Boston
When you want to experience authentic East Coast living, head to Massachusetts. We’ve discovered the best of Beantown!
Club Passim
Music lovers listen up! Head to Club Passim, a nonprofit venue that’s dedicated to keeping folk music alive, every night of the week. Located in Harvard Square, it’s been around for over 40 years, and popular artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie have graced the stage. And, if you dabble in your own music, stop by on a Tuesday night and sign up for the Open Mic!
If you’re planning a visit to the New England Aquarium, why not see where they keep the really big animals. A high-speed catamaran will take you to the whale feeding grounds, located just 30 miles east of Boston, where you can view the largest animals on Earth! Whale sightings are guaranteed during the season, which is usually from April through October, and trips run between three to four hours.
Got a hankering for hops? Visit the Sam Adams Brewery and take a tour of this Boston landmark. There you’ll experience the entire brewing process, from start to finish, and sample some of their award-winning beers. Located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood, tours are held on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday. Admission is a suggested donation of $2, which goes toward local charities.
A fun way to spend a warm summer night is watching the renowned Boston Pops perform in person. Their season runs from May through July, and is a beloved Boston tradition. The open-air concerts take place at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, overlooking the Charles River. Be sure to arrive early to stake out a spot--most of the lawn near the Shell is filled up by midday.
If you’re an architecture aficionado, walk along Newbury Street--it exemplifies Boston’s old world grandeur and glamour. Start at the Public Gardens to begin your self-guided tour. The earliest buildings were built from 1857 – 1892, such as the beautiful Trinity Church in Copley Square or the Muriel Snowden International High School. Visit our link and print out a list of the architectural gems you should keep an eye out for on your stroll.
To avoid heavy traffic, confusing exit signs and high parking costs, leave your car behind and take advantage of Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA. When you ride the "T," you’re riding on the first Public Transit System in the country. And remember, Inbound is always toward downtown Boston, while Outbound is away from it. Visit our link for information on schedules, maps, station and parking.
Now that the Boston Red Sox are red hot, plan ahead to see them in action at Fenway Park. America’s oldest baseball park was built in 1912 and has one of the last hand-operated scoreboards in the Major Leagues. Visit our link for ticket information and the season schedule, which begins in April (you can even buy tickets to see these World Champions during Spring Training).
No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the waterfront. Take in the beautiful view from of one the wharves, and then head to nearby Atlantic Avenue for a fresh seafood dinner. The Boston Harbor is just a five-minute walk from Faneuil Hall, or if you’re taking the subway, get off at the Aquarium MBTA stop on the Blue Line.
Want to go to the theater? On the day of any performance, visit the BosTix booth for half-price tickets. One is located in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and is open Tuesdays through Sundays; while the other, located at Copley Square, is open seven days a week. Tickets go on sale at 11 AM, with lines for tickets usually beginning a half-hour before opening. And, remember, these are cash-only booths!
Boston is chock full of museums that are a must-see when in the city. Many of them offer free admission once a week. The Museum of Fine Arts is free on Wednesdays from 4 PM to 9 PM, but their Japanese Garden is always free (A great spot to unwind). Others offer a discount on tickets, such as The Children’s Museum (Fridays from 5 PM – 9, admission is only $1). Visit our link for a full list of where, and when, to go.
