Historic Boston Family Vacations
by Michelle Capasso
Drenched in America's history, Boston is also one of the smallest and
most walkable cities in the country, making trip planning and
sight-seeing a lot easier for families with children.
One of the best ways to aquaint yourself with the layout of the city is
to take a walk on The Freedom Trail. This 2.5 mile walk travels along
sixteen historic sites around Boston, all crucial to the birth of our
country. Kids can get a glimpse of living history as they visit such
famous sites as Paul Revere’s home and the Old North Church, from
which Revere was given the infamous “one if by land, two if by sea”
signals.
The trail starts at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Center in
Boston Common, and is clearly marked by a red brick line on the
sidewalk. You can walk the trail at your own pace, or purchase an audio
tour for $15. Highlight tours hosted by colonial-costumed guides are
also available. 617-357-8300
While following The Freedom Trail, don’t miss a stop at the world’s
oldest commissioned warship still afloat. The USS Constitution, or “Old
Ironsides” as she is nicknamed, is located at Charlestown Navy Yard.
She was one of only six ships whose creation was authorized by George
Washington in 1794, in effect creating the U.S. Navy. Old Ironsides’
active naval crew provides tours and entertaining stories from
Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 3:50pm. As Constitution sailors are prohibited
from soliciting money, tours are donation only. 617-242-2543
For an relaxing stroll through Boston’s well-heeled past, head on over
to the historic Back Bay neighborhood and enjoy the Public Gardens, the
first public botanical garden in the United States. Opened in 1837,
this open air park in the middle of the city showcases 24 acres of
nature’s colorful beauty. While you are there, take a ride on the Swan
Boats located in the Public Garden’s lagoon. Started in 1877 as a way
for genteel Bostonians to welcome the colors of spring, the Swan Boats
were made famous by the children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings.”
Swan Boat tours run about 15 minutes long and are offered daily from
April through September, weather permitting. 617-522-1966
If you’d prefer a faster way to take in the sights, the Duck Tours
provide tours of the city on authentic refurbished World War II
amphibious landing vehicles. Guided by lively, entertaining conductors,
these large open-air vehicles cruise the city imploring both pedestrians
and tourists alike to “quack like a duck” before splashing into the
Charles River to showcase their amphibious skills. Tours are about 80
minutes long and depart hourly from 9am to sunset from the Prudential
Center or the Museum of Science. Tickets are available at the departure
sites, or by contacting 617-267-DUCK.
As you await the start of your Duck Tour, take some time to explore one
of its departure points, the Museum of Science, located at Science Park
between Boston and Cambridge. The museum hosts a variety of
national traveling exhibits as well as an exhaustive array of its own
displays, covering topics from nature to engineering to animals. A few
can’t-miss features include the Theater of Electricity, a large lightning
simulator, and the Mugar Omni Theater, a five-story Imax Dome Screen
with digital surround sound. The Museum of Science is open daily,
except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 9am to 5pm, with extended
hours on Friday evenings. 617-723-2500
If the animal exhibits at the Museum of Science intrigue you, you’ll
love the New England Aquarium on Central Wharf. Not only will you find
extensive aquatic animal displays, including a penguin pool and a harbor
seal tank, but you’ll be able to experience a working animal rescue
hospital on site. The Aquarium features a new six-story Imax 3D Theatre
and hosts a popular New England pastime, whale watching. The NEA
is open from Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, with extended hours to
6pm on Saturday and Sunday. 617-973-5200
While you are in the downtown area, the Boston Children's Museum is
just a short “T” ride away at 300 Congress Street. As one of the first
“hands-on” museum experiences in the country, the museum has
maintained its focus in providing environmentally and socially aware
programs for an early childhood audience. Features include the Recycle
Shop, where untold amounts of found objects are available for kids to
collect, as well as access/Ability, a disability awareness exhibit. The
museum also showcases activities that tie into popular PBS children’s
programming created in Boston, such as Zoom and Arthur. The
museum is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) 10am to
5pm, with extended hours on Friday to 9pm. 617-426-8855.
No trip to Boston would be complete without a quick visit to legendary
Fenway Park. Built in 1912, storied Fenway is one of the few old major
league ballparks still in use today, and the home of the Boston Red
Sox. Behind-the-scenes tours of the park, including the “Green
Monster,” leave hourly from the Souvenir Store on Yawkey Way. Contact
the tour hotline at 617-266-6666 for details and restrictions due to the
Boston Red Sox home schedule.
As a reminder to your kids to keep those grades up, why not try some
inspiration at Harvard Square over the Charles River in Cambridge?
Here you can stroll picturesque Harvard Yard at the oldest and most
respected university in the U.S., as well as partake in some great
people-watching. The area is filled with unique shops and restaurants,
but most importantly, you’ll be able to claim that you “pahked your cah
at Hahvahd Yahd”, like a true Bostonian.
by Michelle Capasso
Drenched in America's history, Boston is also one of the smallest and
most walkable cities in the country, making trip planning and
sight-seeing a lot easier for families with children.
