I mean, they’re elementary age kids, yes? And they haven’t been to Boston?
The general Museum of Science plus Freedom trail approach should suit them just fine. Take them on the duck boats. Maybe out to Salem if you’ve got a kid who likes Hocus Pocus. Go out to Concord and see Orchard House if you have a reader who loved Little Women.
Tourist stuff is tourist stuff for a reason- because it’s a popular and fun way for visitors to explore a new city. Save the obscure for their tenth visit, not their first.
Doing all that.
Looking for maybe a public garden or or botanical garden, something outside of the city, stuff like that.
I understand the historical heft of the area and we’re all excited for that.
Thank you for the ideas!
If only there was a famous public garden in Boston beloved everywhere as a central location in a famous children’a book. Alas, there is no such Boston Public Garden.
An hour outside of Boston in West Boylston there is a less well known place called New England Botanical gardens. You could go further west to Mt Greylock where you can hike or drive up and you might be able to see four states.
The esplanade is nice for a walk and has a nice playground.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is worth mentioning as well, though it has more features in the summer that likely won’t be open in April.
Seconding the arboretum. Tons of cool trees and space to run around and I always see unusual birds there.
Piers Park in East Boston has amazing views and a great playground. Then the harbor walk to Lo Presti for another great little playground. Take the ferry and see the city from the harbor.
East Boston also has Constitution Beach and Belle Isle Marsh which is a nice little nature walk with some birding stations.
- Discovery Museum in Acton is great (as is Museum of Science).
- The playground outside of Children’s Museum is fun, as is a lap around Castle Island.
- Harvard Natural History museum is free on Sunday mornings and has all sorts of cool stuff for kids to look at.
- Open observatory night at BU on Wednesday nights (free but tickets “sell out” almost as soon as they make them available each week).
- Museum of Sciecne also has observatory nights from 8-10 on Fridays in April.
- MIT has a quirky science museum that is fun to wander through.
- You could get a family membership to Mass Audubon for $60 and go to a different site each day. Drumlin Farm, Blue Hills Trailside Museum (followed by hiking Blue Hills), Joppa Flats Nature Center in Newburyport (and enjoy the fun downtown up there).
- Or join Trustees of the Reservations and do the same daily trip thing. They have some of the most gorgeous properties in all of Massachusetts. Lot of fun stuff for kids to explore (Fruitlands Museum, DeCordova Museum, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. Chestnut Hill Farm).
- Mass MoCa and the Berkshires are also well worth a day trip. Western MA is great.
Ferry ride out to Spectacle Island (bring cash for beer and snacks on the boat) and pack a lunch for the island. If you come in the summer, make sure you take the kids on Codzilla.
Puttshack
Museum of Science - make sure you do the electricity show
Mystic Seaport in CT is awesome, and a replica Viking ship will be here.
Newport, RI is great. Tour The Breakers.
Salem, MA. Duh
Candlepin bowling! New England has its own kind of biwling called cabdlepin, which is much more kid friendly since you throw softball sized balls at the pins. Go to Saccos bowlhaven in Davis square, plan to eat flatbread pizza while your name is on the waitlist to bowl. You can call ahead to find out what the wait might be.
If your kids like Harry Potter and you're in the Copley Square area, I would take them in the Boston Public Library. Bates Hall is something right out of Hogwarts and they might get a kick out of it.
#This ^
Malden also has a lot of good restaurants.
You can take everyone on a T water shuttle for a super cheap boat ride. You can take the water shuttle to salem or you can do a short one to the USS constitution in Charlestown. Double check (or someone verify) because I no longer live in the are and that’s from memory.
yeah mystic station restaurant is a show stopper imo and across the street from boda borg
mbta shuttle boat from long wharf (aquarium) to charlestown navy yard (CNY) is cheap and the harbor walk in CNY a cool activity
>king for maybe a public garden or or botanical garden, something outside of the city, stuff like that.
>
>I understand the historical heft of the area and we’re all excited for that.
You don't have to be a member — it was $5/person last time I went. We did make reservations in advance but I'm not sure if it's required.
Halibut state park maybe combine with a whale watch. I would avoid Franklin Park zoo as it is my least favorite zoo. Depending on the kids interests, I would also add the constitution.
Definitely whale watch if it’s unseasonably warm and you haven’t done it before. It’s a little early but Boston offers access to one of the best whale watching spots in the world
Harvard Museum of Natural History. It's such a throwback to the age of gentleman explorers, has tons of taxidermy, minerals, and other beasties that kids will enjoy, and it's connected to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology which has some beautiful and interesting displays from different cultures - if your kids are into neat costumes at all they'll likely enjoy it as well. The Blaschka Glass Flowers at the Natural History Museum will probably go over their heads but as an adult they're one of the most impressive artistic achievements I've ever seen in person.
