Boston with Kids: Top 10 …

October 25, 2019 By admin

Boston is my home away from home and I never ever tire of traveling to Beantown. I love that its an easy city to see by foot and that there are so many fun attractions for visitor of all ages.

Boston with Kids: Top 10 Family Friendly Attractions

If you’re planning a trip to to New England, here are my Top 10 Things to do in Boston with Kids.

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Boston Children’s Museum offers hours of fun.

1) Visit the Boston Children’s Museum

Children’s museums are always a big hit and the sprawling Boston Children’s Museum does not disappoint. There are three floors with dozens of interactive exhibits and I am pretty sure my daughter would have been happy to spend the entire day here. From blowing gigantic bubbles, conducting science experiments and creating arts and crafts projects to climbing in an enclosed sculpture, building towers and playing musical instruments, kids of all ages will be happily entertained for hours. I especially love the various cultural programs that teach children about different holidays, customs and and traditions. There are some great family friendly restaurants nearby which is handy because it will probably be dinnertime by the time you leave.

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The New England Aquarium is a great spot for families.

2) Check out the New England Aquarium

Boston’s waterfront aquarium offers some amazing attractions like a towering four-story tank filled with colorful fish, sea turtles and sting rays but for my daughter, the penguins stole the show. Kids will love watching the divers swim around at feeding time (including an interactive Q&A session) and seals doing tricks while more adventurous tots will enjoy interactive petting exhibits in the largest touch tank on the East Coast. If you have time, sign up for one of their famous Whale Watch cruises or take in a 3D movie in the IMAX theater.

The Swan Boats in Boston Common are a must for families.

3) Ride the Boston Swan Boats

Boston Common and Boston Public Garden are a great place to visit with young children who want to run around. You’ll find miles of grassy fields, playgrounds, a merry-go-round, balloon artists, the famed Make Way for Ducklings sculpture (great for photo ops!), the Frog Pond fountain and the iconic Boston Swan Boats. Pedaled by foot, these giant swan boats are a one-of-a-kind scenic ride that the whole family will enjoy. The line moves quickly and the ride is approximately 15 minutes so there is no time for kids to get restless. Families can leave strollers on land, next to the ticket booth. Tickets start at just $2.50 making it a very affordable pitstop.

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Boston’s Faneuil Hall is a must for foodie families.

4) Stop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace

For shoppers, snackers, or history buffs, Faneuil Hall Marketplace (aka Quincy Market) is a must-visit. There are dozens of shops and souvenir stands selling everything from sports memorabilia and home accessories to sunglasses and clothing. For dining, you’ll find sit-down restaurants like historical Durgin-Park, outdoor cafes, juice bars and a gigantic food colonnade featuring everything from sushi and lobster rolls to ice cream and pastries. Kids will enjoy the famed street performances so be sure to wander around till you spot one.

5) Follow the Freedom Trail

For school-aged children, Boston’s Freedom Trail offers a great opportunity to make learning history fun. The 2.5 mile red-lined route, leads you to 16 historically significant Boston sites related to the American Revolution like museums, meetinghouses, churches and burying grounds. Give your kids a map and let them try their hands at navigating or just let them lead the way (follow the red line)! Older children will last for the whole trail but for younger kids, I recommend going from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall.

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Check out Boston by land and sea with a Boston Duck Tour.

6) Take a Boston Duck Tour

This touristy option is on the pricy side (kids 3-11 are $29) but if you haven’t taken your kids on a water/land vehicle, I do recommend it. The interactive (you will be quacking…) sightseeing tour starts on land and drives past 30-something tourist spots but the excitement really begins when the bus turns into a duck and drives into the Charles River! The skyline water views are stunning but for my daughter, the highlight was getting a turn to steer. Kids (and grown ups) get a chance to navigate at sea so be sure to bring your cameras. If you’ve been running around on foot, this is a nice chance to rest and take in the scenery.

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Check out Newbury Street and Copley Square’s shops and restaurants.

7) Check out Copley Square and Newbury Street

Walking is the best way to take it all in and Copley Place and Newbury Street are great neighborhoods for families to explore, have a meal and people watch. Upscale Newbury Street is filled with cafes and boutiques (think toys, clothes, music and home goods) while Copley Square features a large mall (hello teenagers!), park and is nearby to the Prudential Center (Skywalk observatory has amazing views) and Boston’s enormous Central Library.

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Kids of all ages will love exploring the Boston Museum of Science.

