DanckTravel

Boston, due to its history and world-class museums, has a lot to offer families. There are tons of activities for kids, making this a great city for everyone to enjoy. As noted in previous blog posts, I grew up in the Boston area, and have done many of the activities on the below list. 

Key Takeaways:

• Boston has numerous museums, including the Boston Children’s Museum and Science Museum, which are highly interactive for children..
• Boston has a rich history. Be sure to explore the Boston Tea Museum and Freedom Trail.
• Boston is a beautiful city. Enjoy the view via either a Duck Tour or Swan Boat ride

1. Play at The Boston Children’s Museum

I have so many fond memories at the Boston Children’s Museum, which is located close to South Station in the heart of the city. My friends and I would explore the various exhibits, all geared toward play and learning.

Museum Highlights:

• Climbing Thing: In the center of the museum is a series of enclosed connected platforms, which kids can climb to go between floors. Since there is mesh around the platforms, kids are safe as they make their way up and down. Plus – you can see them, since the stairs are right next to them.
• Japanese House:This exhibits a well-preserved house from Kyoto, Japan. It was gifted to Boston from Kyoto to celebrate their Sisters Cities Relationship in 1979.
• Bubbles: On the bottom floor is a room where you can play with bubbles. I remember doing this as a kid and got to go again recently with my niece. It was so much fun!

Many of the exhibits will change, but what’s great about the Boston Children’s Museum is that it truly was designed with kids in mind. Kids can touch all the exhibits and they are all designed with different interests in mind. There’s coloring, science experiments, and play all wrapped into one.

Arthur display at the Boston Children’s Museum

2. Visit the Science Museum

I love the Boston Science Museum. Even as an adult, it’s still really awesome. They have a ton of exhibits, which are geared toward kids, teenagers and adults.

Museum Highlights

• The Planetarium: While I have been to other planetariums, this one if my favorite. It covers the ceiling as you look up and get to see the stars. They generally will have really great
• Lightning Show: They have an indoor show where they actually produce indoor lightning. 
• Triceratops Skeleton: This is one of only a handful of completed Triceratops skeletons in the world. It was originally donated on loan to the Science Museum and became a staple of the community. When the person who loaned it to the Science Museum offered this a steep discount, the entire community got involved in fundraising. Kids would send their allowance and change. The Science Museum did eventually secure the funds and was able to keep this skeleton in the museum for everyone to enjoy.

3. Visit the Boston Aquarium

I used to do caricatures and face painting for the aquarium as a summer job. It was so fun, spending time out on the pier and then going to see the penguins after work.

The highlights of the museum are the penguins (of course) and the sea lions. We also recommend checking out their IMAX theater, which is next door.

4. Do a Duck Tour

As a young kid, I got to do a Duck Tour with my German grandparents who were visiting the Boston area. The boat has wheels, so it can be used on land or in the water.

What was extra fun is that they generally allow children to steer the boat in the water. Since I was young (and didn’t yet have my driver’s license), I thought this was extra cool.

5. Learn History at the Boston Tea Party Museum

Located near the Boston Children’s Museum, you can go back with your family in history with interactive exhibits, actors, and boats that are meant to mirror those used in the 18th century. The museum explores what it was like in 1773, as the Sons of Liberty began the Revolution. 

6, Ride the Swan Boats

In first grade, I went on a field trip to go on the Swan Boats. This is very relaxing and a perfect way to enjoy the Boston Common. This has been operated and family-owned since 1877 and is open from April through September. 

7. See the Ducks in the Boston Common Garden

Make Way for Ducklings is a beloved children’s book that details ducklings making their way across Boston with their parents. Today, the ducklings are commemorated through statues in the Common. They are even dressed up for holidays and sometimes have scarves in the winter.

8. Go to the USS Constitution

As a kid, we explored a lot of different ships in the area, including the Mayflower (which is in Plymouth, MA) and the USS Constitution. It was launched in 1797 and is the oldest warship that is still in the ocean. You can climb on the vessel, which is located in Charleston, Massachusetts.

9. Go See the Red Sox

Fenway is a special park, with a lot of historic value to the city. You can enjoy the sunshine while grabbing snacks for the family and catching the game. Fenway is also directly in Boston (unlike Gillette), making it easy to still see other sites during the day.

10. Take a Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching tours leave from the docks, near the aquarium and take you pretty far out to see the humpback whales. I was really impressed with our tour guide when I went, since the guides immediately knew the names of the whales we saw by merely seeing their fins. They also were able to tell us stories of these whales, where they are generally located, and even their children.

11. Go See the Planes at Castle Island

Castle Island is a beautiful place and great views. . Grab a bite at Sully’s as you take a walk around the island. One of my favorite parts of visiting here was seeing the planes land at Logan Airport, which is very close by. 

12. Explore the Freedom Trail

You can spot the Freedom Trail by the brick road that is laid along the ground. It spans about 2.5 miles throughout the city and leads to 16 Revolutionary sites throughout the city. It begins in the Boston Common and makes its way to Bunker Hill Monument.

13. Visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

We recommend Quincy Market for lunch, as it’s a giant food hall with tons of offerings. There’s also shopping, which is perfect for souvenirs.

14. Grab Cannolis and Sweet Treats in the North End

The North End is the Italian section of Boston and the cannoli’s are a famous treat. Mike’s Pastry is the most popular and famous place, but Modern, which is down the way, also has good options if your kids can’t wait. Both places are great!

Final Thoughts

There is so much to do with kids in Boston. Have any other sites we missed? Leave them in the comments below.