Plan a quick weekend getaway at one of these cabins near Boston that maximize winter fun

If winter break has you planning your next weekend getaway with the kids, we’re right there with you. That’s why we rounded up a bunch of our favorite family-friendly winter cabin rentals near Boston that are perfect for your next family vacation. From ski cabins in the mountains to remote cabins where families can get away from it all, these nearby cabins have everything you need to escape the hustle and bustle of Boston.

a kitchen is filled with morning light in a cabin near boston you can rent
airbnb.com

1. Classic Mid-Coast Farmhouse—Friendship, ME

This family farm has been completely restored with high-end amenities but still retains its classic character. Only 3 hours from Boston, it's a short walk to the water in Friendship, Maine with large, bright, airy rooms, 5 bedrooms, 2 living areas, 2 fully stocked kitchens and a designated workspace (with high-speed internet) on 11 beautiful acres.

Sleeps: 9
Cost: $316/night
Online: airbnb.com

Related: The Best Airbnb Rentals for Families near Boston

A cabin with a red door and a snow shovel popped against it with snow on the ground
Airbnb

2. Peaceful Cottage on Acreage—Hinesburg, VT

Plan an unplugged winter getaway at this cozy cabin that's perfect for a family of three or four. Just minutes from Burlington's skiing and snowshoeing spots, this 700-square-foot abode has all you need to chill this winter (including a charger for your EV). Hot plates, a toaster, and microwave allow you to cook quick meals in between all your outdoor adventuring. And best of all, if your dog is well behaved, your furry friend is welcome to join you here. 

Insider Tip: Beds can be brought in if you need to sleep more than two; they even have a pack-n-play for babies and toddlers.

Sleeps: 2-4
Cost: $125/night
Online: airbnb.com

cabins near boston
airbnb.com

3. Cozy Catskills Cabin—Poenicia, NY

Rustic charm and modern amenities are what you'll find at this recently renovated 1920s fishing cabin in the Catskills. It's the just-right distance from Boston for families who want to really getaway from it all. The nearby ski mountains offer lots of afternoon activity, and the firepit outside beckons after a long day of schussing on the slopes.

Sleeps: 4
Cost: $185/night
Online: airbnb.com

winter ski cabin near boston
Airbnb

4. Berkshires Suite—Lanesborough, MA

Settle in to the very private, wooded six acres at this downstairs suite, affectionally called "Sheeps Heaven View." Explore the area and enjoy the winter activities you'll find all around. Then return to the suite to enjoy card games, board games or a family movie night. Please note, there isn't a full kitchen here (a great excuse to eat out!) and all your dishes will be washed (and returned) by the host. The perfect perk for parents.

Sleeps: 6
Cost: $150/night
Online: airbnb.com

cabins near boston
Airbnb

5. Lake Winnie A-Frame—Gilford, NH

This recently updated A-frame chalet is just minutes from Gunstock Mountain. And it's got winter (and summer) sports in mind. A place to store your skis is part of the A-frame design, as is a secret play nook, right off the living room that'll have your kids squealing with delight. The hot tub on the deck is for use year-round and a great spot to enjoy the cold night air once your kids are asleep.

Sleeps: 7
Cost: $225/night
Online: airbnb.com

winter cozy cabin rental near boston

6. Luxury Chalet—Bartlett, NH

This peaceful cabin combines a fantastic location with amenities that appeal to families, and it's all in the heart of New Hampshire ski country. Located just 15 minutes from Wildcat Mountain, it's a great spot for families looking for a ski vacation. Also nearby is Jackson Falls, a wonder any time of year. Plan to grill out, snuggle up to screen a few flicks or break out board games to play as a family during your stay.

Sleeps: 8
Cost: $242/night
Online: airbnb.com

Airbnb

7. The Dogtown Cabin at Applecart Farm—Rockport, MA

Applecart Farm is one of the most private residential properties in Rockport. The property is surrounded by close to 2,500 acres of protected woodlands and miles of trails, but is only a 5-minute walk to the train station and 10-minute walk to downtown Rockport. Kids will love visiting with the friendly miniature horses that live on the property and exploring the area around them. Bring your cross country skis or snowshoes to make the most of this wintry wonderland.

Sleeps: 5
Cost
: $194/night
Online: airbnb.com

Related: Welcome, Winter! 8 Outdoor Adventures to Take with Kids Now

Airbnb

8. The Little Lake Cabin—New Fairfield, CT

Settle in at this New Fairfield, Connecticut cabin across from Candlewood Lake and a two-minute drive from Squantz Pond State Park. This little house has stylish touches all around, as well as a fire pit and an inflatable hot tub to keep you warm when the snow flies.

