Boston remains an utterly unique city in American annals. It has a wonderful mix of old and new architectural styles, a rich cultural history and iconic sports teams. It also represents, along with Philadelphia, the origins of its nations legacy.
So much of what the United States is today began in “The Hub” and the city has done a pretty good job of retaining just enough of that history to provide some context for how much the world has changed while also remaining perpetually modern. Be prepared to walk because Boston is not a city you want to drive in without experience.
On the Reel
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway and Paul Burke. Directed by Norman Jewison.
The 1960s classic heist film features the “King of Cool” and the “Ice Princess” in a memorable pairing. The story, shot primarily in Boston, centers around a millionaire bank robber and the insurance investigator who suspects him.
While the Boston Duck boats are most famous for championship parades for the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics they are also a great way to get a quick tour of the city. Most of the Boston’s numerous landmarks are covered along with some entertaining narration (if you get a good one) and historical tidbits from your driver.
- The Boston Duck Boat tour lasts around 80 minutes with about a quarter of that on the Charles River including an alternative view of the Museum of Science and the Boston and Cambridge skylines.
- Duck boats were originally military vehicles called DUKWs. The acronym came from General Motors nomenclature: D: designed in 1942, U: utility, K: all-wheel drive, W: dual-tandem rear axles.
- Duck tours began in Boston in 1994 when Andrew Wilson became inspired by similar tours in Wisconsin.
- The first Boston championship that used the duck boats was the first New England Patriots Super Bowl win in 2002 and has become a tradition since with a total of twelve parades as of 2019.
- In 2010 the duck boats were utilized as part of a rescue effort for flood victims in the suburb Wayland, MA.
- As of 2014 all of the original boats had been replaced with replicas that are safer, easier to repair and more environmentally safe.
BOSTON DUCK TOURS FAQ's
LOCATION: Boston, MA (Prudential Building)
HOURS: 9am-6pm daily
COST: $45.99 Adult, $36.99 Seniors/Military, $30.99 Children (3-11), under 3 FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1½ hours
DEPARTURE LOCATIONS: Prudential Building, Museum of Science & New England Aquarium
Faneuil Hall was the first true marketplace to exist in Boston. It served as a business hub, a marketplace as well as a meeting center. It was named after its benefactor, Peter Faneuil, who died of dropsy shortly after its completion in 1742. On the eve of his presidency, John Kennedy called Faneuil Hall the “cradle of American liberty”.
- Faneuil Hall was virtually destroyed by fire in 1761. It also underwent an extensive renovation in 1976.
- During the early days of the American Revolution, the hall was home for spirited debates regarding the pressing issues of the day including the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre and the “tea crises” which, of course, led to the infamous Boston Tea Party.
- In the early 19th-century, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace was enlarged and expanded, by famed early American architect Charles Bulfinch, to include Quincy Market as well as North and South Market buildings.
- Some interesting numbers . . . 18 million visitors per year, 49 total shops, including 18 restaurants, in the Marketplace, 35 food vendors in Quincy Market and 44 pushcarts.
On the Reel
Charly (1968)
Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom and Lilia Skala. Directed by Ralph Nelson.
This groundbreaking film explores not only mental disability but also the concept of “Man playing God”. The entire film was shot in Boston including scenes with Faneuil Hall.
The Pru, so-called by New Englanders, has become the skyline icon of the Hub. The Prudential Center surrounding the tower comprises 23 acres and is home to a 620,000 square foot shopping mall. It has taken on some national recognition in the 21st century for its window lighting messages cheering on Boston’s sports teams.
- When construction was completed in 1964, The Pru was the 2nd tallest building in the world outside of New York City. Today it does not even rank in the top 50 tallest in the United States.
- When visiting do go straight to the “Skywalk Observatory” observation deck on the 50th floor and enjoy the best viewpoint in all of New England. Ascend two more floors and enjoy a meal at the “Top of the Hub” restaurant.
- The main rooftop mast has two FM master antennas as well as a television antenna. When included in the building’s height the Pru becomes the 2nd highest building in Boston.
- Though the building was designed by Charles Luckman and Associates for Prudential Insurance, the insurance giant no longer has offices anywhere in the building.
- Per Wikipedia, when the buildings tenants light up the Pru, a normal display of 91-foot tall letters takes over 140 man-hours, covers 18 floors of the building, uses 165 additional window lights, and 260 window block out panels.
No matter your age or interest you will have plenty to keep you interested in the New England Aquarium. In addition to the myriad of attractions within the aquarium itself, the complex also houses an IMAX Theatre and whale watching, which operates from April-November. 2024 will be the Aquarium’s 50th anniversary.
- The Giant Ocean Tank, home to over 1,000 animals, is not only the centerpiece of the aquarium for visitors but the designers as well. The tank was constructed first, then the rest of the facility was built around it.
- You don’t have to travel all the way to the Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas to touch Sting Rays, you can do it at the Aquarium. You can also touch small sharks in the largest such tank on the East Coast.
- The penguin exhibit, arguably the most popular spot in the entire facility, features over 80 birds many of whom are endangered.
- Since its opening, the Aquarium has bred, hatched and raised more than 80 penguins, each of whom can consume up to 40 pounds of fish per day.
- Some interesting numbers . . . 1,300,000 visitors per year, 22,000 members, 8,000 creatures of over 600 different species and 70 exhibits.
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM FAQ's
LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts
HOURS: 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday-Sunday
COST: $32 Adult, $30 Seniors (60+), $23 Children (3-11), under 3 FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2-3 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: No parking onsite (local parking garages available), restrooms on all floors, indoor and outdoor dining options and Gift Shop
On the Reel
Next Stop Wonderland (1998)
Hope Davis, Alan Gelfant and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by Brad Anderson.