8) Scope out the Boston Museum of Science

My daughter adores science museums and the Boston Museum of Science was one of the highlights from our summer visit. We visited the Planetarium first to see Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky which is great for children five and under. From there, we spent a half-day visiting dozens of exhibits where my daughter examined a pig’s heart and sheep eyes, played astronaut, built animal skeletons, solved engineering puzzles, created tunes on a musical staircase and learned about a proportions in gigantic math exhibit. The museum is huge with a nice kids Discovery Center (for kids eight and under) and an impressive cafeteria with water views.

9) Spend an afternoon at Harvard Square

Cambridge is a fun neighborhood to explore with kids. You’ll find cafes, shopping galore, street performances and parks to explore. This is a great spot to take in a movie, walking tour or comedy show depending on the ages of your kids. Don’t forget a visit to the famed university while you’re there.

10) Ride the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority aka The T

Boston’s subway system, knicknamed the T, is a very kid-friendly experience and easy way to get around when little feet tire out. The trains are color coded and you are either traveling in-bound or out-bound so its pretty hard to get lost. There are stops at several tourist friendly locales including Logan International Airport, South Station and North Station as well attractions like the aquarium, Faneuil Hall, Museum of Science and Harvard Square. Children 11 and younger ride free with a parent and the turnstiles are stroller friendly.

What are your favorite kid-friendly places to visit in Boston?

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Family Friendly Things to do …

July 5, 2018 By admin

Remember all the family-friendly things to do in Williamsburg, VA – Part One? Today, I’m continuing my trip review with the scoop on Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Busch Gardens which are all great options for a multi-generational getaway. In addition to Colonial Williamsburg, you will likely want to spend full days in Jamestown/Yorktown and Busch Gardens.

Family Friendly Things to do in Williamsburg, VA

Explore Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement takes visitors back in time to America’s first permanent English colony and I was really surprised how much we all enjoyed our time here. The indoor gallery is extensive and features a comprehensive introduction movie but the real fun is the outside living history areas that featured hands-on demonstrations and recreations of Native American villages.

My daughter loved seeing what life was like for the colonists and Native Americans in those days as she went in and out of tents, dressed up in costumes and helped make tools and weapons.

The fully costumed staff did a great job educating all of us about daily life and were happy to answer any and all questions.

Our favorite part was exploring the three replica ships that brought the English colonists to the area back in 1607.

Learning about the journey and seeing the various accommodations was so interesting to all of us.

Note: free motorized scooters are available if anyone in your party has mobility issues. Tip: Arrive early and plan to spend at least three hours here. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a quick meal in the cafeteria which offers a nice variety of healthy items, kiddie favorites and made-to-order sandwiches and a large seating area.

Visit Historic Jamestowne

We made a quick stop to Historic Jamestowne where Pocahontas and John Smith once lived in the first permanent English settlement in America.

We had a really interesting tour by a Jamestown Rediscovery archeologist who showed us around the James Fort excavation site.

It was especially cool to see the archaeologists excavating in the church and several volunteers were on hand to answer questions and share photos.

Tip: Historic Jamestowne is jointly administered by the National Park Service and Jamestown Rediscovery and kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge here after completing activities in the booklet (sold in the gift shop).

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

This indoor/outdoor museum does a great job explaining our nation’s founding starting from the colonial period. The living history museum features a wide range of uniforms, weapons and period artifacts.

There are a few movie options, the best of which is “The Siege of Yorktown.” My daughter enjoyed the interactive exhibits and movies but the outdoor attractions were her favorite.

There is an army encampment, working farm (seasonal) and period houses full of artifacts and games to explore.

We visited these three attractions all in one day and it was a lot. If we had a bit more time, we would have visited added in the Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Spend a Day at Busch Gardens

Voted the world’s most beautiful theme park, Busch Gardens is a great day trip for families. I really loved the design elements which showcased European icons like Parisian streets, Oktoberfest celebrations and London’s double-decker buses.

If you’ve got small children, the Sesame Street shows and play area are a great option while older kids will enjoy the many thrill rides and play areas. The park is a very manageable size and it is easy enough to navigate around in a circle but be sure to plan your route with meals in mind as some areas have very limited options and seating areas.

The service was particularly slow so definitely have a plan before your group gets hangry. Tip: The park opens in advance of the rides opening so arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds and long parking shuttle waits.

Be sure to read family-friendly things to do in Williamsburg, VA – Part One for details on Colonial Williamsburg.

Have you been? Tell me your favorite family-friendly things to do in Williamsburg, VA in the comments below.

