Beantown bound with a baby
May 23rd, 2009, 06:08 PM
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Beantown bound with a baby
Hi fellow travelers,
After debating where to go this summer, my husband and I have finally settled on a family vacation to Boston with our 7-month old son. We're heading out the second week in June and are in need of some advice. First and foremost - hotel recommendations. We're not looking to spend a fortune as we don't plan to spend a lot of time in our room. And where should we stay in terms of location? We'll have a rental car for some day trips but would prefer to be within walking distance of all the action. Also, we're planning to take in a game at Fenway so if that makes a difference in terms of proximity to the T please let me know.
Things to do - we're planning on hitting all the historic highlights - Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, etc. Any "must-see" attractions? We're obviously interested in seeing anything of historical significance, but what are the other big Boston attractions? Think cultural, not kitsch. We're the kind of people who like to be on the go on our vacations so the more recommendations, the better!
And dining - we're both foodies, but probably not going to be hitting up anything too fancy with an infant in tow. Any local recommendations? Especially for seafood (obviously!) We're looking for anything off the beaten path - no tourist traps, please.
Besides that, we were thinking of heading out to Cape Cod for a day trip. What to do once we get there? Places to eat? Again, this is all new territory for us so if anyone has recommendations on whether or not this makes sense please let me know.
Thank you in advance for your advice!
After debating where to go this summer, my husband and I have finally settled on a family vacation to Boston with our 7-month old son. We're heading out the second week in June and are in need of some advice. First and foremost - hotel recommendations. We're not looking to spend a fortune as we don't plan to spend a lot of time in our room. And where should we stay in terms of location? We'll have a rental car for some day trips but would prefer to be within walking distance of all the action. Also, we're planning to take in a game at Fenway so if that makes a difference in terms of proximity to the T please let me know.
Things to do - we're planning on hitting all the historic highlights - Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, etc. Any "must-see" attractions? We're obviously interested in seeing anything of historical significance, but what are the other big Boston attractions? Think cultural, not kitsch. We're the kind of people who like to be on the go on our vacations so the more recommendations, the better!
And dining - we're both foodies, but probably not going to be hitting up anything too fancy with an infant in tow. Any local recommendations? Especially for seafood (obviously!) We're looking for anything off the beaten path - no tourist traps, please.
Besides that, we were thinking of heading out to Cape Cod for a day trip. What to do once we get there? Places to eat? Again, this is all new territory for us so if anyone has recommendations on whether or not this makes sense please let me know.
Thank you in advance for your advice!
May 23rd, 2009, 07:01 PM
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There is a little sandwich stand called Chacarero in Downtown Crossing (26 Province Street) A chacarero is the official sandwich of Chile. It is the BEST sandwich I have ever had! Every time I was in Boston, I had to eat there. (Sometimes I went straight there from the airport!) It is that good! (I always get the combo- beef/chicken) Check out the video on their home page.
http://www.chacarero.com/
There are some really good seafood restaurants in the North End like The Daily Catch ... but I really enjoyed a little fish shack on the waterfront called Yankee Lobster (http://www.yankeelobstercompany.com) It is near the brewery (thgey give a great tour with tastings)
Also, if you love Italian pastries, Maria's Bakery in the North End can not be beat!! They have the best EVERYTHING!
Hope I helped a little.
http://www.chacarero.com/
There are some really good seafood restaurants in the North End like The Daily Catch ... but I really enjoyed a little fish shack on the waterfront called Yankee Lobster (http://www.yankeelobstercompany.com) It is near the brewery (thgey give a great tour with tastings)
Also, if you love Italian pastries, Maria's Bakery in the North End can not be beat!! They have the best EVERYTHING!
Hope I helped a little.
May 24th, 2009, 04:20 AM
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Thanks for the heads up, Anonymous. We're used to the Friendly Confines in Chicago (which, is totally baby-friendly!) so were unsure if it would be too much to take our son. Scrapping that idea.
May 24th, 2009, 05:38 AM
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There are great places to eat in the North End (along the Freedom Trail) that are fine for a baby. There are so many, you should just pick your favorite based on sight. Hanover St. is the big street in the North End (the historic Italian section of town). The Parrish Cafe on Boylston St. is a great sandwich place-- where the best chefs from the area have each created their own distinctive sandwich.
