A do-it-yourself walking tour of the Freedom Trail -- and other family attractions.

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In the Footsteps of Patriots

Looking for big-city family adventure without the wear and tear? Plan a weekend in Boston. The city's quaint neighborhoods are so walkable, your kids won't feel like they're being dragged on an endless marathon. Plus, the stroll never gets boring because historic attractions appear at every turn (but don't forget to point them out).

Thanks to this convenient layout, you can pack a lot into one weekend, including such top family sites as the Freedom Trail, the Swan Boats, the Children's Museum, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. But you'll need at least four days to explore at a leisurely pace, and make spur-of-the-moment stops at playgrounds, quirky shops, sidewalk cafes, and street performances.

The best way to see Boston is on foot, just like the patriots. When little feet conk out, take advantage of transportation our forefathers never had: the "T," Boston's color-coded public transport train. The sights and sounds "down under" are an especially big thrill for non-city kids. Take them on the "Green Line" route, from Park Street Station to the Boston Museum of Science; the train goes underground, then above ground and across the Charles River.