Copy and Paste from my other thread:

National Historical Parks/Sites in Greater Boston

These attractions are operated by the National Park Service. Some are free of charge, while others do have an admission fee. However, the fees are quite cheap compared to other commerical attractions.

Boston National Historical Park
Located next to the Old State House. Offers free ranger-led guided tours parts of the year. I had posted a description of the tour earlier in this thread.
http://www.nps.gov/bost/index.htm

Adams National Historical Park
This is in Quincy MA. It can only be toured by a trolley operated by the NPS. Great tour of the old Adams's houses. $5pp
http://www.nps.gov/adam/

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
It comprises of plenty of islands in the Harbor. The famous ones include Geroges Island, Spectacle Island, and Little Brewster (lighthouse). Ferry cost is $14 and they are only open part of the year.
http://www.nps.gov/boha/

Longfellow National Historic Site
Located in Cambridge's Tory Row, just a few minutes' walk from Harvard Sq. One of my favorite places to visit in Boston. It also is open part year. $3pp
http://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm

JFK National Historic Site
In Brookline, JFK's Birthplace. $3pp
http://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm


Further outside of the city:

Minute Man National Historical Park
Located in Concord and Lexington, where the American Revolution began in 1775.
http://www.nps.gov/mima/

Lowell National Historical Park http://www.nps.gov/lowe
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park http://www.nps.gov/nebe
Salem Maritime National Historic Site http://www.nps.gov/sama
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site http://www.nps.gov/sair
Essex National Heritage Area http://www.nps.gov/esse

Brewery

Sam Adams
$2 suggested donation for tours
Monday-Thursday 10-3
Fridays 10-5:30
Saturday 10-3
http://www.samueladams.com/contact_tour.aspx

Harpoon
Tastings FREE
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: Daily at 4pm
Friday 2pm and 4pm

Tours and tastings $5
Saturday 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM (starting every half hour)
Sunday 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM (starting every hour)

http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?cdid=128507&pid=28476

Buzzards Bay Brewing Tasting in Westport MA
http://www.buzzardsbrew.com/about-retailstore.htm

------------------------------------
Literary sites
Old Manse in Concord http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/346_old_manse.cfm

Wayside Inn in Concord
http://www.nps.gov/archive/mima/wayside/Planfrm1.htm

Orchard House in Concord http://www.louisamayalcott.org/

Walden Pond in Concord http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/walden/

Longfellow House in Cambridge, mentioned above

The Dorchester Heights Monument in Dorchester (south Boston) and the Myles Standish monument in Duxbury (NE of Plymouth) are supposed to have great views.

DHM: http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/massachusetts/boston/review-156226.html

MSM: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/mssm.htm

If you are north of Boston along I-95 or US 1, go off the beaten path to Richardson's in Middleton for ice cream. Part of what makes it unique is that the Richardson family has been dairying in Middleton since 1695 (although they have been making ice cream only since 1952).

The ice cream shop ("ice cream stand" doesn't do it justice!) is next to the dairy, so you can go out back and see the cows while you enjoy your ice cream, frozen yogurt, or soft serve (their website says they have over 85 flavors). You can also buy milk there (for much less than at a grocery store, and it's fresher).

http://www.richardsonsicecream.com

-Black Heritage Trail (including the African Meeting House, Abiel Smith School, and Hayden House)
-The USS Cassin Young (its a world war II battleship open to the public as a museum)

This is a really great post on Boston that will be of use to repeat visitors. I lived in Boston during grad school (back in the Late Middle Ages). I have been back occasionally but it does remind me it is time for a visit again. I amazed how little I saw while I was a student. Well, who had a car? Who had money?

Ditto, Lauren. I lived in Boston for 7 years in my younger years, but never got around to see/do much. Now that I'm back here, I try to do my best to see some other attractions.

