Back Bay with Kids

The Christian Science Publication Society Building looks daunting but the huge complex on Massachusetts Avenue has a lot to offer families. Outside, toddlers and older kids love the enormous fountain (670 by 100 feet) on a hot day. Inside, the beautiful Mapparium never fails to fascinate.

Measuring 30 feet in diameter, the Mapparium is a gigantic stained-glass globe that you can walk through. It’s a look at world geography as it was in 1935.

Photo courtesy Mapparium.

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Address: 200 Massachusetts Avenue
Phone: 617-450-7000
Admission: Adult $6; Seniors 62 and over, Students with ID, and children 6-17 $4; children under 6 free
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10am – 4pm

Get a different perspective from inside the globe from 50 stories up at the Prudential Tower for a 360-degree view of Boston. It’s great on a clear day with the best view of the city, in the city.

You can listen to an audio tour and get a handle on how Boston is laid out before you explore further. When you are done, exit onto Boylston Street to go to the Boston Public Library, your next stop.

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Address: Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street
Phone: 617-859-0648
Admission: Adults $13, Seniors $11, Children under 12 $9, Students with college ID $11
Hours: Open daily; November 1 – March 28 open 10am – 8pm; March 29 – October 31 open 10am – 10pm

Founded in 1848 and opened in 1854, the main branch is the granddaddy of Boston’s libraries and was the first free library open to the public in the United States. You may think, why should I go to the library on a walking tour? Well, in addition to its more than 6 million books, it’s stocked with sculptures, murals and paintings by famous artists, making a tour of the building a pleasure.

If you are feeling hungry, there are two place to eat inside the library and tons of cafes just outside. One side of the library faces Copley Square, where you can relax and people watch for a bit.

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Address: 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square
Phone: 617-536-5400
Admission: Free
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9am – 9 pm; Friday and Saturday 9am – 5pm

Copley Square—a wonderful public space surrounded by the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, the John Hancock Building and Boylston Street—is always a busy hub of activity.

Take a minute to relax in the plaza while the children visit the "Tortoise" and "Hare" statues or chase after pigeons. In the summer, the large fountain offers a soothing counterpoint to the bustle of the city around you. In the summer, there’s also a farmer’s market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Any number of restaurants and fast food joints line Boylston Street. One street over is tony Newbury Street where you can window-shop if you feel like a shopping detour and if the kids will let you.

Keep heading down Boylston Street until you hit the Public Garden, one of Boston's most serene green spaces. Home to the swan boats and duckling statues, the Public Garden was established in 1837 and is the oldest public botanical garden in the country.

Hundreds of species of trees and flowers abound in the beautiful park. It’s a luxurious 24 acres, right in the heart of the city.

The 130-year-old swan boats have to be one of the most charming and iconic activities offered in the city and no tot fails to love them, especially if they’ve read the “Make Way for Duckling” book. After your 15-minute ride on these human-paddled boats, wander over to the statues inspired by the same book located nearby.

If you live in Boston, you’ve probably read the book to your kids at least a few dozen times. If you’re not from around here or somehow just never picked up the classic "Make Way for Ducklings," by Robert McClosky, you should. Then bring the children to the bronze sculptures of Mrs. Mallard and her brood marching along. They’re big enough for the children to climb on, which usually proves an irresistible photo op for all shutterbugs.

Photo courtesy GBCVB.

Just across the street from the Public Garden is the somewhat busier Boston Common. This is the country’s oldest park, established in 1634, and was used for grazing livestock, then for hanging criminals. Now— happily—it is just a great place to escape to from the city sidewalks.

The Frog Pond (spray park in summer, ice rink in winter) and the Tadpole playground are great for kids, but so is just running around the landscaped paths. If you are looking for somewhere to eat dinner, there are lots of options on nearby Charles Street or you can head back down Boylston.