| A Boston vacation is a mesmerizing trip | | | | movement. |
| through the nation's past and to a | | | | The centerpiece of the aquarium is the |
| celebration of its future and center of | | | | giant tank. The floors of the aquarium |
| learning. Here in one city you can | | | | run around the tank and up four levels. |
| experience the start of the | | | | At the top you get to peer down into a |
| revolutionary war, see a coral reef, | | | | coral reef and listen as the staff |
| take a bus on a river, and experience | | | | explains about the tank and the fish |
| the campuses of MIT and Harvard - and | | | | that live in it. |
| all before dinner. | | | | You'll get the answer to questions such |
| You'll find Boston vacations a | | | | as: "Why don't the big shark fish eat |
| refreshing mixture of historic and | | | | the little tasty fish?" or "How old are |
| modern buildings. And what's even better | | | | those huge sea turtles swimming around |
| is you can see it all - or most - by | | | | down there?" |
| walking. That's right the ole soft shoe | | | | Your ticket will include a visit to the |
| shuffle. You'll save time and see more | | | | Discovery next to the main building, |
| by expending some shoe leather. | | | | where you can see and learn about sea |
| But before you do that I highly | | | | lions during an amazing show. A few |
| recommend an orientation tour first. | | | | years ago the Aquarium opened an IMAX |
| THE FAMOUS DUCK TOUR | | | | theater that shows a mixture of |
| One of the best and most unique tours is | | | | sea-related and general science films. |
| the Duck Tour ride. This is a popular | | | | A word of warning - this is a favorite |
| 80-minute tour for first-time Boston | | | | Boston vacations attraction for families |
| vacation visitors. But be warned, during | | | | so it can get crowded. But you'll always |
| the summer tours are usually sold out by | | | | get in, even when the ticket line seems |
| lunchtime - so make them reservations in | | | | to stretch for miles. |
| advance. You can pick-up and buy tickets | | | | BEACON HILL |
| for the tour at two places: The Museum | | | | Beacon Hill is a popular walk for people |
| of Science, and The Prudential Center in | | | | on a Boston vacation. Here just off |
| Boston's Back Bay. | | | | Boston Common you can stroll around |
| The tour is done in a renovated World | | | | Louisburg Square and admire the |
| War II amphibious vehicle. You get to | | | | picturesque block of perfectly preserved |
| not only experience Boston from the | | | | residences. |
| streets of the city, but also from the | | | | This quiet and bewitching area is full |
| Charles River... and without getting | | | | of alleys and narrow red brick cobbled |
| wet! | | | | streets, where time has stood still for |
| That's right, during the tour, the bus | | | | the last century. It's a sheer delight |
| you're on will become a boat, and you'll | | | | to walk. You'll find walled gardens and |
| see the beautiful Boston skyline from | | | | an authentic 19th century neighborhood |
| the river that separates Boston from | | | | feel. Even the original gas lights |
| Cambridge. | | | | remain on streets lined with ancient |
| It's a great tour and you'd have to be | | | | elms. |
| "quackers" not to do it! Sorry couldn't | | | | While many tour buses and trolleys drive |
| resist it. | | | | through Beacon Hill, the only real way |
| THE FREEDOM TRAIL | | | | of experiencing it, is by foot. So put |
| The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile | | | | on some comfy shoes, take out your |
| easy-to-follow red brick line that links | | | | camera and breathe in the scenery... its |
| 16 historical sites together around the | | | | fine. |
| streets of Boston... and it's free. It's | | | | THE CENTER OF LEARNING |
| starts from Boston Common and winds its | | | | Boston has a strong traditional in |
| way through Boston landmarks such as the | | | | universities. With MIT and Harvard |
| State House, Boston Massacre Site, Paul | | | | perhaps the best known worldwide, but |
| Revere's House, USS Constitution, before | | | | with other great colleges such as Tufts, |
| ending up at the Bunker Hill monument in | | | | BU, Boston College, and of course |
| Charlestown. | | | | Northeastern. |
| If you do the whole walk, plan on at | | | | MIT and Harvard are just a short train |
| least 2-3 hours for distractions - nice | | | | ride across the river. Take the Red Line |
| ones though - or better still take the | | | | to Harvard Square and hang-out in the |
| whole day. | | | | Harvard campus and stroll the grounds, |
| The trail also takes you through | | | | and if everything seems familiar to you, |
| Boston's famed North End, where you'll | | | | it probably is. Many movies - including |
| be sure to return during your Boston | | | | Love Story - where filmed here. |
| vacation to sample the superb Italian | | | | And come back and visit at night when on |
| restaurants or stroll around this little | | | | a summer's evening street performers are |
| corner of Italy. | | | | everywhere and you don't have to pay a |
| THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM | | | | nickel for some of the best |
| As San Diego has its world famous zoo, | | | | entertainment on your Boston vacation. |
| then Boston has the New England | | | | AND THERE'S MORE... |
| Aquarium. | | | | Other places to visit on your Boston |
| New England and its coastline have a | | | | vacation are THE J.F.K Library and |
| history of fishing and whaling. But | | | | Museum at Columbia Point in South Boston |
| today instead of harpooning whales, New | | | | - and the Boston Harbor Islands, tours |
| Englanders spend most of their time | | | | to the islands leave from Long Wharf and |
| saving them. And the aquarium is a vital | | | | Rowes Wharf, both located near the |
| link in the area's ocean preservation | | | | aquarium. |