Boston Children's Museum

As you approach this wonderful museum, look for the 40-foot-high red-and-white milk bottle out front -- and for children and their chronological-adult companions racing each other to the entrance. The under-11 set is the target audience for this delightful museum, but it appeals to the little kid in everyone.

As they explore, beginning in the glass-enclosed lobby, young visitors can stick with their adults or wander on their own, learning, doing, and role-playing. A three-story-high structure, the New Balance Climb, incorporates motor skills and problem-solving; kids work their way through while adults watch from the stairs. Other favorite hands-on exhibits include physical experiments (such as creating giant soap bubbles) in Science Playground and getting creative with Johnny's Workbench, a souped-up version of puttering in the garage. You can explore Boston Black, which celebrates the city's black history and culture, and the Japanese House, a 2-story residence from Kyoto, one of Boston's sister cities. Children under 4 and their caregivers have a special room, PlaySpace, that's packed with toys and activities; kids 3 to 5 can learn basic science skills in Peep's World, based on the PBS program Peep and the Big Wide World.

The museum, the second-oldest children's museum in the country (only Brooklyn's is older), is gearing up for its centennial in 2013. It occupies a converted wool warehouse, and is a certified green building right down to the toilets; visit the website to learn more. Check ahead for information about traveling exhibitions and special programs. And be sure to check out the excellent gift shop.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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