Itineraries for Your Trip to Boston
3 Days in Boston for Families
Boston is a city, but it’s a family-friendly city. With leafy parks, wide sidewalks, and the riverfront, Boston is easy to navigate with kids of all ages. I grew up outside of Boston, and I often went into the city when I was little, either with my family or on school field trips. It was easy to feel at home in the city. I loved quacking at passersby while on Duck Tours, visiting Fenway Park, and eating cannoli in the North End. And I still love all of these things, even now as an adult. If you are visiting Boston with your family, you are in for a treat.
Expect hot, humid summers and snowy winters, with a vibrant autumn and wet spring.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a Duck Tour, to see the city in a kid-friendly way.
Start your family visit to Boston with a stroll along Boston’s Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) path that snakes through Boston’s significant historical sites. For a truly kid-friendly experience, visit with a costumed guide who brings the Revolutionary Era to the present.
Afterwards, linger at Quincy Market and the North End to sample some of the local cuisine, including Italian food, and soak up the energy of this vibrant area.
Start your day with a Duck Tour. This guided excursion through Boston takes place on an amphibious World War II vehicle that starts on land and eventually slips into the Charles River, so you can take in views of the city from the water.
Afterwards, go deeper underwater and visit the New England Aquarium, which has more than 800 different marine creatures to see. Admire the stingrays, sea turtles, sharks, and more.
Building on what you learned yesterday at the aquarium, hop on a boat to go whale watching at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. It’s possible to spot fin whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and more.
Once you’re back on land, cross the river to Cambridge and go on a spooky, family-friendly Harvard Square ghost tour. Learn about the dark history of Cambridge in a way that is light-hearted enough to be comfortable for children and adults alike.