Archive for
April, 2008
April 29th, 2008 by will n
Omni Parker House photo uploaded by
When visiting Boston you have many options for hotels, but why stay at a typical hotel? Boston is filled with all types of hotels, but with a little research you can make your stay a little more exciting. Here are a few of my favorite places:
– Before its recent grand opening as one of Boston’s most luxurious hotels, this landmark was once a prison. The prison was completed in 1851 and housed some Boston’s biggest criminals. Now you can stay at a hotel with some culture very rich in Boston history. Much of the original architecture is there, but with some modern amenities.
– Following a similar theme, there is Jurys, which used to be the headquarters of the Boston Police Department. In addition to the great hotel is the Irish Bar Cuffs. Cuffs has become a very popular night spot for travelers and locals.
– Across the river in Cambridge is the Hyatt Regency. Sitting on the banks of the Charles River, this hotel offers some of the best views of the Boston skyline. But don’t worry about getting a room with a bad view, because housed on top of the Hyatt is the restaurant Spinnaker. Famous for its rotating dining area, Spinnaker makes sure every guest has their chance to view the breathtaking Boston skyline.
– Besides baked beans, Boston is famous for their cream pie. This hotel is home of the original Boston cream pie. Ohh, but there is more! The famous dinner rolls from the Omni Parker House are just as popular as its cream pies. Even President George W. Bush had rolls from the Omni Parker House served at his Thanksgiving dinner. Anything that is good enough for the President is surely good enough for me.
I’ve stayed at both the Hyatt and Omni Parker House and I was very pleased with the service. Not only was the food and the view great, but the service was spectacular. I highly recommend staying at any of these hotels.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
April 25th, 2008 by susan j
Boston Common photo uploaded by
With the spring tourism season in full swing, is ready for action. They’ve announced a revamped Movie Tour highlighting the new films being filmed in the Boston area. The tour departs from Boston Common and covers movie trivia, local movie landmarks, and more.
Currently Filming or Filming Soon in Boston:
• Ashecliffe: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley; Directed by Martin Scorcese
• Bride Wars: Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway
• Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past: Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner
• Mall Cop: Kevin James; Produced by Adam Sandler
• The Proposal: Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock
• The Surrogates: Bruce Willis
Post Production and Releasing Soon:
• The Box: Cameron Diaz
• My Best Friend’s Girl: Dane Cook and Kate Hudson
• The Lonely Maiden: Morgan Freeman, William H. Macy and Christopher Walken
• On Broadway: Joseph McIntyre, Eliza Dushku and Will Arnett
• Pink Panther 2: Steve Martin and Andy Garcia
• Real Men Cry: Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, Amanda Peet and Donnie Wahlberg
• The Women: Annette Bening, Meg Ryan and Eva Mendes
The Movie Mile Walking Tour and the Theater-on-Wheels Movie Tour are both included with the Go Boston Card.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 23rd, 2008 by susan j
MIT Museum photo uploaded by
For nine days in April and May, Cambridge will come alive with exhibits, lectures, and interactive presentations designed to spark public interest in science and technology. The Cambridge Science Festival is presented by the MIT Museum and features over 200 activities for budding scientists of all ages. Most of the activities and events are free.
Here’s a glimpse at this year’s festival:
Saturday, April 26, 10 am - 5 pm
Environmental Health Science: A Closer Look at Environmental Exposures
This free lecture at the MIT Museum explores how exposures impact your lung and airway health. You’ll experiment with LEGO DNA models and learn how to protect your skin from DNA damage.
Sunday, April 27, noon - 1 pm (weather permitting)
Solar Lunch
Grab lunch in front of the Museum of Science and observe the sun and possibly sunspots and solar flares through the Museum’s safe solar telescope.
View the .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 21st, 2008 by susan j
Girl playing with DNA at the Museum of Science Photo uploaded by
Most little girls will tell you they want to be a ballerina, a teacher, or perhaps a nurse when they grow up. But for curious, analytical young minds, science might be an even more intriguing career path.
To stimulate curiosity about opportunities in the sciences, the Museum of Science is hosting a weekend of interactive events. Running Thursday, May 1-Saturday, May 3, Inspiring Minds: Meet Women in Science features presentations by female scientists who love their work. Hear from Ellen Berkland, a city archaeologist in Boston; Mish Michaels, a WBZ TV meteorologist; and Dr. Rebecca Hill, a doctor at HarvardVanguard, just to name a few. Visitors can also try out activities at the Museum’s “Technology Tables,” examining creatures used for biological research, testing weather forecasting instruments, and more.
Read more about .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 15th, 2008 by susan j
Boston Marathon 2005 Photo uploaded by
Next Monday, April 21 is a big day for New Englanders, because it brings the Boston Marathon and Patriots’ Day. Both fall on the third Monday of April each year, so here’s what to expect if you’re visiting Boston next week.
