Family vacations in Boston, Mass., can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pretrip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Boston family vacations.
Patriot’s Day
takes place on the third Monday in April every year in Massachusetts and Maine. Part of the Patriot’s Day celebration is the annual Boston Marathon. The event also includes battle reenactments of the American Revolutionary War, parades and ceremonies. The battle reenactments take place on Lexington Green; Red Coats march along Battle Road.
Address: Various locations around BostonPhone: 781-862-1450Hours: Various times and locationsPrice: Free admission
Paul Revere House
Located on the
, the
is where the historical figure set out on his legendary journey, warning that the British were coming. The house was built in 1680, and Revere lived there in 1775 when his warnings signaled the start of the American Revolution. The house also features a 900-pound bell, a bolt from the USS Constitution and a small mortar, all built by Paul Revere and his sons.
Address: 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210Phone: 617-426-8855Hours: Saturday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Price: Adults: $12; seniors (65 and up), $12; children (1 to 15), $12; children (0 to 12 months), free
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum
The
is located on Columbia Point. The building houses three theaters, 25 multimedia exhibits, period settings and a museum showcasing Kennedy’s presidency. Exhibits at the museum include displays depicting the space program, Cuban Missile Crisis and the Peace Corps. The museum also houses artifacts, interactive exhibits and rotating temporary exhibits.
Address: Columbia Point, Boston MA 02125Phone: 866-535-1960Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Adults, $12; students, $10; youth 13 to 17, $9; children 12 and under, free
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is located at the Boston waterfront, centrally located and close to the financial districts and the north end. The aquarium features a number of animals including African penguins, sharks, seals, sea dragons and the grand Pacific octopus. The facility also features a Shark & Ray Touch Tank where visitors can pet sharks and small bonnethead and epaulette sharks.
Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02113Phone: 617-973-5200Hours: July through Labor Day: Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Labor Day through June: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Price: Adults, $13; children, $11; children 3 and under free
Boston Children’s Museum
The
has been open for 90 years, teaching kids through innovative exhibits and interactive experiences. Young visitors can play with tools as if working on a construction site, as well as create their own masterpieces in the art studio. Finish off at the science playground, which allows kids to investigate and explore science with exhibits, puzzles and demonstrations.
Address: 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210Phone: 617-426-8855Hours: Saturday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Price: Adults, $12; seniors (65 and up), $12; children (1 to 15), $12; children (0 to 12 months), free
Six Flags New England
is the closest amusement park to Boston. The New England branch includes Bizarro, the most popular roller coaster in the park, Splash Island, a water park, and the Catapult, a thrill ride that whips people head-over-heels. The park also offers a number of family rides including many whose themes are based on Loony Tunes cartoon characters.
Address: 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001Phone: 413-786-9300Hours: Open from 10:30 a.m. till 11 p.m.Price: Adults, $44.99; children under 54 inches, $34.99; kids 2 and under, free
Museum Of Science
The Museum of Science in Boston offers guests a chance to visit the IMAX theater, which shows movies about sharks, dinosaurs and the Great Lakes. There is also a large Planetarium, with a full dome theater and instructors teaching kids the wonders of astronomy. A full-motion simulator, for an extra charge, allows visitors to virtually travel through the deep sea. Also, animal exhibits, botanical gardens and dinosaur displays will add to the thrill of your family vacation in Boston.
Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114Phone: 617-723-2500Hours: July 5 through Labor Day, Saturday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Labor Day through July 4, Saturday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Price: Adults, $20; seniors, $18; children, $17; children 3 and under, free
What are your favorite vacation spots in Boston?
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
