| |
Boston Common
The Boston Common is 50 acres of open land and is the oldest public park in America. It was originally owned by William Blackstone, and was purchased in 1634 as a militia “trayning field” and for the “feeding of Cattle” owned by the townspeople of Boston. When the British Army occupied Boston, they used the Boston Common as their camp.
Boston Common is America’s oldest public park (approximately 50 acres) was set aside in 1634 as a military “training” ground and common pasture land. The Common is popular for civil protests, neighborhood baseball games and various other activities. Across Charles Street, bounded by Arlington, Boylston and Beacon Streets, is the Public Garden, the nation’s oldest botanical garden. The Boston Common and Public Garden are part of the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks all connected to each other. The network includes the Esplanade, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Back Bay Fens, Olmstead Park, Jamaica Park, Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park.
Fenway Park
A very special place and as historic as you can get in Major League Baseball. It’s small, but it’s survived and that’s what makes it so special to visit. If your not used to Fenway, it makes you feel like you’ve went back in time when you walk in there. In a nationwide poll, both fans and players chose Fenway as the most aesthetic place to experience a baseball game. Sports lovers delight in the authenticity and character of this homey downtown park - with its geometrically peculiar shape (including the only ladder in play in the majors), gorgeous green lawn, hand-operated scoreboard, and high-spirited fans. And if you want to see Bostonians really let down their Puritan reserve, Fenway Park shows them at their raucous best.
After sky-view seats were installed in 1946, lights in 1947, and Diamond Vision in 1976, Fenway has remained much like it was on opening day, April 20, 1912. Fenway has been a link to baseball"s past, a living museum commemorating the feats of players whose names evoke enduring emotions: Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Collins, Duffy Lewis, Harry Hooper, Joe Cronin, Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx, Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, and Roger Clemens.
Sadly for many, this season is the old Fenway"s last hurrah. Next year a new and glitzier stadium will be built on the site. Fortunately for long-time fans, the Green Monster will be incorporated in the new ballpark.
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the great art museums of the world, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston opened to the public in 1876. Visit one of the greatest international art museums and see treasures from all of the world’s major civilizations. The Museum of Fine Arts has one of the largest groups of Monets outside of Paris as well as renowned collections of European and American paintings, Egyptian, Asian, and Classical art, sculpture and drawings. Daily activities include films, concerts, artist lectures, and family programs. . Also excellent are the American fine and decorative arts: The museum has more than 60 portraits by John Singleton Copley and more than 40 by Gilbert Stuart. The Remis Auditorium, located in the west wing, is a proscenium theater that hosts concerts, film series and performance art.
Address:
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Cross Street: Museum Road
Phone: (617) 267-9300
BOSTON’S FREEDOM TRAIL
Boston, Massachusetts
WALK INTO HISTORY ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
In 1958, local journalist William Schofield had the idea that Boston’s sites could he made more accessible to residents and visitors and conceived of The Freedom Trail. A natural and easily accomplished idea, the sixteen historic sites between Boston Common and The Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown were connected by a red line, and The Freedom Trail was born. In addition to its history, the beautiful sites, sounds, and neighborhoods along the way made walking The Freedom Trail an instantly popular activity.
The Freedom Trail Players are a group of lively characters who travel the Trail. These friendly gent1efolk cloaked in Colonial garb, are ambassadors to the era of America’s founding and the birth of our country’s freedom. The players are savvy on everything from what life was like for an 18th century woman to what really happened on Paul Revere’s midnight ride. They are time travelers here to provide information and direction along the Freedom Trail and through the history of its landmarks. Famous patriots including William Dawes, Abigail Adams, and James Otis share anecdotes about their lives in Colonial times and inform visitors to the Freedom Trail on all things Boston. All activities are free or low-cost.
Call the Freedom Trail Foundation at (617-227-8800) for more information or visit http://www.thefreedomtrail.org.
Boston Duck Tours
With Boston Duck Tours the fun begins as soon as you board your “DUCK", an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle. You’ll cruise by the golden-domed State House, the Fleet Center, Boston Common, Copley Square, Government Center, Newbury Street and more. Then your ConDUCKtor splashes your DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines.
Operating Season / Hours:
March 28 - November 30
Tours depart rain or shine, 7 days a week, every half hour from 9:00am to approximately one hour before sunset. All DUCKS are heated.
Ducks depart from Huntington Avenue in front of Shaw’s Supermarket. Tickets should be purchased at the Duck Tours kiosk located in Huntington Arcade across from Barnes & Noble.
New England Aquarium
New England Aquarium in Boston is one of the city’s perpetually popular family attractions. Walk through the doors and enter the underwater world. Open your eyes to a fantastic array of shape, color and movement. The four-story Giant Ocean Tank’s coral reef is home to sharks, turtles and moray eels. Our NEW Simons IMAX®Theatre,Boston’s first and only IMAX 3D theatre, has a six-story screen that creates an amazingly lifelike viewing experience. The New England Aquarium is open every day, all year, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Aquarium made its debut on June 20, 1969, more than 12,000 visitors came through on the very first day.
Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum waterfront Exhibit Center houses fun-filled participatory exhibits for children of all ages. Areas of interest range from culture and the arts to science and natural history. Exhibits change regularly. Daily programs, activities, and frequent special events forchildren, parents, and educators continue throughout the year.
