Not really. If you don’t mind walking around a lot, you could walk from Skywalk/the Prudential Center to the Charles Playhouse, but it would probably take around half an hour (at least).
The Charles Playhouse is definitely not in the midst of Boston’s tourist attractions. It is, however, close to Chinatown (good for eating) and Boston Common/the Public Garden. The Common is one of Boston’s most famous landmarks and is good for people-watching. If you’re the sort who likes to explore new places and get a feel for what a city is like, you might want to walk around the Common just for that reason.
One possible itinerary:
From your hotel, walk around and explore the North End, then head down south to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, then walk down Tremont Street and take in the Common and Public Garden, then head over to the Charles Playhouse.
I don’t have any numbers, but I would guess the Harvard Museum of Natural History would be the least busy of the three places you mentioned.
I was just on the Old Town Trolley site and now curious about the Ghosts and Graveyard tours. Sounds interesting (walking, a bit of history,) and is something that would fill time later in the day. I’m not sure if we’d be able to get tickets this late, though…
Sorry, I’d sugarcoat it for you, but what would be the point?
The MFA ia a great place to go, but I’d put more importance on going to the Gardner Museum. It has a very interesting history, is far more beautiful, and has some great stuff. If you can handle doing both places in a row, they’re right next to each other.
It’s an interesting place because it used to be a woman’s home. When she died she stipulated that nothing be moved or changed. It was to stay exactly as it had been.
There’s a central courtyard that has a number of vases. One was tipped over when she died. No one is allowed to put it back upright.
In 1990 it was the subject of the biggest art heist in history. The estimated loss is $300m, but some of the works are considered priceless. Rembrandt’s only seascape was taken. Nothing has been put up in their place, as per the stipulation. There are some big blank spots on the walls.
I went on the Ghosts and Gravestones tour a while ago–in 2001, maybe?–so things could have changed. It’s fun, though cheesy, and a good way to kill time at night, if you still have the energy to do something. As I recall, we went to the Granary Burying Ground and the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. The tour guide was really hammy and told us a bunch of urban legends. While riding on the trolley, at one point we passengers were encouraged to scream at people on the street and freak them out. Dunno if Ghosts and Gravestones still does this.
It was my friend who got our tickets. I think that he just bought them a few minutes prior to our hopping on the trolley and didn’t make any reservations, but this was years ago.
It occurred to me to mention the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, but I didn’t know if the OP would be all museumed out.
The Gardner’s building is certainly more beautiful than the MFA’s (the interior courtyard is really nice) and the Gardner has some amazing, world-famous artwork. But the MFA has artwork from all time periods and different parts of the world, while the Gardner is mostly European art. I suppose which one the OP should visit depends on whether the OP wants to prioritize seeing something that’s unique to Boston (the Gardner) or prefers variety (the MFA).
As mentioned, both museums are practically next to each other, so it’s quite possible to visit both places in the same day. Whether the OP can do that without getting overwhelmed is another matter…
I just realized you’ll be in Boston during MA spring break, so a lot of people will be out of town. You may want to avoid child-heavy activities though - a lot of parents with kids out of school will be looking for something to keep the little monsters happy.
There’s also the cool part that if your first name is “Isabella”, you get in for free.
Well, I was going to try to be helpful, but everyone pretty much beat me to it. I’ll try to add some value.
If you’re going to be in Harvard Square for the MNH, I might recommend stopping by Herrell’s ice cream (if you like ice cream). Good stuff. I particularly like their malted vanilla.
I know you’re seeing Blue Man Group, so do you like theatre? If so, there is a BosTix booth in Copley Square (near Prudential) where you can get 1/2 price day-of tickets. There are usually good local theatre groups at the Boston Center for the Arts (about a 15 minute walk from the Charles Playhouse). I would have recommended that instead of Blue Man, to be honest, but you’ve already got the tix, so… (nothing against Blue Man, it’s just not Boston-specific).
I agree, when you can , use the “T” liberally.
It can get you everywhere and is easy to follow.
Keep in mind also as you plan to see certain things.
Bostons museums, the aquarium, etc are large places. You can easily blow through a whole day going through the exhibits.
Since you do have a relatively short amount of time for your first visit. I too suggest
you get to know the city by taking advantage of the Freedom Trail, the Boston Common.
If they are out,do the ultimately tourist thing and ride the swan boats.
Boston is an amazing walking city. You can find amazing places to eat walking through The North End and China Town as well.
