Discover the best places to visit in Boston with family! Enjoy ethical, kid-friendly Boston attractions that mix history, learning, and fun for all ages.
Looking for the best places to visit in Boston with kids and family? Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer family adventure, Boston is the perfect mix of fun and history.
From hands-on museums to iconic landmarks, the city offers experiences that entertain and educate at the same time. Even better, we’ve carefully curated only ethical, family-friendly attractions (no animal shows or exploitative tourism) for meaningful adventures that spark curiosity and joy.
Let’s dive into the top 10 family-friendly Boston attractions every parent should have on their list.
Table of Contents
🎉 11 Best Places to Visit in Boston with Family
From hands-on museums to historic landmarks, Boston offers endless family-friendly adventures that are fun, educational, and ethical for kids of all ages.
🦖 Boston Museum of Science
Boston’s Museum of Science is a wonderland for curious kids who love to push buttons, flip switches, and ask “why?” every five seconds.
From life-sized dinosaur skeletons to dazzling lightning shows, interactive exhibits, and planetarium explorations, it transforms learning into a full-on adventure. Families can explore hands-on science labs, engage in mind-bending experiments, and uncover the secrets of the universe together.
Kids won’t even realize they’re learning – they’ll just be having the time of their lives, discovering, experimenting, and imagining in a space designed to spark curiosity and excitement for all ages.
Highlights:
🧪 Hands-on exhibits that inspire discovery.
🌌 Planetarium shows that take kids to the stars.
⚡ Live science demos that dazzle the whole family.
🏴☠️ Boston Children’s Museum
A legend among children’s museums worldwide, the Boston Children’s Museum transforms rainy days into pure magic. Its giant climbing structure, bubble zone, and immersive cultural exhibits perfectly blend play and learning, keeping kids entertained for hours.
With three floors of nonstop fun, children can explore, create, and discover at their own pace, experimenting with hands-on exhibits that spark curiosity and imagination.
Meanwhile, parents can enjoy watching their little ones’ creativity come alive, making it a must-visit destination for families seeking both fun and educational experiences in Boston.
Highlights:
🧗 Huge climbing tower for young adventurers.
🎨 Art studio with hands-on creative fun.
🌍 Cultural exhibits showcasing global traditions.
🚢 Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
If your kids think history is boring, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum will prove them wrong. Families can climb aboard replica ships, toss “tea” into the harbor, and join live reenactments that feel more like theater than a history lesson.
With costumed actors, interactive exhibits, and multimedia displays, the museum brings one of America’s most famous protests to life, turning history into a memorable, hands-on family adventure.
Highlights:
🍵 Toss replica tea crates into the harbor.
🎭 Meet engaging costumed characters.
📜 Interactive exhibits that bring 1773 Boston to life.
🌳 Boston Common & Public Garden
One of the best places to visit in Boston for free, Boston Common, America’s oldest park, is the city’s ultimate open-air playground. Its wide lawns, historic monuments, and walking paths invite kids to run, play, and explore while parents soak in the atmosphere.
Just next door, the Public Garden adds storybook charm with Swan Boats, seasonal flowers, and whimsical statues, creating a scenic escape in the heart of the city. Together, these iconic spaces offer the perfect family outing, blending outdoor fun, history, and relaxation for kids and adults alike.
Highlights:
🦆 Ride the charming Swan Boats.
📸 Snap selfies with the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues.
🌲 Enjoy open green spaces for play and picnics.
🛡️ The Freedom Trail
Forget textbooks — The Freedom Trail lets kids literally walk through history. This 2.5-mile red brick path weaves through Boston, connecting 16 iconic sites, from Paul Revere’s House to the Old North Church and the Old State House.
Along the way, families can explore cobblestone streets, historic squares, and hidden alleys that bring the city’s revolutionary past to life. It’s the ultimate family adventure: part treasure hunt, part outdoor classroom, and 100% Boston – a hands-on way for kids to experience history without ever opening a textbook.
Highlights:
🏛️ Visit 16 Revolutionary-era landmarks.
👣 Easy-to-follow red brick trail.
📚 An engaging way for kids to learn U.S. history.
🏛️ Massachusetts State House
Crowned with its gleaming golden dome, the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill is the active seat of the state government and one of the top places to visit in Boston for free.
Famous for its golden dome and guided tours, this is a striking landmark where history and politics intersect, and one of the historic places to visit in Boston for free.
Families can take free tours to see grand halls, murals, and legislative chambers. It’s not just about the past – it’s a chance for kids to see democracy in action, right in the heart of Boston.
Highlights:
✨ The iconic golden dome is visible across the city.
🏛️ Free guided tours open to families.
📜 Learn about both history and modern government.
📚 Boston Public Library
Looking for more free things to do in Boston? Step inside the Boston Public Library and you’ll quickly realize this isn’t your average library, but part palace, part cultural hub, and part storybook come to life.
