BOSTON — Bring the kids, just make sure you make them wear sneakers because there's going to be some walking involved to have some fun in Boston.
First, let's deal with the Freedom Trail and all that walking. It probably isn't for kids under 10. It's a 2.5-mile walk through one of the most historic areas in the country. There are 16 stops along the trail, and you can pick and choose if you want. The highlights are Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, The Old North Church, and the USS Constitution.
Starting at Faneuil Hall and walking to the North End section of Boston for some of the trail's sites is a good shortcut. A few cemeteries are along the way, but the most interesting is the Granary Burial Ground, where the remains of Revere, Sam Adams, and the victims of the Boston Massacre rest.
That site of the massacre is also part of the trail but a little disappointing. The USS Constitution, docked in the Charlestown section of Boston, can be visited separately and kids will get a kick boarding such an ancient vessel.
Two places for guaranteed fun (and my kids will vouch for me here) are the Museum of Science and the Children's Museum.
The Museum of Science will have a new dinosaur exhibit in June, plus its planetarium was recently refurbished. There is both an IMAX and a 3D theater for big stuff but there's also plenty of smaller, interesting aspects to the museum with some great demonstrations.
The Children's Museum is for the younger set and they'll find plenty to do with the emphasis on hands-on exhibits; nobody's worrying about anyone breaking anything.
An aquarium isn't that unusual, but the one in Boston is outstanding.
One word: Penguins. Plus, there's a new shark and ray touch tank that just opened. The aquarium even claims to have a seal who speaks. There's an IMAX theater here, too. If you really want to invest some time, the aquarium also sponsors whale watches. The trip takes three to four hours, but you're guaranteed to see a whale. THAR SHE BLOWS!!!
There are simpler things to do. You can go to the Public Garden in Boston Common for a pleasant stroll, find the statues of the ducks inspired by the great children's story, "Make Way for Ducklings,'' and take a ride on the Swan Boats.
A trip to Quincy Market will be livened up by numerous street performers and give you plenty of easy options for eating in the food court.
A quick North End tip: If you want to have Italian food with the kids, Il Panino Express on Hanover Street will give you the experience but it's cafeteria style and there's pizza for the young ones.
Finally on Saturday, there's a chance to take the kids to the Museum of Fine Arts, where from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. they conduct a Fun with Kids event.
For more info:
Fun with kids at the MFA
http://www.mfa.org/programs/gallery-activity-or-tour/family-art-cart
Freedom Trail
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/
Constitution
http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/
Museum of Science
Children's
Aquarium
Swan boats
Ducklings
http://www.schon.com/public/ducklings-boston.php
Quincy Market
http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
