Boston/ Newport RI

KatWAG

Hi,

I need suggestions on what to do, where to eat, must sees in Boston and Newport RI. We already have picked out hotels.

H and I are going in a few weeks and we will be bringing our toddler with. So all suggestions need to be kid friendly!

sparklepants41

Hi! There are tons of kid-friendly activities in Boston - swan boats in the Public Garden, Frog Pond in the Common, you could take a Duck Boat tour, then there's the Aquarium and the Children's Museum.

For restaurants, check out different neighborhoods in Open Table for kid-friendly options. I am not yet a parent, so my suggestions for dining may not be kid-friendly enough. For delicious grown-up friendly food, definitely check out Temazcal, Sam's, and Legal Seafood in the Seaport District - they all have great water views, and Legal has a roof deck!

[Deleted User]

I don't know how enjoyable this might be for kids, but touring the mansions in Newport was pretty cool. The Marble house was my favorite. Absolutely stunning.

The cliff-walk is a fun trail in Newport. Also walking around the main downtown area. They have a lot of neat little shops that are fun to peruse.

Newport Creamery has awesome ice cream. I strongly recommend.

I’ve only been to Newport in the winter, so I am sure there is much more to do in the summer that I have no idea about.

Boston: The freedom trail is fun. But it is a lot of walking and probably not that fun for a toddler…

I’m a huge baseball fan so of course I’d put Fenway on the list.

The Salty Pig in Boston has awesome brunch that is a nice break from the traditional brunch fare. 

luckya23

I'm in Boston right now! I would suggest the aquarium and whale watching.

arrippa

I have heard the Children's Museum in The Fort Point Channel area and the LEGOLAND in Somerville are great for kids. The LEGOLAND has a huge play area with a movie and rides for kids. It's pretty easy to get to on the Orange line of the MBTA. https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/boston/

NowIAmSyp

Oh my gosh, I LOVE Newport!  The cliff walk is a must- it could be a little long for a toddler, but do as much as you can- it's beautiful- with the water on one side, and big, BIG mansions on the other. If you can make it towards the end of the walk, there's a large rock field that's fun to scrabble over.

So many restaurants and shops- walk around and have fun.  There are lots of stores a little one might have fun in- and most restaurants are kid-friendly. I like The Pier, the Barking Crab, and the Aquidneck (all ok for kids).  And I second Newport Creamery, yum.

Have SO much fun!

redheadbride15

For a toddler in Boston I'd recommend the Aquarium, the Children's Museum, and the Public Garden (find the Make Way for Duckling sculptures and have him/her sit on one - such a cute photo op!). If you're here in the summer then there are often great free family-friendly events happening near the harbor, or on the Charles River Esplanade, or in the Boston Common. If it's hot there are fountains on the greenway near the North End that kids love playing in.

This website has a lot of events listed, if you want to search by date:
http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/boston-events.html

KatWAG

<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" />Thanks so much! I am making lists!

jenna8984

We live an hour from Boston and realized we had missed several "must do's" so H & I are actually taking Monday off from work and having a Boston day together. We are going on a duck tour, then a swan boat at the public garden, then taking a cab to Castle Island. You should check those out- clearly I haven't been yet but everyone's been telling me for years to check out Castle Island (It's not really an island, you can get there by cab). It's got a beach and walking trails, and a 200 yr old fort you can tour for free.

In the city center- freedom trail- you follow a brick path in the road that leads you to historical places like the Famous State House with the gold roof, The Old State house where the declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony to townspeople, old churchs, old cemetaries. Definitely worth it if you like history.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lunch, and then walk across to the harbor. The Prudential has an observation tower that's a little pricey, but they have a restaurant up there too that I've heard is fantastic but I haven't been. So instead of spending $15 to just look from the tower, you might as well grab a meal there for $20.

redheadbride15

Personally, I find the Duck Tours and Swan Boats to be overrated and overcrowded, as is the view from the Prudential (not worth the $). @jenna8984 's other ideas are great though. Castle Island is very cool. Also, you can take a ferry out to the Harbor Islands - that's on H's and my bucket list for this summer. There's an old fort on one of the Harbor Islands as well.

arrippa

redheadbride15 said:

Personally, I find the Duck Tours and Swan Boats to be overrated and overcrowded, as is the view from the Prudential (not worth the $). @jenna8984 's other ideas are great though. Castle Island is very cool. Also, you can take a ferry out to the Harbor Islands - that's on H's and my bucket list for this summer. There's an old fort on one of the Harbor Islands as well.

