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
December 20th, 2007 by susan j
Before last week’s snow had a chance to melt, Boston was hit with another snowstorm this week. According to an , passengers at Logan Airport were among the worst hit in the country this morning, when the airport shut down all but one runway. If you’re flying to Boston or from Boston this weekend, then you should check with your airline for any flight updates. Here’s wishing you a safe journey this holiday season!
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December 19th, 2007 by susan j
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For those who are still scurrying around wrapping up their holiday gift lists, the Boston Globe has a handy little map showing all of the . Use it to judge the distance between CambridgeSide Galleria and the Shops at Prudential Center, determine the likelihood of snagging a bah-gain, and more.
If you liked this post, then check out our guide to Bargain Shopping in Boston.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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December 14th, 2007 by susan j
Security line at Logan Aiport
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Travel blogs are filled with horror stories about and security nightmares. I’ve had some not-so-nice experiences, too, but my recent flight from to was a completely different story, so I thought I’d counter all the bad press TSA has been getting.
As a frequent flyer, I am intimately familiar with the new rules about . I carefully packed my travel-sized toothpaste and shampoo, but I completely forgot that I had also packed one of those holiday-scented bath sets as a gift. (Fortunately, I knew enough not to gift wrap the set in my luggage.)
So, when my suitcase drifted through the metal detector, I was a little surprised to get pulled out of line. The security woman opened my suitcase and pulled out the verboten bath set. “I am so sorry, I didn’t even think about those gifts,” I explained, figuring that she’d confiscate the bath set and I would have to show up to my holiday party empty-handed.
“I’m sorry I have to do this, but I’m going to open this box and ask you to put these in your plastic baggie with your other items,” she told me. As luck would have it, all of the items in the set were less than 3 ounces! She sent my suitcase and toiletries through the metal detector again and wished me a safe flight.
Airport security people get a bad rep, but this particular woman was extremely polite and helpful, so if you’re traveling this winter, I hope that you will encounter others like her. And, if you need a gift idea that won’t pose a security threat, check out our .
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Boston?
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December 5th, 2007 by susan j
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If you’re looking for a holiday gift that won’t pack on the pounds or sit in a closet with last year’s sweaters, then why not consider giving a Go Boston Card?
Go Boston Cards make great gifts, because they are one-size-fits-all, allowing your gift recipient to choose the activities that most appeal to them. Aunt Susie can bring the kids to Six Flags and the Boston Children’s Museum. Cousin Joe can take a Fenway Park Tour or check out the New England Sports Museum. Sister Kelly can treat herself to Joi Salon and Spa or some retail therapy at Prudential Center.
With over 70 attractions in Boston and the surrounding area, the Go Boston Card has something for everyone. AND we’re now offering 20% off 2, 3, 5, and 7-Day cards. Hurry - sale ends tomorrow!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
December 4th, 2007 by susan j
Improv Asylum
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If you’re looking for some comic relief after a busy day of sightseeing, then we’ve got you covered. Boston has plenty of places to see some improv, sketch comedy, standup, and more. Here are some of our picks:
- in Faneuil Hall has the perfect location for visitors, because it’s an easy walk away from the Otis House Museum, the , and other attractions in downtown Boston. Grab a cup of chowda downstairs, then head upstairs for national standup actis like Jon Stewart and Margaret Cho.
- features homegrown talent and up-and-coming comics in the Theater District near Beantown Trolley and Shear Madness (also a good option for comedy-seekers). Check their website for special ticket promotions.
- bills itself as “the funniest show you’ll ever be a part of.” An ever-changing cast of “inmates” perform a hybrid of sketch comedy and improv, drawing on suggestions from the crowd. I attended a recent show that culminated in a hilarious parody of West Side Story.
- is actually in Cambridge’s Inman Square. Wednesday through Sunday, ImprovBoston presents a variety of outrageously funny shows.
