Plan my vacation :) (Boston, Andover, Lexington: amusement park, school, live)

[Sweetbottoms]

We are heading up in Sept (end) thru Oct and we will be coming with our 4 almost 5 year old. We plan on The Boston Childrens Museum and Aquarium. I'm more familiar with NH since we lived there than Mass on what to do but I don't wanna keep crossing the boarder over and over. We will be staying in North Andover.

What else? I'm sure there's lots but what do you enjoy doing with your child? Train rides, places of interest etc.. Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!

[Bob Lanata]

When you are in Boston, those Duck tours are a blast for all ages. You go in an old military landing craft that drives you to some historical and notable areas, then it takes you into the Charles River. You are also asked to yell "QUACK QUACK" as you pass other Duck tours. I am a Boston Boy and really enjoyed that one.

[missionhill]

My six-year old got bored and cranky on the duck tour-- it's good for adults but long and slow for children. The water part is fun but it's hardly an amusement park ride; the boat eases into the water very gently. Right in Boston I'd take them for a ride on the Riverside line or the Cleveland Circle line along Beacon St-- they'll love the streetcars. At Cleveland Circle you can visit the water works museum-- it's fun, the mechanical equipment is fantastic, and there's a good short video. For more authentic 1940s vintage streetcars try the Mattapan line, Ashmont to Mattapan, which has scenic stretches along the Neponset river. Everyone visits the public garden and the duckling statues. Take him/her on one of the harbor ferries-- one of the T ferries runs between Boston and Charlestown-- very scenic, short, and fun things to do at each end. On a weekend day in October you can take the commercial passenger ferries (for a higher price) out to the harbor islands-- Georges with its fort is especially good. Everyone likes Castle Island too, which is the eastern tip of South Boston and has a nice playground, beach with water, grass & trees, food... Mass Audubon runs an excellent farm operation out in Lincoln, Drumlin Farm--beautiful place, geared to children, nice for young and old. Apple picking will be on then at some of the orchards out that way-- Berlin, Harvard, Bolton... Acton I've heard has a good children's museum. In Lexington the NPS runs an excellent multimedia presentation at the Battle Road visitor center of the Minuteman National Historical Park, and from there into Concord is a scenic historic path that recreates the "Battle Road" of April 18, 1775.

[luvmyhoss]

Swan boat on the common

[magicshark]

I second apple picking. It is a lot of fun with kids that age. Honeypot Orchards in Stow is almost always crowded but it's still fun for the little ones. I am sure there are lots more in that area.

[brightdoglover]

Mac's Apples in Londonderry (known to OP in NH) seems to have a quite a nice family visit operation, including picking and farm stand, hayrides, and so forth. Check their web page for details (I am not associated, just am familiar). Best wishes on the visit!

[RescueAPet]

Have you also checked out Trip Advisor Boston forum? I planned our vacation/grad school visits for our daughter last August. We loved Boston! She chose to get her Master's at Tufts Occupational Therapy school. Now we get to visit again...and again!

[Sweetbottoms]

wow u guys thanks! Great ideas I'm gonna check all this out. Its such a funny age because you never know whats gonna grab them and what might bore them! Keep them coming you guys are great!