I've said it before, I generally don't see the value in these short escapes. $10K for a family of four, for two-ish, maybe three days of activities!!!!
Now, the Boston one may have some things that may be harder to do on your own, but when I look at the itinerary, it looks a lot like my summer 2016 trip to Boston and Newport, RI, and I think that I spend $5K total, with flights. And our hotel in Boston was actually pretty nice. For instance:
Day one:
Orientation breakfast at the Public Library - didn't do this.
Guided tour on the Freedom Trail with costumed guides - Did this and likely our public tour had fewer people than the ABD will.
Lunch on own at Faneuil Hall - Did this
Afternoon on your own to explore - did this
Norther end Pizza Appetizer tour - okay didn't do this, but did have a lovely meal at the North End
Private visit to the Old North Church, Chocolate shop and longfellow story - The Old North Church was almost empty when we visited.
Dinner at Tresca - again, had a lovely meal at the North End
Cannoli-making - this sounds fun
Day two:
Breakfast on your own - really?
Bike ride along the Charles - this sounds fun
Food truck for lunch - okay,
Rowing class - this sounds fun
Harvard tour - tried to do this, but multiple bus loads of international students made it impossible for us to take the normal Harvard tour. Instead, we walked around by ourselves, visited the museums and the bookstore.
Dinner in Harvard square - on your own.
Day three:
Breakfast on your own again
Morning on your own in Boston
Thompson Island activities - could be interesting, but there is so many other things to do in Boston
Clambake - could be fun, if I wasn't allergic to shellfish
After-hours tour of the Boston Tea Party ships - okay (We were going to visit the museum during normal hours, but since it was like 95 degrees and super humid, the family decided to take a nap instead, to rest up for the Red Sox game that night)
Farewell dinner
Day four:
Breakfast on your own again and transfer to the airport.