Make transportation and hotel reservations for your trip. Boston can easily be reached via an Amtrak train or by airplane to Boston Logan International Airport. When making your hotel reservation, think about what kinds of amenities your family needs and wants, such as a crib, a room that sleeps four, an indoor pools or an on-site restaurant with children's menus. Some recommended hotels for families with kids include Boston Harbor Hotel and Marriott Custom House VIllas in the Waterfront area; Radisson Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel Boston around the Public Garden; and The Westin Copley Place at Back Bay.
Prepare your kids for the trip by reading age-appropriate books that are set in Boston. Some examples include "Make Way for Ducklings," "Bus Route to Boston," "Journey Around Boston from A to Z," "Midnight Rider" or "Road to Revolution!." Introduce older children to travel guide books about Boston and allow them to make recommendations for places to visit and activities to do as a family.
Formulate a basic plan for the activities you will do while in Boston and consider buying a "Go Boston Card" for free admission to many area attractions. Some of Boston's kid-friendly activities include riding the Swan Boats and visiting the duck statues in Public Garden adjacent to Boston Common; playing in the playground in Cambridge Common; getting a snack at at Quincy Market; and going to the Boston Children's Museum. Older kids will enjoy going to Chinatown for food and souvenirs; visiting the New England Aquarium; watching boats and whales on the waterfront; or walking a portion of the Freedom Trail. If you are interested in attending a baseball game at Fenway Park, make your reservations as soon as possible.
Start packing a least two days in advance. If you are traveling for less than a week, pack for each person one outfit per day plus two shirts. If traveling for a week or more, pack five outfits plus two shirts per person and plan to do laundry. Pack at least one pair of comfortable shoes for each person in your family. Pack a few favorite toys and books, but remind your children that you'll be spending most of your time sightseeing and won't need a lot of additional entertainment for time spent at the hotel.
Use the subway or "T" to get around town, but be careful if navigating it with a stroller. Avoid making promises to your children about doing specific activities at particular times, because plans sometimes get broken or need to be changed. Let your children know how money is allocated for souvenirs and how this money is allowed to be spent. Give them a disposable or inexpensive digital camera to use for taking pictures, but remind them not to take pictures of strangers without permission.
