Freedom Trail – Boston, MA 

The Old State House on the Freedom Trail dates back to 1713
photo by Wally Gobetz

Freedom Trail is a 2 ½ mile walking tour of 16 historic sites within the Boston National Historical Park. Visitors can walk on self-guided (free) tours or guided (paid) tours and see some of the places in pre-Revolutionary America’s Colonial Boston. Some highlights of the best sites along the trail include the Old State House and Museum; the 1660 Granary Burying Ground (Boston Massacre victims are buried here, along with John Hancock, Sam Adams, and Paul Revere); Faneuil Hall; Old North Church; Boston Massacre Site; the Prado; Paul Revere House; and Bunker Hill Monument commemorating the American Revolution’s first major battle in 1775. It can take about two hours to tour the entire trail, though going at a more leisurely pace will allow time to explore the landmarks. Paid trolley tours are also available.

Plymouth Rock – Plymouth, MA 

Pavilion at Plymouth Rock
photo by Don Pugh

This is where it all began. English Pilgrims on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom landed at the site of Plymouth Rock and established the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Known as “America’s Cornerstone,” it was here that the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest and shared their “harvest feast” with Native Americans – a feast we continue to celebrate annually during Thanksgiving; a holiday formally recognized by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Plymouth Rock represents those ideals held fast by immigrants everywhere, and upon which the American dream is built: courage, faith and freedom.

Salem – Massachusetts 

Salem Witch Museum in Salem, Massachusetts
photo by Karuana G

Salem is best known for the witch persecutions of 1692 when 20 people accused of witchcraft were put to an ignoble death. It marks a time when hearsay and hysteria sent fear rippling through colonial North America; a dark period when tragedies and tribulations were blamed upon the forces of evil, superstition, and the people who were believed to have had a supernatural hand in the misfortunes. Salem is also the historical center of commercial shipping with a historic waterfront and other sites along the Heritage Trail. Visitors can also tour American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of Seven Gables which is found here. For those interested in its witch-related history, sites worth visiting are the Salem Witch Museum, Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem Witch Trails Memorial, and the Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers.

Lexington Green – Massachusetts 

Minuteman Statue and Buckman Tavern at Lexington Green
photo by Rachel James

Lexington Green was where the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, and where first blood of the Revolution was shed. Now an open public park, Lexington Battle Green was once the old Village Common where cattle grazed, and where 75 minutemen (merchants and farmers ready to fight on a minute’s notice) faced several hundred advancing British soldiers. This historic site is steeped in the past with its authentic 18^th century homes and churches. Make time to tour Buckman Tavern, Munroe Tavern, and Hancock-Clarke House for a fascinating look at history and colonial treasures.

Tea Party Ship – Boston, MA 

Boston Tea Party Annual Reenactment on December 16
photo by Lee Wright

Located in downtown Boston, in the Fort Point Channel of Boston Harbor, the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum features an authentic replica of the type of famous ship where Bostonians disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor in protest of England’s loathsome Tea Act of 1772. It reportedly took three hours to dump the 10,000 pounds of tea into the harbor. It was this kind of unfair taxation and stifling policies that undermined American free trade, and sparked the fires of rebellion against the British, which later led to revolution. The site is full of hands-on exhibits that are not only educational, but fun for adults and kids alike. Come experience a bit of fascinating history for yourself!

The largest city in New England, Boston Massachusetts was founded in 1630 by English Puritan colonists. It is rich in early American history from its battles, to its monuments and historical sites. This diverse city has fantastic attractions for the family, including museums, an aquarium, zoo, and much more. Listed alphabetically, the follow places rank among the best in Boston for families with kids.

