Boston, Massachusetts Family Vacation

One of the oldest and most beautiful cities in America, Boston prides itself on its history, culture, and baked beans. There's something for every kid and every family in Boston: a state-of-the-art Children's Museum, boats on the harbor, the Boston Duck Tours, the Museum of Science, and more.

Although it's fun to go to Boston any time of year, the absolute best time to visit New England is in the fall. What is prettier than a whale watch when the leaves are turning, or more peaceful than an afternoon at a museum when the weather is finally getting crisp? Weather patterns in recent years have been unusual, but the summers in Boston are usually hot and muggy, the spring can be rainy and late (read: unpredictable), and the winters cold. So if you have the choice, go in the late summer or fall.

Less extreme than other locations in New England (because it's on the Atlantic Ocean), Boston usually has its nicest weather in early spring (April, May, and early June) and again in September and October when temperatures stick around 61 degrees. The city is inundated with tourists most of the year, especially in the summer, but the best time to go is in early fall. Always wear layers in Boston as, climatology-wise, you never know what you're going to get. Get more weather info.

If you're going to Boston, you'll probably fly into Logan International (BOS). There are 12 different types of transportation to get you to and from Logan, including water taxis, the MBTA, and airport shuttles. Comprehensive information can be found at Masstransport.com. Smaller regional airports include Manchester, NH (50 miles north of Boston) and Green International in Rhode Island (60 miles from Boston). Also serving the Boston Area are the trains of Amtrak and Greyhound, and Peter Pan bus lines.

Taking the subway, the "T" (otherwise known as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or MBTA) is fairly easy in Boston. The subway system has five colored lines: red, orange, green, blue, and silver. The green line services many tourist destinations, including the Prudential Center, the Mapparium, the Museum of Science, and Quincy Market. The blue line will take you right to the aquarium. For older kids and fitness enthusiasts, walking in Boston -- which is not as big a city as it seems -- is very pleasant and gives you a chance to see the architecture and cobblestone streets up close. After all, walking is what Mrs. Mallard did with her ducklings in "Make Way for Ducklings." But the reality is you may decide to drive, especially if you'll be visiting people in the suburbs, venturing outside the city, or going over the bridge to Cambridge (Harvard anyone?). Be forewarned: Parking is tight in the city and garage and lot prices can be steep. Visit the city's website to learn more about alternative transportation options.

Boston is such a diverse city that there's always an excuse for a festival or celebration. Below are some of the most family-friendly ones, reasons in themselves to visit Beantown.

• First Night Boston (Jan.)
• St. Patrick's Day (Mar.)
• Irish Food and Culture Celebration (Mar.)
• Boston Massacre Reenactment (Mar.)
• Opening Day at Fenway Park (April)
• African American Military Heritage Day (May)
• Faneuil Hall Street Performers Festival (May)
• Dragon Boat Festival (June)
• Boston Harborfest (late June-early July)
• Fourth of July Celebration with the Boston Pops (July)
• Cape Verdean Festival (July)
• Festival of St Anthony (Aug.)
• Boston Arts Festival (Sept.)
• Halloween (Oct.)
• Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party (Dec.)

Welcome to the City of Boston is the official visitors' site.

A Go Boston card is a multi-attraction pass that gives you big savings. Boston City Pass is the same idea. Also keep in mind that many Boston museums have reciprocal agreements with similar museums in other cities, so bring your local museum or aquarium membership card with you and ask if you can get free or discounted admission. AAA members sometimes get discounts on admission as well.

• Boston is the largest city in New England, and greater Boston is America's 11th largest metropolitan area.
• Many participants of the Boston Tea Party kept a bit of tea for themselves while they were supposed to be dumping it into the Atlantic to protest England's proposed taxes. Some of this tea can be seen on display at the museum at the Old South Church.
• Boston's nickname, Beantown, originated from the bake beans in molasses that were shipped to Boston from the West Indies. The dish, Boston Baked Beans, became a local favorite and the name stuck.
• Bostonians eat green bagels and drink green beer on St. Patrick's Day. Of course they do. St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in North America in 1737 in Boston and now more than half a million visitors come to the city to party on March 17.