Boston bargains
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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June 17th, 2009 by judy c
Farmer’s Market Poster Image ; Taken by Flickr user
Cambridge folks know that summer is officially on the horizon when the Farmers’ Markets in Harvard Square finally open for the season. So with the 2009 grand opening of the first market having occurred just yesterday, residents are now ready to indulge in all the local food, music, and fun that they can while it lasts!
is located right next to the Harvard Science Center at Oxford and Kirkland Streets, about 100 yards away from the and . It’s open every Tuesday until the end of October from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm and features regional farmers and vendors – in fact, none are from more than 50 miles away from Harvard Yard! There is so much variety that there is literally something for every palette. Vendors hock everything from standard organic produce, to exotic cuts of meat like lamb and goat. There are also seasonal florals, locally grown herbs, fresh baked bread, and tasty jams. By public transportation, take the Red Line to the Harvard Square stop.
If you aren’t a local but want to partake in this local tradition, consider stopping by the Harvard Museum of Natural History to purchase a reusable souvenir bag. Then head over to the Market to fill it up with fresh local snap peas and strawberries. Trust me, the strawberries are to die for!
And here’s a fun idea: While you’re at the , check out their famous “” exhibit if you have never seen it before. These extraordinary glass models of flowering and fruiting plants (including cacao, coffee plants, cashew nuts, pineapple, mango, and blueberries) were created in the late 19th Century by father/son glass artists in Germany to teach botany before the days of photography. They are quite a sight to behold and it’s the perfect prelude to get your taste buds watering for the Market. Bon appetit!
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Boston?
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June 3rd, 2009 by judy c
Happy Hour; Photo taken by Flickr user
Everyone is looking to save a buck these days (or several bucks in my case), but why compromise your social life and sense of fun in order to do so? We can still plan a vacation and dine out with friends and family, we just have to be super savvy about how we do it. In that spirit, I’ve pinpointed a few of the hottest happy hour spots in Boston so that your appetite doesn’t feel the pinch of your purse strings! And if that’s not enough, I’ve also identified some nearby attractions, which are all included for free with the .
Area: Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Boston
Top Spot: – This popular eatery among tourists offers one of the best happy hour menus in the city. They have two happy hours – one from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm and the other from 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm. With each plate costing less than $5 a pop, you can choose from such items as a chicken sandwich and fries, grilled shrimp, fish tacos, and more. Beware of the cocktail prices though. Beer and wine are relatively inexpensive for the area, but martinis can end up costing upwards of $12 each.
Nearby attractions: , , and
Area: Back Bay, Boston
Top Spot: – Okay, okay. I know it’s a chain, but give this one a shot. Not only is the bar located in a completely separate area from the restaurant (making you feel like you are in an actual downtown bar), but the happy hour menu is the best for bar food. We’re talking cheese sticks, quesadillas, mini sliders and more. And you can’t beat the $2.95 beer special! Happy hour runs from 4 pm - 7 pm and 10 pm- close everyday except Saturday.
Nearby attractions: ,, and
Area: Harvard Square, Cambridge
Top Spot: – This is a favorite among locals because of the laid back attitude. You come in, seat yourself, and call the place home. Plus, EVERYTHING on the menu is half-price from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm every evening and from 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm Sunday – Thursday! Keep in mind that they can get very busy toward the end of the half price hours, so plan to arrive early.
Nearby attractions: and
None of these suggestions working for you? The Boston Globe has a great guide to . Do you think that anything was missed?
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Planning a trip to
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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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!
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October 31st, 2007 by susan j
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Tomorrow is the deadline for our Go Review Contest, and we’re having a blast reading all of the colorful and quirky reviews we’ve gotten so far. In case you haven’t submitted your entry yet, there’s still time to win an Amazon gift card valued at $300!
Here are some great examples from across the blogosphere to get those creative juices flowing:
Even if you don’t have your own blog, you can still enter the contest by posting a review on one of these sites. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
October 19th, 2007 by susan j
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Whether your style is classic and conservative or indie and eclectic, chances are you’ll find the store in Boston to suit your style. Plus, Massachusetts has no sales tax on clothes, so go ahead and shop ‘til you drop (it counts as cardio, right?). You’ll want to save some money for sightseeing, too, so here are our picks for Boston’s best spots for bargain shopping:
- Though the flagship location in Downtown Crossing has closed for renovations, the lene’s Basement on Boylston Street in the Back Bay offers a less crowded alternative with two floors stacked with huge assortment of designer clothes for men, women, and children. It doesn’t have quite the same thrifty appeal of the Downtown Crossing location, but the selection tends to be higher quality. The Shops at Prudential Center nearby has some good finds, too.
- Need a great pair of shoes in a hurry? Head to the DSW Shoe Warehouse in Downtown Crossing. With row upon row of shoes from Kenneth Cole to Michael Kors, DSW is a shoe-lovers’ paradise. There’s also a Macy’s and several other stores within a few blocks so you won’t have to go far in those shiny new shoes!
- Garment District turns into a mob scene come Halloween, when students and hipsters from around the city make their annual Pilgrimage in search of retro prom dresses and off-beat costumes and make-up. If you’re looking for something slight out of the ordinary, hit The Garment District during their off-season. While you’re in Cambridge, check out the MIT Museum, which is in nearby Central Square.
- Second Time Around has locations in Harvard Square, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, as well as the ‘burbs. This is the place to score gently used designer duds from Gucci for Gap-like prices. My favorite finds include ballet flats, a beaded shrug, and wool trousers – each of which cost less than $20! Their color coding system means that the longer something sits in the store, the deeper the discount.
- You’ll need some nice jewelry to complete your new look, so check out So Good Jewelry on Newbury Street or in Downtown Crossing. This treasure trove of inexpensive accessories is packed with funky necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rhinestone everything.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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Go Boston Card.
September 27th, 2007 by susan j
American Repertory Theatre’s Figargo, running through October 6
With a world class , an internationally acclaimed , and several top-notch theater companies, Boston is a great city for culture vultures. Whether you enjoy light-hearted musicals or serious-minded plays, contemporary music or classical ballet, Boston offers plenty of places to enjoy the arts. Here are some of our picks for your next trip to Boston:
Known for its innovative treatment of old and new works, American Repertory Theatre (or ART) stages several different productions each season in Harvard Square. Here you’ll see exciting world premiere plays, classics reinterpreted in fresh new ways, and everything in between.
(more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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