Spring Break in New England is a bit of a dilemma. It is when the flowers start blooming. The weather is great and you just want to stay put to enjoy spring’s début. On the other hand, it is a full week with no school for the kids and if you’re lucky you can take at least some of that time off too. So why not leave the house and chores behind and skip town? Here are some options whether you choose to stay or go.
Stay
Stay by the water and enjoy all the new places to dine and explore in the Seaport. The Element Seaport is a really nice spot for a staycation. The saltwater pool is indoors but lets all the light in so you can enjoy the warmth of an indoor pool and the beautiful sunshine all together. The spring weather invites you to get out and explore so staying just outside the North End and a short walk into the heart of the Seaport is just right. In addition you can:
- Walk the Harborwalk for breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline.
- Listen to live music every Thursday night at Aloft Hotel as part of its Live@Aloft local artist concert series.
- In case mom has to get a little work done while the kids and their other parent do some exploring: Enjoy free work space in the lobby of District Hall, free Wi-Fi included.
- See the Seaport by bike by taking advantage of the Element Hotel’s free-for-guests Bikes to Borrow program.
- Hire a sitter or have grandpa watch the kids and enjoy a free museum night out as adults at The Institute of Contemporary Art hosts ICA Free Thursday Nights, with free admission from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Stay on budget by taking advantage of library passes to the local museums, Groupons and free museum for kids like The Boston Fire Museum is open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is always free. (Get 25% off your 1st Groupon with the code WELCOME when you sign up)
If you want to be alongside another body of water, then a stay at The Charles Hotel. It is an oasis in Harvard Square. If a workout over vacation is essential then you have access to the path along the Charles River just steps outside the hotel and access to the Wellbridge Athletic Club (one of my favourite gyms) as well as the pool for families (with limited family hours). You can wander around the square. A great spot for a little history, a little Pokémon Go, some art some science, shopping and dining. Check Facebook or twitter for special rates or just call and ask.
Down on the other side of Cambridge is the Royal Sonesta Boston (in Cambridge) is the place to stay if you want to spend time on both sides of the river. It is a wonderful location for families that want to visit the Museum of Science as well. Also perfect for kids who will want to swim often as the pool is big and open all day. ArtBar is a tasty, family friendly hotel restaurant to enjoy breakfast and dinner. You can also indulge and enjoy a fancy Italian meal at Dante.
Go
Growing up in Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto was my version of “The City”. I was lucky enough to go back a few times recently and it is a great family trip from Boston especially if you can get a flight on Porter Airlines. I love the amenities and the fact that you fly right into Toronto. You also absolutely must take the ridiculously short ferry ride from the airport to Toronto just because it is so funny. There is of course a bridge so that you can now walk over.
Toronto is a city set on the shores of Lake Ontario with so many neighbourhoods to visit that there is something for everyone.
Now when I say, “The City” I either mean NYC or Boston. New York City is a city I love to visit in the Spring before it gets too hot and crowded. Limoliner will take your family from Boston to NYC. With Limoliner’s ‘Spring in the City’ trips, families traveling Mon. – Thurs, April 10 – 20, 2017 can buy one at the regular rate and get one for $59. Limoliner’s family-friendly amenities include feee Wifi and movies on-board to keep kids entertained; table seating so families with enough room to spread out those coloring books and toys. An on-board attendant serves each passenger their pre-selected meal option, complimentary drinks, snacks and glass of wine on trips after 6pm.
It may not really be beach weather yet but New Englanders don’t care. Pull out the cozy sweaters, the sunscreen and a stack of warm blankets. Then, hop into the car for a day trip or overnight. On the “closer to Boston” side of the cape there is the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth. You can stay warm at the indoor pool and get sand between your toes at the beach just outside your hotel room.
Wellfleet Motel is a place we like to go, if you’re up for a longer drive out farther along the cape. It is across the street from the gorgeous Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, right on the rail trail and has an indoor and outdoor pool so you’re okay whether the weather is cool or warm.
Then all you need to figure out is what you want to do: explore, eat something new, find all the best of faves, a show, art, shop, relax, play, coffee shop, explore public spaces, make headway on pokémon go, or just relax with a good book.
Leah's Life: Pearls and Oysters 