What an amazing home and place to take a vacation. The house is everything you see on the Reviews, all the rooms are huge and there are so many of them! LOTS of comfy furniture in all rooms, spaces to gather and spaces to enjoy some quiet time too! You will love the ambiance of the house, huge built-in bookshelf, period decorations, stacks of old as well as recent books, a very old typewriter and sewing machine. Fun for little kids to find the "secret staircase" and for hide and seek, a beautiful yard with perenials along the stone walls and room for kids to play, and a park across the street big enough for a baseball game or flying kites. Roads are a bit narrow, with few sidewalks so it is better for exploring by car than by foot (at least with little ones).
We went to South Shore Beach for big waves to jump in; it was close, not packed and had lifeguards, and it is close by. Once entering, if you drive to the end (not far), it is easier to cross over the stones to get to the beach, and you can park right next to where you will sit, so you don't have to lug your gear far. $15 for a day pass, but we found a couple of hours with little ones, was plenty and everyone had super fun without getting burned! The area is so pleasant to drive around in, country roads, wildlife, and not much traffic.
Returning to the house, plenty of towels after taking a bath in a fancy tub or shower, refreshing AC which worked wonderfully throughout the house, Kuerig coffee maker, other items stocked in the pantry in case you forget something. Great patio with a large table and grill. Couldn't find a better vacation spot, sad to leave it!! Carol