Boston Activities
November 20th, 2009 by judy c
Image courtesy of
The turkey’s barely been stuffed and the table not even set, but we’re already scouring the newspapers looking for those wonderful Black Friday circulars! A $50 GPS so your husband doesn’t take that “shortcut”…again; $10 DVDs to keep the kids occupied; $300 for a High-Def television to better see McDreamy (oh, if only you could find a way to squeeze that TV into your holiday budget!). It’s almost too good to be true and we’re willing to wait out all night in the frigid temps just to take advantage of the bountiful bargains!
True, there’s more to the holidays than just the great deals. There’s the twinkling decorations, the Christmas tree lightings, the wonderful shows, the fat-inducing food! The list goes on and on…
That’s why if you’re in the New England area this holiday season, you’re in luck! is the City of Boston’s one-stop, central holiday-planning website. For every taste and every budget, you’ll find a Boston holiday experience to cherish for a lifetime.
Enjoy …holiday …a festive …a stroll through the …skating on …discounts on attraction tickets like the and the … even an . Whether you live in Boston or are planning a visit, is your ticket to great ideas, DEALS and DISCOUNTS, plus information to help you enjoy Boston’s many free and low-cost traditions.
There are over 8,000 half-price tickets to holiday theatre, music and dance. Not to mention special offers on dining, shopping, hotels, and even ! Plus, with all the money that you save this holiday season and how happy you’ve made the family, you don’t have to feel guilty for snagging that High-Def TV after all!
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September 23rd, 2009 by judy c
“The Bersha Procession”
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
So you’ve wanted to experience Egypt for a while now, but you haven’t won Powerball (yet) and your MasterCard has been maxed out since Spring Break. But wait…there’s hope! You can visit the and if you squint your eyes tight and layer on enough coconut oil, you can just about imagine your beautiful bronze self in the Sahara. Only thing is, the year is 2,000 BC. (Hey - everyone has it rough right now and beggars can’t be choosers!)
All kidding aside though, beginning October 18th the MFA will feature a fantastic new exhibit that’s worth checking out. It’s known as “” and the is impossible to ignore. Why?
Well in a 1915 excavation, the MFA found the largest burial assemblage of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom ever discovered. The tomb was filled with the funerary equipment of a local governor and his wife, among which was the famous “Bersha coffin,” arguably the finest painted coffin Egypt produced. Envision the afterlife as imagined by ancient Egyptians through Tomb 10A’s contents: jewelry, walking sticks, canopic jars, and miniature models depicting everyday life - shown together for the FIRST time in 4,000 years!
Admission to the Museum includes the cost of the exhibit, so there are no hidden up-charges. Check it out while you can since it’s only on display until May 2010.
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July 22nd, 2009 by judy c
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets image; Taken by Flickr user
Hitching their broomstick to the publicity-wagon surrounding the sixth Harry Potter film, the announced today that they will be the next stop for “” this fall. This traveling exhibit is currently on display at and showcases over 200 costumes, props, and set features from the record-setting wizard films - including the Great Hall, elaborate outfits from the Yule Ball, and the Gryffindor common room.
The Museum of Science will be the only New England venue to host the highly-anticipated exhibit, and although it is not set to debut in Beantown until October 25th, tickets are already on sale. You can purchase tickets online or by calling 617-723-2500. Be sure to have a credit card handy because they don’t accept golden galleons.
(Retail rates are $26 for adults and $23 for children.)
SPECIAL OFFER FOR GO BOSTON CARD & BOSTON EXPLORER PASS HOLDERS:
If you are or customer, you are entitled to special pricing! Show your card at the box office to upgrade to the discounted rate of $16 for adults and $13 for children.
Note: Tickets are only available at the box office (not by phone or online) and are subject to availability. Admission to the exhibit must be done on a day that your card is active.
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Boston?
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June 10th, 2009 by judy c
Draper Simulator Image; Courtesy of MIT Museum
Starting tomorrow and running until Sunday, June 14th, the will host a five-day celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. Included are two special displays, and hands-on demonstrations (for middle school ages and up) by current students from the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro).
