Boston, MA

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
DESCRIPTION: Also known to locals as Quincy Market, this low slung trio of buildings is a shining example of urban redevelopment at its best, but not without challenges; in 1742, Boston’s wealthiest merchant, Peter Faneuil, built 530-foot long Faneuil Hall as a home to merchants, fishermen, and meat and produce sellers; colonists first protested the Sugar Act against the British in 1764 and established the doctrine of "No Taxation Without Representation"; Samuel Adams rallied the Boston citizens to first seek independence from Great Britain here, George Washington celebrated the nation here on its first birthday and over the years many famous civic activists spoke in its great hall, giving it the nickname, "The Cradle of Liberty"; Faneuil Hall was expanded in 1826 to include the Greek Revival-style Quincy Market; it remained popular as a public market until late 1950's when freeways and suburban malls took over; the buildings fell into such disrepair and empty tenancy the site was set for demolition until a group of citizens fought to preserve it in the 1970s; with public investment and a visionary developer, Faneuil Hall Marketplace was fully restored in 1978 with more than 70 upscale brand names to unique local treasures and restaurants like Cheers (not the original), McCormick & Schmick's, Dick's Last Resort, and Ned Devines & Parris; today this national historic landmark is Boston's leading attraction for 14 million visitors per year

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-9p, Sun Noon-6p; Quincy Market Food Colonnade has extended hours

ADDRESS: 4 South Market Building  MAP

PARKING: 75 State Street Garage has $3 off with store validation during weekdays

TRANSIT: catch the Blue Line and Orange Line at State Street Station 2 blocks west on State Street

PHONE: 617-523-1300

WEBSITE: http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Marketplace Center
DESCRIPTION: A modest retail complex that offfers two levels shops and dining venues; the site oscillates between sales struggles and great popularity, even though it sits between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and New England Aquarium

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-9p

ADDRESS: 200 State Street  MAP

PARKING: 75 State Street Garage has $3 off with store validation during weekdays

TRANSIT: Catch the Blue Line at Aquarium Station 2 blocks east on State Street

PHONE: 617-478-2030

WEBSITE: none

Old North Church
DESCRIPTION: The history and fame of Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman held two lanterns from the steeple as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land; this event triggered the first major battles of the American Revolution

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Jan–Feb Tue–Sun 10a–4p, Mar–May daily 9a–5p, Jun–Oct daily 9a–6p, Nov–Dec daily 10a–5p

ADDRESS: 193 Salem Street  MAP

PARKING: 75 State Street Garage has $3 off with store validation during weekdays

TRANSIT: Catch the Green and Orange Lines at Haymarket Station 5 blocks southeast on Salem Street, then 1 block northwest to New Chardon Street

PHONE: 617-523-6676

WEBSITE: http://www.oldnorth.com

Cheers
DESCRIPTION: The pub that inspired the TV program Cheers; still features one of the top bartenders in the city

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-until

ADDRESS: 84 Beacon Street  MAP

PARKING: 75 State Street Garage has $3 off with store validation during weekdays

TRANSIT: Catch the Green Line at Arlington Station 1 blocks west, then 6 short blocks south on Arlington Street

PHONE: 617-227-9605

WEBSITE: http://www.cheersboston.com

Hard Rock Cafe
DESCRIPTION: althugh the restaurant only features standard fare, there's plenty of memorabilia and great tunes that fans of Rock n’ Roll enjoy

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 11a-11p, Fri-Sat 11a–12p

ADDRESS: 131 Clarendon Street in Copley Square  MAP
PARKING: Copley Square garage

TRANSIT: Back Bay Station is 1 block east, featuring 5 transit lines

PHONE: 617-424-ROCK

WEBSITE: http://www.hardrock.com

Skywalk Observatory
DESCRIPTION: Boston tallest and only observatory offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and informative exhibits on Boston's famous historic places, artists and athletes; located on the 50th floor of Prudential Center, over 700 feet above ground

ADMISSION: Adults $11, Seniors $9, ages 1 and under $7.50, Students with ID $9

DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-10p

ADDRESS: 800 Boylston Street  MAP

PARKING: Prudential Center garage

TRANSIT: Green Line stops at Prudential Station

PHONE: 617-859-0648

WEBSITE: http://www.prudentialcenter.com/play/skywalk.html

House of Blues Boston
DESCRIPTION: Located next to Fenway Park, this venue returns HOB to Beantown after the HOB in Cambridge closed; the House of Blues Houston also displays the Crazy Quilt and keeps a metal box of mud from the Delta Mississippi underneath its stage

BOX OFFICE: opens 1 hour prior to show time at this location; also at the Orpheum Box Office at 1 Hamilton Place and from Mon-Sat 10a–5p

DAYS & HOURS: Daily 11a-2p and 4p until close

ADDRESS: 15 Lansdowne Street  MAP

PARKING: Fenway Park parking garages and paid lots

TRANSIT: One block from Worshester Line Yawkey Station

PHONE: 888-693-2583

WEBSITE: http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/boston

Charlestown, MA

Bunker Hill Monument
DESCRIPTION: On 17 June 1775, this site on Bunker Hill hosted one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War between American colonists and the British; today the distinctive obelisk tower is a landmark seen from Boston across the harboror

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: 9a-5p

ADDRESS: Monument Square  MAP

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT: n.a.

PHONE: 617-242-564

WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/bhm.htm

Cambridge, MA

Improv Boston
DESCRIPTION: New England's premier comedy theatre and home to a touring company and acclaimed performances

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun shows at 8p and 9:30p or 10p, occasional 11:30p and maybe a 6p family show for good measure

ADDRESS: 1253 Cambridge Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT: n.a.

PHONE: 617-576-1253

WEBSITE:
 http://www.improvboston.com