Itineraries: Kids

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS
Sun, sports, and lots of sand keep kids entertained on the Cape.

1. Eight swimmable kettle ponds and miles of hiking and biking trails beckon children to NICKERSON STATE PARK.

2. A grab-bag of activities awaits at the family-focused OCEAN EDGE RESORT & CLUB, CHATHAM BARS INN, and WEQUASSETT RESORT & GOLF CLUB.

3. Budding David Ortizes get tips on how to swing and throw like a pro—from MLB pros themselves—at the CAPE COD BASEBALL CLINIC.

4. Home to the world’s largest naval ship exhibit, BATTLESHIP COVE has enough activities to keep even the youngest military enthusiast occupied. Kids can explore the galley of the World War II battleship USS Massachusetts and the spartan crew quarters of the Soviet-built missile corvette Hiddensee. 5 Water St., Fall River, 508-678-1100, battleshipcove.com.

5. With its musty rooms and storied history, it’s no surprise the Civil War era FORT WARREN boasts one of the best ghost stories around. According to legend, a woman was hanged here during the Civil War, and has haunted the halls of Fort Warren as the “Lady in Black” ever since. Even Mom and Dad will get a chill walking through the fort’s dark and eerie passageways. Georges Island, 617-223-8666, bostonharborislands.com.

6. A swashbuckling adventure aboard the PLYMOUTH PIRATE CRUISES—complete with stolen treasure, enemy cannons, and the requisite pirate-themed face-paint—is sure to keep the little ones happy during a hot summer day. Town Wharf, Plymouth, 508-746-5342, piratefun.com.

7. NANTASKET BEACH and its accompanying boardwalk once served as one of New England’s premier resort destinations. Spend the day eating soft-serve ice cream, twirling on the merry-go-round, and taking turns at the penny arcade. Nantasket Avenue, Hull, 781-925-0472, paragoncarousel.com.

8. At PLYMOUTH PLANTATION, a re-creation of the 1627 Plymouth colony, children can watch costumed handymen ply their trade and learn about the state’s true natives at the Wampanoag Homesite. The Nye Barn breeds species that were common in Colonial times; while tots fawn over the newborns, adults can find humor in the Dickensian-named Dorking fowl. 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth, 508-746-1622, plimoth.org.

For kids activities in Maine, go on to the next page…