17 Massachusetts Best Places To Visit For History Loving Families

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image of Massachusetts cityscape to visit with text overlay. The Best Places to Visit: Massachusetts with Kids & Teens at captivatingcompass.com

Massachusetts Places to visit

A Boston vacation is a mesmerizing trip through the nation’s past and to a celebration of its future and center of learning. Here, in one city you can experience the start of the Revolutionary War, see a coral reef, take a bus on a river, and experience the campuses of MIT and Harvard – and all before dinner.

You’ll find Boston vacations a refreshing mixture of historic and modern buildings. And what’s even better is you can see it all – or most – by walking. You’ll save time and see more by expending some shoe leather.

But before you do that, I highly recommend an orientation tour first.

THE FAMOUS DUCK TOUR

One of the best and most unique tours is the Duck Tour ride. This is a popular 80-minute tour for first-time Boston vacation visitors. But be warned, during the summer tours are usually sold out by lunchtime – so make reservations in advance. You can pick up and buy tickets for the tour at two places: The Museum of Science, and The Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay.

The tour is done in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle. You get to not only experience Boston from the streets of the city but also the Charles River… and without getting wet!

That’s right, during the tour, the bus you’re on will become a boat, and you’ll see the beautiful Boston skyline from the river that separates Boston from Cambridge.

It’s a great tour and you’d have to be “quackers” not to do it! Sorry, couldn’t resist it. 

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile easy-to-follow red brick line that links 16 historical sites together around the streets of Boston… and it’s free. It starts from Boston Common and winds its way through Boston landmarks such as the State House, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere’s House, and USS Constitution, before ending up at the Bunker Hill monument in Charlestown.

If you do the whole walk, plan on at least 2-3 hours for distractions – nice ones though – or better still take the whole day. 

The trail also takes you through Boston’s famed North End, where you’ll be sure to return during your Boston vacation to sample the superb Italian restaurants or stroll around this little corner of Italy. 

THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

As San Diego has its world-famous zoo, then Boston has the New England Aquarium.

New England and its coastline have a history of fishing and whaling. But today instead of harpooning whales, New Englanders spend most of their time saving them. And the aquarium is a vital link in the area’s ocean preservation movement.

The centerpiece of the aquarium is the giant tank. The floors of the aquarium run around the tank and up four levels. At the top, you get to peer down into a coral reef and listen as the staff explains about the tank and the fish that live in it.

You’ll get the answer to questions such as: “Why don’t the big shark fish eat the little tasty fish?” or “How old are those huge sea turtles swimming around down there?” 

Your ticket will include a visit to the Discovery next to the main building, where you can see and learn about sea lions during an amazing show. A few years ago the Aquarium opened an IMAX theater that shows a mixture of sea-related and general science films.

A word of warning – this is a favorite Boston vacation attraction for families so it can get crowded. But you’ll always get in, even when the ticket line seems to stretch for miles.

BEACON HILL

Beacon Hill is a popular walk for people on a Boston vacation.  Here just off Boston Common you can stroll around Louisburg Square and admire the picturesque block of perfectly preserved residences. 

This quiet and bewitching area is full of alleys and narrow red brick cobbled streets, where time has stood still for the last century. It’s a sheer delight to walk. You’ll find walled gardens and an authentic 19th-century neighborhood feel. Even the original gas lights remain on streets lined with ancient elms.

While many tour buses and trolleys drive through Beacon Hill, the only real way of experiencing it is by foot.  So put on some comfy shoes, take out your camera and breathe in the scenery… it’s fine.

THE CENTER OF LEARNING

Boston has a strong tradition in universities. With MIT and Harvard are perhaps the best known worldwide, but with other great colleges such as Tufts, BU, Boston College, and of course Northeastern. 

MIT and Harvard are just a short train ride across the river. Take the Red Line to Harvard Square and hang out on the Harvard campus and stroll the grounds, if everything seems familiar to you, it probably is. Many movies – including Love Story – were filmed here.

And come back and visit at night when on a summer’s evening street performers are everywhere and you don’t have to pay a nickel for some of the best entertainment on your Boston vacation.

AND THERE’S MORE…

Other places to visit on your Boston vacation are THE J.F.K Library and Museum at Columbia Point in South Boston – and the Boston Harbor Islands, tours to the islands leave from Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf, both located near the aquarium.  

