Travel Spotlight: Boston, MA

It's never lost on me how lucky I am to live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Boston truly has it all: world-class restaurants, historical sites everywhere you look, a thriving literary and arts scene, and all of the sports a fan could ever want.

If you are planning a trip to Boston in the near future, here are some tips for navigating the city. This list was put together for a family travelling with kiddos in tow, but really, it'll work for anyone.

Most first-time visitors to Boston head to the Freedom Trail. There is a lot to see, but I would not recommend doing the whole Trail with kids. It's long - about 2.5 miles in total - and it starts and ends in different parts of the city, so you need to think about transportation in between. That being said, you really can’t go anywhere in the city without seeing portions of it (it’s a line made up of two red bricks running in the sidewalk). There are individual sites that you can pop into - this is a good link for some ideas. The Old North Church and the Paul Revere house are usually hits with kids, and they are both in the North End - which is my recommendation for lunch!

In my opinion, it's a crime to visit Boston and not go to Pizzeria Regina. But if you aren't in the mood for pizza (gasp) it’s pretty hard to get a bad meal in the North End. Choose one of the smaller places on the side streets off of Hanover and Salem (in my experience, the ones that always have huge lines are far from the best restaurants in the neighborhood). 

My number one suggestion for visitors to Boston (with kids or not) is a Duck Tour. Yes, they are overpriced, and yes, they are super corny, but they're also really fun. The guides are very knowledgeable, you get a great overview of the city, and the views from the river are spectacular. Duck Tours are an especially great choice if your time is limited, because you'll see many of the most historically important sites.

There are three departure points for the tours. I recommend the Aquarium stop because it’s so beautiful on the waterfront, and it will land you near the North End. The Museum of Science is another departure point. It's a great museum with lots of hands-on activities. Boston is a fabulous walking city, so if you're on a limited schedule and it's a beautiful weather day, you may not want to spend time indoors. But if you have more than a day in Boston, you could easily do both the Museum of Science and a Duck Tour in one fell swoop.

For baseball fans, the Fenway Park tours are superb. Some take you into the Green Monster, which is like stepping in a time capsule. 

Finally, kids will love throwing tea into the sea! There is a gorgeous playground nearby as well that is large and good for both younger and older kids. 

You can also easily spend a wonderful day in Boston simply walking around. The cobblestone streets in Beacon Hill are gorgeously picturesque (rumors abound that Acorn Street is the most photographed street in the world). The Public Garden is beautiful any time of the year, and the South End is an artist's paradise.

There truly is something for everyone. If you are looking for a more specific itinerary for Boston (e.g., Boston without kids, or a sports-specific itinerary) feel free to reach out to us, and we'll be happy to customize your day!