1 day trip to Boston on a budget :)

[VAfamily1998]

We'll be bringing our family to New England for a mostly camping trip in August...but we will also be staying a couple nights in a hotel out near Lexington. We want to spend one day (a Sunday) in Boston doing the Swan Boats, Freedom Trail, etc. . I lived in Massachusetts as a young girl, so I am somewhat familiar, but tons has changed since then (big dig?!?!?!) , I'm sure!

Our first stop would probably be the Pubic gardens to ride the swan boats, but we would try to arrive an hour or so before they open just to take pictures (like with those little duck statues, etc.) so we would probably want to arrive around 9 am.

There are 6 in our family--2 adults and 4 children ages 4, 6, 8, and 10.

1. As we are staying in Lexington, and we are planning to visit Boston on a Sunday, would we be better off driving to a T station and taking the T in or trying to find a parking garage/lot in Boston? Since it is a Sunday, not a weekday, I was hoping parking lots/garages would not be as full. Also, with cost a consideration, I'm wondering if the cost of T tickets for 6 could add up to be even more expensive than a parking garage, particularly if they are a garage that offers discount rates on the weekend?

We are not opposed to walking long distances, but we would just want to make sure our car (and ourselves!) are relatively safe

2. We estimate we'll be hungry for lunch around the time we're visiting the North End (Paul Revere House, Old North Church, etc) Any recommendations? It is the north end, pizza would be awesome! Except I do have a son that HATES cheese. Normally when the rest of us get pizza I'll let him get chicken nuggets, a turkey sub, etc. because most the pizza places around here have those too.

3. The Skywalk at the Prudential. We'd be finishing our Freedome Trail tour at the Bunker Hill monument. I thought we'd get some dinner and then maybe go to the Skywalk at the Prudential. Is it worth it? For 2 adults and 4 kids the total should some to $56, which is a bit of a splurge for us considering the other stuff we're doing that day are either free or minimal cost (for example, the swan boats are I think $2.75/adult and 1.50/kid)?


Oh, my husband is active duty military. I remember last time we went to Boston (about 10 years ago!) We went to the observatory on the John Hancock Tower (which I understand is now closed?) and admission for active duty military was free. Any chance the Skywalk offers the same deal? Is anyone aware of any other "military discounts" in Boston/area that we might want to take advantage of? We already know about the Blue Star Museum program (that will get us into the Old south Meeting house for free! )

Any other things I should consider or advice?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[abmitch01]

the Chiildren's Museum and the Science Museum are awesome but take a good part of a day to see

 

[VAfamily1998]

the Chiildren's Museum and the Science Museum are awesome but take a good part of a day to see

Thanks abmitch01
Both of those museums are on our "plan B" list in case it rains or is just too hot to walk outside!

 

[hsmamato2]

the water taxi to the northern harbor area is like 1.50 per person for adults,and it's great fun! from the aquarium to the constitution

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Thanks abmitch01
Both of those museums are on our "plan B" list in case it rains or is just too hot to walk outside!

If you end up at Museum of Science- check out getting a membership vs buying tickets indiviudally. I forget exact numbers, but you can get a 5 person membership for not too much more. It comes with 2 extra visitor passes (to cover your 6th person) and I think a couple tickets to the omni theater and planetarium (which has been closed, so they were letting you use them for Omni). Your extra bonus is it would be good for a full year- at science museums around the country.

 

[beccab]

I know the Boston Common garage is much cheaper on weekend days, $11.00. Here's the website: http://www.mccahome.com/bcg_rat.html . I think that it would be comparable or even cheaper for your group to drive and park here than take the MBTA. I don't think finding a parking spot in the garage would be an issue. They just don't have the business on the weekends thus the reason for reduced rates. This garage is located between Boston Common and Public Gardens on Charles St.
Have a great day.

 

[clori]

When you go to the Bunker Hill Memorial I would also go to the USS Constitution Museum for the kids. It is by donation which is a big unmanned box. The USS Constituion is right there too and I believe free to tour though honestly it didn't interest my kids much when they were 4 and 8. The second floor of the museum is mostly hands on and it is pretty small so easy to stay as long/short as you like. Also if you stop in any of the National Park Serice visitors centers they will give the kids a free junior ranger booklet.

You may not have time but if you go to Boston Commons there is a giant wading pool - frogpond - which is free and the kids should enjoy. The playground is right near the frogpond is fun too. There is a kiosk at the Pru near the visitor center that has some discount tickets so if you walk by there check if they have anything for the skywalk.

When you go to the Old South Meeting House (we went last week) ask for the free scavenger hunt sheets which I think all the kids can do. My 6 year old got the beginner sheet and the 10 year old the intermediate one. They got a prize for completing it correctly (pencil). Another cheap museum in the area if it is not nice out that is the Old State House Museum - again small with hands on things to do.

If you have a local museum membership check and see if it has recipricality with any of the Boston museums.

 

[VAfamily1998]

If you end up at Museum of Science- check out getting a membership vs buying tickets indiviudally. I forget exact numbers, but you can get a 5 person membership for not too much more. It comes with 2 extra visitor passes (to cover your 6th person) and I think a couple tickets to the omni theater and planetarium (which has been closed, so they were letting you use them for Omni). Your extra bonus is it would be good for a full year- at science museums around the country.

Thanks! We actually have a membership to one of our local children's museums which has a recipricol (sp?) agreement with both the Science Museum and Children's museum in Boston--so we'll already get in free!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I know the Boston Common garage is much cheaper on weekend days, $11.00. Here's the website: http://www.mccahome.com/bcg_rat.html . I think that it would be comparable or even cheaper for your group to drive and park here than take the MBTA. I don't think finding a parking spot in the garage would be an issue. They just don't have the business on the weekends thus the reason for reduced rates. This garage is located between Boston Common and Public Gardens on Charles St.
Have a great day.

