OK. I know you probably read that title and are rolling your eyes right now about this crazy Boston lady who’s telling you to get romantic with your kids along for the ride. But hear me out. As a mom of three, I know that romance is a lofty goal, and that the best laid plans can sometimes go wrong. Like tantrum/blowout/vomit wrong. But sometimes, just sometimes, the stars above Fenway align, the sun shines on the South End, and you manage to sneak in a little Beantown love — even while parenting. Here are a few of the family-friendly dates my husband and I have managed, along with a few more that we’ll be attempting soon.
(Disclaimer: Please note that no date with children should be attempted without the requisite tools listed below.)
DATE: The Romantic Boston Stroll
TOOL: Stroller. Also maybe child-sized binoculars. And snacks. Lots of snacks.
DETAILS: Boston is a walker’s delight, and there are plenty of neighborhoods ideal for slowing down and enjoying the company of your special someone — especially when other certain someones are strapped into their stroller. Wheel your double along the wide pathways of the Public Garden or waterfront, or navigate a single or tandem stroller over the cobblestones of the South End or Charlestown. Bring some binoculars for the kids and let them count the number of dogs/mailboxes/Patriots jerseys they can spot along the way.
DATE: A Cozy Boston Pub
TOOL: Kids’ menus and crayons. Maybe a tablet or phone to buy you an extra 10 minutes at the end of the meal (no judgment!).
DETAILS: While out strolling Boston, you might just get hungry. So get the whole fam a bite to eat at one of this city’s many amazing pubs, and don’t forget to wink at your date as you cut up the kids’ chicken fingers. Solas in Back Bay, 21st Amendment in Beacon Hill, and the Warren Tavern in Charlestown are good bets.
DATE: The MFA, ICA, or Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
TOOL: A treasure hunt or sketch pad. Kid camera.
DETAILS: While we Boston parents love us some Children’s Museum and Museum of Science, we tend to overlook our city’s great grown-up institutions. So why not visit one and get cultured with your cutie while encouraging older kids to search for different colors or objects in paintings, sketch what they see, or record it on film.
DATE: A Movie
TOOL: A family-sized popcorn (bring paper cups or plastic bowls so everyone gets their own)
DETAILS: This one’s pretty simple. But we’ve tried it recently and had so much fun, I had to include it on this list. Snag a seat next to your sweetie, and hold hands with him the entire time — you’ll still have one hand left for your little one. Or for popcorn.
DATE: A Horse and Carriage Ride in Faneuil Hall
TOOL: Small flags. Blankets.
DETAILS: Why should Boston’s tourists have all the fun? Turn the tables, and the next time you’re in Faneuil, surprise the whole family with a horse and carriage ride. Snuggle up under blankets, and pass out little flags to wave at the people you pass. As the kids delight at every smile and wave they meet, fix your smile on your hot date.
DATE: A Hotel Lounge
TOOL: Kid “mocktails” and bar bites. Activity books from home.
DETAILS: In the mood for a cocktail in a swankier spot? As long as it’s outside of prime hours, bring your brood to one of Boston’s romantic hotel lounges. RumBa at the InterContinental, City Bar at the Lenox, and Loews Hotel’s Precinct are all fantastic. Order Shirley Temples — or any juice with an umbrella and maraschino cherry — to thrill the kids, and of course, the real thing for you and your better half. Then raise a glass and toast to this great city, to your fantastic family, and of course, to each other. As you clink glasses, you might just remember how you ended up making all these kids (wink, wink).
