Best Boston Family Attractions

Traveling to Boston with your family will bring out the kid in everyone! Seeing places that you've only read and heard about in books and through oral tradition, catching a Red Sox game at Fenway, walking the Freedom Trail -- it all offers a newness to even the seasoned traveler. The energy the city possesses lends itself perfectly to a family vacation, and with gorgeous shorelines nearby, you've got the best of everything: rich history, contemporary cityscape and the natural outdoors. Just to alleviate any doubts you might have about a Boston travel adventure for the whole family, consider these local activities and attractions to help seal the deal.

The Children's Museum Boston

This museum is uniquely geared toward a children’s curiosity and their love to explore. It will offer high-octane fuel for their imaginations, and it will definitely put a smile on your face as you watch your kids make discovery after discovery. The Children's Museum in Boston has continued to grow for over 90 years now, and in October 2007, a grand reopening will mark what will hopefully be 90 more! Admission is inexpensive, and the museum is open during regular business hours. The Children's Museum is one of the most fun things to do in Boston for youngsters.

The Freedom Trail

Follow the path to American Independence on a guided walking tour that is perfect for families. The kids will get a kick out of the colonial characters that lead the tour, and parents will be wowed by the vast amount of knowledge that is imparted while walking the very steps that the American revolutionaries walked over 200 years ago. The Freedom Trail also offers a wonderful way to learn the immediate vicinity, so you may later peruse at your own leisure. Ultimately, if history classes were like this in school, everyone would have gotten an A.

MIT, Boston

MIT? Really? The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is for families? Here's the deal -- if you want to absolutely blow the mind of everyone in the family (including yourself), and spend no money doing it, take a couple of hours to visit the MIT campus and head straight over to the Ray and Maria Stata Center. This is a relatively new complex designed by the incomparable architect, Frank Gehry. Not only will there be moments of awesome silence, it is guaranteed that someone in the family will burst out in audible admiration. The buildings look like something you imagined as a child, yet were told that they could never be built. It's just another example of Frank Gehry doing what he does best, and there is not a better place to introduce your family or yourself to his work than at MIT.

Boston's Fenway Park

If you're visiting Boston at anytime between April and September, you cannot miss one of the most electric events you can experience in this historic city. When it comes to Boston site seeing, the top attractions have to include Fenway Park. Even if you're not a baseball fan, you'll be incredibly entertained and swept away by the passion that this city holds for their beloved Boston Red Sox. And there's nothing like enjoying a hotdog and an ice cold beverage with the family while admiring the Green Monster in all its glory!

These few activities and locations only serve to scratch the surface of the wonderful things you can do on a family vacation in Boston. It’s the type of city that will offer you a new adventure around every corner if you're willing to just get out and take a walk!

Get the Best Deals on Boston Hotels

Who pays full price for hotels anymore? Well, I suppose if money is no object, then you lay your money down, make your polite demands and enjoy your top-quality suite. And when travelling to Boston, you'll have no problem finding several luxury hotels that will cater to such "demands." However, for those of us that qualify for a different category, a good value on a Boston hotel is what makes it a deal! If Boston travel is in your present plans, consider a few of these methods for finding a hotel at a discount.

Finding a Great Hotel Deal

There are literally thousands of rooms available to choose from in the New England city of Boston, Massachusetts. Due to the need to fill rooms, hotels often need to offer flexible room rates to patrons. How does this work, you ask? Well, you're not going to waltz up to the front desk of a 5 star Boston hotel and try to negotiate a deal -- obviously. However, if you're willing to go through a travel agent, or any number of hotel Web sites, you'll find discounts and online coupons. Moreover, if you're able to purchase a Boston travel package, there's an excellent chance you'll grab a great discount on airfare, hotel accommodations and a car rental.

Hotels also offer clubs that allow you to pay a one-time fee for multiple benefits, including discounted rooms. If you are a frequent traveler, you should certainly consider such a program, which offers reward points that can be exchanged for free nights and room upgrades. Although it may not offer you an immediate deal on your Boston hotel, it's definitely something to consider as a future investment.

Taking the Boston Hotel Matter Into Your Own Hands

Now that we've been polite, let's get down to the nit and the grit of hotel negotiation. If you're willing to take on the role of hotel shopper/travel agent, you hold the power to grab a great hotel deal. Do some comparison shopping via hotel Web sites, all-inclusive travel sites and a few online travel agencies, and then begin your process of purchase -- and consider packaging your hotel in with a flight to Boston.

If you're willing to research and comparison shop for your Boston hotel, there's an excellent chance that you'll find a four-star hotel at a two-star price. Yes, that’s Marriott at the price of Best Western. Sound good to you? At the very least, you'll also find some excellent hotel deals that are offered through the hotel and their online travel affiliates. Be aggressive in your deal-making efforts, and you’ll benefit by scoring a grand Boston hotel!