Boston is a city built for families. Filled with world-class entertainment, exciting outdoor opportunities and history swirling through every street, both the young and young at heart will find an abundance of fun things to do during their stay. With some of the country’s most well-known museums, unbelievable parks and beloved historic sites, a stop in Boston will help you make memories that will last a lifetime.
Below, we detail 22 exciting things to do in Boston with kids, to help you plan the ideal family-friendly visit.
1. New England Aquarium
Located at 1 Central Wharf right along Boston’s Waterfront district, the New England Aquarium is home to over 8,000 marine animals as well as outstanding interactive opportunities and a wide range of exciting activities changing throughout the year. Its conservation and research efforts are second to none, making it not only a fun-filled destination but also an educational one where kids can learn how to engage with and protect the oceans around the world.
The New England Aquarium is open all year round, with daily hours from 9 am to 6 pm. There are several additional activities found in the museum, such as the Simons IMAX Theater.
2. Whale Watching
Located just down the road from the Aquarium at Boston’s Long Wharf sits the departure point for a truly life-changing experience. A Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Catamaran will give you an up-close look at some of the world’s most majestic and magnificent creatures.
Bringing you past the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, this tour guarantees you’ll see the largest number of whales in the shortest amount of time. While humpback whales are always a popular sight, guests have also spotted finback whales, right whales and even white-sided dolphins during their tour.
3. Boston Children’s Museum
If you wander over to 308 Congress Street in the Landmark District, you’ll find yourself standing in front of one of the oldest and largest museums dedicated specifically to children in the entire country. An immersive and diverse museum filled with interactive exhibits that emphasize hands-on engagement for visitors of all ages, this is an exceptional learning experience that promotes the power of play.
The Boston Children’s Museum is open seven days a week from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1:30 to 4:30 pm every afternoon. Tickets can be reserved online, which can help guarantee you and your family enjoy the entire experience.
4. Franklin Park Zoo
Directly in between the Roxbury and Dorchester Districts, the Franklin Park Zoo at 1 Franklin Park Road is an incredible wildlife experience not to be missed. Stretching over 70 acres, this beautiful and unique zoo is home to over 220 different animal species from around the world. Its domed Tropical Rainforest and Kalahari Kingdom are certainly some of its most popular exhibits, featuring some of the zoo’s most exciting animals. However, the zoo hosts several enchanting events throughout the year for visitors to enjoy.
The Franklin Park Zoo is open year-round. However, their hours of operation do change depending on the season, so make sure you take a look at opening and closing times to make the most of your visit.
5. LEGO Discovery Center
A brand new LEGO Discovery Center, this limitless LEGO experience offers 11 distinct attractions, including the Hero Zone, the Tree of Togetherness and its noteworthy 4D Cinema, where guests can enjoy action-packed LEGO-centric adventures like never before.
Located in Assembly Row in the Somerville neighborhood, this is a fantastic opportunity for some year-round excitement.
6. Boston Museum of Science
An indisputable educational playground, Boston’s Museum of Science makes learning come to life. An exploration of everything in our world and how it works, this one-of-a-kind destination strives to expand the mind of each and every guest who walks through their doors, no matter how old they are. With a range of exhibits ranging from the spectacular Soundstair to an up-close look at how vaccines work, visitors will be kept busy all day long.
7. Boston Public Garden
Located between Beacon Hill and Boston’s South End, Boston Public Garden is an exquisite public park that is a must, no matter what time of year you visit. Originally established in 1837, this picturesque park provides visitors with a breathtaking scenic landscape in the middle of one of New England’s most popular cities.
Kids will love taking a ride on one of the garden’s beloved swan boats, while many park-goers prefer the serenity often found at the garden’s renowned lagoon. From May through September, the gardens offer free guided walking tours teaching the history and horticulture of the local area and seasonal events are held throughout the year for guests to enjoy.
8. Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
If you’re in Boston, connecting with this country’s impactful history is a must and one of the best ways to do that is with a visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Bringing the past back to life, this museum is filled with exceptional actors and historians, a complete replica of period ships and interactive exhibits that will have you ready to throw crates of tea overboard yourself.
Located on the Congress Street Bridge, this immersive experience is open all year round, with slightly longer hours during the summer. Close to the Boston Seaport, this is a great way to spend the day before noshing down on some of the city’s most delectable dishes.
9. USS Constitution Museum
With educational opportunities for most ages, the USS Constitution Museum is the ideal learning and fun adventure. It’s located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, which is a part of the Boston National Historical Park. You’ll find the museum near the USS Constitution ship at the end of the Freedom Trail. You’ll get to experience the journey into American maritime history when you visit. There are numerous immersive experiences ideal for older kids who love history. The location’s Old Ironsides, the oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat, is also worth exploring. You’ll be able to go on board to check out the way people lived and worked on the ship and learn about the various missions it took on.
10. Castle Island
Located in South Boston, Castle Island is a massive, 22-acre park with some historic sites thrown in. It’s home to the star-shaped Fort Independence, an important historical landmark. Many people simply visit to relax and walk along the paths, but there’s more to do here, especially for kids.
