Visiting Boston with a 17 month old

[dajoma]

My daughter and I will be visiting Boston with my husband (who will be spending time at a conference) towards the end of October. We are vegetarians who enjoy vegan and raw food meals. So we are wondering what restaurants people could recommend eating at and what might be some good places to visit with a toddler.

Also, how is the subway system for travelling with a toddler?

Thanks!

[Nautical]

Here are some restaurants listed on the Boston Vegan Association website:

http://www.bostonvegan.org/index.php...ews&Itemid=111

Hopefully you can find some places near where you are staying.

I would suggest taking your little one to the Boston Children's Museum (http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/) or the New England Aquarium (http://www.neaq.org/index.php). Another option for the whole family would be to visit the USS Constitution and Museum (both free and the museum has an upstairs kids' section); the best way to go would be to take the Charlestown ferry (associated with the Boston T) from the New England Aquarium, because then you get to see a view of the city from the harbor.

The subway system with a toddler is no problem. I would suggest a carrier though instead of a stroller, or a small umbrella stroller if any. There are certainly people who use strollers on the T, but you would have a difficult time during rush hours.

[Qestia]

There's a new raw food restaurant in the North End--a short walk from the aquarium. http://www.grezzorestaurant.com/index.html

[dajoma]

Oh, Grezzo sounds very tantalizing. Is it toddler friendly? How quickly do the meals come? I am thinking that the take out option may be best for that restaurant. My little one is such an explorer now, sitting at the dining table for an extended period of time is not an option.

Thanks Nautical for your suggestions as well.

Cheers

[alleybcat]

http://www.bostonfun.blogspot.com/

This is my website of stuff to do around Boston for families. At the very least, it has links to most of the kid friendly museums.
ave a great visit!

[Katho]

Although the Swan Boats will have stopped operating by then, if you have read Make Way For Ducklings you should visit the Public Garden. Toddlers love the statues of the ducks near the Charles St entrance of the park. Also, there is a playground in the middle of Boston Common near the Frog Pond.

I second the previous poster's comments about the subway, just expect crowds at rush hour, and if you are not prepared to navigate stairs or escalators, check the T's website to make sure the station is accessible.

[mamapickles]

Originally Posted by dajoma

Oh, Grezzo sounds very tantalizing. Is it toddler friendly? How quickly do the meals come? I am thinking that the take out option may be best for that restaurant. My little one is such an explorer now, sitting at the dining table for an extended period of time is not an option.

Thanks Nautical for your suggestions as well.

Cheers

Grezzo is an upscale restaurant and I believe only open for dinner. Not sure if it's the best option for a toddler -- but great for a romantical dinner at night. There is a pretty decent food court at Quincy Market with lots of veg options (our family is vegan and we always find something yummy there). There's also a a Wagamama noodle place there. It's all in the middle of the market's pedestrian mall.

[earthgirl]

The museum of science has a discovery room that's really fun.

[dajoma]

Well, our trip is soon approaching. We had planned to drive from Ontario to Boston (about a nine-hour journey plus customs time), but we are now thinking that it is in everyone's best interest to fly.

So, my question to those of you in Boston is can we easily take the subway from the airport to downtown Boston?

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by dajoma

Well, our trip is soon approaching. We had planned to drive from Ontario to Boston (about a nine-hour journey plus customs time), but we are now thinking that it is in everyone's best interest to fly.

So, my question to those of you in Boston is can we easily take the subway from the airport to downtown Boston?

Well, it depends on what you mean by easy, but yes, it can be done. And by downtown, do you mean downtown crossing? If you go the MBTA website, you can do a trip planner. I think you will find that you'll be able to get wherever you need to by the "T", unless you plan on hitting areas that are further out. Even then, you can take the commuter rail, but it may get a little more complicated. But if you just plan on staying in Boston, you'll be fine. Boston is a really small city so it's pretty manageable. Have a good visit!

[Bexo]

I was going to suggest the Boston Children's Museum too!

[Stinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Bexo

I was going to suggest the Boston Children's Museum too!

yes!! Go there!!!! If you know someone in the area you can get discounted tickets via the library, as long as you know the date you want to go. (I can even get them and mail to you before your trip, I think.)

The T is easy with a toddler, as easy as it *is*. It's a color coded system and not always straightforward so you have to know in advance which stops to utilize and then pay attention to the maps (all over the place). Umbrella strollers go easily on the T as long as it is not 7-9am or 4-6pm. Those are very busy traffic times and crowded.

Has anyone suggested Blue Moon Restaurant? VERY little kid friendly and awesome, local foods. Vegetarian. http://www.fullmoonrestaurant.com/

Boston Commons are fun for little ones...they have a huge, fabulous playground and acres of running space.