Blue Hills Reservation

How have I lived around Boston for over 11 years without going to the Blue Hills?

On Memorial Day, Isaac and I finally went to the Blue Hills Reservation and the Trailside Museum, part of Mass Audubon.  The Trailside Museum has all sorts of animals, including an otter, deer, owls, and lots more.  They also offer lots of educational programs.

Take the red dot trail to see the observation tower.  It's very rocky (see picture above) and pretty steep, but my 5 year old did it without a problem.

That's the observation tower.   Some of the kids were calling it a castle!  There are also tons of picnic tables around, so it's a fun spot to enjoy a picnic lunch after making your way up the trail.

The view of Boston from the top of the tower.  Isaac thought that was really cool!

After all that hard work hiking, we got some well-deserved ice cream from the museum.  The museum is stocked up with snacks, ice cream, and drinks.  

Before we left, we participated in a ponding activity.  The path around the pond is usually closed off, but if you go when there's a ponding activity, they'll bring you inside.  There were a bunch of turtles that we saw, just hanging out!

Then we saw this giant bullfrog on the banks of the pond.

The kids were given nets and they could scoop up stuff from the pond to see what they could find.

Isaac was in awe of all of the tiny little tadpoles that we found in the pond.  The ponding activity was really well-done and fun for all ages.

We can't wait to go back!

For nonmembers, it's $5 adults $3 children (2-12) $4 seniors (65+), but getting a Mass Audubon membership is a great deal and pays for itself in no time if you're an outdoorsy type.

5 Fun Father's Day Activities

Have you thought about what to do for the dad(s) in your life this Sunday?  Here are some fun ideas!

1.  The current Boston forecast for Sunday is 80 degrees, sunny, and dry.  There are so many great Boston-area beaches to choose from!  If freshwater beaches are your thing, head to an inland state park such as Walden Pond and spend the day swimming, boating, and picnicking.  Or get an early start and head to the North Shore or even the Cape.

2.  Visit Stone Zoo or Franklin Park Zoo...dads get in free on Sunday!  What a deal!

3.  Dads also get in free at Old Sturbridge Village!  Enjoy the lovely day in Central Mass.

4.  Treat Dad to some good pub grub at John Brewers (Waltham and Malden) or Brewers Coalition (Newtonville).  Dads eat free there on Sunday.  They have a great kids' meal, too!

5.  Go for a picnic at one of my favorite picnic spots around Boston.

Favorite Places to Picnic

Water play at the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway

We love picnicking!  It's one of our favorite pastimes during the non-winter months.  Here are a few favorite places to picnic around Boston.

1.  Castle Island in Southie.   Lots of picnic tables, a beach, watching the airplanes take off, and a great playground!  If you forgot to pack anything for your picnic, Sullivan's has cheap eats.   You can spend all day at Castle Island.   

2.  Boston Common.  Enjoy the landscaping, the sights, and in the summer you can wade in the Frog Pond for free!  There are lots of nice spots for a picnic, and afterwards you can do the Swan Boats and the carousel, or take a stroll up Newbury Street.

3.  Artesani Park.  There are picnic tables galore at Artesani Park in Brighton.  There's a big parking lot and it's only a 10 minute bus ride from Central Square.  The playgrounds are fun and the wading pool in the summer is really awesome!  

4.  Cochituate State Park in Natick.  Make a day of it!  Rent a paddleboat, go swimming, throw around the ball, and have a picnic.  There are even barbecues.  Last year, the DCR offered nature programming for kids and hopefully will do the same this summer.  Take a peek at last year's schedule for an idea of what they offered.  Bring cash, as there's a $5 parking fee.  (Or buy a season parking pass - we go frequently and it pays for itself!)

5.  Auburndale Cove in Newton.  A trail, ducks to feed, a big mountain of sand, playgrounds, and a picnic area.  The Cove is one of Isaac's favorite playgrounds!  It's nice and wooded and perfect for a picnic.  

6.  Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.  Head over to the North End for some pizza and pastries and bring them over to the Rose Kennedy Greenway!   There are tables, plenty of places for kids to run, a carousel, and free entertainment!  

What are your favorite places to picnic?