Questions for Boston area folks

[jnu76]

I'm leaning towards planning a trip to Boston with just me and the kids (2 and 4) this summer. I'm thinking the Aquarium and/or Science Museum. I live a little over 2 hours away, but I'm a horrible city driver. When I went pre- kids I would drive to the furthest out T station and ride in.
So-
Aquarium or museum?
Is the T doable with a 2 yo on my back and a 4yo who thinks it's funny to run away? I'm guessing toddler on my back is better than a stroller on the T? Unless it's super easy access to the Aquarium and parking?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

[Stringy]

There's a parking garage right next to the aquarium. It's not cheap but it's very close. There is one attached to the MOS.

The aquarium is a little overrated if you ask me. I hate saying that cuz I know lots of people who run it and they do great things with kids and the community. But as a visit. It's not amazing and gets crowded.

You could spend a lot more of a day at the MOS. They have a "little kids" area too. But even the bigger stuff kids that age can look at and there's room to run.

There's also a big children's museum.

Stroller on the T is pretty annoying yea. Elevators exist but are old and sketchy at some stops. But it'd be hard to have no containment device for the 4 yo. And I often like strollers to hold all the crap. Actually at the aquarium the other week we had a stroller and they have free stroller check (it's annoying to push it around the place). So we put all the jackets and crap on it and checked it for free. Vs carrying it all or paying for a locker.

What else might you want to do? Outdoors? Restaurants? Is this a day trip?

[ovenrack]

I'll go too!

[Stringy]

Also don't pay full price at the window for any museum.

[ovenrack]

Also I love the aquarium. But it's tough on a weekend day (super busy) or during school vacation.

[Stringy]

We have been aquarium members for a while and we go on Sunday mornings right when it opens (9). And park in street which is free but you won't like if you don't like city driving. It's pretty empty from 9-10

[Stringy]

So also by the aquarium is christopher Columbus park which has a playground. And harborwalk which you can look at boats and stuff. And usually planes taking off in the distance. You can also walk along the greenway where there's a carousel and over to fanuiel hall for shopping stuff.

[Stringy]

Everyone should really just come to Boston.

[SAK]

Apr 22, 2017 18:42:59 GMT -5 Stringy said:

Everyone should really just come to Boston.

[jnu76]

I'm thinking day trip because I can't imagine wrangling the kids and all of our stuff at a hotel, but an overnight isn't out of the question if I can figure it out. With only a 2 hour drive we could do it in a day. I have the summer off, so I'm not limited to weekends. My mom might want to come, too, which could make things easier.
NJCD party in Boston?

[grumpycakes]

I agree with stringy. The aquarium is fun, but you can easily walk through the whole thing in an hour. For the ticket price, you don't get as much bang for your buck as the MOS. Also, I don't like city driving either, but I'll take it over the fresh hell that is traveling on the T with two kids.

[jnu76]

Is the science museum in the same general area?
I'm up for anything. At some point we'll have to eat. Looking at boats would be fun for them, too.

[dancingsphinx22]

Museum of Science.

There's so much to see, and a lot of it is hands on, so it's more fun for younger kids.

Also, the aquarium tends to smell funky. But it is cool. I always liked seeing the penguins and seals.

But if I had to choose one, I'd pick the museum.

[Stringy]

Have you read make way for ducklings? There's also the swan boats.

The museum and aquarium aren't really close to each other but not super far either.

Which T stop do you go to? Riverside? Alewife? The ride fro riverside is long.

[brandiewine11]

We love the aquarium but like others said it's not a full day thing at all. There are lots of fun restaurants nearby. I don't like city driving but find going to the aquarium or MOS quite easy.

We have a MOS membership so go there a lot. R is 3 and still enjoys it. Just avoid the 4d movie. It terrifies him.

[saraml13]

(Former Bostonian)

MOS > aquarium

I think kids would also like a Duck Boat tour.

I would not take a stroller on the T.

[turquoisequeen]

Apr 22, 2017 18:42:59 GMT -5 Stringy said:

Everyone should really just come to Boston.

Did this make anyone else think of the song lyrics "I think I'll go to Boston...". Just me?

[jnu76]

Apr 22, 2017 19:48:19 GMT -5 Stringy said:

Have you read make way for ducklings? There's also the swan boats.

The museum and aquarium aren't really close to each other but not super far either.

Which T stop do you go to? Riverside? Alewife? The ride fro riverside is long.

I'd have to look up which T stop- Alewife sounds familiar, but I could be wrong. With everything I'm hearing I'm reconsidering the T vs driving situation.

[Stringy]

Apr 24, 2017 6:40:19 GMT -5 jnu76 said:

Apr 22, 2017 19:48:19 GMT -5 Stringy said:

Have you read make way for ducklings? There's also the swan boats.

The museum and aquarium aren't really close to each other but not super far either.

Which T stop do you go to? Riverside? Alewife? The ride fro riverside is long.

I'd have to look up which T stop- Alewife sounds familiar, but I could be wrong. With everything I'm hearing I'm reconsidering the T vs driving situation.

The ride in from alewife isn't terrible but you'd have to change trains to get to either place.

Just keep an eye on timing with rush hour for driving. Like get out of there by 3.

[CurlieWhirlie]

If there is a GTG in Boston I will be SO jealous.

The Museum of Science is awesome, but isn't the Boston Children's Museum much closer to the Aquarium? Just thinking if it was me and I wanted to park in one place and stay within a certain radius that I could easily walk.

We moved away before E was old enough for the Children's Museum, but I hear great things about it from friends who still live there.

[rugger]

Apr 24, 2017 14:01:32 GMT -5 CurlieWhirlie said:

If there is a GTG in Boston I will be SO jealous.

The Museum of Science is awesome, but isn't the Boston Children's Museum much closer to the Aquarium? Just thinking if it was me and I wanted to park in one place and stay within a certain radius that I could easily walk.

We moved away before E was old enough for the Children's Museum, but I hear great things about it from friends who still live there.

I totally looked up how far Boston was from me to see if we could do a long weekend, but nope, 8+ hrs is not happening.

[Stringy]

Apr 25, 2017 18:29:00 GMT -5 rugger said:

Apr 24, 2017 14:01:32 GMT -5 CurlieWhirlie said:

If there is a GTG in Boston I will be SO jealous.

The Museum of Science is awesome, but isn't the Boston Children's Museum much closer to the Aquarium? Just thinking if it was me and I wanted to park in one place and stay within a certain radius that I could easily walk.

We moved away before E was old enough for the Children's Museum, but I hear great things about it from friends who still live there.

I totally looked up how far Boston was from me to see if we could do a long weekend, but nope, 8+ hrs is not happening.

Flights are cheap from Baltimore. Lol

[rugger]

Apr 25, 2017 19:32:57 GMT -5 Stringy said:

Apr 25, 2017 18:29:00 GMT -5 rugger said:

I totally looked up how far Boston was from me to see if we could do a long weekend, but nope, 8+ hrs is not happening.

Flights are cheap from Baltimore. Lol

LOL but Dulles is only 10 min away. Baltimore is the pits!