South End residents delight in this charming fenced in play area. On Boston's hotter days, residents swear this little alcove area is 10 degrees cooler. A little area that people may not know about, the garden atmosphere, benches, fountain and brick surface makes it a nice stop on your way to Peters Park. also known as Bradford street park or the splash park at Bradford St. It has a sprinkler and fountain , the kids love to play there and keep cool.

After spending $5 million to completely renovate its 326 rooms, this Federal Reserve Building-turned-hotel maintains high standards of excellence with 2 elegant restaurants (Cafe Fleuri and the 4-star Julien), a health club, a heated indoor pool, and radios that greet guests with relaxing music as they enter their rooms. Though recently taken over by new management, not much has changed since this regal building was Le Meridien Boston. Regular rates begin at $295 and go up to $450, depending on amenities and the season; suites run $550-2000. Book Commencement at least 6 months in advance. Take advantage of the hotel's VIB Program for Very Important Babies and their families. The program ensures that families have the important necessities upon arrival, from pre-ordered baby food to unlimited Huggies to special soaps and shampoos just for babies to use of a stroller. Older siblings receive cereal boxes that are great for snacking and a book and city guide filled with puzzles, games, and coupons. The package starts at $315 per room, per night, and is valid Fri-Sun (based on availability).

10 Chandler Street is a hub of human and animal activities! This is where the non-profit animal welfare organization, the Animal Rescue League of Boston is headquartered. You will find an animal shelter with dogs, cats, rabbits, small mammals, birds and the occasional reptile seeking homes. There is a behavior center to help with an unruly pet, obedience classes, an out-patient veterinary clinic, Boston Veterinary Care. Additionally, the Animal Rescue League of Boston has a police department working to prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect, as well as a very active rescue department which saves animals (wild and domestic) from all types of peril. The Animal Rescue League of Boston was established in 1899 by the forward thinking Anna Harris Smith. She was concerned with overworked horses and established kindness clubs for children to help create a kinder society. The Animal Rescue League of Boston likes to promote Anna's phrase: "Kindness Uplifts the World".

This large play area has safe and well maintained climbing structures, sandboxes, swing sets and open play areas, making this location very popular with youngsters and parents alike. After you've done Newbury Street, take the kids over to the Clarendon Street Playground. This is the spot where real city kids hang out. Inside the fenced and gated area, you'll find lots of playing possibilities. The equipment is fairly new and the playground is kept reasonably clean. Climbing is the big attraction; several structures invite children of all ages to test their muscles. There are slides (large and small), and bucket and sling swings, a sand area, and a tire swing. Free-use toys galore: Tonka trucks, riding toys and even a few plasma cars. The play surfaces are mostly sand. There is plenty of shade all day. For kids who need to run, the playground has a large open area where kids can play soccer, tag, or a small-scale game of baseball. Watch toddlers around the many steps that lead to this area - when they venture down alone, scraped arms and knees may ensue.
Clarendon street playground is celebrating it's 30th birthday on Monday September 29th 2008 4PM - all welcome for play.

The Frog Pond is a Boston institution. A reflecting pool in the spring and fall of each year, a wading pool for youngsters in the Summer, and a skating rink in the winter. Picturesque, centrally located, with plenty of open space and a nearby playground. A perfect spot for some relaxation and fun with the family. More about the summer water feature: only 6 inches deep; ideal for toddlers seeking relief from the summer heat; a spray head provides a fountain of water that adds fun to the wading experience. In winter: a skating in Downtown Boston! The Frog Pond Skating Rink is open from November to mid-March with at least 100 days of seasonal skating.

Limelight offers a variety of entertainment opportunities for music lovers of all ages and abilities, from open mic night to karaoke "boxes", as well as family days, children's vocal instruction, song camps, and other family-friendly activities. There is also a studio for recording CDs or DVDs. You may want to consider hosting your child's birthday party here, too. Limelight offers different options, from having an emcee host the party to an instructor give a lesson in singing. Limelight also offers week-long summer camps.

Post Office Square is a little slice of peaceful nature in the chaos of the bustling Financial District. This is a privately owned and managed park that is most widely used as a lunchtime spot for all of the office drones during the warmer months. It is here where Bob from accounting will shed his blazer, stake out a small piece of grass on the lawn, and enjoy his lunch with the sun on his face.

During the lunchtime hours a jazz quartet plays music to the delight of everyone. With benches, a fountain where the kids can play in and you can cool your feet on, and a large well kept green space, Post Office Square Park is one of the nicest spots in the city.

The park is bounded by Pearl, Franklin, Congress and Milk Streets.

Formerly Twentieth Century Bowling Lanes, an establishment dating back before the 1950s. In more recent years, 20th Century became more known for its ice cream than its bowling. It's been upgraded and modernized a couple of times, and recently they have started to repaint the bowling lane area with some brighter, newer colors, but the lanes are still the same. They do not have a game room or pool tables, but they *DO* have bumper bowling for children. To understand the perfection of Ron’s brownie-nut ice cream, imagine dunking a brownie into a glass of ice-cold milk and then taking a bite. This place alone is worth the trip to Hyde Park.

Stony Brook Reservation contains 475 acres of tree-covered hills, valleys, rock outcroppings, and wetlands, and a variety of recreational facilities. Ten to 12 miles of hiking trails and bicycle paths pass through the forested portion of the reservation. Turtle Pond is an easily accessible spot for fishing. The Reservation also features soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, an ice skating rink, and a pool.

The HarborWalk is designed to connect the public to a beautiful and restored Boston Harbor. Included along the way are parks, sculptures, and observation points. Right now it's about 80% complete, and once finished, the HarborWalk will stretch some 46.9 linear miles along wharves, piers, bridges, beaches and shoreline from Chelsea Creek to the Neponset River. Some of the landmarks along the way are Rowes Wharf, Piers Park, Constitution Beach, the JFK Library and Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art.