Amie

Questions on Boston:

-we will be staying near the aquarium between Christmas and New Year's. Is there parking cheaper than hotel parking, perhaps in the financial district that week?

-a 9-yr old boy will be along. Any suggestions for him other than the aquarium? Last time we went to the Museum of Natural History...wonderful.

Thanks

yk

Museum of Science should interest the boy. http://www.mos.org/

For parking, check out bestparking and Central Parking http://boston.centralparking.com/

Central Parking has discount coupons on their website that you can print out in advance.

Jaya

For a 9 year old, consider the Children's Museum http://www.bostonkids.org/ and the Museum of Science http://www.mos.org/. If you will be around on New Year's Eve, look into First Night Boston. It actually starts in the afternoon and then ends with fireworks at midnight http://www.firstnight.org/.

china_cat

if he likes sports, maybe a Fenway park tour? should be fun, even in the winter time. When my nephews were that age, they liked the duck tour.

BigRuss

"a nine year old boy will be along" -- makes it sound like he's just tagging along for a visit or an anticipated stowaway.

How about a visit to Old Ironsides?

http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/

And check both the Celtics and Bruins schedules if he likes sports. Fenway tour may be ok - he can look for the rat nests and vermin warrens in that dump.

HowardR

If your nine-year-older has any interest in baseball, then make the Fenway Park tour a "must see." It's really quite good. Ignore the previous posting on that subject!

Amie

I appreciate every reply about Boston; Fodorites are a great help.

Amie

gail

Not sure what the "Museum of Natural History" in Boston is - do not remember any museum by that name.

Skating on the Frog Pond on Boston Common is fun - they will rent you skates. Bruins do not play home during that time, Celtics do - not sure about ticket availability but they will be expensive. Fenway tour is fun - even if not a Red Sox fan and somewhat fun even if not baseball fan.

Prudentialcenter.com has info on Prudential Tower observatory - in winter are the best views as air is usually clear and you can see incredibly far - or go in the evening and see Christmas lights on various buildings.

Walk thru North End (Italian section) - it is on Freedom Trail and find someplace authentic to eat. Tell him Mafia guys probably ate there (reasonable chance you are correct).

I checked - all the Boston Harbor cruises and real Duck Tour are closed for the season (although there is another amphibious vehicle tour I did not check since I do not know website)

Dress warm - especially waterproof footwear, although weather report - which is always wrong - says it sshould be nice.

bachslunch

The OP might be referring to the University Museums at Harvard -- there's an excellent natural history museum (fossils and mounted/stuffed animals) there as well as a great collection of glass flowers and a good rock/mineral section. It's actually a very good museum choice for kids as well as adults.