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IFLY tips
Cheers (2 hrs)
They serve delicious hamburgers for a reasonable price. ‘The Original’ Cheers Bar is located at 84 Beacon Street and there’s another location at Faneuil Marketplace. More information about the menu and the locations can be found at their website.
Beacon Hill (1-2 hrs)
Beacon Hill is a historic neighbourhood, is known for its federal-style rowhouses and narrow streets and brick sidewalks. Today, Beacon Hill is regarded as one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Boston.
It is wonderful to walk around in this neighbourhood and watch the great architecture. Walk into Charles Street and rummage around through many antique shops. Beacon Hill is located just north of Boston Common Park.
Back Bay and Newbury Street (1 hr – ½ day)
There are many architecturally significant individual buildings and important cultural institutions such as the Boston Public Library. It is also a fashionable shopping destination, and home to some of Boston's tallest office buildings and numerous major hotels.
Marlborough Street is a great place to see the old houses. And Newbury Street is a nice high-end shopping street with wonderful boutiques, restaurants, bars and terraces.
Boston Public Library (1 hr)
The entrance is free. You can see the building inside and the library also has a beautiful courtyard where you can enjoy a coffee with a great view on the fountain.
The Public Library is located at 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square in the Back Bay area. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm. At Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm in winter.
Cape Cod (1-3 days)
When driving to Provincetown you should take highway 6A as much as possible instead of highway 6, as 6A is the more scenic route. During the ride, visit the small villages. A very nice one is Chatham. At the end of the ride you will find Provincetown, shortly known as P-town.
Provincetown is a very touristic place and has long been known as an art colony, attracting writers and artists. Many hotels and resorts are friendly to or cater to gay and lesbian tourists and it is known as a gay Mecca in summer.
Cape Cod is a popular destination for beachgoers from all over. With 559.6 miles (900.6 km) of coastline, beaches are easily accessible. The Cape is also popular for its outdoor activities like beach walking, biking, boating, fishing, go-karts, golfing, kayaking, miniature golf, and unique shopping. So there’s enough to do for everyone.
It is also possible to go by boat from Boston to P-town. The boats of Boston Harbour Cruises depart from Long Wharf, just a block away from Faneuil Hall and bring you to the heart of Provincetown.
With a fast Catamaran ferry you can sail to Cape Cod in only 90 minutes. At their website you can find all information about the schedule, rates and you can buy tickets online. It is a great thing to do in summer, but you will miss all wonderful sites along the road to P-town.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace (2 hrs)
It has been a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742. It is now part of a larger festival marketplace, which includes three long granite buildings called North Market, Quincy Market and South Market. Nowadays it operates as an indoor/outdoor mall and food eatery.
The opening hours and directions can be found at their website.
Boston Common Park (1-3 hrs)
This park is the heart of downtown Boston. It is the oldest park in the country. The ‘Common’ has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history.
Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Celebrities, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Pope John Paul II have given speeches at the Common.
It is a great place at every season to walk around and spend some time and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. At the other side of the park you will find the original Cheers bar at Beacon Street
Hop-on-hop-off (1-2 days)
There are 18 stops and if you buy a ticket for one day, you get another day for free. There’s even a free 45-minute harbour cruise included. At their website you can view a map with the highlights, see where you can board and buy your tickets online.
Duck tours (55-80 minutes)
Boston Duck Tours operates a fleet of restored World War II era DUKWs. These amphibious vehicles played an important role in both the European and Pacific theaters of the war. Nowadays these vehicles are used to give you a great overview of the city, show you many unique neighborhoods and splash you into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines.
Information about departure points and operating hours can be found here. Duck Tours offers great tours, but only during summer, so check their site first. Tickets cost about $32.
Cambridge & the MIT Museum (½ day)
Harvard Square is the most important shopping area. But there’s much more in Cambridge: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology shortly the MIT Museum. The Museum invites you to explore invention, ideas, and innovation. Through interactive exhibitions, public programs, experimental projects and its renown collections, the MIT Museum showcases the fascinating world of MIT, and inspires people of all ages about the possibilities and opportunities offered by science and technology.
The museum is located at 265 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. It is open daily from 10am to 5 pm. The admission fee is $7,50 for an adult.
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Language of the world
Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Boston.