Boston with kids?

[lauralala]

Hi everyone.  I thought this might be a good place to ask a question.  I lived in Boston in grad school and a few years after, but it's been a few years since I have been there.  We are contemplating a trip over my spring break (3rd week of March).  It would be the first time DS was with us, so I was trying to think of kid-oriented things to do.

The Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural Science, the aquarium..anything obvious I am missing, or things a non-local wouldn't know about that would be fun?  He is 3.

[vtdiamond]

The ducks in the public gardens? Although right now they're under about 2 ft of snow.

[MixedBerryJam]

Are you conflating two science museums? There's the Museum of Science in Cambridge. It's a great museum for a school-age kid, but honestly, I wouldn't recommend it if you're going during a school vacation week. I've waited over an hour in line just to get a parking space (my kids are older, so this was a few years ago and things may have changed but I don't think so.) The MOS has the planetarium and the Omni theatre and tons of hands-on stuff for all ages.

Then there's the Harvard Museum of Natural History which is also cool, but I don't think it has any hands-on exhibits. It has a wicked awesome (hey, I'm a Bostonian) rock collection, including a meteorite from Mars (my husband so wanted to get married in front of the meteor; I nixed that and insisted on City Hall and now sort of regret it) and loads of crystals. On the top floor are the glass flowers. Do not take a 3yo to the Glass Flowers, but if you have a kid-free day, it's my favorite spot in the entire Greater Boston area, bar none. Connected with the Natural History museum is the Peabody Museum of Ethnology which sounds dull but the first time I walked into that museum for a meeting (I used to work at the Unversity) I bumped smack into Lewis and Clark's actual canoe. Yes, that Lewis and Clark, and not a reproduction. A canoe they actually sat in and paddled. I talked about that for about six weeks after! I wouldn't recommend either of those Harvard Museums for a toddler, but if your son is a bit older and into science and rocks and animals and stuff, he might like it. It's a fair sight cheaper than MOS, too. If you're going outside the city, the Discovery Museum in Acton is a nice hands-on one for littler ones.

[lauralala]

Feb 19, 2013 16:23:22 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Are you conflating two science museums? 


Sorry, yes I was.  I meant the Museum of Science.  It's not a school vacation week in Mass., so we might be safe, but I will keep your warning in mind.  Thanks for all the info!

[liveintheville]

Yeah, those are the ones I can think of. Maybe ice skating at Frog Pond if it's still open? 

[rikki]

I am pretty sure that the aquarium is under construction right now. I am not sure it will be done by March.

[mrsbro]

We brought the boys (3&2) in town for the Aquarium and tall ships for the 4th. Their favorite part? Walking around Fanuiel Hall and watching the street performers, eating hot dogs, oh and playing in splash pad on the RKG. LOL, the stuff that didn't require a 2nd mortgage for a family of 4 to participate (eyes the Aquarium) Sometimes a lazy day without a lot planned is the funnest.

[hellzkitten]

The aquarium is under construction, but you can still look at the sharks, rays, jellies & seals. The Children's Museum - definitely a lot of fun! There is the Fire Museum right around the corner from there, too. I don't know if they are open during the week, but you can check - it's affordable since they only take donation.

[lauralala]

Thanks everyone!

[badatcaptcha]

I don't have kids, but...

Restaurant Week Boston is 3/17-3/22 & 3/24-3/29, so keep that in mind maybe for a fun lunch somewhere, since dinner is almost $40 per person now.

The Aquarium is undergoing renovation, but they are still open at a discounted rate.

I've never been inside, but maybe the Franklin Park Zoo or Stoneham Zoo?

Target sponsors the Children Museum on Friday nights for $1 admission, but it may be busy.

He probably would like the street performers at Faneuil Hall too.

[mswax]

Just riding the T is a big hit with my boys. All the other suggestions are great too.