Boston / VT August

Old Jul 26th, 2017, 10:39 AM
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Boston / VT August

Hi everyone!

We are headed north to escape the TX heat, hallelujah, and meet up with family. It is me, hub, and two kids (boy 12 and girl 8) - meeting up with family (all ages) in VT for 3 nights at Sterling Ridge Resort in Jeffersonville, VT and then just the four of us going on to Boston for 3 nights.

I'm leaving a large part of the VT part of the trip open, since we will be with family, but would love some tips and also feedback on fleshing out the Boston portion of the trip.

Here's the itinerary:
Sat Aug 12 - arrive 4PM Burlington; we are staying one night there.
Sun Aug 13 - Burlington waterfront bike path in the AM. Think this will be doable for a while for my 8 year old ? She rides but isn't so great on hills. PM - head to Jeffersonville.
We will be staying at the resort for 3 nights. Plan on hiking Mt Mansfield, trip to Ben & Jerry's, kayaking at the resort, whatever outdoor activities appeal to the family at the time. I suspect the novelty of being outside in August and not melting will translate into a lot of kayaking / hiking / exploring. Any specific tips during this time - can't miss?

Wed Aug 16 - the 4 of us leave for Boston. Stop in Lex / Concord or do you have other suggestions? What about Salem - worth a stop for some creepy witch trial history?
7PM Red Sox tickets that night

Thurs Aug 17 - 11AM - 1:30 Off the Eaten Path food tour of North End (booked); PM Duck Tour
Fri, Aug 18 - Harvard (Cambridge tour - free tours by foot? or suggestions); Freedom Trail (although I think this will be mainly meandering / checking out sights and eating dinner)

My husband said something about Boston Tea Party / tall ships... he is unclear what he was looking at when he saw that - and I have seen a thing or two about boat cruises... is this worthwhile given a Duck Tour is likely ?

Sat - we leave at noon
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 12:15 PM
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Since you will be at Ben and Jerry's, also drive a little farther to Stowe and visit the Von Trapp Lodge. Just before you get to the lodge, stop at their new Bierhall, great for lunch. Also visit the picturesque village of Stowe. Try to avoid going to Ben and Jerry's on weekends due to large crowds.
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 01:47 PM
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The bike path should be ok for your daughter.

If you go to Stowe after Ben and Jerry's, you will pass the Cold Hollow Cider Mill with good cider donuts
There is also a glass blowing studio

Boston tea party museum link:
https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/
It has been re-done recently and looks interesting for kids.

There is a Black Heritage trail in Boston in the Beacon Hill area in addition to the Freedom trail
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 03:28 PM
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USS Constitution is back at Charlestown Navy yard. It is well worth a visit. Bunker Hill and lunch at Warren's tavern. I love Lexington and Concord.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2017, 06:31 PM
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Ahhhh not sure why I do this to myself but just checked the weather forecast and it's not good... and getting uglier. We are in VT 8/12-8/16 and Boston 8/16-8/19. Looks like rain 50-60% for the duration. UGH any advice if it's a washout?? Most of what we planned was outdoorsy ... ugh.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2017, 12:50 AM
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New England weather forecasts change from day to day. Traditionally it's a good weather period in NH. Our small town has an outdoor parade and fun in the park day same weekend in August every year. I can't remember last time it rained to dampen things. August is the month for outdoor events.
Just looked at another family's vacation photos and working on a jig saw puzzle was part of their fun. We used to do that. Everyone would work on it. Leave the puzzle set up. Learn some card games if you don't know some already.

Last year we had an outdoor party that included several children. I offered indoor tv because of the drizzle. Another mom said let the kids keep playing outside. The drizzle wasn't bothering them. They rode bikes and stacked pieces of scrap lumber (under age 5). There's a Michael's craft store in Burlington. Have the kids choose some craft or science kits to make. Making slime has been very popular with our grandkids. Check to see if there are any indoor summer theater for children. Try geocaching (see website for easy to find caches in an area). There's a new painted rock fad going around the country, see if it's happening in the Burlington area. If not, maybe paint some rocks and leave them someplace for someone to find.

If it is not pouring rain (like last night) follow our basic rule: it won't be too hot, it won't be too dusty, and it probably won't be too crowded.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2017, 03:31 AM
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Thanks! I think checking weather and freaking out about it is a standard part of my pre-vacation process. I just checked again today and it's improved quite a bit, so I'll chill. I will grab a couple of puzzles just in case, we always take cards anyway, and I will have your list handy!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2017, 04:25 AM
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Weather in Boston can change if you wait 5 minutes.
As far as Boston area goes, there are sufficient indoor places of interest should the rain be too heavy for pleasant strolling. Lexington has a tavern/house museum to visit. Concord has a museum and the writers' houses. An 8 year old girl might like Louisa May Alcott's house. Read Little Women before coming. Boston also has a science museum and an aquarium, as well as the romantic Gardner palace with its beautiful indoor central garden (little girls find the Romeo and Juliet feeling fun), a large fine arts museum nearby, and a contemporary art museum with a spectacular harbor view. Harvard has art museums and the unique glass flowers. There is an excellent small hands on science museum in Acton (near Concord). IMO the Salem witch offerings on Salem are tacky, but there is the PEM with interesting exhibits, including those dealing with the China trade (and a full Chinese house to walk thru). The Rebecca Nurse house (one of the accused witches)) is in nearby Danvers.
Enjoy your trip.
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