If you are going to be in Rhode Island, you could check out:
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Providence Children’s Museum
Roger Wheeler State Beach
Newport’s Cliff Walk
Crescent Park Carousel
WaterFire Providence
When I was a teenager my mom and stepdad took me and my younger sister to the DC area on vacation. We saw Arlington Natl Cemetery, Colonial Williamsburg, and various DC landmarks (White House, monuments). We couldn’t actually go to the white house because as unluck would have it, 9/11 had happened prior to our trip (I can’t remember what month we went, but it wasn’t too much later). We couldn’t even get within a couple blocks of the place and we had to look at the monuments from our car, but it was still nice.
I know it’s not the Northeast, but it is the East and it’s not TOO far south. And there was a lot to see.
Thanks rachelellogram, but we’ve been to DC a skrillion times, including just last summer, so we’re looking for a change of venue this year. You’re right, though, it’s a great trip with kids. (Or without for that matter.)
At this point I am leaning heavily towards making Mystic CT the center point of the trip and then planning outwards in either direction from that.