2011 Best Cities for Families

3. Boston, MA

Historic Boston made our Top 10 list for education and ranked high in our health category as well. Boston public schools spend a whopping $23,000 per student (the national average is $9,000), and the city is home to several world-class medical institutions, including Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Families can stay fit in Boston's many parks, such as the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, with beautiful paths to amble through. Also ideal for kids is the Back Bay Fens, a restored former saltwater marsh turned into an “urban wild” with community gardens, a playground, and basketball courts. Then there's note-worthy Charles Street in Beacon Hill, the Boston Public Garden (which your kids will recognize from Make Way for Ducklings), and Fenway Park.

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2010 Best Cities for Families