Family fun in Boston

Beantown, as it is known locally after the traditional local dish of Boston Baked Beans, is a great choice for family holidays offering a great selection of distractions and amusements that kids will enjoy. Popular choices include:

• The Boston Children’s Museum: Exhibits here are both interactive and educational, offering young visitors insights into areas such as science, culture and health.
• Franklin Park Zoo: Located in 72 acres of the city’s Franklin Park the zoo is all that you expect it to be and more. Take the opportunity to view lions, tigers, gorillas and more from a safe distance, or get up close and personal with traditional farm animals such as goats and sheep at the dedicated petting zoo.
• New England Aquarium: This wonderful aquatic venue offers families the chance to learn a lot about the marine environment and its inhabitants. See dolphins, sharks, rays and octopuses on a tour of the facility or take a family class specially designed to help you enthusiasts learn about under sea life.

Attractions in Boston

Groups, couples and individuals will find plenty to keep them occupied on a visit to the city of Boston. Some attractions to consider include:

• Cheers: The iconic bar that was the setting for the long running sitcom starring Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson is a big favourite with visitors tot he city. Choose between two locations – the original bar from the TV series sits at 84 Beacon Street, or visitors can opt for the replica bar with its authentic familiar feel at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
• John F Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library: This facility is a fascinating look into the life of America’s most famous 20^th Century president. Explore exhibits on the events that defined a presidency – from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Space Program.
• Samuel Adams Brewery: An iconic Boston Brand, Samuel Adams beer is synonymous with the city and visitors can take the opportunity to tour the brewery where it is made, perhaps picking up a few shippable souvenirs at the same time.
• Fenway Park: Boston is the home of America’s oldest Major League baseball stadium at Fenway Park. The home of the Red Sox is an icon of Americana and visitors wanting to experience the soul of the city will find it here on game nights.
• Harbour Islands National Park: No visit to Boston is complete without a trip to the harbour that hosted the famous Boston Tea Party. Once here, why not spend the day exploring the 34 islands that make up the Harbour Islands National Park. Take a ferry ride from Long Wharf North for a fabulous perspective on the beautiful Boston Skyline.

1. The Freedom Trail

If you want to explore many of Boston’s amazing sights in one day, then taking the 2.5mile Freedom Trail is ideal. You can take an organised tour or study the trail and go off by yourself, and the walk offers sights of Boston Common, the USS Constitution, and the Old South Meeting House.

2. Duck Tours

Taking advantage of car rental deals in the area is a great way to explore Boston, but if you want to do something a little different, then the city Duck Tours are great. The amphibious vehicles are a fun way to see the city, and travelling by both land and river you’ll see the State House, Bunker Hill, Newbury Street and more.

3. Charles River Esplanade

With the Duck Tours taking you onto the Charles River, a great place to explore is the Esplanade; a recreational park with jogging, biking, kayaking and more. In the summer you’ll also find free outdoor movies being played, as well as live concerts in the warm weather.

4. Quincy Market

If you want to indulge in some Boston food then Quincy Market is the place to go. Whilst a major tourist trap, you’ll be able to enjoy dining and shopping, and though the area is busy, it’s worth popping into for a quick lunch.

5. North End

If you prefer your cuisine with an Italian twist, then North End is the place to be and, being Boston’s little Italy, you’ll have both evening entertainment and great food from most restaurants.

6. Newbury Street

If you’re headed to Boston with shopping in mind, then Newbury Street is a must visit location. The eight blocks in the area are filled with salons and fashion boutiques, perfect for picking up a few new pieces for your wardrobe. And with many trendy restaurants in the area there is plenty of scope for lunch or dinner.

7. Fenway Park

Home to the Red Sox, Fenway Park is open for tours on a daily basis, allowing you the chance to discover the 100 year old stadium if you can’t afford to attend an actual game.

8. New England Aquarium

Boston has one of the best aquariums in all of America, and the 40 year old attraction has a huge variety of sea life to discover. A particular highlight is the four story tank which can be spotted throughout most of the exhibit.

9. Museum of Fine Arts

With a thriving art scene you’ll find up to 450,000 pieces at the Museum of Fine Arts. One of the world’s most comprehensive collections, you’ll find pieces from modern day to the ancient world.

10. Museum of Science

A great museum for families, the Museum of Science has an IMAX theatre and is very interactive, providing amusement for all ages.

Originally opened as Faneuil Hall, this first building was a gift to the city of Boston by one of the town’s wealthiest men at the time, Peter Faneuil, in 1724. It has seen the celebration of the U.S.’s independence as well as many other important events, including speeches by icons of American history from George Washington to Bill Clinton. It is also at the heart of Boston’s downtown and just a few steps from other great attractions including Paul Revere’s House, Bunker Hill Monument and the King’s Chapel.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is made up of a total of 49 shops, 18 restaurants and over 30 food stalls as well as over 40 pushcarts. That means this is a wonderful place to spend the whole day with the family. From the tasteful blend of Greek and Neoclassic architecture of the marketplace’s three main buildings, to the trinkets and artwork of the local artisans on display on one of many colorful pushcarts, the marketplace is the perfect place for shopping and fun for everyone.

After checking out the amazing shops that offer everything from fine jewelry to clothing and other accessories, visitors can head on over to the Colonnade – a blend of home-style and international cuisine in each of its 35 stalls. You can also tempt your taste buds at the Upper or Lower Rotunda with its delicious seafood dishes, gourmet coffees and to-die-for desserts. Or you can choose from the full service restaurants including Ned Divine’s Irish Pub and the delicious Plaza III Steakhouse.

