Bristol, which is another gem. Along the way we stop by the Fruity Cow in Warren (right on the bike path), Burr’s Hill Park in Warren (a quick detour–there’s a playground and a beach there) and the Audubon Society of RI, also right off the path.

Waterfire in Providence is a spectacular event that is put on several nights between May and October. Check http://www.waterfire.org.  Slater Mill in Pawtucket is a fine textile museum. The tour guides are terrific and will tell you all about life in the 19th century.  We love the carousels at Bullocks Point Ave in Riverside and Slater Park in Pawtucket.   We also have a great Children’s Museum in Providence.

Thanks, everyone!

On the BootsnAll Travel Network, here are the articles tagged Rhode Island, and here is my own blog post….Small State, Big Heart: 10 Reasons to Visit Rhode Island.

Thanks so much for the contributions – the next state in the series is Pennsylvania.

Send your Pennsylvania highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or write them on my Facebook Wall (please tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own Rhode Island suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Yes, I know how to search for family travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.

Please don’t email suggestions to me;  that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can see what’s cool about your state.

We’re going in alphabetical order but started with the end, so our first state for the series was Wyoming, then we investigated Wisconsin , West Virginia , Washington, Virginia and now we’re moving on to….Vermont!

You can find their state tourism organization on Twitter at @VermontTourism and here is the Vermont travel and tourism Facebook page. There is also a Vermont tourism YouTube channel.

When I asked for ideas, here’s what came in….

Twitter Travel Tips for Vermont

***  From the tourism folks via @VermontTourism on Twitter,  a ton of goodies as you’d expect  –  ECHO [Lake, Aquarium and Science Center,] Shelburne Museum, Ben & Jerry’s Factory [in Waterbury,] Fairbanks Museum, Montshire Museum, VT State Parks, Smugglers Notch Resort…

Quechee Gorge, Green Mtn Railroads, LOTs of summer county fairs, farmers’ markets, hikes, swimming holes…Very kid friendly and HUGE year-long event for all of Vermont: Lake Champlain 400 celebration – follow @VTChamplain400 [on Twitter] for more….Great website for kid’s events and attractions in the Champlain Valley: http://www.findandgoseek.net….

VT Statehouse (now with veggie garden!) Rock of Ages granite quarry, UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum…Also, gotta mention all our ski & snowboard resorts, Cabot Creamery, Church Street Marketplace, VT’s historic downtowns…

And finally, World’s Best Cheddar [cheese,] right? [Follow @CabotCoop on Twitter.] Vermonter’s love their food made locally.

***  From Jinny VanDeusen via @JinnyWJGB on Twitter  — Camping in Winhall Brook [Ball Mountain, Vermont.]

***  From Nancy Kish via @AgapeHillFarm on Twitter  –  Agape Hill Farm offers llama walks, interactive farm visits and birthday parties in Hardwick, Vermont.

***  From Rebecca Lewis via @RebeccaPRChick on Twitter  –  My fave VT resort is Smuggler’s Notch!

***  From Peggy Coonley via @PeggyCoonley on Twitter  — Woodstock, The Billings Farm Museum (We spend time in Vermont on our Autumn in New England Women’s Trip.)

***  From Annemarie Dooling at @TravelingAnna on Twitter  — [In] Waterbury- Ben &Jerry/Cabot Cheese/Teddy Bear Factories.  Stowe – Smugglers Notch. Burlington – Family B&B’s.

***  From An Anonymous Tweeter who works at competing lodging  –  Smugglers Notch (shhh, don’t tell the boss.)

Facebook Travel Tips for Vermont

***  From Andrea Schulle on Facebook   —   Cabot Creamery. Went 10 yrs ago on my honeymoon. At the time, tour was $1 and was fascinating. Plus you got to sample all cheeses and food products for free. Quite the value. One tip: if going w/kids, call ahead to see what day they are actually in production.

***  From Mara Gorman on Facebook  — The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National park – state’s only national park – in Woodstock has a great walking trail that two local high-school teachers wrote a scavenger hunt for; it’s perfect for younger school-age kids. The park is right across the street from the Billings Farm Museum which has a fascinating exhibit about farm life in Vermont and also lots of animals to see. Nearby is the Farmer’s Diner in Quechee, which serves only local food. I blogged about it here: http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2008/08/conservation-in-all-its-forms.html

***  From Rachel Kelly on Facebook  –  My name is Rachel and I work at Hawkins International PR representing Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont. I saw your tweet about kid-friendly VT and thought you might be interested in the property.

