So now that the MLB strike is coming to an end, it looks like we’re heading to Boston this Summer. I have no idea where to start with planning. We’ll be flying and I have a 13 year old and 9 year old. My 13 year old is a major history buff. The 9 year old is in it for a game at Fenway.
I’m trying to figure out somewhere to stay. Preferably something located to mass transit or, walking distance from major attractions.
Are there any “must do’s” for activities and/or restaurants? I’d love to hear about all the awesome things we need to see on our adventure. Thanks for the help!
Definitely do the tour of Fenway Park - check the tour schedule because they don’t run the same on game days and non-game days.
Walk the Freedom Trail, or at least parts of it. The cemeteries are interesting and full of well-known names.
We usually get cannolis from Mike’s Pastry in the North End. It’s a big tourist location so the line can be long. Last time we were there (last summer during that super-rare hurricane), we had it delivered to our hotel via GrubHub because DD fell asleep for the night. It was really quick and much less of a hassle than it would’ve been to go in person.
People always recommend the North End for an Italian dinner but MH and I have yet to have a really good one because it’s always been super crowded when we’ve gone.
New England Aquarium
I really loved the ice cream at JP Licks.
We did a guided boat tour of the harbor years ago - I don’t remember the name but it had nice views of the city and they pointed out interesting historical stuff.
Lobster rolls at James Hook
We got lunch at Trillium Brewery-Fort Point last summer - they had a nice food menu and there were lots of kids there (they had crayons for DD).
Following this thread! We're taking DS (5) to Boston the last weekend in March. We're staying in Back Bay. I know there's a Trillium nearby and we'll definitely be hitting that up. mbcdefg , that's a good idea about GrubHub- that doesn't exist in my small town so I'm not sure I would have thought of it. Dessert delivered to me? yes please!
DS isn't much into history yet but he is into science, so we'll probably hit the science center, aquarium, and maybe children's museum. I'm trying to be realistic and just plan like 1 big thing a day (plus breweries before and after, poor kid, we're always dragging him to those, lol)
You could do a Duck boat tour! Its been years since we’ve done one, but I think I remember them picking up at the New England Aquarium. Maybe near the Boston Science Museum too? Both the aquarium and museum are great.
If you like seafood, we love the Boston Sail Loft, near the New England Aquarium.
Check out Faneuil Hall. Get cookies at the Boston Chipyard while you’re there.
I live here! Boston is actually small and very walkable, so there’s flexibility in location to stay Staying in Back Bay makes things super easy - the Lenox , Park Plaza, or Fairmont Copley are all decent choices. If you stay there you are right by Copley Square/the library/Newbury street (major shopping area etc). Another good option is the Marriot Long Wharf - that puts you right by the aquarium/Quincy market/Faneuil hall/north end). Whale watching leaves from right there and the Freedom Trail runs right by it (self guided tour of historic sites through Boston - you follow a red line on the sidewalks, super easy)
The T is very easy to use and everything is walkable so you don’t even really need it. The two places you might want to take the T instead of walking would be Fenway (it’s not far from back bay but a walk) and if you want to go to the end of the freedom trail where the USS Constitition and Bunker Hill is.
For history, the freedom trail, Paul reveres house (it’s in the north end on the trail), the Boston tea party museum, and the USS Constitution museum are all worth a visit. Non history the science museum and aquarium are great. I love our art museums (we have the MFA, the ICA, and Isabella Stewart Gardner) but depends on how interested in art the kids are.
For fun there’s a boat ride called the Codzilla my kids love. Leaves from long wharf and it’s a high speed boat that does donuts and gets you soaked as you supposedly race away from a giant mutant cod - lol!
We love the science museum! We have a family pass and go all the time. I'll be the dissenter on the aquarium and says it's not all that exciting... It's pretty small compared to others we've been too. It's not an all day place by any means.
