# What to do with a family in Boston for an afternoon? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106 "2012-06-05T02:00:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/1 "2012-06-05T02:00:50Z")
I’ll soon be traveling with a family of 5 (wife, kids aged 9 to 15) to Boston, arriving around 1:00 pm at Logan. We will have just traveled all night so we won’t be up for any extensive sight seeing, but I was thinking there might be SOMETHING that wouldn’t be taxing we could see in such an historic city in an afternoon. It will be a Friday afternoon and our hotel is about 1/2 hour of Boston in Peabody. We drive out of there the next day for the rest of our vacation. I’ve heard about the walking tours, which are an option. I’ve also sort of looked at maybe going to the USS Constitution. Any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/2 "2012-06-05T03:04:34Z")
I’d start with the [Boston Common](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Common) (there’s an inexpensive parking garage beneath it for I think $11) and just enjoy a stroll, maybe see the [Public Garden](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Garden_(Boston)). I say that, because it can be a short walk, and if the kids get bored, you can easily walk east from the Common, across Tremont Street to Washington Street. Washington Street is closed to foot traffic only, and it’s a nice stroll, with lots of old shops and theaters (and Old South Meeting House), and heading north on it will eventually bring you to [Fanueil Hall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanueil_Hall), with all the street performers and tons of shops and restaurants. (Go north on Washington until it ends at State Street, then turn right on State, then left on Congress Street, down the hill a little bit, and Fanueil Hall will be across Congress, can’t miss it, and there’ll be a ton of people heading there with you). Really, you could do the Common to Fanueil walk in about 15 minutes, if determined. Another nice thing about it is that China Town is also off Washington, but instead of having headed north after crossing from the Common, just head south a block, and you’ll see it. If you’re still up for sightseeing after Fanueil Hall, just keep going NE and you’ll get to the North End, which really can’t be beat. Here’s a google [map](http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1CHFA_enUS484US484&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D4&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=boston+common+garden&fb=1&gl=us&hq=boston+common+garden&cid=0,0,18413468510536395221&ei=LXPNT8vdE-316AHDkqER&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=8&ved=0CBgQ_BIwBw) (Washington Street is located where Downtown Crossing is labeled). Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/3 "2012-06-05T03:12:22Z")
Forgot to mention that the Constitution is only open until [6](http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/plan/), so if you land in Logan at 1, then I kinda doubt you’ll have much time to enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/4 "2012-06-05T03:33:23Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Forgot to mention that the Constitution is only open until [6](http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/plan/), so if you land in Logan at 1, then I kinda doubt you’ll have much time to enjoy it. If I remember correctly, they do guided tours of the Constitution, so you don’t have the option to linger as long as you like, anyway. As long as you’re in line in time for the last tour, you’re okay. I seem to remember a small museum to go along with it, and it’s a nice area to walk the grounds of the old navy yard; that’s where you might run out of time. There will be a line to get on the ship. Don’t know how your kids will be with standing in line, especially if everyone is tired from the flight. There’s a very good science museum. You can probably find their hours online and a description of the exhibits to see if it’s something you and the family would like in the time you have. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/5 "2012-06-05T10:48:53Z")
Do a Duck Tour. [http://www.bostonducktours.com/](http://www.bostonducktours.com/) You get to see a lot of the city, it’s fun, and if you or the kids fall asleep during it, it’s no big deal. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/6 "2012-06-05T11:31:58Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > Do a Duck Tour. [http://www.bostonducktours.com/](http://www.bostonducktours.com/) > > You get to see a lot of the city, it’s fun, and if you or the kids fall asleep during it, it’s no big deal. 😃 That’s a great idea! ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/7 "2012-06-05T15:22:03Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > Do a Duck Tour. [http://www.bostonducktours.com/](http://www.bostonducktours.com/) > > You get to see a lot of the city, it’s fun, and if you or the kids fall asleep during it, it’s no big deal. 😃 This looks very promising! I will definitely keep this one in mind. Any Boston natives have an opinion on whether this is a nice way to see some of the sites? My only hesitation with this is if we just do a quick drive by on some of the sites, like the Old North Church (where we only get to see the steeple) and Bunker Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/8 "2012-06-05T15:26:27Z")
From my sadly too brief visits to Boston, the phrase “quick drive by” seems unlikely. I’d suggest driving in, parking & driving out again. There are tons of interesting places to walk in the historical area–and that duck tour looks like fun… ---
