The Best Things to Do in Boston with Kids This Summer 🌸

Boston is one of the most kid-friendly cities in America, and this summer, the lineup has never been better. Whether your family loves hands-on history, interactive science, outdoor splash zones, or a jaw-dropping skyline view, there’s something here for every age. And right now, one experience stands above the rest: The View Experience at View Boston, where Summer Reimagined has transformed the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower into a sky-high floral paradise. Here’s your guide to things to do in Boston with kids this summer.

Sky-High Wonder: The View Experience at View Boston 🌷 

This is the one the kids will keep talking about. Perched 750 feet above Back Bay atop the iconic Prudential Tower, View Boston is the city’s most breathtaking (and only) observation deck. This summer, it’s been completely reimagined. Summer Reimagined, designed by TYGER Productions, covers the entire 52nd floor in bold floral installations, dramatic ceiling treatments, and interactive design moments that feel equal parts art installation and secret garden. Floral meadows stretch across the observation deck, white arches frame picture-perfect photo moments, and a suspended rainbow installation cascades from the ceiling overhead. It is, without question, the most spectacular family photo backdrop in Boston right now. 

The experience runs June 6 through September 7, 2026, making it the perfect anchor for any summer visit. And here’s the deal that makes this a no-brainer for families: Kids Enter Free! With the purchase of one adult ticket, families are able to add up to four youth tickets, free of charge (ages 12 and under). Beyond Summer Reimagined, View Boston’s three floors of indoor and outdoor observation decks include the open-air roof deck, where 360° views sweep across Boston Harbor, Fenway Park, the Charles River, and the entire skyline. Interactive neighborhood exhibits prompt kids to discover Boston’s iconic landmarks from a bird’s-eye perspective. Adult tickets start at $34 and, with up to four kids free, it’s one of the best-value family outings in the city. 

For parents, the timing gets even sweeter: every Thursday through Saturday from 6-9pm, the Golden Hour Series on the 52nd floor features signature cocktails like the Cloud Blossom Spritz, the Golden Hour Glow, and the Limoncello Spritz. 

Check the View Boston summer itinerary guide to plan every floor before you arrive. 

💡 PRO TIP: Take advantage of the new Kids Enter Free promotion: one adult ticket allows up to four kids (ages 12 and under) in at no charge. Arrive around 6pm on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday to catch Summer Reimagined as the sky turns gold over Boston and enjoy a Golden Hour cocktail while the kids explore the floral installations. It’s a family outing where everyone wins.  

Grab your tickets at View Boston.

More Amazing Things to Do in Boston with Kids This Summer

View Boston is a highlight this summer, but Boston’s family activity lineup is stacked. Here’s where else to take the crew.

🦆 Boston Duck Tours & the Public Garden

No Boston family trip is complete without a ride on the Swan Boats in the Public Garden, where kids can wave hello to the bronze Make Way for Ducklings statues. Afterward, hop on a Boston Duck Tour; WWII amphibious vehicles that narrate the city’s history before splashing into the Charles River. Round it out with the Frog Pond splash area on Boston Common, a family summer staple. 

💡 PRO TIP: Combine your observation deck visit with a Boston Duck Tour for the ultimate Boston experience! After taking in the city from above, hop aboard an iconic Duck Boat to discover Boston’s historic neighborhoods and enjoy a unique perspective from the Charles River during the unforgettable “Big Splash.” 

👉 BUY TICKETS at viewboston.com or bostonducktours.com

🐠 New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is a waterfront must-do where kids watch Myrtle the sea turtle circle the four-story Giant Ocean Tank alongside penguins, seals, and jellyfish. Pair the visit with a stop at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park next door for harbor views and a quick playground run.

🔬 Boston Children’s Museum

The Boston Children’s Museum is especially exciting this summer. Step into the Hundred Acre Wood: A Winnie-the-Pooh Experience, and explore the brand-new Dream it! Build it! Exhibit; a hands-on STEAM playground where kids design, engineer, and construct. The museum is open 7 days a week this summer, from 9:00am – 4:00pm.

🏛️ The Freedom Trail & The Greenway Carousel

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick walk through 16 of Boston’s most storied landmarks, ideal for families with kids aged 6 and up. Grab a Junior Ranger booklet to turn it into a scavenger hunt, then reward the crew with a cannoli in the North End afterward. Cap the day with a spin on the Rose Kennedy Greenway Carousel, whose hand-carved harbor animals, including peregrine falcons, sea serpents, and more, are pure magic for toddlers and grade-schoolers alike.

Make the Most of Your Summer in Boston

Boston rewards families who plan ahead. Start at the Public Garden or Boston Common, work through waterfront attractions or the Freedom Trail, and end the day, elevated, at View Boston. The combination of immersive art, 360° views, and curated summer programming makes it the most memorable close to a perfect Boston family day, especially when kids enter free. 

View Boston invites locals and first-time visitors alike to see this incredible city from its best perspective: 750 feet up, surrounded by summer in full bloom ☁️🌸. 

🎟️ Ready to View Boston Differently?

Don’t miss Summer Reimagined, Boston’s most immersive family experience of the season, running through September 7, 2026. Plus, with the new Kids Enter Free promotion, one adult ticket gets up to four kids ages 12 and under in for free, making it the best-value sky-high adventure in the city. 

👉 Buy your View Boston tickets now and explore the full things-to-do itinerary to plan your perfect visit. Summer at the top of Boston won’t last forever! Make it count. 🌸