They have a lot of kid-friendly packages and events, including junior tennis clinics and a menu of teen treatments at the spa.  I’d be happy to provide any more information, and you can see a full list of family offerings here: http://www.topnotchresort.com/kids.php

Although contributions by email are not really what I’m looking for because it’s not public on Twitter or Facebook, I did get some super-helpful info via email from Jim Storer –  “My family has deep roots in Vermont, specifically in the region called the Northeast Kingdom, which is absolutely as majestic as it sounds. I’ll focus on what I’d consider a great day for my family.

Morning – Hike the south trail of Mt. Pisgah in Westmore – This is a moderate hike through the woods to several breathtaking west-facing vistas. I’ve done it with my daughters when they were 3 & 5. Total round trip time is ~3 hours. Pack a light lunch or…

…get sandwiches at the Bailey’s & Burke Country Store in E. Burke and drive up the toll road at Burke Mountain to enjoy the view with a picnic lunch.

After lunch check in at the Wildflower Inn, a truly kid-friendly inn on the top of a ridge not far from Burke Mountain. They have animals to pet and beautiful gardens to stroll through. Have dinner at the inn’s restaurant. Order for the kids early and then send them to the play room, where there is a movie playing and plenty of games (and other kids) to keep them entertained while you enjoy a first class dinner with your spouse.” [Sheila sighs at this bizarre concept of dining with spouse.]

Although I have not written any Vermont posts myself, I do have the Family Travel in New England category here on Family Travel Logue, and on the BootsnAll Travel Network you’ll find articles about Vermont.

Thanks so much for the contributions – the next state in the series is Utah.

Send your Utah highlights to @SheilaS on Twitter or my Facebook page (tell me you’re a 50 state-er if you want to friend me.)

My purpose for this series is not only to highlight worthy kid-friendly vacation destinations in all 50 states, but by using Twitter and Facebook I want to also encourage tourism organizations to learn more about connecting with their visitors using social media and online networks.

Please add your own Vermont suggestions in the comments below, if we’ve missed anything. Thanks!

Everyone has different criteria for an awesome beach. My perfect seashore has warm water, protected/calmer areas for babies and toddlers, enough wave action to keep experienced swimmers busy on a boogie board, family-friendly entertainment and decent food nearby.

I don’t mind a little commercial development if it’s not too grotesque, and it would be nice if there were safe, fun places (like a boardwalk) for a preteen or teen to hang out when not on the sand.

Here is where I would take my children if I was feeling beachy:

*** Florida’s Gulf Coast –  Once you’ve been spoiled by Florida beaches, it’s hard to put up with grungy sand or chilly water elsewhere.  The Atlantic coast of the Sunshine State has pretty good choices in Daytona, Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville/St. Augustine, but my vote goes to the Gulf Coast because the water’s warmer, the sand is usually nicer and the wave action is gentler for younger kids.

Try Clearwater/St. Pete for lively urban beaches, nearby Caladesi Island State Park for isolated beauty, or Siesta Key near Sarasota, an all-around winner.  (Alternative:  The northwest Florida Panhandle for even better sand and clear, warm water but sometimes a bit too much tacky commercialization.)

*** San Diego –  Southern California is known for its surfside culture, and it’s a well-deserved reputation.  My only gripe is that the water is too dang cold for me and the wave action can be frightening for younger swimmers.  Still, Coronado Island near sunshine-filled San Diego has some of my favorite, most pristine and kid-friendly beaches.  (Alternative:  Santa Monica, near Los Angeles;  it is tough to beat that famous pier.)

*** Maine –  I’m almost ready to forgive the cold water simply because of the charm and natural beauty of Maine islands and coastal villages.  Make no mistake, the beaches are generally pebbly and rocky (the southern coast does have sand) and your best bet to avoid freezing may be to dabble around looking for critters in tidepools, but there’s no doubt that it’s a perfect world when you spend crisp summer days Down East.

Make your kids try a lobster roll, and then eat theirs if they’re so foolish as to dislike it! (Alternative:   Misquamicut Beach in that small state with a big heart, Rhode Island.)

*** North Carolina’s Outer Banks –  Miles of barrier island coastline, some very remote and beautiful (Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with the famous swirly black-and-white lighthouse) and others teeming with cheesy beachside overbuilding (translation – plenty of miniature golf places for kids) means that you can probably find just the right affordable spot for your beach towel on the Outer Banks.

Kids adore the creations from Kitty Hawk Kites, too; buy, then step out the door and fly ‘em. Don’t miss the founding-of-America history at the Lost Colony, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills.  (Alternative:  Go north to Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is OK but a little grubby and somewhat too raucous for younger ones.)

*** Hawaii –  Too many people only consider travel to Oahu and Waikiki, but there is an island and a beach (or two!) to suit every family.  Cast a wide net in your Hawaiian vacation planning.