**Author:** ![AqualungBats5th](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AqualungBats5th](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AqualungBats5th)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/9 "2012-06-05T15:31:13Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > It will be a Friday afternoon and our hotel is about 1/2 hour of Boston in Peabody. Dude, sorry, but no. On a Friday afternoon there’s no way it’s only going to take you a half hour to get to Boston from Peabody. That said, gonna second **Robot Arm** ’s suggestion for the Science Museum. The aquarium is pretty great too. All of the Freedom Trail sites that others have suggested in this thread should be explored on foot. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/10 "2012-06-05T15:33:24Z")
The Duck tour is a great way to enjoy an afternoon in Boston, especially if it’s a nice day. If it’s nasty weather it’s much less fun. But you get to see the sites (no, you don’t do much more than a drive by) and see the city from the Charles. If you use the Museum of Science as the boarding point you can then visit the museum or walk along the Esplanade when you’re done. It’s not really a far walk or a short T ride from there to Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market or the Common. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/11 "2012-06-05T15:37:36Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The Duck tour is a great way to enjoy an afternoon in Boston, especially if it’s a nice day. If it’s nasty weather it’s much less fun. But you get to see the sites (no, you don’t do much more than a drive by) and see the city from the Charles. If you use the Museum of Science as the boarding point you can then visit the museum or walk along the Esplanade when you’re done. It’s not really a far walk or a short T ride from there to Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market or the Common. Luckily, with Friday-afternoon traffic the “drive-by” will be quite slow, with lots of time to eyeball the sight and for the driver to give his/her spiel about it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/12 "2012-06-05T15:47:59Z")
The only problem with the duck boats is that the lines are hellishly long. I tried to go on one on Labor Day once, and gave up when I realized that I’d be in line for over 2 hours. I second the idea of the public garden/Quincy Market. And the Aquarium is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Brewah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/53a042/32.png) [@Brewah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brewah)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/13 "2012-06-05T15:58:25Z")
The Aquarium and Science Museum are always fun. And you might consider heading straight up to Salem (right next door to your hotel in Peabody). Driving out of Boston is not very much fun on a Friday afternoon, especially in the summer - although I am usually fighting Cape traffic to the South. Salem has a ton of history on its own, with a lot to do [for everyone in your family](http://salem.org/advertisers/C8) . ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/14 "2012-06-05T16:18:19Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The only problem with the duck boats is that the lines are hellishly long. I tried to go on one on Labor Day once, and gave up when I realized that I’d be in line for over 2 hours. > > I second the idea of the public garden/Quincy Market. And the Aquarium is amazing. I always buy tickets in advance, and show up 20-30 minutes before departure time. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/15 "2012-06-05T16:21:17Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > I always buy tickets in advance, and show up 20-30 minutes before departure time. That’s a good idea. When I did it it was pretty spur of the moment. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/16 "2012-06-06T01:59:29Z")
> [@Brewah](#): > > The Aquarium and Science Museum are always fun. And you might consider heading straight up to Salem (right next door to your hotel in Peabody). Driving out of Boston is not very much fun on a Friday afternoon, especially in the summer - although I am usually fighting Cape traffic to the South. > > Salem has a ton of history on its own, with a lot to do [for everyone in your family](http://salem.org/advertisers/C8) . Thanks! There looks like there might be fun some stuff for us to do the next day before we head out. I will have to check some of this out for certain. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/17 "2012-06-06T02:09:20Z")
> [@AqualungBats5th](#): > > Dude, sorry, but no. On a Friday afternoon there’s no way it’s only going to take you a half hour to get to Boston from Peabody. > > That said, gonna second **Robot Arm** ’s suggestion for the Science Museum. The aquarium is pretty great too. > > All of the Freedom Trail sites that others have suggested in this thread should be explored on foot. I’m very familiar with big city traffic. I mentioned the time and distance only to point out that we aren’t staying in Boston proper. I’m a little hesitant to go see the museum only because I’m not sure it is something that would really be “Boston”, if that makes any sense. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/18 "2012-06-06T13:45:02Z")
The Museum of Fine Arts has a fantastic collection. The State House is an impressive building with lots of history. The JFK Presidential Library and Museum has recently updated its exhibits and is also worth a look. > **[Museum of Fine Arts Boston](https://www.mfa.org/)** > > More than 100 galleries of art make the Museum of Fine Arts one of the top things to do in Boston and one of the best art museums in the world. [http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/massachusettshouse.asp](http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/massachusettshouse.asp) [http://www.jfklibrary.org/](http://www.jfklibrary.org/) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/19 "2012-06-06T13:58:42Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > I’m a little hesitant to go see the museum only because I’m not sure it is something that would really be “Boston”, if that makes any sense. Then we’re back to the Common, Public Garden, and Quincy Market. It doesn’t get much more “Boston” than that. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106/20 "2012-06-06T14:12:08Z")
Well, a Red Sox game for a family of five would cost about $6 million, and, although it’s an awesome experience, you wouldn’t really see Boston. I’ve done the Freedom Trail and I would highly recommend that. I haven’t done the Duck Tour, but I heard good things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-family-in-boston-for-an-afternoon/624106.md?page=2)