Sleeps: 5
Rate:
$225/night
Online: airbnb.com

Airbnb

9. Plymouth Log House—Plymouth, MA

Only minutes from historic Plymouth and the Cape, this log cabin is on an acre of private, wooded property. Located across the street from cranberry bogs and walking trails, you'll have plenty to do with your family while you are there. A large, raised outdoor deck with gas BBQ overlooks the backyard, a great place to cook even when it's cold outside. Plus, we hear the hosts make a memorable cranberry bread. Please note, this listing is no longer pet-friendly.

Sleeps: 6
Cost: $200/night
Online: airbnb.com

Airbnb

10. Mountain Chic New Hampshire Family Getaway—Conway, NH

This perfectly-located North Conway cabin is both dog and family friendly. You'll never be bored being 5-10 minutes away from downtown North Conway and the abundance of winter activities at Cathedral Ledge. The cabin's floor to ceiling windows facing Cathedral Ledge are worth the trip alone, but we suggest bringing your skis (downhill or cross-country, take your pick) or your snowshoes to keep everyone active and outside on this vacation. For a change of pace, why not rent snowmobiles to enjoy in the park?  

Sleeps: 5
Cost: $228/night
Online: airbnb.com

Airbnb

11. White Mountain Getaway Cabin—Franconia, NH

Bring your family and friends for a weekend in the heart of the White Mountains, nestled in the woods off a winding road near the snowy riverbank. A great place to stay if winter sports are your family's jam, the cabin is across the street from Gale River and close to Franconia Notch State Park, Crawford Notch, Cannon Mountain and multiple other ski mountains. Local breweries abound for some apres that's pretty kid-friendly, and we suggest checking out local tubing hills and the Woodstock Ice Caves in the winter.

Sleeps: 8
Cost: $274/night
Online: airbnb.com

Please note, prices listed were valid at the time of publication but rates can fluctuate at different times of the year. If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

It’s July, which means your kids are probably staying up well past their average bedtimes because, really, who wants to go to bed when it’s still daylight outside? If you’re looking for the perfect way to knock out that end-of-day energy burst, then catching fireflies is your beacon to bedtime bliss. From wooded paths to tall grass, along with ponds and in bushes, fireflies are lighting the way to some serious summertime memories. Here’s where to look for these little bioluminescent beetles in Atlanta.

Piedmont Park

Since fireflies rely on their blinking lights to communicate with one another, areas with lots of light pollution have far fewer insects because they can't as easily make plans with one another. But, thanks to Piedmont Park's 189 acres, it's a haven in the hullabaloo of our modern city. Whether you look for them in the Northwoods across from the Atlanta Botanical Garden, or stay late at one of the park's two playgrounds, you've got a very good chance at seeing some lighting bugs lighting up.

10th & Piedmont Ave.
Midtown
Online: piedmontpark.org

Murphey Candler Park

This 135-acre multi-use park is the largest park in the City of Brookhaven, but thanks to its miles of nature trails and preserved wetlands, it's a great spot to see the lightning bugs come out at night. You don't have to veer too far off the path (or away from the parking lot, for that matter) to witness the twinkling lights of your favorite luminary insects. For your best show, steer clear of the sports fields and head towards the wooded area and trails near the lake. Lightning bugs don't like the chemicals that are used to make each multi-use field so green and weed-free.

1551 W Nancy Creek Dr.
Dunwoody
Online: murpheycandlerpark.org

 

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. You'll find fields with taller grass that are perfect for lightning bugs to levitate from, and the wooded trails that circle the mountain are crawling with the critters.

900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr.
Kennesaw
Online: nps.gov

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ2R9RwgCsY/?hidecaption=true

Allatoona Creek Park

Among Allatoona Creek Park's 1450 acres are large open fields, forest, and the shores of Lake Allatoona. Two creeks (Little Allatoona and Big Allatoona) merge as you near the lake, and the land is managed to accommodate all species of wildlife with archery hunting for deer allowed during the season. The park is open for public use except during hunting season, and among these acres, you can find an impressive showing of fireflies.