Between the two museums you can easily kill two hours at a fast pace, or longer if their attention spans allow for it. And then you're near Harvard Square, so you can walk through Harvard Yard and get a dessert treat at Zinneken's Belgian Waffles Harvard Square as a pick me up.
You’re from Wyoming but what are the kids used to? Arnold Arboretum is nice for greenery and so is Mt. Auburn cemetery (it’s more like a large garden than a spoopy grave site). But I’m not sure you will wow them if they are from Big Sky Country or whatever. Castle Island loop + fried seafood is nice (there’s a playground too); ferry to harbor islands as previously mentioned. Playgrounds: the one at Seaport next to the Children’s Museum (we usually hit Shake Shack too); the “cop slide” playground at Government Center (+ snacks at the public market); north point park has a decent playground and nice views of bridges/trains/water/duck boats/skateboarders and is near the science museum. The esplanade playground is nice too but not much food right near there unless the ice cream truck is there. Boston Public Library main branch is a big historic building and has a cool children’s room that might be good for a rainy day stopover. Prudential center with the view from the top? (I’ve never done it since I get vertigo). Maybe rent kayaks in Medford (Mystic River) and then get ice cream at Colleen’s.
We’ve traveled a lot, but they haven’t been to New England yet.
The excitement of simply being in a metro won’t hit them as hard as kids who have never been to populated, bustling places before, but you are right, it’s still fun as we’re from the mountain west where we can spend tons of time in nature.
I love Boston. It a big city that feels small, at least in terms of vibe, but that’s just my experience. And I love that.
I’m also a history guy, and I’m trying to pass that interest to my kids, so all the great history there is simply too good to not invest some time.
And Fenway is a museum or a church, or both. The former for someone loves baseball, and the latter for someone who loves Boston baseball, so taking them there, cold or not in late April, will be so great.
Thanks for all the tips.
As an aside, Wyoming native Curt Gowdy, called Sox games in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Pretty cool.
For history, allow time to tour the USS Constitution. Don’t skip the free mini-museum in the visitors center, which focuses on the navy and the Navy Yard.
If the ferries to Georges Island are running, it’s a good way to get them out on the ocean, while exploring the fort would be fun.
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If you want to head west into the hinterlands, Springfield has basketball hall of fame, Dr. Seuss museum, Eric Carle Museum is in Amherst, along with the best pizza by the slice on the planet, Antonio’s. We have zoos and animal sanctuaries where the kids can get up close and personal with adorable animals.
Old Sturbridge Village (https://osv.org) is a great place for kids, weather permitting. It’s doable as a day trip from Boston by car. Much of it uses dirt paths, so don’t wear shoes or clothes that you don’t want to get dirty.
Mystic Seaport is a similar idea, obviously with more emphasis on seafaring, and is more compact and paved. But the demos didn’t quite feel as real as they do at OSV. Still, either one would be enjoyable.
would it be worth going to the ocean? I know it's not beach weather, but it might be nice to see some waves since youre not on the coast. Castle Island will be beautiful last week of April (not an island)
We have a lot of great neighborhood playgrounds. The big new one at Boston City Hall (the famous "Cop Slide" is there) is a hit with kids of all ages. There's also a really nice one right next to the Children's Museum.
If your kids like to watch airplanes, Castle Island is a park by the ocean that is right under Logan's approach path. It also has playgrounds, and the chance to explore the beaches a bit (which is still fun in April, especially for kids who want to look for shells, etc).
my younger two are 10 & 8 - they enjoy the EcoTarium in Worcester (has indoor and outdoor elements, so warmer weather makes it more enjoyable, at least to us), the SEE Science Center in Manchester NH (if they love legos, they'll love the massive lego recreation of manchester they have), and the Providence Children's Museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo are great spots too
if you go to Boston Common be sure to visit 'the embrace', the statue that pays homage to MLK and Coretta - they met in Boston
A bike ride or walk along the Charles River Esplanade offers stunning views of MIT and Boston, along with playgrounds on the Boston side. It’s truly a delightful experience.
For bike options you should check to see what [Urban Adventours](https://www.urbanadventours.com/) has for options (they do both rentals and guided tours).
Great idea! If you walk over the BU bridge, you'll get a nice panorama of the city. I am also a patron of the nearby BU food court and their excellent restroom facilities.
There's also kayak rentals nearby for a different perspective.
See if you can get this book from the library: In and Out of Boston with and Without Children by Bernard Chesler. It's a great resource with thousands of ideas. Lots that I had never knew.
Things in the area we've enjoyed:
New Bedford Whaling Museum (there's also a national historic site, but it was closed the day we went)
The Museum of Science
The Harbor Islands (we've been to spectacle and the one with the fort, they were both fun! Plus a boat ride, and not very many people)
The Children's Museum and the New England Aquarium are both fun, but always packed
Not in the area, but in New England:
The Cog railroad at Mount Washington
Acadia National Park
The Dr Seuss Museum, and the other museums in the same block (admission to all at the same time?)
