I didn’t grow up in Boston. Like many of us transplants, I came to this city for an education, stayed for a career, and eventually put down roots. Since I’m not Bostonian by birth, I have to admit I’m pretty jealous of my own kids who are growing up just a few miles outside of this amazing city I fell in love with so many years ago.
Here’s why being a Boston kid is just plain awesome:
1. Sports
Boston is a sports town, and what’s more fun than cheering on the home team? Growing up near Boston gives kids close-encounter access to historic Fenway Park and its legendary Green Monster, plus the memorable experiences of cheering on the Celtics, Bruins, and Pats on their home turf.
2. City life, small town feel
Boston-area kids are exposed to impressive city sights, like the Pru and Copley Square, but in a short walk can find themselves in cozy neighborhoods like the North End, where they can feast on all the gelato they can get their sticky hands on.
3. Food
Between locally famous neighborhood delights like Mike’s Pastry or casual spots like the Barking Crab, kids have the best seafood and dining at their tiny fingertips. Even if they only want mac and cheese, you can throw some lobster in there and call it an authentic New England meal.
4. Day trips from Boston
In just a short drive (depending on traffic, which is a whole other story) you can be at beloved locations like the Cape and the islands, the beaches of the North Shore, or one of our beautiful neighboring states like New Hampshire or Maine. City life one moment, sandcastles the next.
5. Speaking “Boston”
Coming from someone who always gets teased about my upstate NY accent, it was entertaining to hear my daughter ask me to take her to the “pahk” when she was just 2. There is just something charming and uniquely special about hearing a Boston accent on a kid who barely knows her ABCs.
6. History
From taking a duck tour around the city, to walking the Freedom Trail, to seeing the sights of historic Faneuil Hall, Boston-area kids can travel our history-rich city in the most entertaining ways possible.
7. Fall
Autumn brings both crisp temperatures and fun New England excursions like leaf peeping, apple picking, and pumpkin patches. And let’s not forget nearby Salem, because kids can’t get enough of all the Halloween festivities.
8. Snow
Whether your kid loves ice skating at Frog Pond or sledding with neighborhood friends, Boston winters give kids all the snow they could ever dream of. And then they’re in school until July — but it’s worth it at the time!
9. College town
Boston’s many colleges and universities make it the epicenter of higher education, which exposes kids to some of the best schools in the country and the fun of cheering on local college sports. Win-win for kids and parents!
10. Boston Strong
Tough and resilient, yet warm and welcoming to transplants like me, I couldn’t ask for a stronger spirit and culture of people for my kids to grow up around.
