|
A sure thing would be a visit to the "Make Way for Ducklings" statue near the northeast gate to the Public Garden. Read the Robert McCloskey classic to the young 'uns at bedtime in advance, and you're bound to get a resounding "YEAH!!!" when you propose seeing the sculpture. It's beloved by all ages, and a perennial photo op since small children are always unable to resist climbing atop one of the bronze fledgling mallards. Across the Garden, take them on a "swan boat" ride. That's a serene excursion around the park's pond by pedal-powered aquatic vehicle. Continuing on the water-bird theme, book a "Duck Tour" for a guided trip around the Back Bay and Beacon Hill which culminates in the amphibious vehicle's being literally driven into the river for more sightseeing from the Charles. Quacking is encouraged, and is often echoed by passing pedestrians (if they haven't instigated it themselves. It's a new local pastime of sorts.) Feh on the "trolleys."
Closer to home, visit the Trailside Museum at the Blue Hills Reservation. There are often presentations given by park rangers and geared toward kids: nocturnal animals, tree identification, and such. There are plenty of scenic hiking trails in the park for blowing off steam beforehand and afterwards, and a strategically placed Friendly's is on Route 138 close by.
Zoo New England in Franklin Park will never be mistaken for its world-class counterparts in Cincinnati, San Diego, and The Bronx. But they've just opened a big new jungle exhibit featuring gorillas (now "escape proof" after one of the simians succeeded in taking a stroll around the neighborhood.) I defy you to show me any human being younger than 12 who isn't enthralled at the sight of some of the animal kingdom.
Try your luck at scoring tickets to a Red Sox game. Go to the "same-day sales" window on Van Ness St, off Brookline Ave. People with spare ducats, who aren't able or inclined to scalp them lol, turn them in for a refund there. Fenway Park is perpetually sold out, but those in the know often find themselves inside that roundball shrine after they've hung around the same-day sales window. Good fun is guaranteed for all, but - word to the wise - contests with the Yankees are well-nigh impossible to gain access to. And the language hurled with abandon, not to mention frequent fistfights, make it not the best time to show pre-teens what a ballgame used to be like at every major league venue.
Join Mass. Audubon and the Trustees of Reservations. (Yep, I might be a city kid at heart but there's a nature lover dwelling inside my head too.) Both own "properties" on the South Shore and have programs for children.
As for the here and now, are your three offspring looking forward to the move?
|
Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
Pointers for exploring Boston
Linear Mode