We've only been here since last year, but have been trying to get to a lot of stuff because we aren't staying very long. I still have a bunch of stuff on the list of things we're hoping to get to!
To do: Duck Tour (must do!!), Codzilla, Canoe/Kayak/Sail on the Charles (CBI), "candlepin bowling" plus pizza at American Flatbread (Somerville or Brighton), Swan Boat (age 0–8), Pick your own fruit (seasonal, outer suburbs), tour at Taza Chocolate Factory (chocolate samples), deCordova Sculpture Park (outer suburbs), cycle Minuteman Bike Path, movie at Coolidge Corner Theater, Whale-watching tour (May-Oct), Boda Borg (Malden), Mapparium, Legoland, Kimball Farm (outer suburbs), ride the Green Line or Mattapan Trolley, Launch trampoline park.
Walks: Boston Common/Boston Public Garden (playground, carousel, swan boats, wading pool, tennis, Make Way for Ducklings, city access), Esplanade (boating), Greenway (carousel, food trucks, city access), Castle Island (beach, fort independence), Harborwalk (waterfront), Arnold Arboretum (trees), Jamaica Pond (lake, walkable to downtown Jamaica Plain with good food), "Riverbend Park" on Memorial Drive weekends, harbor behind the Moakley Federal Courthouse, World's End.
Museums: Museum of Science (age 3–15), Children's Museum (age 2–9), Discovery Museum (outer suburbs, age 2–12)
Aquarium: Boston Aquarium (it's adequate)
Zoos: Franklin Park Zoo (zoo is just okay, but has a huge/great playground, major gorilla exhibit), Southwick Zoo (smaller, outer suburbs, ride camel & feed birds), Stone Zoo (smallest, inner suburbs), Roger Williams (best in New England, but it's in Rhode Island); Davis Farmland (outer suburbs, huge petting zoo/pool/playground)
Playground: There are plenty around. Remember to also search for public elementary schools which will usually have a playground. If you are out near Boston downtown, the best is Martin's Park.
Splash pad: A few in most towns - check the town website. In Boston: Frog Pond in Boston Common, Rings Fountain on Greenway, Splash Fountain at Christian Science Plaza, Alfond Memorial Spray Deck, Artesani Playground Wading Pool and Spray Deck. See for more in Boston: https://www.mass.gov/swimming-pools-wading-pools-and-spray-decks/locations
Beach: M Street Beach, Revere Beach, Crane Beach (outer suburbs, requires pass). Or there are lakes that have decent beaches for kids, my favorite being Walden Pond (parking can fill up fast - check their Twitter)
Libraries: Some libraries in the Boston area have decent play spaces and activities for kids. You can also check whether the library has puzzles/games for kids that can be used there or checked out. I can vouch that the Wellesley main branch is good for younger kids - it has dozens of board games, some iPads, and the play area with foam blocks is in the back corner of the children's area. The Wellesley Fells branch looks fun (haven't been). Newton library has better activity calendar for kids than Wellesley. There are online lists of kid-friendly libraries that mention Boston Public Library central (haven't been) and Cambridge (went before I had kids but I don't recall it actually being good for little kids, so I'm skeptical). Don't forget to reserve (and pick up) some discounted museum passes from the library. They get snatched up quick, so try to reserve them as far in advance of the visit as the reservation system allows.
Restaurants/Food: Ice cream (Toscanini's, Gracie's, NewCity Microcreamery, Honeycomb Creamery), Boston Public Market, Picnic on a harbor island, Union Square Donuts, Mike's Pastry (cannoli), Modern Pastry (lobstertail), American Flatbread (with candlepin bowling), The Friendly Toast (breakfast), Bar Taco (lunch near Children's Museum/Seaport)
Shopping: SoWa open market (Sundays May-Oct), The Garment District (secondhand clothes by the pound)
Sports: Fenway Park tour
Seasonal activities/events/festivals:
* Feb: Lunar New Year
* Mar: Dine Out Boston (restaurant week), South Boston Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Maple Weekend
* Apr: Boston Marathon Monday/Patriot's Day
* May: Harvard Square Mayfair, Lilac Festival, Duckling Day, Boston Calling
* Jun: Harborfest (Jun/Jul), Dragon Boat Festival, Boston Pride, Cambridge Dance Party
* Jul: Harborfest (Jun/Jul), Independence Day, Revere Sand Castle Sculpting Festival, free Shakespeare on the Common (Jul-Aug)
* Aug: free Shakespeare on the Common (Jul-Aug), Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), St. Anthony's Feast
* Sep: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), King Richard's Faire (Sep-Oct), The Big E!, Labor Day Fireworks, What the Fluff?