Following this thread! We're taking DS (5) to Boston the last weekend in March. We're staying in Back Bay. I know there's a Trillium nearby and we'll definitely be hitting that up. mbcdefg , that's a good idea about GrubHub- that doesn't exist in my small town so I'm not sure I would have thought of it. Dessert delivered to me? yes please!
DS isn't much into history yet but he is into science, so we'll probably hit the science center, aquarium, and maybe children's museum. I'm trying to be realistic and just plan like 1 big thing a day (plus breweries before and after, poor kid, we're always dragging him to those, lol)
Definitely the Children's Museum. Plus there's an amazing playground nearby and its right in Fort Point/Seaport so good for hitting Harpoon and Trillium.
Post by sunshineandpinot on Mar 16, 2022 8:21:19 GMT -5
We had the best week in Boston. Favorite restaurants were Carmelina's in the North End, Neptune Oyster Bar, and Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown.
My kids loved the Freedom Trail Tour and the Boston Tea Party Museum. Duck Boat is kinda a must IMO; it helped me get my bearings. I don't know if your kids would like it, but we all loved the student-led Harvard tour. So glad we did that! Have fun, I would go back in a heartbeat.
We stayed at the Marriott Long Wharf and the location was so great. But I don't think you can go wrong staying anywhere, it's very walkable and the T was simple to use. We did have to take an uber to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. That was really beautiful; there's a podcast regarding the massive art theft that really intrigued my kids.
This has all been super helpful!! I am loving all these ideas! I was thinking of not renting a car since Boston is such a walkable city. How exactly do I get from the airport to our hotel? Is an Uber our best option?
Also, has anyone been to Salem? Is it worth going to for my 13 year old history buff?
This has all been super helpful!! I am loving all these ideas! I was thinking of not renting a car since Boston is such a walkable city. How exactly do I get from the airport to our hotel? Is an Uber our best option?
Also, has anyone been to Salem? Is it worth going to for my 13 year old history buff?
The airport is super close to downtown, I'd just take a regular taxi. You could also take the T (blue line or silver line bus), but honestly the small premium for a taxi vs. 4 fares is worth it IMO.
Salem is fun and another super walkable "city". You can take the train, or even better, the ferry from Long Wharf. It's an easy day trip.
We had the best week in Boston. Favorite restaurants were Carmelina's in the North End, Neptune Oyster Bar, and Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown.
My kids loved the Freedom Trail Tour and the Boston Tea Party Museum. Duck Boat is kinda a must IMO; it helped me get my bearings. I don't know if your kids would like it, but we all loved the student-led Harvard tour. So glad we did that! Have fun, I would go back in a heartbeat.
We stayed at the Marriott Long Wharf and the location was so great. But I don't think you can go wrong staying anywhere, it's very walkable and the T was simple to use. We did have to take an uber to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. That was really beautiful; there's a podcast regarding the massive art theft that really intrigued my kids.
I still dream about a dinner from Carmelina's from 4 (?) years ago? I think it was even the dinner I chose in the "perfect meal" post a little while ago.
Post by sunshineandpinot on Mar 16, 2022 17:34:13 GMT -5
We took the water taxi from the airport to our hotel and that was fun! But I would prob only do that if staying at the Long Wharf. We went to Salem for the day. Took the ferry there and train back. It was easy. I liked it and am glad I went, but wouldn’t go again. We were there during the week in October and it was really crowded (which I expected.) I didn’t think the witch museum was very well done, it could be so much better! We did a walking tour and that was excellent. Lmk if you want the deets on that.
This has all been super helpful!! I am loving all these ideas! I was thinking of not renting a car since Boston is such a walkable city. How exactly do I get from the airport to our hotel? Is an Uber our best option?
