Boston Things to Do Tips by lovemycacti

Welcome to real history at her finest! Even people who bore easily will be able to enjoy this still active, in commision, oldest warship in the world. The tour lasts approximately 30-45 minutes and consists of the deck and first floor where the canons are. Our female tour guide was informative, friendly and delivered the history of the ship in a most fascinating manor.

Cost: Free!

Mid-April to Sept: Tuesday through Sundays from 10am -3:30pm
Contact their website email for info on winter hours and dates

Parking: (We parked at Nautica. Approx. $8)

• Nautica Parking Phone: (617) 723-1488
Location: Constitution Rd., opposite the Navy Yard visitor's center. 5 Minute walk to ship.

Tips:

- Arrive at least one half hour before each tour to allow yourself to go through their rigorous security procedures.

- All bags, purses, wallets, backpacks, fannypacks, shopping bags, coats, etc. will be searched for weapons, explosives, and contraband.

- Weapons are not allowed on the ship or anywhere in the Navy Yard and the National Park Service may confiscate any weapon (including mace or pepper spray) that is illegal in the State of Massachusetts. For knives, this is anything over 2 1/2 inches.

- Do not confuse the museum with the ship. If you contact one, they won't be able to give you info about the other. We did, and the museum staff was grumpy about it.

- Obviously, weapons aren't allowed on board but don't forget about your other personal items that you may not want the world to know you're carrying. Like feminine hygiene napkins, condoms, etc. If you don't want the whole navy yard knowing, leave it in the car!

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Address: Charleston Yard off Constitution Road
Directions: On website.
Website: www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

Keep in mind while you read this, that I wanted to put this in the tourist trap catagory, but thought you would look here for real information on the Museum of Science.

If you don't have kids - skip this place. Granted, this is probably the largest science center I have ever been in and the most impressive. However, I don't see how anyone could see the whole thing in just one day. After three hours of walking around and not being able to do any of the experiments, our feet were certainly paying a price.

While the museum of science surely is designed with children in mind, don't plan on actually DOING most of the experiments or any of the really fun ones, because the crowds around each will turn you off. We happened to be there on a Tuesday morning in April, which isn't even the tourist season, and the place was packed. So if you do go bring your patience and the most comfortable pair of walking shoes you own.

Cost: $13 adults, $10 children age 3-11
Or, it is included in your Boston City Pass, seperately purchased or availble there.

Planetarium, laser show, omni theater cost seperately. Gift shop and food court on site.

Parking garage available on site.
About $12 for five hours

Extensive info on website.

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Phone: (617) 723-2500
Address: 1 Science Park
Website: www.mos.org

I'll put the Duck Tour here, but it could easily be placed in the Tourist Trap catagory. Why? Hear me out.

Having taken one of these "aquabus" transportation trips before, in Montreal, we were prepared for the experience. $24 per adult will buy you about an hour and a half quickie tour of downtown Boston and the vehicle will glide onto the waters of Boston Harbor for a vroom around.

Our tour guide/driver on the Duck, a sweet and friendly older man did do an excellent job at explaining the historic happenings and sites as we toured however due to the fast-pace of the traffic, it didn't allow for any good, quality picture taking. The loud sounds the vehicle made muffled some of the commentary and this vehicle is not for the fragile of body - you will feel every bump and nook in the road.

And unfortunately, I'd not recommend this tour for extremely tall or very heavy people, as the seats are crammed very close to one another and the teenager in the seat behind me kept his knees buried in my back which made for a most unpleasant ride. Not liking to have my picture taken either, they will take your picture before you board. For what reasons, I don't know, unless they plan to sell you your picture after the ride.

Would I do this again? No. While I didn't have a terrible, horrible time I walked away with quite a few sore muscles. The ride on the water was nice and you can get some good shots of Boston this way, just be sure that the plastic-covered windows doesn't reflect with the sunlight or it will show up in your pics. Seats are not assigned, so it is ona first-come, first serve basis.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time. Tours start at either the Prudential Centre or the Museum of Science.

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Phone: (617) 450-0068
Website: www.bostonducktours.com

Visit the park where the Babe pitched, The Kid hit, Yaz dazzled, and Nomar and Pedro still thrill young fans today. Soak up the rich history; hear the echoes of the past. Touch the Green Monster, imagine being one of the "Knights of the Keyboard" as you see the view from the Press Box, visit the new Red Sox Hall of Fame presented by Volvo, and take a seat in the .406 Club before strolling around Fenway Park.

Tours now leave from the Souvenir Store across Yawkey Way hourly seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until three hours before game time, whichever is earlier.

The tours provides fans with a behind-the-scenes look at America's most beloved ballpark. All areas are subject to availability. Tours of the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball include the press box and broadcast booths; the new Red Sox Hall of Fame Club presented by Volvo; the .406 Club; the Dugout Seats; and Pesky's Pole. When the field is available, fans may also have the opportunity to walk along the warning track and come face-to-face with the fabled Green Monster.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for children 14 and younger. All areas are subject to availability.