Within the museum there are water play areas (Boats Afloat), a Construction Zone (much like the Big Dig happening all over Boston), rock-climbing walls, an art studio, a Latin American supermercado where even the littlest ones can “shop” for plastic food complete with baskets and checkout registers, and lots more. For the stroller set, there’s an entire Playspace just for very young visitors with exhibits and activities sized just for them. When we went last, an interactive visiting exhibit on pets featured live animals (house pets) to touch and instructions on responsible care for them.
If you get hungry, there’s a McDonald’s on site and a Hood Milk Bottle-shaped food stand out front, plus a picnic area to “bring your own".
The museum is accessible by car (there’s parking in back) or by “T” – get off the red line at South Station and walk across the bridge towards “Arthur". Plan to spend several hours at least, and if you plan to be back in the Boston area within the year, consider a membership.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner first welcomed visitors to her museum on New Year’s Day, 1903. The Gardner Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is like walking into someone else’s fantasy, although it will soon become your own. Isabella Stewart Gardner began her collection with the money she inherited from her father in 1891. She built Fenway Court (now known as the Gardner Museum) with the intention of using it as a showcase for her collection, with her own living quarters on the fourth floor. Contrary to popular belief the entire structure was not brought over from Venice, only various windows and balconies.
Upon first entering the museum visitors are often awe struck at the display of Sargent’s “El Jaleo.” This painting first belonged to her cousin, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, who loaned it to her while he was traveling. When he returned he found that she had reconstructed Fenway Court to showcase this painting in such a breath-taking manner that he gave her the painting on the spot. Immediately to the right of the painting is the fabulous courtyard whose gardens change with the seasons.
The literal centrepiece of the building is the breathtaking courtyard. A lush conservatory four stories high with a glass ceiling, this ‘Garden of Eden’ is a fabulous counterpoint to the rich panelling and velvet drapes that adorn most of the museum. Although you cannot enter the courtyard, it is lovely to sit on the low stone balustrade that surrounds it, to close your eyes and to inhale the fragrance of whatever flora is being showcased that season. Just beyond the courtyard on the left side of the building is the crown jewel of the Gardner painting collection. El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent is simply mesmerizing. Upon receipt of this work, Mrs Gardner renovated the building specifically for it. She created the Spanish Cloister, a long narrow room with a beautifully tiled floor and Moorish arches which draw the viewer in. You must walk the length of the room to approach the painting, highlighted on the far wall, which gives one the feeling of paying tribute or of making a pilgrimage. The painting itself is dark and sensuous - a lone Spanish dancer, caught up in the moment, clearly entertaining an audience, but seeming to dance for herself alone.
Theft in Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
In March 1990, thieves made the Gardner Museum the victim of the largest art theft to date. Twelve artworks worth more than $100 million were stolen, including a Vermeer (one of only 35 extant paintings of his), two Rembrandts, several Degas canvases, and a Manet. They are all still missing.
One of the men responsible for the theft will only cooperate with the authorities if they agree not to prosecute him for the act. He (supposedly) knows the whereabouts of the paintings and the other culprits and will gladly help the police. Many say let the man off as the experience of the Gardner Museum is greatly diminished without these masterpieces.
Public Garden
For the people who take the time during the garden’s “off season", this is the best place in Boston to see and enjoy. The entrance to the Boston Public Garden is in the middle of Charles Street, across from the Boston Common. This hallowed green space has been rescued twice, once in the 19th century from real-estate tycoons, and again in the 20th century, when neglect left it in near-ruin. The central lagoon on which the famous Swan Boats cruise is spanned by the world’s smallest suspension bridge.
The beautiful flower beds, covered by winter’s gift, will soon be replanted and the brilliant colors of the warmer months will take root. Evergreens offer some of the only color but the huge willows and exotic tress are still impressive. Monuments include the first statue of George Washington on horseback; one of Edward Everett Hale, author of “The Man Without a Country"; and of course, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack of the famous children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings,” which is set in the Public Garden. In spring and summer, intricate floral patterns and the blazing colors of hundreds of flowers brighten the garden’s walkways, while the scent of sweet blossoms greets wanderers. Trees and plants include magnolia, crab apple, dogwood, Japanese pagoda, tulips and roses.
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
For a thousand days in the early 1960s America seemed new and fresh. Captivated by the optimism and energy of its youthful leader, a generation of Americans envisioned limitless possibilities in an uncertain world. It was a thousand days of new beginnings, a thousand days of promise. It was the thousand days of President John F. Kennedy.
Now, the inspiration of those momentous days continues — at The New Museum at the John F. Kennedy Library. Emotion and intensity. Joy and concern. The New Museum at the Kennedy Library captures the powerful story of the Kennedy years, giving visitors of all ages an uplifting, “first-hand” experience of President Kennedy’s life, leadership and legacy.
In 25 dramatic exhibits, you step back into the re-created world of the Kennedy Presidency. Accompany candidate Kennedy as he wins the 1960 Democratic nomination and takes his case to the people along the campaign trail. Witness the first televised presidential debate from behind the studio camera. Walk through the White House corridors, the office of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and the Oval Office as President Kennedy relates in his own words how he faced the complex, dangerous challenges of the nuclear age.
Enjoy the touches of grace and culture First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy brought to the Executive Mansion. Then, exploring historical documents and interactive computers, discover for yourself new insights into the programs of the Kennedy Administration — and the message they have for us today.
Vivid settings. Three theaters. Twenty video presentations. The New Museum at the John F. Kennedy Library offers you the chance to experience the stirring legacy of President Kennedy’s thousand days, and come away inspired by his vision that one person can make a difference.
|
|
|
|
