Things to Do in Boston in Chilly Weather

Park the car and just walk everywhere. Seriously driving in Boston is a frustrating challenge. We love love loved the science museum.

HI,

I've lived in this area for decades and have taken kids of varying ages to all kinds of activities.

The choices you made are excellent. There's something for everyone, with hands-on exhibits. The New England Aquarium is also fantastic, and there's a revamped giant ocean tank (spiral ramp goes around the outside of it) with all kinds of colorful, large fish as well as eels. Sometimes you can catch the diver feeding the sharks, and occasionally there are programs at the top of the tank (on the schedule, better for the 8 year old than the 1 year old). The Children's Museum and the Science Museums have scheduled programs as well as plenty of places to roam. If there are 2 adults, it's okay to split up and meet up later. You can take your own lunches in and find places to eat. Purchased food is expensive, of course - museum fundraisers. The Science Museum has a planetarium and some great movies in the iMax theater but that's probably too intense for the little one.

If it's not horrible weather, you can consider one of the amphibious boats on the Duck Tour. They turn the heat on and keep the roof closed if it's cold. Pick ups are at the Prudential Center (closer to Fenway) and at the Museum of Science. There's historical info for the 8 year old and just a fun ride for the toddler - at one point they go down a ramp and into the Charles River which is fun.

Look for Groupon deals for all of these. Your address says Melrose - is that accurate? If so, most of the public libraries in Massachusetts have family passes for the key museums - you can check on line and find out the policies but it's a huge service. If you're a member of AAA, check for discounts with your regular AAA card or through coupons they may carry. If you don't have their Massachusetts guide book, get it - all the restaurants are rated by cost and degree of formality. If you are a member of another museum elsewhere in the country, check for reciprocal deals with free admission to basic exhibits at all the Boston museums.

I would skip the Tea Party Ship as suggested below - it just won't work for the little one. Old Ironsides is slated for repairs (check the schedule) and it's just not going to be fun for the younger child.

There is a lot to see around the waterfront so if you get a mild day, head on down. There are lots of restaurants that look over the water with indoor and outdoor tables, but none of it's cheap. The Fenway area definitely caters to college kids so stuff is not expensive unless you are near the ballpark itself .

Use the T (subways, maybe buses) as much as possible. Parking is challenging. The Museums and Aquarium have parking garages but it's not cheap.

If you have a car, it's not far to the Transportation Museum at Larz Anderson Park, which also has big open grounds to run around on.

Read "Make Way For Ducklings" and then go to the outdoor sculpture in the Public Gardens. Little kids like to sit on the bronze statues of the 8 ducklings. If it's nice out, and depending on when you go, if the Swan Boats are running, they're fun for kids and a nice time to sit down and relax!

If you need more info, feel free to PM me.

Graze at Quincy Market for sure! And the Aquarium is amazing.

Definitely the Children's Museum--they will love the climbing area! The T also is just a lot of fun because it becomes a trolley out in Fenway, and you could just ride it out to the end of the line or into the subway part. Definitely avoid driving when possible--parking is a pain and there is good public transportation in the Fenway area. My kids loved it. The Science Museum is great too, though there's not much for the toddler in my view. Oh yes, the Aquarium is one of my favorites!

It's been a while since I was there, but you might go on the tea party ship. ETA: I second 1. not driving and 2. the duck tour.

I love going to Union Oyster House - kids or no. It's not super fancy, but it's a cool part of history. I would walk the Freedom Trail regardless of the temperature. The museums are awesome, lots of history.

We always enjoy Quincy Market, too.

Really depends on what you guys are interested in, I think.

The Childrens Museum would be great... and take the T; it's free tomorrow (april 24th)

Enjoy

Children's Museum is amazing, I think they also have an aquarium. Be prepared to walk everywhere and parking can be a major pain. I traveled there with my family, and it was a nightmare. Probably because we were not prepared at all. Being from Atlanta, I had thought I could handle big city stuff. I guess it depends when you go. It was summer for me.