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Archive for January, 2008

Getting To and From Logan Airport

January 15th, 2008 by jamie a

Boston taxi cabs
Boston Taxis
Photo uploaded by rkelland

In response to a question we received from Jerry, one of our blog readers, we decided to make up a post dedicated to getting to and from Logan Airport. Whether you’d prefer to have the convenience of a taxi or the riding with the locals on the T, there’s plenty of ways to get to where you need to be once you land in Boston.

Taxis are available at the airport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To hail a cab, there’s Massport Ground Transportation agents located outside of each terminal to assist your needs. If you need a van, station wagon, or ramp-equipped ride, these agents are the ones to go to for help. Massport has also provided this very thorough guide to taxis to and from Logan.

As for the T, there’s Silver Line Rapid Transit Bus Service as well as free shuttle service to the Blue Line Airport Station. The Silver Line will take you directly to South Station (with access to the commuter rail, Amtrak, and bus lines). The Blue Line provides access to Government Center Station, where you can jump on the Orange or Green lines. Here’s the guide to MBTA Subway & Bus Service.

For destinations outside of the city area, there’s also the Logan Express. Peabody, Woburn, and Braintree are all served through this bus service. It also makes stops at all terminals and the ride runs about 30-45 minutes long. For van service, here’s a complete shared van listing.

If you’d like information on renting a car during your stay, here’s a comprehensive listing of rental companies serving Logan Airport.

Last, but certainly not least, is the water taxi and water shuttles. These are fun and enjoyable ways to get to your destination via the water. These services operate year-round and offer a map for your convenience.

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Blizzard Hits Boston (Again)

January 14th, 2008 by susan j

Boston blizzardBoston’s Downtown Crossing covered in snow Photo uploaded by antonellomusina

Last night, Boston got its first big snowstorm of 2008. At midnight last night, Mayor Menino issued a snow emergency and urged commuters to take public transportation to work. With snow showers continuing into the work day, the National Weather Service anticipates up to 10 inches of snow fall, according to this article on Boston.com.

So, what does this mean for travelers? We suggest that if you’re flying out of Logan Airport this week, call or check online for any delays. This blog reports that if you’re flying Continental Airlines, you can push your flight to next week for no extra charge (a smart move to alleviate crowds at the airport). Whatever your plans, we hope you have a safe trip!

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Free Chowder Day!

January 11th, 2008 by jamie a

Boston Clam Chowder
New England Clam Chowder
Photo uploaded by joshstaiger

Since January is national soup month, Legal Sea Foods is treating their guests to free cups of their delicious chowder on January 15 from 11 am - 1 pm.

Our friends over at The Boston Traveler posted about “Chowda Day” in anticipation of grabbing a cup of the delicious stuff. If you’re a traveler in the city, there’s no better way to experience local flavor than by having some Boston clam chowder!

Be sure and go to the takeout counters of the participating locations: Burlington Mall, Copley Place, Chestnut Hill, Framingham, or the South Shore Plaza.

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Boston Events for the Week of 1/10

January 10th, 2008 by jamie a

January 8-13
The Wang Theatre presents RENT for one week only! This smash hit rock-opera by Jonathan Larson took Broadway by storm in 1996 won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize.

Thursday, January 10 - Saturday, January 12
Head over to the Opera House to see the Chinese New Year Spectacular. With amazing music and traditional dances, this is a wonderful way to experience Chinese culture.

Thursday, January 10 - Sunday, January 13
Warm up with Argentina’s hottest tango company, TangoFire, at Emerson’s Cutler Majestic Theatre. As The New York Times said, “Glides along as smoothly as an express train without ever derailing…excellent orchestra…daring speed…silken extensions. As the title goes, they were on fire!”

Thursday, January 10 (7 pm)
Join the Harvard Book Store in welcoming Tahmima Anam, a Harvard alum, as she reads from her first novel, A Golden Age, about her native country of Bangladesh.

(more…)

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Boston Globe names Reader’s Picks

January 9th, 2008 by susan j

Boston skyline
Boston skyline view from the Charles River
Photo uploaded by Go Card USA

Yesterday we shared our 5 Reasons to Love Boston. Well, great minds must think alike because the Boston Globe compiled their own list of favorite things to do and places to go in Boston. There’s also a gallery of Reader’s Picks. Check it out! 

