Time away with my mom and sisters is all about connecting. We found the best way to reconnect and relax was on a northern New England road trip. Come along for the highlights.

Heading down the country roads of Vermont, it hit me how fortunate I am to travel with some of my favorite people—my mom and sisters. We had long wanted to resurrect our girl trips from years past. We made time to get away for long weekends when our kids were little. Anything to escape our little munchkins at home—those we loved and were also so much work! Back in the day, a long weekend away meant glorious “me time” away from the childcare routine. Now that we’re older, our kids are almost on their own. Time away with my mom and sisters is about connecting and having a good time. Come along on our Northern New England road trip.

Exploring Northern New England

Fun was on the docket as we traversed the back roads throughout New England. New England is a big swath of the country. The entire region is too vast and ambitious for just one road trip. It’s best to split the journey into a Northern or Southern route and settle on doing less to experience more.

Our Northern New England trip, over nine days, would take us through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Being active is high on our vacation wish list, so along with driving, our plans included lots of hiking, biking, and a few organized tours of the area.

Stowe, Vermont, at Emily’s Bridge with fall colors. Photo by sepavone via DepositPhotos.com

Visiting Vermont During Our Northern New England Road Trip

Situated on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT, is a vibrant town of 42,000 home to many history and outdoor activities. Shopping abounds in the Church Street Marketplace. In addition to local shops, the marketplace offers plenty of options for lunch and dinner to take advantage of the thriving local food scene.

Just a short walk away is the waterfront area of beautiful Lake Champlain. Enjoy dining al fresco, with water views at upscale or casual spots. There’s nothing like enjoying a cocktail while watching the boats glide by peacefully. After a leisurely meal, walk the Burlington Greenway trail that loops the lake. You’ll love the views of New York and Canada in the distance.

Burlington, Vermont at Church Street Marketplace. Photo by sepavone via DepositPhotos.com

Where to Stay in Burlington, Vermont

While in Burlington, you’ll have quite a few options for lodging. Of course, the closer you are to the lake, the more you’ll pay, which is fair because you’ll be within walking distance of so many shops and restaurants plus you’ll have an incredible view. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, consider the Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn. Located in South Burlington, this property is a good choice for families. Not only is there a great outdoor pool, but it also offers a complimentary breakfast buffet with options that will please everyone in the crew.

Stop by a Vermont Classic

Next up, while cruising out of Burlington, is a well-known scoop of heaven in the form of ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory is down the road in Waterbury, VT. Everyone in our car was all-in to sample delicious ice cream. Our only problem was deciding which flavor to choose. So many choices sounded impressive, but the one that spoke to me was the Phish Food.

Save time to stop in for some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Photo by SJ Morgensen

Explore Stowe, VT

The thing about New England is that there is beauty around every turn. Less than 15 miles down the road from Waterbury lies Stowe, Vermont, one of New England’s most picturesque places. Being in Stowe, it’s like a painting has come to life. Nestled in the mountains with glorious views in every direction, Stowe is the pure definition of a historic and quaint Vermont town. Settled in the 1730s, the town retains much of that old New England feel.

Iconic New England church in Stowe, Vermont. Photo by haveseen via DepositPhotos.com

Properties like the Butler House allow you to step back in time. Renovated in the mid-2000s, the inn is believed to have been built way back in 1830 and has been a private residence, post office, tavern, and restaurant through the years. Enjoy live music on the front lawn overlooking Main Street while enjoying the mountain air. There are no elevators here, and it may be a slight struggle to get your things up the stairs, but it’s worth it for an opportunity to stay here.

Butler House in Stowe, Vermont. Photo by SJ Morgensen

Explore Stowe via Bicycle

Pinnacle Ski & Sports makes it easy with bike rentals by the hour or day. The perfect place to ride is the Stowe Recreation Path, an internationally known route through the village of Stowe to Top Notch Resort. This 5-mile paved trail is open year-round for bikers, hikers, walkers, and any four-legged friends to enjoy. There’s no better way to take in the mountain views than via bicycle on the Stowe path, where you’re immersed in the natural beauty and have access to restaurants and other local businesses along the route.

Discover New Hampshire on a Northern New England Road Trip

It’s a short drive from Stowe across the state line to New Hampshire. Here we immersed ourselves in the forests of the incredible White Mountains. Making our home base in Woodstock, New Hampshire, the lively Woodstock Inn Brewery was the perfect spot. With an on-site restaurant and bar and super comfortable accommodations, we had everything we needed here. The location was excellent, with easy access to plenty of hiking.

Hiking in New Hampshire

Nearby, Franconia Notch State Park is one of the expansive parks in the area. While here, take a trip up Cannon Mountain via tram to the 4,080-foot summit.

