Katelyn Michaud

Wake up to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing into the white sand beaches and the seagulls crying above. Fill the cooler with all your favorite snacks, grab the towels, and get the kids out of bed for an early morning splash in the Atlantic Ocean before spending the rest of the day exploring the local sites, finding the best lobster rolls, and enjoying too many cones of homemade ice cream.

Falmouth is home to over 68 miles of shoreline dotted with white sand beaches, eight charming New England seaside villages, and a lighthouse. Located in the Upper Cape, there is no shortage of fun family-friendly activities nearby for the whole family to enjoy for a weekend or week.

This is part of our series "The Changing Face of Travel"...exploring specific topics and trends affecting travel in 2021 and beyond. To read more articles click here

UNPLUG TO RECONNECT: UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE MEANING OF CONNECTION 

Even before the coronavirus changed the workplace, the average American spends 17 hours a day looking at screens from smartphones to computers to televisions. With the pandemic shifting whole industries to working from home with countless hours of Zoom meetings, it is estimated that people are spending an additional two hours glued to the screen. With no sports, recreation facilities closed, and stay at home orders, even children are spending more time than ever looking at screens, too. YouTube, Tik Tok, and all the other social media platforms are designed to keep kids engaged for as long as possible while you work or do chores.

This is part of our series "The Changing Face of Travel"...exploring specific topics and trends affecting travel in 2021 and beyond. To read more articles click here

Rediscovering the Magic Close to Home: The Drive-To Vacation

Walt Whitman, one of America’s most prolific poets, once said “I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me.” While Whitman may have lived before the birth of the automobile, he certainly would have embraced it. By 1920 the idea of the road trip had begun to take shape. As costs of automobiles fell and their reliability increased, people began using the automobile as a “vacation agent” into America’s countryside.

This is part of our series "The Changing Face of Travel"...exploring specific topics and trends affecting travel in 2021 and beyond. To read more articles click here

According to a recent U.S. Travel Association report, more than half of working Americans don’t use all of their paid vacation days. They forfeit an average of 212 million days, which is equivalent to about $62.2 billion in lost benefits. Most Americans struggle to disconnect from the daily demands of their work. Research shows that taking vacation time actually increases your productivity by making you more resilient, improving cognitive function, creativity, and problem-solving.

New England is home to some of the best beers around, especially if you like IPA. Head in either direction from Ogunquit and you’ll hit several local breweries, distilleries, and even wineries. Bottoms up!  

Maine’s largest city, Portland, is the perfect day trip when you get tired of lounging on the beach all day. The historic city has received a lot of accolades in the recent years, especially when it comes to food and drinks. Wander the working waterfront where you can watch the hearty lobsterman pull in fresh lobsters, shop the cute boutiques for unique gifts for all your friends, and enjoy a delicious meal at one (or more) of the many award-winning restaurants around town.  

We have your covered with our Ultimate Kid’s Bucket List, perfect to make sure the kids have fun or for a rainy day. From sugary treats to arcade games to a zoo, your kids will remember this coastal Maine vacation for years to come. The only question you’ll have, is can you fit it all in your vacation time?  

Historic Portsmouth is a charming small New England city that you don’t want to miss. Spend a day strolling its cobblestone streets, browsing the many boutiques, and enjoying all the delicious food. If you’re up for a little learning about the local history and culture on your vacation, Portsmouth is also home to several outstanding museums.

Kids have a lot of energy and they get bored easy. It’s a good thing that there is so much to do in the seacoast region to keep kids of all ages busy and active from sunup to sundown, so you can enjoy a little rest and relaxation after the kids go to bed. Here is a list of a few of our favorite kid-friendly activities from Portland to Portsmouth.

Raising teenagers isn’t always easy, but we made vacations with teenagers easy! Your teens probably don’t want to do everything you want to do on vacation and that’s okay. Drop them off at one of these places and they will come back with all smiles.