Boston with Infant
 

My husband and I will be attending a wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel on Saturday night. We will change hotels on Sunday (due to price) to the Comfort Inn on Morrissy Blvd. (I have an employee rate.) We have Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning to do touristy type things. As this is our first touristy trip with our seven month old, we want to see as much as possible but still be reasonable. He is easy going and low maintanence. I would like to know a couple of "Don't miss" restaurants that would welcome the baby but not be a chain. I am thinking a Duck Tour and walking the Freedom Trail as must do activities. What else could we squeeze in and are those two things worth it? We are going to take the ferry from the airport on Saturday to the Boston Harbor Hotel. Should we take it back to the airport on Tuesday even though we'll be staying somewhere else? Are the colors changing yet? We live in Orlando and my husband has never seen Fall!
Thank you for your suggestions!

Colors are changing right now!

I usually recommend the Duck Tour to everyone but with an infant I couldn't help but think about LifeVests (do they even make them small enough for infants) as the Duck Tour vehicles do go in the Charles River. You might have to opt for a trolley tour instead, but check it out or maybe someone else here will know.

The freedom trail is great. You can go at your own pace. You should also stroll up Newbury Street to see the unique shops. If you find yourself in Back Bay, there are two interconnected indoor shopping centers (Prudential Center and Copley Place) which both have public restrooms with baby-changing tables.

The Freedom Trail goes into Boston's North End where you will want to spend more time browsing shops for great cooking ingredients. Stop in one of the pastry shops for coffee and goodies. The Duck Tour is a lot of fun and are heated. The weather is getting chillier. Not sure if there's any color left in Boston but here in NH the foliage is turning brown.

I know you got a corporate rate but just be warned that the Comfort Inn is not in a great area.

Depending on how old your little one is, the Children's Museum may be of interest.

Bring an umbrella stroller or child carrier backpack and cheerios.

We really enjoyed the Duck Tour and the Freedom Trail. The Boston Public Gardens might be nice too if the weather is good; they have a Make Way for Ducklings sculpture there; the book is really popular as a Boston memento for children. Our favorite restaurants were Legal Sea Foods for lobster bisque and lobster and Regina's for pizza.

HI--so if I understand correctly, you are staying on Morrissey Blvd without a car? I am not sure how pedestrian friendly that area is.....As was pointed out above, not the greatest area. Do they offer a shuttle to the T and if so, which stop is it? Sorry to be asking these kinds of questions at this late date, as we are talking about 2 days from now, and investigating other locales may be unrealistic.

If you can change your hotel and not stay on Morrisey - you really should.

The best thing about Boston with an infant is that there is no smoking in bars and restaurants so you don't have to worry if you have a sleeping child while you and your husband enjoy a cocktail.

The duck tour is a must, but buy your tickets now since the sell out.

As for the fall colors, you won't see it in Boston, unless you decide to rent a car and drive up north for the day.

I wish we could stay elsewhere as I was afraid the Comfort isn't the best tourist location. If anyone else could find me a $55 a night rate though, I'm willing to change! The hotel does have a shuttle to the T, it goes to the JFK station. Would that be good?

I'll call about the life vests, good thinking. I didn't even think about the smoking as all of Florida is smoke free and forget that doesn't apply everywhere, thanks. Yup Baby Bjorn and stroller are definitely on the list... what a good workout!

The North End looks promising for food, any particular restaurant we should try? We have found sometimes in Little Italy's and Chinatowns that the food is a gamble when looking only at the menus on the doors.

Artu was good; we had some excellent fried calamari there and Regina's for pepperoni pizza like I mentioned above. Modern Pastry is an excellent spot to grab a cannoli, and other people like Mike's Pastry. Too bad your baby isn't just a little older; they let a two year-old drive our boat on the Duck Tour, and he loved it! They sell little quacking whistles that the kids loved.

Of course, no one can find you a hotel for less than $55/night. This is what you can expect at this hotel.

It is in an commercial/industrial area from which there is virtually nothing within walking distance in the way of restaurants, etc. It is not so much the distance but that there are no sidewalks in the area and the 4 lane road that goes nearby is curvy, narrow and people drive like maniacs. There are also train tracks that run right by the hotel. It is not an area I would feel comfortable walking around in at night anyway.

That said, reports on trip advisor (which I suggest you read) indicate the rooms are OK - except for the one who mentioned mice in the rooms.

Chris,
I've stayed at this hotel with no mice or any other critters. There is a bowling alley there and I ate there for about 4 days. Also, the candy shop is nice and there is also a restaurant on the side of the hotel but you have to go outside to get to it.
The shuttle took me to the subway and from there I went to the various tourist sites. I had never been on a subway except for the trip to Mexico City with a local to show me around.
I went to Boston in April and went on the Duck Tour. It was cold. I wouldn't try to take my baby on it when I return. I'll probably wait till he's older.