O'Day Playground also known as Peace Park is a small park near the Villa Victoria built after shootings in 2006. It has a large airy feel and has some shade in the morning. It has a separate section for smaller children (1-5) as well as a larger play structure for older kids. It also has a fake fire hydrant that is a fountain. Late afternoon it can get very crowded with older kids.

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is a popular Boston sandwich joint, which also serves breakfast. According to the owner, they are most famous for their super turkey hash and fluffy, sweet pancakes. This is a popular hang out for many of the residents in the South End, and is known for being very friendly. The inside reminds you of a traditional old-fashioned diner, with huge, hot griddles, and bottomless coffee. "Take any seat" they say as you come in. Charlie's seating system is old-school. Any empty chair can be filled, so you might be saddling up with strangers. You can bring the kids, but there are some drawbacks: There are no high chairs - lots of kids belly up to the tables in their strollers (during off peak dining hours) Or strollers are left outside. They do have a few booster seats (which have straps). It can also be incredibly crowded on Saturday mornings. Breakfast at Charlie's is a huge draw, so you'll likely find would-be diners in lines that snake around the corner. Most kids will not last in a line like that. If you're dying for a some grease and want to take the kids, consider a visit during the week. Opened in 1927, Charlie's is a true Boston classic. It was first known as a hot spot for early African American Jazz musicians, as Columbus Avenue was the Boston jazz haven. The restaurant used to be opened 24 hours a day, serving such dishes as liver and potatoes! Nowadays the restaurant is run by a family of 4 brothers and sisters. The two waitresses, Marie and Fontaine, have worked there for decades, seeing as their late father owned the joint. The two brothers, Chris and Arthur, are the cooks and brains behind the operation. Arthur has even won the James Beard Award for American Cooking! With such dishes as turkey hash, banana pecan pancakes, steak and eggs, and baked haddock, Charlie's is rarely a letdown. Just the stories alone from Arthur will keep you coming in for weeks on end.
Tip: Make sure you don't have too many coffee refills--there are no bathrooms for patrons.

Blackstone has a nice pool - newly resurfaced in 2007 and the water is a good temp. Family times vary - double check the schedule by calling before you go. It's a community center, so while the pool is FREE, it can get quite crowded and many of the different community groups (USES, St. Stephen's) have blocks of time set aside for their exclusive use. Facilities are bare minimum

Blackstone Square and Franklin Square are the South End's two city-block parks, shady twin refuges on the north and south sides of Washington Street at W Newton Street. One side has swings for children and a fountain (not a play fountain)

Mela comes to us from the One World Cuisine team who also run Bukhara, Diva, Kashmir, Mantra, and Cafe of India. The lunch buffet is very reasonable for the area: $10 weekdays, $13 weekends. Mela is likely the only Indian restaurant in the South End, but a very welcome addition. The service is friendly to children, but expect tight spaces, no kid cups or kid menus and to emphasize "very very mild spices please"/ They will however store your stroller for you.

Titus Sparrow Park is in the South End between Huntington and Columbus Streets, next to the Southwest Corridor. It's a great family-friendly enclave secluded within the hustle and bustle of the city. They have tennis, basketball courts, a jungle gym and a grassy area that's perfect for a picnic. Also, the Titus Sparrow Park is a great spot to walk your dog (on-leash). Titus Sparrow Park was created in 1976, and after nearly 30 years of intensive use, the Boston Parks Department gave Titus Sparrow Park a major rehabilitation. Since reopening in 2005, the park is more heavily used than ever by all ages all over it -- sledding, rolling, sun-bathing, sitting, football and baseball games, and splendid children's programs and evening concerts in the summer. On a warm weekend the basketball courts, swings, play structures, and tennis courts will be packed. There's even a pet water fountain for all of the neighborhood dogs. Titus Sparrow Park is named for an active resident of the South End, Titus Sparrow. Founder of the Sportsmen's Tennis Club and the first African American umpire in the USTA, Titus Sparrow developed a progam that allows less fortunate children to learn the game of tennis for free. Today, the park is bustling with children and adults of all ages. The beautiful landscape and fun play structures make it a popular meeting place for nannies and parents alike. The South End is famous for it's parks, however, Titus Sparrow is definitely one of the nicest in the neighborhood. The park is primarily volunteer-maintained by the "Friends of Titus Sparrow Park." Currently, they need volunteers to help with gardening, graphic design, and public relations. For more details, see their volunteer page. There are 15 community gardens, open to residents of the four neighborhoods involved in designing the park.