You should do the harbor island cruise to the old fort at night. It's sufficiently creepy.

jenna8984

redheadbride15 said:

Personally, I find the Duck Tours and Swan Boats to be overrated and overcrowded, as is the view from the Prudential (not worth the $). @jenna8984 's other ideas are great though. Castle Island is very cool. Also, you can take a ferry out to the Harbor Islands - that's on H's and my bucket list for this summer. There's an old fort on one of the Harbor Islands as well.

True! That's why I've never done them before, I thought they'd be too tourst-y but what the heck, hopefully won't be too packed on a Monday.

redheadbride15

Oh, you should do it anyway @jenna8984! You're right that Monday won't be too crowded. Also, you live close enough to the city that you should cross them off the list. I was merely saying that if I was coming from afar and only had a day or two then I probably wouldn't prioritize those things (I've done both as well, and despite the fact that I've lived here for 6 years I really haven't done much touristy stuff - I usually leave the city on weekends unless I'm working!)

PamBeesly524

The Duck Tour is what you make of it... It's nothing special but it is a good way to see the city. I was at Castle Island a couple of weekends ago... The fort is really cool and the view of the bay at the end of the island is really beautiful!

I third or forth the Children's Museum and the Aquarium.. Both are great!

KatWAG

kikilamp said:

The Duck Tour is what you make of it... It's nothing special but it is a good way to see the city. I was at Castle Island a couple of weekends ago... The fort is really cool and the view of the bay at the end of the island is really beautiful!

I third or forth the Children's Museum and the Aquarium.. Both are great!

Since the duck tour is touristy, it might be perfect for us since we are tourists and are looking to see the most of Boston in the shortest time.

huskypuppy14

jenna8984 said:

We live an hour from Boston and realized we had missed several "must do's" so H & I are actually taking Monday off from work and having a Boston day together. We are going on a duck tour, then a swan boat at the public garden, then taking a cab to Castle Island. You should check those out- clearly I haven't been yet but everyone's been telling me for years to check out Castle Island (It's not really an island, you can get there by cab). It's got a beach and walking trails, and a 200 yr old fort you can tour for free.

In the city center- freedom trail- you follow a brick path in the road that leads you to historical places like the Famous State House with the gold roof, The Old State house where the declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony to townspeople, old churchs, old cemetaries. Definitely worth it if you like history.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lunch, and then walk across to the harbor. The Prudential has an observation tower that's a little pricey, but they have a restaurant up there too that I've heard is fantastic but I haven't been. So instead of spending $15 to just look from the tower, you might as well grab a meal there for $20.

Top of the Hub is expensive. You're lucky to get a drink for 20 dollars.

southernbelle0915

Personally, I was a fan of the duck boat tour. Is it touristy? Yup. Is it super cheesy? Yup. Was it really fun in a cheesy/touristy kind of way? Yup.

IMO, it's a great way to see a lot of the city and learn historical factoids....all in like an hour and a half. As long as you accept that it's touristy and cheesy, it's an efficient way to have a bit of fun and learn some stuff in a short amount of time.

jenna8984

huskypuppy14 said:

jenna8984 said:

We live an hour from Boston and realized we had missed several "must do's" so H & I are actually taking Monday off from work and having a Boston day together. We are going on a duck tour, then a swan boat at the public garden, then taking a cab to Castle Island. You should check those out- clearly I haven't been yet but everyone's been telling me for years to check out Castle Island (It's not really an island, you can get there by cab). It's got a beach and walking trails, and a 200 yr old fort you can tour for free.

