visiting boston with a baby (Cambridge, Lynn: amusement park, mattresses, how much)

[hazydavy]

any good ideas to do with a 3 month old baby please? thanks

[shiver]

Boston proper is a very walkable city and the downtown T (subway) stops aren't that far apart if you need to hop on for a stop or two. As long as you have a lightweight stroller that folds up, you should be in good shape to explore.

[RemiJP]

When I was a nanny for an infant, I like to take him to the Aquarium a lot. He could stare at the fish for hours! The Children's Museum and the Science Museum have more activities for older kids, but they both have really cute baby play areas with lots of padding, small slides, mirrors, music, etc. If you can, I recommend doing away with a stroller all together and using a sling. I hated taking strollers (even those that are light and folded up) on the subway, the Baby Bjorn was perfect though! If you are on an extended visit, there are many parent/baby music classes held all over the city.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by RemiJP

When I was a nanny for an infant, I like to take him to the Aquarium a lot. He could stare at the fish for hours! The Children's Museum and the Science Museum have more activities for older kids, but they both have really cute baby play areas with lots of padding, small slides, mirrors, music, etc. If you can, I recommend doing away with a stroller all together and using a sling. I hated taking strollers (even those that are light and folded up) on the subway, the Baby Bjorn was perfect though! If you are on an extended visit, there are many parent/baby music classes held all over the city.

Great suggestions! I'm having my first baby in Jan/Feb, and I'm curious about the parent/baby music classes. What happens? Can you suggest any?

[DreamworksSKG]

Congratulations!!!!

Here's a helpful article.

music is ok, but actually playing an instrument is better socially, like banging piano keys or banging a drum
How Baby Music Can Make Your Child Smarter (http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Baby-Music-Can-Make-Your-Child-Smarter&id=2653162 - broken link)

As for things to do

you might try the SWAN Boats
they run from April -Sept.
The Swan Boats of Boston - Schedules and Fares
also around the spring time when the flowers and tulips are out in the Public Garden it is a great time to walk around with the baby and look at the pretty flowers, and also the trees along commonwealth avenue. and then do a swan boat

The Swan Boats of Boston - Schedules and Fares
Swan Boats of Boston

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A picnic lunch by the frog pond in the common is always a fun event
feeding pigeons and such
can be interesting to watch

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Definitely do a Duck Tour
they are fun and entertaining even for a baby
Boston Duck Tours - The Official Website & Online Tickets
plus children under 3 including infants are only $6
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I'd recommend people watching at one of the outdoor cafes for lunch on Newbury St. and some stroller shopping
Stephanie's on Newbury
Try Stephanie's On Newbury for lunch or dinner
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Also shop through COpley Place mall and go up in the prudential Tower to the Skywalk. The baby will enjoy looking at all the tiny trees and buildings down below and cars and such
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Go out to Logan Airport and eat at one of the terminal eateries.- From the Food court area in Terminal C you can see the planes out the window.
baby might have an interesting time watching the planes
(Its easy to get to from the Airport Blue Line station) you can take the #33 Free airport shuttle to the terminal
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Take a ride around Boston on the "T" subway and the trolley
the baby might find it interesting riding around on a trolley car and in a subway
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Take a harbor tour or whale watch cruise.
You get a nice boat ride, and the baby will enjoy it I'm sure.
You might even see baby's first whale if you do a whale watch.
Take a harbor tour out to George's Island or one of the harbor islands and walk around the trails and explore the old fort on george's island

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Check out CIty Point/ Castle island and have dinner at SUllivans.
City point is easily accessible from the busses at Copley Square
and you can get the bus coming back to boston from "P" st. (a 2 min walk from City Point).
Castle Island has a nice 3 mile walk loop around a lagoon which is paved for strollers, etc you'll meet a lot of locals out here. and lots of dog walkers , the baby will enjoy watching the dogs, seagulls, ships, and planes landing at logan Fly right over. The fort and fishing area is pretty neat too
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pick up a Go Boston Card while you're in town which is good for attractions like Duck Tour, MFA, Freedom Trail attractions, etc. It's great to get a weekend card and just check out all the attractions in the city for a lower price. Good luck!
Go Boston Card: Boston Attractions, Tours, and Things To Do from Smart Destinations
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Check out the ICA art museum and do the harbor walk from the Aquarium-
eat at the Barking Crab for lunch
ICA has free admissions for all on thursdays from 5pm-9pm
its a nice walk - and paved path
along the harborwalk good sunset views too - good for photos of baby.
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Check out the Mapparium a walk through globe which is very colorful and pretty cool for all ages.
The baby will love looking at the glass globe.
and all the colors.
its at the mary baker eddy library
The Mapparium, Boston, Massachusetts
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Go up to Salem and walk around pIckering wharf, check out the Friendship ship
have lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants
and such
Salem Massachusetts - The Comprehensive Salem Guide
At halloween during October there is a cool event called haunted happenings you might want to check out
Haunted Happenings Salem Massachusetts - The Official Website for Halloween
Take baby to Salem for first halloween!!! in a costume of course :-)

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Oh yeah go to FAO Schwartz and look at all the toys
FAO Schwarz
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Also - go down to Edaville Rail Road
in Carver MA
Edaville USA is a fun family amusement park in Carver, Massachusetts.
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Also visit harvard square
and go to the Harvard Museum of Natural History
there's a lot of animals on display
and such
and then you can walk through harvard yard, grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes
and definitely while you're there
check out this cool toy store based on curious george
Curious George & Friends
Here's a couple helpful links for you
and again congratulations
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Also while you're in the Public Garden on the Swan Boats be sure to see the
make way for ducklings statue
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Links:
Welcome to The Boston Parents' Paper Online
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KIWI BABY
Kiwibaby, The Art of E-commerce

IKEA furniture
Welcome to IKEA.com

FAO Schwartz Toys
FAO Schwarz

Side by Side baby bunk
Co-sleeper, co sleep, co sleeping, bassinets, cradles, custom mattresses, organic bedding

Tadpole
Toys, furniture, clothing, and gear for the modern child...