Also, has anyone been to Salem? Is it worth going to for my 13 year old history buff?
you 100% don’t need a car. Also parking and driving in Boston is a nightmare. It’s very easy to get a taxi from the airport, or an Uber if you prefer. The taxi waiting area is the closest when you exit, you need to go to a designated Uber waiting place
Salem is fun! You can take the commuter train there. It’s a cute town and I enjoy the museums. I don’t think it’s a must do, but if you have time and are interested it’s worth a visit. The House of the Seven Gables is a fun visit, and obviously the witch museum and cemetery etc
We usually get cannolis from Mike’s Pastry in the North End. It’s a big tourist location so the line can be long. Last time we were there (last summer during that super-rare hurricane), we had it delivered to our hotel via GrubHub because DD fell asleep for the night. It was really quick and much less of a hassle than it would’ve been to go in person.
Yes to all of your suggestions, this one in particular. I once had a client visiting when I worked downtown and they brought us cannolis from Mike's, I brought one home for my husband but dropped in on the sidewalk when walking to my car. Did I pick it up off the ground and eat it in my car? Yes, yes I did.
I second that you should not get a car. It will cost you money to get the car and then money to park it.
I agree with everything else that was recommended. If your son is a history buff, you may want to look into taking a ferry to George's Island. We went and were given a tour of the forts and the ferry ride alone is pretty fun. You ride past Logan airport and planes are landing and are so low to the ground right above you.
ETA: If I remember correctly, the ferry leaves from the Aquarium area.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
For the Freedom Trail, I would start at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown and then walk into the city. The museum there is small but nice and does a great job depicting the battle.
Make sure to stretch before going up the monument, your thighs will BURN. And if you are at all claustrophobic, skip the hike up. It is very narrow with only 1 way up and 1 way down.
Lexington is only 20 minutes northwest so you can uber to the Lexington Green and see all the war stuff there. Lexington is lovely with nice restaurants and shops as well. It's a good place the spend a few hours.
Following this thread! We're taking DS (5) to Boston the last weekend in March. We're staying in Back Bay. I know there's a Trillium nearby and we'll definitely be hitting that up. mbcdefg , that's a good idea about GrubHub- that doesn't exist in my small town so I'm not sure I would have thought of it. Dessert delivered to me? yes please!
DS isn't much into history yet but he is into science, so we'll probably hit the science center, aquarium, and maybe children's museum. I'm trying to be realistic and just plan like 1 big thing a day (plus breweries before and after, poor kid, we're always dragging him to those, lol)
Definitely the Children's Museum. Plus there's an amazing playground nearby and its right in Fort Point/Seaport so good for hitting Harpoon and Trillium.
You forgot to mention the Flour bakery thats right next door as well OP- that area has been majorly built up in the last few years. Tons of shops, bowling alley, movie theater, etc. The playground is the Richard Martin Playground built in memory of the little boy that was killed in the marathon bombings. You are fairly close to Castle Island if you got the Childrens Museum. Its fun to walk around the bay and got the fort. There are tours there. Plus the ice cream shack is popular. There is a JP licks ice cream on Broadway.
Trillium has a location right next to the Time Out Market ( indoor tons of food options) which is in between Kenmore and Fenway. Easy walk. There is also another market like that one called High Street Market near the financial district, which is closer to the North End.
Copley is a very central location to stay. The Colonnade hotel has a roof top pool.
Harvard square and yard could be fun to go to as well.
I LOVE the ICA and the views are incredible. Trident on Newbury serves breakfast all day, the food is really good, and its a bookstore.
Definitely the Children's Museum. Plus there's an amazing playground nearby and its right in Fort Point/Seaport so good for hitting Harpoon and Trillium.
You forgot to mention the Flour bakery thats right next door as well
Thanks everyone! I booked the Boston Marriott Long Warf and can’t wait to go! Appreciate all of the suggestions. We will be using as many as we can fit in!
Thanks everyone! I booked the Boston Marriott Long Warf and can’t wait to go! Appreciate all of the suggestions. We will be using as many as we can fit in!
I wanted to come back and say thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. We returned from our trip yesterday and everyone had an amazing time. The Mariott Long Warf was the perfect location and we even made it to Salem for a day on the ferry. Boston is an amazing place and we can’t wait to go back someday.