boston in july with 12 and 10 year old boys - what to do?

[Anonymous]

First vacation in over a year! they wont be vaccinated so we wont go hog wild, but it will be good to get away. Thinking about staying in an air bnb in the South End. Will try for tickets to Fenway. Maybe a day trip to the harbor islands. What else would you recommend? they like cities for restaurants and subways and stuff, but aren’t museum/history types (except maybe the museum of science). thanks!

[Anonymous]

The museum of science is good, my kids definitely liked it at those ages (and older). The aquarium is fun too, but in non-pandemic times it's super crowded. There's also a nice IMAX there, and you could do some type of boat ride on the harbor (we did Codzilla, and honestly, I could have lived without it but my son did love that).

My kids still talk about 2 "tours" that we did - one was a walking tour through a company called Boston By Foot and it was something like the Dark side of Boston. My son was about 10 when we did it, and he thought it was super interesting, although it was a little dark (obviously). We also did a trolley tour that stopped in some of the graveyards, like at the grave of Paul Revere, and they liked that also. I don't recall the company that ran that one.

We went to the Tea Party Museum also, and while it's super cheesy, it was kind of fun. If your kids aren't into museums, it may not be worth it though.

And definitely stop by Newbury Comics in Quincy Market.

[Anonymous]

The New England Aquarium is amazing, if it's open. As is the Boston Children's Museum - so much fun!

I'd walk around the North End and get some pizza at Regina's and canoli at Mike's Pastry, go to the Public Gardens and take a ride on a Swan Boat or take a Duck Tour around the city.

Maybe take a cruise on a Tall Ship and definitely grab lunch at Faneuil Hall.

Depending on when you are there in July, there may be some free Hatch Shell concerts. If you are there for the 4th, the fireworks are pretty great too.

[Anonymous]

Whale watches are fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The museum of science is good, my kids definitely liked it at those ages (and older). The aquarium is fun too, but in non-pandemic times it's super crowded. There's also a nice IMAX there, and you could do some type of boat ride on the harbor (we did Codzilla, and honestly, I could have lived without it but my son did love that).

My kids still talk about 2 "tours" that we did - one was a walking tour through a company called Boston By Foot and it was something like the Dark side of Boston. My son was about 10 when we did it, and he thought it was super interesting, although it was a little dark (obviously). We also did a trolley tour that stopped in some of the graveyards, like at the grave of Paul Revere, and they liked that also. I don't recall the company that ran that one.

We went to the Tea Party Museum also, and while it's super cheesy, it was kind of fun. If your kids aren't into museums, it may not be worth it though.

And definitely stop by Newbury Comics in Quincy Market.

You can do the Tea Party Museum without actually going to the museum - just the part on the ship where you "throw" the tea into the harbor. The museum is actually pretty cool though - some live action videos with guns and smoke. This is all pre-covid, though, so I would check.

The tour of Fenway is also cool if you can't get to a game. Go SOX!

[Anonymous]

USS Constitution is a fun tour as well!

[Anonymous]

Boston Pizza tour is great and a good way to see a lot of north end. Don't miss dessert at Mike's or Modern after

Duck tour is cheesy but fun, your see a good amount of downtown and back Bay and hop on the Charles River.

Walk though back Bay (comm ave, newbury, Copley square, public garden) to Boston common and pick up the freedom trail from there

The Greenway is beautiful, great area to explore

Seaport in south boston has a ton of restaurants and great views.

Dim sum or hot pot in China Town would be fun at that age

USS constitution (old ironsides) is worth a visit

Definitely get on a boat, best views in Boston are looking back on the city from the water

For restaurants, I recommend Citrus and Salt, SRV, Buttermilk and Bourbon, Yvonne's, Mooo, Ruka, Myers and Chang, Masters Ocean Club, Davios, Strega, Oak Long Bar.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Mike's pastry shop in little Italy,

Your kids will thank me