by Julie Wood

Created on: November 11, 2008   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

Boston is a great family friendly destination, rich in history, architectural gems and surprisingly pedestrian friendly. Take the kids for a walk along the Oak Leaf Trail and check out the birthplace of the nation. Although the city is incredibly busy, it is definitely pedestrian friendly, and boasts an extensive public transportation network. Boston welcomes families, in fact kids travel free on most public transportation. The city is rich in History and packed with architectural beauty. It's many parks make it an easy city for families to spend time together playing, and there are plenty of family friendly attractions and events to choose from.

Boston Harbor Islands are a must see summertime attraction. Accessible by Ferry,(617-223-8666) they offer everything from sandy life guarded beaches to hiking trails and tidal pools. Each Island has it's own character and something unique to offer. Most offer overnight camp sites, making them a fun alternative vacation base for the active family. If your family's tastes run more to a brief trip to the outdoors, followed by a good nights sleep in a comfortable full service hotel room, there are plenty of opportunities for day trips from the city.

Kids often aren't all that thrilled by guided tours and historic landmarks. Boston however, is bursting with Landmarks and Historical sites and it would be a shame to miss them. Fortunately, The Boston Duck Tour, (617.267.3825) offers enough novelty and excitement to keep most kids happy while the grown up soak up the commentary. The Ducks are amphibious vehicles, a cross between a truck and a boat, and can be seen around many major cities these days offering tours of the city streets and waterways. At over an hour, very young children, may need some snacks and a drink to keep them going, but it is worth the trip.

For a purely kid centered visit Boston's Children's Museum is perfect. It is conveniently located at 300 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 (617-426-6500) and caters to kids of all ages. It is a fun place to help your children explore the world of science and nature with some great hands on experiments and activities. The 3 story climbing structure is the ultimate in art meets play and definitely one of the coolest play structures around.

Central Wharf is home to the New England Aquarium(617-973-5200 ) a fun day out for the whole family. There are some great exhibits featuring daily feeding and training demonstrations. When you arrive it is best to pick up a schedule and plan your day to include as many as possible. They are a great way to gain an interesting insight into how these amazing creatures interact with their handlers. Whale watching tours depart from the Aquarium and are offered between April and October. If you are lucky enough to be there during the season it is definitely a great experience for the whole family.

Boston has enough to keep any family happy. Think carefully about what you want from your vacation. Try to balance the needs of everyone and you will have a more successful and relaxing trip.

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