Roslindale Village takes you back in time with its busy streets in that old-fashioned triangle layout. However, this unique Boston neighborhood is as alive as ever with its wide variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, bakeries and specialty stores. It also has a wonderful green park to relax in.

You can easily spend the whole day at Roslindale Village. Start the day at places like Bob’s Pita Bakery, where you can enjoy an early morning snack of delicious pita sandwiches or just grab an apple for the road. Then head over to one of the many unique shops Rozy – Roslindale Village’s nickname – has to offer. One such store is Birch Street House and Garden, where you can find anything and everything from baskets, cards, candles, kitchen supplies, towels, incense, pottery, woven scarves, toys, and furniture, to jewelry and paintings by local artisans, and interesting things from Africa and India. Other delightful shops include The Home for Little Wanderers Thrift Shop, Colorwheel Collection and the amazing Boston Cheese Cellar, which boasts a collection of over 100 different types of cheese.

Another thing that everyone who visits this one-of-a-kind Boston attraction must do is stay for dinner. There is a wide range of restaurants and bistros to tempt you, such as Sophia’s Grotto, with its Mediterranean feel and Italian/Spanish cuisine. There’s also Italian cuisine at Delfino, which is usually packed with both tourists and locals that flock to enjoy the delicious menu. And for beer lovers, Birch Street Bistro offers over 15 different brands of brew to top off a lovely day.

Today this spectacular piece of American history is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the United States’ first shipyards. Thirty acres of this famous Navy Yard are now owned by the National Park Service and are part of the Boston National Historical Park, a very good place to enjoy a history lesson while in Boston. Visitors can come aboard the USS Constitution as well as the USS Cassin Young, a World War II destroyer ship, docked nearby.

The USS Constitution can also be seen sailing in Boston Harbor, usually for the 4^th of July and other special national holidays. The rest of the year, it is open for tours and visits. The Boston National Historical Park also offers guests a chance to visit the USS Constitution Museum which is an important stop if you’re following the Freedom Trail. It is a free-admission museum and a wonderful place to learn more about the ship, its crew and American history in general.

Founded during the reign of Victorian culture, the Public Garden was the first park to use greenhouse-grown plants, a new technique back then. These plants guaranteed that the park would always have a magnificent display of color and variety all year round. There are over 80 different species that are used in bedding-out this lovely garden and a visit to admire this breath-taking garden can easily take up a whole day of your Boston vacation.

The Public Garden attracts thousands of visitors each month, both local and tourists, and it is a very popular place for lovebirds to tie the knot. Several hundred couples flock to the Public Garden from all over the state and the country to hold their wedding among the exotic flora, the many fountains or near the Lagoon. It is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in town due to its marvelous design and intricate floral patterns.

If you are on a family vacation, the Public Garden is a great place to spend a day with the kids, who will surely enjoy taking a fun ride on the Swan Boats. These interesting boats were created by the Paget family over 100 years ago, and their descendents still operate them. A ride on the Swan Boats is also a perfect way to propose or give that special someone a surprise. It’s also a great way to relax and spend your extra day in Boston.

So, if you are looking for a beautiful and quiet place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, come to the Public Garden. There’s no other place quite like it in the world.

However, Boston being the city that it is, the weather will play a major role in the tours that you finally get to take. So, always consider the time of the year before planning a trip to the city.

Whale watching tour: Not only do you get to see a colony of whales frolicking in the Boston Bay but also if the stars of the show do get temperamental and decide to not show up, the tour operators refund your money. So, you are definitely going to see whales on this tour. If you are looking for a fun, family outing in the city without burning a whole in your pocket, the whale tour would be ideal.

The Freedom Trek: This is another great way to explore the historical significance of Boston. You can take a self guided tour or for a small fee, you could enlist the help of a guide who will take you through a guided you the trek.

All those tours are bound to make you hungry and the best place to assuage your appetite is the North End. Famed for the Italian neighborhood in a city that was often considered an Irish stronghold, the area offers a superlative dining experience for locals and tourists with all wallet sizes.

Your next stop could be the ever popular science museum or if you would like a taste of the glitz and glamour of Boston’s night life, you could simply head over to the downtown area for a medley of authentic Irish pubs, discotheques and more.

For instance, if you are a nature enthusiast, the Rose Fitzgerald Greenway that acts as the conjuncture between four parks will be the ideal place to start your Boston exploration. You can walk all the way from the North End to the Wharf District and from Dewey Square to China Town.

For history fans, there is the Irish Heritage trail; although not as publicized as the Freedom Trail, the Irish Heritage trail winds through 20 sites including the Boston Irish Famine Memorial, Rose Kennedy Garden and others.

No visit to Boston will be complete without paying a tribute to its rich educational heritage by visiting one of its famous universities and what better place to start than with the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard? The arboretum is the oldest in North America and it offers art shows, grounds and more.

A tour of the USS Constitution; also free, should not be missed either. The attraction is open for public viewing through out the year and is a wonderful way to witness the grand machine which paved the way for the military supremacy of the country

The best part is that many of these attractions can be visited on a bike, so do not forget to ask your concierge about cheap bike rental places in the city.

Source: hiddenboston.com – Go to Source

Source: hiddenboston.com – Go to Source