Hatched
Boston's first Organic Baby Store
hatched - ecobaby store

Mulberry Road Baby Boutique
Mulberry Road - Welcome

Children's Place Stores
The Children's Place

Baby Furniture Warehouse
Reading, Lynnfield, Braintree
http://www.babyfurniturewarehouse.com/

babies R us
Babies"R"Us Home - Baby Gear, Baby Gifts and Baby Registry
Babies"R"Us Home - Baby Gear, Baby Gifts and Baby Registry

Abigail's Childrens Boutique
Wellesley
Designer Childrens Clothing | Unique Kids Clothes from Abigail's Boutique (http://www.abigails.com/abigails/ - broken link)
Designer Childrens Clothing | Unique Kids Clothes from Abigail's Boutique

Magic Beans Toys
Baby Gear, Toys, Strollers, Nursery Furniture | Magic Beans Home Page
Brookline, Wellesley, Hingham

Henry Bear's Park
Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge
Henry Bear's Park


Twinkle Star Baby Boutique
Somerville
Twinkle Star Baby Boutique | Baby clothing furniture and accessories

Village Baby
Brookline
Village Baby - Brookline Village - Brookline, MA

Charlestown Navy Yard
baby pool
Charlestown Navy Yard Baby Pool - Charlestown, MA

Diaper Lab
Somerville
Diaper Lab - Boston's Source for Cloth Diapers

lester harry's newbury st
Lester Harry's

Wild child outfitters
arlington
HOME - Wild Child
HOME - Wild Child

Carter's
Clothing
Watertown Mall
Watertown
carters.com, carters baby clothes, baby clothing, baby boy clothing, baby girl clothing, kids apparel, Carters outlet, baby blankets

Mila Lilu
Newton Highlands
http://www.milalilu.com/

Stellabella toys
Porter square
cambridge
Stellabella Toys - Welcome to stellabella toys !

Whippoorwill crafts
downtown crossing
Whippoorwill Crafts - Downtown - Boston, MA

the red wagon
beacon hill
The Red Wagon - Beacon Hill - Boston, MA

Calliope toys
Harvard square
Calliope - Harvard Square - Cambridge, MA

Black Ink Boston
Black Ink
Black Ink - Harvard Square - Cambridge, MA

H+M - peabody MA
H&M - Peabody, MA

Kohl's Department store has some good childrens and baby clothing
Kohl's

Oak
back Bay
Oak - Back Bay - Boston, MA
Baby & Childrens @ Oak (http://oakboston.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=40&zenid=bbc76ca95 16b76f61f5240c1dc600291 - broken link)
OAK

[DreamworksSKG]

My bad - FAO Schwartz is in New York City :P we used to have one in boston but now all that's left is the giant toy teddy bear out front :-) Still pretty cool for the kid to see a big giant teddy bear :-)

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by DreamworksSKG

My bad - FAO Schwartz is in New York City :P we used to have one in boston but now all that's left is the giant toy teddy bear out front :-) Still pretty cool for the kid to see a big giant teddy bear :-)

The Teddy Bear got moved DW. It's now on Washington St at the entrance to the Floating Hospital (not worth the trip to see - dingy area).

I think the best suggestion for the baby is pushing the stroller through the Public Garden and Boston Common. There's a playland and splash pool if you like, but the sights and sounds should delight the little one. Always did mine!

[readymade]

I used to LOVE going on the Swan boats and picnicking on Frog Pond when I was a kid. In fact, a lot of what you (DreamworksKSG) suggested, I remember doing with my parents. Awesome.

What a bummer about FAO Shwartz! My mom used to bring me there all the time when I was a kid (never bought anything, though, heh) and I loved it.

Anyway, thanks for your list. It brought back a lot of memories. I've been away for almost 10 years and feeling very trepidatious about moving back "home" to Boston (mostly because I don't know if I can take the winters). But, I'm feeling a little better about it now. I forgot about how much there is to do in Boston.

[DreamworksSKG]

I would also suggest going to the ICA on THursday (you get in free from 5pm-9pm) they have a funky display in the lobby that the kid would like looking at. its quite colorful. :-) you can even look at it from the outside if you do the harbor walk :P

Also I forgot to mention
Go up to Jordans Furniture in Reading and check out the Dancing water display it is set to music and is really neat. The baby will be interested also in watching people on the trapeeze and the colorful jelly bean displays (they have a make way for ducklings display in jelly beans)(made out of jelly beans)
aside from that you can check out the furniture, eat at Fudruckers burgers, catch and there's also a cool hall of mirrors that goes down to where the IMAX movie theater is. That the baby would enjoy making faces. All different types of mirrors and sizes of mirrors :-) (they arent the carnival kind of mirrors but they are still mirrors and fun for the baby to see their reflection)


:-)

[DreamworksSKG]

I might also suggest a ride on the commuter rail train -
it would be fun for the baby to take a 1st train ride. Maybe you could take it up to Salem or Gloucester/ROckport or something or down to Plymouth for an afternoon.

???