We had a great vacation seeing America first.
We stayed in the Financial District of Boston at the Langham Hotel, a very fancy and posh hotel that I found via Travelocity. I then booked on my own after using them as a research tool. For $240 a night we got a super elegant hotel that had a swimming pool and all health club amenities from weights to jacuzzi. That price included free WIFI which no one else seemed to offer and $61 towards 2 adult breakfasts in the hotel. I had paid $200 a night in Washington, DC for a similar package and found Boston to be more expensive. Since I now require a hotel with a pool for my son, I do have to spend more. Other hotels were asking almost $100 more for the same package. I will say for the $40 more per night in Boston vs DC, the level of elegance was quite extraordinary. I think we got lucky because it was Labor Day weekend, I could see this hotel costing double at more popular times of the year.
Location wise, being in the Financial District, we were able to walk to almost all the sites we wanted to see. That was an extra, we only took cabs 1 day and that was because my Boston University Freshman niece was across town and my spouse refused to take the subway, or “T” since he hates doing that when he has to go to work.
The other thing I want to remember to say is hit the ground running. After we landed, we checked in, unpacked quickly, and ran out of the hotel. This way you do not lose the first day and let it become solely a travel day. That is usually how you lose the last day of your vacation.
Yes, we flew. Last year my son freaked out and would not get on the plane to Disney. We were completely taken by surprise. This year we thought, since we were about to lose all our airline credit, we would try a short flight. Thankfully, he walked right on. Therapy, electronics bribery, whatever I could think of, all worked. I hope that is the end of it (I know, no guarantees with kids!).
We basically did 90% of the trip for our son. My spouse did want to do more of the Freedom Trail, I wanted to see Harvard again, but we had enough whining from the kid with what bit of walking he had to do.
Re the sites, whatever we were doing, the Science Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Aquarium, my son spent almost all day at each site. We are just happy we could give him an awesome vacation. It’s not that we are martyrs, but we have already done a lot of traveling before he was born and just to see how much fun he has, makes us happy.
Lastly, the biggest highlight, was dinner at the oldest restaurant in Boston. We have just discovered Mad Libs and I purchased a Patriotic version in Boston at the Borders going out of business sale – oh yes, the discount shopping never stops! One page of the Mad Libs had my son laughing so hard that half the restaurant staff was smiling just to hear his hearty guffaw. Without knowing what we were setting up, we ended up translating G.O.P. and came up with Greasy Obese Pimples. My son was hysterical and still laughs about it today! Boy, I do love that kid of mine!
Disclosure – No museum or hotel discounts on this trip.
I love reading your write-ups. This one was especially fun to read. It sounds like you had quite the vacation. I went on a vacation to Boston with my parents when I was a kid and I had a ball. I’m sure your son will always reflect fondly upon this trip. Thank you for sharing your story & photos with us.
PS Love the transcription for G.O.P. Too funny!