In the city center- freedom trail- you follow a brick path in the road that leads you to historical places like the Famous State House with the gold roof, The Old State house where the declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony to townspeople, old churchs, old cemetaries. Definitely worth it if you like history.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lunch, and then walk across to the harbor. The Prudential has an observation tower that's a little pricey, but they have a restaurant up there too that I've heard is fantastic but I haven't been. So instead of spending $15 to just look from the tower, you might as well grab a meal there for $20.

Top of the Hub is expensive. You're lucky to get a drink for 20 dollars.

Oh I thought you could get a sandwich or something small on a budget. Maybe not!

arrippa

jenna8984 said:

huskypuppy14 said:

jenna8984 said:

We live an hour from Boston and realized we had missed several "must do's" so H & I are actually taking Monday off from work and having a Boston day together. We are going on a duck tour, then a swan boat at the public garden, then taking a cab to Castle Island. You should check those out- clearly I haven't been yet but everyone's been telling me for years to check out Castle Island (It's not really an island, you can get there by cab). It's got a beach and walking trails, and a 200 yr old fort you can tour for free.

In the city center- freedom trail- you follow a brick path in the road that leads you to historical places like the Famous State House with the gold roof, The Old State house where the declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony to townspeople, old churchs, old cemetaries. Definitely worth it if you like history.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lunch, and then walk across to the harbor. The Prudential has an observation tower that's a little pricey, but they have a restaurant up there too that I've heard is fantastic but I haven't been. So instead of spending $15 to just look from the tower, you might as well grab a meal there for $20.

Top of the Hub is expensive. You're lucky to get a drink for 20 dollars.

Oh I thought you could get a sandwich or something small on a budget. Maybe not!

You can go up for dessert and drinks. It's much cheaper than dinner.

peachy13

PPs have it covered for Boston. Also if you walk over to Long Wharf (by the aquarium, win!) you can check out Boston Harbor Cruises and do a whale watch, harbor cruise, or the Codzilla (high speed).

Have fun! Make sure you get a lobster roll and chowder! Tia's is a good food spot right over there with outdoor seating.

jenna8984

@redheadbride15 @arrippa Did you know Fire + Ice now serves brunch food?! I went Saturday at lunch time and they now do pancakes and omelets on the grill as well as the normal menu. Genius!!!

LizzyTish88

peachy13 said:

PPs have it covered for Boston. Also if you walk over to Long Wharf (by the aquarium, win!) you can check out Boston Harbor Cruises and do a whale watch, harbor cruise, or the Codzilla (high speed).

Have fun! Make sure you get a lobster roll and chowder! Tia's is a good food spot right over there with outdoor seating.

I highly recommend Codzilla especially if it's nice out! I also agree with all suggestions on Aquarium, Science Museum, and Duck Tour. 

For Newport, You can take the trolley and choose to tour the mansions or not. I did it with my parents way back and toured the mansions, however BF just wanted to see the sights, so we did the ride without the stops. Both were very nice. The downtown area is very nice and has lots of little shopping and restaurants. 

arrippa

jenna8984 said:

@redheadbride15 @arrippa Did you know Fire + Ice now serves brunch food?! I went Saturday at lunch time and they now do pancakes and omelets on the grill as well as the normal menu. Genius!!!

I have never been to Fire + Ice  even though I used to temp across the street. I love brunch so I am definitely going to check them out.

huskypuppy14

I wouldn't recommend the Fire and Ice brunch. My friend said it was gross. There are so many better brunch places.

arrippa

huskypuppy14 said:

I wouldn't recommend the Fire and Ice brunch. My friend said it was gross. There are so many better brunch places.

The best is Neighborhood in Somerville. Big portions and an addicting cream of wheat dish. Seriously, we call it cream of crack, it's so good.

redheadbride15

I'm embarrassed to say I never eat out so I don't have much in the way of restaurant favorites. Especially brunch... we travel OOT so much on weekends we're hardly ever here, and the good places in our neighborhood have HUGE lines, and honestly brunch is one of my favorite/easiest meals to cook so I'm usually totally happy making bacon and pancakes and omelets at home.