Some summers blend together. This one won’t.
Picture yourself captaining a mini speedboat, hiking with a llama as your trail buddy, or venturing deep into underground caves.
Across the Northeast, we’ve found summer activities built for families who want real memories… not just another Saturday to check off.
Let’s go.
Be the Captain of Your Own Mini Speed Boat
Be the captain, no boating license required.
Mystic Boat Adventures
Location: Mystic, Connecticut
Best for Ages: 5+ with an adult
Website: Mystic Boat Adventures
This is not your average boat tour… Mystic Boat Adventures is like a go-kart on the water, and you’re behind the wheel.
Your family will follow a guide while steering a two-person mini speedboat down the Mystic River, cruising past drawbridges, tall ships, and open water views you wouldn’t expect this close to downtown Mystic.
It’s a unique way to explore the Mystic harbor, and kids 5+ can ride along with a grown-up… no boating license needed, just a sense of adventure.
TLJ Tip: Morning tours are calmer and easier for first-timers, and Mystic Seaport Museum is just around the corner if you want to turn it into a full-day outing.
Need a spot to fuel up before your tour?
Check out our favorite place for Breakfast in Mystic… It’s worth the early wake-up.
Take a Family Hike with a Goat, Donkey, or Alpaca
Step aside, trail mix—alpacas are the new hiking buddies.
Clover Brooke Farm
Location: Hyde Park, New York
Best for Ages: Varies by activity (typically 5+ for the animal hikes)
Website: Clover Brooke Farm
If your family’s idea of summer fun includes animals and being outside… this is the spot.
At Clover Brooke Farm, you can sign up for guided hikes with alpacas, goats, or even donkeys — each with its own unique personality and pace.
The trails are short and scenic, and there are plenty of other hands-on experiences on the farm, from soap-making and tie-dyeing classes to goat yoga sessions and family events.
TLJ Tip: Wear closed-toed shoes and book early — weekend hikes sell out fast, especially for the alpaca treks.
If this kind of outdoorsy fun is your family’s jam, here’s where to find even more hands-on fall activities and epic apple picking spots in New Jersey.
Take an Ice Cream Tour on a Scooter Through Lancaster
Yes, that’s ice cream at the next stop.
Strasburg Scooters
Location: Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Best for Ages: 5+
Website: Strasburg Scooters
Swap the car for a scooter this summer and explore Lancaster’s farmland in a unique and sweet way.
Strasburg Scooters offers a guided Ice Cream Tour that takes families through rolling Amish farmland, over covered bridges, and straight to multiple homemade ice cream stops — with plenty of views (and scoops) along the way.
You don’t need a motorcycle license, just a sweet tooth and a sense of fun.
The 2.5-hour ride includes stops and enough treats and views to make it feel like peak summer.
And, the Scoot Coupes are such a fun option for little riders.
TLJ Tip: Kids must be at least 5 to ride in the Scoot Coupe and 8+ to ride on the back of a scooter.
Yes, helmets are required (they’ll provide them). Flip-flops are not allowed, so pack sneakers.
Looking for more ways to amp up the fun in Lancaster?
Check out our favorite thrilling things to do in Lancaster with kids — from wolves to trains to ropes courses and beyond.
Explore Hidden Caves in Pennsylvania
Nature’s AC + secret underground lakes = a summer win.
Echo Dell, Indian Echo Caverns
Location: Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Best for Ages: 3+
Website: Indian Echo Caverns
If you’ve never cooled off inside a 440-million-year-old limestone cave, this is your moment.
The guided tour at Indian Echo Caverns winds through dramatic chambers filled with crystal formations, underground lakes, and natural cathedral ceilings… all just a short drive from Hersheypark.
Outside the caves, there’s a petting zoo, gem mining, and even a resident albino peacock strutting around the property (yes, really).
This is a fun and easy win for nature-loving families with kids of all ages.
TLJ Tip: The cave stays a cool 52 degrees year-round. Bring a light jacket and wear shoes with a good grip. The steps can be damp and slippery, especially for younger kids.
If you’re building out a full summer bucket list, don’t miss these standout Northeast spots that go beyond the usual beach day.
Pedal a Rail Bike Through the Catskills
No steering, no traffic, just tracks and grins. Photo credit @RailExplorers
Rail Explorers
Location: Phoenicia, New York (Catskills)
Best for Ages: All ages (see details below)
Website: Rail Explorers Catskills
Hop on a custom-built rail bike and cruise through the woods along an old railroad line — no steering, no traffic, just smooth tracks and Catskill Mountain views.
Rail Explorers offers two different length rides: the 4-mile ride (90 minutes round trip) or the 8-mile ride (about 2.5 hours with a break halfway).
It’s relaxed, outdoorsy, and just weird enough to keep everyone off their screens.
