Family Visits in Boston

By Valerie Wilk

The moment I married a man who had nine brothers and sisters, I couldn't help but wonder what I was getting myself into. Though I don't have anywhere near that many family members, between my husband and me, we have our fair share of sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews who love to visit from every corner of the U.S - especially since we moved to Boston.

With its rich history and fun atmosphere, Boston seems to be our family's hot spot for spring break, summer vacation, or any three-day weekend. And since we're the only ones who live in the New England area, we've quickly learned the best places around town to keep our many visitors entertained.

My sister-in-law and her family recently visited from the Southwest - anxious to experience the beautiful fall landscape of Boston in October. Since she has three little kids, I was so glad we had recently bought a brand new 2008 Buick Enclave - with enough room to seat 7 people comfortably.

Just moments after they got off the plane, we were cruising around the city in the Buick Enclave. Wanting to take our guests to a French brasserie along the Boston waterfront called Sel de la Terre, we headed in that direction. But soon realized we weren't sure exactly where it was! Thanks to the OnStar® Navigation system in our Enclave, we were able to find it in no time and enjoy what we locals like to call the best bread in the whole New England region.

That weekend our guests were treated to all our favorite Boston attractions. From the Revolutionary history of the Freedom Trail to a Boston Red Sox game at the infamous Fenway Park, we hardly let any grass grow under our feet. And whether we brought picnic baskets or a whole lot of Red Sox souvenirs, the Enclave always had room to spare!

One morning we piled into the Buick Enclave for a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. The kids dressed in their Halloween costumes to take part in this year's Haunted Happenings Opening Parade. I must admit, the drive to Salem was pretty rowdy with a witch, a princess and a Jedi singing The Monster Mash in the back seat. And even though it was a short trip, I was glad we could tune the music towards the back of the Enclave so the grown-ups could enjoy a more comfortable (and a little less noisy) outing.

In Salem, the kids had a blast marching in the parade and everyone enjoyed the haunted houses. We also checked out some of the historical buildings that signify Salem's "spirited" history. It was as fascinating as it was spooky!

As our final event of the week, we left the nieces and nephew with my neighbor and spent the last few days in Providence. Just a couple hours south of Boston - Providence has some beautiful areas, such as Water Place Park and Riverwalk. From Venice-inspired bridges to gorgeous flower gardens and scenic views, it was the perfect getaway for my sister and brother-in-law before they had to head home.

Overall, it was one of the best visits we've had since moving to Boston. And I know everyone (including myself) felt like they were in the lap of luxury thanks to our Buick Enclave. Now it's time to plan for the next family member to come into town, but at least we have the knowledge of the town and the transportation we need to make each visit even better than the last.

About the Author: Valerie Wilk is a newlywed who loves to explore Boston in her Buick and eat all the lobster she can get. As a writer and travel enthusiast, Valerie creates articles for many online publications. For more information about the Buick Enclave visit Offersbybuick.com