In 2012, this Grandma wrote a post about the Best of Boston with grandchildren.
That was when we took our oldest grandson to Boston for the first time. Now, just having returned from taking our third grandchild to Boston for his first time, we are grandparent pros at Boston!
This Grandma still recommends staying in the Wharf area. First, it is very close to the airport, and there is even a train from the airport to Boston. Second, as I said in 2012, the Wharf area is where all of the tourist attractions for children are and you can walk nearly everywhere or take the M (subway) or a ferry convenient. For a splurge think
BEST PLACE TO STAY: BOSTON MARRIOTT LONG WHARF
There are specials available, although if you have a car, the parking rate is outrageous. You do not need a car in the city. Try to pick up a car to go elsewhere at the end of your stay in the city. There are several other hotels in the Wharf area at different price points.
BEST ENTERTAINMENT IN BOSTON FOR GRANDCHILDREN
BLUE MAN GROUP AT CHARLES PLAYHOUSE
74 Warrenton St., Boston, MA
If you do not know about this performance, google it. Children love it. All our grandchildren gave it five stars. Of course, sit in the “raincoat” area. They give plastic raincoats to those sitting near the front as there is food flying. However, what is a little mashed banana or apple sauce, when you hear belly laughs from your grandchild.
BEST FOOD BEFORE THEATRE
With our older two grandchildren, we were able to have dinner at Legal Seafood across the street from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. They do have a children’s menu. There is another Legal Seafood in the theatre district. However, this grandson loves hamburgers and we were on our way to see Blue Man Group so we ate at one of the best hamburger places in Boston, which also gives a discount if you have Blue Man Group tickets: Abby Lane, 255 Tremont Street, Boston (617) 451-2229. Ask for a table near window with view of kitchen and
working chefs.
It is 8 minutes from the Wharf area by Uber. It is also literally around the corner from the Blue Man Group.
BEST ONE FULL DAY ITINERARY WITH GRANDCHILDREN
Our first full day was a full day with Codzilla, the Aquarium, Freedom Trail—Faneuil Hall/State House, Quincy Marketplace, Duck Tour, and Regina Pizzeria. Yes, we did it all and you can too. This is the best of the best to do in Boston, and loved by all three grandchildren. If you have one day, this is the best day to do.
BEST BREAKFAST IN WHARF AREA
A secret place to have breakfast is inside Quincy Marketplace! It is empty for breakfast and there are few inexpensive places to have breakfast in the Wharf area if not included in your room rate. We ate at Bagelville and had huge and delicious egg sandwiches. Since Starbucks is right across from Bagelville you can get your strong coffee fix.
BEST TIPS FOR THE BEST FIRST DAY IN BOSTON
Buy your Duck tickets and Codzilla tickets either on line in advance or the day before or you might get locked out of this at the Wharf area, which sells out quickly. There are a few companies doing Duck Tours. Only go with the company below. They allow the children to “drive” when in the Charles River, which they love. There have been some duck tour accidents recently. You can goggle this if it concerns you. I read every article. You will get wet on Codzilla, and the beauty of staying at the Marriott is being able to get into dry clothes quickly. Some people do bring plastic ponchos.
Forget walking the Freedom Trail in its entirety. The grandchildren could care less, but it is fun to walk the tiny stretch from the Quincy Marketplace to Faneuil Hall and the State House. There is a secret about Faneuil Hall too. The first floor is just a shopping mall. It is the second floor that is the Faneuil Hall masterpiece, the meeting hall where you can see where George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and all the other Revolutionary War leaders and heroes sat and debated leaving England and fighting the king and how to form our new country.
The Aquarium is great but one hour there is more than enough. It is always crowded. A major tip is to take the elevator (on the right after you enter) to the top floor immediately upon entering, seeing the feeding on the top floor, and wind your way down to the first floor, doing the penguins and touch tanks last. The gift shop is wonderful, and as you enter from the Aquarium, on the left is an alcove that has the best inexpensive sharks tooth necklaces as a souvenir.
BEST PIZZA AND BEST PIZZA EXPERIENCE WITH BEST DESSERT AFTER
There is a Regina Pizzeria inside Quincy Marketplace, but the original Regina Pizzeria is the one to go to. There is always a line at the dive in the North End (really the east side of the Wharf area) but it moves like fast food. It is so much fun to talk to everyone on line from Boston and around the world. Our grandchildren give the experience and the pizza at Regina Pizzeria in the fun and alive North End five stars. Then go around the corner to Bova Bakery and get the best Italian pastries. Try to limit the grandchildren to six cookies each and adults can overdose on the various varieties of cannolis.
Here is more detail about each stop on our first long day.
