Memorial Day weekend was sunny, warm and beautiful this year. Although we contemplated making out-of-town plans for a weekend away, we decided to hang out at home to enjoy BBQing with friends, a babysitter night out with friends, and some staycation adventure in our own hometown.
The first summery weather of the year begged for some waterfront scenery, so we settled on a day exploring the Boston waterfront with a half-day walking tour mostly through the Charlestown Navy Yard. Our primary destination was the U.S.S. Constitution Museum, but we also enjoyed several playground stops, a stop for morning treats and lunch on a pier. Although we live just outside Boston and know these areas well, this would also be a great half-day adventure for new visitors to Boston.
Since it was a Sunday, we parked in Cambridge for free at parking meters (no need to pay!) near the E.F. Building (close to the Museum of Science). You could also easily get off at the Green Line T stop and walk over. From there, we walked east all morning, and then while the kids played at our final destination (Thomas Menino waterfront playground) Mohit grabbed a public rental bike (Blue Bikes) to pedal back to the car and he drove back to pick us up. If I were visiting from out of town, I think I might have had an Uber drop us off late morning at the opposite end (at Thomas Menino Park) and have walked westward toward Cambridge. Then, after enjoying this walk, you could top off the late afternoon at the Museum of Science and have dinner near the Cambridgeside Galleria (many restaurant options to choose from).
Here's what we enjoyed from west to east:
1. North Point Park, Cambridge
This playground and splash pad was closed for renovations during our visit, but we've been here before- it's a great stop for the kids and has great waterfront views with shade for parents to enjoy!
2. Walk below the Zakim Bridge
There's a pedestrian bridge that swoops over the water where the Charles River meets Boston Harbor, and leaves you in the shadow of the Zakim Bridge. There's also an amazing skate park here where we stopped to watch skateboarders, a kid on a scooter, and a couple women in roller skates rock some serious tricks!
3. Stop for iced coffee and treats at Sorelle's
This is a great spot for coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches. We made a late morning stop and treated the kids to some chocolate chip banana bread to fuel them until a late lunch. Dine indoors or on the patio, and make a pit stop at the restrooms. Right next door there's also J.P. Licks, a great ice cream spot.
4. Exploring the USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young
The kids loved climbing all over these boats, checking out cannons and hammock sailors' quarters, and ringing the bell. (Note: Adults need photo IDs to get through security). We spent about an hour exploring both boats. Afterward, we considered going inside the USS Constitution Museum too, since we'd read that there are some fun hands on activities for kids, but it was getting close to lunch time so we pushed onward.
5. Shipyard Park
This is a great place for a little downtime if the kids need to rest/ play. Ours decided to pick and blow every dandelion puff they could find. There's a big green field with both sun and shade, a playground that has a small splash pad (although the water was off when we visited on Memorial Day weekend), and nearby there's a courtyard area with a water fountain where there was a band playing live music.
6. Pier 6
This is a casual restaurant perched on a pier over the water. The dining room and bar is up on the second floor, with a fabulous view over Boston Harbor and across to downtown Boston. Mohit and I both enjoyed the fish tacos and a beer. They have a kids menu.
7. Thomas Menino Park
This playground is unique in that it was specially designed to be fully accessible for kids with physical disabilities. Right on the waterfront, it has some fun unique play structures, including slides with metal rollers, rolling hills of rubberized play surface to climb, a push-yourself merry go round, and lots more. Little girl needed to use the potty, and we easily popped into the lobby of the neighboring Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (there's a cafe there too if you need a snack). There is a water table here but no other spray play.
Since it was a Sunday, we parked in Cambridge for free at parking meters (no need to pay!) near the E.F. Building (close to the Museum of Science). You could also easily get off at the Green Line T stop and walk over. From there, we walked east all morning, and then while the kids played at our final destination (Thomas Menino waterfront playground) Mohit grabbed a public rental bike (Blue Bikes) to pedal back to the car and he drove back to pick us up. If I were visiting from out of town, I think I might have had an Uber drop us off late morning at the opposite end (at Thomas Menino Park) and have walked westward toward Cambridge. Then, after enjoying this walk, you could top off the late afternoon at the Museum of Science and have dinner near the Cambridgeside Galleria (many restaurant options to choose from).
Here's what we enjoyed from west to east:
1. North Point Park, Cambridge
This playground and splash pad was closed for renovations during our visit, but we've been here before- it's a great stop for the kids and has great waterfront views with shade for parents to enjoy!
2. Walk below the Zakim Bridge
There's a pedestrian bridge that swoops over the water where the Charles River meets Boston Harbor, and leaves you in the shadow of the Zakim Bridge. There's also an amazing skate park here where we stopped to watch skateboarders, a kid on a scooter, and a couple women in roller skates rock some serious tricks!
3. Stop for iced coffee and treats at Sorelle's
This is a great spot for coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches. We made a late morning stop and treated the kids to some chocolate chip banana bread to fuel them until a late lunch. Dine indoors or on the patio, and make a pit stop at the restrooms. Right next door there's also J.P. Licks, a great ice cream spot.
4. Exploring the USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young
The kids loved climbing all over these boats, checking out cannons and hammock sailors' quarters, and ringing the bell. (Note: Adults need photo IDs to get through security). We spent about an hour exploring both boats. Afterward, we considered going inside the USS Constitution Museum too, since we'd read that there are some fun hands on activities for kids, but it was getting close to lunch time so we pushed onward.
5. Shipyard Park
This is a great place for a little downtime if the kids need to rest/ play. Ours decided to pick and blow every dandelion puff they could find. There's a big green field with both sun and shade, a playground that has a small splash pad (although the water was off when we visited on Memorial Day weekend), and nearby there's a courtyard area with a water fountain where there was a band playing live music.
6. Pier 6
This is a casual restaurant perched on a pier over the water. The dining room and bar is up on the second floor, with a fabulous view over Boston Harbor and across to downtown Boston. Mohit and I both enjoyed the fish tacos and a beer. They have a kids menu.
7. Thomas Menino Park
This playground is unique in that it was specially designed to be fully accessible for kids with physical disabilities. Right on the waterfront, it has some fun unique play structures, including slides with metal rollers, rolling hills of rubberized play surface to climb, a push-yourself merry go round, and lots more. Little girl needed to use the potty, and we easily popped into the lobby of the neighboring Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (there's a cafe there too if you need a snack). There is a water table here but no other spray play.
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