Boston Marathon
Marathon Monday is a Boston tradition. Last year more than 2,000 people ran this 26.2-mile course and half a million spectators cheered them on. Notable entrants in this year’s race include Lance Armstrong and former Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. Parts of downtown Boston become so crowded during Marathon Monday that many companies give their employees the day off (not my company, unfortunately). Watching the marathon is a quintessential Boston activity, but if you’re not planning to watch the race, then be aware that there will be road closures throughout the day. Copley Station on the Green line will be closed for the day, and Beantown Trolley Tour will be running a modified route.
Patriots’ Day
This Massachusetts holiday commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The infamous “shot heard round the world” sparked the Revolutionary Way, which lead to America’s eventual independence from England. Modern day travelers can step back in time with visits to historical attractions like the Liberty Ride, Concord Museum, or The Old Manse. The towns of Lexington and Concord also host re-enactments to commemorate the battle.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 14th, 2008 by will n
Harvard Square Photo uploaded by
April marks the beginning of tourism season for Boston. Yes, April! Campus visits for incoming freshman to the many local colleges is in full swing. For many visitors, they don’t realize how much of a role academia plays in Boston. There are 122 colleges and universities in the Massachusetts, so it is nearly impossible to go anywhere that doesn’t house or cater to students. Every year releases its list of top colleges and Boston has dominated these lists for as long as I can remember.
Here are some of the must sees when visiting these colleges: (more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 10th, 2008 by will n
Kenmore Square’s infamous Citgo sign (near Fenway Park) Photo uploaded by
Besides getting tickets to the big game, the next important thing is figuring out where to eat. So have you thought about where or what you’re planning to eat at the park? Sure, there is always the typical hot dogs, pretzels and beer, but a nice meal can surely make or break any trip. So right after you take the and just before the big game, don’t think that the hot dog stand is the only place to eat.
The good news is that Fenway Park is offering a variety of new selections to their park menu. So if you’re tired of hotdogs and pretzels, try their new fish and chips, garlic fries or pasta dishes. However, expect to pay a premium for that little additional comfort. (more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 7th, 2008 by jamie a
Peacock at the Franklin Park Zoo Photo uploaded by
Take the kids and celebrate Earth Day in Boston at the on April 20 from 11 am to 3 pm!
Featuring Jeff Corwin (producer for Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel) as the keynote speaker, it’s a great opportunity to learn about raising awareness for conservation. There will be crafts, activities, interactive fun with the animals of the zoo, and environmentally-friendly exhibits for all to enjoy.
If you’re been to the zoo before, head back for this great event and get to know the amazing animals that live here in Boston!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 4th, 2008 by will n
MIT dome photo uploaded by
This weekend was the release of the movie 21 staring Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. This highly anticipated movie based on the book Bringing Down the House reflects the story of the MIT students that took the Vegas casinos for millions. I highly recommend reading the book and also taking a visit to the MIT Museum before watching the movie.
I still remember when Spacey and the production team were in town filming. There was a lot of hype about the movie and what parts of the book would make it to the big screen. As the movie was near completion the controversy of having a non-Asian (Jim Sturgess) play the lead role of Jeff Ma’s character came into play. Furthermore, having a cast that wasn’t a majority Asian was also coming into question. (more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
April 2nd, 2008 by jamie a
Peter at the ICA Photo uploaded by
My latest field trip proved that spring is a wonderful time of year to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art on the waterfront in Boston. From the magnificent views from the wide windows, to the sun that filters in just perfectly into the galleries, you’ll love the museum’s relationship with its environment.
In anticipation of my visit, I read up on and was very excited about The World as a Stage, the newest undertaking at the museum. In association with the Tate Modern in London, the exhibit features works by 16 international artists, and blurs “the lines between theater, performance, visual art, and everyday life.” The exhibit was a perfect one for myself and my two visiting friends– all certified theater nuts.
The west gallery on the 4th floor features Renata Lucas’ Falha, involving the construction of a stage and playing space, Jeppe Hein’s Rotating Labyrinth, and Rita McBride’s Arena. These works invite the guest into the space to both make it their own and interact with the work, thus forming a concrete relationship between audience and artist. We were also mesmerized by the creepily accurate businessman sculpture named Bob by Markus Schinwald, Geoffrey Farmer’s Hunchback Kit, and we had a ball playing in the shadows of Dominique Gonzales-Foester’s Seance du Shadow II.
On another note, we also discovered a new artist to admire! As part of the ICA’s Momtentum series, Indian artist Ranjani Shettar’s Sun-Sneezers Blow Light Bubbles was one of our favorite works we saw all day. Based on the photic sneeze reflex that causes uncontrollable sneezing when one is exposed to the sun, it’s a whimsical and inspirational take on the ailment. The piece was created especially for a particular space in the museum, where you can walk around, under, and through it to experience its magic. Using non-art materials like muslin cloth and tamarind kernel powder paste, the sculpture takes on a incredibly unique texture that requires up-close inspection to appreciate her handiwork.
(more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
