My family of five plans to visit Boston and the Cape next summer. Actually, we're torn between the Cape, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Any advice on where to stay that's kid-friendly, but still has the character of some of the B&Bs that restrict children? My children will be 9, 8 and 3 at the time of our trip.

Are you looking for hotel reservations or places? What do you like? What is your price range? Your question is kind of vague, unfortunately.

I vote for the Cape. We stayed there a few summers ago......when our kids were 3 and 4. Try The Cove at Yarmouth, which is in West Yarmouth. They had and indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, and an indoor play area for kids with a lot of Fisher Price/Little Tikes type of toys. There was an outdoor swing set and a grill. It was much more modern than most other places. Martha's vineyard, etc. seem more quaint, not exactly kid friendly. If you drive up the Cape, there is a drive-in movie theater. We enjoyed it. We had to pay to go to the beach, though.......we're not used to that. Have fun!

Cape, MV, or Nantucket all have different things to offer, but I would vote for Cape with kids that age. Granted, it is difficult to find "character"/B&Bs that the kids would enjoy - you may have to save that for when they are older. As a parent, I find if the kids are occupied or interested, I can actually enjoy my vacation. While on the Cape with our kids, we try to rent a cottage so we have more space and kitchen facilities, since eating out with kids gets not only tiresome but expensive. The near end of the Cape (Sandwich area) has more character but less to do for kids (wonderful antique shops and quaint villages) while the mid-Cape (Dennis, Yarmouth, Hyannis) has more tacky stuff that kids love (lots of mini-golf, more kid-friendly restaurants). The farther you go out on the Cape, the bigger the beaches are. (Eastham, Truro, Wellfleet).

In 1998, we went to Boston, the Cape AND Martha's Vineyard. In Boston, you should absolutely stay near Newberry Street - there is shopping, several ice cream shops (Ben and Jerry's and Emack and Bolio's) and restaurants. Museums are nearby; Cambridge is close. DO NOT THINK OF DRIVING A CAR. you will get lost - over and over. We stayed in the BackBay Hilton, which was just fine (4 to the room).

In Martha's Vineyard, we stayed at the Island Inn in Oak Bluffs. It was touted by all the guide books as very family oriented. It was a dump and we were 1-2 miles from Oak Bluffs, a small town - no car - not the best setup with kids. There was a shuttle bus, but if we did it again, I would stay in Edgartown. Much more New England character and the harbor was more accessible. Also, be sure to rent some bikes. Good paths were everywhere.

Then we stayed on the Cape in North Truro at an old resort - I can't think of the name, but it had many white clapboard cottages and a small inn, also a nice pool. It was right on the bay, full of families who have been coming there for years - the kids made instant friends. It was very close to Provincetown, where there are many interesting people - we had a discussion about not staring at gay people before we went - it's big rainbow flag territory. Wellfleet looked like a good place to go to if we go back that way some day. More urbane, nice produce market, renowned playhouse, houses to rent.

If you go to the Vineyard, definitely go to the western side of the island, menemsha?, for a lobster dinner. Very expensive cab ride, but a magical sunset. The Black Dog is not worth the bother.

It's one of our great family memories. Hope you enjoy.