Archive for the tips category
February 1st, 2008 by jamie a
Game On! Sports Bar Photo uploaded by
If you’re looking for a great place to get out and watch the game this weekend, look no further than the slide show for some new places to try.
From tradition spots like Game On! to neighborhood watering holes, these spots are perfect for cheering with the crowd and making some new football-fanatic friends. Go Pats!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
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.
January 18th, 2008 by jamie a
Gillette Stadium
Photo uploaded by rezsox
Pats fans, get ready. With a record of 16-0, the Patriots are on their way to making NFL history. This weekend the Patriots are taking on the Chargers at Gillette Stadium with home turf advantage.
So, grab a bunch of your football-loving friends and plan to make a day of it on Sunday. If you’d like to be out on the town cheering the Pats on with a room full of screaming fans, check out this list of the best spots to watch the game in Boston.
Go Pats!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
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 .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 15th, 2008 by jamie a
Boston Taxis
Photo uploaded by
In response to a question we received from Jerry, one of our blog readers, we decided to make up a post dedicated to getting to and from Logan Airport. Whether you’d prefer to have the convenience of a taxi or the riding with the locals on the T, there’s plenty of ways to get to where you need to be once you land in Boston.
Taxis are available at the airport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To hail a cab, there’s Massport Ground Transportation agents located outside of each terminal to assist your needs. If you need a van, station wagon, or ramp-equipped ride, these agents are the ones to go to for help. Massport has also provided this very thorough .
As for the T, there’s as well as free shuttle service to the Blue Line Airport Station. The Silver Line will take you directly to (with access to the commuter rail, Amtrak, and bus lines). The Blue Line provides access to Government Center Station, where you can jump on the Orange or Green lines. Here’s the .
For destinations outside of the city area, there’s also the . Peabody, Woburn, and Braintree are all served through this bus service. It also makes stops at all terminals and the ride runs about 30-45 minutes long. For van service, here’s a .
If you’d like information on renting a car during your stay, here’s a serving Logan Airport.
Last, but certainly not least, is the . These are fun and enjoyable ways to get to your destination via the water. These services operate year-round and offer a .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 11th, 2008 by jamie a
New England Clam Chowder
Photo uploaded by
Since January is national soup month, Legal Sea Foods is treating their guests to free cups of their delicious chowder on January 15 from 11 am - 1 pm.
Our friends over at posted about in anticipation of grabbing a cup of the delicious stuff. If you’re a traveler in the city, there’s no better way to experience local flavor than by having some Boston clam chowder!
Be sure and go to the takeout counters of the participating locations: Burlington Mall, Copley Place, Chestnut Hill, Framingham, or the South Shore Plaza.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 9th, 2008 by susan j
Boston skyline view from the Charles River
Photo uploaded by
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!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
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!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
December 19th, 2007 by susan j
Outlet shopping photo uploaded by
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?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
December 18th, 2007 by jamie a
If you’re in Boston visiting family or vacationing over the holidays, here’s a list of place that will be open on both Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Do you love movies and seeing the real-life locations where the magic happened on the screen? will guide to you all the cinematic hot spots in the city, focusing on films and TV shows like Good Will Hunting, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Cheers.
You could also take the first-ever , narrated by Steven Tyler! Entitled Boston: City of Rebels and Dreamers, this tour offers insider views of 18 fun and historic sites all over the city.
On the in nearby Lexington and Concord, experience Battle Road and the historical markers of the American Revolution with a costumed guide to explain your stops along the way.
For some Las Vegas-style fun, will also be open, where you can test your holiday luck!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
