If your only images of Boston are of history's most uncivilized tea party, young rebels planning a revolution over a pint and Paul Revere racing out of town on horseback -- it's time for another visit. That doesn't mean you should skip the Boston Tea Party re-enactment, pass by the Green Dragon pub where the earliest stages of the American Revolution were planned or bypass the Old North Church where the lights were hung to warn if the British would invade by land or by sea -- it just means to keep in mind that Boston is a city full of surprises. After all, the Red Sox did come back from three games down to defeat the hated Yankees, win their first World Series since 1918 and reverse the curse for all time.

A walk on the Freedom Trail will satisfy the history buff while a walk down Newbury Street will satiate the shopaholic; romance is found on a cobblestone street on Beacon Hill and in the Venetian-inspired gardens of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; and whether you find fun in a pint of Guinness or on a quacking tour bus, it's all there.

Once you see all the mandatory attractions, take the time to explore the rest of the city. Head to the Italian North End or Chinatown or spend a quiet moment in the Public Garden, the country's first public park. By the time you set sail, you'll be in awe of not only how much history is packed into this place but also how much Beantown has to offer every visitor.

As far as cities go, few are more kid-friendly and manageable than Boston. Parents can take comfort in knowing the many activities geared at kids are educational and fun for adults too. Kids will love following the red brick Freedom Trail as it winds them through the city past all sorts of historical sights, eating at the food stalls in Quincy Market or picnicking in the Public Garden with ducks waddling around. Boston is safe, clean and filled with charm -- a perfect city for families looking to see the sights, explore our nation's history and have a heck of a good time along the way.

A great way to keep costs down and save time on ticket lines is to buy the Boston CityPass, offering discount admission to six popular attractions (the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Skywalk Observatory and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library). A CityPass for kids age 3 - 11 is $19 and an adult pass is $39. The savings is about 50 percent if you were to visit all the attractions, but if not, you'll have to do the math and see what's the best deal for you.

Older kids (and adults) might enjoy touring Boston by cell phone -- Talking Street offers a 17-stop narrated walking tour of Boston narrated by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. You can pick your own starting point and take the tour in one day or over the course of several. The cost of the tour is $5.95 and you can purchase it in advance or when you get to Boston and are ready to start the tour.