There is nothing like a little travel over vacation, but you don't need a passport or a plane ticket to make that happen. A little public transportation can go a long way with children, whether it is a ride on the Silver Line to see the planes take off at Logan or a "choose your own adventure" ride on the T to explore a new neighborhood. If you just want the comfort of your own car then trying out new restaurants or foods in the area can be an adventure in itself.
Train Ride
At home or the library, you can read about train travel before your big (okay little) trip. There is no shortage of children's books about trains. This vacation, we are planning a day trip on the train from Cambridge to Concord. If you are leaving from Porter Square, you can stop at Porter Square Books for a new book to read on the train, and grab a coffee from Café Zing! Bagel lovers can stop in at Brueggers for a pre-boarding breakfast. Then, hop on the Fitchburg Line to Concord. When you get to Concord you can spend the day reading, painting pottery, and more at Barefoot Books, which opens at 10:30 during vacation week. Check the calendar online for daily activities. After you play a while, you might be ready for lunch at both parent and kid-friendly Sorrento's Pizza. If you're headed home and you need some groceries for dinner stop in to Concord Provisions, and for one more treat before you head home, you won't want to pass Bedford Farms by for ice cream.
Truck Stop
Boston has so many fun food trucks and finding out where they are and what activities are nearby is an adventure in itself. Your older children may get a kick out of tracking down food trucks such as Staff Meal, Clover, Bon Me, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Silk Road BBQ, Kick*ss Cupcakes, and Redbones on their blogs, websites, Facebook and Twitter.
Around the World in 80 Bites
Vacation week means more than a break from school, but it is also a break from school lunches. Whether you struggle to find something in the cafeteria that your child will eat and that you approve of, or you cringe every time you open the lunchboxes and stare at all the empty bento containers sitting on the counter and waiting to be filled each day, vacation week is a chance to try something new. With a little planning you can explore new foods together even with the pickiest children. Pack some fruits and veggies, granola bars, cheese sticks and other snacks. If they try but don't like everything new then you have a little snack to give them on the way home and stave off the cranky hunger monster.
Travel to Switzerland at the Swiss Bakers in Reading. You may have seen some of their goodies on the weekend at Formaggio Kitchen or at the farmer's markets. For breakfast you can enjoy their puffed Berliner donuts that are filled with intense fruity jams and glitzed up with a coating of sugar or a coffee with a rich and delicate croissant. If you can't make it there until lunch, then you have to try one of the pretzels with a bowl of soup or sandwiches made on pretzel baguettes. If some of the family members have to go to work that day, bring back goodies for the evening meal.
In Harvard Square, you can go to UK Chain Wagamama for an Asian noodle experience. They have an extensive kids menu that is not "dumbed down" but may be more approachable for the little palates. Head to Mexico with some tacos, sandwiches or quesadillas at Olécito. India has rice which is perfect for even the most picky eaters and the creamy tomato sauce is easy to love as are the milder paneers. Check out India Pavillion for their lunch buffet which has plenty of options and a spacious modern décor for plenty of games of "eye spy". For French-Alsation, grab lunch at Sandrine's or head to Cuba at the new Gustazo Café.
Now get out there and explore the world by foot, by train, by car, by T, but most importantly one bite at a time.
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