Some families want to spend a lazy week by the shore. Others want to pound the pavement and pack as much sightseeing as they can into a weekend in Boston. You'll need to evaluate your priorities and make some tough decisions as you design a Massachusetts itinerary that's right for your family. These Family Fun Plans are just a sample of some of the myriad ways you can make the most of a Massachusetts vacation.

A Long Fall Weekend in Western Massachusetts

If you have preschool-age children, or if your kids have school holidays in the fall that allow you to plan a long weekend away, you can experience the most colorful season and enjoy autumn events while avoiding the summer crowds at Six Flags. Look for hotels in the Springfield area if you're planning to follow this itinerary, and make reservations in advance, as you'll be competing with leaf peepers for lodging.

Day One: Spend the morning exploring the eclectic shops in Northampton. You'll find plenty of great choices for lunchtime dining in this famously liberal college town. In the afternoon, squeeze in a visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1150 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, 413-781-6500, www.hoophall.com), where kids can burn off energy playing a virtual game of one-on-one against NBA stars or practicing their shooting and passing at Center Court. Not sports fans? Spend the afternoon at the scent-sational Yankee Candle Village (Route 5 and 10 North, South Deerfield, 413-665-2929 or 877-636-7707, www.yankeecandle.com), the largest candle store in the world, where you can pick up autumn-scented souvenirs. Cinnamon stick, spiced pumpkin, harvest, fireside, and cranberry chutney are just some of the scents that will remind you of your stay in Massachusetts.

Day Two: Six Flags New England (1623 Main Street/Route 159, Agawam, 413-786-9300, www.sixflags.com/parks/newengland) not only stays open on fall weekends, it adds to the fun each October with Fright Fest happenings that are tame enough for small kids by day and decidedly scary after dark. You could easily spend an entire day at the park. Alternatively, if you plan your visit for mid- to late September, you may want to check out the Eastern States Exposition (1305 Memorial Avenue/Route 147, West Springfield, 413-737-2443, www.thebige.com) for all or part of the day. Better known as “The Big E,” this is New England's largest fair featuring midway rides, farm animals, headline entertainers, and buildings showcasing the products of all six New England states.

Day Three: End your long weekend with a leisurely drive along the scenic, 63-mile Mohawk Trail. Stop often to visit such engaging sights as the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls and the Natural Bridge in North Adams — they're even more spectacular against a backdrop of fall colors.

A Five-Day Summer Escape to the Cape

Cape Cod seems custom-made for family summer vacations. Here's a five-day plan for you to follow; feel free to tack on days or even weeks if you can, and spend the extra time savoring salty breezes, reading good books at the beach, munching on fried clams, and exploring the Cape's charming communities. Keep in mind that by starting your vacation on a weekday, you can avoid some of the Cape's worst traffic headaches.

Day One: Travel to Cape Cod, find your accommodations, and then find a beach. With more than 550 miles of coastline and literally dozens of beaches, you won't have to venture far from your home base to dip your toes in the water and walk along the sand. Get to bed early and rest up for an active second day.

Day Two: Journey to Provincetown at the far tip of the Outer Cape. Here, your choice of two adventures awaits. Book passage with Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown (MacMillan Pier, Provincetown, 508-240-3636 or 800-826-9300, www.whalewatch.com) for an unforgettable whale-watching excursion, or make reservations for an exhilarating drive along the Cape's legendary dunes with Art's Dune Tours (4 Standish Street, 508-487-1950, www.artsdunetours.com). While you're in Provincetown, try to squeeze in a climb to the top of the Pilgrim Monument (One High Pole Hill Road, 508-487-1310, www.pilgrim-monument.org).

Day Three: America has only ten national seashores, and Cape Cod claims the first and one of the finest. Start your morning at the Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center (Route 6, Eastham, 508-255-3421, www.nps.gov/caco), where you can watch a short orientation film and learn about all your options for spending the day within this 44,600-acre coastal habitat, from swimming, hiking, and biking to photographing lighthouses or participating in ranger-led programs.

