TIPS & TRICKS: BOSTON FOR CHEAP




Boston is not an inexpensive city however in the summer Boston comes alive with free events, movies and concerts. Activities and outings that everyone can benefit from and enjoy are offered year round as well. Two terrific options are any one of the Park Ranger Programs and museum passes and museum freebies.

Park Ranger Programs
Two of the many park ranger programs I love are:
State House
Built in 1702 this historic building is well worth taking a free guided tour. The building itself is full of grandeur and elegance as only fitting to a state house. In addition it has those wonderful oddities that make the trip fun and different. There is a hall of flags where visitors can search for their town flag and statues galore including a sculpture of a turkey eagle - the turkey eagle was in the running as our national bird. But best of all the state house is home to the “sacred cod” which has hung in the state house for more than 200 years…on the tour you find out the story and history of this scared fish.
  

Black Heritage Trail
This is a terrific walk through Beacon Hill tracing the history of Boston's African American community. Although easily done as a self-guided tour, resist the temptation! Park Rangers give free guided tours that bring this walk to a whole different level. Families will see Beacon Hill in a new light as Rangers give insight and paint a realistic portrait of this community fighting to establish educational institutions and end slavery for the rest of the nation.

Museums:
Take full advantage of the library museum pass program and some of the best museums in the country.  Kid pleasing museums include The Science Museum, New England Aquarium and The Children’s Museum. Museum passes are also available for The Fine Arts Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Tap into your local library to get a complete listing of passes offered to Boston Museums.

The year round library museum pass program there is Free Fun Friday which happens every Friday from the end of June through the end of August.  Through a funding provided by the Highland Street Foundation multiple sites all over the state are open to visitors at no-cost. The program was created to increase access opportunities for adults and children throughout Massachusetts but always has a Boston museum in the mix.

Helpful Information:
  • MBTA: www.mbta.com
  • Free Fun Fridays: http://www.highlandstreet.org/programs/free-fun-fridays 
  • State House: (617) 727-3676 or www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/Massachusettshouse.asp
  • Black Heritage Trail: www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm


No comments:

Post a Comment

COOKING: WONDERFULLY EASY BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Beef Bourguignonne   …say it slowly… Beef Bourguignonne , what a lovely name. It just rolls from your lips and sounds so much...