Boston has tons of things to do and see, and I’ve really just started to scratch the surface for you. The rest is yours to discover.

Massachusetts is a popular family travel destination for families with kids and teens wanting to head to the “Old Colony State” and explore one of the original 13 Colonies. Your family will be captivated by the historical landmarks and exciting places to explore and learn about. These Massachusetts family travel destinations are great places to consider as you start building an exciting family travel itinerary for the Northeast United States. If you want to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore these awesome Massachusetts places to visit from home and have a fun virtual travel and learning experience too.

Best Places To Visit In Massachusetts

What’s a road trip? In our family, it’s a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Massachusetts. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also catapult your child’s learning. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s Go To Massachusetts!

Massachusetts Historical Sites & Parks

  • Martha’s Vineyard: Island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
  • Freedom Trail: a 2.5-mile-long path through downtown Boston, Massachusetts, that passes by 16 locations of historical significance.
  • USS Constitution: Historic battleship in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Museums & Galleries

Massachusetts – Places not to be missed

Massachusetts Zoo & Aquariums

Massachusetts – Add these to your Itinerary

Massachusetts Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning

Massachusetts offers so many exciting things to do! Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Massachusetts.

Make the most of learning about Massachusetts by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Massachusetts State Study pack into your pre- and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.

Massachusetts – Use The World As Your Classroom

The Massachusetts State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Massachusetts at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About Massachusetts’ Famous People

  • John Adams – President
  • John Quincy Adams – president
  • Samuel Adams – president
  • Louisa May Alcott  – author
  • Alexander Graham Bell – inventor
  • George H W Bush – president
  • Emily Dickinson – a poet
  • Benjamin Franklin – writer, inventor, congressman, diplomat, world traveler
  • Theodore Seuss Geisel – writer
  • John Hancock – statesman, American Revolution patriot, 
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne – writer
  • Winslow Homer – artist
  • John F. Kennedy – president
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – poet
  • Edgar Allan Poe – a poet
  • Paul Revere – American Revolution patriot
  • Samuel Slater – industrialist
  • Henry David Thoreau – author
  • Susan B. Anthony – women’s rights activist
  • Clara Barton – nurse
  • Johnny Appleseed – pioneer & nurseryman
  • John Singleton Copley – artist
  •  E. E. Cummings – poet
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson – poet
  • Eli Whitney – inventor
  • Samuel F. B. Morse – inventor

Learn About Massachusetts’ Famous Landmarks:

  • Adams National Historical Park
  • Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
  • Boston National Historical Park
  • Cape Cod National Seashore
  • John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
  • Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
  • New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
  • Salem Maritime National Historic Site
  • Springfield Armory National Historic Site
  • Plimoth Plantation

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids up to 12th grade.

The Massachusetts State Study pack has all the resources and video links in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course ideal for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn.

Use The World As Your Classroom

Your Massachusetts Family Travel Questions Answered

Massachusetts is a great place to visit with your family, with a variety of activities to appeal to all ages and interests. Here are some frequently asked questions about family travel in Massachusetts:

What are the best times of year to visit Massachusetts with kids?

The best times to visit Massachusetts with kids are the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Summer can be hot and humid, especially in Boston, and winter can be cold and snowy. However, there are still plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy in Massachusetts year-round.

What are some of the most popular family attractions in Massachusetts?

You’ll find information in this post for some of the most popular family attractions in Massachusetts including:
Boston Children’s Museum
Museum of Science
New England Aquarium
Six Flags New England
Cape Cod National Seashore
Martha’s Vineyard
Nantucket
Salem
Plymouth
Old Sturbridge Village

What are some tips for saving money on family travel in Massachusetts?

There are a number of ways to save money on family travel in Massachusetts. Here are a few tips:
Purchase a Boston CityPASS or Go Boston Card to save money on admission to popular attractions.
Pack your own lunches and snacks to avoid eating out all the time.
Look for discounts on hotels and activities online.
Take advantage of free activities, such as visiting Boston Common or the Charles River Esplanade.
Consider staying in a suburb of Boston, where hotels are often less expensive.

With a little planning, you can have a wonderful family vacation in Massachusetts.

Exploring The East Coast?

New York, Pennsylvania & Virginia are top stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.

Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle

No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in these World Geography bundles!

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