Awesome! This is exactly what I was hoping for! Thanks so much!

 

[VAfamily1998]

When you go to the Bunker Hill Memorial I would also go to the USS Constitution Museum for the kids. It is by donation which is a big unmanned box. The USS Constituion is right there too and I believe free to tour though honestly it didn't interest my kids much when they were 4 and 8. The second floor of the museum is mostly hands on and it is pretty small so easy to stay as long/short as you like. Also if you stop in any of the National Park Serice visitors centers they will give the kids a free junior ranger booklet.

You may not have time but if you go to Boston Commons there is a giant wading pool - frogpond - which is free and the kids should enjoy. The playground is right near the frogpond is fun too. There is a kiosk at the Pru near the visitor center that has some discount tickets so if you walk by there check if they have anything for the skywalk.

When you go to the Old South Meeting House (we went last week) ask for the free scavenger hunt sheets which I think all the kids can do. My 6 year old got the beginner sheet and the 10 year old the intermediate one. They got a prize for completing it correctly (pencil). Another cheap museum in the area if it is not nice out that is the Old State House Museum - again small with hands on things to do.

If you have a local museum membership check and see if it has recipricality with any of the Boston museums.

Ooooh! Thank you! I forgot about the frogpond--and the scavenger hunt sounds like something my kids will really like! Thanks!

 

[MomtoGKC]

Boston Common Garage is huge - I'm sure you'll have no problem getting a spot. There are a few exits though, so make sure you notice which exit is closest to your car. I've always felt safe when I've parked there.

If you do park there and go out the exit closest to Beacon Hill (Charles St.) there is a Starbucks right on the corner if you need a quick breakfast! Look up 5 floors and you can wave to my brother and his family - they live above Starbucks!

The North End has my FAVORITE pizza of all time - Pizzeria Regina, but they only have pizza so your son would be stuck. But, if you walk a few blocks from the North End you can get to Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall. They have a center building that is all food stands - there is some delicious stuff in there! They also have a Pizzeria Regina stand so some people can still get great pizza while your son can pick what he likes from another stand. They even sell boiled lobsters right there! The hardest part is finding a place to sit once you get your food. If you do go there down one of the side areas of the food building is a little kiosk type place called The Chipyard- the yummiest little cookies ever! You can buy them buy the dozen so the family can all share. Although when I go I usually get a dozen and only let DH have 1 or 2! There is a website that lists all of there stores and restaurants - http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/?q=node

Bunker Hill monument is very far from Prudential center - you would have to take the T or a cab.

Sorry, but I don't know about the skywalk or the military discounts.

Have a great trip!

 

[3boymthr]

Actually, if you are thinking about doing the science museum anyway, they have the cheapest parking going - Plus they have a membership discount on the parking - you'd have to call them, but the reciprocal membership might also work on the parking. This is one garage that does fill up on the weekends, but since you are planning on arriving very early that would be a good place to park. There are 850 spots in their garage and it is attached to the museum. You do have to go into the museum to pay for the parking but you can use either cash or credit card to pay. The Science Museum Garage also puts you very close to the North End, Constitution and other parts of the Freedom Trail.

 

[r&kmommy]

Our first stop would probably be the Pubic gardens....

Well now I haven't lived in MA for 3 years, but PLEASE tell me more about these pubic gardens... they sound fascinating!!!

I'm sorry, I just could NOT let that go

(pp's have all given excellent advice, btw... you'll have a blast!)

 

[VAfamily1998]

Well now I haven't lived in MA for 3 years, but PLEASE tell me more about these pubic gardens... they sound fascinating!!!

I'm sorry, I just could NOT let that go

(pp's have all given excellent advice, btw... you'll have a blast!)

Oh my! What a typo! But notice when I typed up my OP, it was about 6 am I think...not fully awake yet!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Actually, if you are thinking about doing the science museum anyway, they have the cheapest parking going - Plus they have a membership discount on the parking - you'd have to call them, but the reciprocal membership might also work on the parking. This is one garage that does fill up on the weekends, but since you are planning on arriving very early that would be a good place to park. There are 850 spots in their garage and it is attached to the museum. You do have to go into the museum to pay for the parking but you can use either cash or credit card to pay. The Science Museum Garage also puts you very close to the North End, Constitution and other parts of the Freedom Trail.

Hmmmm, that's a good idea too! We're probably going to wait and see what the weather will be like before we decide for sure on the Science Museum. Thanks for the heads up on the parking situation there!

 

[abmitch01]

snort, I just choked on my drink

 

[clori]

I glanced quickly and it looks like the first garage a poster linked is only $11 total for all day Sunday. If so that is a better deal than the Museum of Science. For members MOS is two free hours of parking, between 2-3 hours is $5.75, I think it was $8 for 3-4 hours and so on so $11 is probably cheaper assuming parking for over 4 hours.

I actually might consider the T. Kids 11 and under are free with an adult so it is only the two adults that would pay. Ask for two charlie cards from the ticket person at the T station which are free. If you know how many trips you might need for the day you can preload with exact money or you can get an unlimited day pass. Each person can just have two kids stand right in front of them as they swipe their charlie card and all walk thru together. Then you can hop on the subway to get to various places during the day. I just checked and it is $9 for a 1 day unlimited pass. It may be more but perhaps worth it for the convenience during the day.