hosting visitors in boston - Boston Moms Blog

Here at Boston Moms Blog, we think Boston is exceptional. It’s no wonder all our friends and families are flocking here to stay with us! Here are some tips for making the most of your time with your visitors — and staying sane with kids in tow. 

Lodging

Depending on their budget, your friends might be expecting to come stay with you! It’s best to be up front about your living situation; if you live in a tiny studio, it’s probably not going to work. Be honest about how you feel about cramming people in, because it might be great, and it might not! As host, it’s your call. Keep your kids and family in mind. If your home isn’t going to work, offer suggestions for a hotel or Airbnb nearby. You’ll know best about what areas are safe and convenient to everything.

BMB pro tip

If your visitors are here for a longer period of time, breaking up their visit with an overnight trip to New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, the Cape, or Rhode Island can be a good way to keep your house from feeling too claustrophobic and to help them make the most of being on the East Coast. 

hosting visitors in boston - Boston Moms Blog

Playing tourist

Of course you should take your visitors’ tastes into account when scheduling out your days. History buffs will want the Freedom Trail, Battle Road Trail, Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution, the Boston Tea Party Museum, the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house, Fort Independence, etc. When it comes to touring the city just for the “feel” of it, that also opens up a lot to do and see. Our summer, fall, winter, and spring bucket lists are an invaluable resource for finding unique things to do in and out of the city, any time of year. (They are all kid friendly, too!)

BMB pro tip

It is so easy to over-schedule yourself when there’s so much to do and see. With kids, a good rule of thumb is to keep it to one or two activities a day — and plan time for resting. It’s best if the activities all sit within the same general area so you don’t spend tons of time in transit. Too much input from tours and museums can fry even an adult’s brain. Keep it simple: History one day, Beacon Hill or the beach the next. Everyone wins! 

Stuffing your face

Eating here might be THE MOST IMPORTANT part of your friend’s trip. There are so many mind-blowing restaurants to try, and we’ve even got a list of outdoor kid-friendly places to eat. Iconic seafood joints are Legal Sea Foods, James Hook, and Yankee Lobster. For Italian, the North End is your place. Faneuil Hall, Boston Public Market, and SoWa are all great options when no one can agree on what to eat. And for sweet places to stop in, we’ve got Mike’s Pastry, J.P. Licks, and Union Square Donuts. The list could go on and on.

BMB pro tip

Going out to eat for every meal is going to have your wallet screaming, “STAHP!” before you know it. If your guests are staying for a week, plan a week of dinners, and go shopping for cereal, sandwich stuff for lunches, and all the ingredients you need for your meals. That way, you have options each day if you are wanting a home-cooked meal, saving some cash for other fun! It’s all about balance!

Hosting is no joke, but the end result is worth it if you plan it right! Remember, be flexible, relax, and have fun being a tourist! We’ll see you out there!