Boston is a top-notch family destination, with tons of activities that appeal to children and relatively few that don't. Every hotel and most restaurants in the area have extensive experience meeting kids' needs.

Children (usually under 18, sometimes under 12) can stay free in their parent's hotel room when using existing bedding. Most hotels charge for cots, and some charge for cribs. Always ask whether the hotel you're considering has special offers for families. Many hotels offer family packages that include a room or a suite, breakfast, and parking, plus discount coupons for museums and restaurants. Some discount the price of a kid's room that adjoins the parent's; at others, a suite may give you as much space as -- and cost less than -- two standard rooms.

When you book your flight, see if your airline offers half-price tickets for children under 3 traveling in car seats.

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 888/SEE-BOSTON; www.bostonusa.com) sells a Kids Love Boston guide ($5) filled with travel information for families.

Throughout this book, the "Kids" icon flags destinations that are especially welcoming and interesting to youngsters. Also consult the boxes on "Family-Friendly Hotels" and "Family-Friendly Restaurants", and the section "Especially for Kids".

Familyhostel (tel. 800/733-9753; www.learn.unh.edu/familyhostel) takes the whole family, including kids ages 8 to 15, on moderately priced domestic and international learning vacations. A team of academics guides lectures, field trips, and sightseeing.

Recommended family travel Internet sites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an award-winning site that offers travel features, deals, and tips; and Family Travel Files (www.thefamilytravelfiles.com), which offers an online magazine and a directory of off-the-beaten-path tours and tour operators for families.

The Unofficial Guide to New England & New York with Kids (Wiley Publishing, Inc.), a Frommer's publication, is an excellent family resource. How to Take Great Trips with Your Kids (The Harvard Common Press) is full of good general advice that can apply to travel anywhere.