*The hotel has suggested we take a water taxi from the airport as it is directly across the water (3 Battery Wharf). It isn’t too pricey - $10 a person, and takes 7 minutes. We can do on Wednesday but not Sunday since it won’t be running early enough.
*We are thinking about doing a Duck Tour very first thing Thursday morning, just to get a general idea of the layout of the city. Trying to figure out if MOS or Prudential is closer to hotel.
*We have time to fill until BMG at 5:00. Totally up in the air about what to do. Someone had suggested Downtown crossing for shopping. Do stores close early in Boston? We’ll likely get something to eat in China Town after the show - neither of us is proficient with chopsticks (we live somewhere with cheap Chinese takeout and nothing else).
*Wondering if we should use Friday for MOS since I’m sure that hubby could spend the entire day there. Still looking into Ghosts and Gravestones tour, but need to make reservations in advance.
*Saturday Museum of Natural History.
That still leaves quite a few optionals unplanned - I’m having a hard time dealing with Google Maps today to see what makes sense (time permitting) of the other choices (MFA/Isabella Gardner, Quincy Market, Skywalk Observatory). We’ll sprinkle in some of the suggestions for eateries.
I’m assuming most/all attractions are not running in the evenings? I see the Aquarium (which I believe is very close to the hotel) has IMAX, so that might give us something to do one night as well. Seeing as we get out of the house without our 3 year old practically never, the opportunity to do anything is appealing.
After I get everything planned, then I should probably start really looking at your transit maps. I’m a wee bit nervous about getting lost or confused.
I cannot thank everyone enough for all this help. Although our time in Boston will be short, this is a very big deal for us. I expect it will be many years before we have means to take another child-free (mini) vacation.
Looks like Macy’s is open until 9:00 pm, and that was the main draw for me at Downtown Crossing. Potentially could do that after Blue Man Group…
I know BMG isn’t Boston specific, but it was something we wouldn’t get the chance to do here. Our local facilities are old, small and have terrible acoustics - they either don’t accommodate or don’t do justice to large shows. We’ve always wanted to see Cirque but we don’t even have a building in our city with the proper ceiling clearance.
Macy’s is, well, Macy’s. Frankly it’s just a dept store, albeit a nice big one. If you want interesting shopping I’d suggest walking down Newbury Street over by Copley. That’s where the fun shopping is in Boston.
MoS is closer, you can take the Green line from North Station. You can easily combing the Duck Tour with a visit to the MoS, then a walk along the Esplanade, the riverside park where the Boston Pops play on July 4th. A stroll up the Esplanade then a taxi ride to the Theater District should cover the day.
If you go to the Pru instead that’s right next to Newbury St. You can also visit the Boston Public Library in Copley and see the John Singer Sargent murals, that’s free and worthwhile.
MoS has an OmniMax theater, which is worth it if you like the movies showing.
Being in Atl. Canada, we don’t have anything like a Macy’s. I’d like a walk through if we have time, but the rest of downtown crossing doesn’t look that interesting. Maybe a quick stop there if time. Definitely want to walk around Newbury (even if I won’t be able to afford anything).
I’ll go ahead and unsuggest it. It’s gotten really run down over the past few years, crime has risen, and the shopping is pretty bad. If shopping is your bag, Newbury Street and Quincy Market are better bets. And get to Harvard Square, for the shopping, for the school, and for the food.
Just down the street form Harvard is a burger joint called Barkley’s. We’ve 'fested there before. Best. Burgers. EVAR.
But if you insist on going downtown, then I second Jacob Wirth. It’s really the only German food in town.
Good idea about skipping the JFK Lbrary – it’s not near the other things. If you decide to go, however, take the T and then the shuttle bus that stops at the T station. I recently learned by experience that the way is NOT well-marked if you decide to walk from the T station, and it’s a lot farther than you think.
The T or your feet will actually do pretty well to get you around downtown Boston. I’d take the T to the Harvard museums and the MFA, though.
And check out the Museum of Science. It has Van fe Graaf’s own Van de Graaf generator, and it works.
Speaking of skipping JFK Library, if any of you want the two passes, let me know. No need in them going to waste!
Yeah, Macy’s isn’t essential. I was hoping to pick up a couple of pieces of clothing (I heard you don’t have sales tax on clothing?) Nothing critical.
Re: Crime. I think we’re bringing both cameras (the cheapy small point and shoot and the decent super-zoom). Now I’m trying to decide what to bring where. Scenery shots really need the zoom, but the museum I would think would not. I doubt photography is allowed at BMG. No need carry the big camera if unnecessary and there’s a chance of losing it.
I’ll try to add some value.
