Boston, MA

For a budget-friendly school vacation week, take in the bounty of Boston

Published

12 months ago

April 13, 2025

For a budget-friendly school vacation week, take in the bounty of Boston

How can you have a fun April school vacation week without breaking the bank? If you’re in New England, it’s easy.

Greater Boston is full of fun, fascinating and affordable (often free) activities to make this break feel like one you went all out for. Consider these budget-friendly adventures. Your kids – and your wallet – will thank you.

The Freedom Trail: Chances are, your kids (and you) have never walked the entire Freedom Trail in Boston, or even a decent part of it. There’s a reason why visitors to the city flock to it; it’s interesting, fun and very pretty.

The Freedom Trail’s 2.5-mile walking path begins at Boston Common (though you can pick it up at any point) and brings you up close to 16 historical sites like the Old North Church, Paul Revere House, famous cemeteries and the Bunker Hill Monument (climb it if you dare!)

Tickets for guided tours are reasonable – $17 for adults and $8 for children – but try it the budget friendly way: Ask each family member to study the trail section you plan on taking, choose a site they are interested in, research it at their age-appropriate level, and assign them the job of giving you the tour of that spot.

Pack a picnic lunch and eat on the grassy Common or Rose Kennedy Greenway. For a special treat, pop into the Boston Public Market (https://bostonpublicmarket.org/) and buy a local-sourced lunch for your picnic, or grab some Red Apple Farm fresh made cider doughnuts; affordable and totally New England.

Boston From Up High: Bring the family to the top of the Prudential Tower’s View Boston observation deck. While adult tickets clock in at $29, kids are just $13 (5 and under free). You’ll take in indoor and outdoor observation decks, interactive exhibits and more.

Best of all, the kids will get the best view of Boston – and beyond – they may have ever seen. Bonus fun: Have each child choose a Boston landmark they’d like to spot and then encourage them to find it on the skyline.

Shipping is free: The USS Constitution, America’s oldest commissioned warship that is still afloat, sits in the Charlestown Navy Yard in all its glory.

What’s extra cool about that? Touring the historic ship and its accompanying museum is totally free.

Yes, they ask for a donation in kind since they are a non-profit, but no one is denied entry. Old Ironsides was commissioned in October of 1797, and served in just about every battle from then until the Civil War.

On board, you and your kids can learn about how such ships engaged in battle back then, why those wars happened and yes, a lot about defending what was then a very new nation.

Their website has fun – and free– games and apps for kids of all ages to download ahead of time, a great way to get familiar with what you’ll be experiencing. Want to extend the fun? Meander around the Navy Yard where you’ll see the maritime industry in action.

Love that dirty water: Okay, so it’s (thankfully) not so dirty anymore, but the Charles River truly does make one want to sing “Boston: You’re my home.” Walk the Charles River from the Hatch Shell to the bridge across to Cambridge, looping back past the Museum of Science (where you can make a stop should you wish).

You’ll see sailboats, rowing teams in training, birds, cherry blossoms and more. You’ll be in the mix with joggers, dog walkers, sightseers and folks just out for fresh air. You’ll come across playgrounds to frolic at, historic buildings to wonder about and feel very much a part of the center of the city.

It’s busy, boisterous and fun: The Charles is said to be one of the busiest recreational rivers in the world. The walk is flat and doable for just about any age.

The Swan Boats: One of Boston’ most iconic activities, the Swan boats could charge a fortune and still sell out. But lucky us: They vowed to keep the prices down and have. For just $4.75 for adults and $3.25 for children, you’ll be paddled around the Public Garden pond in the same way the Swan Boats have been doing it since 1877 – by a pedaling driver.

It’s practically required to read “Make Way For Ducklings” ahead of time. And while you could spring for a posh lunch with the cash you saved, you can also treat the kids to some of the classics served off of carts around the Public Garden. Now that’s authentic Boston.

Is a trip to Boston complete without a turn on the Swan Boats? (Photo Moira McCarthy)

A visit to the Prudential Tower's View Boston observation deck isn't just about the great views -- there are fun exhibits including a 3D model of Boston as well. (Photo courtesy Prudential Center) — A visit to the Prudential Tower’s View Boston observation deck isn’t just about the great views — there are fun exhibits including a 3D model of Boston as well. (Photo courtesy Prudential Center)

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Boston, MA

+)WAY TO WATCH Ｆｒｅｅ Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE

Published

11 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals

Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE GAME: Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals look to seize control of thrilling Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals. Every team in the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals will host Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals at Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals Park Stadium with the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals a single point ahead of Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals in the standings and just one behind leaders Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals.

