Boston, July 7, 1999 – Any family can attest to how difficult it is to find a vacation that’s going to satisfy everyone. In Massachusetts, however, seasonal activities to satisfy every age, taste and desire have created a harmonic balance between young and old, and visitors to the Bay State are promised a truly unforgettable family vacation.

Beginning in the largest city not only in Massachusetts but also New England, Boston is a family’s dream. Sights such as The New England Aquarium, this year celebrating its 30^th birthday, will capture the hearts and attention of the youngest member of the group right on through the eldest. Housing over 70 exhibits from as far away as Africa or as near as the Maine Coast, the Aquarium is also well-known for its 187,000- gallon tank – home of its Caribbean Coral Reef Exhibit. Sharks, giant sea turtles, moray eels and hundreds of species of tropical fish inhabit the tank. Performances by the sea lions will dazzle all ages.

The Charles River Esplanade is an ideal place for a family to spend an afternoon. Community Boating offers sailing lessons – a great way to spend time together and one of the best ways to get a perfect view of the beautiful Boston skyline. For younger children, the Esplanade features several play areas – including swings, slides and jungle gyms. The Charles River itself provides part of the venue for Boston’s famed Duck Tours – amphibious vehicles that are an absolute must for families. Able to traverse both land and sea, the Ducks take passengers on a narrated tour of the city and then enters the harbor via the Charles for a waterfront tour as well.

And no trip to Boston would be complete without a visit to at least one of its world-class museums. The Museum of Fine Arts is a wonder for all ages, and even features a new kids’ program sure to hold the interest of even the most restless of youngsters. The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum is a voyage back in time – the replica of the ship looks exactly as it did during the 1773 protest against the British tea tax. Before leaving, walk the famed Freedom Trail – an American icon that’s a must-do for families.

Kids of all ages can’t go wrong with a visit to Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket – all perennial vacation favorites. Summer means beaches, sand castle contests, fireworks on quaint village greens and sailing on beautiful Nantucket Sound. Martha’s Vineyard’s Flying Horses Carousel has been ridden by families since 1876, and is the oldest operating carousel in the country. On Nantucket, 80 miles of beaches and bike paths criss-crossing the island create an outdoor haven for families. And on Cape Cod, the National Seashore provides abundant fun – clam shacks, water sports or just a good old-fashioned day at the beach. Culture and history buffs might also enjoy a trip to the JFK Museum in Hyannis or to Heritage Plantation in Sandwich – and everyone in the family will enjoy a Cape Cod whale watch.

En route from Boston to Cape Cod, families will pass the exit for Plymouth – a town well worth the stop no matter what age the group. Here visitors can take a trip back into the past. At Plimoth Plantation, guests will be thrilled by actors dressed in period garb; the "Pilgrims" who inhabit this true-to-life village look and act as if it were really 1627. In town, a tour of the Mayflower II affords visitors the chance to see what life on the original ship’s voyage to the New World was like. Around the corner, Plymouth Rock is allegedly the first place the Pilgrims set foot on these shores, and a visit to the Plymouth National Wax Museum depicts the story of their struggles and successes in light, sound and animation. Plymouth is chock full of non-history related family activities, too: lobster tutorial cruises set sail from this port as do additional whale watches, and Cranberry World is a fascinating recount of how cranberries – indigenous to the region – are grown and harvested.

Slightly to the south of Plymouth lies Bristol County – a maritime community rich in activities for all tastes. At the Children’s Museum in Dartmouth, seasonal activities abound on its 60 acres of conservation land, and hands-on exhibits will delight kids of any age, while the Children’s Museum of Easton features bubble tables, raceways, a moon room and an enchanted forest. And at Fall River’s Marine Museum, one of the largest pre-discovery Titanic exhibits in the country includes a life jacket and other memorabilia from the famous ship, as well as a one-ton model.

In the western part of the Bay State, the Berkshires and Central Massachusetts are well-known for their family appeal – be it winter, spring, summer or fall, these regions are loaded with family fun. One of the best places to find it in the central part of the state is Old Sturbridge Village, in Sturbridge. In addition to their frequent "Family Fun Days," which feature a wide variety of activities, Sturbridge Village is a haven for families seeking a little Americana on their vacations. There are many new family activities at the Village this summer, from a 19^th-century household where families are able to perform tasks typical of an early American day, to the new Samson’s Children’s Museum, where kids can try on early American costumes and check out a mock hearth with play cooking tools. Learn how to write with a quill pen, too!

And in the Berkshires, natural beauty is coupled with magnificent culture to make this region of Massachusetts an absolutely perfect family getaway. The Berkshire Museum is highlighted by many hands-on exhibits, which include everything from a touch tank of live sea creatures to an Egyptian mummy. At Hancock Shaker Village, the hands-on Discovery Room is complimented by several different kinds of farm animals and kids’ workshops, and the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute features treasure hunts for children while their parents peruse the museum’s world-class Impressionist collection. For those who cherish the work of Americana artist Norman Rockwell, his museum is located in Stockbridge, and schedules regular family days and workshops for children. And when in search of a little adventure, families will love Jiminy Peak’s Alpine Slide – in operation throughout the spring, summer and fall (in the winter, Jiminy Peak is the perfect spot for a family weekend skiing escape!).

Families of all ages and tastes are promised a fun, fabulous vacation in Massachusetts. From action to relaxation, beaches to mountains, history to culture, the Bay State has something to make it a long-time favorite for every member of the family.

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

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