Boston Children’s Museum

For fun learning and hands-on activities galore, the Boston Children’s Museum is a big hit

Boston Children’s Museum provides a child-centered environment with delightful hands-on exhibits that help children learn through their innate curiosity about the world around them. Included among the popular exhibits is the Art Studio which allows families and children ages 5 and over to express their creativity through a variety of fun activities using media like clay, paper, paint, fabric and more. The Construction Zone encourages kids to build, dig and play with pint-sized replicas of real world construction site themed paraphernalia. There is a KidStage for performing arts, PlaySpace for infants and tots 0-3 years to safely explore, a Science Playground that engages all the senses through play and lively activities, a 3 story high sculpture called New Balance Climb with paths and colorful platforms for children to safely climb, and lots more. Boston Children’s Museum is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is located at 308 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts www.bostonkids.org

Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo is open year-round and features many amazing animals like this gorilla

Established in 1912, the Franklin Park Zoo is run by Zoo New England and is an exotic 72-acre oasis in the middle of Boston. Meander through a tropical rainforest with their amazing gorilla exhibit, lemurs, pygmy hippos, and free-flight birds. The zoo is also home to the African-themed Kalahari Kingdom, Giraffe Savannah, and Serengeti Crossing with lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and more. Also featured are tigers, kangaroos, birds and butterflies (seasonal). Kids can get up close and personal to farm animals in the zoo’s Franklin Farm that includes a barn and contact corral with goats and sheep. Guests can also hand-feed birds in the Aussie Aviary. The Franklin Park Zoo is open year-round and located at One Franklin Park Road in Boston, Massachusetts www.zoonewengland.org

Freedom Trail

Boston Common is the nation’s oldest park and dates back to 1634

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walking trail that takes visitors on a fascinating tour of 16 historical sites that help tell the story of the American Revolution and the ideals and freedoms upon which this country was founded. This is perfect for families with school-aged children. Among the historical sites are Boston Common – the nation’s oldest park founded in 1634, the elegantly domed Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s house, the Old Corner Bookstore that had its beginnings as an apothecary shop, the Old State House, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and more. There are many other historical sites off the trail that provide much enrichment as well. The historical tours bring history alive with costumed guides and exciting tales of the bravery of those intrepid colonists who dared to defy Britain and establish a new republic. For more information visit their website at www.thefreedomtrail.org

Museum of Science

The planetarium light shows at the Museum of Science are spectacular (photo courtesy of Museum of Science)

With hundreds of interactive exhibits, live presentations, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, 3-D digital cinema, over 100 live animals, and exciting simulator experiences through space, the deep sea, and much more, the Museum of Science is a wonderful venue for the whole family. Guests can observe real bees go about their work in a glassed-in beehive, get a close view of a 23-foot-long triceratops named Cliff that is 65-millions years old, learn about the fascinating live animals that reside at the museum, see beautiful dioramas depicting New England habitats with touchable collections, explore a rock garden including petrified wood and Egyptian granite, learn all about the first moon landing, and so much more.

Young children from infants through 8 years can play in the discovery station with its many objects, live animals, and activities that foster learning by stimulating their imaginations. A playground exhibit called Science in the Park is a great place for children to learn about the science of motion while playing and exercising on swings and other familiar equipment. Museum of Science is located at 1 Museum of Science Driveway, Boston, Massachusetts www.mos.org

New England Aquarium

The touch tanks offer visitors a close-up encounter with the creatures that live there

This highly acclaimed aquarium is found along Boston’s historic waterfront and home to more than 30,000 animals and 70 exhibits. A variety of large tanks with amazing creatures like seadragons, sharks, tropical fish, sea stars, crabs, octopus, moon jellies and much more await. Other animals at the aquarium include rays, seals, sea lions and penguins. A large touch tank with sharks and rays offers an up close experience for kids and adults. In another touch tank guests can pet sea stars, hold hermit crabs, and explore other species that live in the sea’s tide pools. Younger children can play in the Curious George Discover Corner where they will learn more about the ocean through games, stories, art projects and other activities. There are daily shows and presentations, as well as an IMAX theater with exciting films on a huge screen that makes viewers feel as though they are part of the action.

The New England Aquarium was also featured in our 10 Best Aquariums in the USA article. It is located at 1 Central Wharf Boston, Massachusetts www.neaq.org

The harbor of Nantucket town is relaxing and old fashioned – great for a stroll

We love its cobblestone streets, luxurious old fashioned sea captains’ dwellings, and even its fascinating whaling history. We love the slow, laid back pace of the island. As over half the island is designated as conservation land, you won’t find the development here that buzzes about the Vineyard. We liked that. And we loved the Sherburne Inn. We needed two of the simple, clean, antique-decorated rooms to accommodate us, but the reasonable prices made this a treat and not a budgetary stretch. Delicious breads and home baked cookies are available as snacks, too, throughout the day. Breakfast is simple but delicious, fresh baked goods and juice for the kids; fine teas and coffees for the adults. 

