Last spring, an inexplicable urge sparked within me – a desire to introduce my daughters to the historical allure of Boston. With a year of COVID-19 caution behind us, and my husband and eldest daughter vaccinated, the idea of an East Coast road trip began to solidify. Air travel felt precarious with our younger children still ineligible for vaccination, but a summer road adventure in 2021 seemed like the perfect solution, with Boston firmly at the top of my list.
Having previously resided in New York City for four formative years of our marriage, my husband and I had cultivated a deep appreciation for exploring the East Coast, with Boston always holding a special place in our hearts. I yearned for my daughters to experience this city brimming with character, charm, and rich history. To enrich our journey, we decided to incorporate visits to other noteworthy East Coast cities. Cleveland and Philadelphia, destinations we had only briefly encountered, were added to our itinerary, alongside a mandatory stop in New York City, a place I am perpetually drawn back to.
Preparing for Our East Coast Adventure: Memories and Accessibility
To enhance the trip’s engagement and create lasting memories, each family member received a travel journal, complete with fun stickers for personalization. Ensuring the kids’ instant cameras were ready with batteries and film, I envisioned them capturing their own perspectives and highlights of our journey. While the cameras were used more towards the trip’s end, the journals and cameras served as excellent tools to build anticipation and encourage mindful engagement with our experiences.
Accessibility was a crucial aspect of our road trip preparations, as our middle daughter uses a wheelchair. This necessitated meticulous research into each Airbnb accommodation to confirm its accessibility. We understood that true ADA-standard accessibility is rare in private rentals. Our benchmark became simply ensuring wheelchair access through the front door – a victory in itself.
Furthermore, detailed research was required for dining and sightseeing locations to verify they offered legally mandated accommodations. Regrettably, we often found that many businesses and attractions still fall short of adhering to accessibility laws.
a person in a wheelchair explores an old prison
Historical Sites and Unexpected Delights in Philadelphia
Philadelphia presented a blend of historical immersion and unexpected family fun. One standout experience was our visit to Eastern State Penitentiary. While traditional historical landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell proved somewhat less captivating for my daughters, the penitentiary gripped their attention. Exploring the grounds and absorbing the poignant stories offered an educational and thought-provoking experience, distinct from mere “fun” but profoundly impactful. Another highlight in Philadelphia was Magic Gardens, an intriguing and immersive art environment, though accessibility was limited.
An unanticipated joy in Philly was roller skating. We had packed our skates somewhat speculatively, and our middle daughter brought her adapted Segway. The skate park beneath the Philadelphia Museum of Art became our family playground. Skating alongside local skateboarders and bikers, bathed in beautiful sunsets and accompanied by funk music from my phone, created an unforgettable family memory.
New York City: A Whirlwind of Iconic Experiences
After my husband returned home from Philadelphia, the rest of the journey was undertaken with just my daughters. Our single day in New York City was undoubtedly a peak experience. A pedicab tour through Central Park proved to be an ideal way to efficiently see a significant portion of the park, particularly beneficial when traveling with children and a wheelchair. While I did need to carry my daughter at various stops, it was manageable for our family dynamic.
Ascending to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center offered breathtaking panoramic views. A stroll down Fifth Avenue, punctuated by stops at the LEGO Store and FAO Schwarz, delighted the children. Simple culinary pleasures like Shake Shack and a noodle bar added to the city’s charm. Remarkably, my 7-year-old later declared that riding the subway was her favorite part of the entire day – highlighting how the “little things” often become the “big things” in children’s memories.
a family of four poses at the top of the rockefeller center observation deck
Boston and the Literary Appeal of Harvard
Finally, we arrived in Boston, the city that had initially sparked this East Coast travel adventure. Truthfully, Boston didn’t resonate with my daughters as strongly as I had hoped. The Freedom Trail, while historically significant, proved slightly overwhelming in its historical density. While they enjoyed the aquarium, it lacked a distinctly “Boston” flavor. Despite having fun, a weariness of historical buildings and fatigue from extensive walking began to set in. Our final stop before heading home was Harvard University, and I approached it with uncertain expectations.
Having shared the Gilmore Girls series with my daughters, where Harvard and Yale University play prominent roles, I thought a visit to the real Harvard campus might be engaging. Beyond the Hollywood connection, my aim was to demonstrate that Harvard is a tangible place of learning and opportunity.
While I hold no specific aspirations for my children’s higher education paths, I wanted to plant the seed that applying to Harvard, or any Ivy League institution, is within the realm of possibility. To my delight, they loved Harvard. Wandering through the picturesque campus and admiring the stunning architecture captivated them. Each daughter chose a book from the Harvard bookstore, and we concluded our East Coast road trip on an inspiring and intellectually stimulating note.
