NYC and Boston with Kids one day each

[belle22]

What are your must sees in NYC and Boston? We are planning on one day at each city. Kids DD8 and DD11. What is the earlist time to start seeing attractions?

 

[clori]

I have a dd8 and dd just turned 13 last week. I live afew miles from Boston and dh is from Manhattan where we visit family regularly.

Boston I love the new Boston Tea Party ship and Museum. maybe go there first then ride the swan boats visit the Old State House Museum lunch at Fanieul Hall then time at a museum like museum of science. the duck boat is also a nice ride.

For NYC statue of liberty and Ellis Island are great but take up most if the day. If you have never been the free Staten Island ferry to see the statue is nice. My girls loved the national museum of mathematics and Sony wonder technology lab. My youngest was bored on the UN tour. They both enjoy Madame Tousdouds. Museum of natural history. Central Park is fun to walk around and the girls like the carousel.

Basically both cities have a lit of fun spots so it depends on what you enjoy. Budget etc.

 

[clori]

9am is a good starting time but check individual hours.

 

[tweedlemom]

Boston--Duck boat tour, Boston Common, swan boats, Fanieul Hall
NYC-Times Square Disney Store, Hershey Store, M & M World, Lego Store @Rockefeller Plaza, FAO Schwarz

 

[everythingALICE]

I love the Museum of Science in Boston! It isn't a cheap museum, but you can spend a LOT of time there. There are loads of special presentations in addition to the regular exhibits, as well as an IMAX theater and planetarium. I think it would be great for your kids given their ages.

Assuming you are traveling in the spring/summer, I would definitely recommend walking around the Boston Gardens (free!) if the weather is nice. All the flowers and plants make the area really beautiful, and you can go on the Swan Boats if you'd like.

I personally wouldn't recommend the aquarium, unless you find a discounted ticket, or get one of those 'Go' cards where it's included. It's pretty small in comparison to other aquariums I've visited, and I'm not convinced it's worth the price.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I'm also from Boston and I have to agree with most of the above, the Science museum is great is you don't already have one in your area, the aquarium is definitely not worth it, if you really wanted to splurge you could do a whale watch, they are really fun, and there is also a ferry that takes you to the area islands in the Boston area, not namless, but not anything that you would have heard of - one has a fort on it. Definitely a swan boat ride on the common and make sure you see the duckling statues (also on the common). Definitely try to eat in the North End, you can't go wrong, if you chose to do that int he evening, plan on standing in line on the sidewalk, but most are worth the wait. Also great pastry shops on that street too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Boston--Duck boat tour, Boston Common, swan boats, Fanieul [Faneuil] Hall
NYC-Times Square Disney Store, Hershey Store, M & M World, Lego Store @Rockefeller Plaza, FAO Schwarz

I can't agree with the NYC recommendations. If you have only one day, why waste it in super touristy areas (Times Square) visiting mediocre stores found in most malls?

Depending on your children's interests, you might want to visit one of the many great museums, such as the American Museum of Natural History, then walk over to Central Park:

http://www.amnh.org/

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't agree with the NYC recommendations. If you have only one day, why waste it in super touristy areas (Times Square) visiting mediocre stores found in most malls?

Depending on your children's interests, you might want to visit one of the many great museums, such as the American Museum of Natural History, then walk over to Central Park:

http://www.amnh.org/

I agree. I'd start at the Museum of Natural History (make sure to see the dinos, of course). Then head into Central Park. Head towards the children's zoo (cute - and it's in central park). Then maybe towards Times Square at night. I don't know how late TOTR is open, but I think NYC looks much cooler at night (I can see the skyline a few blocks from my house).

We were just in Boston a couple of months ago. The girls and I were trapped at a dance competition, but the boys loved the Duck tour and science museum.

 

[belle22]

What is the cost and hours of the State Park that has the Plymouth Rock

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What is the cost and hours of the State Park that has the Plymouth Rock

Cost is free. Why not just use Google and look this up?

If you have one day in Boston, you don't have time to tour Boston and do Plymouth.

I suggest you get a good guidebook and do some research; it will help your planning.

 

[laughinplace199]

For Boston, I agree with other posters that the Museum of Science would be a fun thing to do. Also, you can take a Duck Boat Tour right from the museum, so it would be easy to fit both into one day. If you have time after the museum and the Duck boat, you could either walk over to Faneuil Hall for shopping/dining or you could walk over to the Public Garden and take a ride on the swan boats.

We visited NYC a few years ago when our kids were about 9 & 7. We were there for two partial days. We arrived at our hotel around noon and we did FAO Schwartz, a carriage ride in Central Park, and the American Girl store (for shopping & dinner). The next day, we started off at the Central Park Zoo and then went over to the Museum of Natural History before heading home.

 

[scrapquitler]

I can't agree with the NYC recommendations. If you have only one day, why waste it in super touristy areas (Times Square) visiting mediocre stores found in most malls?

Depending on your children's interests, you might want to visit one of the many great museums, such as the American Museum of Natural History, then walk over to Central Park:

http://www.amnh.org/

I agree with this. I also highly suggest the Museum of Modern Art.

