Nantucket with kids: Shearwater Excursions Harbor Cruise

A great introduction to island boat cruises for families, Nantucket’s Ice Cream Harbor Cruise is operated by family-run Shearwater Excursions. Only one hour in length aboard the adorable Minke, the harbor cruise departs from Straight Wharf multiple times daily in the summer season, and true to its name, it includes ice cream! More importantly, it takes you past the harbor and around the coast to … [Read more...]

Summer in the Berkshires: Tanglewood Amphitheater

An afternoon or evening spent enjoying live music in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Tanglewood is a great addition to any family vacation in western Massachusetts. Tanglewood is located in the picturesque town of Lenox in the heart of the Berkshires. On a recent visit, we packed our cooler with sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, and strawberry shortcake and picnicked the night … [Read more...]

The New England Aquarium and Boston Children’s Museum

Both The New England Aquarium and the Boston Children’s Museum are perfect half-day activities, especially if the day in question is as cold and rainy as ours was! We decided to spend one afternoon at each, and could have easily spent more time! My nephew and niece joined us for our time in Boston, so we had kids aged 8 months to 12 years touring both attractions. We loved the aquarium … [Read more...]

Boston with kids: walking the Freedom Trail

A must-do when visiting Boston with kids, the Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads to 16 historic sites, every one an important piece of the road to American freedom. I've heard of families worrying this tour would be too dull for kids, but we didn't find that to be true at all! Not every site garners kids' full attention, but it's ok to gloss over a few in order to fully … [Read more...]

Boston with kids: Boston Duck Tours

Before visiting Boston, I kept hearing about Boston Duck Tours, and how it was a must-do with kids. Turns out, their reputation precedes them for a reason! This tour is the perfect way to gain an overview of the city while the kids (and adults) are highly entertained. The fun begins as soon as you board your 'duck', a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle, and are introduced to your … [Read more...]

Boston with kids: a stay at Marriott’s Custom House

Marriott's Custom House is hands down the most unique Marriott Vacation Club property I've ever seen. Originally built in 1847 as a--you guessed it--custom house for 1/5th of the world's wealth brought in at the busy harbor, the hotel is one of the most impressive historical buildings in all of Boston, and yet its one-of-a-kind features are seamlessly integrated with Marriott Vacation Club's … [Read more...]

Best Beach Towns: What to do with kids in Nantucket, MA

It's no secret that Nantucket, Massachusetts is a destination beach town for families. It's been listed in the same breath as Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod as a premiere summer playground for decades. We were lucky enough to see this idyllic island getaway from a local's perspective, and suggest the following activities, beaches, and shops for families visiting with kids (some may surprise … [Read more...]

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

198 Purgatory Rd. Sutton MA This pit stop submitted by Pit Stops for Kids reader Sonia Beshiri. Thank you, Sonia, for your submission! Purgatory Chasm State Park runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet (just outside of Sutton, MA). It's a great place to climb natural rock formations, and it's completely free! There are trails as well. You just need your … [Read more...]