For a vacation that will make the history books come alive, recommend your clients with kids (from little ones to teenagers) visit a city steeped in U.S. history—Boston. The kids will get a kick out of exploring this New England city’s diverse neighborhoods by foot, as they wander past ivy league universities, historic American Revolution sites, and authentic Italian restaurants (and that’s just one of many culinary treats this unique city has to offer).
gold standards
“Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Boston, and because the city is great to explore on foot, the weather is perfect for strolling around the city,” says Suzanne Wenz, regional director of public relations, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Fairmont Battery Wharf has a great location on the waterfront and is adjacent to the North End, one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It’s also within walking distance of the New England Aquarium, The Freedom Trail, and Institute of Contemporary Art, so it’s well situated to explore all that the city has to offer.”
Recommend spent a long weekend in Boston staying at the 150-room upscale boutique hotel comprised of four buildings, all connecting underground, and an exhale spa. Our home-away-from-home was located in the Fairmont Gold building, the property’s hotel-within-a-hotel concept, in a Fairmont Gold room with a marble bathroom with rainforest shower head and luxe Le Labo Rose 31 amenities.
Staying in the luxurious Gold building guarantees your guests tons of VIP perks and pampering, such as private concierge service, complimentary WiFi and local calls, private check-in and check-out, and access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge on the first floor of the building, with views of the wharf, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and dessert hour. We loved coming back to the lounge after trekking around town and relaxing by the fireplace with snacks and drinks, available throughout the day.
Be sure to tell your clients, however, that families who want to stay in the Gold building may have to book connecting rooms, since Gold rooms don’t have double beds and roll-away beds aren’t available in this building. Rates at the Fairmont Battery Wharf start at $379 per night.
eat your way around town
One of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods, the North End, is home to not only plenty of history (and Paul Revere once upon a time), but also to many Italian families. While your clients are exploring the neighborhood, recommend they swing by Regina Pizzeria for lunch. This casual, family-style spot serves up some of the best brick-oven pizza in town. The Italian bakeries are another don’t-miss in this area, and two favorites are Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry, both near the Paul Revere house museum.
Clam chowder and lobster are also high up on the list when dining in Boston, and travelers can find both in the North End at Neptune Oyster. Over in the developing Seaport district near the Institute of Contemporary Art, Yankee Lobster Co. is a small seafood joint that serves up fresh catches in the form of lobster club sandwiches, lobster bisque, clam chowder and clam roll sandwiches. In this area, visitors will also find Legal Harborside, the Legal Sea Foods chain’s flagship restaurant located right on the waterfront. If parents want to sample the Boston-created craft beer or do a brewery tour (sans children), Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall is right next door.
The Fairmont Battery Wharf also has a few great dining options for families, including The Terrace at Aragosta Bar and Bistro, with outdoor fire pits in the evenings—perfect for creating s’mores—serving Gruyere fondue, a Lobster Bake and seasonal cocktails.
The Terrace, along with Battery Lounge located in the hotel’s lobby, also offers a decadent afternoon tea with options like the Captain William Sturgis Tea for Two, which includes Champagne, lobster crostini, Waldorf chicken salad, traditional and apricot-ginger scones and more ($49 pp). If Mom and Dad need a break from the kids, they can request babysitting service, too.
For dinner, recommend your clients reserve a seat at the Chef’s Counter at the Italian Aragosta Bar and Bistro and watch the chefs at work while sampling dishes like the lobster bisque, porcini flatbread, and rigatoni with veal cheek and oxtail Bolognese.
a stroll through history
Staying in Boston’s most historic neighborhood, your clients are in the perfect spot to start strolling to historical sites around town. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail winds its way throughout Boston with a walking path stopping at 16 sites telling the story of the
American Revolution. Your clients can do a self-guided tour following the brick or red line, visiting sites like the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery founded in 1660 and where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock were buried. Visitors can also opt for the 90-minute Walk Into History tour of the trail with 18th century costumed guides leading the way—something that will definitely keep the kids interested throughout this history lesson.
Strolling around the Back Bay neighborhood, visitors can keep the history tour going with a complimentary 1-hour art and architecture tour of the first public library in the U.S., the Boston Public Library, set in the McKim Building. Just across Copley Square, travelers will find the historic Romanesque-style Trinity Church, dating back to the 1870s. This neighborhood is also home to fantastic shopping on Newbury Street and the Prudential Building Skywalk Observatory. Set on the 50th floor, the observatory has 360-degree views of Boston, sometimes spanning 80 miles on a clear day, with historical exhibits and an audio tour.
getting there
A number of airlines offer direct flights to Logan International Airport in Boston, including Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. Travelers can reach the Fairmont Battery Wharf via water taxi year-round, arriving at the hotel’s water taxi right outside.
contact information
Fairmont Battery Wharf: (617) 994-9000; fairmont.com or famousagents.frhi.com
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau: (888) SEE-BOSTON; bostonusa.com
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