 

[hsmamato2]

***Boston for a day? our faves are Museum of science with kids,then head over to Quincy market waterfront area, tourist shopping+ historical buildings,you can arrange a tour if you like,or just wander the area with a map,the big building right there is great inside(can't remember the name,maybe a capitol building from Revolutionary war?)
Right there near the water by Quincy market is a place where you can pay to take a water tour of harbor, -OR- you can do what we do which is walk PAST that tourist boat and buy a ticket for the city water taxi service,which takes you across the harbor to the USS constitution (free awesome tour) and back again...and it costs around 1.00 per person to take this water taxi.
Either or both of these things would easily fill one day. If you did both,it would be museum in a.m. at opening,leave by noon or so and head over to waterfront.(we've walked that distance,or taken the subway)
***NYC? one day? hmmm,I'd head straight down to battery park via subway,(as early in the a.m. as possible) get off and head over to the staten island ferry terminal, get on the 1st avaialble ride across the harbor,and get a GREAT ride by view of the Statue of Liberty for FREE. As soon as you get to Staten Island, head right back to the entrance for the ferry on that side,and ride back to Battery park/manhatten.
Then take subway back up to Central Park area, wander over to the Natural History museum,pay (suggested donation/whatever you feel like paying to get in) check it out for a while, head out to the park and grab snacks from a street vendor and just wander around, I love the ponds,and the statues.
Hit Times Square later as it gets darker,for the lights- it's cool.
You need to google and get some good walking maps of the cities to do this, but it's cheap and fairly easy.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

If the kids have never been to a tall building with an observation deck....There is Top of the Rock@ Rockefeller Center, you could spend some time seeing the ice skaters, statues and famous landmarks around there. There is an NBC Tour, still, I think, that was a highlight for me as a kid. Then see St. Patrick's Cathedral. Or do the observatory at the top of the Empire State building, spend some time in the giant Macy's down the block, and then head over to Times Square.

Add that to the Central Park zoo, and you have a full day!

 

[robsmom]

My recommendations would be to not try to do one day only in either of them. both are great locations and you really can't do them justice. Unless there is a compelling reason that you have to be in each for one day, I would suggest picking one and doing 2 days plus saving the drive/train in between. is this part of a larger vacation? Why do you have one day in these cities?

 

[disykat]

It depends where you are from. If you are not from a city, Times Square, the big stores, the subway, etc. are exactly what they are going to want to see.

I'd do those plus either top of the rock or empire state building and at least a glance of the brooklyn bridge and the statue of liberty.

For my kids, it's always been important to me to make seeing the big recognizable sights a priority. That way, when they're watching tv or a movie they can say "I've been there!"

With only one day, I think it might even be a good idea to consider a family friendly tour that takes you to the highlights. Even if you don't want to TAKE a tour, I'd look at some so you can see their itineraries and maybe copycat.

 

[Rosebud123]

I live in Boston and I'd say the Swan Boats/Public Gardens should be on the top of your list!

Does your family like baseball? Fenway Park is a blast!

The Duck Boat tour is a great way to see a lot of the city and it's fun when you go into the Charles River.

Faneuil Hall is nice in terms of shopping/dining, but that's pretty much it. Same for Newbury Street. (Faneuil Hall is very touristy. Wouldn't be my first pick if I were visiting for just one day.)

I'd have dinner in the North End or the South End. Both are those neighborhoods are centrally located and have tons of great restaurants.

Did you book a hotel yet? The Colonnade (located near Copley/South End area) has an awesome rooftop pool and it's in a nice location.

The Seaport District also has great restaurants, many with amazing views of the water! If you like museums, the Children's Museum and the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) are in this area.

Enjoy! Boston is small and so easy to get around.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It depends where you are from. If you are not from a city, Times Square, the big stores, the subway, etc. are exactly what they are going to want to see.

I just do not agree that someone who doesn't live in a big city only wants to shop ( well, maybe a teenaged girl, ). Keep in mind, the OP has only one day in one of the most interesting cities in the world. Why anyone would think the M & M store near Times Square would be a better use of time than seeing one of the fabulous museums, the 911 Memorial, Central Park, a Broadway show, etc. is beyond me. To each his own.

 

[gcarney]

Boston Duck Tours, best way to see the entire city and see historical sites with commentary.

Check here or website and coupons. https://www.google.com/search?q=boston+duck+tours+coupons&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

I've lived in Boston my whole life and this is what I always recommend.

 

[disykat]

I just do not agree that someone who doesn't live in a big city only wants to shop ( well, maybe a teenaged girl, ). Keep in mind, the OP has only one day in one of the most interesting cities in the world. Why anyone would think the M & M store near Times Square would be a better use of time than seeing one of the fabulous museums, the 911 Memorial, Central Park, a Broadway show, etc. is beyond me. To each his own.

Not sure where you got "only wants to shop" from my post mentioning that people who are not from the city would want to see these things.

A walk through the times square area takes an hour maybe? To me, a lifetime of being able to think "I've been there" every time you see it on New Year's Eve is worth it.

People in the city sometimes have a skewed vision of what is actually available in other areas. Bright lights/big city isn't just an expression. It's really true and many people want to see them when they visit.