There are a number of excellent beaches to explore, Jetties Beach, gentle Children’s Beach, and Cisco Beach, and the magnificent, deserted Great Point to name just four beach going choices. Note that the waves are small and perfect for small children along Nantucket Sound; waves are big and more interesting to walk beside than swim in along the Atlantic ocean beaches. 

We took a taxi to Great Point Beach, which is a beautiful and very quiet spot nearly nine miles from town. The dunes seem to stretch for miles, and you’ll feel that you have the entire coast line to yourselves. There are no facilities, and there’s no place to buy food or beverages near by. We brought a picnic lunch in ourselves, and after dining on cheese, bread, and carrot sticks, we found a treasure trove of sea shells, and a secluded “valley” between dunes that became our temporary residence. Napping, reading, watching the cormorants and gulls wheeling in the sky in a private, nature-owned, roofless “cabana” – it doesn’t get much better than this. 

After so much lazing around, we attempted to walk back to town but we’d already finished off our stash of bottled water, and even with an umbrella stroller for the smallest feet, it was a long walk. We made it only as far as another inn, the near by Wauwinet, a luxurious alternative to staying in town, with emerald green lawns and private boat service. We had sodas at the elegant Topper’s Deck, where the waitstaff kindly scrounged up some left-over from lunch desert – delicious cobbler – for the kids. And we called another cab back to town. Someday we’ll be back to stay – the lawn chairs looking out at the ocean beckon. 

We had a deadline after all – making it to town for an hour and a half sunset sail around the harbor. The boat was smaller than I’d envisioned – we took up a third of its fourteen seats. Leaving directly from Stearn’s Wharf, you’re allowed to bring your own food aboard, and we did, fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, and potato salad from the Straight Wharf Fish Store. Many photographs later, we tumbled off the boat and back to dry land to stroll past shop windows – Nantucket goes to bed early – and get some delicious chocolate chunk ice cream at the Juice Bar. Yes, there’s fresh made juices too. 

We loved the quaint streets in Nantucket, a wonderfully timeless island vacation.

In the morning, it was time for more hectic activities – digging in the sand. We stuck closer to town and hit the appropriately named Children’s Beach with town-purchased shovels and pails. The shelling was not as magnificent as at Great Point but whiling away another day by this stretch of sandy coast was equally enjoyable. We were much closer to Main Street for lunch, so rather than bringing a picnic with us we made our way to the Keel Café for a late lunch. The veggie sandwiches were lovely, and since it was Sunday, the kids shared a stack of delicious buttermilk pancakes – served till three p.m. on Sundays. 

After lunch we strolled through town again, tasting plum jam in one store, learning about crocheting techniques in another. Just before sunset we took a shuttle from town and a kite out to Surfside beach, about three miles from town. Sunset is a great time for kites here, the proper wind conditions and dissipating beach goers give you plenty of room to run along the coast line. 

One caveat, Nantucket’s small airport is nearby, so you’re warned to fly your kites away from the flight path on the west end of the beach. 

We caught the last shuttle back to town and enjoyed the fish and fishing chatter at the Nantucket Lobster Trap restaurant. This is something of a hot spot in town, and the tavern end of the restaurant was packed. The kids loved the crisp fish and chips and the adults enjoyed the oysters from the raw bar – Nantucket plucked and fresh. 

Leaving the small town, old fashioned ambiance of Nantucket is hard, and you’ll want to make it easy on your family with a stop on the Cape before a return to true city life – even the mini-golf and picnic tables on Cape Cod seem like bustling urban enclaves after relaxing on this island. You’ll keep the sounds of sea birds and ocean waves with you for a long time after you leave.

We loved the quiet marshland near Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard.

