Planning spring break in Boston with the family? We’ve got some plans for everyone to enjoy, both young and old. From the Boston Marathon and Legoland adventures to scenic walks in the park and self-guided tours, here are our favorite family-friendly activities for you to enjoy this spring break.
1. Catch a mesmerizing spring Candlelight Concert
Just in time for the release of The Tortured Poets Department, Candlelight Concerts will have a glorious set of spring shows to enjoy, Taylor Swift-inspired and more! Check them out and reserve your tickets here!
2. Connect the family at ‘Massachusetts’ Best Wellness Retreat’
Miraval Berkshires, just 2 hours from Boston and visited by the likes of Alicia Keys and Hillary Clinton, is hosting its Family Connection Week from April 14-21!
The stunning resort introduces the “first-of-its-kind family wellbeing experience,” supporting connection and learning with fun activities like outdoor challenge courses, mountain view swims, family pasta making classes and more! Children 8+ and young adults will immerse themselves in boundless adventure during the host of Family Connection Week activities running through Sunday, April 21. Some of the highlights from this week’s activities include:
- Floating meditation
- Cardio drumming
- Eco-printing with plants
- Gould Meadows Hike
These activities are open to resort guests. Reserve your visit now to enjoy this limited-time spring break excursion, perfect for all ages.
3-9. Embrace the rainy weather with one of these indoor activities
Spring is a notoriously gloomy and rain-abundant time here in Boston, but you shouldn’t let the rain stop you from having a good time! Below are 10 unique activities perfect for a rainy day:
- Catch an AMC movie at a discounted price
- Enjoy a stunning Candlelight Concert
- Explore one of Boston’s many museums (for free!)
- Pamper yourself to custom cheeseboard with on-demand delivery
- DIY your own hand-tufted rug
- Take a class at this Cambridge crafting studio
- Explore a 43-challenge indoor entertainment space
10. Spend a day at the New England Aquarium
Boston’s world-class aquarium is an attraction that needs no introduction- but hey, we’ll give it one anyways! Whether you’re looking to escape the weather, or you’re simply an avid fish fanatic, the New England Aquarium is a delightful spot to spend an afternoon on spring break. With over 8,000 aquatic creatures – including 80 adorable penguins – you’ll have no shortage of sea creatures to ogle and enjoy. You can even see friendly sea lions swimming at the front of the museum for free!
Find it at 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110.
11. Learn some American history at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum while having a tea tasting
You can relive a thrilling moment in American history at the fully interactive Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. With holographic displays, films, and life-size colonial recreations, you’ll be whisked away into the past to witness some real historical fun!
You might even get to dump your own tea into the harbor, in the exact place where the real Boston Tea Party occurred over 250 years ago, celebrating that milestone last fall! And for those looking for a little less laborious adventure, try over 8 unique tea blends at the tearoom.
Find it at 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210.
12. Visit the Theater of Electricity at the Boston Museum of Science
The Boston Museum of Science, a learning hotspot for the young and the young at heart, is home to a unique showcase of the power of static electricity. Two pillars topped by luminescent orbs stand in the center of the museum’s Theater of Electricity. The theater hosts a show entitled Lightning! that shows the power of electricity, and the performance is included in the price of admission for the museum’s Exhibit Halls.
Find it at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114.
13. Enjoy the return of the Swan Boats at Boston Public Garden
The Public Garden is by far one of the most iconic springtime spots to visit in Boston, with tranquil walking paths, fountains, and dozens of delightful flowers. A telltale marker of spring in Boston, the famous Boston Common Swan Boats open for the season on April 16. They’re the only boats of their kind in the world, and it’s a great way to enjoy nature!
14. Tiptoe through the tulips at the Public Garden
The Public Garden is easily one of the most photogenic spots in Boston during springtime – and that’s really saying something! With flowers all around you, enjoy the sunshine, flowers, and springtime breezes in the air. Maybe you can even snap a gorgeous family photo in the meantime!
15. Have some fun at the Legoland Discovery Center
At Legoland Boston, you can immerse yourself in the world of a Lego playground! Discover how Legos are made, take a ride on two indoor attractions, and learn how to make the best Lego castles and forts from expert builders. It’s a totally awesome spring break experience for Lego lovers of all ages.
Find it at 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145.
16. Take a North End food tour
Want to know where to find Boston’s best slice or pasta? By the end of this tour you will. You’ll get to taste some of Boston’s best Italian food around Boston’s oldest neighborhood and explore 5 history-laden Freedom Trail sites.
The tour kicks off from the historic Hanover Street, and you can reserve your visit here!
17. Take a self-guided walking adventure through the city
Guided tours aren’t for everyone. On your spring break, you can tour the city independently on a scavenger hunt-style, self-guided tour known as Puzzling Adventures. Each adventure consists of a series of secret locations where you are required to answer questions or solve puzzles to receive your next instruction. As you figure out the mystery, you’ll see the sights and sounds of Boston while learning about its history, too!
18. Take trip to one of the most beautiful small towns in the world
Just 3 hours from Boston lies Stowe, Vermont. Stowe was recently selected as one of the “23 Most Beautiful Cities in the World,” by Travel + Leisure. Stowe is known for its beautiful landscape that seamlessly adapts to any season. It’s definitely a town for family-friendly fun and lots of outdoor activities like swimming, skiing, or hiking depending on the season!
19. Or if you prefer the seaside, check out one of these top small coastal towns
USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Marblehead and Provincetown as two of the top 5 coastal small towns in the country. Explore them, breath the fresh ocean air, and enjoy some great seafood while you’re there.
20. Watch the Boston Marathon (or run it)
Whether you’re a runner or spectator, the Boston Marathon is an adrenaline filled day, and it’s right around the corner. Every year, around 30,000 runners travel from across the globe to compete and nearly 500,000 people watch from the sidelines! The marathon will take place on Patriot’s Day, as always, which will be Monday, April 15 this year! The race starts in Hopkinton, MA and finishes on Boylston Street in Copley.
21. Enjoy a week of family fun at this Cape Cod glamping site
AutoCamp Cape Cod is hosting a series of special events you don’t want to miss this spring! The luxurious camping site will kick-off spring break with complimentary bikes for a ride along the scenic Shining Sea Bikeway, yoga flow, acoustic music by the fire, s’mores kits and more outdoor adventures.
Find AutoCamp Cape Cod at 836 Palmer Ave, Falmouth, MA 02540.
22. Tour Boston’s newest cultural destination
The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame (FARHOF) is a blooming destination this spring! FARHOF will be hosting various cultural exhibits at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre.
Find the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame at 270 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116.
23. Visit the Nantucket Daffodil Festival
From April 25-28 you can enjoy the blooming daffodils on Nantucket. Explore the beauty of nature and chime in on festival festivities like a daffodil hat pageant, parade, flower show, and kid-friendly beach events.
It’s a fun way to escape the city and treat yourself to a lovely hotel like The Brant who’ve just added a brand-new pool for the 2024 season!
24. Take a crafting class at this 4,000-quare-foot studio space in Cambridge
Studio by Garden Streets is always hosting fun workshops and classes available to all ages! If you want to send the kids off or take a class yourself they’ll have everything from knitting workshops to candle making!
Find Studio by Garden Streets on level 2 (beside Old Navy) at CambridgeSide: 100 Cambridgeside Pl, Cambridge, MA 02141
25. Take a free family stroll through Boston’s cherry blossom blooms
Spring break happens to coincide with peak bloom this year, so don’t miss your chance to witness cherry blossoms in their full glory! These are the top 5 spots to explore cherry blossoms in Boston.