The MIT Museum event is part of the public outreach associated with , a major symposium at MIT that honors those who made the Apollo program a success and looks to the future of space research. Admission to is included with the .
Exhibition – MIT Goes to the Moon
See rare Apollo-era artifacts that tell the story of the major contributions made by MIT to the American space program. The display features an extremely rare simulator of the Apollo Guidance, Navigation and Control system lent by Draper Laboratory for its first ever public showing. On display from June 10–September 2009
Temporary Exhibition -Taking the Next Giant Leaps
Stop by to see the opening display of a special traveling exhibition about the excitement of current research in air and space. A series of “Facebook” like panels introduce middle and high school-aged students to students and young faculty who are pursuing their dreams - from winning a national airplane design competition to sending humans to Mars! On display from June 10-14 only
Hands-on Demonstrations -Meet AeroAstro Students
Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14; 1:00 -4:00 p.m.
Explore the latest advancements in aeronautics and space research. Examples include:
- The TALARIS Project - a prototype robotic lunar lander, which is helping MIT’s efforts to win a $20 million race to the Moon (part of the Google Lunar X-Prize)
- SPHERES micro-satellites - vehicles the size of volleyballs used in automated docking and formation flight experiments on the International Space Station
- Quadrotor UAVs - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles programmed to fly surveillance missions and cooperate with each other in swarms
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February 10th, 2009 by admin
Shepard Fairey, “Obama Hope,” 2008
Shepard Fairey, the street artist who sprang on the national consciousness as the creator of the Barack Obama “Hope” poster, is having his first solo museum exhibit. Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art is hosting ”Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand” from February 6th to August 16th.
The exhibition will cover all aspects of Fairey’s career and the different mediums he has used for his art. Fans of his art — as well as fans of pop-art and political art in general – will be sure to enjoy this first of its kind exhibit.
The ICA, in its stunning new building on the Boston waterfront, is an included attraction for the Go Boston Card, so be sure to use your card for free admission!
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December 8th, 2008 by will n
No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the . This past Summer I took some time out to pay the aquarium a visit. It has been much too long since my last visit, so I was really excited to relive some of my childhood memories.
The first thing that comes to mind when speaking about the aquarium is the . This exhibit is open all year round regardless of the weather and is always a welcoming site for aquarium visitors.
Once inside the floor level is still as exciting as it was when I was 10. I’m amazed how quickly these birds move through the water. The friendly games of chase amongst the penguins can keep me entertained for hours.
As you move through the aquarium each exhibit brings back great memories. The petting tank, the top level of the ocean tank, the piranhas and electric eels all are as exciting now as they were when I was a child. Actually, it is more exciting now as I like to learn more about each animal.
I just love how the aquarium organizes so that even a short visit allows you to take in all the sites and shows.
If you are here at the right time of year, don’t forget to take advantage of the wonderful whale watching cruise and theater just outside of the aquarium.
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December 8th, 2008 by will n
This past Summer, I had the opportunity to visit the . Sadly, my appreciation of art didn’t mature until I was in my late 20’s, but I’m glad good friends opened my eyes to the art world.
I didn’t realize how fantastic the MFA was until I visited a few months ago. The museum houses work from all the great arts from Monet to Renoir. Additionally, the museum carries special exhibits from all over the world and from various times in history.
The wonderful thing about living in a city with a huge student population is that places like museums practically offer free admission for students. Luckily the MFA offers free admissions for students with the proper ID. However, special exhibits like the Treasures from Assyria in the British Museum exhibit (on display until January 4, 2009) costs an additional charge, but with a student ID it cuts the costs from $17 to $15 on weekdays.
One of my favorite exhibits is the recently added Red Sox exhibit by Norman Rockwell. Not only does it offer pieces from Red Sox history, but also pieces from the 2007 season.
