We are taking the kids on a 2 week field trip very soon, like next week. My husband and I are debating about renting a car for the first part. We have never been to those areas of the east coast and aren't sure if we should rent a car or not. Our plan it to see Plymouth rock, no matter how small and caged in it is, Freedom Trail, Mayflower II, etc. Do we stay in a hotel downtown and walk or do we rent a car and drive in. How much is there to really do? And what other things do you suggest we do?
Same questions with Philly and Niagra Falls.
HELP!!!!
We WILL be renting a car to get from Boston and Philadelphia....obviously, but we didn't want everything in Boston to be so close that we just rent the car and pay to park it, as well.
We are flying to Niagra from NY and I have been there, but like 15 years ago, so it's the Canadian side all the way. I just didn't know if renting a car vs. a taxi from the Buffalo airport is a better idea.
We have 4 kids that travel like pros....ages 9 years, 5 years, 4 years and 11 months.
Wow-no answers-huh? The only thing I have heard is the United States side of Niagara Falls is awful compared to the Canada side. Sorry-I've been to Boston when I was a teenager but went to visit a friend so didn't do much of the common sight seeing things.
Good luck-maybe try again posting again.
Hi! You can get to Plymouth from Boston but it's a pain. If you go to Plimouth Plantation's website http://www.plimoth.org/ you will see a page on ways to get there and between the boat and village. Boston itself is very walkable and you would do better without a car than with. Boston is not a drivable or parkable city! Other places to consider visiting outside the city are Old Sturbridge Village and the National Park in Lowell. Lowell has so much to offer and you can take the commuter rail from Boston. Sturbridge has been and remains one of my kids favorite places but you definitely need a car to get there. Whether you get a car is really dependent on what you decide to do. You wouldn't need one for anything in the city. You can take the train to Salem or Lowell and with enough determination Plymouth. What kind of stuff do your kids like? Yesterday all you would have wanted was the beach!
Niagara is cool but what they say is true, the Canadian side is better than the American side so bring your passports if you have them.
Have fun!!!
Not sure how you are planning to get around without renting a car - I mean, you have to somehow get between Boston, Philly and Niagra Falls and obviously they are hundreds of miles apart.
I would make sure you start calling some hotels and get some reservations in place, because sometimes we've tried to get something last minute and come to find out there is a convention in town, everything is booked, etc.
Can't comment much on Philadelphia, since I've never been there, but I would agree, the Canada side of Niagra Falls is fine, the American side is a bit more shady. Did live in Boston for a year and would agree, it's about an hour's drive to get to Plymouth and the historical sites there. As for Boston itself, you can check out the Freedom Trail, Fanuiel Hall, Old North Church. If you stay in downtown, most of the popular spots may be within walking distance depending on where you stay, but the "T" (Boston's subway system) makes it pretty easy to get around. If the Red Sox are in town, and you are interested, you could try getting tickets to a game, but most likely, they are all sold out, and you will have to pay a small fortune for decent seats through a ticket broker.
There is no other way to get to Plymouth Rock from Boston but to rent a car. It's an hour away by car via highway. I suppose you could technically take a bus or train to Plymouth, but that doesn't bring you anywhere near the historical sites and they're really designed for commuters, not tourists. There aren't many taxis in that area, so taking a cab from the bus to downtown where the Mayflower and the rock are isn't really feasible (technically it's doable, but it's a pain). So at least to get to Plymouth, you'll need a car. While seeing sights in Boston, you can use public transportation or walk, depending on where you're staying.
What is your general plan for each area? For example, how many days in Massachusetts, how many in upstate NY and how many in Philly?
I didn't read the other responses so I might be repeating here. We did Boston last summer when my son was 8. He LOVES it and can't wait to go back. It is more expensive to stay downtown (we stayed in Charlestown across the river) but you can walk or take a cab to most places you want to see so you won't need a car in Boston. We suggest taking the Duck Tour - which is awesome and the kids love it - and walking the Freedom trail will be great. It is a few miles long so you might only want to do part of it since the kids may not want to walk the whole thing. Definitely go to Boston Common, Quincy Market and, if you have time, the Aquarium. You don't say how much time you have in Boston but there is a lot more to do if you have time. If you like Baseball try to see a Red Sox game. I'm not a Red Sox fan but Fenway is an awesome old Stadium. You can do a stadium tour if you don't want to see a game. Bunker Hill is also a really cool place (and it is one end of the Freedom Trail).
Plymouth Rock is south of Boston and you would need a car to get there (there is probably a tour bus too). It probably make sense to go there the day you leave for Philly - go to Plymouth in the morning then continue south to Philly. Besides the Rock and the Mayflower you should check out Plimouth Plantation - which is a few miles away from the rock - you see replicas of where the Indians and Pilgrims lived and people are dressed up in costume.
Hope this helps. Have a fun trip!
Boston is a BLAST for families! There's the Children's Museum, the waterfront, the NE Aquarium and the Science Museum (definitely check out the lightening show). Don't miss a quiet ride on the Swan Boats in the Public Garden -- and feed the ducks while you're there (read "Make Way for Ducklings" to your 3 youngest before you go).
Although you won't need a car to make your way around the city, there are probably less expensive hotels outside of the city than in. Plymouth is about an hour south of Boston, as others have said. Depending on how long you plan to visit each location, you might consider staying someplace on the South Shore which is the group of cities & towns between Boston & Plymouth. Braintreee and Quincy (pronounced Quin-zee) would be good towns to consider.
If you're an outdoor family, you may also want to hike the Blue Hills (Canton) or spend an afternoon at Worlds' End (Hingham) or visit Arnold Arboretum (Boston -- but nowhere near downtown). We, too, love Old Sturbridge Village (about 1.25 to 1.5 hours west of Boston on the Pike).
There's so much to see and do. Skip Philly & Niagra Falls! Enjoy my hometown.
ETA: This was on Boston.com today and, although geared to college kids about to graduate, there may be some stuff here for families as well (honestly, I haven't looked at it): http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/must_see_boston/...
Well, I am a huge Red Sox fan so we would be heading to Fenway :) not sure if they are at home while you are there on vaca though, or if you and your family enjoy baseball.
Philadelphia is doable without a car, but it also depends on what you want to see. The liberty bell, constitution center, independence hall, etc are all easy to get to via public transit and then walking between them is really easy. Things like the zoo, the art museum, Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum are a little more challenging, but doable if you are willing to walk a little more or take the bus. If you could provide more detail about what you want to do and how long you are staying I could give you a better answer. How old are your children?
