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