The MFA makes the visiting experience extremely enjoyable. Amenities like a coat check service and a restaurant assures that every minute is spent enjoying art. The museum is easily accessible by public transportation via the Green Line and has plenty of onsite parking.
So don’t wait until you’re in your late 20’s before indulging in the great offerings of the MFA.
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Boston?
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December 4th, 2008 by admin
Once again the Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has rallied a wide variety of the best of Boston to insure locals and visitors alike have plenty of reasons to spend time in Boston this Holiday Season. The Go Boston Card is pleased to once again support this program by providing access to all of Boston’s best attractions for a single price.
To see all of the participating attractions, see the Go Boston Card attractions page. And be sure to check out the Mayor’s site to see additional savings on shows, hotels, and restaurants.
Special thanks to the Holiday Special’s generous media partners, the Metro
and Magic 106.7FM, for their in-kind contributions!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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July 17th, 2008 by admin
If you are in Boston for an extended vacation and are looking for something “off the beaten path” to do while you are in town, be sure to check out the Boston Harbor Islands national park area. This year, park visitors are able to explore the islands with the help of a new book: Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands: A Guide to the City’s Hidden Shores . Written by Christopher Klein and including a foreword from Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the 224-page book provides readers with historical vignettes and present-day portraits of each of the 34 islands in the national park area.
Out of countless recreational opportunities, Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands highlights the following ten experiences that visitors shouldn’t miss on the Boston Harbor Islands this year:
1. Scale Boston Light. Take a guided tour of the oldest light station in the country and climb the seventy-six spiral steps and two short ladders for a spectacular view.
2. Take a dip. Grab your bathing suit, towel, and suntan lotion and head to the sand and surf at Spectacle Island’s new life-guarded beach.
3. Wander Fort Warren’s dark passages. Explore the spooky tunnels of this historic fort that once held Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.
4. Pitch a tent. Camp out on the islands and catch unforgettable sunrises and sunsets in the shadows of the city skyline. Spend a night on Grape Island for the most bucolic setting.
5. Grab a paddle. Beginning kayakers can spend the afternoon exploring the Hingham Harbor islands, while experienced kayakers can brave the outer harbor to visit the Brewsters.
6. Scale Thompson Island’s ropes and climbing walls. Participate in one of Outward Bound’s programs and challenge your limitations by conquering the ropes course and climbing towers.
7. Pack a lunch. There are fantastic spots to picnic on all the harbor islands, but the picnic areas on Bumpkin and Great Brewster Islands offer unparalleled vistas.
8. Brush up on your fish tales. Fish populations are rebounding along with the harbor’s water quality. Striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and cod are among the fish that are biting.
9. Follow your feathered friends. Grab a pair of binoculars and try to spot some of the more than one hundred species of birds that frequent the Boston Harbor Islands.
10. See Boston in a new light. There’s no better view of the city and harbor than from Spectacle Island’s north drumlin. Private boaters can stay overnight at the marina—bring a chair for the Saturday night movies on the pier, or a blanket for the bonfire on the beach.
Those interested in learning more about the harbor islands should attend the author event on Spectacle Island on July 20, 2008. Christopher Klein will sign books and talk about the fascinating history of the harbor islands. Think: pirates, pilgrims, shipwrecked sailors, and prisoners of war. The public is welcome to attend this event, hosted by the Island Alliance on the beautiful Spectacle Island. Talks will be held at 1pm or 3pm, but make sure you stick around for the live jazz on the porch, or relax on the beach.
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008
Time: 1pm and 3pm
Place: Visitor Center, Spectacle Island
Directions: Take Boston Harbor Islands ferry from Long Wharf to Spectacle Island. From the South Shore, take the ferries departing from either Quincy Shipyard or Hingham Shipyard. Check ferry schedules for times.
Contacts:
Spectacle Island: Park Ranger, 617-223-8666, Ext.205
boha_information@nps.gov
Ferry information:
www.bostonharborislands.org
Union Park Press: 617-423-0840
www.unionparkpress.com
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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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.