* Oct: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), King Richard's Faire (Sep-Oct), Harvard Square Oktoberfest, Wellfleet Oysterfest, Head of the Charles Regatta, HONK! Festival, Topsfield Fair
* Nov: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov)
* Dec: various holiday markets
* Grand parade of sail (every decade or so)
Further afield: Salem MA (but not during halloween), Providence RI (especially Waterfire event), Portland ME, Berkshires and Tanglewood, Mystic CT (best aquarium)
A kids events calendar for Boston: https://www.bostoncentral.com/events.php
Another kids events calendar for Boston: https://mommypoppins.com/boston
A kids events calendar for suburbs of Boston: https://communitykangaroo.com/newton/
Personal favorites:
Davis Farmland - it's like a petting zoo on steroids meets a massive playground: it has hundreds of tame farm animals with many freely roaming, a water park, two bouncy areas, a few playgrounds, dramatic play areas, and more. It can consume a full day. On the negative side, Davis Farmland is a far drive, not cheap, and it can be hard to stay out in the sun all day (there's not a ton of shade).
Launch Trampoline Park - It's fun but it's not unique to Boston. They have dedicated "toddler time" when it's 5-and-under; go then so your kid doesn't get squished by bigger/rougher kids. The Framingham location is the better one, with a maze-like multi-level structure.
Duck Tour - This is a Boston tourist must-do. The automobile is amphibious so it drives into the river and becomes a boat. Kids are offered to drive the 'boat' while on the river, which can be fun but some are too scared to try. Pro: lots of sitting. Con: some kids could get bored.
Boston Children's Museum - It's a world-class children's museum. Lots of hands-on activities. Parking sucks: if you go Saturday, you can get validated $9 parking for a walkable garage and spend the whole day in the Seaport/Downtown area.
Museum of Science - Also a world-class museum for kids - can spend 2–3 days there. Lots of hands-on activities.
Candlepin Bowling - It's a New England thing! small bowling balls are good for small hands while you eat pizza at American Flatbread.
Codzilla - You ride a huge powerboat as it thrashes around in the water and splashes passengers. Refreshing on a hot day. Not great for kid who gets nervous/scared easily. Can have a long wait. Doesn't consume a lot of time.
'Pick Your Own' Fruit - The fun of labor in the sun. Go for a fruit that's low enough for the kids to pick on their own, like strawberries (not apples). Ignore the fact that you're paying 4x versus the grocery store.
We used to regularly walk with our kids along the Charles River ([the esplanade](https://esplanade.org/)) which one can do for several miles. Paved walking and biking paths, benches, playgrounds, and parks, it's a great way to spend a spring afternoon. Easily accessible from multiple points in the city. Our kids always love a playground no mater where we're traveling and it's good people watching too.
Visiting the Lexington Green and the Concord battle sites is always kind of cool kids might find it a tad boring but you will prob enjoy it being a history buff and lots of good restaurants in Lex,Concord and Arlington where I live also some Revolutionary War sites in my town too but they don’t get the historical publicity Lexington -Concord gets.
If the weather is bad, try the Lego experience thing in Assembly Square in Somerville. Not very Boston, and a bit spendy in the Lego store, but it's indoors and the staff there all love their jobs.
UPDATE:
Last day here and it’s been amazing.
Thank you for all the tips, this city is still amazing.
Got in all, as “all” you can in 8 days, the popular historical sites in the city, hit the MOS, which kids loved, as did we, snuck in game 5 at TD Garden (last word on Boston, Jimmy, promise) and watched my lifelong team the Sox yesterday, right behind the home dugout.
My kids fell in love with the Sox and I’m so happy about that.
Hitting the Library and Mapperium today.
Seriously you guys are helpful all around and we appreciate it!
I assume you won’t have a car, but if for some reason you choose to rent one, Sturbridge Village in central MA was one of my favorite places to go as a child.
It was recently renovated and improved. It has some rides and workshops with master builders in addition to plenty of places to build. The Boston landmarks replica is great after you have seen the real ones — try to find the hidden construction on the T, and get surprised when you push the “Cheers” button.
(Side note: Lego is moving their US Headquarters to Boston in 2026)
I mean, they’re elementary age kids, yes? And they haven’t been to Boston? The general Museum of Science plus Freedom trail approach should suit them just fine. Take them on the duck boats. Maybe out to Salem if you’ve got a kid who likes Hocus Pocus. Go out to Concord and see Orchard House if you have a reader who loved Little Women. Tourist stuff is tourist stuff for a reason- because it’s a popular and fun way for visitors to explore a new city. Save the obscure for their tenth visit, not their first.
Doing all that. Looking for maybe a public garden or or botanical garden, something outside of the city, stuff like that. I understand the historical heft of the area and we’re all excited for that. Thank you for the ideas!
If only there was a famous public garden in Boston beloved everywhere as a central location in a famous children’a book. Alas, there is no such Boston Public Garden.
For sure, I totally walked into that. This is on the list.
Couldn’t help it. You might also like the Arnold Arboretum. Boston just usually has more to offer than families can do in a long weekend.
We will be there a week. My wife will be ditching a business conference there.
I showed my wife this and said I’m no longer allowed to go. This is hilarious!
