VISITING Boston · The Hub

Visiting Boston with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Stay near the waterfront for the Children’s Museum and the Aquarium, which are a short walk apart. The Museum of Science is a quick ride on the Green Line. Here’s a plan with nap time built in.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Fort Point, 308 Congress St
Boston Children’s Museum
Closed Tuesdays.
$24 eachunder 12 monthsIndoor
See it in the guide
#2Waterfront, 1 Central Wharf
New England Aquarium
Opens at 9am.
Kids $35.95Adults $44.952 and underIndoor
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Boston

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGBoston Children’s MuseumOpens at 9am · Fort Point, 308 Congress St · $24 per person
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPNew England AquariumCloses at 5pm on weekdays · Waterfront, 1 Central Wharf · $35.95 kids, $44.95 adults
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGMuseum of ScienceOpens at 9am · Science Park, on the Charles River Dam
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPBoston Public MarketOpen to 8pm Wed–Sat · Downtown, 100 Hanover Street
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

WATERFRONTWaterfront and Fort PointThe Children’s Museum and the Aquarium are a short walk apart.Near Boston Children’s Museum and New England Aquarium
Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Food hall · DowntownBoston Public MarketNear New England Aquarium
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Cold
Dress in layers from November on; the walk along the harbor gets windy.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Boston

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in BostonBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in BostonDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
Good questions

Visiting Boston with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Boston kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Boston guide lists 7 places we checked for little kids, plus 2 free places and 2 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 2 library systems. This week’s list has 21 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Boston and this weekend’s list.

Where should we stay with a toddler?

The waterfront or Seaport puts the Children’s Museum and the Aquarium in walking distance.

What if it rains?

The Children’s Museum, the Aquarium, the Museum of Science and the Boston Public Market all work.

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