Make the Most of 2011: A Dozen Places to Take Your Kids in New England

Whether enjoying the big city buzz that is Boston, spending carefree days at the beach or enjoying outdoor adventures, there are tons of awesome thing for families to do in New England all year-round. As you make your vacation plans, here’s a list of 12 places in New England -one for every month-that will make memories your kids (and you!) will remember for a lifetime.

January: Visit one or all three of Boston “big three” family museums; the Children’s Museum (308 Congress St., Boston) (map), the Museum of Science (Science Park, Boston)(map) and the New England Aquarium(1 Central Wharf, Boston) (map).

February: Take the kids on an urban adventure in Boston’s Chinatown. Try to go on a Sunday and have Dim Sum for lunch. China Pearl (9 Tyler St., Boston) (map).

March: For a dose of culture, introduce your kids to the treasure trove of masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave., Boston)(map). Be sure to see the New Art of the America’s wing- it’s awesome!

April: Patriot’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday in April. Stake out a spot anywhere along the 26 mile course from Hopkinton to Copley Square and cheer on the runners of the Boston Marathon.

May: Go on a Swan Boat ride in Boston’s Public Garden(Arlington, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Sts.) (map). Then visit the brass Make Way for Ducklings statues (at the Charles and Beacon St. entrance).

June: Take the family to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park-nuff said!

July: No city celebrates the Fourth of July like Boston. Pack a picnic dinner and bring a blanket so sit on while you listen to the Boston Pops play Tchaikovsky’s stirring 1812 Overture and watch the fireworks over the Charles River.

August: Load up the car and head to the beach. New England boasts some of the world’s best coastline so it is hard to pick just one beach, but the 40-mile stretch of sand that is the Cape Cod National Seashore (map) (is pretty special.

September: Pick your own peaches, blueberries and apples. In early September, you can do all three at the same time at Tougas Farm (246 Ball St., Northboro) (map).

October: Visit Salem, Massachusetts (map). Every year, “Witch City” hosts a full schedule of fun, haunted happenings for little ghouls and goblins.

November: An excursion to Plimoth Plantation (137 Warren Ave., Plymouth) (map) gives kids an honest glimpse into Native American culture and the true history of the first Thanksgiving.

December: Bundle up and head to Boston for First Night, the original all-day New Year’s festival of cultural, performing and visual arts exhibits.

Image Credit: Massachusetts Travel and Tourism