You should definitely walk through the Boston Common and Public Garden-- and make sure to check out the Make Way for Ducklings statue, which is near the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are a fun, quick thing to do with kids, as well.
As far as hotels are concerned, there is a Marriott right in the center of downtown Boston. I assume that would be the most reasonably priced place downtown. Although it's kind of kitschy, the Boston Duck Tours are always such fun, and a great way to see the city and decide where you want to be sure to go back to. They take you through the town by both land and sea and are really fun.
Cape Cod is fun and beautiful. Chatham is a lovely town, and Provincetown is quite a sight (it's the avante-garde, largely gay area of the Cape). It's all the way out on the tip of the Cape, though. There is also the summer Cape Cod league baseball-- tons of major league stars have played in the league, and the games are supposed to be really fun.
Have fun!! Boston and the Cape are GREAT destinations, especially at this time of year!
You should definitely walk through the Boston Common and Public Garden-- and make sure to check out the Make Way for Ducklings statue, which is near the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are a fun, quick thing to do with kids, as well.
As far as hotels are concerned, there is a Marriott right in the center of downtown Boston. I assume that would be the most reasonably priced place downtown. Although it's kind of kitschy, the Boston Duck Tours are always such fun, and a great way to see the city and decide where you want to be sure to go back to. They take you through the town by both land and sea and are really fun.
Cape Cod is fun and beautiful. Chatham is a lovely town, and Provincetown is quite a sight (it's the avante-garde, largely gay area of the Cape). It's all the way out on the tip of the Cape, though. There is also the summer Cape Cod league baseball-- tons of major league stars have played in the league, and the games are supposed to be really fun.
Have fun!! Boston and the Cape are GREAT destinations, especially at this time of year!
May 24th, 2009, 08:08 AM
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I see absolutely no reason you can't take your baby to Fenway for a Yankees game. Absolutely none. I live closeby and have been going all my life and I wouldn't hesitate to take a baby if I had to. That being said, good luck getting tix.
As for the rest, do a search on this board. There's been several recent threads that cover all of your questions.
As for the rest, do a search on this board. There's been several recent threads that cover all of your questions.
May 26th, 2009, 11:14 AM
#9
It sounds like you like to be really on the go have a wide range of interests. If that is the case I would recommend The Isabella Stewart Museum. It is a home that she had built, with a Venetian flair and a beautiful an inner courtyard. She was quite a character and detailed the design of the house as well as the placement of her art. Within walking distance is the Museum of Fine Arts, which is a fine museum but under such renovation that many of its items may be off view. They do have an excellent exhibition of art of the high Renaissance Venetian period. Again within walking distance is the international center for the christain Science Church which is very interesting and also houses the Mapparium, a glass map of the world through which you can walk. The area is interesting from an historical point of view and is quite beautiful. The life of Mary Baker Eddy is interesting too. From there you can again walk to the shopping area of Boston and also to the Prudential, the highest building in Boston for a great view.
The Freedom Walk area is another area, done best on a different day. It includes the North End and the Fanueil Hall area, which is where some of the best eating can be found. Part of the trail takes you out to Charlestown where you can find Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution, too far to walk from downtown. If you are up around Beacon Hill there is the Boston Anthaneaum right there which is intersting for some art but mostly history of Boston.
As for the ball game, if you are so lucky to get tickets don't worry about the baby. Keep him close, but the most fans are just fine and will be respectful of your family. Any obnoxious behavior and security takes them out of the park these days.
Staying in Boston can be tough because there are not alot of options and it is expensive. I would suggest staying away from Downstown crossing area unless you are facing the Boston Common, meaning the Ritz. It is either desolate at night or filled with kids of the hanging out and clubbing crowd. The best areas are the Back Bay or the waterfront.
And do without a car while in town. Even an occasional taxi will be cheaper than getting the car before you need to. Depending on your day trips, the train might even be preferable. Depending on where you want to go on the cape, you can get to Provencetown by ferry from Boston Harbor, shorter than driving there and quintessential cape.
Hope this helps.
The Freedom Walk area is another area, done best on a different day. It includes the North End and the Fanueil Hall area, which is where some of the best eating can be found. Part of the trail takes you out to Charlestown where you can find Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution, too far to walk from downtown. If you are up around Beacon Hill there is the Boston Anthaneaum right there which is intersting for some art but mostly history of Boston.
