Boston

• Ride the swan boats and say hello to the Make Way for Duckling statues in the Public Garden.
• Splash around or ice skate in Frog Pond. This large, shallow, man-made pond in Boston Common is a great place for kids to splash in shallow water during the summer, or ice skate in the winter (there’s a $10 fee for ice skating).
• Play at the Tadpole Playground and ride the carousel ($4) in Boston Common.
• Visit the New England Aquarium to see African penguins, sea lions, a four-story great ocean tank, and more.
• Play and explore at the Boston Children’s Museum. There are lots of play-based exhibits and play spaces. Perfect for kids under 10.
• Shop and eat and Quincy Market. This historic market has so many great food options!
• Watch a baseball game at Fenway Park.
• Go on a historical tour. There is so much history in Boston and a historical tour is a great way to see the city and learn about the early days of America. There are tours of specific historical homes and sites, or broader tours that take you on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile path that connects you to many historical sites, including Paul Revere’s Home and the Old North Church. You can also walk the Freedom Trail on your own, but a tour will help bring the stories to life! This is a good walking tour: Boston’s Freedom Trail – A Revolutionary Walking Tour – $31
• Climb the steps and run around in the grass at Bunker Hill.
• View incredible art at the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Walk along the harbor and enjoy coastal views.
• Get out on the water and take a sightseeing cruise.
• Relive the Boston Tea Party with an interactive museum and ship experience
• See animals at the Franklin Park Zoo
• Visit the Museum of Science or the Harvard Museum of Natural History

• Hyatt Regency Boston is a great location close to Boston Common and the Public Garden and the Chinatown T stop, and has a pool.
• Boston Marriott Long Wharf is great if you want water views and to be in walking distance to the Aquarium and other areas on the harbor. You can also walk to the Aquarium T stop to get other places. Has an indoor pool and rooms with 2 queen beds.
• Courtyard Boston Downtown is also a good location in walking distance to Boston Common and the Public Garden, and a T stop, but mainly has rooms with 1 king or 2 doubles.

Save on getting there:

• Boston has several cheap domestic airlines such as Allegiant and Spirit, plus most other major airlines. Here are a few options from $41 >
• Save money by taking the T (Boston’s subway) instead of a cab or rideshare to get from the airport to your hotel. The Silver line connects the airport and downtown. AND IT’S FREE FROM THE AIRPORT! If you need to go further, or somewhere other than downtown, the fares are very affordable. Plan your route >
• Not free, but still affordable and more FUN – take the ferry from the airport to downtown (or other destinations). Take the free Massport Route 66 shuttle from any airport terminal to the dock. If going downtown, take the ferry to Central Wharf. It will usually cost around $9/person. It’s a fun way to get views of the city and the harbor as you make your way downtown, as long as the weather is nice.
• The cheapest option is to drive, but you’ll most likely be paying a parking fee at your hotel.

Save on hotels:

Save on transportation in the city:

• If you stay in the city center near many of the things you plan to visit, then you can walk to a lot of places.
• The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is affordable, easy, and safe if you have normal street smarts. The most convenient is using the ‘T’ – Boston’s subway. You can simply use tap to pay at the turnstiles to pay for your ride. If your kids have a card or device that has tap to pay enabled, they can use that also. If not, we usually stand by the turnstile and tap to pay for each kid and let them through, then tap ourselves through last. Another options is to get a Charlie card for each member of your party and load it with money and then scan the card to enter. This used to be the only way to do it, and it’s fine, but I’ve had a kid lose their card, so now I prefer to stand there and tap them all in with my phone.
• If you drove to the city, you can drive and park at places, but parking can be expensive. You will still probably save money by walking or taking public transit, plus you’ll save on gas and energy and feel more like a local!

Save on activities:

• Quincy Market has so many great food options! There are 18 restaurants and 35 food-court style eateries of all cuisines, so there is something for everyone! Try a New England classic like clam chowder or a lobster roll, or many other options.
• Cheers – it’s a tourist place, but if you are old enough to know the show, you will enjoy visiting this Boston Classic, and the food is actually good. It’s also in a convenient location on Beacon Street across from the Public Garden, so it’s a nice lunch stop if you’re around that area.
• Legal Seafood – there’s one downtown and one near the aquarium, this place has great seafood and a good kid’s menu with both seafood and non-seafood options at an affordable price.
• Back Deck – casual, family-friendly place downtown not far from the parks.
• The Friendly Toast – if you like breakfast food, this funky spot serves breakfast all day!
• Boston Sail Loft – harbor views, good seafood options, and a good kids menu.
• La Famiglia Giorgio’s Restaurant – great Italian food and family-friendly! This is a good option if you’re up near the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.

• Definitely bring a stroller for young children – there can be a lot of walking! Also wear comfortable shoes!
• If it’s summer and you’re planning to visit Boston Common, come prepared knowing your kids will want to get wet! The Tadpole playground has some water splash areas and Frog Pond is a giant shallow splash pool. These areas will be hard to avoid and your kids will end up soaked (even if you dressed them in nice clothes expecting a nice walk in the park, then a swan boat ride, and then going out to dinner). So come prepared with a bag with bathing suits or a change or clothes and towels.
• Don’t be afraid of the subway (the T)! It’s safe, affordable, and easy! Especially if you have younger kids with a stroller or would normally need car seats – the subway will be safer and easier than using an Uber/Lyft/taxi.