Family Fun: Boston in Winter

Photo by Werner Kunz

Although it might not be one of the most commonly cited cities for family vacations, Boston can still boast of numerous attractions highlighting both its past and its present. Better still, many of these attractions remain as viable and as interesting during the winter as they do during warmer times of the year, making Boston a good place for families to visit during wintertime.

Here are some of the best indoor and outdoor attractions to be found in Boston during the winter:

Boston Children's Museum

Founded to help educate kids about both the arts and sciences, it should as no surprise to learn that the Boston Children's Museum is meant to be both educational and entertaining. Example attractions at the museum include both an exhibit showcasing Boston's black community and a real two-story house brought over from Boston's sister-city of Kyoto. Other exhibits teach kids about science, the use of tools, and healthy eating habits.

Boston Museum of Science

Catering to a more mature audience but still remaining attractive to families with children, the Boston Museum of Science contains more than five hundred attractions plus daily live presentations, shows at the Planetarium, and shows in its Mugar Omni IMAX theater. Despite its intended nature, the Boston Museum of Science is also home to more than one hundred animals including birds, snakes, and tamarins. The museum also hosts exhibits about diverse topics ranging from dinosaurs to electricity and the functions of the human body.

Freedom Trail

Stretching 2.5 miles from Boston Common to the museum ship USS Constitution, the Freedom Trail is a brick path that leads to sixteen historic sites in the heart of Boston. Although some of the sites require admission fees or ask for small donations, most of the sixteen are available to the public at no charge.

Sites on the Freedom Trail include a number that are important in American history, including both the site of the Boston Massacre, the Paul Revere House, and the preserved USS Constitution.

Freedom Trail wizzer2801 on Flickr

Kennedy Plaza

Renamed in 1964 to honor John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Plaza is a hub for a number of public transportation companies, including but not limited to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority plus both the Peter Pan and Greyhound bus lines. As such, the Kennedy Plaza is an excellent place to go for individuals traveling around the local region.

During the winter, Kennedy Plaza also doubles as a skating space that is twice the area of the ice rink in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza. Admission is cheap at $6 for adults and $3 for either children or seniors, while skates can be rented at $4 a pair.

New England Aquarium

Situated next to the Atlantic Ocean, the New England Aquarium is home to a dazzling array of water-bound species. Its main attraction is the Giant Ocean Tank, which is set up so that visitors can view the content from all angles. Designed to simulate Caribbean reef conditions, the Giant Ocean Tank contains rare species such as sharks, stingrays, eels, and sea turtles. The New England Aquarium is also home to a penguin exhibit, an Animal Medical Center open to the public, plus a number of galleries simulating conditions in various aquatic ecosystems.  

Families who either live in or are simply visiting Boston are spoiled by the choice in attractions. No matter their tastes and preferences, there is something available in Boston for all families.