Hanauma Bay on Oahu is noted for snorkeling opportunities, and Kailua Beach Park is nice as well. The Oahu North Shore is dramatic, but waves can be dangerous in winter. Kauai is particularly lush and tropical (try Hanalei Beach, Poipu Beach Park or Kekaha Beach Park.) The Kona Coast on aptly-named Big Island is full of kid-friendly resorts. (Alternative:  There IS no better alternative! The islands have plenty of variety to suit every age and disposition.)

That’s my beach roundup; hope you found it helpful.

I’m not as familiar with the Great Lakes but don’t want to leave my Midwest readers out, so if you have suggestions for beaches there or anywhere else in the US, please tell us in the comments below.

In 1839, slaves aboard this transport ship revolted and took over the vessel when it sailed from Havana. The situation became a court case (argued in New Haven, Connecticut) about the legal rights of the slaves who had revolted.

The Freedom Schooner Amistad, a re-creation of the ship, was built at the historic Mystic shipyard and now serves as a roving tall ship ambassador.

I found a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) video that shows some students who had the opportunity to sail and learn aboard the ship on its recent world tour; I think you’ll enjoy their insights into history and the world of sailing ships.

Related Family Travel post: Sail the ocean blue: where to get nautical with your kids

(For my RSS feed subscribers and anyone who doesn’t see the box, click here to see the video.

A Visit to Waterville Valley, Childhood Home of Curious George

Hans and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George, fled Paris in 1940 with the manuscript of a children’s book in their luggage. Like many other Jews of the time, Hans and Margret left the city in a hurry—mere hours before it fell to the Nazis—and the story goes that a German officer who saw their illustrations of the lovable monkey allowed them to pass.

Years later, the Reys had sold the Curious George series to Houghton Mifflin, and Hans was at work on another book: The Stars: A New Way to See Them. Needing a good place to see stars, the couple found a small cottage in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.

They proceeded to spend summers there, inviting local children to regular “chalk talks,” where kids could watch Hans sketch and help him imagine new adventures for Curious George.

Curious George Cottage

Today, you can visit the Curious George Cottage and Studio in Waterville Valley, about 2 1/2 hours north of Boston in the White Mountain National Forest. Artist Nat Scrimshaw continues the tradition of chalk talks with local and visiting children. On Saturday afternoons, kids crowd around the local illustrator, and each one of them goes home with a poster-sized drawing.

The actual home where the Reys lived still stands, right next to the Waterville Elementary school. The picturesque red cottage is a meeting place for nature walks, snowman-building sessions and other family activities.

Winter Family Fun

The surrounding Waterville Valley provides additional opportunities for family fun—including back-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe-ing, an astronomy observatory, an ice-skating rink and more.

Children as young as three can join the Kids’ Venture Kamps, and on-mountain childcare is also available.

After a day of skiing, grab a round of hot chocolates and take a horse-drawn sleigh ride across the valley for great views of the White Mountain National Forest.

Family Festival in August

Though Waterville Valley is often considered a winter travel destination, the Rey cottage also hosts a family festival in August, and summer activities include nature walks, farm visits, children’s theater and swimming.

Before You Go

Pick up a copy of The Journey That Saved Curious George, a children’s book that details the Reys’ story.

For more information on Waterville Valley, check out www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

Andrea Calabretta is a freelance writer, editor and blogger based in Boston, MA. Visit BellyGlad (http://bellyglad.blogspot.com) to read about her culinary adventures.

** Related Family Travel posts: How Books Can Enrich Travel With Your Kids and Literary Travel With Kids

** You can also find Curious George in Mississippi (thanks to my Twitter friend @shawnz for the link. I’m @SheilaS if you want to follow us on Twitter, a sort of mass IM/microblogging site.)

Compact Rhode Island may be tiny compared to sprawling Texas, but that makes this New England state very accessible to short road trips and family travel.

Its official name is quite grandiose: “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,” but locals call it Little Rhody.

Here are my top ten reasons to hit The Rhode:

Providence

This revitalized city combines the intellectual heft of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design with an Italian/Portuguese soul. The result is smart, interesting people, a lively arts scene and good food. Don’t miss the last Waterfire of the season, at sunset on Saturday October 27th. It’s like a campfire on a river, set to music. Kids like the easily-walkable Roger Williams Park Zoo, or see what’s playing at the venerable Trinity Repertory theater company (maybe A Christmas Carol?)