This is one of those gems you used to accidentally stumble upon on the bottom shelf of the video store. Wonderland is an intelligent, funny and touching romantic comedy about the unlikeliest pair finding each other with the New England Aquarium itself playing an able third star.
One of the more unique things about the Children’s Museum, the second oldest in the country, is their consistency in providing an educational experience for their visitors, not just entertainment. This philosophy began in 1913 with an emphasis on hands-on activities that challenged young Jamaica Plain children and it continues to today with activities like the Art Studio, Explore•a•Saurus and Johnny’s Workbench.
- The Museum’s interactive “What’s Inside” was the very first hands-on exhibit in any museum anywhere in the world and “PlaySpace” the first -ever exhibit created specifically for young children.
- You have to see the “New Balance Foundation Climb”, a 3-story self-guided maze, to truly appreciate the engineering that went into creating it. The kids will LOVE it!
- In 1979 Boston’s sister city in Japan, Kyoto, gifted the Japanese House (Kyo-no-Machiya). The 2-story home belonged to a silk merchant and continues to be one of the more popular exhibits in the Museum even today.
- A landmark of the area is the 40-foot high, 18-foot wide Hood Milk Bottle located in the front plaza. It weighs in at 15,000 pounds and, if actually filled with milk would hold almost 59,000 gallons!
- Some interesting numbers . . . 600,000 visitors per year, 50,000 items in the Museum’s collections, 10,000 member households, 60 full-time and 34 part-time staff.
BOSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FAQ's
LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts
HOURS: 9am-4:30pm Wednesday-Sunday (closed Monday-Tuesday)
COST: $18 Adults & Children (1-11), under 12 months FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2-4 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Garage parking and restrooms on each floor
Simply known locally as “the Charles”, this landmark river dividing Boston and Cambridge stretches 80 miles through 23 municipalities from Echo Lake in Hopkinton to the Boston Harbor. Every twist and turn highlights a different part of Boston from the Hatch Shell, home of the Boston Pops, to the Harvard and MIT boathouses.
- Since 1928, a boat on the Charles River can row under a train that’s passing under a car that’s driving below an airplane. Contrary to local legend this is not the only place on the planet this occurs . . . still cool though.
- Due to a century’s worth of industrial waste being dumped into the Charles it gained the reputation, and the moniker “Dirty Water”. Luckily much progress has been made over the past few decades to the point where the latest EPA grade received was a sterling A-.
- The Charles was the power source for America’s first fully integrated textile mill.
- Today the river hosts annual events such as the Head of the Charles rowing regatta and the Hong Kong Boston Dragon Boat Festival.
- 70-minute cruises are available in the non-winter months that include great views of some of the world’s best colleges (Boston University, MIT, Harvard), the Prudential Building, Beacon Hill and the Boston Esplanade and Hatch Shell.
CHARLES RIVER CRUISE FAQ's
NOTE: There are a number of different local companies to choose from. Closed in Winter months.
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
COST: Cost ranges from $23-$35 per Adult, $14-$20 for Children
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1-1½ hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Most boats have restrooms, some have cocktail bars and dining options
On the Reel
Patriot’s Day (2016)
Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan and J.K. Simmons. Directed by Peter Berg.
The true story of the Boston Marathon terrorist bombing and the subsequent manhunt to find the perpetrators. Shot entirely in Massachusetts, it also includes a car chase around the Charles River.
Boston’s Museum of Science has been a mainstay in the New England area since 1830 though it only got its current name in 1939. When established in 1951 at its current location in Science Park it was, de-facto, the first all-encompassing science museum in the country. Today the Museum is host to some of the most technologically advanced exhibits and traveling shows on the planet.
- The Museum features 3 primary wings: Blue: Theater of Electricity, walk-through butterfly menagerie, dinosaur exhibit with a life-size T-Rex and more; Red: Charles Hayden Planetarium, the Discover Center, Museum Store, a simulator ride and more)and Green: New England Habitats, A Bird’s World, Hall of Human Life and more.
- The world-famous Charles Hayden Planetarium hosted the very first laser-light show ever (I attended one that summer) featuring, among other artists, the music of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. After closing for renovations the planetarium re-opened in 2011 as New England’s most technologically advanced digital theater.
- The museum has an exhibit named Wicked Smart: Invented in the Hub which focuses on new innovations developed locally. The name, properly pronounced “weaked smat”, is a play on the distinctive New England accent.
- Some interesting numbers . . . 1,500,000 visitors per year, 13,000square foot exhibit for “The Science Behind Pixar” travelling roadshow, 700 interactive exhibits, 38 years of age for “Spooky” the great horned owl, mascot of the museum.
- Starting in the early 1950s, the museum created a traveling planetarium, a tradition that continues to this day at many elementary schools in the Greater Boston area.
- Popularity of the Museum really grew in the mid-50s when the MBTA opened a station at the Science Park allowing more people access via public transportation.
BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE FAQ's
LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts
HOURS: 9am-5pm
COST: $29 Adults, $25 Seniors (60+), $24 Children (3-11), under 3 FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1½-2 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Garage parking, restrooms, restaurant and Museum Store
Boston is a very unique American city that is more designed for traveling on foot than by car. In fact, driving in Boston is not for the faint-hearted between the narrow streets, the sheer number of one-way streets, the weather and “crazy” New England drivers. The city itself is a treasure cove for history buffs and intellectuals alike. As Tip O’Neill once said, “only three things matter in Massachusetts . . . Education, Politics and the Red Sox but not necessarily in that order”.
Do you have any Boston or New England stories to share with us? We’d love to hear all about them.
