Programming languages -- point me in the right direction

[trilinearmipmap]

Looking to get into some computer programming.

20 years ago or so I did various languages, 6502 assembler, 6502 machine language, C, etc.

Want to learn some programming again. Not interested in web type stuff at all (boring). Looking to program in something close to the machine level.

I don't have any idea what language is used for serious programs these days. The topics that I would be interested in programming are widespread but mostly I want to stretch my mind.

Can someone point me in the right direction please. Preferably is there some good software to enable me to program, and some sites or forums to support this, and best of all it would be nice if it were free or cheap.

Also in the next couple of years my boy will be beginning to program. In the olden days the "beginner's" programming languages were Basic and Pascal, what language is a good introductory programming language nowadays?