One of the best ways to aquaint yourself with the layout of the city is
to take a walk on The Freedom Trail. This 2.5 mile walk travels along
sixteen historic sites around Boston, all crucial to the birth of our
country. Kids can get a glimpse of living history as they visit such
famous sites as Paul Revere’s home and the Old North Church, from
which Revere was given the infamous “one if by land, two if by sea”
signals.
The trail starts at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Center in
Boston Common, and is clearly marked by a red brick line on the
sidewalk. You can walk the trail at your own pace, or purchase an audio
tour for $15. Highlight tours hosted by colonial-costumed guides are
also available. 617-357-8300
While following The Freedom Trail, don’t miss a stop at the world’s
oldest commissioned warship still afloat. The USS Constitution, or “Old
Ironsides” as she is nicknamed, is located at Charlestown Navy Yard.
She was one of only six ships whose creation was authorized by George
Washington in 1794, in effect creating the U.S. Navy. Old Ironsides’
active naval crew provides tours and entertaining stories from
Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 3:50pm. As Constitution sailors are prohibited
from soliciting money, tours are donation only. 617-242-2543
For an relaxing stroll through Boston’s well-heeled past, head on over
to the historic Back Bay neighborhood and enjoy the Public Gardens, the
first public botanical garden in the United States. Opened in 1837,
this open air park in the middle of the city showcases 24 acres of
nature’s colorful beauty. While you are there, take a ride on the Swan
Boats located in the Public Garden’s lagoon. Started in 1877 as a way
for genteel Bostonians to welcome the colors of spring, the Swan Boats
were made famous by the children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings.”
Swan Boat tours run about 15 minutes long and are offered daily from
April through September, weather permitting. 617-522-1966
If you’d prefer a faster way to take in the sights, the Duck Tours
provide tours of the city on authentic refurbished World War II
amphibious landing vehicles. Guided by lively, entertaining conductors,
these large open-air vehicles cruise the city imploring both pedestrians
and tourists alike to “quack like a duck” before splashing into the
Charles River to showcase their amphibious skills. Tours are about 80
minutes long and depart hourly from 9am to sunset from the Prudential
Center or the Museum of Science. Tickets are available at the departure
sites, or by contacting 617-267-DUCK.
As you await the start of your Duck Tour, take some time to explore one
of its departure points, the Museum of Science, located at Science Park
between Boston and Cambridge. The museum hosts a variety of
national traveling exhibits as well as an exhaustive array of its own
displays, covering topics from nature to engineering to animals. A few
can’t-miss features include the Theater of Electricity, a large lightning
simulator, and the Mugar Omni Theater, a five-story Imax Dome Screen
with digital surround sound. The Museum of Science is open daily,
except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 9am to 5pm, with extended
hours on Friday evenings. 617-723-2500
If the animal exhibits at the Museum of Science intrigue you, you’ll
love the New England Aquarium on Central Wharf. Not only will you find
extensive aquatic animal displays, including a penguin pool and a harbor
seal tank, but you’ll be able to experience a working animal rescue
hospital on site. The Aquarium features a new six-story Imax 3D Theatre
and hosts a popular New England pastime, whale watching. The NEA
is open from Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, with extended hours to
6pm on Saturday and Sunday. 617-973-5200
While you are in the downtown area, the Boston Children's Museum is
just a short “T” ride away at 300 Congress Street. As one of the first
“hands-on” museum experiences in the country, the museum has
maintained its focus in providing environmentally and socially aware
programs for an early childhood audience. Features include the Recycle
Shop, where untold amounts of found objects are available for kids to
collect, as well as access/Ability, a disability awareness exhibit. The
museum also showcases activities that tie into popular PBS children’s
programming created in Boston, such as Zoom and Arthur. The
museum is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) 10am to
5pm, with extended hours on Friday to 9pm. 617-426-8855.
No trip to Boston would be complete without a quick visit to legendary
Fenway Park. Built in 1912, storied Fenway is one of the few old major
league ballparks still in use today, and the home of the Boston Red
Sox. Behind-the-scenes tours of the park, including the “Green
Monster,” leave hourly from the Souvenir Store on Yawkey Way. Contact
the tour hotline at 617-266-6666 for details and restrictions due to the
Boston Red Sox home schedule.
As a reminder to your kids to keep those grades up, why not try some
inspiration at Harvard Square over the Charles River in Cambridge?
Here you can stroll picturesque Harvard Yard at the oldest and most
respected university in the U.S., as well as partake in some great
people-watching. The area is filled with unique shops and restaurants,
but most importantly, you’ll be able to claim that you “pahked your cah
at Hahvahd Yahd”, like a true Bostonian.
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