Is Boston a good place to take kids for holiday in August?

[snackattack]

Has anyone got any experience of Boston and/or Cape Cod or around there. I'm really wanting to get away from Europe this summer and go somewhere not too hot, quite interesting and perhaps do a two centre self-drive type thing. We have two dc aged 5 and 11 and they do like cities as well as the usual beach hols. I was wondering about flying to Boston, staying a few days and then driving down to Cape Cod or somewhere around there as I've heard it's lovely. But, I'm not sure of distances, weather in August (most people seem to go in Autumn for the leaves I think?) and also what the deal is in Cape Cod area itself. Is it a beach holiday place? Any information/thoughts/advice or better ideas much appreciated!!
Thank you

Boston/Cape Cod hot in August - if 'not too hot' is a top priority don't go then. However, if you just want to be forewarned, then it's fine - everywhere indoors is air-conditioned, as presumably your car will be.

Cape Cod's quite a range - beachy places (both posh and scruffy), your usual quota of boring inland mall strips, the camp gay intensity of Provincetown, chichi little retirement villages. I'd do some researching on Tripadvisor for the options.

You can do beach holidays on Cape Cod (national sea shore etc), and there is enough surf to make it exciting for that age range (mine were 4 -10 when we last went) but stll safe. You also have a range of other stuff to keep them entertained (steam train, what watches etc).

Boston is one of my favourite American cities (mainly because it is not very American and does feel too much like a city)and loads of historical stuff, the Americans get very excited that some of the buildings there are over 200yrs old .

Boston is stifingly hot and humid during August (compared to the UK) first time I walked out of the air conditioned Logan airport I felt like I was carrying a heavy rucksack everywhere. You do acclimatise though, and the Cape is a bit cooler than the city.

People do go to New England for the fall colours but less so to the Cape, if you go much after labour day (the first Monday in September) then well over half the shops, restaurants and attractions will be boarded up with big signs saying see you in April.

Thank you for the responses. I really think in light of the weather that we may have to reconsider this as a destination for August. I am so bad in hot, humid weather and my eldest daughter also hates it. Was looking for something cooler....any ideas?!?

We did Boston and Cape Cod summer 2007 in August (children were2 and 5). It was lovely, the drive is about 3 or 4 hours depedning on where in the Cape you go. We stayed in lovely hostoric house in Wellfleet buit by the guy who imported bananas to America for the first time apparently. It had a wooden staircase right down onto the beach, lovely calm water for swimming (the other side has the big waves).

Boston is great there is loads to do for children.

I didn't find it humid at all. Especially Cape Cod.

ComeOveneer - could you let me know the name of the accommodation you stayed in at Wellfleet? I'm still considering it because it just looks so lovely! What about Boston - any hotel recommendations??

we went to Boston 2 years ago in August and it was like an English summer day - can be v. hot but not always and everywhere is air-conditioned anyway.

Thank you for that. It seems it's a bit unpredictable but I guess so long as i'm not sitting in it (presuming we'll be going to various museums etc) that I'll cope!

there is a fab aquarium in boston and a 3d cinema . beautiful place. i would love to take my kids there.

ihatethecold I was going to recommend the aquarium as well ... it is fantastic .. the best I have ever been to!

I've been to boston in August and it was sweltering. One of my friends lay in the sun for an hour and a half (with spf on, albeit not the highest one) and got serious burns - her face was one big blister. It can get very very very hot there. I dont usually burn but I did there. Spent some days flaked out on front of the air con after short trips outside

Snackattack it was this house here. It is lovely, minimally furnished but perfect for children and steps down to a private beach (only for the few houses that have direct access onto it from their staircases.