Funky family seeking fun in big cities

June 14, 2006 8:53 PM

Fun things to do in NYC and Boston for a young family? I'll be in NYC with my wife and two small children (3yrs & 8months) from June 16th-19 and in Boston from the 25th-29th of June.

I would like ideas for neat things that could be for my daughter but also stuff we might like to see exclusively (if you have 'em).

We'll have our car, so that's not an issue. We'd like to keep it cheap, but historical and educational (for us and the little one). Walking is not an issue at all as we are very adept at stroller pushing. Thanks for any help and ideas.

We're fans of historic and educational tours, museums with fun exhibits. I love history, architecture, off the beaten path, etc!

Thanks so much!

posted by allthewhile to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

Dinosaurs!
posted by Quietgal at 9:07 PM on June 14, 2006

I'd highly recommend the Museum of Science in Boston, always loved visiting it when I was a kid.
posted by fenriq at 9:07 PM on June 14, 2006

The Children's Museum is also a blast with a wealth of things to do for young children. Everything can be touched.
posted by mickbw at 10:03 PM on June 14, 2006

In Boston, you could walk selected portions of the 'Freedom Trail' and take a ride on the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden.
posted by michswiss at 10:11 PM on June 14, 2006

Coney Island and Astroland in New York?
posted by anjamu at 11:13 PM on June 14, 2006

In Boston, USS Constitution.

There's the Children's Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. It gets crowded on weekends; it was someone's house in a previous life.

If the weather is good, Walden pond is nice. Nearby is the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park.

In NY, there's the USS Intrepid, a WWII aircraft carrier that has a ton of historic aircraft on its decks, including a version of the SR-71 Blackbird.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:10 AM on June 15, 2006

In Boston, you could drive up to Salem, MA, and go to see Cry Innocent, a re-enactment of a "witch trial". It starts outdoor in a town square and moves inside to the Old Town Hall. It's the best tourist attraction in Salem, hands down- don't waste your money on any of the other crap. It's based on the historical transcripts, and the audience is allowed to question the witnesses. Really fun.

You could also go up to Rockport, MA that day, too- walk Bearskin Neck by the water and look at the little shops. It's one of the most beautiful places in America, IMO.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:29 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]

A 3-year-old and an 8-month-old at a witch trial based on historical documents? You're asking for trouble. NYC mommy here: take them to the top floor of the Natural History for the dinosaurs (as per Quietgal above), maybe a quick spin through the first floor Rose Center so they can see how much they weigh on the moon and on dwarf stars, etc., then head for Central Park across the street. Stroll through (Strawberry Fields is nearby for some pop cultural history), past Balto the Rescue Dog statue, and over to the east side of the park and the Children's Petting Zoo. There are always performers and musicians along the way, and lots to look at and do (rock scrambles!). The children's playground near 5th Ave on 68th Street (or so), has an amazing slide carved into a huge boulder that's worth a visit, if nap time hasn't hit like a ton of bricks. Save the historic reenactments until they're older, eh?
posted by eve harrington at 5:41 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]

NYC: Transit Museum. There are things for kids to touch & things for parents to read.
posted by dame at 5:48 AM on June 15, 2006

Boston: New England Aquarium. Has lots of fishes, and a child sized area where the kidees can pick up starfish and the like.
posted by Gungho at 6:27 AM on June 15, 2006

The Boston aquarium is a very nice one. Some of my very young cousins were just in town, and they enjoyed going on the Duck Tours.
posted by ubersturm at 6:40 AM on June 15, 2006

If you don't mind a drive, the Plymouth Plantation is an hour south of Boston.

But the real treat is certainly the Museum of Science. You can get discounted admission if you take a duck tour of the city (leaves from out front of the museum, great if the weather is nice).
posted by hogweed at 7:08 AM on June 15, 2006

Look here and here for local events. And adding to the pile of the Museum of Natural History recs. Your kids are gonna flip out...
posted by lovejones at 7:30 AM on June 15, 2006

Agreed with the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, and the Children's Museum.

The DeCordova Museum is wonderful, but I think your children are probably too young to enjoy it. It's not a bad place for a picnic on a nice day though.
posted by tastybrains at 7:57 AM on June 15, 2006

Don't forget the Central Park Zoo. The children's area is great.
posted by clubfoote at 8:12 AM on June 15, 2006

The Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston is great and quite unique. You can get through it relatively quickly (60-90mins). Probably more interesting to the parents, but it's a beautiful old house with some amazing art.
posted by gregchttm at 11:27 AM on June 15, 2006