Traveling to Boston: Activities and Tours for Visitors
Boston, having recently celebrated its three hundred seventy fifth anniversary is one of the oldest, most historic cities in the United States, and they know it. The city’s pride in its history is apparent in every neighborhood. Plaques and historical markers are as common in the city as bank branches. Stroll along the Freedom Trail and you’ll see.
And let’s start right there with the Freedom Trail, a must for any visitor. The Trail is a self-guided tour of many of Boston’s historic sites, which allows visitors to follow a 2.5-mile long red line painted (and in some places in laid in brick) along the sidewalks and across streets. Beginning at the Boston Common, the trail leads you through the Massachusetts State House with its gold dome roof, the Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground and King’s Chapel and Chapel Burying Ground (both burying grounds contain the graves of politicians and historic figures), the site of the first public school, the Ben Franklin statue, the former site of the Old Corner Bookstore, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State house, the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution, known as “Old Ironsides”, which was commissioned by George Washington and remains the oldest commissioned war ship, Charlestown Navy Yard, and the ends at the Bunker Hill Monument.
When you’ve completed your walk along the trail if you’re still craving a little more history, take any one of the old-fashioned trolley tours and you will experience over two hours of sites and stories that represent the birth of the America. The tours meander through the city while the guides provide pertinent and often humorous information about the sites. The trolleys make stops at several strategic points where visitors can get off and spend some time exploring the area and get back on at the same spot on the next trolley that comes along. It’s a great way to really get to see the city.
For something a little splashier, you’ll definitely want to take a Duck Tour, especially if you’ve brought the kids. You’ll climb aboard an authentic, renovated and brightly colored World War II amphibious landing vehicle. The “Ducks” take you on a city tour of Boston similar to the ones offered by the trolley tours, but for an added thrill, they then head on over to an entry point in the Charles River where they glide right into the river and take you on a nice little cruise up and down the water, giving you a whole other view of the city.
If it’s the theater, sympathy, or opera you’re into, the “Theater District” houses the Wang Theater, home of the Boston Ballet, the Opera House, the Shubert Theater, the Wimberly Theater, and the Charles Playhouse, which is the current home in Boston to the Blue Man Group. Across town you’ll find the Boston Symphony Hall, home to the world famous Boston Pops. There are also numerous Repertoire and University theaters, which offer an eclectic variety of shows, musicals, performances, and concerts. Be sure to visit the Boston theater ticket booth in front of Faneuil Hall to pick up tickets at a dramatic discount the day of the show you want to see (arrive early to the booth- these discounted tickets sell out quickly).
Wanna Rock n’ Roll? There are clubs and venues throughout the city. The best local guide to check to see what bands are playing during your stay is the Boston Phoenix, available for free in newspaper boxes and in retail stores through out the city. If you just want to hop club to club and take a chance on the bands, I recommend either Lansdown Street or Central Square. Lansdowne Street is located just behind Fenway Park and is home to several nightclubs including Axis, the Avalon, Bill’s Bar, and the Lansdown Playhouse. Central Square, which is just across the river in Cambridge. There you’ll find the Middle East Upstairs, Middle East Downstairs, and TT the Bears all sharing one corner at the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue. Both promise a wide variety of potential for a fun night out.
There is a wealth of things to see and do in Boston. This list only scratches the surface. For the traveler with time and transportation, day trips to Plymouth Rock or historic Salem, location of the notorious witch burnings are recommended, or a nice drive up the coast along route 1 to check out all the lighthouses that dot the shoreline. Boston is a fascinating and beautiful city. Get out and sample some of what it has to offer. You are promised an enjoyable and interesting stay.
