Boston and Cape Cod

[Ruthiebabes]

We have family in Boston and are planning a trip there next August.
Probably spend 3 days in Boston, then a week in Cape Cod. We will go for about 16 nights, so would be able to stay other places as well.
Anyone have any ideas on where to stay on the Cape, things to do in Boston (with boys 12 and 10), and anywhere to add to itinerary.
Thanks.

We did exactly this with our girls at about the same age and at the same time of year. Boston has the Freedom Trail which takes you through the major sights of the revolution - against the British. It has great museums, including a computer museum, a children's museum as well as a great acquarium. The adults might like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Fine Art. Whale watching in summer is an absolute "must" and there are lots of interesting neighbourhoods. Walking is easy but it also has a good public transport system.

On Cape Cod we stayed at Sandwich, in an old Inn, and then Chatham, in a modern hotel. Both had pools. In the summer there is a lot of traffic getting to and from Cape Cod. It is lovely though and has great beaches and little historic towns. Wellfleet is a good location onthe National Seashore. You can cross to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket too. Some towns, such as Hyannis, are rather over-hyped.

It is well worth going to Lexington and Concord for literary and revolutionary connections. Plimoth Plantation which is a recreation of how the Pilgrim Fathers lived when they landed in the "New World" is definitely worthwhile. This is just south of Plymouth, MA, where there is also a replica of the Mayflower. There are lots of lovely seaside towns north of Boston too. The seafood is fantastic. Have a greeat trip.

Hyannis Port is lovely. We stayed in a condo that was right on the beach and looked across to the Kennedy compound.

I could take or leave Martha's Vineyard (it was a bit too touristy and tatty) but Nantucket was lovely for a day trip.

Ps as per pp, it's Hyannis Port, not Hyannis proper

Thanks so much for replies.. Looking at 3-4 days in Boston, 1 wk in Eastham or Orleans then 5 days in Wareham,.

We did this
Loved Boston
Stay central- beacon hill is lovely has loads of nice streets with diners etc
You can tour the stadium, do walking city tours etc, fab aquarium (though your kids may be a bit old, ours loved it) cheers bar, use forums on trip advisor for current ideas
Cape cod- we were more governed by a family wedding but then travelled...
Liked Falmouth,
wooky hole- pie in the sky coffee shop fab (its where ferrys go to MV)
P-town had Brighton esq vibe
Rockport beautiful beaches and quaint town
Chatham- beautiful beaches but not a lot there otherwise
Have fun!

We loved Plimoth Plantation and had a couple of days in Provincetown which were great - kids were also 10 & 12 - it was a great place to wander round in the evening.