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Phone: (617) 226-6666
Address: 1 Fenway Plaza
Website: www.redsox.com

Exploring beautiful Boston is best on foot, as I'm sure you've been well-informed of already. The Freedom Trail has sixteen historic sites, all significant in this country's early struggle for freedom, are connected by a 2.5 mile red brick line that not only links one place to another, but the past to the present.

It is a red brick and painted line that you can follow to get a good grasp on the history and for appreciating the area's beauty. Because most of the buildings are tall and crammed together it can be hard to photograph some areas - keep in mind that shadows tend to strongly appear in pics and can ruin a good photo op.

You can purchase a spot for a guided tour or the newly usage of audio headphone sets ($12) each. Since we were budgeting ourselves we downloaded a guide off the internet (free) and map of the trail (free) and toured it solo. While we may not have gotten detailed versions, I recommend doing this if you're budgeted because you'll still get a good grasp on the buildings/attractions.

The Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 15 State Street. Friendly Park Rangers staff the center year round and provide scheduled, seasonal free tours. A book and souvenir shop inside the center offers a variety of informative reading materials, postcards and other visitor products.

Hours: Daily 9am until 6pm,
June through August
Daily 9am until 5pm,
September through May

Call: 617-242-5642 for more information and to reserve tours.

Free Public Restrooms are available at the Information Center at 147 Tremont Street, the Visitor Center at 15 State Street, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the Charlestown Navy Yard and Bunker Hill.

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Phone: (617) 242-5642
Address: Recommend start at Boston Common Visitor Center
Directions: Downtown
Website: www.thefreedomtrail.org/

Parking in downtown Boston is actually bearable if you park in the underground parking garage under the Boston Common. Enter into the garage off of Tremont Street, and for about $14 US, you can park for about 6 hours. Trust me, this is a bargain here. Plus, you're right at Boston Common when you come up from your vehicle, and in the bustling hub and heart of beautiful, historic Boston.

The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods.

The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775.

Today, the Common features well-maintained greenery and flower beds and historic statues. You'll find cyclers, joggers, business people on cell phones, everyone from all walks of life. The police patrol on horses and you'll probably see them there. I took this beautiful pic of the Boston State House from standing on Boston Common.

Keep in mind that you might also run into some... interesting people shall we say, we encountered a man in a Cat in the Hat Uniform talking crazily and shouting about the weather. Just keep your eyes open and watch for stray frisbees, balls, and shady characters.

Be sure to remember where you parked and where you emerged from coming up on the Common - very easy to get disorientated as all the exits look the same! A great way to start the Freedom Trail, have a picnic or just sit back and people watch. Best of all, its free.

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Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

Granary Buring Ground in located on the historic Freedom Trail in beautiful downtown Boston. With its massive Egyptian Revival-style gates facing Tremont Street, the Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of many eminent Revolutionary-era patriots, such as Samuel Adams, Peter Faneuil, Paul Revere, and John Hancock.

Originally called South Burying Ground because of its location at the most southerly area of Boston settlement, it was then renamed Middle Burying Ground, as Boston sprawled toward the south. The current name is derived from the grain storage building, or granary, which stood on the site where the Park Street Church now stands.

Burying ground open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Free, but you will have to pay for parking - which I recommend doing at the underground parking garage off of Tremont Streets, then walking 10-15 minutes to get onto the trail. Please do not litter, step off the graveyard paths or touch the stones so that others will be able to enjoy this historic area.

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Phone: (617) 635-4505
Address: Tremont Street
Website: www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail

It's a little hard to describe Faneuil Hall and the marketplaces. This area is best described as a layout of the letter E. The straight supporting line that connects the bars could be described as Faneuil Hall.

Faneuil Hall (pronounced like you are saying the word "annual" with the letter "F" in front) began in 1764 as the "Cradle of Liberty", Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty rallied colonists to assert their independance during the American Revolution. Today, the Faneuil Hall building mainly hosts Boston tourism merchandise, such as keychains and tshirts and other gifts.

The South and North Markets are the top and bottom lines of the letter E. There you will find upper-scale shops as Victoria's Secret, Origins, Nine West, Crabtree & Evelyn and more.

Quincy Market however, the middle line of the letter E, is truly what all the commotion is about - food. And then more food. As well as unique little gifts and did I mention the food? With more than 40 restaurants and snack parlours inside it can be easily frustrating to try and decide what to eat. From Bubble Tea - to Boston Chowda, from Italian, to Mexican, to Bombay cuisine and Philedelphia steak and hoagies - its all here.

Craving a warm jalapeno pretzel? We got it here and then finished up with a chocolate chip cookie the size of our head. What a great, plentiful marketplace.

Be sure to check their website or call for concerts, art fesitvals and special events that frequently take place here. This is Boston! No admissions, this is a shopping center.

Retail Stores: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm,
Sun 12pm-6pm

Quincy Market Foods opens early every day and the pubs are open late every evening.
Best parking option is 75 State Street or under the Boston Common.

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Phone: (617) 523-1300
Address: Congress & State Street
Website: www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/