The Freedom Trail in literal terms is a red line that is painted on the ground and runs around the city. You will often find tourists walking with their heads down on it, bumping into people and forgetting to look at the stuff along the line (duh). In more idealistic terms, the line guides you around the city, leading you to some amazing historic sites and through some great neighborhoods. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and plan to take time to wander off the trail or sit and have a good meal. There are usually street performers in the Faneuil Hall area and you can find great pizza at Il Panino Express in the North End, as well as all the canoli's your little heart desires.
The Swan Boats (seasonal) are an old favorite in Boston. Fun in that cheesey 5-year-old sort of way. For $2.75 you can take a little cruise around the Swan Pond on these boats, powered by a lovely boat driver pedaling away inside a swan-shaped booth on the back of the boat. You used to be able to buy peanuts there to feed to the ducks, don't think you can anymore. For the GLBT friendly in the group, the pond's famous swans, Romeo and Juliet were recently outed as a lesbian couple
Take a stroll around the Public Gardens after your cruise, perhaps enjoy a picnic by the pond.Crossing over Charles Street from the Public Gardens you'll find yourself in Boston Common. In the winter, when the Swan Boats are closed, you'd rather find yourself on this side of the park - this is where you will find the Frog Pond. This marvelous little pond is actually a man-made outdoor ice rink. Not exactly as cheap as the Swan Boats, it will cost you $9 to get in and rent skates.
Castle Island and Pleasure Bay in South Boston offer great walking paths, decent beaches (lots of kite boarding!), great views, and cheap greasy food at Sullivans. The path makes a figure-8 out through the water and is perfect for fishing, skating and walking. The path circles around an old fort and several monuments. Worth a look if you can bear the hassle of getting there. Castle Island is off the path of both the bus and the T, so it's a bit of a hike. If you have a couple of people in your group, spring for a cab and spend a day/evening in Southie, it's worth it - but stay tuned for my food/beverage issue for bar tips. Some bars are very locals-only!
Another park worth a look is the Esplanade. This stretch of land running along the Charles River has a nicely paved path - good for running, skating and cycling. The Esplanade, the banks of the Charles and the famous Hatch Shell stage are also home to several events throughout the year. The 4th of July brings a mad competition for ground space for the Boston Pops Concert. Throughout the summer the Hatch Shell also offers Free Friday Night Flicks and near-daily concerts of all types. In the fall, October finds the banks crammed with spectators for The Head of the Charles Regatta.
Only one other sporting event packs the streets like the Head of the Charles - the Boston Marathon. Every year on Patriots Day (a mysterious holiday known only in Massachusetts...) marathoners and spectators come from around the world to watch as history is made. Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic. But it really is exciting! Two words of caution: Don't expect to get into a bar without a cover charge any where along the marathon route. Bars on Boylston/Newbury start charging covers in the early morning on Marathon Monday. Don't expect to get anywhere fast unless you're IN the marathon. The T will be packed the traffic on the roads at a stand still. Trust me.
Ok, two more topics. Museums and Views.
Let's hit museums first. The Aquarium and the Museum of Science ROCK. They are NOT cheap. The Museum of Fine Arts, again, good but not cheap. TheMapparium at the Christian Science Center is cheap, and unique. Inside the center you get to walk on a catwalk through a giant globe, as well as explore the library and other exhibits for only $6. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is slightly cheaper, $12/$5 for students/Free for those named Isabella, and better than the MFA. Although you do save $2 by visiting both in a two-day period. (The MFA is, incidentally, free to Northeastern Students, if you can find one who looks like you and convince him/her to loan you an ID go for it!) Ok, that about does it for my knowledge of Boston museusm (lame, I know).
I'll wrap up this edition with where to get great views of Boston. Cross the Charles River via the Mass Ave bridge and wander along the Cambridge side of the river. From this side of the river you can get a great shot of the Boston sklyine, as well as one of the famous Citgo Sign by Fenway Park. Both are best taken in the dark, in my opinion. Another option for a skyline view is the top floor of the Renaissance Parking garage at Northeastern University. NOT a place to be in the dark, in all seriousness. The Top of the Hub restaurant in the Prudential Building offers a 360 degree view of the city, the food and drinks and pricey, but one drink will be cheaper - and more fun - than admission to the observation deck in the building. Finally, you can always get great views from the water, either from a harbor cruise or from the walking paths at Castle Island in South Boston.
To Come:
Food & Drink
Lodging & Transport
Day Trips & Shopping
Nightlife Beyond Booze (ok, including booze, just adding more! Like music and comedy!)
