What Neighborhoods to Stay In Around Boston With Kids – including the North End, Faneuil Hall, and the Fenway.
I definitely recommend that families make at least one trip to my home state of Massachusetts and our lovely capital city of Boston. There is so much to do in Boston with kids – including museums, historic attractions, and of course, Fenway Park.
If you are planning a trip to Boston, you may be wondering what neighborhoods to stay in around Boston. There are so many options depending on what you plan to do on your trip. Here our my thoughts on the best places to stay in Boston with kids.
(I have stayed in a few hotels in Boston over the years at no cost for review. All opinions are my own).
What Neighborhoods to Stay In Around Boston
The Seaport District
The Seaport District is one of Boston’s newest neighborhoods, and so it’s constantly evolving. My son and I stayed at the Element Boston Hotel a few months ago, and loved the amount of space we had in our room. Families may find more affordable accommodations in the Seaport, and it’s located near the Boston Children’s Museum.
Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to take cabs to get around the rest of the city however, since there isn’t much in the way of public transportation in the area. It’s an area that is constantly changing however, and there are new hotels and restaurants constantly popping up.
If you are taking a cruise out of the Flynn Cruiseport Terminal in Boston, this may be a nice place to stay before or after your cruise. While it won’t necessarily be walking distance to your hotel, it is pretty close.
Cambridge
Cambridge isn’t technically Boston, but it’s located right over the Charles River. There are plenty of great restaurants and shops in the various Cambridge neighborhoods, but it’s definitely less touristy than other areas in and around Boston.
Be sure to visit Harvard University during your Boston family vacation. The Boston Museum of Science is also located right nearby. Even if you don’t stay in Cambridge, it’s worth visiting for a day. It’s so close to Boston, but it’s also got such a different feel. Public transportation easily will get you from Boston to Cambridge (and back) so it’s very convenient.
Faneuil Hall/North End
Faneuil Hall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Boston, although the whole area (including Quincy Market) does tend to resemble a shopping mall. Bordered by the Boston waterfront, the Financial District, and the North End (the Italian neighborhood of Boston), it can be a great neighborhood to stay in around Boston.
It’s such a central location, making it very convenient. We loved our stay at the Bostonian Hotel, which is walking distance from many Boston tourist attractions. In addition, public transportation is easily accessible in this area.
Also near Faneuil Hall and the North End is the Boston waterfront, where you’ll find some popular waterfront hotels like the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Marriott Long Wharf. In the summer, this can be an absolutely beautiful spot to stay in, and it’s convenient to the New England Aquarium and the ferry terminal for the Boston Harbor Islands.
Faneuil Hall is close to both Boston’s North Station and South Station, so if you are coming in by train, it will be a short ride by cab or rideshare. Guests staying in this area will probably find that they won’t need a car for most places they visit, because public transportation is a good option.
Back Bay/Copley
The Back Bay and Copley area is located near a variety of hotels, thanks to the Copley Plaza, Hynes Convention Center, the Boston Public Garden, and Newbury Street.
It’s so convenient to public transportation, so you can easily take the T to just about anywhere you’ll want to go. If you want to be in the center of town, the Back Bay neighborhood is definitely a great option. It’s one of the best neighborhoods in Boston.
This area contains some of the city’s best luxury hotels, including the Taj Boston, the Four Seasons, and the Ritz Carlton. These three hotels surround the Boston Common/Public Garden, so you are likely to have a great view from your room.
The Theater District
Right near the Back Bay/Copley area is the Theater District. Named for the number of theaters in the area, this is a great place to stay if you want easy access to the Boston Public Garden as well as all of the wonderful live theater we have in the city.
In the past, this wasn’t necessarily the most kid-friendly area, but there definitely have been some improvements. Make sure that you check hotel reviews before booking.
Fenway
Do you have baseball fans in your family? The Fenway neighborhood, which is also located near Boston University, is located right near the park. There’s also a fabulous baseball-themed suite located in Kenmore Square, for a special stay. The Fenway/Kenmore Square area is also near the Back Bay, Newbury Street, and the new Time Out Boston Market and is located on public transportation.
Neighboring Suburbs
Some families find that it’s much less expensive to stay in local suburbs, rather than right in the city. Some options include Natick (home to the Natick Mall – the largest mall in New England), Waltham, Burlington, and Newton. Another hotspot is Somerville, MA, where you’ll be near the Legoland Discovery Center.
These towns/cities may have some public transportation options, but they are definitely less convenient than the city hotels. However, they can definitely be a great option if you are on a budget. I would definitely recommend having a car if you do stay in a suburb.