The World's Best Parks and Playgrounds
4. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston, Mass.
Christopher Columbus is a small but totally charming urban park right beside the Boston harbor behind the New England Aquarium that has a large sandbox, a spray fountain, climbing structures, and a wisteria-covered walkway. On a nice day you're apt to find as many professionals with their lunches eating on the grass as you are toddlers in the sandbox. Bring a bicycle and your small travelers can enjoy pedaling along the paved path that runs along the harbor. Coffee and food of all description is right nearby and you'll meet lots of locals (though none of them will have "pahked their cahs" since the T is the best way to get here) while your children play.
5. Larz Anderson Park, Brookline, Mass.
If you want to venture farther afield or you're staying west of Boston, don't miss Larz Anderson Park in Brookline where you'll find a skating rink, sledding hills, play structures, community gardens, and even an excellent auto museum, which houses America's oldest car collection.
6. East Dock Playground, Bayfield, Wisconsin
The East Dock Playground in Bayfield, Wisconsin, the gateway to the Apostle Islands, is a place where your toddler or preschooler will want to spend all day. This neighborhood park overlooks the sparkling waters of Lake Superior and has a zip line, a climbing wall, a musical fish, monkey bars, swings, and more. There are shaded picnic tables and even a little dock to access the water. You won't find glitter and glitz here but the park has a down-home, friendly, child-centered feel that makes it enchanting.
Next: Critters, Water Play, and a Skate Park
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