About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
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
• 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.
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Boston?
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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?
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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.
March 28th, 2008 by susan j
Jellyfish at the New England Aquarium Photo uploaded by
With Earth Day approaching on April 22, now is the perfect time to think about how travel impacts the environment. encourages eco-friendly travel by maintaining a list of green restaurants and hotels in the Boston area, plus sharing other green travel resources and news stories.
We’re encouraging travelers to become more environmentally aware by visiting Boston attractions that educate visitors about plants and animals in our ecosystem. Here are some of our picks.
- New England Aquarium. With more than 70 exhibits featuring aquatic animals from around the world, the New England Aquarium is the perfect stop for families and fish-lovers of all ages.
- Harvard Museum of Natural History. The museum features a vast collection of glass flowers used for teaching botany, as well as a 42-foot long prehistoric marine reptile, and the world’s only Kronosaurus. Its newest exhibit, Sea Creatures in Glass, opened March 21.
- Franklin Park Zoo. Founded in 1911, the Franklin Park Zoo is now home to more 160 species of animals. Highlights include the Kalahari Kingdom, Butterfly Landing, and the Tropical Forest. The Zoo is celebrating Earth Day on April 20 with events for the whole family.
- Museum of Science. This museum boasts over 600 interactive exhibits exploring dinosaurs, birds, plants, and more. Current exhibits include the Butterfly Garden and .
- Mass Bay Lines Whale Watch. This whale watch departs from Rowes Wharf and sails into the most active whale habitat on the east coast. During the 4 hour excursion, visitors learn about the biology and behavior of whales.
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day this year? Leave a comment, and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
March 7th, 2008 by susan j
Boston Museum of Science Butterfly Garden Photo uploaded by
This week in Boston was delightfully spring-like. But this weekend, it’s back to rain, wind, and cold (welcome to New England). If you’re craving a breath of sweet, spring air, then my suggestion is to visit the Museum of Science. In addition to over 600 interactive exhibits, the Museum also offers a , which is filled with colorful butterflies and exotic plants from around the world. This warm, tropical oasis overlooks the Charles River.
It’s the perfect way to escape the cold and learn all about butterflies, including the four stages of butterfly life (egg, caterpillar, chrysalid, and adult) and butterfly activities such as feeding, courting, and basking. Kids will love seeing these beautiful butterflies up close, and nature lovers will appreciate the intricate details that differentiate each species. Reservations are recommended.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
February 11th, 2008 by susan j
Holiday Inn photo uploaded by
Located just 25 minutes from Boston, the is ideally suited for business travelers, families, or those looking for a relaxing weekend escape. This newly decorated hotel has all of the amenities you’d expect from a hotel: complimentary high-speed wireless internet, fitness facilities, a business center, and indoor and outdoor pools and hot tub.
Here at the Go Boston Card, we’re partnering with Holiday Inn Salem to offer a combined hotel and attraction package, which includes overnight accommodations for two people, two 1-day Go Boston Cards, and a complimentary guidebook for one price. Read more about the .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 30th, 2008 by susan j
Hyannis Rowboat Photo uploaded by
To me, the photo above is classic Cape Cod. And it’s fitting, because the in Hyannis recently topped newly announced Top 10 Hidden Hotel Havens. This family-owned inn also made the 2008 Traveler’s Choice list for Best Hidden Gem and Best Bargain (the average price per night is around $98 - a bah-gain if you ask me!). You can read TripAdvisor’s user reviews
While visiting Cape Cod, you might check out the JFK Hyannis Museum, the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. All three are open year round and included with the Go Boston Card!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 25th, 2008 by susan j
Lobster tempura at Brookline’s Fugakyu Restaurant Photo uploaded by
Coolidge Corner is one of my favorite places in Boston. Well, technically, it’s not in Boston proper, but all it takes is a short ride on the C-Line to take you to this charming Brookline neighborhood. Coolidge Corner is home to an eclectic assortment of shops, restaurants, and an independent movie theater appropriately named the .
But one of the best reasons to visit is for the sushi. Located at 1280 Beacon Street, is consistently ranked as Boston’s best sushi. I recently had my first Fugakyu experience for my boyfriend’s birthday a few weeks ago. He is a sushi connoisseur, and I’m, well, not so much. But as soon as I stepped into the restaurant’s lavishly decorated entryway, I felt as if I’d been transported to a traditional Japanese teahouse. The waitresses float from table to table wrapped in elegant kimonos, and the expansive multi-floor restaurant features bamboo-enclosed booths, screen Tatami rooms, a cocktail bar, and more.
The menu offers plenty of selection for sushi and non-sushi lovers alike. All of the food comes plated elegantly like above. I ordered a plate of the yaki udon with fried tofu and, since I’m vegetarian, I thought I’d try the inari sushi (which is fried bean curd). My boyfriend got his sushi fix with the caterpillar maki, a whimsical concoction of eel, cucumber, scallion, and spicy mayo. We topped that off with glasses of Ume-Shu, Choya (plum wine) and a bowl of delicious tempura ice cream. All in all, a delightful dining experience, even for those who aren’t adventurous sushi-eaters.
For more on dining in and around Boston, check out these posts:
Dining with the Stars
New and Notable Boston Restaurants
College Parents Guide to Boston Dining
Brunch in Boston
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
January 22nd, 2008 by susan j
Brownstones in Boston’s South End Photo uploaded by
One of the things I love most about living in Boston is being surrounded by the city’s rich history, which is reflected in its varied architectural landscape. Whether you’re window-shopping on Newbury Street, strolling along the Freedom Trail, or jogging around Boston Commons, you are bound to notice some of Boston’s distinctive buildings. Here is a short primer on what you’ll see…
Eighteenth Century: As the site of the infamous Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre, Boston is steeped (get it? Tea Party + steeped? anyway…) in history. Take, for example, the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and the Harrison Gray Otis House, all reminders of Boston’s place in American history.
Nineteenth Century: During the 1800’s, Boston became a major New England port. The Liberty Fleet Tall Ship Adventures documents the region’s maritime history. Many of the brownstones in Boston’s South End, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill neighborhoods also sprang up during the late nineteenth century. One of my favorite buildings in Boston, the Boston Public Library, was built in 1888 by the famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White.
Twentieth Century to today: The Victorian period brought us ornate buildings like the Custom House. More modern additions to Boston’s skyline include the John Hancock Tower, the Zakim Bridge, and the Institute of Contemporary Art.
So, what’s your favorite example of Boston architecture? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
