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1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
617-723-2500
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There are over 500 different exhibits here, all dedicated to bringing the world of science and technology alive to its visitors. From the domed IMAX theater, to the replica of a T-rex that dominates one of the halls here to a section of the museum dedicated to flora, fauna, and wildlife native to New England, this museum gives a kid-friendly look at physical world. There are plenty of interactive displays as well, making it one of Boston’s most popular museums for families. Plus, all the high-tech gadgets on display here make it a nice balance to city’s historical treasures.
New England Aquarium
Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-973-5200
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Since it opened its doors in 1969, this marine menagerie has consistently ranked among Boston’s most popular attractions, and today it hosts well over a million visitors annually. Inside, there are nearly 2,000 different aquatic animals on display, ranging from the familiar to the exotic and back again. Two of the most popular sections of the museum are decidedly non-fishy. First, the 150,000 gallon penguin exhibit features some of the more exotic varieties of this beloved bird, like the African Penguin, and the mini-sized Little Blues, which come in at only about eight inches high and weigh barely two pounds apiece. Another crowd pleaser here at the Aquarium is the seal exhibit, where the daily feedings and exercise sessions are free to the public.
Rowe's Wharf/Long Wharf
Just east of Faneuil Hall
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From its earliest days, the fortunes of Boston have been tied to the sea, and no trip to the city would be complete without a tour around the Harbor and a walk along the waterfront. Though the port was once a hub of international shipping, it now hosts mostly pleasure boats. Plus, it’s gaining popularity with cruise ships, hosting nearly quarter of a million passengers a year. The highlights along the waterfront are many, including the lovely Rowe’s Wharf and the World Trade Center Complex. However, probably the center of attention at the water’s edge is Long Wharf, which has been in operation since 1710. Here, you can purchase tickets for a harbor cruise, or eat at one of the many seafood restaurants that surround the pier.
Boston Children's Museum
300 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617- 426-6500
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At this waterfront center for the city's youngest visitors, you'll find creativehands-on exhibits that demonstrate scientific laws, cultural diversity, and problem solving. Some of the most popular stops are also the simplest: bubble-making machinery, the two-story climbing maze, and Boats Afloat, where children can float wooden objects down a 28-foot-long model of the Fort Point Channel.
Boston Duck Tours
1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-267-DUCK
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One tour that has become particularly popular in Boston is the Boston Duck Tours, which leave from both the Museum of Science and the Prudential Center in the Back Bay. These refurbished vehicles were first used to land troops and supplies back in World War II. Bus tours like the Old Town Trolleys are an efficient way to hit the city highlights, and many tour companies allow on-and-off privileges. This way, visitors can check out the sights that they’re most interested in and rejoin the tour when they’re ready.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
From South Dennis to Provincetown
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Starting about five miles south of Scargo Tower, this bike trail follows twenty-five miles of the old train route that ran from Boston all the way out to Provincetown on the tip of the Cape. It’s a great way to experience Cape Cod, and an even better way to work off some of that ice cream that you’ve been inhaling non-stop since you crossed the canal.
Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA 02121
Phone: 617-541-LION
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This 72-acre animal park has been in operation for nearly 100 years and is the largest zoo in all of New England. Franklin Park itself is the final link in Boston’s so-called Emerald Necklace, a chain of green spaces that runs throughout this part of the city. Highlights here at the zoo include a white tiger that was rescued from black marketers in 2006, and a realistically designed tropical habitat that is home to the zoo’s popular lowland gorillas.