
Mile 20 of the Boston Marathon before Heartbreak Hill. Did I mention we have a marathon? Additionally, Boston has great running hills, which is the focus of this article. Hit Charles River or Commonwealth Ave where you’ll likely spot a sub 2:20 marathoner. As a non-grid city, there is seemingly endless access to safe and varied running routes.


A deep running culture is cultivated by prominent clubs like The Heartbreakers, Trail Animals Running Club, the BAA and November Project. At indoor track meets, national and world records are broken every year by stars of the sport like Galen Rupp, Edward Cheserek and Shalane Flanagan. We complain about the nor’easter that hits every April, we yell is disbelief if the Pats don’t have a perfect season and we crowd the streets with fans for 26.2 straight miles of Boston Marathon glory. A kid-friendly bathroom and easy parking are also available.199 Shares The Best Running Hills in the Best Running City – Bostonīoston is running city. While parents shop, happy little ones push kid-sized shopping carts, read books, or play with toy cars on the rug.
#Magic bean brookline free#
Juju B's regularly offers free craft activities, yoga classes, and other programs ideal for toddlers, all with a chill vibe and a wonderful assortment of consigned toys and clothing. Juju B's – North AttleboroĪ favorite with local families, this gem of a store has thoughtful, free programming for children as well as a sensory table and rug areas where children can explore. Our kids have especially enjoyed climbing through the "log" tunnel (again and again and again).

Photo courtesy of the South Shore Plaza Play Area, FacebookĪlso located, helpfully, near the Food Court, where you can grab a bite to eat before or after playing, the South Shore Mall play area was constructed by the same company that designed the Burlington Mall Play Area (above), so it also features the same sturdy, colorful climbing structures, like planes and cars. Best of all, the entire carpeted space is surrounded by comfortable benches, so it's easy to keep track of the kids while they play. There's a playhouse and a variety of climbing structures situated on a carpet made to look like a natural landscape-with rocks and logs and such-at this centrally located area in the mall, near the food court. Burlington Mall Children's Play Area – Burlington There's also a small "activity nook" with some manipulative wheels and mirrors for less rambunctious players. Near Macy's-which is also where Santa parks around holiday time-the play area features imagination-building climbing structures that are especially great for the little ones. Free Places To Play North of Boston Northshore Mall Play Area – Peabody The selection of children's books at the Waltham Public Library is top-notch, so make sure you have your library card on hand and take home some borrowed treasures after a morning or afternoon of indoor play. And the librarians are constantly updating and creating new activities for seasonal fun and engagement. There's a wooden play kitchen with lots of play food and materials a brand new dollhouse for creative play a toddler-sized castle/house that has steps and a crawl space underneath and a train table that is surrounded by comfy window seating and beanbags. The children's room is easily accessible through the back doors near the parking lot. With one of the friendliest staff you'll ever meet, a stop into this university town's public library is a must. Photo courtesy of the library Children's Room at the Waltham Public Library – Waltham The Penguins Play Area is in the Children's Room at Waltham Public Library. Every store has its own calendar describing these events, so be sure to check before you head to the mall. Along with free-build stations that are always set up around the store, there are special activities and challenges every month. Lego Store – Natick (and Burlington, Braintree, and Peabody)įor kids who are less inclined to climb than tinker, the Lego stores at the Natick, Burlington, North Shore, and South Shore malls are a great outlet between errands. Hint: Weekends, especially around the holidays, can be a zoo, so consider doing your shopping (and playing) on a weekday.

Kids ages 10 and under enjoy the Boston-themed indoor playground, which features a "Green Monster" to climb, ducklings to ride on, and a big pirate ship. Located on the second floor next to Wegman's in the Natick Mall, Beantown is helpful for parents who want to take a break from shopping (and for their kids who never wanted to shop in the first place). Photo courtesy of Moms of Massachusetts Beantown – Natick Boston-themed Beantown is a fave mall play space.
