Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Boston - Not Just A History Buff's Paradise

Boston is such a kid friendly city! There is so much to see and do! The city is relatively small, so walking much of it is easy - which is a plus! We just returned from our second trip in 2 years and we are already planning on going back! Here are some of the highlights from those trips.

Where to Stay:
There are so many options when it comes to staying in Boston. However, their public transportation is so user friendly, staying a bit outside the city and taking the train in helps cut down costs. Check out Mass BTA for more info.


Budget Tip:  Get a hotel that offers free breakfast and has rooms with mini fridges and microwaves. This way breakfast is covered and you can bring food from home for lunch and/or dinner to save some money. This last trip I made meatballs in sauce, froze them & then at the hotel I microwaved them, put them on rolls with mozzarella cheese - BAM meatball parm heroes for dinner.
What To Do:

This list is HUGE but here are some of our favorites with Kidz!


The Boston Children's Museum - this place is AMAZING! 3 floors of interactive fun & NOT just for little ones! Check out the 3 story climbing structure, the music room, woodworking and more! You could easily spend the day here. They've got lockers for your things, a cafe, shows.....definitely worth checking out if you are in town!
        


Visitor Tip: Go to the 3rd floor and work your way down. Everyone starts and the bottom and works their way up. This way you will avoid the crowds. However this place is so huge, the crowds never really seem to be a problem.

To get a table for eating, plan lunch at an off time, like 11am or 2pm. The cafe is small and they run out of tables quick!

Budget Tip: If you have a local children's museum, purchase a reciprocal membership. It offers you entry to over 400 children's and science museums around the country - most of the time for FREE and it costs just a little more than a basic membership. Check out ASTC to see who participates in your area.
The New England Aquarium - located right on the water - it is full of amazing aquatic animals. Pet a sting ray, see giant sea turtles, penguins & more! Check out an IMAX movie, touch a sea star or attend one of their educational programs. Again you could spend a whole day here!

Visitor Tip: Get there EARLY! The line to get in gets long FAST! And the earlier you arrive, the less crowded it is, and you can be done by the time the crowds fill in! Also go to the hands on exhibits first, so you can spend plenty of time getting to know your new sea creature friends!

Or spend the day following The Freedom Trail - this 2 1/2 mile trail takes you through the heart of Boston and back in time! You can go on a guided tour, which includes your own colonial guide! Or follow the brick path yourself and take your time in each area of the city.

The trail starts at Boston Common and ends at Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution. You can buy an app on the Freedom trail website or download the National Park Service app for free!
If you have little ones, may I suggest doing only a portion of the trail. Start at the Old South Meeting House and End at the Paul Revere House. In the middle take a break at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Get a snack, watch a street performer, rest your legs.

There are also trolley tours available if walking isn't feasible or just isn't your thing. Check out Old Town Trolley or City View Trolleys for more information. We have not done this yet, so if you do, let us know how it is!!! 

Like I said, there is so much to see and do, I barely have scratched the surface. The next time we go I would like to go to the Boston Tea Party Museum where visitors re-enact the Boston Tea Party and actually throw tea off the ship! And the Boston Museum of Science. There is also Fenway Park, Boston Common, Harvard and the Swan Boats.

Boston is kid friendly and fun for the whole family! Take the time to check it out with your Kidz!

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