- features standup and sketch comedy five nights a week. They are located in Harvard Square near the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
BONUS: This Wednesday, celebrate “AngstGiving” with a show called . This quarterly reading series bring together people from all walks of life to read from their teenage journals. The results are alternately hysterical and heart-bending!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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November 21st, 2007 by susan j
Photo courtesy of Plimoth Plantation
Have you ever wondered what life was like before Blackberries and iPods? If so, here’s your chance to step back in time and experience daily life in seventeenth century New England. Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum that recreates a 1627 English village in Plymouth Colony.
Amidst the timber-framed houses and fragrant gardens, you can chat with costumed reenactors and watch skilled crafters as they create historically authentic furniture, baskets, clothing, and more. You can also visit Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought many of the first European settlers to the “New World.” In honor of Thanksgiving, the Plantation stays open all day with to commemorate the first harvest celebration of 1621.
Here are some facts about Thanksgiving, courtesy of our partners at Plimoth Plantation: (more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
November 20th, 2007 by susan j
Garlic-chili salted edamame and chili beef ramen at Wagamama
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Boston may be famous for cream pies and clam chowder, but Beantown has definitely moved beyond the traditional New England fare to more innovative and interesting dining choices. These days you’ll find new restaurants popping up all over the city, giving locals and tourists a taste of sophisticated international cuisine. Here are a few new and notable openings:
As one of the most European cities in the US, it was only fitting that Boston welcomed the first North American location for this summer. A favorite among travelers in Europe, Wagamama features a minimalist decor and hearty noodle dishes served in a colorful communal environment. The first location is in Faneuil Hall near the New England Aquarium and second location recently opened in Cambridge near the Harvard Museum.
Another restaurant recently opened in Boston’s Mission Hill. started serving tapas in late September and has already drawn rave reviews from the diners on for its creative cocktail menu and loungy but unpretentious atmosphere. Mid-October brought the addition of , a combination restaurant and music venue near Fenway Park. Their “Seven Deadly Sins” cocktail list plays up the church theme.
And lastly, tonight is the grand opening for the newest addition to Boston’s restaurant scene. in the Back Bay near the Shops at Prudential Center “pairs global cuisine with an awe-inspiring architectural design,” according to their website. Menu items include tuna sashimi, ricotta tortellini, and grilled quail.
If you have a favorite Boston restaurant, leave a comment and let us know about it!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
November 19th, 2007 by susan j
Though it’s the off-season for the Red Sox, Boston is still buzzing from their baseball team’s World Series victory over the Colorado Rockies. And last Friday, Boston fans got one more reason to celebrate, because their favorite baseball team announced plans to renovate Fenway Park. The off-season upgrades include adding a new restaurant in center field and new seats in the State Street Pavilion, as well as waterproofing the seating bowl in the bleacher area. .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
November 16th, 2007 by susan j
Closeup on a kinetic installation by Arthur Ganson
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Next Friday, the MIT Museum offers a low-cal, low-cost alternative to sleeping off a food-induced coma or braving the Black Friday sales. Their 10th anniversary at Rockwell Cage Gymnasium in Cambridge gives inventors of all ages the chance to join kinetic sculptor Arthur Ganson in creating a large-scale chain reaction sculpture.
Each link must between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, and teams must register by Saturday, November 17. Click for more information or to register your team!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
November 12th, 2007 by susan j
Boston Cream Pie at Finale
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If you’ve got a craving for chocolate or other sugary confections, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of my favorite places for indulging in dessert.
The ultimate in decadent, picture perfect desserts (see above), has four locations in the greater Boston area. Try their Chocolate Paradise for two at their Cambridge location near the Harvard Museum of Natural History or go to their Park Plaza location near Boston Commons and enjoy the Apricot Cinnamon Delight, to name a few of their mouthwatering menu items (selection may vary by location).
Another dessert option is the North End, Boston’s equivalent to Little Italy, which is near the Old North Church. Here you’ll find charming little family-opened bakeries, cozy restaurants, and cobblestoned streets. is always popular and their distinctive white boxes have almost became local icon (they also ship cannolis anywhere in the United States). and are two other local favorites.
For lighter desserts on the go, cupcakes are the perfect portable treat. I recommend in Beacon Hill and in Davis Square. What’s your favorite spot for sugary treats? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