We received tickets to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

The Art and Whimsy of Mo …

May 17, 2016 By admin

Attention Mo Willems fanatics…one of the cutest art exhibits has arrived in New York City and fans of all ages will want to check it out – The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

One of my daughter’s favorite books as a toddler was Don’t Let The Pigeons Drive The Bus! and in the past six years, we’ve collected at least a dozen other Willems’ titles. I love how hysterical kids get when these books are read aloud and I also love how engaging these books are for new readers. Willems’ adorable characters, easy to read copy and funny storylines are a win-win for grown ups and kids alike and so is this exhibit.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

Running through September 25, the exhibit highlights nearly 100 sketches and final drawings of the famed author’s works (like Knuffle Bunny and Elephant and Piggie) along with background on his career (including his Sesame Street days!), videos and memorabilia ranging from the early days to his 25th and final Elephant and Piggie book, The Thank You Book.

The exhibit includes an audio tour so you can follow along or you can just peruse at your own pace. My daughter listened to a large portion of the audio tour which included jokes and detailed descriptions of the artwork. In addition to visiting the art displays and gift shop, guests will also want to rest and read at exhibit’s bus display which is stocked with Mo Willems books.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

One of the biggest takeaways from the exhibit was learning how Willems created his characters by using shapes and my daughter got to try out Willems’ techniques with a hands-on sketch class. It was so fun watching my daughter and the other students learning how to draw the beloved pigeon. If you’ve got a little artist, I highly recommend attending one of these complimentary sketch classes.

Don’t miss the sketching tours at The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems.

Before you visit, be sure to check out the exhibit’s schedule which includes story times, movies, sketching classes, character meet and greet opportunities and more.

If you haven’t visited the New-York Historical Society before, don’t miss the DiMenna Children’s History Museum on the lower level which features a wide range of interactive activities and a gorgeous reading room.

Are you looking forward to visiting this exhibit? What’s your favorite Mo Willems’ book? Tell me below in the comments.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide for …

December 10, 2015 By admin

If you’re looking for some holiday gift ideas the whole family can enjoy, today is your lucky day. Below I’ve rounded up some fun family gift ideas for globetrotting families to enjoy at home and away…

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

The Gift of Membership – If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, a family membership to a favorite museum, amusement park, zoo or other cultural attraction is an awesome gift. Some museum memberships include reciprocal benefits where you can receive complimentary admission to hundreds of museums across the United States. Check out the North American Reciprocal Museum Association and the Association of Science-Technology Center’s Travel Passport Program for more details.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Go See a Show – Save a date and take the whole clan to see their favorite artists perform on stage. From Frozen on Ice, Peppa Pig LIVE! and the Big Apple Circus to Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba shows and musical concerts, there are dozens of family favorite events going on this winter. My top picks for families include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, Blue Man Group, Aladdin and The Lion King.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families – A Duck Tour around Boston makes a great holiday gift.

Take the Family Sightseeing – A staycation or vacation makes a great holiday gift. Give your family the gift of go with a Go City Card valid for tourist attractions in 11 cities across the US or book a family fun sightseeing tour like The Ride in New York City, a Boston Duck Tour or a Carriage Ride around Charleston.

Family Friendly Travel Books – From travel inspired coffee table classics like Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel and Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places to trip planning guides and Lonely Planet Kids Activity Books, books are a great family gift idea.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Culinary Gifts for All – Foodies of all ages will appreciate culinary gifts that offer tasty treats from near and far. Some ideas include the Peninsula Grill Ultimate Coconut Cake® from Charleston, South Carolina, Tessemae’s Chesapeake Mayo from Maryland, Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport, The Everyday Eatalian gift box featuring products from Italy, a Great Lakes Food Club membership from Michigan or a Try The World foodie gift box subscription.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Must Have Family Friendly Travel Accessories – I’m always bringing home leftovers from holiday celebrations and Igloo has a great selection of chic insulated totes (Trend, Maxcold and Stowe) that make nice holiday gifts for everyone on your list. I especially love that these bags fold up for storage and are leak-resistant making them great picks for road trips and plane rides. For junior travelers, the adorable bag tags and travel journals from Mudpuppy are sure to please. Other ideas for family friendly travel accessories include selfie sticks (I know, I know) and gift cards to make photo books showcasing your travels.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families – Family friendly games are sure to please.

