Boston is a top-notch family destination, with tons of activities that appeal to children and relatively few that don't. Every hotel and most restaurants in the area have extensive experience meeting kids' needs.
At most hotels, children (usually under 18, sometimes under 12) stay free in their parent's hotel room when using existing bedding. Most hotels charge for cots, and some charge for cribs. Always ask whether the hotel you're considering has special offers for families. Many hotels offer family packages that include a room or a suite, breakfast, and parking, plus discount coupons for museums and restaurants. Some discount the price of a kid's room that adjoins the parent's; at others, a suite may give you as much space as -- and cost less than -- two standard rooms.
The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 888/SEE-BOSTON; www.bostonusa.com) sells a Kids Love Boston guide ($5) filled with travel information for families.
Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an online magazine that provides travel tips; and TravelWithYourKids.com (www.travelwithyourkids.com), a comprehensive site written by parents for parents offering sound advice for long-distance and international travel with children.
The Unofficial Guide to New England & New York with Kids (Wiley Publishing, Inc.), a Frommer's publication, and Frommer's 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up are excellent family resources.