There are plenty of free or cheap activities in Boston as well. I started a thread on it:
http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/money-saving-tips-for-boston-and-surroundings.cfm

Self-guided Walking Trails

Irish Heritage Trail http://www.irishheritagetrail.com/

Boston Women's Heritage Trail http://bwht.org/tours

I'll add a few that I recall doing when we lived in the area:

-Charleston Days for lots of re-enactments and historical presentations
-Blue Hill Observatory
-in Lowell you can take a boat tour of the locks; also a trolley tour and there's a museum that gives visitors insight into the lives of factory workers' conditions during the city's textile heyday
-easy to take a commuter rail up to Salem for all the witch musuems; the Peabody Essex Musuem has a surprisingly outstanding collection
-Re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party - it was held in the Old South Meeting House and 'the organizers' were dressed in period costume. The public was encouraged to participate as slips of paper with questions in historical text were given out to those who would like to stand and read them during the re-enactment. Even those who do not want a 'spotlight' role could join in; it was pretty fun pounding the banisters and yelling, "no taxes! no taxes!" from the balcony. Well, you could choose to join the Patriots or the Loyalists...lol!
-Boston Ballet used to offer backstage tours
-well not off the beaten path but the ballet reminds me to say, check out the world reknowned Boston Pops/BSO

Enjoy-la!

YK, you're a doll to be doing all of this. If the weather holds out, we're venturing into Boston tomorrow to finish off with the USS Cassin Young and then go wander around the North End.

I need to go back and print out these recent threads on Boston!

P.S. does anyone know the name of the trolley tours that run through the Charlestown Naval Shipyard? I saw them, but didn't note down the name. Thanks.

Jaya, why not take the boat from the Navy Yard to Long Wharf? I'm pretty sure that's cheaper than a trolley tour.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/boats/lines/?route=F4

I hope the weather holds up. While you're near North End, you can consider heading up the observatory deck of the Custom House. See my other thread for description. We're planning to do a walking tour in Jamaica Plain tomorrow.

klam- thanks for the input. My brother & I visited the Lowell Historical Park a few days ago and it was excellent. A few days ago this week, June 17, is the 234th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill with a re-enactment. Unfortunately I was busy that day and couldn't go.

You're never to old to ride the swan boats, and they're a good bargain. http://www.swanboats.com/ It's beautiful to ride around, and then walk around, the Public Garden. Read Make Way for Ducklings first to get inspired, and then look for the duckling statues afterward.

Another off-the-beaten-path thing to do (unless I missed it above) is to tour the Christian Science Church in Boston. Regardless of your religious affiliation, it's great to see the architecture. The Mapparium, part of the Christian Science Center, is also fun to walk through. http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/exhibits/mapparium

North of Boston, walk around Old Town Marblehead and then walk out to Fort Sewall for a beautiful view of the harbor. Nearby is Salem, with the Peabody-Essex Museum and also Historic New England's Phillips House Museum. North of there, in Magnolia (really a part of Gloucester, I believe) is Hammond Castle. And Beauport, another Historic New England property--in Gloucester--is worth a detour.

Check out 17th Century Saturdays at many sites in Essex County (NE of Boston):

http://www.escapesnorth.com/17thCenturyBrochure.pdf

Several of the sites will be having special activities on one or more of these dates (July 11, August 1, September 5, October 3). Check individual websites (listed in the pdf brochure) for more details. While June 6 was free at all sites listed, most will be charging admission for the remainder of the dates (Saugus Iron Works NHS is one that is always free, however).

There are free walking tours of Ipswich at 11 AM on those Saturdays. Ipswich, founded in 1634, celebrates its 375th anniversary this year and has lots of events planned (see http://www.ipswichma375.org/events/).