On The Go Games – Family friendly games are great to bring to holiday get togethers and the classics from Hasbro (think Twister, Operation, Jenga and my all-time favorite Monopoly) are perfect options. I also love travel friendly family games like Melissa & Doug Travel Hangman, Spot It, eeBoo’s Color Go Fish Cards which are great for little hands.

I received some review items at the Momtrends holiday event but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Museum Day Live! – …

September 10, 2015 By admin

Mark your calendars! This September 26, 2015, Smithsonian Magazine is offering free museum day visits to more than 1,500 museums across the country with Museum Day Live!

Museum Day Live! – Smithsonian Magazine Offers Free Museum Day Across the US

Families can check out hundreds of children’s museums, art institutes, science centers and other cultural institutions for free when they register for Museum Day Live! online. One ticket admits two guests so plan accordingly if you have a big family. Note, many museums admit young children for free.

Check out the list of the participating museums in your area. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for a family-friendly museum day across the country. Whether you’re planning a road trip or staycation that weekend, there are plenty of options.

Families can visit The Hershey Story Museum for free with Museum Day Live!

New York City, NY – The Skyscraper Museum

Macon, GA – Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Springfield, MA – Springfield Museums (Four museums and the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden)

Boston, MA – Museum of Fine Arts

Hershey, PA – The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue

Portland, ME – Portland Museum of Art

Chicago, IL – Swedish American Museum

Miami, FL – Zoo Miami

Boca Raton, FL – Children’s Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park

Charleston, SC – The South Carolina Historical Society

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Museum of Art

New Orleans, LA – Louisiana Children’s Museum

Where will you be that weekend and which museum would you like to visit?

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to …

June 16, 2014 By admin

Looking for a fun and affordable way to explore North America this summer without leaving home? Michaels has teamed up with seven leading North American museums to create Passport to Imagination 2014, an in-store summer program where kids ages 5-12 can explore culture through crafting.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

This year’s theme is Museum Road Trip and each week will focus on a different museum with projects inspired by the museum and its exhibits. Projects teach lessons on natural history, technology, marine life, textiles and art. The in-store classes run today through Aug. 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to noon. Each two-hour session is just $2 per child at all U.S. Michaels locations. I don’t know where you live but for NYC parents, that’s an AMAZING deal.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

Here’s the lineup:

Week one – The Field Museum in Chicago – Showcasing a collection of more than 25 million natural history artifacts and specimens, The Field Museum is one of Chicago’s coolest museums. Kids will be making fossils, skeletons and other nature inspired projects.

Week two – Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta – Georgia Aquarium features more than 10 million gallons of water and 725 species! Visitors can dive into the wonderful world of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, and also learn about African penguins, manta rays, sea otters, beluga whales, sea turtles and coral colonies. Kids will make dolphin, shark and frog art projects this week.

Week three – Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona. Exhibiting 300 of the most amazing aircraft in the history of flight and over 125,000 artifacts, the PIMA Air & Space Museum houses the third largest aviation collection in America. Kids will be making biplanes and gliders, flying fighter planes and space shuttle projects.

Week four – Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas inspires minds through a world of hands-on learning, fun and concepts in science, math and technology, all within one spectacular location. Kids will make space and planet, create-a-constellation, zeotrope, optical illusion art and robot projects.

Week five – The Denver Art Museum features a collection of more than 70,000 pieces ranging from ancient to modern times. Visitors can view sculptures, paintings and photography and participate in family-friendly exhibits and events. This week’s projects include quilts, modern art and portraits.

Week six – The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City explores past, present and future fashion trends, accessories and textiles from real-life fashion experts. Kids will make textural weavings, color & pattern wheels, fashion dolls, fashion inspiration boards, fashion sketches and a Duct Tape wallet or purse.

Week seven – The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, features almost 36,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, photos and more. Its colorful exhibits and hands-on creative experiences make it a great place for imaginative kids. This week, kids will make abstract sculptures and stained glass vases, Picasso inspired pictures and masks, and musical instruments.

During the week of June 16, the first 50 participants at each store will receive a free souvenir album.

I think this is a fabulous way to add some culture and craftiness into your summer plans. For more information on Passport to Imagination and other in-store crafting events and classes this summer, go to www.Michaels.com/Passport.

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Spotlight on Hershey, …

May 27, 2014 By admin

Love chocolate, amusement parks and historic towns? This post is for you. If you’re looking for a family friendly getaway with activities and amenities sure to please chocoholics and adventure seekers alike, you’ll love a summer getaway to Hershey, Pennsylvania, The Sweetest Place on Earth.