boston
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And then, on our first night there, we got food poisoning. "Leaving our Mark on Boston {+Property Highlight}" blog by Jess
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kid-friendly eats:
Let me start by saying that getting around Boston isn't the easiest. Traffic can be crazy, parking is expensive, and public transportation isn't the most reliable, so sometimes it is just best to see what areas you will be in before trying to decide on a restaurant. For that, let me point you toward a website called Kid Nosh that breaks down kid-friendly restaurants by Boston neighborhood. But check out our top picks first!
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Several locations
Every time we go back to Boston, we try to eat enough seafood that we won't want any for months afterwards. Legal Seafood is one of those great Boston chains where you can do just that. Serving up a kids menu with fare such as wood grilled salmon, fish and chips, or yes, even chicken fingers and pizza, the Harborside location also serves up a fun time on Saturdays from 11am-1pm with "catch and release" fishing in their lobby trout pond. This location is also near the Boston Children's Museum, so make a day of it. |
The Barking Crab
Harborside Also near the Boston Children's Museum, The Barking Crab is one of our family favorites. Right on the water under a vibrant red and yellow tent top, settle at a picnic table for fun for the whole family. The kids menu provides traditional kids fare, so if your kiddo is a bit more adventurous, order a big family platter and let them eat the real deal. They may just end up making friends with a lobster. |
Several locations
With 4 locations including Back Bay and the South End, Flour Bakery is a MUST to get your touring day started. Get the twice-baked almond brioche. You'll thank me. Also great for lunch, with yummy salads and sandwiches (kids pb+j and grilled cheese are on offer). You can't argue with a place whose tagline is "make life yummy... eat dessert first." I know the kiddos would agree. |
fullmoon
Cambridge What if I told you that you could sit back with your blue crab ravioli or your grilled sirloin while your littles frolicked in a play area (after finishing their mac + cheese or other kids menu meal, of course)? If that sounds just about as close as a date night as you are going to get on vacation, then look no further than fullmoon, located in Cambridge (a great place to eat after visiting the Harvard Museum of Natural History, perhaps). Expect a wait . . . hard for other patrons to be in a hurry to give up their tables when their kids are playing so happily!. |
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Picco
South End The South End has become increasingly family-friendly (it is where we used to live and love to come visit), but it is still sometimes hard to find a place where you don't mind bringing the littles. One place that always fits the bill for us is the incredible gourmet pizza joint Picco, and not just because they offer a "snacks" menu (yummy roasted broccoli and more) in addition to traditional appetizers, sandwiches, pasta, pizza. Oh, and ice cream. Did I mention ice cream? Flavors like pistachio, banana peanut butter, and even coconut chip await you at the end of your pizza. Sprinkle toppings are available for your littles. Okay, and you. You're on vacation! |
If you want a literal taste of Boston's "Little Italy," head to the North End. Incredibly atmospheric, the streets invite your family for a lovely stroll where you will find your fair share of incredible food (and gelato!). Our favorite spots are La Famiglia Giorgio's and cash-only Giacomo's (Giacomo's also has a South End location). Make sure to stop by the famous Mike's Pastry afterwards. Holy cannoli! |
PLay:
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The oldest botanical garden in the United States, the Boston Public Garden was created in 1837 and hosts a wonderful way to spend a day below the picturesque weeping willows (neighbor Boston Common was constructed in 1634 as the nation's oldest park!). Bring birdseed to feed the ducks, ride a famous Swan Boat, fight the crowds for a photo at the Make Way for Ducklings statue, enjoy a carousel ride at the Boston Common next door, and more. Don't forget to bring cash for those fun activities (okay, and to get the littles an ice cream cone). |
I know we mentioned this in the section about the Public Garden, but it deserves its own mention here simply because it is a Boston must-do with littles (if the weather is okay), and has been since 1877! Be sure to bring cash for tickets, expect a bit of a line, try to choose times that are not too hot (there is no shade), and definitely read Make Way for Ducklings beforehand (or buy yourself a copy at the gift stand after your ride, then make your way to the ducklings statue). Bring cash. |
If you can't make it for a Red Sox game, you can still enjoy this picturesque stadium with a fun tour. Get up close and personal with baseball history and make some incredible memories in the process. |
New England Aquarium
Seals and sharks and penguins, oh my. Skip the lines for this world-famous aquarium with a GoBoston card. You will be glad you did! |
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The second oldest Children's Museum in the world (over 100 years old!), and one of the world's largest, this place is second to none for spending a Boston day with kiddos. Several stories high, the museum offers exhibits such as "Kidstage," "New Balance Climb," "Japanese House," and more. There is also a fun room for the littlest littles with trains, puppets, art, and more. Great news for those from a different time zone: you can get $1 admission per person (vs. $16!!) on Target Friday Nights from 5-9. Grab lunch at the attached Au Bon Pain then dinner at our (favorite!) Barking Crab (expect a wait there). |
If you have an animal lover or a petite paleontologist, this is a CAN'T-MISS. Formed in 1998 as the combination of three different research museums, this museum now houses everything from dinosaurs to meteorites to whales to every species of taxidermied animal imaginable. Sounds strange but it is pretty amazing. (This old pic of my daughter cracks me up because I couldn't even get her to turn to the camera for the picture-- she was too into the leopard!). Head to fullmoon (see our restaurant section) after to make a day of it in Cambridge. Who knows? You may be back here someday to drop your Little off at college. :)
