My kids (12, 9, 4) have a week off school in the fall and I want to travel to Boston. High on the list is Tea Party Museum, the Freedom Trail, the aquarium, the children's museum, and an apple orchard.

We've never spent significant time in the Northeast, but I understand the best way to get around Boston is the T subway. I wouldn't mind renting a car if we stayed outside of Boston, but don't think it's needed in the city. I am having trouble finding a hotel at a reasonable cost for all 5 of us though. I know most of our stuff is downtown and would prefer a downtown hotel, but is there any decent nearby suburb that is accessible on the T that's under $400 a night?

The Boston Seaport area would probably be good for you. It is a cool area and right next to the North End. Prices vary wildly depending on the dates you are looking at, but I've stayed at the Omni and the Westin below $400 a night. Sometimes close to $200. The Omni is more modern and cool looking, while the Westin is a little dated.

You could also do the Sheraton in Back Bay, which is connected to a huge mall and has walkways to different parts of Back Bay. View Boston at the top of the Prudential Center (I think the tallest building in Boston at around 50 floors) is kind of fun once. 360 degree views of the city.

The problem is the 5th kid. If the hotel even accepts them it's over $600/night, even at the Omni. Most block me completely at 5. Best I'm finding is the La Quinta in Somerville which feels so sketch but is at least $300/night and on the Assembly Row line.

Seems like AirBnB is a perfect solution to your issue. Needing room for lots of people is kind of the sweet spot for them now to be a better value than a hotel. AirBnB is almost never a good option anymore for me with 1 or 2 people, but it is often great for a group.

Maybe Quincy? It's south of town and the red line takes about 20 minutes to South Station which is walking distance from the Tea Party ships, Children's Museum, and Aquarium. Pretty quiet, not too happening place

For the sites that you are describing, I second the recommendation of an AirB&B in town, rather than a hotel in the suburbs. AirB&B exists to protect the sanity of parents who are traveling with their children.

For those ages, I also recommend Beacon Hill Books and Cafe on Charles Street. It is a block or two downhill from Acorn Street, which that same age range will think is straight out of a fairy tale.

This is exactly what we did last October. We had 4 nights and one of our goals is to always try to hit as many of the different 50 states that we can, hoping to do all 50 by the time the kids are a certain age.

We stayed two nights in Boston at the Godfrey, doing all of the Boston things: Freedom trail, Tea Party Museum, North End. We spent a day in Salem (have to in October, but it's really overrated).

We then went down to Plymouth and spent half a day there, drove into Newport, RI, did a bay sailing cruise. Stayed the night in Providence.

Last day we went into eastern Connecticut and stayed in Essex.

I love Boston and Salem in the fall, been several times when i worked in New England. Not the cheapest time to go though. Between Uber and the Metro, I wouldn't bother with renting a car. Between parking fees at the hotel and in the city, its just not worth it. The amount I spent on the metro, MTBA. Amtrak and ubers was less than I would have paid for parking and gas on my last trip.

I went to Boston/Salem last fall the weekend before Halloween and I stayed at the Fairfield/Residence inn Chelsea/Boston Airport right next to the FBI building for 800 for the weekend (early check in Friday, check out Monday.) I did have to leave a little early Monday to beat traffic back to South Station. There's is a Homewood Suites and Double Tree right next door if you want Hilton. I felt safe as a solo female traveller. It is literally a block from an MTBA (purple train) stop that takes you directly to Salem and Boston and i never had an issue getting an uber. The 10 dollar weekend passes are a great deal as well.

The duck boat tours a fun touristy way to see Boston quickly, the museum of Science is a must do with kids. I would look at getting a city pass while you are there for discounted admissions to a lot of exhibits and museums. If you have time, I would spend an afternoon or even a day in Salem. If you want to do some of the witchy touristy things like make a broom you will need to book early.

Get apple cider donuts, and a lobster roll or the clam chowder while you are there, I personally like Connecticut style better.