As for the ball game, if you are so lucky to get tickets don't worry about the baby. Keep him close, but the most fans are just fine and will be respectful of your family. Any obnoxious behavior and security takes them out of the park these days.
Staying in Boston can be tough because there are not alot of options and it is expensive. I would suggest staying away from Downstown crossing area unless you are facing the Boston Common, meaning the Ritz. It is either desolate at night or filled with kids of the hanging out and clubbing crowd. The best areas are the Back Bay or the waterfront.
And do without a car while in town. Even an occasional taxi will be cheaper than getting the car before you need to. Depending on your day trips, the train might even be preferable. Depending on where you want to go on the cape, you can get to Provencetown by ferry from Boston Harbor, shorter than driving there and quintessential cape.
Hope this helps.
May 27th, 2009, 01:15 PM
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I don't agree with this observation above:
"There are great places to eat in the North End (along the Freedom Trail) that are fine for a baby. There are so many, you should just pick your favorite based on sight."
There are places in the North End that range from terrific and honest to tourist-gouging traps, and the food tends to follow suit. If it's a really good non-Italian seafood place you want, Neptune Oyster in the North End is excellent, arguably the city's best. Dolphin Seafood in Cambridge is cheaper and maybe a little more baby-friendly. Please check out my somewhat dated but still useful research done on the North End's numerous restaurants here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/448599
I'd suggest doing a bit of calling to see which are baby-friendly and also serve excellent to good food without being tourist traps. Off the top of my head, I'd guess Pagliuca's, Antico Forno, Pizzeria Uno (the one on Thacher Street, not the satellite offshoots), Saraceno's, La Summa, Massimino's, Rabia, or Al Dente might be possible.
It's also a very good idea to do some searching here, as there's been much posted on Boston in general that's very useful.
"There are great places to eat in the North End (along the Freedom Trail) that are fine for a baby. There are so many, you should just pick your favorite based on sight."
There are places in the North End that range from terrific and honest to tourist-gouging traps, and the food tends to follow suit. If it's a really good non-Italian seafood place you want, Neptune Oyster in the North End is excellent, arguably the city's best. Dolphin Seafood in Cambridge is cheaper and maybe a little more baby-friendly. Please check out my somewhat dated but still useful research done on the North End's numerous restaurants here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/448599
I'd suggest doing a bit of calling to see which are baby-friendly and also serve excellent to good food without being tourist traps. Off the top of my head, I'd guess Pagliuca's, Antico Forno, Pizzeria Uno (the one on Thacher Street, not the satellite offshoots), Saraceno's, La Summa, Massimino's, Rabia, or Al Dente might be possible.
It's also a very good idea to do some searching here, as there's been much posted on Boston in general that's very useful.
May 27th, 2009, 06:48 PM
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Thanks everyone for all of the fantastic tips and feedback. Very helpful!
Gyppielou - I called it "Beantown" intentionally so my post would stand out in the clutter of the discussion boards. Looks like I was successful!
Gyppielou - I called it "Beantown" intentionally so my post would stand out in the clutter of the discussion boards. Looks like I was successful!
May 30th, 2009, 08:29 AM
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I live in Boston and have a toddler and you are fine going to almost any restaurant as long as you go early and it is not a very fancy spot. Boston is very walkable. Bring your sneakers, your stroller and a hat for the baby and you will be fine.
As far as what to see - if you like art then the Gardner Museum (mentioned above) and the Museum of Fine Arts are obvious choices. The new Institute of Contemporary Art is also good but depends on the exhibit because they don't have much of a permanent collection. Right now there is a very cool Shepard Fairy exhibit (you can google it) and the museum is brand new and designed to be very family friendly. There is a large Children's Museum nearby that has things even for infants.
If you do go to Cape Cod, I would try to plan to go during the week to avoid the bad Friday night/Sat morning traffic out of Boston. If you are only there for a day, I'd go to the beach!
As far as what to see - if you like art then the Gardner Museum (mentioned above) and the Museum of Fine Arts are obvious choices. The new Institute of Contemporary Art is also good but depends on the exhibit because they don't have much of a permanent collection. Right now there is a very cool Shepard Fairy exhibit (you can google it) and the museum is brand new and designed to be very family friendly. There is a large Children's Museum nearby that has things even for infants.
If you do go to Cape Cod, I would try to plan to go during the week to avoid the bad Friday night/Sat morning traffic out of Boston. If you are only there for a day, I'd go to the beach!
