What Boston Hotels Are Near CityPASS Attractions?

We are going to be in Boston in early July and are planning to take advantage of the Boston CityPass for a family of 4 with kids (4 & 8 years old).

I have not been able to easily find a way to map out the locations of the CityPass attractions, but I would like to find a hotel centrally located within the CityPASS attractions . . . if at all possible. If it could a location convenient for seeing the fireworks in Boston, that would be ideal, although not mandatory.

- Thanks,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

That's an interesting challenge. The Boston CityPASS gives you free access to 4 top attractions: Museum of Science (MOS), New England Aquarium, Boston Harbor cruises, and your choice of either the Harvard Museum of Natural History or Franklin Park Zoo.

The CityPASS offers you a great deal: savings of almost 50% on these attractions, plus you get to skip most lines.

As you have already discovered, these attractions are scattered across Boston and nearby Cambridge.

The Museum of Natural History is in Cambridge, on the other side of the Charles River, and the July 4th fireworks take place on the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge.

Fortunately, Boston's subway system (the "T," as we call it here) gives you convenient and easy access to most of these locations.

Here are the subway lines and closest stations for each CityPASS attraction:

Museum of Science - Green Line/Lechmere
Natural History Museum - Red Line/Harvard
New England Aquarium - Blue Line/Aquarium
Boston Harbor Cruises (Long Wharf on the Downtown Waterfront) - Blue Line/Aquarium
Franklin Park Zoo - Green Line/Green Street (and then about a mile walk to the entrance)

The Aquarium and Long Wharf, where you board the Harbor cruises, are almost next to each other. You can either walk to the Museum of Science itself, or walk to a Green Line station (usually quicker than transferring from another line) and take the subway.

The Zoo, while a wonderful place to visit, is unfortunately neither quick nor easy to reach from central Boston, but you can get there on the subway's Green Line if you don't mind walking almost a mile to the entrance.

Taking all of these locations and factors into consideration, a hotel in the vicinity of the Red Line's Park Station would put you within easy walking distance of the Aquarium and Long Wharf (Harbor cruises), and give you subway access to the others. It's also close to the fireworks launch site on the Charles River.

Here are 5 excellent hotels for you to consider:

Nine Zero

Nine Zero, part of the popular Kimpton hotel group, is about a 2-minute walk from Park Station and is located on Boston's Freedom Trail across the street from historic Granary Burying Ground.

Nine Zero offers exceptional kid-friendly amenities - plus you can also enjoy the hotel bikes to use around the city, a hosted wine reception in the lobby every night, and many luxury touches in your room.

Rates, Reviews, Reservations

XV Beacon

The elegant Fifteen Beacon boutique hotel, located less than 2 blocks from Park Station and Boston Common, offers luxury, comfort, and personalized service.

Pack a frisbee or two, because your kids will love playing on the grassy fields and slopes of Boston Common. You'll enjoy relaxing in a comfy lounge chair on XV Beacon's room deck.

Rates, Reviews, Reservations

Omni Parker House

Omni Parker House, like Nine Zero, is on the Freedom Trail,very close to Park Station, and an easy walk to the waterfront and Faneuil Marketplace.

Omni Parker House's wonderful kids program distributes backpacks filled with fun items to its youngest guests at check-in. You can even book a family suite here - the children's nook features bunk beds, bean bag chairs, an activity table, and child-sized colonial costumes for play.

Rates, Reviews, Reservations

Hyatt Regency

Your whole family will love Hyatt Regency's heated indoor saline swimming pool, sun deck, and sauna. If you have time in between sight-seeing adventures, you can even join one of the complimentary yoga classes.

The hotel's location is convenient to Park Station/Boston Common, the Theatre District, and the lively Downtown Crossing Shopping area. Bonus: you're also just steps away from Chinatown's wonderful restaurants.

Rates, Reviews, Reservations

Godfrey Hotel

The Godfrey Hotel's sparkling new rooms and welcoming public spaces occupy a lovely historic building in Downtown Crossing/Theatre District, just 1 block from Boston Common and Park Station.

Since you'll be here in the summer, take advantage of the Godfrey's offer of complimentary bicycles - perfect way to explore Boston Common for you and your family! Complimentary yoga mats are also available.

Rates, Reviews, Reservations

Couple of things to note: 1) LOTS of people visit Boston around July 4th to see the fireworks and Pops concerts, so be sure to make your hotel reservations as early as possible and if you care where your room is relative to the view of the fireworks, confirm directly with the hotel - you'll find phone numbers here for hotels near the fireworks, and 2) Boston's Harborfest will be going on during the time that you'll be here, so you'll probably see festivities related to that also, especially around the Aquarium.

Hope this helps! I've added links to more information about most places that I mentioned, so click on them to get more information.

Have a wonderful time - July 4th is truly a special time to visit Boston!

Have fun in Boston!