iowamom

We have family in Newton so we usually head to Boston at least once a year. I think this is the first time in December though.

Any suggestions for things to do beyond the typical touristy things for a family of three, including an 11 year old DD who enjoys art, sports, shopping, etc? We will have a car so ok with exploring beyond Boston. Maybe head to Salem as DD is reading the Witch of Blackbird Pond in school.

I did run across the Charles Museum of Industry and Innovation - we have never been there. Any comments on this museum?

china_cat

Salem is a good idea. Not just for the witch stuff, but also for the Peabody Essex museum, and the House of Seven Gables.

If she's old enough to have read Little Women, go to Concord to visit Orchard House where Lousia May Alcott lived when she wrote it.

Have you been to the Kennedy Library? Its actually very cool, and perhaps some of the things will interest your DD. Not sure, but they may well have special exhibits on this 50th anniversary of the assassination.

And for something completely offbeat, how about the Plumbing Museum in Watertown -- http://www.theplumbingmuseum.org/index.html
I've not actually been, but a good friend went and said it was very good, and they were entertained. the big problem is you need to make an appointment to see it.

cw

Good ideas above. I haven't been to the Charles River Museum but have always intended to go.

You could try the Waterworks Museum which explains the history of providing Boston with water.

http://www.waterworksmuseum.org/

Have you visited the New American Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts? You could also take the tour of Fenway Park. For shopping there are the outlets in Wrentham or those in Kittery, Maine. Take a ride to Newport, RI, and visit one of the holiday-decorated mansions.

iowamom

Great ideas - exactly what I am looking for! Thanks so much.

tomfuller

You might like the Museum of Science. http://www.mos.org/
They have 2 very large VanDegraff generators. A ghuy stands inside a sateel cage and then the lightning flashes from the generator head to the cage. It's amazing.

sandragoodlife

I would also recommend Concord/Lexington National Park, its nice to see the place of the "shot that was heard around the world". My grandkids actually enjoyed the DeCordava Museum in Lincoln - a great outdoor sculpture park and nice small modern art museum.

Ozarksbill

Hey iowamom (from a Drake grad who relocated from Missouri to Boston area...and going to church in Newton)
Indeed have heard about that museum of inventions in Waltham with antique watches, bicycles, etc. We've yet to go. Maybe you've already seen such mentioned as Museum of Science, MFA, JFK Library, and for sure Peabody Essex Museum in Salem plus House of Seven Gables. Of course Minuteman Nat'l Pk. in Concord area. No one mentioning walking Freedom Trail? Such activities might tire an 11 year old but even so good exposure if not overdone.

Enjoy your return visit, even though in December which brings to mind holiday music...and oh yes, don't drive in Boston itself as you may know (traffic, parking) but use public transportation. Riding the T might be fun also!

viva13

Definitely the Museum of Science and the planetarium are worth considering in Boston itself. If you head as far north as Kittery for outlet shopping, swing into Portsmouth NH (just before Kittery) which is about 60-75 minutes north of Boston. It will be beautiful and picturesque in December (church steeple, white lights, etc). It's a pretty New England town, perfect for strolling and shopping, great coffee shops and boutiques, and there is a historic area as well (Strawberry Banke) which offers holiday-themed walks and tours.

iowamom

Thanks for the additional ideas everybody!

In previous trips, we've visited the Museum of Science, Aquarium, Old North Church, USS Constitution, Harvard, MIT, Children's Museum, the Commons, Newbury Street, Prudential Center, the library, the Mapparium and the glass flower collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and have explored the Freedom Trail/North End, Cambridge, Fanueil Hall, Brookline, Newton etc.

We LOVE Boston - just looking for some unique activities that we haven't had a chance to visit yet. Keep them coming!

gail

I like the ICA art museum - although it is not for everyone. Overlooking the Harbor, the views itself are worth it. 2D and 3D art, some of it in motion. Have you done a Fenway Park Tour?

Both ChinaTown and North End foodie walking tours might appeal to 11 year old, depending on if he/she is into that kind of thing - I like the North End one better.

dfrostnh

I liked both foodie tours which I think are priced around $60 and might not interest an 11 year old. The Chinatown tour ends with a dim sum lunch but you could do dim sum on your own. It's an interesting cultural experience. Both tours provide a lot of historical background.

For shopping, Kittery can be tedious because you have to drive to different plazas. Wrentham MA and Merrimack NH are set up like a village so you only have to park once. You might look at the list of stores to see which would be best choice for you. Agree that Portsmouth would be a great place to visit. Haven't been to the Science Center at Odiorne Point in a lot of years but your 11 year old might like it. You might check to see when Candlelight Strolls are scheduled at Portsmouth's Strawbery Banke.

A visit to Newport would be fun. Thinking of a recent post, the Native American Museum at one of the CT casinos is outstanding. If you want to do a day trip someplace, I would highly recommend it.

yk

iowamom, I just saw this, and not sure if you've gone on your trip or not.

I actually have been to the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham. It is okay - not very big, it is located in one of the old factory's steam boiler room. Lots of old machinery, clocks, bicycles etc. A huge hit for the "steampunk" crowd. It definitely will not be on my list of top places to visit in Boston, unless someone in your group as a specific interest in this stuff.

HTH

iowamom

Just returned from our trip out east... didn't manage to see too many sights primarily due to wanting to spend time with family who all had varying levels of interest, patience and stamina for activities/sightseeing. (AKA, Grandpa arose late and also needed an afternoon nap, tween/teenagers had no interest in museums, it was COLD out, etc.) Most of our time was just spent hanging with the relatives.

We did go to the MFA - loved seeing the Sargent watercolors and then exiting the elevator (up a few floors) into the gallery with Sargent's portraits! Also visited the Waterworks museum - interesting but I suspect we were their only visitors the whole day! Unfortunately the Charles River Museum of Industry was closed for all of December - but that is definitely on my list for another trip. We walked around the North End and followed the Freedom Trail for a little while.

The one great thing we did all together was see family improv at ImprovBoston - very entertaining for all ages! Had some great meals at Rox's Diner and Brewer's Coalition and great ice cream at Cabot's, all in Newtonville.

SIL found a fun DIY scavenger hunt (http://urbanadventurequest.com) but only DH, DD and I were interested - and we deemed it too expensive ($50) and thought we might not stick with it.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions!

Joy2

When my children were this age we would try to catch a college sports game when visiting different states. It's a nice family take and can be reasonable. We visited Harvard's basketball and football. (Also Harvard has a small museum and Harvard Square is great.)

Northeastern we saw hockey.

Good Luck!

cw

Thanks for reporting back. Glad you had a good trip. I like the Rox's diner near me. Glad to hear about the one in Newton.

Ozarksbill

iowamom, I'm reminded of quizzing a Russian gentleman I tutored relocating from Israel and becoming a U. S. citizen. He and wife returned to visit family. When I quizzed him as to what sights he had seen, turned out he mostly spent time with relatives and at the beach.

P.S. We've been to those Newton eateries. Also of course to MFA but should return. P.P.S. Like Grandpa I don't arise so early or get going so early anymore.