5690 Old Stilesboro Rd.
Acworth
Online: cobbcounty.org

Fort Mountain State Park

Near the Cohutta Wilderness, this Georgia state park is a mecca for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders who come for the trails that wind through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, crossing streams, and circling a pretty lake. There's even a mysterious 855-foot-long wall that's thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. But the wall isn't the only ethereal thing about this park. The rare blue-ghost fireflies unique to the Appalachian mountain range can be found early in firefly season, but visitors should look and not catch these unique bugs.

181 Fort Mountain Park Rd.
Chatsworth
Online: gastateparks.org

Featured photo via iStock.

—Shelley Massey

 

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My New Forever

This morning I thought about forever, as we woke up before the sun, and hurried to get ready to go find trains. You see, this is what we do. I watched my son flap with delight as we pulled into the train park while I drink coffee and we wait for the first engine to pull through.

When you first find out you’re going to become a parent you think about raising a child, hugging them through their first heartbreak, sending them off to college, and watching them get married and start a family of their own.

And then, in our case, autism changed the way in which we were going to navigate parenthood.

I’m not saying he won’t ever do any of the “typical” things, but I’m also saying we aren’t promised he will either.

The day you find out you’re not just a parent but now you’re a special needs parent, the thought of forever is too much to comprehend. It was for me anyway, and I started a to-do list in my head that I thought would make things temporary instead of forever.

I kept thinking if I can just get him to sleep through the night, then if I can just get him to speak, potty train, feed himself, now it’s dress himself and make a friend……. my point is it isn’t short-term, it’s forever. I’m not saying that to be negative, I’m just more realistic now.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t joy to be found every single day, or that his life has any less value, but it does mean this journey shifted after diagnosis.

I couldn’t believe the moms who were talking about forever care for their kids. They’ve given up I thought. No, they were just further along in the process than I was.

I couldn’t bear to think about forever then, I could barely think of what would happen between now and his next birthday. I just needed to get through today.

I understand the situation is ever-evolving and the to-do list changes as time goes on, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. And saying it’s heavy doesn’t mean I’m angry about it, or that I’ve given up. It means I’m further along in my journey now.

Lunch at 11 a.m. every day, overnight trips to find trains, hunting for yellow sandwiches and brownie batter hummus, always waking up before 6 a.m. The things I’ve learned that will be here for the long haul and are not just a phase.

It’s ok, I’m just ready for forever now, it’s heavy, but I’m ready

This post originally appeared on Jackson's Journey Jackson's Voice.

Amanda is a mom of two and lives in Ohio. Her son is on the autism spectrum and is who inspired her to begin her journey through advocacy. In her free time she enjoys teaching dance , hosting the MommingAutism podcast, and writing for her page Jackson’s Journey, Jackson’s Voice.

Ready for a little home town adventure? Print out the scavenger hunt ideas below and get ready to explore the Washington, DC Area with the kids in a totally COVID-19 safe way. Hop in the car or head out on your bikes to find these DMV landmarks and Insta-perfect locations. Happy hunting!

—Meghan Yudes Meyers

Featured photo:  JESHOOTS.com from Pexels

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Your kids will embark on new and exciting adventures to reveal surprising and interesting facts about the world. Weird But True!, from National Geographic, comes to Disney+ on Fri., Aug. 14.  Children’s entertainers and educators Charlie Engelman and Carly Ciarrocchi are back to host the third season of the Emmy Award-winning series. 

Weird But True

Set both in studio and in the field, “Weird But True!” is a 13-episode series that integrates a mix of arts and crafts, unbelievable facts and real-life exploration. Whether hunting for dinosaur fossils, hiking volcanoes or flying planes, the science-loving duo inspires kids to get excited about the world around them.

Weird But True

This season, Charlie and Carly take a closer look at dinosaurs, national parks, trains, venomous animals, the solar system and more. The weekly series features guest appearances from Nat Geo Photographers and Explorers, including Anand Varma, who teaches Charlie and Carly the correct way to take the perfect photo, and professor and founder of SciStarter Darlene Cavalier, who describes how she is exploring new ways to connect people with science. Renowned astrophysicist Michio Kaku shows up this season as a special guest star, playing fictional character Buster Infinity of the Global Space Administration Interplanetary Expedition. 

 

Seasons one and two of “Weird But True!” are available now on Disney+.

If you’re looking for a new place to find kid-friendly content then it’s time to check out Kabillion. The kids and families platform is the perfect place to get “kabillions” of age-appropriate entertainment––for free!