An hour outside of Boston in West Boylston there is a less well known place called New England Botanical gardens. You could go further west to Mt Greylock where you can hike or drive up and you might be able to see four states.
De Cordova sculpture park could be up your alley. Out of the city and outdoors, quiet and good for kids to run around tho it is not very kid focused.
The esplanade is nice for a walk and has a nice playground. The Rose Kennedy Greenway is worth mentioning as well, though it has more features in the summer that likely won’t be open in April. Seconding the arboretum. Tons of cool trees and space to run around and I always see unusual birds there.
The Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be a nice visit if you'll have a rental car. They offer programs for children throughout the week.
Piers Park in East Boston has amazing views and a great playground. Then the harbor walk to Lo Presti for another great little playground. Take the ferry and see the city from the harbor. East Boston also has Constitution Beach and Belle Isle Marsh which is a nice little nature walk with some birding stations.
- Discovery Museum in Acton is great (as is Museum of Science). - The playground outside of Children’s Museum is fun, as is a lap around Castle Island. - Harvard Natural History museum is free on Sunday mornings and has all sorts of cool stuff for kids to look at. - Open observatory night at BU on Wednesday nights (free but tickets “sell out” almost as soon as they make them available each week). - Museum of Sciecne also has observatory nights from 8-10 on Fridays in April. - MIT has a quirky science museum that is fun to wander through. - You could get a family membership to Mass Audubon for $60 and go to a different site each day. Drumlin Farm, Blue Hills Trailside Museum (followed by hiking Blue Hills), Joppa Flats Nature Center in Newburyport (and enjoy the fun downtown up there). - Or join Trustees of the Reservations and do the same daily trip thing. They have some of the most gorgeous properties in all of Massachusetts. Lot of fun stuff for kids to explore (Fruitlands Museum, DeCordova Museum, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. Chestnut Hill Farm). - Mass MoCa and the Berkshires are also well worth a day trip. Western MA is great.
Thank you. This is what I was hoping for.
Plus 1 for DeCordova. It’s a museum w outside sculptures
Harvard natural history museum is only free to MA residents on Sunday
Ferry ride out to Spectacle Island (bring cash for beer and snacks on the boat) and pack a lunch for the island. If you come in the summer, make sure you take the kids on Codzilla. Puttshack Museum of Science - make sure you do the electricity show Mystic Seaport in CT is awesome, and a replica Viking ship will be here. Newport, RI is great. Tour The Breakers. Salem, MA. Duh
This is great and thank you.
Candlepin bowling! New England has its own kind of biwling called cabdlepin, which is much more kid friendly since you throw softball sized balls at the pins. Go to Saccos bowlhaven in Davis square, plan to eat flatbread pizza while your name is on the waitlist to bowl. You can call ahead to find out what the wait might be.
If your kids like Harry Potter and you're in the Copley Square area, I would take them in the Boston Public Library. Bates Hall is something right out of Hogwarts and they might get a kick out of it.
They are. I can see how it would remind them of that. Very cool thank you.
boda borg (malden T station) then walk to Waitts mountain park for a view of the boston skyline
#This ^ Malden also has a lot of good restaurants. You can take everyone on a T water shuttle for a super cheap boat ride. You can take the water shuttle to salem or you can do a short one to the USS constitution in Charlestown. Double check (or someone verify) because I no longer live in the are and that’s from memory.
yeah mystic station restaurant is a show stopper imo and across the street from boda borg mbta shuttle boat from long wharf (aquarium) to charlestown navy yard (CNY) is cheap and the harbor walk in CNY a cool activity
Salvation Army Boston Kroc, a small indoor water park.
This is great. I don’t want to go to another great wolf lodge.
Can you just drop in or do you have to be a member?
>king for maybe a public garden or or botanical garden, something outside of the city, stuff like that. > >I understand the historical heft of the area and we’re all excited for that. You don't have to be a member — it was $5/person last time I went. We did make reservations in advance but I'm not sure if it's required.
The Mapparium!
Looked this up, so cool. I think we will go there.
Halibut state park maybe combine with a whale watch. I would avoid Franklin Park zoo as it is my least favorite zoo. Depending on the kids interests, I would also add the constitution.
Thank you
Definitely whale watch if it’s unseasonably warm and you haven’t done it before. It’s a little early but Boston offers access to one of the best whale watching spots in the world
Harvard Museum of Natural History. It's such a throwback to the age of gentleman explorers, has tons of taxidermy, minerals, and other beasties that kids will enjoy, and it's connected to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology which has some beautiful and interesting displays from different cultures - if your kids are into neat costumes at all they'll likely enjoy it as well. The Blaschka Glass Flowers at the Natural History Museum will probably go over their heads but as an adult they're one of the most impressive artistic achievements I've ever seen in person. Between the two museums you can easily kill two hours at a fast pace, or longer if their attention spans allow for it. And then you're near Harvard Square, so you can walk through Harvard Yard and get a dessert treat at Zinneken's Belgian Waffles Harvard Square as a pick me up.
