Thrifty Travel Fun: Boston, MA

Thrifty Travel Fun: Boston, MA Read Post

Boston family fun New England

Thrifty Travel Fun: Boston, MA

Recent events have put Boston in everyone's thoughts, and it's the perfect city for this week's Thrifty Travel Fun post. A rich history, a plethora of museums and activities, and easy access to the rest of New England makes Boston an ideal family travel destination. Below, three outdoor Boston activities on the cheap!

Photo by hostelworld / Flickr

1. Boston is steeped in history, and The Freedom Trail is the perfect introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston, as well as an ideal way to explore the city on foot. The three mile-long trail takes you to 16 historical spots, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the Massachusetts State House, and Paul Revere's house. You can search around for a guided tour (Boston By Little Feet offers Freedom Trail tours specifically tailored to kids), or just pick a stretch to walk on your own. TIP: the section around Faneuil Hall is a good one if you're not sure the family's up for a full morning of walking and history-intake, and it will land you right by Quincy Market for lunch; with hundreds of food stalls, everyone in the family can pick out a different treat!

2. Hop on the "T" (it wouldn't be a real Boston visit without at least one ride) and head over to Cambridge's Harvard Square. Shops and cafes abound, and it's the perfect place to take in some prime street performances. Kids need to get a good romp in? The nearby Harvard Campus has plenty of space for an impromptu game of tag!

3. Before your Boston visit, be sure to read "Make Way for Ducklings," the darling children's classic that takes place in Boston. Then, head to the Boston Public Garden to see the bronze statues of Mrs. Mallard and all her ducklings! Climb on board, everyone: holiday card photo opp?

Accommodation tip: The Best Western Plus Roundhouse Suites is situated close to Boston's airport and many local attractions - and yes, they offer DIY waffle-making. 

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9 things to do with kids in Boston

9 things to do with kids in Boston Read Post

Boston family fun

9 things to do with kids in Boston

1) Walk the Freedom Trail. Follow this 2.5-mile painted path and you'll pass by Boston's most historic sites including our country's first public school, Paul Revere's house, and the site of the Boston Masacre. You can pick up free maps at the tourist information booth at Faneuil Hall, where the Sons of Liberty once met.

2) Fill up on mac n cheese at the Quincy Market. Adult tastebuds will be tempted by the lobster rolls and clam chowder at this famous food market, but little tummies much prefer the creamy cheesy pasta served at MMMac & Cheese, where the stuff is made-to-order in a skillet.

3) Say hello to the ducks at Boston Common. In the oldest park in America, children love to get their picture taken in front of the bronze re-creations of the mother duck and her ducklings featured in the classic book Make Way for Ducklings.

4) Enjoy a tasty dinner at Picco Restaurant. The thin-crust blistery pizza are scrumptious and kids love the margherita with only fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, and a little basil. Also try the homemade ice cream.

5) Visit the Boston Children's Museum. Kids can clamber up a three-story staircase, create a collage in the art studio, or blow gigantic pubbles in the science lab. Admission is only $1 Fridays, 5-9 p.m.

6) Savor a Cannoli at Mike's Pastry. Quite possibly the best dessert that you will ever taste, these Sicilian treats have perfectly crisp shells and creamy ricotta fillings.

7) Take in a bird's-eye view of the city. Along the Harborwalk, stop at Independence Wharf, where you'll get sweeping views of Fort Point Channel and beyond from the 14th floor of the observation deck. High-powered binoculors allow you to zero in on the planes taking off and landing at Logan Airport.

8) Hop a boat. Catch a Boston Harbor Cruise shuttle from Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard to see the famous USS Constitution.

9) Cross a bridge. Drive across the Zakim bridge--it's especially beautiful lit up at night. This is one of the world's widest cable-stayed bridges and it's the the most visually stunning aspect of the massive Big Dig project. Kids will think it's cool!

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Holy moly! It's the world's best cannoli!

Holy moly! It's the world's best cannoli! Read Post

Boston

Holy moly! It's the world's best cannoli!

Have you ever eaten something and then spent every day afterward craving more...That's how I have felt ever since I devoured a cannoli at Mike's Pastry in Boston.

Actually, I shared one of these Sicilian pastries with my two kids and husband--that's what you have to do when you're traveling on a budget of $250 a day.

We tried the ricotta and chocolate chip flavor, which the lady behind the counter recommended. We were all fighting over every single bite and my son was licking the plate. The filling was perfectly creamy and just a tad sweet, and the shell light and crisp. Honestly, this ranks among the top 10 things I have ever eaten.

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Big Cities, Big Savings, Big Fun

Big Cities, Big Savings, Big Fun Read Post

Boston Budget Tips New York City Philadelphia

Big Cities, Big Savings, Big Fun

Why America’s cities are great bargains for traveling families

Known for their art museums, fancy restaurants, and sophisticated denizens, big cities seem to offer the ingredients for an expensive vacation. But actually, they provide the exact opposite. An urban escape can be an unbelievable bargain, especially for families. Here’s why:

Cheap, yummy food is plentiful. It’s easy to spend only $5 to $7 per person on dinner when you can choose from ethnic eateries, street vendors, and hole-in-the-walls. In Boston you can nosh on a sausage from Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon in Newmarket Square; in San Francisco and Los Angeles you can track down a taco truck; in Portland look for one of the waffle wagons; and in Philadelphia you can fill up with a cheese steak at Campos Deli or Geno’s or Pat’s Steaks.

Museums are free—and fun. Without ever opening your wallets, you and your kids can browse the St. Louis At Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Cleveland Museum of Art, Los Angeles’s Getty Museum.

Washington, D.C. is the land of free museums, and you can walk right into the National Gallery, Smithsonian, and the recently reopened Museum of American History. In Philadelphia, many of the historical attractions are free: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Declaration House, and many more.

In many cities you’ll find that museums have special free days and hours. On Fridays admission to the Boston Children’s Museum is only $1. On the first and third Sundays of the month, kids get in for free at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and they can participate in special art projects.

If you want to visit some of the museums that require admission, you can purchase a City Pass (citypass.com), offered in nearly every city across the country. You pay a set price to get into dozens of museums and attractions and save about 50 percent off the price of admission.

No need to rent a car. When you fly into a big city, you can hop on a bus or the metro and zip into town. It’s also easy to get around and see the sights on public transit. This means you don’t have to pay for a rental car or pay for parking, which isn’t a bargain in big cities.

Hotels are surprisingly affordable. Due to the economic climate, conventions are down and business travelers are on the road less so urban hotels are experiencing more vacancies and they’re rewarding leisure travelers with better rates.

It’s easy to score deals on flights. More airlines fly into big city airports—i.e., more competition and cheaper fares. Travelers especially benefit from the bargains carriers such as Jet Blue and Southwest that usually fly into urban centers.

There’s lots to do that doesn’t cost a dime. The best way to find out about free events, activities, and attractions is through a city’s convention and visitors’ bureau. In fact, many bureaus post a list of free things to do on their Web sites. Here are links to a few lists:

Chicago

New York

Philadelphia

Washington, D.C.

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