There’s a sandy beach that is the perfect place to look for seashells. There’s also a modern playground that’s often busy with kids of all ages. And, with a picnic in hand, you can sit down and watch all of the planes fly in and out of Logan Airport.
11. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Children of all ages can easily understand the importance and value of nature. The programs and displays at the Arnold Arboretum provide a fantastic way to experience that vibrance upfront. Located at Harvard University, the museum of trees, as it is often called, provides a learning experience for every visit.
There are 281 acres here, along with over 15,000 accessioned plants to learn about and some fun activities for younger kids. The location is the oldest public arboretum in North America.
12. Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail spans about 2.5 miles. It’s a red, brick path in Boston that takes you on a journey through 16 historic sites. Though appropriate for any age, you may find elementary and middle schoolers able to take in the importance of this trail more than much younger children.
However, there are kid-friendly tours available, such as the Boston By Little Feet Tour. It’s about 60 minutes long. As you walk along the path, kids will learn about the area through interactive stories.
13. Old Town Trolley Tours
Located in Beacon Hill, the Old Town Trolley Tours may be one of the most enjoyable experiences for kids of all ages to enjoy, especially during the warmer months. These tours depart from the trolley booth located at 200 Atlantic Avenue. They travel along the route until they reach the end of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel.
The tours are about 100 minutes in length. You’ll have a fully narrated experience so you can learn a great deal about the history of the area. Some tours, including the Boston Hop-On Hop- Off Trolley Tours, allow you to explore 13 stops along the way.
14. MIT Museum
For kids who love all things science and tech, plan a visit to the MIT Museum. There are more than 1 million objects on display, some of which date back to the location’s founding in 1861. The ideal place for a STEAM experience, kids will learn through educational programs, hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays.
Today’s modern experiences incorporate AI, holography and robotics, along with a strong focus on the history of MIT and the local community.
15. Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a public park located in downtown Boston. It’s often a family-friendly destination because of the wide range of walking paths and the rooftop garden that sits along the top of the highway tunnel. But, for kids, there’s some fun to be had in the water.
There are gardens, a beautiful promenade and fountains to explore. In addition, the Reflecting Pool is a good starting point. There are also seven additional water attractions throughout the area. There is fun here for both kids and adults.
16. Fenway Park
You could explore Boston’s incredible baseball history by taking a tour of Fenway Park. If you haven’t thought that far in advance, though and baseball season is in full swing, buy tickets to the game.
Fenway Park offers a variety of kid-approved activities throughout the park. They also get to learn about the game itself, watch the players take at-bats and imagine themselves on the field in the future. For many families, baseball is a big part of everyday life here.
17. Old State House Museum
The Old State House Museum is the ideal choice for middle schoolers on up who are learning about the American Revolution. The combined Old State House and Old South Meeting House, both built in 1713, was the center of government in the region. It is one of the oldest surviving public buildings in the city.
You can book tours of the location to see various artifacts from the American Revolution and onward. There are several hands-on exhibits that allow children to engage specifically in the area’s history.
18. Paul Revere’s House
Many kids learn about Paul Revere’s House during their American history classes, but learning about the man and the important role he played as a Founding Father can be very different. The house provides in-depth information and exhibits about the Revolution, but specifically tells what Revere’s life was like and what it meant to sacrifice so much for the country’s founding.
Plan to spend an hour or so exploring the exhibits. There are self-guided tours available, but you can also set up a guided tour to allow the kids to ask lots of questions.
19. Boston Harbor Cruise
A Boston Harbor Cruise is an opportunity to truly explore the city from its most important vantage point, especially through history. The harbor is always busy and teaming with ships and those exploring the area. However, if you’re looking to add a bit of education to the experience, book one of the narrated cruise tours.
The tours are about 45 minutes in length and you can choose from various organizations that sponsor them, as well as numerous themes. Sunset cruises can be a fun way to end the day. But some older kids may appreciate the high-speed ferries.
20. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
It’s easy to see how this might be an experience for older kids, but there are some programs designed for kids, too. The kids and family programs not only share education about the art displays and focal points here, but they also incorporate art classes and workshops for kids in elementary school and older. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is more than willing to welcome everyone in.
There are also fun scavenger hunts and hands-on activities that encourage art making. Your kids can also take a themed tour, with various options available throughout the year.
21. Fishing Charters
With so much water to explore, including along the rivers, inlets and the harbor, it’s certainly appropriate to want to get out into it. One way to do so is to book a fishing charter. There are several groups that offer them, with kid-themed, educational fishing being the main offering.
There are numerous popular locations for fishing in calm waters in Boston. Look to the Charles River, Jamaica Pond and Castle Island for opportunities if you don’t want to book a charter service.
22. Puppet Showplace Theater
The Puppet Showplace Theater is a nonprofit organization located in nearby Brookline. Many generations of children have visited, enjoyed the puppet shows and interacted with the various activities and events.
The theater is a local gem, one that promotes authentic puppetry and can help even elementary schools fall in love with the art form. Adults will likely have fun, too. You can even take a class or sign the kids up for a vacation program.
Find Family-friendly fun in Boston
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