We will be in Boston at the Back Bay Hotel (The Jury's property) for 2 nights in August. It will be me, hubby, and our 1 year old son. Any advice on best sights, activities, and restaurants which would be enjoyable for us and tolerant of our son. I know this is broad but we are really just looking for some fun activities where we can easily get back to the hotel for nap time! Thank you!

My friends with their 3 month-old baby recently stayed at the Back Bay hotel. It is at a very convenient location. I'd recommend spending some time in the Public Gardens, perhaps ride the swan boat while you're there.

Many restaurants are child-friendly, including upscale ones, provided that you dine early. We had dinner at Avila, a Mediterranean restaurant just 2 blocks from the hotel.

The aquarium is a fun spot to bring kiddos and adjacent to it is a park (can't recall the name) with a playground and sandbox. It's been many years since I went, and I went before children, but I do remember it being fairly close to the aquarium. The science museum is amazing.

I agree with the public gardens and swan boat suggestion. Running outside Faneuil Hall might be a good way to stretch the legs as well

Friends of ours who live in Boston also enjoy taking their kiddos to the Children's Museum. When our daughter was 18 months we returned to Beantown, where we went to grad school, and found we could do quite a bit with her so long as we dined early, had a comfortable stroller in which she could nap, and had snacks and drinks on-hand as well as all changing things.

Amazingly, we completed the entire Freedom Trail with her -- in October, in a day half dominated by rain. She was in her stroller, well sheltered and we wore our raingear.

We rewarded our feat with a good trip to Mike's for cannoli.

There is a great playground at the corner of Clarendon and Commonwealth Ave. I used to spend a lot of time with my children there. It's a nice stroll from where you are staying. Also, I liked hanging around the Christian Science Plaza with the big reflecting pool. You can visit the Mapparium, which is one of Boston's hidden cool sights, in the CS building there. Since your 1 yr old won't remember much, I would just enjoy yourself, walk, and soak up the sights, esp. in the Back Bay, which is so pretty and shady. The Children's Museum is very nice but your child likely won't enjoy so you'll throw that money away on your entry fees. My kids all liked the Duck Tour (we've done it in 5 or 6 cities) but then they were older than yours. It is fun, though. Finally, a long walk along the Esplanade will be nice for you and for your child. Bring a blanket and picnic out there, it's lovely. You could walk Back Bay and then enter on what my son used to call the "pink bridge" which is by the corner of Arlington and Beacon Sts. Then head left and walk down toward Mass Ave. So pretty.

Thanks so much everyone! All of those suggestions sound very managable and fun. And I hear you on going out to eat early.

Not sure if you've gone on your trip already but if you are in the Public Gardens be sure to go to the corner of Charles St and Beacon to see the Make Way for Ducklings statutes. My toddler (and the others there) love sitting on the ducks. It is fun to get the book for your child and read it before you go so he/she knows the story.

If you get a rainy day, Harvard's Museum of Natural History in Cambridge is always a toddler favorite and there is a children's bookstore (Wordsworth) in Harvard Square and the Coop across the street is very child friendly (the kids' section is downstairs).

Also the new Institute for Contemporary Art is very family friendly with a huge entry way and elevator that easily accommodates strollers. Depending on the exhibit, there may be a few works you want to steer your kid away from but generally nothing major. The museum has a nice cafe and a beautiful view and kids seem to like running around outside chasing seagulls and looking at the boats.

Because there is no smoking in Boston bars and restaurants, a lot of the pubs are child friendly when it comes to dinner time. Also, probably any restaurant at Faniel Hall will be fine too.

Some good activity's you could do with your son is read! There are some great toddler books here:http://parentricity.com/great-toddler-books that you can read to him. If you have the time this can be one great trip!