Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 11:25     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised that people say 10 days is too long to vacation in a major city. It’s seems to me that if you have the ability to take an extended trip that you could really get a feel for a place and enjoy it like the locals do. Isn’t a vacation more than checking off major sites/bucket list items off of a list?


The locals go to work or school and don't spend 10 straight days taking in the sights. They spend their vacations on the Cape/Islands, or in Maine, or at their NH lake houses.

Agree that there is plenty to do in Boston, and we have done most of it over the years, but in small bites not in a 10 day stretch. But OP's family may be different and maybe they like to get to know a city and do one thing a day rather than 3-4. That's okay too. She hasn't said anything about their interests so hard to know.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 10:37     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised that people say 10 days is too long to vacation in a major city. It’s seems to me that if you have the ability to take an extended trip that you could really get a feel for a place and enjoy it like the locals do. Isn’t a vacation more than checking off major sites/bucket list items off of a list?


You forgot the qualifier - a vacation in a major city with a 12-year-old.

My kids made it 5 stops on the Freedom Trail.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 10:24     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:It really depends what your family likes to do. If you are beach people then Cape Cod is the right destination for part of the trip. Stop in Plymouth on the way. If you are hiking/outdoor people then head to Vermont. Stay in Woodstock or Manchester (or go farther north to Burlington). Woodstock is only about 2 hours from Boston. If you like more rugged coast then Maine. If you like music and arts, then head to western MA and stay in Lenox.

In any event, I'd probably do a max 4 days in Boston. If you are there over the 4th do the Boston Pops at the Hatch Shell. I think you have to get there early.



Agree. As to the posters asking where on the Cape to book, there's likely to be limited availabilty for this summer by now, especially 4th of July weekend, so whereever you can find it?! I'm partial to the bay side myself but had extended family who lived near the bay beaches so that's where we usually went when we visited.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 09:51     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
I’m surprised that people say 10 days is too long to vacation in a major city. It’s seems to me that if you have the ability to take an extended trip that you could really get a feel for a place and enjoy it like the locals do. Isn’t a vacation more than checking off major sites/bucket list items off of a list?
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 03:48     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
10 days!? Yeah that’s way too long
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 01:46     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:In your opinion- is 10 days in Boston too much for a trip over the 4th of July holiday. Cranky husband says that it will be boring, but I am confident that Boston has enough to entertain the three of us (12 YO active kid.)

What do you all think? Any activity suggestions?

It would be too long for me as an adult so yes for a 12 yo.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2025 01:31     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Boston then either Portland/Maine beaches or the berkshires/tangelwood
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 16:52     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can do Boston in 2-3 days!!


If you have no imagination and no interest in history…


With a 12-year-old – get real.


I have taken my kids all over the country on extended trips.

Boston and suburbs:
Lexington and Concord
Orchard House
Walden Pond
Salem - witches; port stuff
Lowell - mill town
JFK Museum
John and Abigail Adams home
Harvard Square
North End
Fenway Park
Food Tour
Freedom Trail
Revere House
Aquarium
Boston Tea Party Museum
Whalewatching
Picnic on the Esplanade
USS Constitution

And that’s without museums.


A bit farther afield - Plymouth; Marblehead
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 16:33     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Go to martha’s vineyard or nantucket and boston for 3 n
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 15:38     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
It really depends what your family likes to do. If you are beach people then Cape Cod is the right destination for part of the trip. Stop in Plymouth on the way. If you are hiking/outdoor people then head to Vermont. Stay in Woodstock or Manchester (or go farther north to Burlington). Woodstock is only about 2 hours from Boston. If you like more rugged coast then Maine. If you like music and arts, then head to western MA and stay in Lenox.

In any event, I'd probably do a max 4 days in Boston. If you are there over the 4th do the Boston Pops at the Hatch Shell. I think you have to get there early.

Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 14:52     Subject: Re:10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:when this forum refers to "the cape" is everyone referring to the same cape?


Yes.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 14:50     Subject: 10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Go to the cape for half of it. We did this when I was a teenager and it was one of my favorite trips growing up.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 14:28     Subject: Re:10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
Anonymous wrote:when this forum refers to "the cape" is everyone referring to the same cape?

In the context of Boston it’s always Cape Cod. In any other context, it’s Cape Cod 99.9% of the time.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 13:50     Subject: Re:10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
I would do about 5 days in Boston and then move out of the city and explore from there on various day trips.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2025 11:19     Subject: Re:10 Days in Boston with 12 Yo too much?
when this forum refers to "the cape" is everyone referring to the same cape?