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Have a little one who loves boats and airplanes and all things that "go"? Needing some space and fresh air? If you are feeling cooped in the city, head on out to Castle Island. You can tour an old fort (the "castle"), play on the playground, or just enjoy the boat watching. You can also watch airplanes taking off and landing, and wonder just where they are going or coming from (an old game I used to play with my little). Pack a picnic or grab lunch or an ice cream at famous Sullivan's. |
Check out the history you care about (Beacon Hill, State House, Bunker Hill, etc.) while entertaining your littles by riding on a WWII-style amphibious vehicle (travels on land and water). With tours departing from the Prudential Center, Museum of Science, and the Aquarium, there is one near anywhere you might be. You will need to buy a ticket even for your under-3 little ones, but it is dicsounted to $10.50. And it can get breezy on the Charles River, so bring a jacket if it is cool at all. |
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New England Aquarium has teamed up with Boston Harbor Cruises to show you "where they keep the really big animals"! You are guaranteed to see whales or you will get a free ticket for another chance. Also keep an eye out for dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. NE Aquarium experts will be there to help teach your kiddos (and you!) about everything you see. Under-3's only cost $16; 3-11 is $33; adults are $49. |
Journey to the center of the earth! We love to show our little travelers the world, so why not do it in an incredible way by visiting the Mary Baker Eddy Library's Mapparium, a vibrant, 3-story glass globe constructed in 1935? Closed on Mondays, you can visit the Mapparium by taking a tour (they run every 20 minutes from 10:20am to 4:00pm). Children under 5 are free! Don't worry about losing little attention spans; the tours only last about 20 minutes. That means this won't be a super long visit, though, so plan something nearby. In the summer, bring along a bathing suit to play in the splash fountain at the Christian Science Plaza; in the winter, walk over to the Prudential Center for a little bit of shopping, play time at Barnes & Noble, and to check out the sweeping views of Boston in the Skywalk Observatory. |
Stay:
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Back Bay
We love the Copley, and not just for its incredible location or its breathtaking elegance. When it comes to wandering with our littles, we have to appreciate details such as the two black lab "canine ambassadors" Catie Copley and Carly Copley who are more than happy to make friends; complimentary kids' toiletry kits with Ollie the Otter stuff toy, tear-free shampoo, and more; or how about under-5's eating FREE in the (fancy) onsite restaurant (Check this) |
Historic downtown
Housed in a beautiful historic skyscraper (you have probably seen its tower in the Boston skyline), this property fits the kid-friendly bill with its spacious suites (separate living and kitchen areas), game room, free washing machines and detergent (always a plus when traveling with kiddos), free cribs and rollaways, and incredibly close walking proximity to attractions such as the New England Aquarium, IMAX theatre, Fanueil Hall, and more. And the cookies in the lobby aren't bad, either. |
Cambridge
If your visit to the Boston is going to be based more in Cambridge, check out Hotel Marlowe. We always love a fun Kimpton hotel (not just for the free wine hour!) and this does not disappoint with its adjoining rooms and suites, free cribs, HIGHCHAIRS, BOOSTER SEATS, CHILDPROOFING (outlet covers and more), babysitting recommendations, rental strollers (what???), KimptonKids welcome kit, child-sized animal print robes, and more. Now THAT is what WanderLittles loves to see in a hotel. |
Okay, we can't lie: sometimes there is a vacation property so wonderful that we don't want to tell you about it in the hopes that their calendar doesn't get too booked for us to stay there again. This is one of those places (and we hope we still get first dibs on it!). Two stories of an historic South End brownstone that have been finished so beautifully and comfortably, with living room, kitchen, dining room, and three (yes, THREE) bedrooms, pack & play, baby gates (the stairs are steep in Boston brownstone fashion), washer & dryer right off of the kitchen (with a bathtub right off the kitchen as well so the older kiddos can bathe while you cook. Or wait for your husband to bring pizza home from Picco while you open a glass of wine. Hypothetically, or course). Wonderful hostess Lisa even left us a kid-friendly welcome basket and a map to the INCREDIBLE South End pocket parks and playgrounds, all within easy walking distance. So okay, there you have it. Our only critique is no highchair. There, maybe now you all won't stay there!!! ;) Read more about this property on our blog about our recent trip to Boston. $600/night (compare THAT to three hotel rooms!).
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general tips
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Pack Your Stroller Wisely
Most likely, your stroller is going to be your main mode of transportation in Boston. When packing for your trip, choose the stroller you like the best, and make sure that all diaper bags, backpacks, etc., can be easily stowed beneath (or get yourself a mommy clip). You may also look into a boogie board for any bigger kids, or bring along your Ergo to let the bigger kid ride while you wear the baby. With all that said, also make sure you (and the kiddos) are wearing comfortable walking shoes. Bring along band-aids in case shoes start rubbing little heels! |
Save Money (and time) with a GoBoston Card
Wanting to hit a lot of the top Boston sites? Why wait to buy your passes and end up spending more money as well as waiting in long lines? Choose a pass that saves you major cash, as well as lets you skip those lines (a major plus at locations like the New England Aquarium). You can choose from 1, 2,3,5 or 7 day all-inclusive passes, or build your own. It's worth it! |
Download the Uber app
For those times you need to take a car or taxi, the Uber app makes it super easy and convenient. |
Required Reading:
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Ask questions and give advice on traveling to Boston with little ones!
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