<p>We’re going up to the Boston area for a family reunion this summer. Last year we did the Duck Tour which everyone loved. Most of the kids are teenagers or tweens. This year we were thinking about the Aquarium which we heard was wonderful, but is there anything else that we could do in a group that would be fun? Any suggestions most appreciated!</p>
<p>Our kids have enjoyed walking the Freedom Trail. There is much to see and do, and you can stop off at a restaurant for lunch, or do a little shopping in between historic places. We did this with them when they were young, and have done it again when they were in their teens and had studied more history. </p>
<p>If you have time to go just outside Boston, Salem is a very interesting place to visit, as is Plymouth–our family has enjoyed both!</p>
<p>You may want to visit the North End and find a pastry shop.</p>
<p>There is always Filene’s Basement with its famous bargains – but check beforehand as I believe they may be closing for renovations some time soon.</p>
<p>For a short and quiet diversion, take the Swan Boats on Boston Common.</p>
<p>Try a Whale Watch or Harbor Tour – they depart from near the Aquarium.</p>
<p>I can’t get my kids to enjoy it for long, but the Museum of Fine Arts is worth a visit. The kids especially like to see the Egyptian Mummies.</p>
<p>The Museum of Science might be worth considering. It also has an Omni Theater and Planetarium show.</p>
<p>When summer school is in session (late June to early August) Harvard Square in the evening teems with street performers in the evening.
Or you could take the family to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall and then rest on Boston Commons.
Some museums that might be fun for those not artistically inclined The Museum of Natural History at Harvard (dinosaurs, stuffed animals of all kinds, skeletons of whales); the museum also has a geology section and houses the famous glass flowers. The MIT museum has some really fun exhibits; the Museum of Science is very popular among children and tweens. The new Institute of Contemporary Art is also fun. </p>
<p>If you have a car: the De Cordova Museum in Lincoln has lots of outdoors sculptures. We’ve taken visitors there; it is not very far from Concord where you can visit Old North Bridge and get some history. Concord is also the place for Thoreau, Emerson. Nearby is Walden Pond, which is a popular swimming place, besides its fame as a philosophical/literary landmark.</p>
<p>In Salem, you can take the family to the Peabody Essex Museum. It contains an old Chinese house that was brought back several years ago, as well as displays of Korean art, and exhibits from the China trade. You could drive on to Gloucester and Rockport. Gloucester is the setting for A Perfect Storm and Rockport is an artist colony.</p>
<p>Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall is fun for that age group to just hang out, look around, eat, shop, etc</p>
<p>The Museum of Science is fantastic and very hands-on.</p>
<p>The aquarium is a blast - you could combine that with a game at Fenway Park. Both very accessible w/public transportation/train/subway. Faneil Hall is neat, but pretty pricey.</p>
<p>We all love the Museum of Science. I’m not nearly so keen on the Aquarium, maybe because last time I was there I was trying to keep track of too many small fry in the dark! You could also join the tourists at Harvard! (Just kidding!)</p>