Science or Children's museum?

We%26#39;re planning our trip to Boston, and I%26#39;m trying to fit in as much as possible into our 4-day stay. We%26#39;re going to go to the aquarium, take a ferry to Georges Island, and spend some time strolling around the Boston Commons, Public gardens and Faneuil Hall.

We%26#39;re taking our 2 and 3-and-a-half year old boys, and i%26#39;d like to go to both museums, but i think we may be overextending ourselves in the time frame we have. (I%26#39;d also like to fit in a trip to the model train store, but we%26#39;ll see how it goes.)

Which museum do you think the kids would enjoy more? I%26#39;m guessing that we (as adults) would find the MOS more interesting?

Also, we%26#39;re arriving on a Friday afternoon (we%26#39;re staying in Woburn and taking the train into Boston) and leaving on a Tuesday afternoon. Can anyone suggest which sight might be better to see on the weekend and which on a weekday?

Thanks!

Julia

Science or Children's museum?

The Children%26#39;s Museum is defintely the choice for you and your family. visit bostonkids.org. The Museum of Science is fun but geared towards kids a bit older than yours.

Both places will be less crowded on weekdays than on weekends.

Science or Children's museum?

I agree. The children%26#39;s museum is MUCH better for kids that age.

Agree with previous posters. Save the Science Museum for when the kids are older.

Everyone is right on this one Childrens Museum.

Thanks for your tips. I thought that the kids would enjoy the butterflies, lightening and dinosaurs at the MOS, but the Children%26#39;s must have much more for them at this age.

So, if we%26#39;re going to go to the children%26#39;s museum, aquarium and harbour islands on the sat, sun and mon, which should we see on what days?

The MOS lightning might actually have been too scary for them--it%26#39;s a big dark ampitheatre and there%26#39;s real lightning and loud noises.

Go to the Harbor Islands on the day with the best weater.

:-)

Agree completely with Coco on the lightning being frightening for kits that age... some adults are pretty freaked out by it. It%26#39;s loud very bright, and unnerving. With kids that age -- Children%26#39;s Museum is great -- you may also want to consider the Aquarium... those were my boys favorites.

Julia, just saw your note about the harbor islands -- I%26#39;d skip them for little kids. If you want a harbor boat ride, you can go on the mbta service from Long Wharf (next to Aquarium) to Quincy -- stay on the boat and return, I think they only charge a one-way fare which is $6 for adults, free for the kids. Schedules are on MBTA.com (.org?). You can bring a lunch and sit on open decks on nice days.

Loon Mountain....what about George%26#39;s Island. Pack a picnic and it%26#39;s a lot of fun...not too much boat either, like 20mins each way. Nice fields and places to throw rocks into the water and little trails and places to explore... George%26#39;s Island is a lot of fun for kids of all ages, as they say. Older kids like exploring the forts and climbing the hills. Littler kids can enjoy throwing stones into the water, watching other harbor boats go by, and playing games with mom and dad on the lawn.... then you wait for the boat to come back and get you....it%26#39;s way cool.

The T boats are smelly and full of commuters too. The boat to George%26#39;s Island is typically full of kids (fun atmosphere) and not that much more expensive.

Just be careful on any boat, just before they leave port, they blow the horn and you don%26#39;t want to be sitting on deck next to the horn thing with your 2-year old as it%26#39;s going off. It%26#39;s a very loud, sometimes startling noise. Ask a crew member where it is (it%26#39;s usually up front as I remember) and be aware that when the pull in the ropes, it%26#39;s about to happen. Not terrible, but if you%26#39;re 2 it can be startling.