Three days of family fun in Boston

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Day 1
Start your day with an overview of the city on a Boston Duck Tour ($25 for adults; $16 for kids age 3 - 11; $3 for kids under 3). Parents will appreciate the informative and entertaining tour while kids will love the DUCK, an amphibious landing vehicle that, once the land portion of the tour is complete, drives right into the Charles River. "Conducktors" let kids "drive" the DUCK in the River and encourage them to quack at pedestrians on the street. You can pick up the tour at two locations: the Prudential Center or the Museum of Science. If you pick up the tour at the Museum of Science, stop in and spend some time at the planetarium or take in a film on the giant screen at the Mugar Omni Theatre. Admission is $14 for adults, $11 for kids.

After the Duck tour, jump on the Green Line and take it to the Government Center stop. Grab lunch at the food court at Quincy Market -- with over 50 food stalls serving everything from pizza to clam chowder in a bread bowl to hot dogs and lobster rolls, everyone is sure to find something they'll enjoy. Take a seat at one of the communal tables or head outside and find a bench to dine on. The warm months often find the steps of Quincy Market packed with street performers -- magicians, jugglers and clowns -- to occupy the kids' attention.

Once you've refueled, head over to Boston Common and the Public Garden. Take pictures of the kids on the bronzed statues of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings -- the subject of Robert McCloskey's "Make Way for Ducklings" about a duck family who found their home in the Public Garden. Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Quack, Pack and Ouack's real-life descendents are in the pond nearby -- to get a good look take a ride on the foot-paddled swan boats ($2 for adults, $1 for kids). If the kids haven't read the book, make sure to pick up a copy to read as a bedtime story tonight. The book is available at nearly every gift shop in Boston and at the Barnes and Noble and Borders book stores, both on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing.

While you're at Boston Common, stop at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Center (147 Tremont Street on Boston Common) and pick up a Freedom Trail map and guide -- you'll need it for tomorrow.

Exit the park and take a walk up Newbury Street -- you can window shop on your way to dinner at Joe's American Bar & Grill (corner of Dartmouth). The large menu includes burgers, chicken fingers and milkshakes as well as more grown-up seafood and pasta dishes. After dinner finish your stroll up Newbury and get ice cream for the kids at either Ben & Jerry's (between Dartmouth and Exeter) or JP Licks (252 Newbury near Massachusetts Avenue).