Boston ~ Best kid must do tips

[TwingleMum]

We will be in Boston for 3 days in December. My boys are 8,6 and 6 yrs old. Any fun suggestions??? I heard there is a pond where they can ice skate. Is it ready?? Can they rent skates there?? TIA

 

[3LOVEBUGS]

We will be in Boston for 3 days in December. My boys are 8,6 and 6 yrs old. Any fun suggestions??? I heard there is a pond where they can ice skate. Is it ready?? Can they rent skates there?? TIA

The pond has been open for a week or two it is the Frog pond and they do rent skates here is a link to it http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org/index.htm

When in December are you planning to visit? Do you want things to do out side or in side?

 

[3boymthr]

If it's raining or really cold I recommend for that age either the Science Museum and/or the Children's Museum.

http://www.mos.org/

http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/

For outdoor activities, the freedom trail is fun even for that age and best of all most of it is free. You have to pay a nominal fee at some of the locations but totally worth it.

An interesting place to visit is Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market. This is part of the Freedom Trail and has some great shops and places to eat.

If you aren't looking just for downtown stuff then I recommend The Harbor Islands: http://www.bostonislands.com/trip_getthere.html

There is a Civil War Era Fort/Prison Camp on Georges Island. Very Cool.

Another fun place to visit that's not downtown is Castle Island also known as Fort Independence. This is in South Boston and is very near to the John F. Kennedy Library. If you Google Fort Independence you should be able to find it. There is also a fort here - you can't get in and explore inside though, just walk around it. The real attraction here is the planes. From the harbor side of the fort you can watch planes land at Logan Airport. Depending upon the daily flight path they might even fly right over head. There is also a small hamburger stand here with really really good food that's reasonably priced - you can get lunch for five for under $40 as long as you don't buy the lobster roll LOL. And if the kids are restless there is a nice large playground.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And if you go to the Museum of Science, you might also want to consider a Duck Tour. That's one of the locations from which the vehicles leave. They do some land touring and spend some time on the river - and sometimes let little kids come up and "drive" while they're in the water

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The Frog Pond is a lot of fun. Besides skate rentals, they do have a food stand there also, FYI.

There is an IMAX theater at the New England Aquarium. http://www.neaq.org/visit_planning/imax_theatre/now_playing/index.php

You could visit the Navy's oldest commisioned ship, The USS Constitution, in the Charlestown Navy Yard. http://www.history.navy.mil/USSconstitution/index.html

You could do the Observatory at the top of the Prudential Building. http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/prudential-skywalk.html

Have a great time!

 

[eduk8r26]

I second the Museum of Science and Children's Museum. There's also an IMAX theater at the Science museum--or there used to be--I think it might have been Omnimax, but not sure.

 

[Schmeck]

The Museum of Science has the Harry Potter exhibit right now, it costs extra, but you can reserve/buy tickets online on their website.

Don't know where it is located this year, but the Enchanted Village was just sold - hopefully that will be available too.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Not sure if it's year round, but the Fenway Park tour is fun and cheap...a must do for any baseball fan.
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp

 

[JESW]

The Enchanted Village is now out in Avon..

 

[mtemm]

the frog pond is a ton of fun, and the museum of science in general/harry potter exhibit is awesome! if you want to do the harry potter exhibit, you might consider just buying a membership to the museum. its pretty reasonable, and brings the HP add-on ticket down to $5 per ticket. we went last weekend and it was really a lot of fun. and the museum itself is well worth a visit. I would not do the enchanted village a pp mentioned that is in avon right now. we did that this past weekend and it was fun, but a total time suck and if you are only here for a short time, stick to boston.

my kids are a similar age (7, 5, 5, almost 8, 6, 6) and their favorite things to do in boston include the museum of science, the institute of contemporary art, the aquarium, faneuil hall (hanging out and watching the street performers is a ton of fun for them), and certain parts of the freedom trail. they love the frog pond and the playground attached to it. Kings for bowling is very cute. they loved the trip to the top of the prudential center.

 

[tiggger1]

The Enchanted Village is now out in Avon..

If you go. go early!!!! The wait at night is at least 3-4 hours!!!!

 

[TwingleMum]

Thank you so much for all the fabulous suggestions. Boston sounds like lots of fun. My boys are big Hockey fans ~ GO ISLANDERS!!!! So they will be really into ice skating at the Frog Pond.

 

[TwingleMum]

We are all huge Harry Potter fans so that is a big must do. I hope they have good souvenirs.

 

[3boymthr]

Oooh if they're hockey fans then you might want to check this out.

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=38885

No Islanders tickets but still a good price for a professional game in Boston.

 

[TwingleMum]

Oooh if they're hockey fans then you might want to check this out.

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=38885

No Islanders tickets but still a good price for a professional game in Boston.

I was actually thinking of trying to get tickets for a Boston College Ice Hockey game. I thought it might be a lot of fun for them.

 

[DISNEY1975]

My boys liked Tomb at that age. You can find coupons online before you go.

Elephant and Castle also has a mystery dinner show. Its about $50pp, but you cant beat that for a neal in Boston with entertainment. They also have sales. I know Black Friday they were selling tickets at 1/2 price. Right now they are playing "Hell of a Kitchen"..a spoof on Hell's Kitchen! Very funny!

Tomb
http://www.5-wits.com/

Elephant and Castle
http://www.mysterycafe.com/787/hell-of-a-kitchen


Also, in the North End, The Mobfather.....

http://www.mysterycafe.com/87/riccardos-ristorante

 

[mtemm]

We are all huge Harry Potter fans so that is a big must do. I hope they have good souvenirs.

they have phenomenal souvenirs....just bring your wallet! most are very pricey. but very very cool options!

 

[TwingleMum]

they have phenomenal souvenirs....just bring your wallet! most are very pricey. but very very cool options!

Oh no and right before Christmas.