Newport

Yachting, tennis and Gilded Age mansions might be this town’s claim to fame, but look deeper. It’s a fun sailor’s port that combines atmospheric Colonial architecture with quahog stuffies. Eats range from Flo’s Clam Shack to the White Horse Tavern (for older kids.) Conde Nast Traveler‘s Wendy Perrin has a great series of blog posts about taking kids to Newport here, here and here. Check out Save The Bay’s Seal Watch Tours November 2007 through April 2008; their boats depart Bowen’s Ferry Landing. Starting November 17th, see stunning holiday decorations during Christmas at the Mansions.

Block Island

Geographically-picky types claim that it isn’t an island if you can drive to it on a bridge. Not a problem with ferry-supported, picturesque Block Island, which has much of the windblown allure of Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard but zero attitude. November 23-25 is the annual Christmas Shopping Stroll and Turkey Trot 5K — see the island’s Chamber of Commerce site for more info.

Little Compton

Drop by the summertime-only Olga’s Cup & Saucer bakery café for divine pastries and breads, then pick up produce next door at Walker’s Roadside Stand (don’t despair in winter, because there’s also an Olga’s at 103 Point Street in Providence.) Unfettered parents may want to finish the afternoon at nearby Sakonnet Vineyards, imbibing some true Rhode Island reds.

Bristol

This charmer is at its most Yankee Doodle Dandy on the 4th of July, when the oldest continuously observed Independence Day celebration rolls through town. Nearby 18th century-style Coggeshall Farm Museum shines in winter with maple sugaring.

Pawtucket Red Sox Baseball

In summer and early fall, take me out to the ballgame (on Bobblehead Night!) with the Triple-A team for the Boston Red Sox. While sucking down a local Del’s frozen lemonade, be on the lookout for future Hall-of-Famers passing through on their way to the Show.

Jigger’s Diner in East Greenwich

How can you miss with gingerbread pancakes or traditional johnnycakes for breakfast? Get there early since the shiny narrow Worcester 1950 dining car fills up fast at this “East G” institution. Can’t make it there? Try Haven Brothers Diner in Providence.

Slater Mill

Known as the “Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution,” Rhode Island spearheaded New England textile manufacturing starting with Samuel Slater’s mill on the Blackstone River. Today, many artists use the abandoned Pawtucket factories. Learn more at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket.

Watch Hill and Misquamicut Beach

Younger kids clamor for the Flying Horse Carousel in the elegant Victorian seaside retreat of Watch Hill. As teenagers they want the more rambunctious salt water taffy delights down at Misquamicut Beach. Other family fun in the South County section of the state includes Charlestown’s Frosty Drew Observatory for young astronomers and the Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown.

And a seasonal bonus….

Ski Rhode Island. Only slope in the state: Yawgoo Valley. Believe it.

For more details and ideas, see the helpful travel planning site Quahog.org or the Visit Rhode Island tourism Web site.

Technorati tags: travel, family travel, Rhode Island, New England

Why not pay an October visit to the actual seaport town, plus see the real House of Seven Gables?

Salem, Massachusetts is a National Trust “distinctive destination.” They really do it up for Halloween month, but instead of a lot of fake blood and skeletons, your kids can learn some of the history of intolerance and fear (scarier than any amusement park “Howl-o-Scream,” I think.)

The Puritans in Salem had a bit of a problem from the beginning when it came to getting along with other folks. They didn’t like the outspoken pastor Roger Williams and tossed him out in 1634 — no matter, he just went and founded Rhode Island. Even the local Quakers were persecuted for their beliefs.

Intolerace came to a head with the 1692 trials of approximately 190 citizens for “witchcraft.” As a result, 19 people were hanged and one man was crushed to death.

Today, visitors can learn more at the Salem Witch Museum, and there are many historical interpreter-led special events and reenactments offered in October. Un-witchy things to see include fine art at the Peabody Essex museum and Salem’s proud seafaring heritage at the Maritime National Historic Site.

Travel & Leisure magazine reflected on The Salem Witch Project and the town itself a few years ago.

Your family can stay at historic lodgings in the middle of town; the 1925 Hawthorne Hotel. Even better, they blog.

Technorati tags: travel, family travel, Salem, Massachusetts, New England, Halloween, witch trials

(My parents saw Peter, Paul & Mary live there in the 60′s; the event’s been around for awhile!)

The 2006 lineup (August 5-6) includes David Gray, Rosanne Cash, the Meters (awesome funky New Orleans group,) Odetta and the Indigo Girls, to list just a few.

Even LL Bean in Freeport at the height of summer was fun (once the little one fell asleep in the stroller.)

Just remember to move quickly; the rental goodies get snapped up early.  There are lots of Mom & Pop motels as well if you can’t get your planning brain moving until late May.

Update 2 June 2006:   This article in Budget Travel gives a nice itinerary for mid-coast Maine including places to stay (and places to get the all-important lobster rolls.)