Throughout my childhood spent in southern New Hampshire, it was always a big deal and celebratory occasion when the family would pile into the station wagon to make the hour drive across the state border to Boston, Massachusetts. Sometimes we’d head down for a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, or to stroll around and shop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, or take a swan-boat ride in the Public Garden and eat spaghetti in Boston’s North End.

But more often than not, my parents would take my brother and me to an attraction or historic site that, back then, we thought was really neat. Now that I’m mother of two young children, I’m realizing that those monuments and museums were not only cool, but they’re cool educational opportunities, too.

I’ve just started bringing my children, ages 6 and 8, to some of these “Who knew we were learning?” attractions on our annual trips back East to visit Grandma. Here’s what’s on our must-see list:

The Freedom Trail

Boston is so rich in American Revolution history, and the best place to learn about the birth of the United States is along the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail. While walking the red-brick or red-painted trail throughout downtown Boston, visitors can stop at 16 different historic sites and monuments, including Paul Revere’s House dating back to 1680; the Old North Church, where lanterns hung to signal the “British are coming!”; and the Old South Meeting House, where colonists gathered just before ceremoniously dumping crates of tea into Boston Harbor, one of many protests against Great Britain that eventually led to the Revolutionary War.

Walk all or part of trail at your own pace for free (donations are appreciated at the various sites). If you’re going it alone, a good place to start is the Visitors Information Center on Boston Common, where you can pick up maps and guides for a nominal fee. Or take a guided tour from a knowledgeable docent dressed in 18th-century attire; these animated folks keep school-age children spellbound with tales from colonial times. The Freedom Trail Foundation’s 90-minute tours cover part of the trail and only involve a mile or so of walking. They run May to November and also start at the Visitors Information Center.

The USS Constitution

“Old Ironsides,” docked in Boston Harbor, is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat today. This means that after more than 200 years of service, including a stint in the War of 1812, she remains an active-duty Navy ship.

One of the highlighted sites along the Freedom Trail, this majestic tall ship and its nearby museum merit more than just a quick look-see. Free tours, again with costumed docents, are held on board every 30 minutes throughout the warm-weather months. Daily raising and retiring of the flag, at 8 a.m. and sunset, include cannon fire, which, naturally, most children find quite impressive.

New England Aquarium

Aspiring marine biologists, or anyone who thinks sharks, penguins and moray eels are pretty neat, will love Boston’s New England Aquarium at Central Wharf. Its centerpiece is the Caribbean Coral Reef Exhibit, also known simply as the “Giant Ocean Tank,” holding 200,000 gallons of water, sea caves, coral and a stunning display of ocean life.

Another aquarium highlight ranking high when it comes to the “cool factor,” is the on-site medical center, where visitors can actually watch veterinarians treat sick or injured animals. Video monitors allow even closer views of live procedures—from vision exams to inoculations. The aquarium also features an extensive penguin exhibit and IMAX theatre. Whale-watching tours and harbor cruises are available in warm-weather months.

Museum of Science

Permanent exhibits at this beloved Boston institution range from “A Bird’s World” and “Beyond the X-Ray” to “Mathematica” (on display since 1981) to “Welcome to the Universe.” Traveling exhibits bring fresh material to the museum several times a year, and plenty of interactive activities keep kids fully intrigued.

Live presentations also engage visitors with such topics as “Frankly Franklin,” where actors tell tales of the statesman’s contributions to science, and “Electricity!” in which staff members produce live, indoor bolts of lightening. An IMAX theatre, planetarium and laser show offer still more ways to spend a morning, afternoon or full day at this museum.

Boston Children’s Museum

Geared for children up to age 10, this museum gives them opportunities to climb and crawl, pound with hammers, get messy with art, weave on large-scale looms and much more. The “Arthur and Friends” exhibit, based on the beloved Arthur books written by Marc Brown and television cartoon produced by a Boston station, allows preschoolers to interact and role play with the characters, The authentic Japanese silk merchant’s home and “Boston Black: A City Connects” will, in particular, engage adults as well as children.