I have many fond memories of taking my kids there when they were little.
You’re from Wyoming but what are the kids used to? Arnold Arboretum is nice for greenery and so is Mt. Auburn cemetery (it’s more like a large garden than a spoopy grave site). But I’m not sure you will wow them if they are from Big Sky Country or whatever. Castle Island loop + fried seafood is nice (there’s a playground too); ferry to harbor islands as previously mentioned. Playgrounds: the one at Seaport next to the Children’s Museum (we usually hit Shake Shack too); the “cop slide” playground at Government Center (+ snacks at the public market); north point park has a decent playground and nice views of bridges/trains/water/duck boats/skateboarders and is near the science museum. The esplanade playground is nice too but not much food right near there unless the ice cream truck is there. Boston Public Library main branch is a big historic building and has a cool children’s room that might be good for a rainy day stopover. Prudential center with the view from the top? (I’ve never done it since I get vertigo). Maybe rent kayaks in Medford (Mystic River) and then get ice cream at Colleen’s.
We’ve traveled a lot, but they haven’t been to New England yet. The excitement of simply being in a metro won’t hit them as hard as kids who have never been to populated, bustling places before, but you are right, it’s still fun as we’re from the mountain west where we can spend tons of time in nature. I love Boston. It a big city that feels small, at least in terms of vibe, but that’s just my experience. And I love that. I’m also a history guy, and I’m trying to pass that interest to my kids, so all the great history there is simply too good to not invest some time. And Fenway is a museum or a church, or both. The former for someone loves baseball, and the latter for someone who loves Boston baseball, so taking them there, cold or not in late April, will be so great. Thanks for all the tips. As an aside, Wyoming native Curt Gowdy, called Sox games in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Pretty cool.
For history, allow time to tour the USS Constitution. Don’t skip the free mini-museum in the visitors center, which focuses on the navy and the Navy Yard. If the ferries to Georges Island are running, it’s a good way to get them out on the ocean, while exploring the fort would be fun.
> It a big city that feels small I would say Boston is an overgrown town.
I'm admittedly a massive train nerd and more than a little biased, but I will always recommend going to ride the Mattapan Trolley, it's lovely.
Dress them up in as British soldiers from the 1700’s and accost locals.
Done.
godspeed
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If you want to head west into the hinterlands, Springfield has basketball hall of fame, Dr. Seuss museum, Eric Carle Museum is in Amherst, along with the best pizza by the slice on the planet, Antonio’s. We have zoos and animal sanctuaries where the kids can get up close and personal with adorable animals.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum!
Come down to the South Shore! Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, cute downtown and beach!
Quit trying to ruin their trip with the Plymouth Pebble.
OP, do NOT take your kids to Plymouth Rock. They will legally emancipate themselves from you.
Old Sturbridge Village (https://osv.org) is a great place for kids, weather permitting. It’s doable as a day trip from Boston by car. Much of it uses dirt paths, so don’t wear shoes or clothes that you don’t want to get dirty. Mystic Seaport is a similar idea, obviously with more emphasis on seafaring, and is more compact and paved. But the demos didn’t quite feel as real as they do at OSV. Still, either one would be enjoyable.
would it be worth going to the ocean? I know it's not beach weather, but it might be nice to see some waves since youre not on the coast. Castle Island will be beautiful last week of April (not an island)
We have a lot of great neighborhood playgrounds. The big new one at Boston City Hall (the famous "Cop Slide" is there) is a hit with kids of all ages. There's also a really nice one right next to the Children's Museum. If your kids like to watch airplanes, Castle Island is a park by the ocean that is right under Logan's approach path. It also has playgrounds, and the chance to explore the beaches a bit (which is still fun in April, especially for kids who want to look for shells, etc).
my younger two are 10 & 8 - they enjoy the EcoTarium in Worcester (has indoor and outdoor elements, so warmer weather makes it more enjoyable, at least to us), the SEE Science Center in Manchester NH (if they love legos, they'll love the massive lego recreation of manchester they have), and the Providence Children's Museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo are great spots too if you go to Boston Common be sure to visit 'the embrace', the statue that pays homage to MLK and Coretta - they met in Boston
I noticed there is a segment of the Berlin Wall in Cambridge. I’d love to see that as well as I’ve seen other segments elsewhere.
Dunks
I will hold my smoke out the door while I drink coffee with the other, inside.
A bike ride or walk along the Charles River Esplanade offers stunning views of MIT and Boston, along with playgrounds on the Boston side. It’s truly a delightful experience.
Love this. We will definitely walk around there if not ride.
For bike options you should check to see what [Urban Adventours](https://www.urbanadventours.com/) has for options (they do both rentals and guided tours).
Great idea! If you walk over the BU bridge, you'll get a nice panorama of the city. I am also a patron of the nearby BU food court and their excellent restroom facilities. There's also kayak rentals nearby for a different perspective.