Day Four: Chatham is one of the Cape's cutest towns. It's also the departure point for the seal tours offered by Chatham Water Tours (508-432-5895, www.chathamwatertours.net); even little kids will enjoy these boat trips, which afford up-close views of the Cape's playful gray and harbor seals on Monomoy Island. Make reservations for a morning excursion, and then return to Chatham for lunch and a bit of shopping in the afternoon.

Day Five: Leaving Cape Cod is never easy. If you have time to make one last stop, visit the Heritage Museums & Gardens (67 Grove Street, Sandwich, 508-888-3300, www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org), home to everything from a round barn filled with antique automobiles to lush gardens to a hand-carved antique carousel.

A Whirlwind Week in Massachusetts

If you like to cram as much as possible into a week's vacation, Massachusetts is a great destination.

Day One: Start your trip with a day at Old Sturbridge Village (1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, 508-347-3362 or 800-SEE-1830, www.osv.org), where you can immerse yourself in the happenings of an early New England community. In the evening, dine on traditional Yankee fare at the Publick House (277 Main Street/Route 131, Sturbridge, 508-347-3313 or 800-PUBLICK, www.publickhouse.com).

Day Two: Head east to Boston, “the Hub of the Universe.” Get acquainted with the city by taking in the view from the Skywalk Observatory on the fiftieth floor of the Prudential Center (800 Boylston Street, 617-859-0648, www.prudentialcenter.com/play/skywalk.html).

In the afternoon, explore the shops at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (off State Street, 617-523-1300, www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com), also known as Quincy Market, or tour the New England Aquarium (Central Wharf, 617-973-5200, www.neaq.org). Dine at the Union Oyster House (41 Union Street, 617-227-2750, www.unionoysterhouse.com), America's oldest continuously operating restaurant; it dates to 1826.

Day Three: Wake up a bit early and walk Boston's Freedom Trail. Take a full, leisurely day exploring Boston's landmarks along the trail, or maintain a brisker pace and leave time in the afternoon to visit the Museum of Science (Science Park, 617-723-2500, www.mos.org) or one of Boston's other fine museums. If your legs are tired, you'll appreciate the opportunity to sit back and watch an IMAX film at the Museum of Science.

Day Four: Your week is nearly half over. Head north from Boston for a day trip to Salem. Visit the Salem Witch Museum (Washington Square, 978-744-1692, www.salemwitchmuseum.com), the Witch Dungeon Museum (16 Lynde Street, 508-741-3570, www.witchdungeon.com), the House of the Seven Gables (115 Derby Street, 978-744-0991, www.7gables.org), and other sights along the Heritage Trail. The witch attractions may frighten younger children. Dine overlooking Salem Harbor on slow-roasted prime rib at Victoria Station (Pickering Wharf, 978-745-3400, www.victoriastationinc.com).

Day Five: Drive south from Boston to New Bedford and Fall River, where you can board a whaling ship at the New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, 508-997-0046, www.whalingmuseum.org) and stroll the decks of a destroyer at Battleship Cove (Five Water Street, Fall River, 508-678-1100, www.battleshipcove.org).

Day Six: Head for Cape Cod and a relaxing day of biking or basking on the beach. Hyannis is a good central base to enjoy a taste of the Cape.

Day Seven: If you don't need to rush home, drive to the Outer Cape for a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore, which extends for 40 miles from Chatham to Provincetown, or book a morning boat trip with Chatham Water Tours (508-432-5895, www.chathamwatertours.net) for a memorable chance to mingle with the seals that live off the coast.

Find a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind gift at Holsten Galleries (Elm Street, Stockbridge, 413-298-3044), which represents dozens of contemporary glass sculptors. While you're in Stockbridge and thinking about sprucing up your décor, stop into the headquarters of mail-order success story Country Curtains on Main Street (413-298-5565), founded in 1956.