A Beginner's Guide to Boston
During the weekends we put our projects on hold and, provided that we have enough sun cream, it's time to explore. Having found myself exploring for a few weekends now this is my guide on what to check out in Boston.
Exploring Boston's History:
Despite being called the land of the free, museums haven't seemed to have gotten the memo and for most attractions, you should expect to be paying anywhere between $5 and $30 for entry. However, these museums are not only less crowded because of the price of entry the fact that people are still paying to enter means they're pretty awesome. Despite this, if you are a history buff on a budget do not fear. The Freedom Trail is the thing for you. During the freedom trail, you're taken to landmark locations in Boston, covering parks, churches and meeting houses all with rich stories that you can find for free on the freedom trail website. A particular favourite of mine was the Faneuil hall. A beautiful structure built in the 17th century that has an interior decorated like an iced Christmas cake with walls adorned with paintings and busts of founding fathers. So far I've visited the Faneuil hall twice; once to hear a historical talk from a park ranger and another time to watch a reenactment of an 18th-century town hall meeting where members of the public were invited to participate. ( I did not.) Another free event that I attended was a talk on the black history of Boston which again was a fascinating history lesson through the town.
As for paid attractions, I would recommend the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum. This ended up being a hefty price, however after scouring the website I was able to find a great deal for residents of Massachusetts (which I have been for 5 weeks now) where you get 50% entry. This was a great experience where you're taken back to the meeting the night before the Boston Tea Party and encouraged to participate by booing and hissing the 16th-century British government. Inside the museum, you have an opportunity to 'throw tea into the sea' as many patriots did during the tea party and exhibits are made to be interactive in order to get a better perspective of different viewpoints during the time.
Learn something new:
As the capital of Massachusetts, Boston has some amazing tourist attractions fit for people of all ages. These attractions are especially great if you happen to be an MIT student as they have free or reduced entry with MIT ID. The Museum of Science is jam-packed with information meaning no matter how much you already know you're bound to come out having discovered something new in one of its many interactive exhibits. Some exhibits are a little more interactive than others, for example, an indoor playground with each piece of equipment investing a different part of physics, I personally gave lying on a bed of nails a miss but that doesn't mean you have to! I also loved the New England Aquarium. This was a giant building full of some amazing sea creatures, you're encouraged to stroke starfish, watch some penguin antics and there's even a full-sized anaconda. For lovers of art, there's the Museum of Fine Arts which has pieces from throughout history and the world. I found it pretty cool that all the special exhibitions were free with admission as I got to see quite a few famous items of clothing in an exhibition on genderless fashion.
Entertainment:
Boston in the summer is home to plenty of free forms of entertainment, and in a city that isn't too big, it makes participating in them unintimidating and lots of fun. I tried MIT's Lindy Hop classes in my first week here and despite being run by MIT these classes are free for anyone to attend. During the summer they teach Blues dancing where you're encouraged to feel the beat of sweet smooth music while learning a new skill and socialising. One of my favourite sources of entertainment here was Shakespeare on the Common. It's a performance running all summer long in Boston Common where a professional theatre company take on Shakespeare in the outdoors. As a lover of live performances, I found it incredible and a lovely night out. Although performances were free a recommended $20 was requested which, to be honest, is a bargain in itself.
With only a few weeks left here, I've enjoyed the rich experiences I've had so far. Of course, Boston is only part of the story of what you can do here. With out of state coaches and a reasonably priced interstate rail line, there is no upper limit on things you can do while here.
Exploring Boston's History:
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| The gorgeous Boston Public Library |
As for paid attractions, I would recommend the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum. This ended up being a hefty price, however after scouring the website I was able to find a great deal for residents of Massachusetts (which I have been for 5 weeks now) where you get 50% entry. This was a great experience where you're taken back to the meeting the night before the Boston Tea Party and encouraged to participate by booing and hissing the 16th-century British government. Inside the museum, you have an opportunity to 'throw tea into the sea' as many patriots did during the tea party and exhibits are made to be interactive in order to get a better perspective of different viewpoints during the time.
Learn something new:
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| Getting Hungry at the Museum of Fine Arts. |
Entertainment:
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| After walking so much I needed a massive break. |
With only a few weeks left here, I've enjoyed the rich experiences I've had so far. Of course, Boston is only part of the story of what you can do here. With out of state coaches and a reasonably priced interstate rail line, there is no upper limit on things you can do while here.