Wow, what a thread yk et al! I'm going to print this out with son in Cambridge teaching Boston U. and his friend with American Rep Theatre Harvard. Thanks.
Ozarksbill

A bit more about the Boston Athenæum: It is a membership library. While the first floor is open to visitors, one has to be a member to visit the upper floors. However, the Athenæum offers twice-weekly guided tours for non-members, so this is the only way a non-member can tour the building. It is important to call in advance to book the tour (free), because each tour has only 8 spots.
http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/general.html#tours

Some of the treasures at the Athenæum include:
~ part of George Washington's library
~ Henry Knox's bookcases and books (he was a bookstore owner in Boston right before the revolutionary wars)
~ King's Chapel Library (gift from King William III of England to the King's Chapel in Boston in 1698)

The artwork that remains (most went to form the Museum of Fine Arts in 1876), include busts of Ben Franklin and Lafayette by Houdon (whose George Washington's bust made headline news last week, and was auctioned by London Sotheby's this week for £301,250). There are also portraits by Gilbert Smith, paintings by Copley and Sargant, sculptures by Daniel Chester French and Horatio Greenough.

The Athenæum was founded in 1807. Its location moved a few times before it settled at the current location of 10½ Beacon Street, in 1849.

Congregational Library
http://www.14beacon.org/

Located next door to the Boston Athenæum, at 14 Beacon Street, is the Congregational Library.

Formed in 1853 with the gift of 56 books from its owners' personal collections, the Congregational Library now holds 225,000 items documenting the history of one of the nation's oldest and most influential religious traditions.

During the summer, the Library offers a tour twice a month. http://www.14beacon.org/news-and-events/program-and-workshop-schedule

The tour begins at the Library's reading room, which looks exactly the same as it was over 100 years ago when the Library took its present location in 1898. An adjoining room is known as the Pratt Room, named after S. Brainard Pratt. He collected many bibles during his life: in different languages and of different sizes. He also enjoyed doing illuminations of his bibles, not unlike the monks and friars during medieval times. He donated his bible collection to the Congregational Library.

What this library does, apart from collection bibles, is collect documents from congregational churches, especially ones that ceased to exist. What came next on the tour was quite a shock!

The librarian led me up a narrow staircase and unlocked a door. Behind the door is a climate-controlled room where rare books are kept. It looks just like an ugly warehouse room with stacks and stacks of old books, about the size of a large living room.

Then, she took a book from the shelf and told me that was a baptismal record book from the Old South Church in Boston, from the year 1706. She opened up the book to a page, and pointed out one entry from January 1706. It recorded the baptism of Benjamin Franklin! I could NOT believe my eyes. 10 inches in front of me, is this 300+ year-old book, recording the baptism of this baby who became one of the greatest American in history. There is no plexiglass between it and me. The guide/librarian was so casual about this as if she was just flipping through a magazine to show me some tabloid photos.

While I was still recovering from my awe-struck state, she took down another book (kept in an acid-free box). This one is the first printed Bible in the US, known as the John Eliot Bible, in Algonquian in 1663. Again, no plexiglass, no nothing between me and this historic artifact. Truly phenomenal.

One does not have to be a religious person to take this tour. I think anyone who is interested in the history of Boston will enjoy this. And if you are into genealogy research, the library is a great resource because it has all these old church records.

You've listed lots of my favorites including the Saugus Iron Works

I'd add Fruitlands in Harvard, MA
http://www.fruitlands.org/home

and Salem Maritime National Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/sama

We have been using a good guide book on recent trips to the Boston area, the Literary Trail of Greater Boston (includes Cambridge and Concord sites)

Hi Vttraveler, no, I haven't been to all the places I listed. At least not the Saugus Iron Works, well, not YET.

Fruitlands is on my list; I think the Tower Hill Botanic Garden is not too far away at Boylston, MA. There's also the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA. I have been to the latter.
http://www.towerhillbg.org/
http://www.museumofrussianicons.org/

My husband and I took an American history course in college many years ago and went out to see the Saugus Iron Works which was mentioned in a lecture. I sometimes refer to this as our first date. We stopped again with our kids on our way back from Boston a few years ago. It really is a fascinating social history site.

