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Boston's Best Free Fall Activities For Families

The fall is a great season for families to spend time together both indoors and outdoors in Boston. The snow hasn't started coming down and the heat of the summer has subsided. Boston makes it easy to stay within a budget during autumn, thanks to a wealth of free family activities. Everything from academic pursuits to celebratory events are available to people of all ages for only the cost it takes to get there.

Coit Observatory
(Photo Credit: Boston University)

Coit Observatory Free Wednesdays
Boston University Astronomy
725 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-2625
www.bu.edu

Come check out the night sky on any given Wednesday this fall. The Coit Observatory is open to the public on Wednesdays whenever the weather is right, so be sure to call ahead to make sure the sky is cooperating. The university supplies the observatory, equipment and experts to guide guests through what they are seeing above Boston. Admission is free, but ticketed guests are allowed in before non-ticketed guests, so check the website for details on obtaining tickets. Be sure to arrive before the event, which starts promptly at 7:30 p.m., as no one is admitted once observation begins.

Related: Boston's Best Free Art Activities

Veterans
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Veteran's Day Parade
Boston, MA 02201

Date: Nov. 11, 2015

Every year, Boston has a parade to celebrate the city and nation's veterans. The parade starts at the corner of Boylston and Charles Streets and travels down Tremont St. to City Hall Plaza. Several veteran organizations in the area march in the parade. Families can watch from the sidelines at any point along the parade's route for free. Traffic is always diverted, so plan transportation and parking ahead of time.

Arnold Arboretum - Boston's Best Fall Weddings
(Image: Arnold Arboretum)

Arnold Arboretum Foliage
125 Arborway
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-1718
www.arboretum.harvard.edu

Beautiful foliage is everywhere during the fall in New England. However, Harvard's  Arnold Arboretum is one of the best places to view it while going for a peaceful walk with the family. The park is 281 acres and is open from sunup to sundown everyday, so there is ample opportunity and space to enjoy this fall treat. There are some very particular rules in place to protect the park, including the restriction of picnicking on the property, so plan to eat out nearby or before visiting.

New England Aquarium
Penguins at the New England Aquarium. (WBZ-TV)

Free Passes To New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 973-5200
www.bpl.org

Thanks to the Boston Public Library, cardholders can reserve free admission to the New England Aquarium for up to four people. These passes are only available from September until June, so the fall is a great time to take advantage of this perk. The weather still isn't too cold to enjoy the outdoor sections of the aquarium. The New England Aquarium is one of Boston's best educational and fun family destinations. Getting in for free makes it even better.

Museum Of Science Boston
(Photo Credit: Museum of Science Boston)

Free Passes To The Museum Of Science
1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-2500
www.bpl.org

The Museum of Science is another cool place for families to visit where admission is free with a pass from the Boston Public Library. Library cardholders can reserve admission for up to four people free. Special exhibits still require payment, but the main museum and all its various science exhibits are included. There is something for most children at the museum and it is very accessible for families with strollers.

Related: The Best After-School Activities For Kids In Boston

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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