Summer in the City: Boston Edition

Photo courtesy Bill Walker via Public Domain.
Photo courtesy Bill Walker via Public Domain.

by meagan phillips

They say winters in New England are brutal (and they are), so after suffering through Noreaster after Noreaster you get to experience New England's gentle springs and summers. The possible activities in and around the city of Boston are endless. From the numerous playgrounds, ice cream shops, and libraries to the more adventurous Six Flags New England, New England Aquarium, and Children’s Museum, you will never run out of summer fun in BeanTown.

INDOOR ESCAPES (NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED)

New England Aquarium

Children of all ages will enjoy the New England Aquarium with all the different animals and their new touch tank. They also have an IMAX 3D for the older kids and whale watches for the whole family. Pricing begins at $22.95 for adults and $15.95 for children 3-11, while children under 2 are admitted for free. Membership options are also available.

Boston Children’s Museum

Another great option is the Boston Children’s Museum. Children can enjoy four floors of different activities ranging from a science room to play space for the younger children, to a construction zone and so much more. Prices range from $14 for adults and children over 1, while children under 1 are free. Memberships are

available beginning at $150.

Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden is a great place to visit. Enjoy beautiful flowers and plenty of space for children to run off energy and then enjoy some ice cream. Swan boat rides are also offered around the lagoon. The garden opened in April and stays open until Labor Day for just $3 per adult and $1.50 per child.

FREE

Boston Common

Right across from the Boston Public Garden is the Boston Common. You are likely to see the Common sprinkled with people all spring and summer long, whether they are playing frisbee with friends, enjoying a picnic with family, or playing at Tad Pole Playground. The playground is the home to reading events every Friday from June

28 through August 30. The Frog Pond, also located at the Boston Common, has a wading pool for children to cool off throughout the warm summer months. Yoga is also offered Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:1

5 p.m. starting June 4 for any interested adults, including nannies who are looking to destress after a day with the kiddos.

Surrounding Boston Area

Along with all the great stuff in the city, there are also amusement parks, like

Six Flags New England

,

Canobie Lake

, and

Water

Wizz

(in New Hampshire). For the die-hard sports fans, the New England Patriots hold public training camps starting in late July, and you can go to a Red Sox game at the historic

Fenway Park

. For a nice family trip, you can visit Cape Cod and enjoy hundreds of beaches, including some of the best in the United States, challenging miniature golf courses, batting cages, and some of the best seafood around, like at

Cooke's Seafood

.

For those rainy days or when it’s too hot to be outside, there are many indoor play spaces for children of all ages throughout Massachusetts,

including libraries and even a new indoor

trampoline park

located in Hyde Park. With all the options around, children (and even children at heart) can be kept busy all summer long.