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM (#31 of things to do in Boston on Tripadvisor)
“The breathtaking centerpiece of this excellent aquarium is the colossal 200,000-gallon salt-water replica of a Caribbean coral reef. The cylindrical tank, 40ft in diameter and three stories tall, is alive with moray eels, stingrays, gigantic sea turtles and menacing sharks. On a smaller scale, a touch tank exhibit lets children stick their hands into the cold water of a tidal basin and get up close and personal with starfish, sea urchins and hermit crabs. The huge indoor penguin exhibit (constructed so almost all of the balconies overlook it) is a hoot. If the lines are too long, peek at the playful inhabitants of the outdoor seal enclosure instead. “
“Codzilla has arrived. And Boston Harbor will never be the same. Now there are more thrills, more laughs and more speed than you ever imagined as you zip across the ocean at up to 40 miles per an hour. A ride on Codzilla is as entertaining as it is thrilling. The wind roars. The music blares. And the waves will splash as the crew recounts the legendary tale of how Codzilla came to Boston. This wet and wild ride is 40 minutes of full blast, sensational fun for the entire family.”
“Built for the city by the wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil in 1742, the hall was later remodeled by ubiquitous Boston architect Charles Bulfinch. It had a dual function as a marketplace (on the ground floor) and a meeting hall (upstairs). During Revolutionary times it became known as the “Cradle of Liberty”, as colonial heroes such as Samuel Adams regularly roused the Boston populace against the British here-it still hosts the occasional political debate and symposium as a nod to its history. The building is part of Boston’s National Historic Park, and rangers provide brief historical talks in the Great Hall every half hour. The ground floor is given over to gift shops and, surprisingly, a branch of the post office.”
Entrance to all Historic Rooms, Galleries and Exhibits
Three Unique Guided Tours – One Offered Every 30 Minutes
The Boston Massacre Tour The Old State House Tour The Revolutionary Boston Tour
Revolutionary Characters Card (yours to keep) Self-guided Tours (go at your own pace)
Adults $10 | Children 18 or Under FREE* *does not include groups 3 pm guided tour
Duck Tour: NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM DUCK TOUR (#1 Tripadvisor to do in Boston)
Can buy tickets ON LINE 30 days in advance; 80 minutes
“Ticket is good only for date, time and location indicated on confirmation report and print at home tickets attached to the confirmation email. Please arrive 30 minutes before, and be prepared to board 15 minutes prior to departure time. All tickets are non-exchangeable and nonrefundable, unless tour is canceled by Boston Duck Tours. Tours depart rain or shine. BDT Reserves the right to reassign seats. If the water portion of the tour is canceled, a 50% refund will be offered. Due to traffic, construction, parades, street closures, etc. the standard route may be altered.”
DINNER: REGINA PIZZERIA (best pizza in Boston, wait on line, no reservations)
11½ Thacher St., Boston, 617-227-0765, reginapizzeria.com.
#1 bakery in Boston 2 minutes from Regina’s North End Bova’s Bakery 134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113-1749 Head northeast on N Margin St/Thacher St toward Lombard Pl 148 ft Turn right onto Prince St 295 ft Slight right onto Salem St
BEST SECOND FULL DAY ITINERARY WITH GRANDCHILDREN
If you have two days, you can do Fenway Park Tour, top of the PRU, Boston University, Harvard University, and the Children’s Museum.
BEST TIPS FOR THE BEST SECOND DAY IN BOSTON
If you can see a Red Sox game, that is wonderful. Fenway Park is unique and wonderful and Boston fans are the best fun. We were able to take our oldest grandson to a game and took the T (the subway) with what seemed like hundreds of fans packed together. With this grandchild, there were no home games when we were there which was unfortunate. We opted for a Fenway Park tour instead. We were disappointed. They take up to 250 people every hour and most of the time is spent herding the masses. The tour guides are wonderful, but the experience is not. Children do not mind as much as you, the grandparent, will mind. It is the number one activity on Tripadvisor, however, read the reviews and you will see mixed reviews.
Going to the top of the PRU to see all of Boston is not as imperative if you do Fenway Park Tour as you can see an overview of Boston from the top of the park, which is part of the tour.
Going around the major universities is fun. Stop at the Boston University Bookstore and Student Union. Go to Cambridge, an adorable little town within Boston, and stroll around Harvard University. Yes, and buy a college t shirt or cap for the grandchild.
Although the Boston Children’s Museum is top rated, and even has a rock climbing wall which grandchildren love, we have always left it for last, and have yet to make it there.
Wander Boston. Take in the flavor of Boston. And you, too, will probably never make it to one of the top rated Children’s Museum.
Here is more detail about each stop on a second long day.
