Need Ideas-- Summer RCI Resort in New England

[MLC2002]

We are considering an RCI exchange to go somewhere in the New England states in the summer. Which RCI properties do you recommend? What sights and activities are recommended?

We have never been to the northeastern US. We are a family of 4... 2 adults & 2 boys (6 & 7 years old).

I've read some good comments about Smugglers Notch. What are some good day trips and/or local sights to see? I'm thinking we'd like to venture out & explore the area a bit.

Thanks for your ideas!

 

[hopare]

I live in New England so i know some of the resorts but i have not used points for them. I have been to smugglers notch, only during ski season so I can't comment on day trips, etc. it is a nice resort with great kids activities.

You could also try someplace on Cape Cod. Great day trip via ferry to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Also close enough to hit Boston if you wanted.

 

[bwvBound]

I've read some good comments about Smugglers Notch. What are some good day trips and/or local sights to see? I'm thinking we'd like to venture out & explore the area a bit.

Thanks for your ideas!

We exchanged into Smuggs back in Oct 2002 (?) for Fall Leave Peeping. We took the resort-coordinated day trip into Montreal and enjoyed it. Most of the trip was self-service: they provided the transportation and a quick city tour but then gave us plenty of time to explore on our own.

Other than that, we explored on our own by car:
* Ben and Jerry Factory tour with free samples
* The Flume (NH)
* The burial marker of Justin Morgan, the horse
* Off road journeys to visit as many covered bridges as we could find. (I understand many of these are gone since Irene.)
* Von Trap Family Lodge (we stopped for lunch, enjoy the garden, and to evaluate if we'd consider an exchange there.)
* Lots of oohing-ahhhhing over the American Orient Express each time we encountered it. We spotted it stopped at one point and pulled over for closer inspection. This we'll have to do someday!
* Maple syrup production tour (sugar shacks)

Happy planning!

 

[ldo]

we traded via RCI (non DVC) for Smuuglers Notch (Smuggs) in June 2009. We had a blast with 4 kids--from 8-12 yrs old. Be aware that there is a fee for RCI exchangers of $300+ for the week to use ALL pools and activities---but there is a lot you can do without paying the fee. There is a decent pool/hottub/slide that is included with RCi exchanges for free. We decided to skip the fee, since we were taking several day trips, and used that $ for excursions and activities listed below.
Things we loved:
Ben and Jerry's Tour-free
Driving to Montreal (2 hrs), eating a french lunch ($80), carriage ride around town ($25), cathedral---we parked at the Hilton for $25--very easy--plus we could use their bathrooms prior to car ride back.
Llama trek hike at Smuggs--about $30, kids were less
playing frisbee disk golf at Smuggs--$2
Fly fishing lesson/excursion at Smuggs--sort of pricey, but DH enjoyed it.
Hiking-free
in the PM, they have a campfire and smores and a sing-a-long--free
one night they have a little carnival--free, but things to buy
It is a GREAT place for kids your ages. note: summer activities are mid-late June-mid Aug.
If it wasn't 11+ hrs for us to to get there, we would go ever other year.
have fun. Elaine

 

[miprender]

We love North Conway NH. There are many things to see in do in the White Mtns.

 

[a742246]

With youngsters, I would recommend The Sagamore. Your within 20 minutes
to Lake George, Great Escape. Lots to do!!!!!

The location is in upstate New York, not technically New England though.

 

[Geomom]

We live in MA, so we've visited VT, NH, ME often, but never exchanged points through RCI...so not sure where you could stay.

We haven't stayed in Smuggler's Notch--but we have stayed in Stowe, VT. On the way to Stowe, in Waterbury on Rt. 100--we like to go to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (small fee, includes ice cream tasting), the Cabot Cheese Factory Store (free tastings of cheese, and other items), Lake Champlain Chocolate Company, the Cold Hollow Cider Mill Store (free tastings of mustards, jams, cider, etc.) and next to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill is a winery (small fee for tastings.) Stowe, VT has the 5 mile recreation path that you could bike/walk on--starts in the town center. We went to Stowe over July 4th one year and they had a really great 4th of July celebration on a town farm area--lots of free kids activities, pay food, and fantastic fireworks. Being in the Stowe area, you're not too far from Lake Champlain if you wanted to take a boat ride there, and there's also the Barre Granite Quarry the other direction.

The White Mountain Region of NH--North Conway, and Jackson area are very nice. Kids theme parks open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day--Storyland in Glen, NH and Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH. Lots of hiking trails of all abilities in the White Mountains, as well as the driving road or tour up to the top of Mt. Washington. North Conway has Outlet Malls if you like to shop. (NH has no sales tax.)

Southern Maine--As a kid, I visited Ogunquit/Wells beach areas often. We take our kids to Old Orchard Beach--Palace Playland is by the pier and has arcade games, and rides. All ocean water in Maine is cold...especially depending on where you're from. Growing up swimming in Maine water and remembering how quickly my ankles went numb, we try to go around Labor Day weekend when the ocean has a chance to warm up. Mid-coastal Maine, has Bar Harbor which is nice to visit. Acadia National Park is located there. As it's a 5hr drive from where we live, we've taken the kids once...about 8 yrs ago.

If you find other places in New England in the RCI list, those of us from New England may be able to tell you more about them.

I hope you enjoy your trip. We do love the fall foliage here!