TLJ Tip: Riders of all ages are welcome, but infants must be secured in a chest harness, and toddlers get their own seat with a safety harness… no lap riding allowed.
An adult 16+ is required to control the brakes. Closed-toe shoes are a must, and you’ll want to bring water and snacks for the ride.
Want more ideas to keep the good times rolling?
Check out these Upstate New York Getaway spots that are pure gold for parents.
Paddle a Clear Kayak on Green Lakes’ Turquoise Water
Spoiler: This isn’t the Caribbean.
Green Lakes State Park
Location: Fayetteville, New York
Best for Ages: All ages
Website: Green Lakes State Park
You don’t have to hop on a plane to paddle turquoise water in a crystal-clear kayak — you just need to know where to look.
Green Lakes State Park is one of the most stunning (and underrated) state parks in the Northeast.
Its glacial lakes are so clear and colorful that they almost don’t look real.
It’s the kind of unexpected summer activity that makes everyone say, “This is in New York?!?”
TLJ Tip: Kayak rentals are $15 for a half hour or $20 for a full hour and are located to the right of the beach and playground.
The cost to enter Green Lakes State Park is $10 per car.
Play All Day at Cranmore’s Mountain Adventure Park
Let them scream their energy out instead of at each other.
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Location: North Conway, New Hampshire
Best for Ages: 3+ (height and weight requirements vary)
Website: Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park
This isn’t your typical one-and-done mountain ride.
At Cranmore’s Mountain Adventure Park, one ticket gets you unlimited access to everything: the mountain coaster, soaring eagle zip line, giant swing, bounce houses, bungee trampolines, climbing wall, and more.
It’s the kind of all-day outdoor fun that’s made for families with high-energy kids—and it’s one of the best summer stops in the White Mountains if you’re looking to stay active without overplanning.
TLJ Tip: Open 10 am to 5 pm during the summer. Tickets are $49 for 54″ and up, $39 for kids 38″–53″. Go early to beat the lines and remember to bring sneakers.
If your kids aren’t quite ready for Cranmore’s zip line and adventure park, here are a few nearby amusement parks that still bring the fun… just with gentler rides.
Can’t get enough of North Conway?
You will love all the fun North Conway has to offer your family in the winter…
Sky-High Adventure for Families Who Want to Skip the Trail
4,080 feet in under 10 minutes. No hiking boots required.
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
Location: Franconia, New Hampshire
Best for Ages: All ages
Website: Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
If you’re after big mountain views without the uphill climb, this one delivers.
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway—first of its kind in the U.S.—whisks you to the 4,080-foot summit in under ten minutes.
At the top, you’ll find short walking trails, a 360° lookout deck, and panoramic views of four states (and even Canada on a clear day).
It’s scenic, smooth, and way more kid-friendly than you’d expect for something this epic.
TLJ Tip: The Aerial Tramway runs daily from late May through October, with trips to the summit every 15 minutes from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Grab a snack at Café 4080′, home to the highest beer taps in New Hampshire… or bring your own picnic and claim a view.
How to Make the Most of These Fun Summer Activities
Book ahead – Popular spots, especially boat tours and zip lines, fill fast on weekends in the summer.
Double-check the fine print – Age, height, and even footwear rules vary by activity. Don’t let a forgotten pair of sneakers ruin the fun.
Pack like a pro – Sunscreen, snacks, water, and a spare bathing suit go further than you’d think.
Think in clusters – Many of these spots are near cute towns, playgrounds, or other family-friendly stops… build in time to explore.
Stretch it into a weekend – Several of these fun summer activities pair perfectly for a low-stress road trip. Pick two or three and hit the road.
Ready to Make This Summer Actually Memorable?
Summer goes fast. The memories don’t have to.
✔️ Want water that looks like the Caribbean? → Green Lakes State Park (Crystal-clear kayak rentals on turquoise glacial lakes)
✔️ Craving something totally unexpected? → Clover Brooke Farm (Hike with a llama or goat through the Hudson Valley)
✔️ Need to burn off serious energy? → Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park (All-day access to zip lines, mountain coasters, and bounce zones)
✔️ Want a ride with a view? → Cannon Aeriel Tramway (Scenic 10-minute tram to a 4,080-foot summit with 360° views)
✔️ Looking for a sweet way to explore? → Strasburg Scooters (Ice cream-themed scooter tour through Amish country)
✔️ Have a kid who loves trains? → Rail Explorers Catskills (Pedal-powered rail bikes through the woods… no screens, just miles of tracks)
✔️ Up for a cool-down that’s actually cool? → Indian Echo Caverns (Underground cave tour with crystal formations and hidden lakes)
✔️ Dreaming of captaining your own boat? → Mystic Boat Adventures (Drive your own mini speedboat along the Mystic River)
Happy travels …and here’s to a summer that doesn’t just blur together.
