Catherine Aillon

Latest posts by Catherine

7 Reasons To Visit Beacon Hill Books & Café in Boston

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 1:13am

The Children's Room at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe gives kids a fun space to explore while finding a new favorite book!

Once upon a time…in an old townhouse in Beacon Hill lives Paige the Squirrel. She occupies a cupboard on one of the floors inside the Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. Snuggled between bookshelves, you can view her cozy little abode complete with a stone fireplace, a bed made of twigs, a Citgo sign, a checkered table, chairs, and of course books, for Paige loves to read. She also loves to read to her animal friends at the Boston Public Garden. Every day, she can be seen riding on the little Choo Choo train that goes around the top of the bookstore in the children’s section.

Teen Birthday Parties in Boston: Cool Party Places for Teens

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Sun, 07/24/2022 - 9:51pm

Bowl them over with fun teen birthday parties in Boston. Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike Entertainment, Facebook.

As your child becomes a teen, creative birthday party ideas become more of a challenge. You can't satisfy them with balloons, ice cream, and pizza like in the early years. Bringing in the clowns won’t work, and you can forget about face painting and bouncy houses too! So, how do you engage them and create birthday memories? My teen loves the city for her birthdays; she can walk around the fabulous neighborhoods with her friends after the party. So check out these ideas for teen birthday parties in Boston, and find the right celebration for your not-so-easily-impressed teen.

See out our Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids for more ideas on having fun in the city on their special day. And check out our Birthday Party Guide for Boston Kids for cake recipes, fun ways to connect virtually with loved ones, and much more.

Visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston With Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Fri, 05/06/2022 - 11:40pm

Show Boston kids some amazing art. Photo courtesy of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Image of Italianite windows at Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

The architecture at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is part of the experience.

Entering the Palace of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is like stepping into a Venetian palazzo with its terra cotta roof, expansive courtyard filled with the heady scent of the latest blooms, lush wall panels filled with Old World art and treasures, secluded cloisters, wide sweeping staircases, and even a stained-glass chapel. All it's missing are the canals and the singing of the gondoliers as they pass by on their gondolas. Thankfully, visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston with kids doesn't require airfare.

Located between the lush parks along Boston's Fens and the collegiate energy of Huntington Avenue, the Gardner Museum is one of two destinations for art lovers in this neighborhood. Once you know your way around, you can return for a Museum of Fine Arts Day Trip and explore the MFA with kids. The Gardner and the MFA are just a couple of Boston Museums for kids that make an trip into the city a memorable one for families.

Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Sun, 02/06/2022 - 12:09pm

The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service

There’s more to the month ahead than just Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day: February brings Black History Month, officially observed since 1976, though its roots date to 1926. From a walk on the Black Heritage Trail to a tour of the African Meeting House to tasting fine chocolates at Chocolate Therapy, we've got plenty of suggestions for ways to celebrate and support the dynamic Black-owned businesses and African American historical sites in Boston—not just in February, but all 365 days of the year.

For more great kid-friendly activities and events to celebrate Black History month, browse our Boston events calendar— and don't miss our list of Children's Books to Celebrate Black History Month.

The Rocks at Harbor Way in Boston: A New Park Where the Trees Sing

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Thu, 10/28/2021 - 11:30am

Kids of every age will enjoy a visit to hear the the Singing Trees at The Rocks at Harbor Way. Photo courtesy of Catherine Aillon

The Rocks at Harbor Way is a new urban oasis in Boston with a mix of new age, modern aesthetics, and a nod to the city's maritime history with its wooden boardwalk. This new park in Boston's seaport features Singing Trees and giant boulders for climbing, and is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Read on to find out why this new park has us singing its praises.

For more great spots where kids can play, visit our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Boston.

5 Walkable Towns North of Boston to Explore with Kids

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Thu, 09/16/2021 - 8:00pm

Newburyport, Photo courtesy of Catherine Aillon

When the weather is mild, it's easy to explore cities north of Boston with walkable downtowns, plenty of activities, and waterfront vistas. For Boston families looking to fill a day enjoying the salty air, the North Shore has a lot to offer. Although summer is over, is the sea still calling? A low-cost destination, walkable towns are particularly attractive for spending a crisp autumn afternoon or a spring day. So take out that baby stroller, grab a few snacks for the kids and some bottled water, and head to one of these historic downtowns. These coastal communities on the North Shore are great to visit on a Saturday or Sunday.

For more adventures with kids, see our lists of fun New England fall day trips, best fall activities in Boston, and great hikes near Boston.

13 Kid-Friendly Things to do in Hingham

Submitted by Catherine Aillon on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 3:00pm

About 12 miles south of Boston is Hingham, a coastal town located right on Boston Harbor. Hingham is known for its Fourth of July fireworks on the harbor, a Main Street filled with historic homes, and stately trees that offer beautiful canopy covers in the warmer months, a charming downtown, and the home of the South Shore Conservatory and Derby Academy. Eleanor Roosevelt once designated Hingham's Main Street as “The most beautiful Main Street in America.”

For visitors, there are at least 4 main reasons to love Hingham: Seaside town. Check. Quaint. Check. Non-touristy. Check. No fast food. Check. Families in the Boston area who are looking for something fun to do should plan a visit to Hingham for a wonderful experience.