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Boston, MA

Red Sox at Reds preview: Sonny Gray makes his first start for Boston – The Boston Globe

Published

23 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Red Sox at Reds preview: Sonny Gray makes his first start for Boston – The Boston Globe

Gray, acquired in a November trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, was one of Boston’s key rotation additions, along with Ranger Suarez, in the offseason. He was 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA in 2025.

“He’s very specific about his work. Every day has a purpose,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Gray. “Two hundred strikeouts, that’s something that we were looking for. The competitor. Every five days, this guy is going to give you everything.”

In his five career appearances against the Reds, Gray is 1-3 with a 4.18 ERA.

“It’s pretty much one of the only things that is continuing to push me, is to get to a World Series, to win a World Series, to pitch in big games,” said Gray. “I love the moment, and I am chasing that moment.”

Here’s the preview:

RED SOX (1-0): TBA

Pitching: RHP Sonny Gray

REDS (0-1): TBA

Pitching: RHP Brady Singer

Time: 4:10 p.m.

TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

Red Sox vs. Singer: Wilyer Abreu 2-5, Roman Anthony 1-2, Willson Contreras 2-7, Jarren Duran 3-10, Caleb Durbin 0-1, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 6-16, Marcelo Mayer 0-1, Andruw Monasterio 1-4, Carlos Narváez 1-1, Ceddanne Rafaela 1-5, Trevor Story 0-4, Connor Wong 2-8, Masataka Yoshida 2-7

Reds vs. Gray: Will Benson 0-5, Elly De La Cruz 5-11, TJ Friedl 1-8, Ke’Bryan Hayes 4-17, Nathaniel Lowe 2-10, Noelvi Marte 0-5, Matt McLain 2-2, Spencer Steer 4-9, Tyler Stephenson 0-8, Eugenio Suárez 7-13, Jose Trevino 0-2

Stat of the day: Sal Stewart become the first Cincinnati rookie since 1958 to record three hits on Opening Day.

Notes: Cincinnati sends righthander Brady Singer (14-12, 4.03 in 2025) to the mound … With Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo already on the injured list to start the season, Singer is considered one of Cincinnati’s most durable pitchers, leading the Reds with 32 starts last season … Singer has made five career starts against Boston, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.88 ERA over 24 innings … His last appearance against the Red Sox, on July 1 in Boston, ended after just three innings when he allowed two earned runs on three hits.

Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.

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Boston, MA

Mayor Robert Van Campen talks about priorities in Everett

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Mayor Robert Van Campen talks about priorities in Everett

Nearly three months since assuming office as mayor of Everett, Massachusetts, Mayor Robert Van Campen isn’t wasting any time.

The former city councilor ousted 18-year incumbent Carlo DeMaria in decisive fashion last November, but even so, issues surrounding his predecessor still linger at City Hall.

A state-led salary audit of DeMaria found $180,000 in overpayment, a finding the former mayor disputes. Van Campen says the city is monitoring ongoing investigations.

“What I’ve conveyed to my partners in government here, locally, is to allow that state process to play itself out, and then we, as a community, will make a decision,” the mayor said. “In addition to that, I recently met with Inspector General Jeff Shapiro, who visited me at City Hall. We had a great conversation about transparency in government, best practices, putting in the right systems to ensure that that type of financial oversight doesn’t happen in the future.”

Beyond the audit, Van Campen is placing emphasis on school overcrowding.

“My objective is to try to implement solutions as quickly as I can,” he said. “Our high school today, which was built for I think 1,650 students, now houses around 2,200.”

The World Cup is creating buzz across Massachusetts, including in Everett, where the Kraft Group is looking to build a soccer stadium.

To alleviate that problem, the mayor is using federal ARPA funds to repair the old Everett High School and seeking out other spaces that could be used in the future.

“Would I like to build out new classroom space for the students of Everett in the next one to two years? Yes, that’s my ideal,” Van Campen said. “But I want to make sure that if we do it on a quick timeline, it’s done in a correct and proper fashion.”

Also in focus for the mayor is a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution on the shores of the Mystic River.

The Kraft Group, Boston, Everett and the state Legislature have all taken steps to make the project a reality, but Van Campen says there’s still more work to do.

“It’s a transformative project, it’s a breathtaking project,” said Van Campen. “But I’ve been clear with all the stakeholders around that project, and the other larger developments going on down there, that we have to make sure that transit issues are comprehensively addressed, that pedestrian access issues are comprehensively addressed, that all those issues have to be addressed to perfection in order for these projects to succeed.”

Tune in on Sunday, March 29 at 9:30 a.m. for our extended @Issue Sit Down with Van Campen.

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