Boston, Massachusetts - Entertainment

Do

• Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, 617-524-1718[1]. T stop: Orange Line or Needham commuter rail to Forest Hills (last stop on the Orange Line). Come see the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants. A park with beautiful landscaping and specimens.

• Boston Harbor Islands State Park, 617-727-5290 [2]. Take a Ferry (Long Wharf: Blue line to Aquarium), 617-223-8666 [3]) out to Georges Island and tour Fort Warren. See why Boston was the most defensable city in the New World. Shuttles leave from there to other islands in Boston Harbor. Ranger-led activities, events, narrations, or just swim, picnic, camp or fish. This is a hidden jewel that is off the beaten path.

• Newbury Street [4] Eight blocks of high-end boutiques, hair salons, and galleries. Makes for a fabulous day of shopping and dining. Accessible on the Green Line from the Arlington, Copley, and Hynes stations.

• Boston Common and Public Garden. A must-see for all visitors during the warmer months. The oldest public park in America. Ride the famous Swan Boats, walk across the world's shortest suspension bridge and generally enjoy the park with its shady trees, fountains, statues, sidewalk vendors, and greenery. Visit the Cheers bar across Beacon St, but be forewarned: only tourists go here. A great starting point for visitors interested in local historical sights, or on your way to Downtown Crossing or the Back Bay. Very nice foliage in the fall. The area east of Charles St is the Common, which is more open and less manicured. The area west of Charles St. is the Public Garden, which consists of many walking paths amid an impressive variety of well-maintained folliage. Accessible on the Green Line from Park Street, Boylston and Arlington stations, on the Red Line from Park Street station, and a short walk from any other downtown station.

• Community Boating. For kids between ages 10 and 18, membership is only $1 for the entire summer. Membership includes all sorts of sailing lessons (sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, etc.) along with other benefits. Each class takes a couple of days. 2-day membership is $100; 60-day membership is $159. Accessible on the Red Line from Charles/MGH station.

• Freedom Trail. A 2.5 mi. (4 km) walking tour of 16 historic sites that begins at Boston Common, goes through downtown Boston, the North End and Charlestown, ending at the USS Constitution. Sites include the old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's House, and the Old North Church. The Freedom Trail connects to the Boston Harbor Walk. The Freedom Trail is marked by a line of red paint or red brick in the sidewalk. The beginning of the trail is accessible on the Green Line or the Red Line from Park St station. However, all the lines are convenient at various points along the way, via several downtown stations.

• Codzilla [5] Take a ride across the Boston Harbor at 40mph on the 2800hp speedboat. Sudden stops, sharp turns, and no claims for how dry you will stay. There's nothing terribly Boston about it, but it gets you a good view of the Harbor.

• Faneuil Hall [6] and Quincy Market, downtown Boston. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, two of Boston's oldest marketplaces, contain a great set of mainly tourist-oriented shops and eateries. Since Faneuil Hall Marketplace is private property, the street performers must audition and thus are consistently entertaining. Faneuil Hall also has a historic meeting hall in its upper levels, and is just down the street from the Old State House. Quincy Market has a number of food stalls from local (delectable) providers - coffee, pastries, candy, popcorn, sushi, Italian, lobster and lobster rolls, Chinese, sandwiches, etc. No farmers' market, all food is prepared. Great place to eat a wide variety of foods for cheap, especially with kids. Tables available in covered outdoor area immediately outside. Accessible on the Blue Line at State St., Government Center, and Aquarium stations, on the Orange Line at State St. station, and on the Green Line at Government Center station.

• Boston By Foot. 77 North Washington St., 617-367-2345 [7]. Guided walking tours highlighting the architecture and history of Boston. Passionate, trained and enthusiastic guides offer regular tours May-October of the Freedom Trail, North End, Beacon Hill and the Back Bay. Tours also available for children. See web site for details, schedules and special events.

• Urban Interactive. 800-930-7517 [8]. Part Amazing Race, part interactive theater, and part treasure hunt, Urban Interactive creates adventures that immerse tourists in the history and culture of Boston.

• Copley Square. Take a Duck Tour, 617-267-DUCK [9], enjoy the fountains, visit the top of the nearby Prudential building, see the Boston Public Library, visit the beautiful Trinity Church, or go shopping along Newbury Street. Accessible on the Green Line at Copley station, or on the Orange Line at Back Bay station.

• Watson Adventures. Scavenger Hunts, 877-9-GO HUNT [10]. Explore museums and historic neighborhoods while hunting for answers to tricky, humorous questions. Public hunts for both adults and families are offered in Boston, Salem and Cambridge, at locations including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium.

• Boston Pops Orchestra. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Av, 617-266-1492, CustomerService@bso.org. The Pops perform programs of both classical and popular music, consistently pleasing audiences. Tickets can be had inexpensively. Accessible on the E branch of the Green Line at Symphony station.

• Theater District. Washington St, Tremont St. Broadway is the undisputed center of the theater world, but Boston's Theater District is where most Broadway shows will preview and is usually he first stop on a show's touring run. Resident shows also run.

• Bicycling. 20 Park Plaza (Suite 528), 617-542-2453. The Minuteman Bikeway is one of the most heavily used rail trails in the United States. This eleven mile paved path is popular with walkers, cyclists, and in-line skaters. The route closely follows that taken at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Accessible on the Red Line at Davis and Alewife stations.

• Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory. Prudential Center, 617-859-0648. Tickets: Adults $11.00, Seniors $9.00, Children under 12 $7.50, Student with college ID $9.00. Look around Boston from the second tallest skyscraper. Open daily. Winter (Nov thru Feb) 10AM-8PM; Summer (Mar thru Oct) 10AM-10PM.

• Urban Adventure Bike Tours. 617-233-7595, Fax: 617-812-0452.

• Boston Gondolas. 800-979-3370. Gondola rides on the Charles River. From $99. One hundred and fifty five successful marriage proposals have occurred on the Gondolas according to their site.

• Sam Adams Brewery Tour. Phone 30 Germania St. (Orange line to Stonybrook)617-368-5080. Take a tour of the Sam Adams brewery located in Jamaica Plan. Free samples of beer at the end.

• Harpoon Brewery Tour Phone 888-HARPOON. (Silver line Waterfront, fourth stop from South Station) After taking countless Brewery tours from around the world, we decided to focus our tours on what we feel is the best part of any brewery tour - the sampling. No tour, but free samples.