Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7
What to See & Do in Boston
W
hether you want to immerse yourself
in the colonial era or just cruise around
the harbor, you can do it—and plenty
more—in Boston. Throw out your pre-
conceptions of the city as an open-air his-
tory museum (although that's certainly
one of the guises it can assume), and allow
your interests to dictate where you go.
It's possible but not advisable to take in
most of the major attractions in 2 or 3
days if you don't linger anywhere too
long. For a more enjoyable, less rushed
visit, plan fewer activities and spend more
time on them. For descriptions of sug-
gested itineraries, see p. 55.
Mergers and budget cuts have slashed
corporate and government contributions
to many cultural organizations. Admis-
sions fees and hours in this chapter are
current at press time, but establishments
that rely heavily on outside aid may cost
a bit more or be keeping shorter hours by
the time you visit. And prices for attrac-
tions that use fuel—such as tours and
cruises—are subject to changes or sur-
charges depending on the fluctuating
energy market. If you're on a tight sched-
ule or budget, check ahead.
For security reasons, some attractions
require adult patrons to show ID before
entering. Double-check that you have
your license or passport before you leave
the hotel.
In 2009, observations of the
bicenten-
nial of Abraham Lincoln's birth
will
take place all over the United States; the
holiday is in February, and events will
stretch throughout the year. Another
1809 baby,
Park Street Church
(p. 151),
is planning its own birthday celebration;
check ahead for information about spe-
cial events. Also wearing a pointy hat and
blowing out candles: the
New England
Aquarium
(p. 147), which turns 40 in
2009. The National Park Service opened
a new
Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor
Center
in 2008; visit Building 5, between
the entrance and the warship “Old Iron-
sides,” to check out the new facility and
enjoy the air-conditioning.
In 2008, two of the three
Harvard Art
Museums
(p. 167) closed for renovations.
Check ahead for details about the great-
est-hits displays in the one that remains
open, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. At
press time, the
Boston Tea Party Ship &
Museum
(
&
617/269-7150;
www.boston
teapartyship.com), which closed after a
fire in 2001, was scheduled to reopen in
mid-2009. Chronically delayed plans in
place since shortly after a devastating fire
in 2001 called for the construction of two
more ships, doubling the size of the
museum, and addition of a tearoom.
Check at your hotel or call ahead before
setting out.
1 The Top Attractions
The attractions in this section are easily accessible by
public transportation;
given the
difficulty and expense of parking, it's preferable to take the T everywhere. Even the
Kennedy Library, which has a large free parking lot, operates a free shuttle bus that