Families love the dedicated Children’s Library, packed with interactive programs and reading nooks. Meanwhile, parents can soak up the serene courtyard or admire the stunning murals and architecture.
Highlights:
📖 Story hours and kid-friendly reading spaces.
🎨 Beautiful murals and public art.
🌿 Peaceful courtyard perfect for family breaks.
⚓ USS Constitution Museum
For kids who dream of pirates or sailors, this museum is pure gold. Known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution Museum is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
Families can step aboard, walk the decks, and try hands-on exhibits about life at sea. It’s an adventure that blends history with exploration, no textbooks required.
Highlights:
🚢 Explore the historic USS Constitution ship.
🛠️ Hands-on exhibits about sailors’ daily life.
🏴 Fascinating naval history kids can touch and see.
🏛️ Old State House
The Old State House, downtown at Washington and State Streets, dates back to 1713 and now serves as a museum highlighting colonial history and the American Revolution.
Inside, kids can explore artifacts from colonial times and learn about events that helped spark the American Revolution. Outside, the building overlooks the site of the Boston Massacre, connecting history with the very ground they’re walking on.
Highlights:
🏛️ Boston’s oldest surviving public building.
📜 Exhibits filled with Revolutionary artifacts.
📸 Famous balcony overlooking historic events.
🏛️ Bunker Hill Monument
Step back in time at the Bunker Hill Monument, a towering 221-foot obelisk that commemorates one of the first major battles of the American Revolution.
Families can climb the 294 steps to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of Boston while learning about the historic battle, the soldiers who fought bravely, and the importance of the Revolutionary War in shaping America.
It’s a perfect mix of history, exercise, and adventure, giving older kids a fun physical challenge while immersing the whole family in Boston’s rich past.
Highlights:
🪜 Climb 294 steps to the observation deck
⚔️ Learn about the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill
🌆 Panoramic city views make great photos and family memories
🏞️ The outdoor museum and the surrounding Charlestown Navy Yard
🛍️ Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Experience the buzz of Boston history and culture at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where colonial-era architecture meets modern entertainment. Street performers, food stalls, and boutique shops offer families a lively mix of learning and leisure.
Kids will love the performers, tasting local treats, and exploring hidden nooks, while parents can appreciate the historic significance: Faneuil Hall was a meeting hall for revolutionaries, earning its nickname the “Cradle of Liberty.”
Among the best free places to visit in Boston, this marketplace is a vibrant, hands-on way to enjoy the city, blending history, shopping, and entertainment in one iconic location.
Highlights:
🏛️ Historic Faneuil Hall, birthplace of revolutionary ideas
🎭 Street performers and interactive entertainment for kids
🍔 Wide variety of food stalls and local treats
🛍️ Shops offering souvenirs and Boston-themed gifts
🏨 Family-Friendly, Affordable Hotels Near Boston Attractions
Stay close to Boston’s top kid-friendly sights without breaking the bank, with comfortable hotels perfect for families on the go.
- Hyatt Place Boston / Seaport District: Modern and spacious, this Seaport hotel is steps from the Children’s Museum, Harborwalk, and Tea Party Ships. Free breakfast makes mornings easy for families.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center: Budget-friendly with an indoor pool, this hotel is near the South End and just a short ride to Boston Common and the Public Garden. Breakfast included.
- Seaport Hotel Boston: Waterfront hotel with welcoming, spacious rooms. Walk to kid-approved attractions and relax at the indoor pool after a busy sightseeing day.
- The Godfrey Hotel Boston: Stylish and central in Downtown Crossing, perfect for families exploring Boston Common, the Theater District, and the Freedom Trail. Family-friendly rooms make it easy to unwind.
- Kimpton Marlowe Hotel: Playful boutique across the Charles River near the Museum of Science. Kids enjoy games, bikes, and hula hoops; parents love the comfort and location.
- Copley Square Hotel: Historic boutique hotel near the Public Garden and shops. Cozy, affordable, and a welcoming base for family adventures.
- Boston Omni Parker House: Historic charm on the Freedom Trail – where Boston Cream Pie was invented! Central location puts Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and iconic landmarks within walking distance.
All of these hotels are family-friendly, centrally located, and close to Boston’s cultural attractions, like museums, historic landmarks, and green spaces, so families can explore Boston with ease and peace of mind.
Boston proves that a family trip doesn’t have to choose between fun and learning – you get both in one city. From playful museums to historic landmarks, these ethical, family-friendly attractions are among the best places to visit in Boston with kids.
Whether you’re strolling the Freedom Trail, riding Swan Boats, or tossing “tea” into the harbor, these Boston attractions guarantee an adventure your family won’t forget.
Planning to visit multiple top attractions in Boston? The Explorer Pass helps you save up to 50% – a smart choice for families seeking to maximize their time and budget while exploring the city’s highlights.
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