The Cheesecake Factory, a popular chain restaurant, has a huge menu, huge portions, and often a huge wait to be seated. The restaurant does not offer a children's menu, however, kids are likely to enjoy the Roadside Sliders appetizer ($5.95) which features mini bite-sized burgers, quesadillas ($6.95), or cheese or pepperoni pizza ($7.95). Consider asking for an extra plate to share your meal with your kids; there'll be plenty to go around. Adults who successfully slog through the voluminous menu may order appetizers (we love the tex-mex eggrolls), gourmet pizza and pasta, burgers, tacos, homestyle favorites, salads, sandwiches, and ethnic specialties. Brunch is served daily (Sunday brunch offers a larger menu) until 2pm. The kids' brunch (Sunday only) includes french toast, bacon, and strawberries for $5.95. As its name implies, the variety of luscious cheesecakes (and other desserts) is mind boggling. Save some room to give them a try!

Located in the heart of East Cambridge, this public rink is open during the winter months depending upon weather. Kendall Square Community Skating offers a well-maintained and refrigerated ice surface in the heart of Kendall Square. There's a cafe for light snack and hot chocolate. Private rink rentals, birthday parties, group and corporate outings are also available. The Ice Stars skating school offers a wide selection of group and private instruction for ages 3 to adult. Discounted parking is available at the Kendall Square parking garage. Open during the week starting at noon and closing at 8 pm (with the exception of Mondays when it closes at 5 pm) this rink rents out skates for $5 and is $4 for one day admission. There are also seasonal passes available. Closest T stop is Kendall Square on the Red line.

Robotic reptiles and live lightning demonstrations are just the beginning of the interactive experiences available at the Museum of Science. The museum entertains and enlightens with over 400 exhibits, a five-story dome Omnimax Theater, a planetarium, and laser shows. Customized sound effects greet pedestrians as they enter specific rooms: the animal exhibits are characterized by roars, the computer exhibit by electronic beeping, and the mathematics and physics exhibits by the sound of a nerd being given an atomic wedgie. Tickets for the Omni Theater shows (50min), planetarium shows (45min), and laser shows (45min) cost $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for children but can be purchased at a discount in combo rates. Laser shows featuring rock artists such as Pink Floyd and Aerosmith are popular among teenagers, college students, and twenty-somethings in altered states. Weekday afternoons and Friday nights are the best times to visit; stay away on rainy-day weekends if you dislike crowds. Admission $14, seniors $12, children 3-11 $11, kids under 3 free. Show times vary, so consider calling to reserve tickets, or visit the website to purchase tickets. Be sure to hit up the extensive gift shop for a wide variety of T-shirts, games, trinkets, jewelry, and dietary supplements crucial to the survival of any Trekkie (astronaut ice cream). Paid parking in adjacent lot.

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The Simoni Memorial Rink is one of the 20 rinks in the greater Boston area which are operated by the Division of Urban Parks and Recreation. Please call the rink, check the website, or call [617.727.4708] for public skating hours, classes, rental availability, and fees. General Admission: $4.00 Rental Skates: $4.00