FENWAY PARK TOUR
Fenway Park Tour TICKETS AVAILABLE TWO WEEKS BEFORE TOUR on line (20 MIN. from Wharf hotel)
“This is the one you haul all the out-of-towners to-mostly because you can’t wait to go yourself. The hour-long tour includes player and ballpark history and visits to the press box and Pesky’s Pole; depending on the guide, you also might visit the bullpens and peek behind the anachronistic scoreboard (this is why people take the tour more than once). “Fenway Park Tour, daily 9am-5pm, $10-$30, 4 Yawkey Way, Kenmore, 877-733-7699.
Walk around Boston University and walk to the PRU
SKYWALK OBSERVATORY AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER (10 min walk directly from Fenway Park)
111 Huntington Ave.; 800 Boylston Street, Boston
“This glassed-in walkway high 50 floors atop the Pru offers a 360-degree perspective from a height of 750 feet; on a clear day, you can see as far as 80 miles in any direction. Audio tours that pick out the Hub’s many historical sites are available. 10:00am-10:00pm $13 children $15 seniors”
“You can purchase tickets at the Skywalk Observatory Kiosk located in Prudential Arcade. The kiosk is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 30 minutes before the Skywalk closes, 7 days a week. In the event the kiosk is closed, you may also purchase tickets at the Skywalk entrance located on the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower. “
LUNCH:
NEAR THE PRU
another Regina Pizzeria
800 Boylston Street Prudential Center
0.1 miles from Prudential Center
Cheesecake Factory
The Shops at Prudential Center
115 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02199
BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Address: 308 Congress Street Boston
(.7 miles/15 min. walk from Marriott Wharf Hotel: Cut through the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel to Central Wharf, continue straight towards the Rowes Wharf/Boston Harbor Hotel Follow the HarborWalk until you come to the Old Northern Ave pedestrian bridge. Walk across the bridge towards the Federal Courthouse. At the end of the bridge, turn right onto Sleeper Street, pass the Barking Crab restaurant and cross Seaport Boulevard using the crosswalk. Continue straight, now on Sleeper Street, cutting across to the Museum’s waterfront entrance.)
Cross street: at Children’s Wharf Opening hours:10am-5pm Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun; 10am-9pm Fri.Transport:Red line to South Station Price:Admission $14;.
“To children, it’s like a vast indoor playground; little do they know how much they’re learning in the process. The centrepiece of the new-look museum is the New Balance Climb, a twisty, turning three-story climbing structure made of serpentine wires and curved plywood sails. (The third-floor exit is guarded by museum staff, who compel fast-footed children to wait for their puffing parents to catch up.) On the ground floor, the new Kid Power exhibit explores health and fitness, complete with climbing wall, bikes and an interactive light-up dance floor to stomp on. It’s also home to the ever-popular Science Playground, where young researchers can sit under a glass-bottomed turtle tank, create walls of bubbles or make a maze for rolling golf balls down the wall.”
“If the kids ever get past ground level (and there’s a good chance they won’t), they can learn about currents by steering boats through a 28-foot reproduction of the Fort Point Channel in Boats Afloat. Young pilots may prefer climbing into the model cockpit in the Arthur’s World exhibit, hosted by television’s most charismatic aardvark, before a story in the reading corner. Creative kids can make a mess at the Art Studio, or visit the Recycle Shop to buy odd pieces of plastic, papers, and string for their sculptural masterpieces.”
“In the new 3,000-square-foot space called the Common, families can regroup and debate what to visit next-or try out the electronic musical chairs, play a giant game of chess and swat at virtual marbles projected on a wall.”
RESTAURANTS NEAR THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
James Hook & Co. 15-17 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210
#5 Tripadvisor–has hot dogs, lobster mac n cheese, lobster rolls
Tel: (617) 423-5501 Open Monday 10-5 Sunday 10-3
8 min. walk from Wharf hotel along Atlantic: Head west on State St toward Atlantic Ave
236 ft Turn left onto Atlantic Ave 0.3 mi Turn left onto Northern Ave 112 ft
Smith & Wollensky 294 Congress St., Atlantic Wharf Boston, Boston, MA 02210 (Atlantic Avenue) 12 minute walk from Wharf hotel along Atlantic (away from North End)
“The Atlantic Wharf location of Smith & Wollensky overlooks the historic Fort Point Channel. Their outdoor dining scene and take in the sweeping waterfront views. Offering diners prime dry aged steaks, premium seafood,, it is a hot spot for a lunch or special dinner. Located near the Children’s Museum, Smith & Wollensky welcomes families (10% discount for those showing a Children’s Museum receipt). Request your steak sliced family style and share a few bites, make a meal of their appetizers, or let kids enjoy their special kid friendly options and save your steak for yourself.” (617-778-2200)
Boston is the best city to tour with grandchildren. It also makes for a great multigenerational vacation. Feel and walk the history of being in one of the most important American cities.
Joy,
Mema
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