Kabillion offers free content all year long and in addition to favorite shows like Thomas the Train, Barbie Dreamtopia, Sonic X and Ninjago, the streaming provider is also offering special Earth Day content for the month of April through May 29. Keep scrolling to see the entire lineup!

Earth Day on Kabillion and Kabillion Girls Rule! 

Kabillion

Sonic X: Trick Sand 
The crew of the Blue Typhoon go emerald hunting on a deserted planet.

Sonic X: Underground 
Sonic and the gang go exploring another, earth like, planet.

Transformers: Nature Calls 
Prowl, Bumblebee and Sari get more than they bargained for when they head out to the remote woods to investigate a mysterious energy signal.

 

Kabillion Girls Rule!

Bobby’s World: Fish Tales 
The Generics go camping in Canada!

Chloe’s Closet: All Green Thumbs 

The kids have fun making things grow with water, but when they overgrow a mouse, she’s too tall to get inside her home and reach her babies. They enlist Mac who’s short enough to help.

Chloe’s Closet: In The Fix 
Handyman Chloe and friends are called to fix Mother Nature’s run-down cottage.

LEGO Friends: Dolphin Cruise 
Olivia, Stephanie, Andrea, Mia, and Emma enter a science contest at school and win a trip on a luxury yacht – but not everything goes as planned when they set out to sea.

To access Kabillion, families can watch on demand on many cable and satellite providers. You can also stream via the free app on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and XUMO.

You’ll also want to head to the new Freebies section on the Kabillion website to find printable and downloadable coloring pages feature characters from favorite TV shows streaming on Kabillon, plus word search activities!

––Karly Wood

 

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This Valentine’s Day you could settle in for a romantic film with your partner, or you could round up the entire fam for a Netflix sesh because A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon hits homes on Feb. 14!

Mossy Bottom Farm has a new visitor when an alien named LU-LA crash lands from outer space. Shaun the Sheep and his buds soon learn all about this adorable, yet magical visitor in the whimsical trailer below.

In an attempt to get LU-LA back to her spaceship, Shaun and his flock embark on an out of this world journey, only to discover that an alien-hunting agency is in their wake. Can the gang prevent Farmageddon?

 

To get the entire family excited for the newest installment of Shaun, Netflix is sharing a few fun ways to get into the Farmageddon spirit. If your kiddos love drawing, you’ll want to check out tutorials on how to draw LU-LA and Shaun. Stay tuned for three activity sheets to download to get your kiddos even more excited about the film!

A Shaun of the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is only available on Netflix and drops this Friday, Feb. 14.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Netflix

 

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Cheetos are a snack-food favorite, but those orange fingers running around your house aren’t always fun. Now you can enjoy the cheesy crunch in a brand new, less colorful form with Cheetos White Cheddar Snowflakes.

As any snack food connoisseur can tell you, Cheetos actually come in a variety of styles and flavors, but the newest addition is a festive addition to any winter party. The new version comes in four different snowflake shapes dusted in white cheddar cheese flavor.

As Delish points out, the Snowflake Cheetos aren’t listed on the brand’s website so they are likely a limited-edition selection. You can grab a bag at Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and Publix.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Candy Hunting via Instagram

 

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Just in time for the highly anticipated release of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker you can feed your young Jedi’s sweet tooth with these new Millennium Falcon Ice Cream Sandwiches.

These limited-edition ice cream sandwiches feature vanilla ice cream sandwiched between vanilla cookies in the shape of Han Solo’s infamous interstellar ship.

According to Instagram users, the ice cream sandwiches have been spotted in stores at several grocery chains, like HyVee. A box of six sandwiches is priced at $9. They are labeled as limited edition, so if you’re hoping to score a box, grab them fast as they’re sure to fly off the shelves faster than you can say light speed.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Candy Hunting via Instagram

 

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Forget about cinnamon spice. Even though everything is coming up pumpkins right now, McCormick has blend-style flavorings that are sweet, sweet sugary perfection!

Just in case you’re looking for a way to spice up your fave baked treat, ice cream sundae or anything else for that matter, now you can sprinkle a pinch of Birthday Cake, Lemon Ginger, Apple Cinnamon, Vanilla Cinnamon or Blueberry Vanilla flavoring on it.

According to McCormick’s website, you can use the Birthday Cake Sugar and Spice Blend in or on, “Baked goods, desserts, milkshakes and more.” The same goes for the other fab flavors.

So where can you get these tasty treat add-ons? Just visit McCormick’s website and click on “Where To Buy” for a retailer near you!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Candy Hunting via Instagram 

 

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