On another thread I reported that we finally visited the Longfellow House in Cambridge last month after talking about going for years. It is well worth the walk up Brattle Street in Cambridge.

THANKS to Cranachin's posting about the 17th Century Saturdays celebration in the North Shore. We were in Salem yesterday (Aug 1) and visited a couple of these 17th-c houses.

Again, details here:
http://www.escapesnorth.com/17thCenturyBrochure.pdf

this is a great list, yk. We went some time ago and we really enjoyed the Minuteman Park and the literary sites in Concord. And what is off the beaten path is all a matter of perspective: If you read Little Women, Eight Cousins, etc as many times as I did, then Concord would classify as a "must-see." Incidentally, we recall eating in a tavern quite near the Old Manse and Orchard House that was supposedly around in revoluationary times. I have long forgotten what else we ate, but the bread pudding was very good. I was a bit disappointed in Walden Pond. We did not see people in historical garb as shown in the photos; we did see guys selling ice cream.

To add to your list, I really enjoy the historical re-enactment places when done well, and Massachusetts has two:
Sturbridge Village, which is a bit far if your vacation is a short one. Really, really excellent, though. The characters have a very deep understanding of the history. http://www.osv.org/

Plimouth Plantation, much closer to Boston and quite enjoyable. This one is just delightful if you ask the actors questions and engage with them. Boston.http://www.plimoth.org/

This is off the beaten path for most Fodor's members, but the National Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield and is really a must-see. We saw the old building--now it is much newer and supposedly even more interesting. The interactive activities really are enjoyable.

One place I would have liked to have gone but did not was the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.

Great suggestions! We will be in Boston sometime this fall and this will sure help.

Great list, yk!

Bookmarking for my upcoming trip to Boston!

Talking about historical personages and Concord, there is also the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where many notables are buried (Thoreau, Alcott, etc.):

http://www.concordma.gov/pages/concordma_cemetery/sleepy

I was taken to dine at the Wayside Inn many years ago and always remember thinking how small the people were during the Revolutionary era! Great history!

I was interested in yk's mention of the valuable book collection in the Congregational Library. Last November when we worshipped at Old South Church in Boston with our son we afterwards saw some of the collection in a special talk. What impressed us were copies of a rare Bay Psalm book used by the Pilgrims as well as the Algonquin Bible printed for the first time in a native tongue. Sermon on that Nov. 9 was a tribute to Rev. Prince who became minister in 1715 and it was he who collected the original books donated at his death which were piled up in a spare room and finally properly catalogued. See www.oldsouth.org and you can search also for the sermon (Nov. 9, 2008) about this Colonial preacher with his prayer for deliverance from a British fleet which was successful!

Ozarksbill

A couple of people here suggested going to the Mary Eddy Baker Museum mapparium when I went to Boston. It was a highlight for my Geographer DS, and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit there as well. it probably takes about an hour to see.

http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/exhibits/mapparium.jhtml

My family (husband, myself and 2 teenage sons) spent the day yesterday at Lowell National Historic Park. It was wonderful! We started at the Vistor Center and watched the 20 min film - great overview. Next we took the canal boat tour which goes through a working lock (built in 1796 - the engineering is impressive!). This was 90 minutes and very well done.

We took a break for lunch - many restaurants with outdoor seating to choose from. Walked over to the Boott Cotton Mill which has working weaving looms - they had only 10 working and it was LOUD (they provide ear plugs) - imagine when they were all going at once! Nice museum upstairs including film clips from mill workers - very informative.

The last stop was a boarding house with a great exhibit about "The Mill Girls" - again very interesting. They were setting up for an outdoor concert in this area which looked like a lot of fun. There was also a Quilt Festival happening but it didn't appeal to my guys.

We arrived around 10 AM and left at 4 PM - a very full day. I highly recommend this historic park. My 16 yo son had to visit a historic place for his AP History class and do a 2-4 page write-up, which was our main reason for going there. He now has plenty of material to work with!

