drcchiro

We are heading to Boston this month with our girls (4years old and 15mths). Any MUST sees while we are there? Im nervous about the Duck Tours with the little one (but she is a good toddler), do you think it maybe to much for her or to long i should say? Would like to go to some resturants as well (just staying two nights), but Saturday night will be my birthday so something special would be nice to go and eat (im not big on seafood). Any good breakfast and lunch places to walk to that the kids would enjoy as well? Any info would help for our first visit. Thanks

emcash

I just went on a 3 night weekend with my 2 1/2 yr old DD and a good friend and her 9 year old son. I wanted to do teh duck tour as well, but didn't on advice of friends and people on this bb and i'm glad i didn't. she never would have lasted-- it's 80 minutes and you cannot get off. so, if you're 15 mo decided she has had enough, and starts crying, you have no choice but to sit there, and everyone's tour will be ruined.I wouldn't chance it.

Boston has wonderful restaurants. The north end is not far from the harbor and many places are kid friendly (pagliuca's comes to mind). But, as someone here posted to a question i had, you almost can't go wrong with any of the north end restaurants. For a special italian meal, i would highly recommend Prezza- but i wouldn't take the kids unless you were dining on the early side.

the aquarium is alot of fun for little ones-- my DD loved it, as did the 9 year old. The trolley tour was a little boring for them. The children's museum is supposed to be amazing, but we didn't try that.

have a great time!

iowamom

Definitely go to the Children's museum - it is fantastic.
http://www.bostonkids.org/

And the aquarium is great too.
http://www.neaq.org/index.php

We've never gone on a duck tour - maybe next trip (SIL and family lives in suburban Boston).

Read "Make Way for Ducklings" and then visit the duck sculptures in the Public Gardens - and take a ride on the swan boats.http://www.swanboats.com/new/welcome.shtml

There are multiple great ice cream places, my favs are on Newberry Street - Emack and Bolio's http://www.emackandbolios.com/
JP Licks
http://www.jplicks.com/ns.htm

You can also take an inexpensive ferry boat ride from Long Wharf (near Aquarium) to the Charleston Navy Yard and back - fun for the kids without committing to a long (and expensive) boat ride:
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...ines/?route=F4

Have fun - Boston is a GREAT city!

Kathysa

We just did a duck tour last night with some visiting relatives from CA. Our kids, 9 and 12, started to close their eyes after awhile and had that "when is this going to be over" look, but the adults liked the tour. I don't think I'd do it with a 15 month old. Faneuil Hall is within walking distance of the aquarium and has a lot of shops, restaurants, and street performers. Our kids used to really enjoy taking the ferry to George's Island (ferry is behind the Marriott hotel near the aquarium) and exploring the big fort there. The down side is that there were only those outdoor bathroom port-a-potty things (take your own Purell) and you would have to take a picnic lunch if you planned to eat. I think they did have a little store where you could buy ice cream.
You could probably fill 2 days just with the Children's Museum, NE Aquarium, and Faneuil Hall, while also catching some good Italian food in the North End one night. If you have a 3rd day, you could get to Back Bay (Boston Common, Public Gardens, Newbury St.) although I'm not sure if it would be within walking distance.

bennnie

iowamom has great ideas. The swan boats are a must as is the Children's Museum. There is a playground in Boston Common near the Frog Pond. And I believe there also a playground in Columbus Park on the waterfront (next to the Marriott Long Wharf).

Sounds like the North End would be good for your birthday dinner - most restaurants accommodate kids pretty well there.

yk

There are plenty of casual places to eat at Faneuil Hall.

Not too far from your hotel (and Children's Museum), across the Fort Point Channel, is Flour Bakery. Good place for breakfast and lunch.
http://www.flourbakery.com/

Apart from the suggestion of North End of dinner, you can also consider Sel de la Terre next to the Aquarium
http://www.seldelaterre.com/

drcchiro

Thanks to all of you for all your help!! We look forward to our first trip as a family to Boston.

Ackislander

The restaurant in your hotel is wonderful, but pretty formal.

I second Sel de la Terre. It can handle children, but it is nice enough for your birthday dinner.