Thanks Brant! Those are some great ideas...I've never heard of most of those places in NH so I'm in the process of checking them out and deciding which to do.

We fly into Boston on Sept 13th and leave on the 27th. So what we're thinking is to head north and spend a couple days on the coast (thinking somewhere between Portsmouth and Portland). I believe there are some nice beaches there for the kids (they'll like playing in the sand even if the weather is too cold to swim) and lighthouses and scenic coastline for any photo ops. Then head to the mountains in NH for some of the things you mentioned above. After that I think we'd like to work our way south, eventually down to Rhode Island or southeastern Connecticut (around Mystic). Not sure what to see between NH and RI though...would be nice to stop for a day or two somewhere between (Springfield MA?) but I don't really know what is there. Then we'll head back to Boston for the last few days before flying out. We've been to Boston a few times already so we have an idea of what to see there: we're going to a Red Sox/Blue Jays game at Fenway, likely go to the science museum, maybe ride the ducks, public gardens, Old Ironside, etc. Seems like there are lots of things there to keep the kids entertained. Like the suggestions for food...that is definitely always a hit. Agree about the good pastries in the North end...we were turned on to those on our last visit (but I can't remember exactly which place). I'll have to check out the Stephanie's place too!

Any further suggestions are always welcome!