Where to go for a short trip from Boston?

I am coming to Boston in April for 2 weeks with my husband and 2 children (6 and 3), and we would like to spend about 4 nights out of Boston, somewhere within a couple of hours drive. Any suggestions? Somewhere where there are things to do/see, things for the children etc. I don%26#39;t know the area or what is best to do at that time of year. Many thanks

Where to go for a short trip from Boston?

There are several things that come to mind, all within 2 hours of Boston. The weather will still be a bit chilly to actually spend time on the beach, but Provincetown on Cape Cod (about 2 hours south) is a charming seaside community. You could also tie a Cape visit with a drive to Newport, Rhode Island, to see the famous waterfront mansions, and Providence, Rhode Island, to visit their Zoo. A reconstructed maritime village has been recreated in Mystic Seaport, just over the border into Connecticut.

West of Boston, you may find Sturbridge Village interesting. It%26#39;s a recreation of an 18th century New England town.

North of Boston, you could take in the beauty of the coast to southern Maine, with stops in Rockport %26amp; Newburyport, Massachusetts, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine. I would recommend you consider a drive as far as Bar Harbor to visit Acadia National Park... though that%26#39;s about double the distance as any of the other places I%26#39;ve mentioned, but well worth the trip.

If you head north, but inland a bit more, the ';Lakes Region'; of New Hampshire is nestled in the White Mountains... a drive around the perimeter of Lake Winnepesaukee and maybe a ride up a mountain on a ski lift (some of them operate even when there%26#39;s no snow), or a drive to the summit of Mt. Washington.

Closer to Boston, perhaps a day-trip to Salem, with it%26#39;s Peabody Essex Museum and witch trial-related sites. There is a small, old, turn-of-the-century amusement park called Salem Willows which has a few amusements that may be entertaining for the kids (penny arcade, merry-go-round, bumper cars, etc.)

In a nutshell, there%26#39;s too much to list here, and I%26#39;m certain that other people will suggest many more things.

Where to go for a short trip from Boston?

Thanks very much for your advice, I will have a look at the places you suggest.