Have you ever noticed that adulthood starts at age 12? At least that's what many museums, restaurants, entertainment venues, and transportation companies seem to think. These places tend to offer lower admission prices for children - but generally only for those 11 and under.
With that in mind, I enlisted my friend Linda Ladner and her son, Drew, of Shrewsbury. Drew turns 11 this month, which means only one more year of discount fun. We planned a Sunday jam-packed with activities, with input from Drew, of course. For instance, we asked him if he was interested in visiting the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, where admission is free for children under 12. He was not.
By the end of the day we had spent a fair amount of money - but still significantly less than we would have spent if Drew had been 12.
10:30 a.m.
New England Aquarium
We start our day with penguins. The aquarium houses more than 60 of them, and they swim around on the entrance level in more than 150,000 gallons of (filtered) Boston Harbor seawater. Drew heads straight for an interactive touch screen that teaches visitors who's who in the penguin exhibit via the little bracelets they wear around their flippers.
Linda asks what we should see next, and Drew studies the map of the aquarium that we received upon admission.
"They have an ATM machine," he says.
We opt instead for the circular four-story Giant Ocean Tank at the center of the aquarium, following the crowd of other visitors up a slow spiral ramp to admire sharks, sea turtles, moray eels, and thousands of tropical fish.
Before exiting the aquarium, we make the compulsory gift shop pit stop. Drew wants to pick out a gift for his younger sister, Teagan, who is at home working on a school project about sassafras trees. He chooses a green glass turtle figurine and a metallic frog necklace. For himself, he picks out a shark tooth on a black cord.
New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston. 617-973-5200. www.neaq.org
Admission: Adult $18.95, ages 3-11 $10.95
Noon
Legal Sea Foods
With fish on the brain, we head to Legal Sea Foods for lunch. The popular chain has nine restaurants in Boston proper, including one on Long Wharf, within easy walking distance of the aquarium.
Drew orders a cheeseburger. ($5.95, including a side of corn on the cob.)
"My backup plan was a hot dog," he says.
Kids get complimentary crayons at Legal, too. By the time we're done with lunch, Drew has drawn an elaborate sporting event on the back of the menu. I suggest they take the crayons home with them, but Linda says that they haven't done that since a restaurant crayon melted into the back seat of the car last summer.
Legal Sea Foods on Long Wharf, 255 State St., Boston. 617-742-5300.
Kids' (under 12) menu highlights: Half lobster $9.95, fish-shaped ravioli $5.95. All-American Hamburger $5.50.
1 p.m.
Taking the T
From Long Wharf, we walk to Government Center station so we can catch a Green Line subway train to Science Park.
When accompanied by an adult, kids under 12 ride free on the T, even on the commuter rail. But upon entering the station, it's not immediately clear exactly how this works. Riders need a Charlie Card or a ticket to open the entry gates, but the fare machines offer no such thing as a kid ticket.
So we ask an MBTA attendant, who explains that free admission for Drew entails Linda opening the gate with her ticket, after which the two of them can walk through the gate together really fast. (Basically, it's the legal version of sneaking someone in.)
"This feels wrong," Linda says as she shoves Drew through.
MBTA: Adults: prices range from $1.25 (bus) to $7.75 (Interzone commuter rail). Under 12: free with an accompanying adult
2:30 p.m.
Duck Tour
All of us have heard great things about Boston Duck Tours, in which peppy "conDUCKtors" offer tours of the city (and views of the city from the water) in a souped-up amphibious landing vehicle from World War II, known as a Duck.
Duck Tours depart from (and return 80 minutes later to) either the Prudential Center or the Museum of Science. We pick the latter option, because we want to visit the museum after the tour.
As luck would have it, we've chosen the last day of the Science Park Duck Tour season, which starts up again in March.
The Duck takes us around the more picturesque parts of the city - the State House, Bunker Hill, Boston Common, Copley Square, Newbury Street, etc. The tour narrative is a little heavy with architectural facts and shopping tips, but Drew perks up when we ride by TD Banknorth Garden and laughs when we splash into the Charles River.
During the water leg, our tour guide, "Jumpin' Jim," mentions one of the better kid deals in town: Community Boating's summer program of sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking lessons for kids ages 10-18 at the bargain price of $1. No under-12 age discrimination there.
Boston Duck Tours, 617-267-3825. bostonducktours.com
Price: Adults $27, ages 3-11 $18, under 3 $5.
4 p.m.
Museum of Science
The Museum of Science closes at 5, but we're determined to squeeze the most out of the day. An hour is not nearly enough time to explore the MoS, though, even for a kid with a short attention span. Fortunately, if visitors arrive after 4, the museum lets them come back another day using the same ticket.
The interactive nature of the exhibits at the MoS really caters to the nearly 12 set, who are young enough for a reduced admission fee but old enough for a cursory understanding of pretty much everything here. Drew likes the sand pendulum and the funhouse mirrors - perennial favorites.
Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston. 617-723-2500. mos.org
Admission for general exhibits: Adults $17, ages 3-11 $14.
5 p.m.
Back on the T
Linda parked near the aquarium, so we take the T back to Government Center - cutting through Quincy Market on the way back to the car for a whoopie pie and a large hot chocolate.
We come to the sign that says, "You are 365 steps from the New England Aquarium."
"Should we count?" Linda says.
"Yeah," Drew says. And they do, walking step in step.
Actual steps from the sign to the aquarium: Linda: 370. Drew: 373.
Actual cost of a mother-son day in the city: priceless.
