First of all, if you're wondering why downtown Boston is
so difficult to navigate by car these days, it's because of the mad amounts
of construction. A smart way to get downtown would be public transit, or
the "T".
Secondly, if you're wondering what channel CATV is on, stop! Boston is in
the midst of revolutionizing the way cars enter the city. It has started
the Big Dig, which means
it is building the Central Artery/Tunnel (CATV).
By the time this project is finished in 2004, the elevated Central Artery
will be underground, going beneath Boston's historic downtown area. No more
breathing in gas fumes when looking around the city.
But now on to the sightseeing:
If you want to make sure you're not missing anything big in Boston, buy
a CityPass.
This will allow you to visit 6 major attractions in the city, including
the New England Aquarium,
Museum of Fine Arts and the Harvard
Museum of Natural History. But, most importantly, it gets you into the
John F. Kennedy Library
& Museum. This is where you will step back into the '60's and experience
the life of JFK. It is also set on the waterfront and gives you an incredible
view of the Boston skyline.
One thing you will not get with the CityPass, but should try and do, is
the Maritime Trail.
Here the Boston Harbour Cruises and the Boston History Collaborative have
done just that: collaborated. You can now take a boat tour and listen to
Boston's great history at the same time, in song and story form.
Oh, and when you're in Boston, make sure to have some seafood. It's always
fresh and delicious.
For shopping and strolling,
Faneuil Hall is the place to be. Located in the heart of the city, the
marketplace has been an important spot in Boston history since 1742. Did
you know that George Washington celebrated America's first birthday there?
If you're a history buff, or just someone eager to learn, Boston's a great
city. The Freedom Trail
is an absolute must-see. It's a walking tour through the city which outlines
the formation of a nation and the history of a very interesting city. Operated
by the National Park Service, the trail is inexpensive and a great way to
spend a day.
Another popular passtime for tourists in New England are the whale-watching
trips... various operators will take you out into the Atlantic for a few
hours (usually with a meal). Walking along the seashore in Boston is usually
a great place to find a good price on a tour.
Summertime is also a great time to enjoy historic Fenway
Park and the Boston
Red Sox. Even non-baseball fans will be impressed by the famous ballpark
and the slice of Americana it offers.