Category Archives: summer activity

Touring Boston – Free Fun Fridays – Tons of Great, Budget Friendly, Ideas to Tour Boston During the Summer

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Every year during the summer Boston does this thing called “Free Fun Fridays.” Each week they have a handful of museums and historic type things open for free for the day and it changes every week all summer long.  This is the perfect chance to explore some of the museums and attractions that your interested in that might otherwise seem too expensive.

We were lucky enough to go on Freedom Trail day.   When my husband and I came to visit Boston before moving we had a brief exposure to the historic waking tours while we were touring one of the cemeteries. The actor leading the group was telling some really funny stories and we were intrigued, but didn’t end up going on a full tour ourselves.

Now that it was free we made the extra effort to check it out and we loved it!  If you come to Boston I would highly recommend the historic tour.

I had to laugh at human nature when we were bought to the historic state house.  We were told that about 50 years ago the city was going to tear down the building because they needed to widen the road.  A bunch of people got together to try to raise money to save the building but in the ended didn’t raise enough so the city was going to demolish it.  However, they were approached by some county in Illinois that was all for the widening of the road, but wanted to buy the state house and reassemble it brick by brick in Illinois.  To which the city of Boston immediately replied with something along the lines of “You can’t have our historic state house!  This is Boston history!” and the state house still stands in the middle of the city.

In any case Free Fun Fridays are everything the name suggests and you should really make an effort to check out some of the events.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

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Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Frog Pond Summer Splash Pad and Wading Pool

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One of my absolute favorite summer activities is visiting the Boston Frog Pond! The Frog Pond is a giant pond in the middle of Boston common with water that’s 6-8 inches deep.  There is also a huge geyser of water that fountains out of the middle and this pond that is meant to be splashed in.  (Posted life guards and everything!)

I took my son and he loved every minute of it.  He loved being there to play in the water, he loved having friends to play with and he loved following the other kids and trying new things like laying in the water on his belly and his back.

It was a really hot day and I was glad I came in my swimsuit because I was right there next to him sitting in the water to cool off.  We had a great time and were so glad we had friends to join us.

Things to Note:

1) Price
Free, free, free.  Just show up and start splashing.

2) Location & Amenities
Right in the heart of Boston, part of Boston Common.  The Red Line on the “T” stops pretty much at the park so you can get there without even having to bring a stroller. There is a bathroom located right next to the Frog Pond that has lockers you can use for the day.  There is also a snack bar attached to it if you need burgers and fries to get you through a busy day at the park.  Life guards are posted around the pond.  There is a carousel next to the pond ($3/ride) and an enclosed playground, not to mention plenty of trees and shade.

3) Hours
The Frog Pond opens in late June and seems like it usually open until about Labor Day.  Hours vary, and it’s closed if the weather is bad.  Generally its open 11am – 6pm.

4) Other Seasons
Even when the pond is closed there are all sort of events generally going on around the pond.  In the winter you can ice skate on it, in the fall they have pumpkin floating festivals and more.  All in all it’s a really fun place to visit.

Summary & Rating ★★★★★

Five stars.  I think the Boston Frog Pond is a blast and my son has adored it since the first time we let him put his toes in it about a 1.5 years old.  This past summer when he was 2.5 it was amazing to be able to sit on the side of the pond and let him run around in the water.  The water is shallow enough that I didn’t feel like I needed to shadow his every movement and he had so much fun playing with the other kids in the pond and splashing around.  This is one of our most favorite summer activities and if you’re around for the summer it’s something you shouldn’t leave Boston without trying.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

Boston Common Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA 02116

Phone: (617)635-2121
Website: http://bostonfrogpond.com/