Both Nantucket and the Vineyard are reached via ferries from the Cape Cod coast or Boston harbor. We’ve reached both islands via Falmouth, on the upper cape, spending a night in Falmouth at the very pleasant Inn On The Sound, located on a bluff with a view of the Vineyard island and south. The ocean view and the easy step-out-your-door beach access makes this a special place. The rooms are large and sleek, and families are gladly accommodated. The breakfasts were indulgent; our unit featured a kitchenette which we used for snacks and creating one fresh-fish dinner, fixings purchased from a near by market. The Cape Cod National Sea Shore is a beauty of a beach, long, white, soft and sandy. Great for walks and castle building; and in the summer months the water is balmy. There’s a bike trail too. Our kids love the kitsch in and around Falmouth – mini-golf emporiums, soft serve ice cream, and ZooQuarium’s sea lion extravaganza. Okay, so it was a little hokey. It had an old-fashioned vibe and the sea creatures seemed content, the staff friendly. Best of all was a trip to the near-by Wellfleet Drive In Theater to see Toy Story 3. There’s something nearly perfect about sitting under a warm, starry sky on the roof of a rental car, watching a movie. The kids were enchanted, and I was nostalgic. 

Does any one else miss a time when drive ins were commonplace? I do, but then, piling the kids in the back seat or up on the roof with our own salt-free popcorn wouldn’t be as much of an adventure. 

In the morning we were ready to head for the islands. Hy-Line Cruises offers high speed rides that were pleasantly void of any encounters with sea sickness. We enjoyed the view and the crisp salt air and made it to Martha’s Vineyard in just under forty five minutes. 

The Vineyard has uniformly lovely beaches and several sights that wowed our family. For one, the beautifully colorful gingerbread cottages built mid-nineteenth century. For another, the enormous Aquinnah Cliffs, at the western edge of the island, which is a great spot to watch the sun set. The cliffs multi-colored striations are lovely. There are also five lighthouses to explore, arguably the most famous and certainly the most photographed, is Gay Head located adjacent to the cliffs. Our kids particularly enjoyed the Flying Horses Carousel in the town of Oak Bluffs. The oldest working merri-go-around in the U.S., it was built in 1876, and the hand carved critters are still enchanting after all these years. If you catch the brass ring, you get a free ride. One caveat: it’s open early spring through late fall only. Nearby you’ll find Mad Martha’s ice cream, which has branches in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven too. This means that when your kids get hooked on the huge cones, you can have the freshly made sweet treat all across the island. 

No trip to the Vineyard is complete without getting some muffins or a meal at the Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven. This landmark has hearty food and comfortable dining; we particularly liked the vegetable soup. Our kids just had to have a hat with the famous black lab logo on it, too. 

A great afternoon walk led us to the colorful Aquinnah cliffs and lighthouse.

One last well known Vineyard food stop: Murdicks Fudge. Like Mad Martha’s the rich deserts here are available in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Our kids loved the pecan fudge, and we all enjoyed watching the confectioners stir up their sweet magic, mixing and carving the fudge. 

After consuming all these sugary treats, we needed to walk off the calories and let the kids burn off some steam. Great beach walks are everywhere; we found town strolls are most enjoyable in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. We enjoyed browsing shops selling tee shirts, blown glass, fishing gear, and fine art. If walking’s not your thing, you can rent a 4 x 4 and ride along the dunes near Katama at the southern end of the island. Or, you can rent a multi-person kayak to explore Edgartown Harbor, or reedy Sengecontacket Pond. We’d intended to do both, but got sidetracked by watching a herd of alpaca at Island Alpaca. Besides an alpaca viewing area there’s a gift store with hats and blankets made of course from alpaca fur. Alpacas look like diminutive llamas and even the adults on our trip enjoyed watching the babies nuzzle their mommas. 

We were side tracked again by some great conversation and afternoon tea and lemonade on the comfortable porch at our bed and breakfast, the Crocker House Inn. Located in a residential neighborhood in Vineyard Haven, this ferry-convenient spot also had an excellent breakfast the next morning, and cozy, quiet rooms. Our room had a king bed and a sleeper sofa along with a lovely harbor view. 

Even without a palm tree in sight, our island stay at Martha’s Vineyard was an unmitigated delight.