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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5 Reasons to Love Boston

January 8th, 2008 by susan j

During cold New England winters, I sometimes fantasize about chucking my snow boots and moving south. But when it comes down to it, I’m a Boston gal at heart. Here’s why…

  1. The city is full of history. Everywhere you go, you’re constantly reminded of Boston’s importance in American history. From the Paul Revere House to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston merges old and new architecture in expected ways.
  2. You can walk just about anywhere. Admittedly, trudging around in two feet of snow isn’t my favorite winter activity, but I’ve lived here for five and a half years without a car and I have no intentions of changing that. Walking and riding public transportation is better for the environment (and for my wallet, too).
  3. It’s large enough to offer variety and small enough to feel like home. From the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the calm serenity of the Arnold Arboretum, Boston and its surrounding area include lots of distinctive little neighborhoods to discover and places to explore. Still, it’s not as intimidating as New York City or London.
  4. Bostonians are wicked smaht. Jokes aside, with so many world-class institutions like Harvard and MIT in our backyard, you tend to meet people who are worldly and well read, which makes for great conversations.
  5. Two words: Red Sox. It’s been said that Boston is a drinking town with a baseball problem, but if loving the Sox is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. We love our sports teams!

Do you love Boston, too? Leave a comment and tell us why!

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Inside the Boston Public Library

January 7th, 2008 by susan j

bos_library.jpg
Architectural photo uploaded by zappowbang

Of all Boston’s great landmarks, the Boston Public Library (BPL to those in the know) is one of my favorites for the variety of its offerings an the classic architecture. As the first publicly supported municipal library in America, the BPL is filled with history.

The McKim Building (BPL’s main research library and a National Historic Landmark) in Copley Square houses an impressive collection of rare books, manuscripts, and more. The building includes a beautiful Roman-inspired courtyard that was restored in 2000, a restaurant aptly named Novel, and a cafe called Sebastians. The courtyard is one of my favorite reading spots on a nice warm day, but I also enjoy like to read in one of the Gothic-style research rooms. If you’re interested in the library’s architecture, you might take one their free hour long tours.

With 27 neighborhood branches and free internet access (including wifi for those who have a card #), the BPL is a great resource for visitors and locals alike. Check out their calendar of more 5,000 public programs each year.

Related posts:
Boston for Book Lovers, Part 1
Boston for Book Lovers, Part 2
Boston for Book Lovers, Part 3

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Afternoon in the North End

January 4th, 2008 by jamie a

12112007northend.jpg
Photo uploaded by aschweigert

Welcome to the North End, better known as Boston’s “Little Italy.” There’s an abundance of historical landmarks, fantastic restaurants, and great people-watching all along these cobbled streets, which are also remarkably close to Fanueil Hall and the Financial District.

If you’re in the area, make a stop at Paul Revere’s House, Boston’s oldest building. It was from this very spot that Paul Revere set out on his famous ride. Old North Church is also in the area, immortalized by signaling the beginning of the War for Independence. It’s the oldest church building in Boston and still has a thriving congregation.

After you hit both of those stops, head over to Caffe Dello Sport for an authentic cappuccino or espresso shot. Cheer on the Italian football teams while you savor your beverage with friends and family. Now that you’re in the sporty mood, check out the New England Sports Museum for one of the greatest collections of sports artifacts and memorabilia all about Boston’s great sports history.

For dinner, there’s an amazing amount of choices. With a combination of Italian and Peruvian cuisine and many awards to boot, Taranta is a great pick for dinner. Try an antipasti sampler to start off and then the gnocchi with lamb sauce or one of the chef’s nightly specials for your entree. There’s also Strega, known for taking traditional Italian cuisine to the next level. You can enjoy an elegant evening at Strega, complete with black and white clad waitstaff and classic Italian films playing on televisions at the bar.

To end your evening, grab a famous cannoli, torrone, or biscotti from Modern Pastry. Even if the line’s out the door, stick it out! You’ll be so happy you did.

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Go Boston Card Gets Props from Boston Globe

January 3rd, 2008 by susan j

We were thrilled to open the Boston Globe this morning and find this article on saving money in Boston. It mentions several of our attractions like the Frog Pond and the Franklin Park Zoo and also suggests purchasing a Go Boston Card to see several things in one day. Helping travelers or locals see and do everything Boston has to offer is our passion, and we’re happy to hear that Go Cards are catching on!

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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Walk on by in Boston

January 2nd, 2008 by susan j

bos_walking.jpg
Outside the Boston Public Library in Copley Square
Photo uploaded by daviddesign

Thanks to Chandra at The Boston Traveler for pointing me to a new study released by the Brookings Institute. According to the study, Footloose and Fancy Free: A Field Survey of Walkable Urban Places in the Top 30 U.S. Metropolitan Areas, Boston is the second most walkable city after Washington, DC. When the weather warms up in the spring, I like to wander around Boston Commons or Newbury Street for some window shopping.

There are also a few walking tours in the spring if you’d like a little guidance. The Freedom Trail Walking Tour is quite popular among visitors, as it retraces the footsteps of historic Boston figures like James Otis and Abigail Adams. The Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour includes stops at the park bench from Good Will Hunting, the bar that inspired Cheers, and many more movie spots. There’s even a “Talking Street” Cell Phone Walking Tour narrated by Steve Tyler. What’s your favorite spot for walking in Boston? Leave a comment and let us know!

Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.

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