Cannon Mountain Tramway in Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire. Photo by NationalParked via DepositPhotos.com

At the summit, we enjoyed walking the trail that rings the mountain. It feels as if you’re in a fairy tale. With secret hiding spots among the mossy lichen-covered rocks and mountain pines, I expected leprechauns to appear at any moment.

Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Photo by edella via DepositPhotos.com

Other incredible hiking spots include Artist’s Bluff and Bald Mountain. For a different view, take a swim in Echo Lake, which is indeed one of the most magical settings I’ve seen.

Driving The Kanc in New Hampshire

While we’re on the subject of magical settings, a drive down the Kancamagus Highway is a must. This scenic byway, known as “The Kanc” to locals, traverses the White Mountain National Forest. The misty morning drive down the Kanc proved to be more than we bargained for at times. With intermittent dense fog, my sister-the-driver relied upon nothing more than the highway’s white line to get us through some spots.

Panoramic view of Kancamagus highway. Photo by pugalenthi28 via DepositPhotos.com

With no fog, the scenery is incredible, no matter the time of year. A stop at the Lower Falls meant time to relish in the sounds of nature as the water streamed off the rocks. The Green Mountain state was indeed living up to its namesake.

Exploring Maine on Our Northern New England Road Trip

The rocky coast of Maine, dotted with lighthouses, is a picture I’ve seen a thousand times on paper. And here we were, standing on that rocky coastline, wind blowing and all smiles. A northern New England road trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Maine. Kennebunkport would be our home for this portion of the journey.

Kennebunkport, Maine on a sunny afternoon. Photo by chrisukphoto via DepositPhotos.com

Known as the unofficial hangout of a couple of former presidents, Kennebunkport is the quintessential Maine fishing village—albeit an upscale fishing village! Early mornings were spent walking along the beach looking for shells or walking to the stunning St. Ann’s Episcopal Church at Walker’s Point. Kennebunkport was the perfect seaside escape, watching the lobster fisherman haul their traps. You can follow that with lunch at Mabel’s Lobster Claw or The Clam Shack.

Staying in Kennebunkport, Maine

Lodging in Kennebunkport is all about historic properties that have been here forever. We chose The Nonantum Resort. Named one of the best family resorts in New England by Yankee Magazine and a winner of countless other awards, the Nonantum Resort is one of the best resorts in the area. Families return here year after year to enjoy old-fashioned luxury on the Nonantum River. With a name meaning blessing or prayer, it’s no wonder that the Nonantum is so welcoming.

Boats on the Nonantum River. Photo by SJ Morgensen

Situated on land overlooking the Kennebunk River, the Nonantum offers picturesque views of the river and beyond. A wide variety of activities can be enjoyed here. My favorite, the 2-hour painting class, made me feel like a true artist. Relaxing on the river bank, mixing my watercolors while watching the boats sail by, and relishing in the company of my family was fun.

Other options, such as yoga on the lawn, guided crab trapping, and nightly campfire sing-alongs, are popular with guests. Dock Square, where you’ll find restaurants and shops, is just a short walk.

Dock Square in Kennebunkport, ME. Photo by SJ Morgensen

The Food Scene in Maine

Of course, you’re in Maine, so the restaurants lean toward seafood. That’s always a good thing for a carload of Midwesters. Because we know way more about cattle than fish and wanted to immerse ourselves in the local culture, we chose two Maine tours. First up was the lobster boat fishing tour with Kylie’s Chance Scenic Lobster Tour.

A little leary of the water, I quickly learned I had nothing to worry about. Away we went towards the open water as our local captain chatted over the speaker, pointing out landmarks and telling us where we were headed. While cruising to Walker’s Point, we spotted dolphins playing ahead and the Bush compound onshore. We soon stopped to check the fishing line, and lo and behold—real, live Maine lobsters in the trap—a good time on the water.

Colorful lobster traps along the dock in Maine. Photo by alwoodphoto via DepositPhotos.com

Now that we’d seen a live lobster catch, a Maine food tour was in order. In addition to tasting incredible dishes throughout the tour, we visited little local spots we’d never have made it to. Sneaking in before the doors open to the public has its privileges: no lines and the undivided attention of local owners enthusiastic about answering your questions. Plus, all that local history. For this history buff, it’s a good choice indeed.

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A Grand End to Our Northern New England Road Trip

Somehow, the trip is over already. As we head to the airport with the windows rolled down in our rental, the wind gently tousles my hair, and I feel the glorious sun on my face. Our Northern New England road trip had been exactly what we needed. Surrounded by my girls, we headed home again, a little lighter than when we arrived. Check out Wander for more road trip ideas and explorations of New England.