What to See & Do in Boston - Boston 2009 - page 168

After you've had your fill of nature (or before you set out), Centre Street makes a
good destination for wandering and snacking. The AIDS Action Committee's excel-
lent resale shop, Boomerangs, 716 Centre St. ( & 617/524-5120 ), is worth a look for
upscale merchandise and reasonable prices. A favorite among the neighborhood's
countless dining destinations is JP Licks Homemade Ice Cream, 674 Centre St.
( & 617/524-6740 ). Across the street from the T stop is the Dogwood Café, 3712
Washington St. ( & 617/522-7997 ), a family-friendly bar and restaurant with plenty
of beers on tap and tasty pizza.
T: Orange Line to Forest Hills.

9 Especially for Kids
What can the children do in Boston? A better question might be “What can't the chil-
dren do in Boston?” Just about every major attraction in the city either is specifically
designed to appeal to youngsters or can easily be adapted to do so.
The following attractions are covered extensively elsewhere in this chapter; here's
the boiled-down version for busy parents.
Destinations with something for every member of the family include Faneuil Hall
Marketplace ( & 617/338-2323; p. 142) and the Museum of Fine Arts ( & 617/
267-9300; p. 145), which offers special weekend and after-school programs.
Hands-on exhibits and large-format films are the headliners at the New England
Aquarium ( & 617/973-5200; p. 147), where you'll find the Simons IMAX Theatre,
and at the Museum of Science ( & 617/723-2500; p. 146), home to the Mugar
Omni Theater as well as the Hayden Planetarium.
You might get your hands on a baseball at a Red Sox game (p. 185) or the Sports
Museum of New England ( & 617/624-1234; p. 185).
The allure of seeing people the size of ants draws young visitors to the Prudential
Center Skywalk Observatory ( & 617/859-0648; p. 146). And they can see actual
ants—although they might prefer the dinosaurs—at the Harvard Museum of Natu-
ral History ( & 617/495-3045; p. 165).
Older children who have studied modern American history will enjoy a visit to the
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum ( & 617/929-4523; p. 144).
Middle-schoolers who enjoyed Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain will probably get a kick

More Kid Stuff
For more suggestions, check (or let the kids check) elsewhere in this topic.
Chapter 10 lists nightlife destinations for all ages. Before night falls (and some-
times afterward), the whole family can have a great time at the Hard Rock Cafe
(food and music), Club Passim (folk music; no alcohol), Shear Madness (audi-
ence-participation theater), Blue Man Group (performance art), and the Pup-
pet Showplace Theater.
Turn to chapter 9 for shopping recommendations— Beadworks, the Cam-
bridgeSide Galleria mall, Curious George Books & Toys, Pearl Art & Craft Sup-
plies, and the various college bookstores can be almost as fun as all-toy stores.
Finally, check chapter 11 for information about day trips. Fun destinations
include Salem, Plymouth, and (for Little Women fans) Concord.

Tips