PLEASE HELP US!! We leave Lansing, Michigan for Boston on Aug. 18. I have three teens. Please give input on the BEST places to go. Here are my plans so far: (have friend--new to Boston-- and car for the weekend only)
Sat: buy Boston Go card, Salem for a few hours at the Peabody Essex Museum and witch memorials...on to Gloucester for 7 Seas Whale Watching.
Sun: Plimouth Plantation
M-W: Stay at hotel in Dedham near train so can travel without car. (I'm planning on the Beantown trolley for two days) Thursday staying with friend in Burlington...

But, there is so much to do. I don't know how to arrange the M-W Boston on our own. 13 year old loves marine stuff so we want to do the acquarium and whale watching and duck tours; 18 year old wants the museum of science, BodyWorlds2 and laser shows and Fenway Park AND a place called 5Wits?? 16 year old wants everything related to history...I love the water and beaches...
Thursday perhaps to Lexington/Concord area but not sure if we can have access to public transportation from Burlington... Can anyone help this overwhelmed Mom--FAST?? Thanks!

Definitely do the Freedom Trail. The Museum of Fine Arts is lovely, and they have had a 60s Rock Poster exhibit, that my 17 y.o. enjoyed quite a bit. I don't know how long the exhibit runs, you can check the museum web site.

The Freedom Trail is great. Personally, I would take teenagers on a tour of the Capital Building. The guides are great and the history is fantastic. We were advised to do that by a state trooper on the grounds and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip.

In Concord, the tour of Louisa May Alcott's home is very good and so is simply walking the North Bridge where the "first shot was fired".

All 3 will probably enjoy the USS Constitution (officially the end of theFreedom Trail) and probably the Mayflower II in Plymouth, for which there is a combo ticket with Plimoth Plantation.

You might consider staying in Boston rather than Dedham, since four (or five) round-trip tickets on the Commuter Rail can add up, as well as the inconvenience and wasted time. Be sure to know the schedule for your Commuter Rail station, and be very sure that your hotel is reachable.

The body exhibit is at the Museum of Science, which has something for everybody.

Double-check your plans to make sure that any discount cards you buy (e.g., Go Boston) are a genuine savings. Often, you have to do several things in a day for it to pay off, and there's the pressure to do different things rather than jsut walk around. Most stuff on the Freedom Trail is cheap or free.

The Peabody Museum is wonderful, but almost everything else in Salem is a hokey tourist trap.

The Museum of Fine Arts is not far from Fenway Park, and admission is fre on Wednesday after 4 PM (and always for kids under 18, IIRC).

I agree the Boston Go card may not be worth it; and you might do better to stay closer to town.

M: Freedom trail in the morning, Duck Tour in the afternoon (book now). Dinner in Northside (like a little Italy) or Chinatown.

T: Aquarium in the morning, Faniuel Hall for lunch, Science museum in the afternoon. Dinner in Cambridge/Harvard Square area (Legal Seafoods if you like fish).

W: Morning, boat around harbor islands, picnic on a beach; or visit the state house and picnic in the Public Gardens. Tour Fenway and/or art museum in the afternoon. In the evening, see Blue Man group or a comedy show in the theatre district.

Have fun in Boston!

The Isabella Gardiner Museum is near the Museum of Fine Arts and very doable on the T. My teens found a lot of the medieval art "neat".

capxxx's itinerary has the right elements, but not in a logical order, since (1) the Freedom Trail goes through the (Italian-food) North End; (2) you can pick up the Duck Tour at the Museum of Science; (3) boating around the Harbor Islands is fun but a bit much if you are also doing a whale watch. You can get whale-watch trips from Boston as well as Gloucester; they go to the same area; recent reports have been very enthusiastic.

I agree that the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is wonderful, an absolutely unique Boston experience and the makings of many lovely fantasies. Especially welcome if the weather is unpleasant in any way.

In Salem, the "Witch Museum" is worth a stop, rather than the "Witch House," and it is a short walk from the PEM, near the park. Hawthorne's House of 7 Gables is also a very good stop and is closer to Pickering Wharf.

Is there a reason why you are going all the way to Gloucester for the whale watch? I think they have them out of Salem (Pickering Wharf) and Boston, too. Also, they can be very l-o-n-g. The Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester is really cool.

I don't think there is public trans from Burlington to Lex/Conc. Unless there is a bus? But perhaps there is tour from a local hotel near your friend's place. If you get stuck for something to do, there is a Rain Forest Cafe at the Burlington Mall. The food is not so hot, but the atmosphere is fun if your kids have never been to one.

I think the best tourist things in Boston are: Freedom Trail, Duck Tour, Science Museum, and Fenway Tour.
The Duck Tour has a station for pick-up and return at the Science Museum, so you can combine those two. (When you make your reservation, you'll have to say if you want Sci Mus or Prudential Center). Fenway is near the art museums, so you could combine those. And the Freedom Trail circles around Fanueil Hall, and is close to the Aquarium (which is a bit passe) and the Northend (for Italian food, shops, and maybe even a Saint celebration if you're lucky). There is a shuttle boat that taxis between the Aquarium and Old Ironsides in Charlestown for a very low fare appx every half hour. A very neat stop!

Fun restaurants for teems include Fire and Ice and Hard Rock Cafe. Fun shows are Blue Man Group and Shear Madness.

Happy Trails and Have Fun!

PS:
That day with the Duck Tour and Sci Mus with extra exhibits will be VERY expensive for 4 people. I'd check the website for combination deals asap, since you are leaving tomorrow. Does anybody know of any other discounts for these attractions?

A, good point; I was just trying to put the two tours (as overviews) on the first day, and the Duck Tour in the afternoon when the day got hotter. But they will probably figure something out ...

Hey thanks everyone! I decided to NOT get the Boston Go tickets and have researched some of the other ideas presented for fun teen events. We are packed and ready to head out. ALL of you were SO helpful. You were such a blessing! Bye for Now!