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
January 21st, 2008 by susan j
Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots Photo uploaded by
Patriots fans rejoiced yesterday when the New England Patriots defeated the San Diego Chargers, 21-12, at Gillette Stadium, securing their place in Super Bowl XLII. New England’s favorite football team will face the New York Giants on Sunday, February 3. Boston.com’s Patriots blog, Reiss’s Pieces, has more updates and insights on the Patriots.
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Boston?
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January 16th, 2008 by susan j
Swan boat photo uploaded by
Boston’s Bay Back neighborhood is nestled between the Charles River and the South End, densely populated with cozy brownstones and towering office buildings. Here are some places to check out on your next trip to Beantown.
is a favorite destination among Boston fashionistas. Here you’ll find swanky restaurants and bars, jewelry shops, boutiques, book stores, and more. During the summer, many of the restaurants open up their patios, which is great for people-watching on a sunny New England afternoon ( and are two of my personal faves). The Shops at Prudential Center are nearby for more shopping.
offer a calm escape from the bustle of downtown. Visitors can ice skate on the Frog Pond in the winter, ride the swan boats in spring and summer, and stroll through the gardens year round. Summer on the Commons also brings a number of free concerts, plays, and other events.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are just two of the museums in Boston’s Back Bay. You could easily spend a full afternoon at either museum (they are a short distance apart so you could see both if desired), browsing the artwork and soaking the gorgeous views.
Getting to the Back Bay: parking in this area can be expensive and tough to find, so I recommend taking the subway and walking around. Most of the highlights are close to each other, so don’t be put off by the number of subway stops.
Green Line: Hynes Convention Center, Copley, or Arlington
Orange Line: Back Bay
Check out the .
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January 14th, 2008 by susan j
Boston’s Downtown Crossing covered in snow Photo uploaded by
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 .
So, what does this mean for travelers? We suggest that if you’re flying out of this week, call or check online for any delays. 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!
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Boston?
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January 9th, 2008 by susan j
Boston skyline view from the Charles River
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Yesterday we shared our 5 Reasons to Love Boston. Well, great minds must think alike because the Boston Globe compiled their own list of . There’s also a gallery of . Check it out!
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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…
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Bostonians are wicked smaht. Jokes aside, with so many world-class institutions like and in our backyard, you tend to meet people who are worldly and well read, which makes for great conversations.
- 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!
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Boston?
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January 7th, 2008 by susan j
Architectural photo uploaded by
Of all Boston’s great landmarks, the (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 , and a . 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 .
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 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?
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Go Boston Card.
January 3rd, 2008 by susan j
We were thrilled to open the Boston Globe this morning and find . 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?
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Go Boston Card.
January 2nd, 2008 by susan j
Outside the Boston Public Library in Copley Square
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Thanks to Chandra at for pointing me to a new study released by the . According to the study, , 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?
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Go Boston Card.
December 26th, 2007 by susan j
First Night photo uploaded by
Boston recently appeared on Yahoo! Travel’s Top 10 Destinations for New Year’s Eve. Now, we Bostonians have plenty of New Year’s parties to choose from, but Yahoo! Travel actually chose our fair city not for its bars and parties, but for a family-friendly tradition called .
This annual celebration has been going strong for 30 years and attracts more than a million people every year with live music and dance, Mardi Gras-style parades, ice sculptures, fireworks displays, and more. This year’s partners include the Franklin Park Zoo, the New England Aquarium, and the Museum of Fine Arts. First Night buttons are available for a mere $15 or at . Go behind the scenes and learn more on the .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
December 25th, 2007 by susan j
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Dear Readers,
Wherever your travels take you this holiday season, we wish you a safe and happy journey!
Best,
The Team at Go Boston Card
P.S. If you’re looking for attractions in Boston that are open on Christmas and New Year’s, then check out Jamie’s post.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