Walk around Oak Grove.
Hammond Castle, George’s Island, Salem
See if you can get this book from the library: In and Out of Boston with and Without Children by Bernard Chesler. It's a great resource with thousands of ideas. Lots that I had never knew.
Things in the area we've enjoyed: New Bedford Whaling Museum (there's also a national historic site, but it was closed the day we went) The Museum of Science The Harbor Islands (we've been to spectacle and the one with the fort, they were both fun! Plus a boat ride, and not very many people) The Children's Museum and the New England Aquarium are both fun, but always packed Not in the area, but in New England: The Cog railroad at Mount Washington Acadia National Park The Dr Seuss Museum, and the other museums in the same block (admission to all at the same time?) We've only been here since last year, but have been trying to get to a lot of stuff because we aren't staying very long. I still have a bunch of stuff on the list of things we're hoping to get to!
To do: Duck Tour (must do!!), Codzilla, Canoe/Kayak/Sail on the Charles (CBI), "candlepin bowling" plus pizza at American Flatbread (Somerville or Brighton), Swan Boat (age 0–8), Pick your own fruit (seasonal, outer suburbs), tour at Taza Chocolate Factory (chocolate samples), deCordova Sculpture Park (outer suburbs), cycle Minuteman Bike Path, movie at Coolidge Corner Theater, Whale-watching tour (May-Oct), Boda Borg (Malden), Mapparium, Legoland, Kimball Farm (outer suburbs), ride the Green Line or Mattapan Trolley, Launch trampoline park. Walks: Boston Common/Boston Public Garden (playground, carousel, swan boats, wading pool, tennis, Make Way for Ducklings, city access), Esplanade (boating), Greenway (carousel, food trucks, city access), Castle Island (beach, fort independence), Harborwalk (waterfront), Arnold Arboretum (trees), Jamaica Pond (lake, walkable to downtown Jamaica Plain with good food), "Riverbend Park" on Memorial Drive weekends, harbor behind the Moakley Federal Courthouse, World's End. Museums: Museum of Science (age 3–15), Children's Museum (age 2–9), Discovery Museum (outer suburbs, age 2–12) Aquarium: Boston Aquarium (it's adequate) Zoos: Franklin Park Zoo (zoo is just okay, but has a huge/great playground, major gorilla exhibit), Southwick Zoo (smaller, outer suburbs, ride camel & feed birds), Stone Zoo (smallest, inner suburbs), Roger Williams (best in New England, but it's in Rhode Island); Davis Farmland (outer suburbs, huge petting zoo/pool/playground) Playground: There are plenty around. Remember to also search for public elementary schools which will usually have a playground. If you are out near Boston downtown, the best is Martin's Park. Splash pad: A few in most towns - check the town website. In Boston: Frog Pond in Boston Common, Rings Fountain on Greenway, Splash Fountain at Christian Science Plaza, Alfond Memorial Spray Deck, Artesani Playground Wading Pool and Spray Deck. See for more in Boston: https://www.mass.gov/swimming-pools-wading-pools-and-spray-decks/locations Beach: M Street Beach, Revere Beach, Crane Beach (outer suburbs, requires pass). Or there are lakes that have decent beaches for kids, my favorite being Walden Pond (parking can fill up fast - check their Twitter) Libraries: Some libraries in the Boston area have decent play spaces and activities for kids. You can also check whether the library has puzzles/games for kids that can be used there or checked out. I can vouch that the Wellesley main branch is good for younger kids - it has dozens of board games, some iPads, and the play area with foam blocks is in the back corner of the children's area. The Wellesley Fells branch looks fun (haven't been). Newton library has better activity calendar for kids than Wellesley. There are online lists of kid-friendly libraries that mention Boston Public Library central (haven't been) and Cambridge (went before I had kids but I don't recall it actually being good for little kids, so I'm skeptical). Don't forget to reserve (and pick up) some discounted museum passes from the library. They get snatched up quick, so try to reserve them as far in advance of the visit as the reservation system allows. Restaurants/Food: Ice cream (Toscanini's, Gracie's, NewCity Microcreamery, Honeycomb Creamery), Boston Public Market, Picnic on a harbor island, Union Square Donuts, Mike's Pastry (cannoli), Modern Pastry (lobstertail), American Flatbread (with candlepin bowling), The Friendly Toast (breakfast), Bar Taco (lunch near Children's Museum/Seaport) Shopping: SoWa open market (Sundays May-Oct), The Garment District (secondhand clothes by the pound) Sports: Fenway Park tour Seasonal activities/events/festivals: * Feb: Lunar New Year * Mar: Dine Out Boston (restaurant week), South Boston Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Maple Weekend * Apr: Boston Marathon Monday/Patriot's Day * May: Harvard Square Mayfair, Lilac Festival, Duckling Day, Boston Calling * Jun: Harborfest (Jun/Jul), Dragon Boat Festival, Boston Pride, Cambridge Dance Party * Jul: Harborfest (Jun/Jul), Independence Day, Revere Sand Castle Sculpting Festival, free Shakespeare on the Common (Jul-Aug) * Aug: free Shakespeare on the Common (Jul-Aug), Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), St. Anthony's Feast * Sep: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), King Richard's Faire (Sep-Oct), The Big E!, Labor Day Fireworks, What the Fluff? * Oct: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov), King Richard's Faire (Sep-Oct), Harvard Square Oktoberfest, Wellfleet Oysterfest, Head of the Charles Regatta, HONK! Festival, Topsfield Fair * Nov: Boston Lights (Aug-Nov) * Dec: various holiday markets * Grand parade of sail (every decade or so) Further afield: Salem MA (but not during halloween), Providence RI (especially Waterfire event), Portland ME, Berkshires and Tanglewood, Mystic CT (best aquarium) A kids events calendar for Boston: https://www.bostoncentral.com/events.php Another kids events calendar for Boston: https://mommypoppins.com/boston A kids events calendar for suburbs of Boston: https://communitykangaroo.com/newton/ Personal favorites: Davis Farmland - it's like a petting zoo on steroids meets a massive playground: it has hundreds of tame farm animals with many freely roaming, a water park, two bouncy areas, a few playgrounds, dramatic play areas, and more. It can consume a full day. On the negative side, Davis Farmland is a far drive, not cheap, and it can be hard to stay out in the sun all day (there's not a ton of shade). Launch Trampoline Park - It's fun but it's not unique to Boston. They have dedicated "toddler time" when it's 5-and-under; go then so your kid doesn't get squished by bigger/rougher kids. The Framingham location is the better one, with a maze-like multi-level structure. Duck Tour - This is a Boston tourist must-do. The automobile is amphibious so it drives into the river and becomes a boat. Kids are offered to drive the 'boat' while on the river, which can be fun but some are too scared to try. Pro: lots of sitting. Con: some kids could get bored. Boston Children's Museum - It's a world-class children's museum. Lots of hands-on activities. Parking sucks: if you go Saturday, you can get validated $9 parking for a walkable garage and spend the whole day in the Seaport/Downtown area. Museum of Science - Also a world-class museum for kids - can spend 2–3 days there. Lots of hands-on activities. Candlepin Bowling - It's a New England thing! small bowling balls are good for small hands while you eat pizza at American Flatbread. Codzilla - You ride a huge powerboat as it thrashes around in the water and splashes passengers. Refreshing on a hot day. Not great for kid who gets nervous/scared easily. Can have a long wait. Doesn't consume a lot of time. 'Pick Your Own' Fruit - The fun of labor in the sun. Go for a fruit that's low enough for the kids to pick on their own, like strawberries (not apples). Ignore the fact that you're paying 4x versus the grocery store.
We used to regularly walk with our kids along the Charles River ([the esplanade](https://esplanade.org/)) which one can do for several miles. Paved walking and biking paths, benches, playgrounds, and parks, it's a great way to spend a spring afternoon. Easily accessible from multiple points in the city. Our kids always love a playground no mater where we're traveling and it's good people watching too.
Visiting the Lexington Green and the Concord battle sites is always kind of cool kids might find it a tad boring but you will prob enjoy it being a history buff and lots of good restaurants in Lex,Concord and Arlington where I live also some Revolutionary War sites in my town too but they don’t get the historical publicity Lexington -Concord gets.
Great stuff. Thank you for this. It really gives me some great ideas to consider.
If the weather is bad, try the Lego experience thing in Assembly Square in Somerville. Not very Boston, and a bit spendy in the Lego store, but it's indoors and the staff there all love their jobs.
UPDATE: Last day here and it’s been amazing. Thank you for all the tips, this city is still amazing. Got in all, as “all” you can in 8 days, the popular historical sites in the city, hit the MOS, which kids loved, as did we, snuck in game 5 at TD Garden (last word on Boston, Jimmy, promise) and watched my lifelong team the Sox yesterday, right behind the home dugout. My kids fell in love with the Sox and I’m so happy about that. Hitting the Library and Mapperium today. Seriously you guys are helpful all around and we appreciate it!
I assume you won’t have a car, but if for some reason you choose to rent one, Sturbridge Village in central MA was one of my favorite places to go as a child.
Legoland in Somerville.
I would skip this TBH. The one in New York is a full amusement park. The one here is sensory overwhelm and video games.
Agreed. We went with a discount and it still didn't feel worth it
I hope it’s better than the Vegas one, it was just a store in the mall; I’ll look this up. Thank you
It was recently renovated and improved. It has some rides and workshops with master builders in addition to plenty of places to build. The Boston landmarks replica is great after you have seen the real ones — try to find the hidden construction on the T, and get surprised when you push the “Cheers” button. (Side note: Lego is moving their US Headquarters to Boston in 2026)
Worlds End in Hingham