BBEAR, thanks for your excellent review. I totally agree with you on the Lowell Historic Park. Unfortunately, we went on a weekday so the canal locks cruise was not available, but we still enjoyed the rest of the exhibits, including a ranger-guided tour on which he told us about the history of Lowell, plus a visit of another mill building. In the museum where the room with all the loom machines is just impressive - one has to experience it, words alone are totally inadequate to describe it.

Ditto on Lowell Historic Park! Isn't it amazing what some towns have done with those huge empty New England cotton mills? Our daughter worked at a museum in one in Manchester, NH, where they have also made the huge buildings into offices and condos and such. In our Lowell stop that summer we enjoyed a folk festival. Yes, the exhibits in restored buildings tell a story about an industrial past. Also that nice canal boat ride.
Ozarksbill walongman@yahoo.com

A little-known GEM in Boston:
Ayer Mansion
http://ayermansion.org/

Boston's Tiffany Treasure

Built between 1899 and 1902 for businessman and art collector Frederick Ayer, the Ayer Mansion is the country’s only surviving residence designed entirely by famed American artisan, Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Named a National Historic Landmark in 2005, the Ayer Mansion exemplifies Tiffany’s astounding versatility. At the Ayer Mansion, Tiffany-designed stone and glass mosaics, graceful metalwork, Favrile glass, custom furniture, intricate plaster work, and elaborate stained glass windows all work together to create a masterpiece.

The mansion, located in Back Bay, is open to the public 12 times a year, on the second Saturday of each month at 3pm.

The facade of the building is covered in mosaics, however, they are in dire need of repair that one can easily walk past it without ever noticing the intricate work.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5572.jpg

Once inside, the entry foyer is impressive enough to take one's breath away. On one side is a large marble fireplace, inlaid with turquoise-colored mosaics. Opposite the fire place is the grand staircase leading to the upper floors. The apse-like ceiling is covered with gold-colored mosaics, while the wall is made of opalescent glass to give the impression of a 3-dimensional colonnade.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5564.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5569.jpg

From the landing of the staircase, one looks up to a Tiffany glass skylight.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5563.jpg

Other amazing touches include original electric Favrile glass lamps, and the oval-shaped stair well with the original chandelier.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5568.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/y2000k/BOSTON/IMG_5571.jpg

My photos don't do justice to the beauty of this place. Go pay a visit if you can!

This weekend (Thursday-Saturday), May 13-15, 2010 is Doors Open Lowell

http://www.doorsopenlowell.org/

Doors Open Lowell offers an insider’s look into the preservation of twenty-five of Lowell’s magnificent historic buildings. It’s a free event held during National Preservation Month to celebrate Lowell’s architectural heritage and urban living and culture.

I hope someone here will see this and go; unfortunately we're busy this weekend and won't be able to attend.

My last comment was a year ago...about Lowell, MA! But glad to know about Ayer Mansion. As a matter of fact in the meantime we have just moved to the Boston area to be near our son. So we will be out exploring...and likely at the Lowell Festival in July.

Ozarksbill (should be Watertownbill)
walongman@yahoo.com

Food Tours of Boston:

Michele Topor's North End Market Tour
http://www.northendmarkettours.com/html/markettours/markettours.html
Report by gail here: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/boston-north-end-market-tour-trip-report.cfm

Michele Topor's Chinatown Market Tour
http://www.northendmarkettours.com/html/chinatown/tour_chinatown.html
Report by dfrostnh here: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/boston-chinatown-tour.cfm

Jewish cuisine tour in Brookline:
http://www.brooklinetour.com/content/view/102/142/

Russian cuisine tour in Brookline:
http://www.brooklinetour.com/content/view/99/147/

East Boston "Eastie" tour:
http://www.tastethistours.com/

Chocolate Walking tour:
http://www.bostonchocolatewalkingtours.com/